Control terminal, air conditioning control system, and air conditioner control method

Abstract

A control terminal capable of appropriately controlling an air conditioner is provided. [Solution] The control terminal 220 is provided with a subordinate control unit 221 that controls the air conditioner 200 so that its power consumption P200 is equal to or less than the upper limit power consumption when the communication unit 228 is able to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50; an autonomous control condition receiving unit 222 that receives from the air conditioning control device 50 via the communication unit 228 autonomous control conditions that specify control conditions to be applied when the communication unit 228 is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50 and that suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner 200; and an autonomous control unit 223 that controls the air conditioner 200 in accordance with the autonomous control conditions when the communication unit 228 is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control terminal, an air conditioning control system, and a method for controlling an air conditioner. [Background technology]

[0002] As background art in this technical field, the abstract of Patent Document 1 listed below states that "the server Sv periodically transmits operation plans to the control device HGW, and the control device HGW transmits the received operation plans to the heating appliances 4 and the air conditioners 5. The heating appliances 4 and the air conditioners 5 store the received operation plans in memories 41 and 51 and operate in accordance with the operation plans, forming a residential appliance control system in which a default operation plan determined by the user is stored in the memories 41 and 51. The server Sv creates an operation plan for a predetermined time interval that is more valuable to the user than the default operation plan based on weather forecast data provided from outside and appliance operation settings determined by the user, and if the heating appliances 4 and the air conditioners 5 cannot receive the operation plan created by the server Sv, they operate in accordance with the default operation plan stored in the memories 41 and 51." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-75749 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned technology, there is a demand for more appropriate control of the air conditioner. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a control terminal, an air conditioning control system, and a method for controlling an air conditioner that are capable of appropriately controlling an air conditioner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, the control terminal of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a communication unit that communicates with an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and also communicates with an air conditioning control device that outputs an upper limit power consumption, which is an upper limit value for the power consumption of the air conditioner; a subordinate control unit that controls the air conditioner so that the power consumption of the air conditioner is below the upper limit power consumption when the communication unit is able to communicate with the air conditioning control device; an autonomous control condition receiving unit that receives from the air conditioning control device via the communication unit autonomous control conditions that specify control conditions to be applied when the communication unit is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device and that suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner; and an autonomous control unit that controls the air conditioner in accordance with the autonomous control conditions when the communication unit is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, the air conditioner can be appropriately controlled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of an air conditioning control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a set temperature pattern in the power receiving equipment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transition of the amount of power in the power receiving facility. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of predicted power consumption at a power receiving point. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of transition of power consumption of each unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of transition of power consumption of each part in a comparative example. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a control sequence diagram according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a self-sustaining control condition in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a power difference value. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of predicted air conditioning power consumption. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a self-sustaining control condition in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of control levels in the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a self-sustaining control condition in the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a self-sustaining control condition in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Outline of the embodiment] When calculating electricity rates, electric power companies sometimes apply a demand-based pricing system. In Japan, a demand pricing system is often applied to electricity rates for small- to medium-sized power receiving facilities (e.g., buildings) with a received power of less than 500 kW. In Japan's demand pricing system, unit periods (TU) of 30 minutes each, such as 0 to 30 minutes and 30 to 60 minutes each hour (see Figure 4), are defined, and the amount of power consumed in each unit period (TU) is measured. The maximum value of the amount of power consumed in each unit period (TU) measured over a one-month period is called the demand value. The contracted power for each month is then determined based on the larger of the demand value for a given month and the maximum demand value over the past 11 months.

[0009] In response to this system, it is preferable to suppress the received power of the power receiving equipment when the amount of power in a certain unit period TU is about to exceed a predetermined target upper limit amount of power. A commonly used method for suppressing the received power of the power receiving equipment is to suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner. The reason for this is that the power consumption of the air conditioner can be controlled relatively freely. For this reason, it is conceivable that an external air conditioning control device 50 (see FIG. 1) managed by a resource aggregator or the like can instruct a control terminal 220 (see FIG. 1) installed in the power receiving equipment of a building or the like to suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner 200.

[0010] However, if communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is interrupted, it will also be impossible to receive commands regarding the power consumption of the air conditioner 200. Therefore, if the power consumption of the air conditioner is no longer suppressed, there is a possibility that the amount of power in a certain unit period TU will exceed the target upper limit of power. On the other hand, it is possible to significantly suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner 200 when communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is interrupted. While this measure certainly reduces the possibility that the amount of power in a unit period TU will exceed the target upper limit of power, it creates a problem in that it prolongs the period of time during which comfort is impaired for people in the power receiving equipment. Therefore, the embodiments described below aim to maintain as much comfort as possible while preventing the amount of power in a unit period TU from exceeding the target upper limit of power, even when communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is interrupted.

[0011] [First embodiment] <Configuration of the first embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air conditioning control system 1 according to the first embodiment. 1, the air conditioning control system 1 includes a power receiving facility 70 such as a building, and an air conditioning control device 50. The air conditioning control device 50 and the power receiving facility 70 are connected via a communication network 103. The air conditioning control device 50 also acquires weather information from an external weather information system 110 via the communication network 103.

[0012] A power receiving facility 70 in a building or the like includes an air conditioning system 20, a smart meter 72, and a power load 74. The power load 74 is a general term for various power loads other than the air conditioning system 20, such as lighting and elevators. The air conditioning system 20 includes two air conditioners 200-A and 200-B, a control terminal 220 (computer), and a communication network 230 for the air conditioners.

[0013] The air conditioner 200-A includes an outdoor unit 201-A, a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) indoor units 202-A1, 202-A2, and 202-A3, and a shared refrigerant pipe 203-A. The shared refrigerant pipe 203-A is connected between the outdoor unit 201-A and the indoor units 202-A1 to 202-A3, and allows a refrigerant (not shown) to circulate therethrough.

[0014] The air conditioner 200-B includes an outdoor unit 201-B, a plurality of (two in the illustrated example) indoor units 202-B1 and 202-B2, and a shared refrigerant pipe 203-B. The shared refrigerant pipe 203-B is connected between the outdoor unit 201-B and the indoor units 202-B1 and 202-B2, and allows a refrigerant (not shown) to circulate therethrough.

[0015] In the following description, multiple components, physical quantities, information, etc. having the same or similar functions or significance may be expressed by adding a "-" and an alphanumeric character to the same reference symbol, such as "indoor units 202-A1, 202-A2." However, when it is not necessary to distinguish between these multiple components, etc., they may be expressed without the "-" and alphanumeric character, such as "indoor unit 202." Another way of expressing multiple components, physical quantities, information, etc. having the same or similar functions or significance is by adding a subscripted alphanumeric character to the same reference symbol, such as "power differential values ​​ΔPh1, ΔPh2" (see FIG. 10). However, when it is not necessary to distinguish between these multiple components, etc., they may be expressed with a subscripted alphanumeric character, such as "power differential value ΔPh." The number of air conditioners 200 and the number of outdoor units 201 and indoor units 202 in each air conditioner 200 described above are examples, and these numbers may be changed as appropriate.

[0016] The control terminal 220 includes a slave control unit 221 (slave control process), an independent control condition receiving unit 222 (independent control condition receiving process), an independent control unit 223 (independent control process), an air conditioning information acquisition unit 224, an independent control condition database 226, and a communication unit 228. The communication unit 228 communicates with the air conditioning control device 50 via the communication network 103, and with each air conditioner 200 via the communication network 230.

[0017] Here, the power consumptions of the air conditioners 200-A and 200-B are referred to as P200-A and P200-B (not shown), and the command values ​​for the upper limits of these power consumptions are referred to as upper limit power consumptions P200*-A and P200*-B (not shown). When the communication unit 228 is able to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50, the slave control unit 221 receives a control command CCT (see FIG. 8) including the upper limit power consumptions P200*-A and P200*-B from the air conditioning control device 50 via the communication unit 228. The slave control unit 221 then commands the operating states of the outdoor units 201 and indoor units 202 so as to satisfy these upper limit power consumptions P200*-A and P200*-B.

[0018] The independent control condition receiving unit 222 receives independent control conditions DIC (see FIG. 8 ) from the air conditioning control device 50 via the communication unit 228 when the communication unit 228 is able to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50. These independent control conditions DIC are control conditions that are applied when the communication unit 228 is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50, and are control conditions that suppress the power consumption P200 of the air conditioner 200. The independent control condition receiving unit 222 stores the received independent control conditions DIC in the independent control condition database 226. When the communication unit 228 is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50, the independent control unit 223 executes independent control that suppresses the power consumption P200 of the air conditioner 200 based on the independent control conditions DIC stored in the independent control condition database 226.

[0019] The air conditioning information acquisition unit 224 acquires air conditioning information DAS (see FIG. 8) which is the status of each outdoor unit 201 and each indoor unit 202. Then, if the communication unit 228 is able to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50, the air conditioning information acquisition unit 224 transmits the air conditioning information DAS to the air conditioning control device 50 via the communication unit 228 at a predetermined interval. Here, the air conditioning information DAS includes the information listed below. The operating state of each outdoor unit 201 (starting, stopping, etc.), Power consumption of each outdoor unit 201 The operating status of each indoor unit 202 (starting, stopping, etc.), Power consumption, set temperature, current room temperature of each indoor unit 202, Whether or not each indoor unit 202 is in a protection state with respect to the set temperature (details will be described later).

[0020] Here, the power received by the power receiving equipment 70 is referred to as the power receiving point power consumption P70. The power receiving point power consumption P70 is equal to the sum of the power consumption of the power load 74 and the power consumption P20 of the air conditioning system 20. Because the power consumption of the control terminal 220 is small, the power consumption P20 of the control terminal 220 can be considered to be equal to the sum of the power consumption P200-A and P200-B of the air conditioners 200-A and 200-B. The smart meter 72 measures the power receiving point power consumption P70 at a predetermined interval and supplies the measurement results to the air conditioning control device 50.

[0021] The air conditioning control device 50 includes a database unit 51, a target power setting unit 52, a power consumption acquisition unit 53, a weather information acquisition unit 54, an air conditioning information acquisition unit 55, an autonomous control condition setting unit 57, and a communication unit 59. The database unit 51 stores various data, which will be described later. The communication unit 59 communicates with the control terminal 220, the weather information system 110, and the smart meter 72 via the communication network 103.

[0022] The target power setting unit 52 determines upper limit power consumptions P200*-A and P200*-B, which are upper limit target values ​​for the air conditioners 200-A and 200-B, based on the power receiving point power consumption P70. That is, the target power setting unit 52 determines the upper limit power consumptions P200*-A and P200*-B so that the amount of power consumption of the power receiving equipment 70 in each unit period is equal to or less than the target upper limit power amount J70max (see FIG. 4), and transmits a control command CCT (see FIG. 8) including the determined upper limit power consumptions P200*-A and P200*-B to the control terminal 220 via the communication unit 59.

[0023] The power consumption acquisition unit 53 receives the power consumption P200-A and P200-B of the air conditioners 200-A and 200-B from the control terminal 220 via the communication unit 59. The power consumption acquisition unit 53 also receives the power receiving point power consumption P70 of the power receiving equipment 70 from the smart meter 72 via the communication unit 59. The power consumption acquisition unit 53 stores this received data in the database unit 51 as time-series information.

[0024] The weather information acquisition unit 54 acquires weather information from the weather information system 110 and stores it in the database unit 51. The weather information includes time-series information on predicted future temperature, humidity, and weather at the installation location of the power receiving equipment 70, and time-series information on past temperature, humidity, and weather. The air conditioning information acquisition unit 55 acquires the above-mentioned air conditioning information DAS from the control terminal 220 at predetermined intervals, and stores the acquired air conditioning information DAS in the database unit 51 as time-series information. The self-contained control condition setting unit 57 determines the self-contained control condition DIC described above, i.e., the control condition for suppressing the power consumption P200 of the air conditioner 200, which is applied when the communication unit 228 is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50. Details of the self-contained control condition DIC will be described later.

[0025] 2 is a block diagram of the computer 980. The air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 shown in FIG. 2, a computer 980 includes a CPU 981, a storage unit 982, a communication I / F (interface) 983, an input / output I / F 984, and a media I / F 985. Here, the storage unit 982 includes a RAM 982a, a ROM 982b, and an SSD (Solid State Drive) 982c. The communication I / F 983 is connected to a communication circuit 986. The input / output I / F 984 is connected to an input / output device 987. The media I / F 985 reads and writes data from a recording medium 988.

[0026] The ROM 982b stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) executed by the CPU, etc. The SSD 982c stores control programs, various data, etc. The CPU 981 executes control programs, etc. loaded from the SSD 982c to the RAM 982a, thereby realizing various functions. The interior of the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 shown in FIG. 1 are primarily shown as blocks representing functions realized by control programs, etc.

[0027] <Operation of the First Embodiment> (Temperature control overview) FIG. 3 shows an example of a set temperature pattern 80 in the power receiving equipment 70 (see FIG. 1). The power receiving facility 70 has a plurality of sections 82, such as rooms, corridors, etc. Each section 82 is assigned one or more indoor units 202 (see FIG. 1).

[0028] The set temperature patterns 80-A, 80-B, 80-C, and 80-D shown in FIG. 3 indicate the set temperature patterns for each section 82. The sections 82 are classified into protected sections and non-protected sections. A "protected section" is a section 82 with a mesh in each set temperature pattern 80. In a protected section, the set temperature specified by the user is kept protected. In other words, the set temperature cannot be automatically changed by the control terminal 220. A protected section is, for example, a server room or a section used for manufacturing or inspecting goods, and is a section where the allowable room temperature range is strict.

[0029] On the other hand, "non-protected sections" are sections 82 marked with hatches or dots in each set temperature pattern 80. In non-protected sections, the set temperature designated by the user may not necessarily be maintained. That is, when the power consumption of the air conditioner 200 needs to be reduced, the set temperature may be changed by the control terminal 220 to a set temperature that consumes less power. In FIG. 3, the hatched sections 82 are in a state where the set temperature designated by the user (e.g., 20 to 26°C) is applied, and this state is called the "non-restricted state." Furthermore, the dotted sections 82 are in a state where a set temperature that suppresses power consumption (e.g., 28°C) is forcibly applied, and this state is called the "power restriction state."

[0030] In Figure 3, set temperature pattern 80-A is a pattern in which there is no power suppression, and set temperature pattern 80-B is a pattern in which the amount of power suppression is small. Set temperature pattern 80-C is a pattern in which the amount of power suppression is medium, and set temperature pattern 80-D is a pattern in which the amount of power suppression is large. However, in set temperature patterns 80-B and 80-C, the non-suppression state (hatched) and power suppression state (dotted) are not fixed to the states shown in the figures; the control terminal 220 rotates these states at predetermined intervals. This allows the amount of time comfort is impaired to be roughly equalized in each section 82.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the amount of power J70 in the power receiving equipment 70. In FIG. Graphs G10 and G12 each show an example of the transition of the amount of power J70 over a unit period TU (30 minutes in the illustrated example) in the power receiving equipment 70. In graphs G10 and G12, the horizontal axis represents the elapsed time over the unit period TU (30 minutes in the illustrated example), and the vertical axis represents the amount of power. The target upper limit power amount J70max is a target value for the upper limit of the amount of power J70 over the unit period TU.

[0032] In graph G10, power reduction in the air conditioning system 20 begins when approximately 13 minutes have elapsed in the unit period TU. That is, before the reduction begins, all set temperatures designated by the user are used, for example, set temperature pattern 80-A (see FIG. 3). After the reduction begins, for example, set temperature patterns 80-B and 80-C may be adopted.

[0033] In graph G12, power suppression of air conditioning system 20 begins when approximately 22 minutes have elapsed in unit period TU. In this example, too, it is conceivable that set temperature pattern 80-A is used before suppression begins, and that set temperature pattern 80-D, which has a greater amount of suppression, is used after suppression begins. In graphs G10 and G12, the non-suppressed power amount Jn70 indicated by the dashed line is the power amount J70 that would occur if the power of air conditioning system 20 were not suppressed.

[0034] (Control in response to communication interruption) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of predicted power consumption Ph70 at the power receiving point. This predicted power receiving point power consumption Ph70 is a predicted value of the power receiving point power consumption P70 if the amount of power of the air conditioning system 20 is not suppressed. In the diagram, the horizontal axis represents future time, and the vertical axis represents power. The target upper limit power Pmax is a value obtained by dividing the target upper limit power amount J70max (see Figure 4) by the length of the unit period TU (30 minutes). Furthermore, the control threshold power Pc is a value obtained by multiplying the target upper limit power Pmax by a predetermined value less than 1.0 (for example, 0.8). The autonomous control condition setting unit 57 (see Figure 1) calculates the predicted power receiving point power consumption Ph70 based on the above-mentioned weather information (future temperature prediction, past temperature, etc.) and time-series information of the past power receiving point power consumption P70.

[0035] A period during which the predicted power consumption at the power receiving point Ph70 is equal to or greater than the control threshold power Pc is called a power amount reduction control period TS. In the example shown in the figure, two power amount reduction control periods TS-1 and TS-2 occur. In this embodiment, during these power amount reduction control periods TS, the air conditioning control device 50 or the control terminal 220 executes control to reduce the power of the air conditioning system 20.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of transition of power consumption of each unit in the first embodiment. 6 shows an example of the transition of the power consumption P70 at the power receiving point in the first embodiment, and graph G22 shows an example of the transition of the power consumption P20 of the air conditioning system 20. In graphs G20 and G22, two power amount reduction control periods TS-1 and TS-2 occur. These are the same periods as those shown in FIG. 5. During the power amount reduction control period TS, as shown in FIG. 4, control is performed to reduce the power amount of the air conditioning system 20 in the unit period TU.

[0037] Of this power amount restriction control, the control performed by the target power setting unit 52 (see FIG. 1) and the subordinate control unit 221 is called "remote control," and the period during which the remote control is performed is called the remote control period TSR. Furthermore, if communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is interrupted, the independent control unit 223 of the control terminal 220 performs power amount restriction control. The power amount restriction control performed by the independent control unit 223 is called "independent control," and the period during which the independent control is performed is called the independent control period TSI.

[0038] In FIG. 6, the entire period of the power amount restriction control period TS-1 is the remote control period TSR. Meanwhile, during the power amount restriction control period TS-2, communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is interrupted at some point. Therefore, during the power amount restriction control period TS-2, the remote control period TSR occurs before the communication is interrupted, and the autonomous control period TSI occurs after the communication is interrupted. In this embodiment, during the autonomous control period TSI, the autonomous control unit 223 performs autonomous control to reduce the power consumption P20 of the air conditioning system 20. For example, during the autonomous control period TSI, the control terminal 220 may employ one of the set temperature patterns 80-B, 80-C, or 80-D (see FIG. 3). Therefore, in the illustrated example, the power receiving point power consumption P70 is always kept below the target upper limit power Pmax.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of transition of power consumption of each part in the comparative example. 7 shows an example of the transition of the power consumption P70 at the power receiving point in the comparative example, and graph G32 shows an example of the transition of the power consumption P20 of the air conditioning system 20 in the comparative example. In graphs G30 and G32, as in graphs G20 and G22, two power amount reduction control periods TS-1 and TS-2 occur, and communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is interrupted midway through the power amount reduction control period TS-2.

[0040] In the comparative example of Figure 7, since autonomous control is not performed after communication is interrupted, the power receiving point power consumption P70 exceeds the target upper limit power Pmax. This creates a problem in that the amount of power J70 (see Figure 4) in the unit period TU after communication is interrupted is likely to exceed the target upper limit power J70max. Although not shown in the figure, it is also possible for the control terminal 220 to control the air conditioner 200 so as to suppress the power consumption of the air conditioner 200 after communication is interrupted until communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is restored. However, in this case, if it takes a long time for communication to be restored, the problem arises in that the time for comfort to be impaired will also be long.

[0041] FIG. 8 is a control sequence diagram in the first embodiment. In step S2 of Figure 8, the autonomous control condition setting unit 57 in the air conditioning control device 50 determines the autonomous control condition DIC, and the communication unit 59 transmits the autonomous control condition DIC to the control terminal 220. In step S4, the control terminal 220 stores the autonomous control condition DIC in the autonomous control condition database 226. Steps S2 and S4 should be performed at least once a week, more preferably at least once a day, and even more preferably at least three times a day. This is because the control terminal 220 applies the autonomous control condition DIC that it most recently received, and therefore the more frequently the autonomous control condition DIC is updated, the more autonomous control condition DIC based on more recent weather forecast data can be applied.

[0042] When the current time falls within the power amount restriction control period TS and the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 are able to communicate, the processes of steps S10 to S18 are repeated. First, in step S10, the air conditioning control device 50 acquires the power receiving point power consumption P70 from the smart meter 72. Next, when the process proceeds to step S12, the air conditioning control device 50 outputs a control command CCT specifying the upper limit power consumption P200* to the control terminal 220. That is, the target power setting unit 52 in the air conditioning control device 50 sets the upper limit power consumption P200* so as to restrict the power amount J70 in the unit period TU (see FIG. 4) to which the current time belongs to to be equal to or less than the target upper limit power amount J70max.

[0043] Next, when the process proceeds to step S14, the control terminal 220 outputs air conditioning information DAS to the air conditioning control device 50. Next, when the process proceeds to step S16, the control terminal 220 outputs an operation command COP to the air conditioner 200. This operation command COP in step S16 specifies the state of each indoor unit 202 so as to satisfy the upper limit power consumption P200* of the air conditioner 200, thereby realizing the above-mentioned set temperature pattern 80 (see FIG. 3). Next, when the process proceeds to step S18, the air conditioner 200 outputs air conditioning information DAS to the control terminal 220.

[0044] Furthermore, when the current time falls within the power amount restriction control period TS and communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is interrupted, the processes of steps S30 to S34 are repeated. In step S30, the control terminal 220 reads out the latest independent control conditions DIC stored in the independent control condition database 226.

[0045] Next, when the process proceeds to step S32, the control terminal 220 generates an operation command COP based on the independent control condition DIC and outputs it to the air conditioner 200. Next, when the process proceeds to step S34, the control terminal 220 acquires air conditioning information DAS from the air conditioner 200. Although not specifically shown, if the current time does not fall within the power amount restriction control period TS, power amount restriction control is not executed. Therefore, the indoor units 202 of each air conditioner 200 operate to achieve, for example, the set temperature pattern 80-A (see FIG. 3).

[0046] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the self-control condition DIC in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 9, the autonomous control conditions DIC in the first embodiment have a control start time and a control end time for the power amount restriction control period TS. The autonomous control conditions DIC shown in the figure do not particularly specify the power consumption of the air conditioning system 20 or each air conditioner 200 during the power amount restriction control period TS. Therefore, it is advisable to determine in advance and apply one of the set temperature patterns 80 (see Fig. 3) for the power amount restriction control period TS.

[0047] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The configuration and operation of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, except for the points described below. In the description of each embodiment, parts corresponding to parts of the other embodiments described above are given the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted.

[0048] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the power difference value ΔPh. The predicted power consumption at the power receiving point Ph70 shown in Fig. 10 is the same as that explained in the first embodiment (see Fig. 5). The target upper limit power Pmax, the control threshold power Pc, and the power amount suppression control periods TS-1 and TS-2 also have the same meanings as those explained in Fig. 5.

[0049] In this embodiment, the autonomous control condition setting unit 57 (see FIG. 1) calculates the difference between the peak value of the predicted power consumption Ph70 at the power receiving point during each of the power amount suppression control periods TS-1 and TS-2 and the control threshold power Pc. The calculated differences are called power difference values ​​ΔPh1 and ΔPh2. The autonomous control condition setting unit 57 then calculates air conditioning power consumption upper limit values ​​P20*1 and P20*2 (see FIG. 11), which decrease as the power difference value ΔPh increases, and includes these values ​​in the autonomous control condition DIC.

[0050] Here, the air conditioning power consumption upper limit values ​​P20*1 and P20*2 are command values ​​that determine the upper limit of the power consumption P20 of the air conditioning system 20, and are applied when communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is interrupted during the power amount reduction control periods TS-1 and TS-2. In other words, when communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is interrupted, the control terminal 220 sets the state of each outdoor unit 201 and indoor unit 202 so that the total of the power consumption P200-A and P200-B is equal to or less than the air conditioning power consumption upper limit value P20*.

[0051] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of predicted air conditioning power consumption Ph20. This predicted air conditioning power consumption Ph20 is a predicted value of the power consumption P20 of the air conditioning system 20 if the power amount of the air conditioning system 20 is not suppressed. The self-sustaining control condition setting unit 57 (see FIG. 1) calculates the predicted air conditioning power consumption Ph20 based on the above-mentioned weather information (future temperature prediction, past temperatures, etc.) and time-series information of the past power consumption P20 of the air conditioning system 20. The horizontal axis in the figure represents future time, and the vertical axis represents power. In the illustrated example, the peak value of the predicted air conditioning power consumption Ph20 during the power amount suppression control period TS-1 is equal to the sum of the power difference value ΔPh1 and the air conditioning power consumption upper limit value P20*1. Similarly, the peak value of the predicted air conditioning power consumption Ph20 during the power amount suppression control period TS-2 is equal to the sum of the power difference value ΔPh2 and the air conditioning power consumption upper limit value P20*2.

[0052] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the self-control condition DIC in the second embodiment. 12, the autonomous control conditions DIC in the second embodiment, like those in the first embodiment, include a control start time and a control end time for the power amount restriction control period TS. Furthermore, the autonomous control conditions DIC in the second embodiment include an air conditioning power consumption upper limit P20* for each power amount restriction control period TS. Thus, according to this embodiment, when the power difference value ΔPh is small, the air conditioning power consumption upper limit P20* can be increased, thereby achieving even greater comfort.

[0053] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. The configuration and operation of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment except for the points described below.

[0054] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the control level LV in the third embodiment. The predicted consumption power Ph70 at the power reception point shown in FIG. 13 is a predicted value of the power consumption P70 at the power reception point when the power amount of the air conditioning system 20 is not suppressed, similar to that described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 5). Also, the meanings of the target upper limit power Pmax and the control threshold power Pc are the same as those described for FIG. 5. However, in the present embodiment, the self-control condition setting unit 57 (see FIG. 1) further defines threshold powers Pe1 and Pe2 between the control threshold power Pc and the target upper limit power Pmax. Then, the self-control condition setting unit 57 determines the "control level LV" according to the magnitude relationship between these powers and the predicted consumption power Ph70 at the power reception point.

[0055] That is, if Ph70 < Pc, the control level LV is not determined; if Pc ≤ Ph70 < Pe1, the control level LV = 1; if Pe1 ≤ Ph70 < Pe2, the control level LV = 2; if Pe2 ≤ Ph70 < Pmax, the control level LV = 3; if Pmax ≤ Ph70, the control level LV = 4. Further, the self-control condition setting unit 57 switches the power amount suppression control period TS every time the control level LV is switched. In the example of FIG. 13, the periods of control level LV = 1 are the power amount suppression control periods TS-11 and TS-15, the periods of control level LV = 2 are the power amount suppression control periods TS-12 and TS-14, and the period of control level LV = 3 is the power amount suppression control period TS-13.

[0056] The control level LV represents the magnitude of suppressing the consumption power P20 of the air conditioning system 20. The larger the value of the control level LV, the greater the consumption power that the control terminal 220 suppresses in the air conditioning system 20. The control level LV, for example, designates the number or ratio of the sections 82 (see FIG. 3) in the power reception facility 70 that are in the power suppression state (dots).

[0057] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the self-control condition DIC in the third embodiment. As shown in Fig. 14, the autonomous control conditions DIC in the third embodiment include a control start time and a control end time for the power amount restriction control period TS, similar to those in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the autonomous control conditions DIC in the third embodiment also include a control level LV for each power amount restriction control period TS. The rows in Fig. 5 correspond sequentially from top to bottom to the above-mentioned power amount restriction control periods TS-11 to TS-15. Thus, according to the third embodiment, if the predicted air conditioning power consumption Ph20 during the power amount restriction control period TS is relatively low, the control level LV can be lowered, thereby achieving greater comfort.

[0058] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The configuration and operation of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment except for the points described below. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the self-control condition DIC in the fourth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 15, the autonomous control conditions DIC in this embodiment include two autonomous control conditions DIC-1 and DIC-2. Of the two, the autonomous control condition DIC-1 is the same as the autonomous control condition DIC in the second embodiment (see Fig. 9).

[0059] Furthermore, the independent control condition DIC-2 includes the air conditioning system ID to which each indoor unit 202 belongs, the indoor unit ID, start time, and stop time of each indoor unit 202. The air conditioning system ID is information that uniquely specifies an air conditioning system, and in the example of Fig. 1, specifies either air conditioner 200-A or 200-B. Furthermore, the indoor unit ID is information that uniquely specifies any one of the indoor units 202 that belong to the air conditioner 200.

[0060] The start time and stop time are the times at which the indoor unit 202 is started and stopped when communication between the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 is interrupted. Generally, the power consumption of the indoor unit 202 is high at the start time of the indoor unit 202. According to this embodiment, by including the start time and stop time in the autonomous control condition DIC, the start times of the indoor units 202 are dispersed, thereby dispersing the timing at which power consumption is high.

[0061] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications are possible. The above-described embodiments are provided as examples to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is also possible to delete part of the configuration of each embodiment, or to add or replace other configurations. Furthermore, the control lines and information lines shown in the figures are those considered necessary for explanation, and do not necessarily represent all control lines and information lines necessary for the product. In reality, it is acceptable to consider that almost all components are interconnected. Possible modifications of the above-described embodiments include, for example, the following:

[0062] (1) In each of the above embodiments, the air conditioning control device 50 specifies the upper limit power consumption P200*-A, P200*-B using the control command CCT, but instead, the air conditioning power consumption upper limit P20* may be specified. In this case, the control terminal 220 may control each air conditioner 200 so that the total value of the power consumption P200-A, P200-B is equal to or less than the air conditioning power consumption upper limit P20*.

[0063] (2) Since the hardware of the air conditioning control device 50 and the control terminal 220 in the above embodiment can be realized by a general computer, the processes corresponding to the above-mentioned block diagrams and flowcharts, and programs for executing the various processes described above may be stored on a storage medium (a computer-readable storage medium on which a program is recorded) or distributed via a transmission path.

[0064] (3) In the above embodiment, the processes corresponding to the block diagrams and flowcharts, as well as the various other processes described above, are described as software processes using programs. However, some or all of these processes may be replaced with hardware processes using an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc.

[0065] [Effects of the embodiment] As described above, according to each of the embodiments, the control terminal 220 includes a slave control unit 221 that controls the air conditioner 200 so that its power consumption P200 is equal to or less than the upper limit power consumption P200* when the communication unit 228 can communicate with the air conditioning control device 50, an autonomous control condition receiving unit 222 that receives, from the air conditioning control device 50 via the communication unit 228, autonomous control conditions DIC that specify control conditions to be applied when the communication unit 228 is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50 and that suppress the power consumption P200 of the air conditioner 200, and an autonomous control unit 223 that controls the air conditioner 200 in accordance with the autonomous control conditions DIC when the communication unit 228 is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50. As a result, even when the communication unit 228 is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device 50, the air conditioner 200 can be controlled in accordance with the autonomous control conditions DIC, and the air conditioner 200 can be controlled appropriately.

[0066] Furthermore, the autonomous control condition receiving unit 222 receives the autonomous control conditions DIC at least once a week, and it is more preferable that the autonomous control conditions DIC include the start time and end time of the power amount restriction control period TS, which is the period during which the power consumption P200 of the air conditioner 200 is restricted. This makes it possible to specify the power amount restriction control period TS during which the power consumption P200 of the air conditioner 200 should be restricted, using the autonomous control conditions DIC.

[0067] Furthermore, as in the third or fourth embodiment, it is even more preferable that the independent control condition DIC further includes an air conditioning power consumption upper limit P20* that is the upper limit of the power consumption P20 of the air conditioning system 20 including the air conditioner 200, a control level LV that indicates the amount of reduction in the power consumption P200 of the air conditioner 200, and the start time or stop time of the air conditioner 200. This allows for even more appropriate control of the power consumption P200 of the air conditioner 200 during the power amount reduction control period TS.

[0068] Furthermore, as in the above-described embodiments, it is even more preferable that the air conditioning control device 50 includes an independent control condition setting unit 57 that determines the independent control condition DIC based on time-series information on past power consumption at the power receiving point P70 of the power receiving equipment 70, time-series information on past air temperature at the installation location of the power receiving equipment 70, time-series information on predicted future air temperature at the installation location of the power receiving equipment 70, or time-series information on past power consumption P200 of the air conditioner 200. This makes it possible to determine an appropriate independent control condition DIC. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1. Air conditioning control system 20. Air Conditioning System 50 Air conditioning control device 57 Self-sustaining control condition setting section 70 Power receiving equipment 200 Air conditioner 201 Outdoor unit 202 Indoor unit 220 Control terminal (computer) 221 Dependent Control Unit (Dependent Control Process) 222 Autonomous control condition receiving unit (autonomous control condition receiving process) 223 Autonomous control unit (autonomous control process) 228 Communications Department 980 Computer LV Control Level TS Power consumption reduction control period DIC self-control condition J70 Electric energy P20 power consumption P70 Power consumption at receiving point ΔPh Power difference value P20* Air conditioning power consumption upper limit P200 power consumption Ph20 Air Conditioning Power Consumption Forecast Ph70 receiving point predicted power consumption P200* Upper limit power consumption

Claims

1. a communication unit that communicates with an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and communicates with an air conditioning control device that outputs an upper limit power consumption that is an upper limit value of power consumption of the air conditioner; a slave control unit that controls the air conditioner so that the power consumption of the air conditioner is equal to or less than the upper limit power consumption when the communication unit is able to communicate with the air conditioning control device; an independent control condition receiving unit that receives, from the air conditioning control device via the communication unit, an independent control condition that specifies a control condition to be applied when the communication unit is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device and that suppresses power consumption of the air conditioner; an independent control unit that controls the air conditioner in accordance with the independent control conditions when the communication unit becomes unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device; 1. A control terminal comprising:

2. the self-sustaining control condition receiving unit receives the self-sustaining control condition at least once a week; The self-sustaining control conditions include a start time and an end time of a power reduction control period during which power consumption of the air conditioner is reduced.

2. The control terminal according to claim 1.

3. The self-sustaining control conditions further include an air conditioning power consumption upper limit value, which is an upper limit value of power consumption of an air conditioning system including the air conditioner, a control level, which indicates the magnitude of the amount of suppression of power consumption of the air conditioner, and a start time of the air conditioner or a stop time of the air conditioner.

3. The control terminal according to claim 2.

4. an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit; an air conditioning control device that outputs an upper limit power consumption, which is a target value for power consumption of the air conditioner; a control terminal that controls the air conditioner based on the upper limit power consumption, The control terminal a communication unit that communicates with the air conditioner and the air conditioning control device; a slave control unit that controls the air conditioner so that the power consumption of the air conditioner is equal to or less than the upper limit power consumption when the communication unit is able to communicate with the air conditioning control device; an independent control condition receiving unit that receives, from the air conditioning control device via the communication unit, an independent control condition that specifies a control condition for suppressing power consumption of the air conditioner, which is applied when the communication unit is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device; an independent control unit that controls the air conditioner in accordance with the independent control conditions when the communication unit becomes unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device; An air conditioning control system characterized by:

5. The air conditioner is installed in a power receiving facility that is a building, The air conditioning control device an independent control condition setting unit that determines the independent control conditions based on time series information of past power consumption at a power receiving point in the power receiving equipment, time series information of past temperature at the installation position of the power receiving equipment, time series information of future temperature prediction at the installation position of the power receiving equipment, or time series information of past power consumption of the air conditioner; the autonomous control condition includes a start time and an end time of an electric power reduction control period for reducing the electric power consumption of the air conditioner; The self-sustaining control conditions further include an air conditioning power consumption upper limit value, which is an upper limit value of the power consumption of the air conditioner, a control level, which indicates the magnitude of the amount of suppression of the power consumption of the air conditioner, and a start time of the air conditioner or a stop time of the air conditioner.

5. The air conditioning control system according to claim 4.

6. a subordinate control process in which a communication unit communicates with an air conditioner having an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, and communicates with an air conditioning control device that outputs an upper limit power consumption, which is an upper limit value of power consumption of the air conditioner, and controls the air conditioner so that the power consumption of the air conditioner is equal to or less than the upper limit power consumption when the communication unit is able to communicate with the air conditioning control device; an independent control condition receiving process for receiving, from the air conditioning control device via the communication unit, an independent control condition that specifies a control condition to be applied when the communication unit is unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device and that suppresses power consumption of the air conditioner; and an independent control step of controlling the air conditioner in accordance with the independent control conditions when the communication unit becomes unable to communicate with the air conditioning control device. A method for controlling an air conditioner.

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