Energy management device, energy management method, energy management system, and program

Abstract

Users who manage demand-related infrastructure can experience the impact of actual demand response implementation in advance. [Solution] The energy management device 100 includes a condition receiving unit 101 that receives a period to be adjusted from the administrator of the demand area, which simulates a demand response that adjusts the amount of electricity consumed at the demand area in response to an electricity adjustment request; a simulated operation plan generation unit 102 that generates an operation plan for the equipment used at the demand area when responding to an electricity adjustment request in the simulated demand response during the period to be adjusted; and an equipment control unit 108 that controls the equipment during the period to be adjusted according to the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation unit 102.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an energy management device, an energy management method, an energy management system, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] As an effort aimed at maintaining the balance between power demand and supply, demand response is being carried out. Specifically, as demand response, an aggregator that has received a request from an electric power company makes an adjustment request to adjust the power consumption amount to consumers such as companies and households that have concluded a contract to participate in demand response, and the consumers respond to the adjustment request to suppress the power demand.

[0003] When the power demand of equipment such as air conditioners and heating devices is suppressed by demand response, there is a risk that the comfort of consumers will decline. Patent Document 1 describes an invention that makes it easier for consumers who use equipment to accurately select whether to prioritize suppression of power consumption or prioritize operation of equipment by presenting time information that serves as a criterion for determining the remaining time and / or elapsed time of demand response control.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] <动

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is expected that the decrease in comfort can be mitigated to some extent if the user chooses to prioritize the operation of equipment while demand response control is being executed. However, since the extent to which comfort is actually reduced for the user cannot be experienced until they participate in demand response, they may hesitate to enter into a contract to participate in demand response.

[0006] This disclosure is made in view of the above circumstances and aims to provide an energy management device, energy management method, energy management system, and program that allow users to experience in advance the impact of actual demand response implementation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the energy management device relating to this disclosure is A receiving means for receiving a period of adjustment target from the administrator of a demand area, during which a simulated demand response will be implemented to adjust the amount of electricity consumed at the demand area in response to an adjustment request for electricity quantity, A simulated operation plan generation means for generating an operation plan for equipment used at the demand site when responding to an adjustment request for power quantity in the simulated demand response during the adjustment period, A device control means controls the device during the adjustment period according to the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation means, It is equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This disclosure will allow users to experience in advance the impact of what would actually happen if demand response were implemented. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Configuration diagram of an energy management system according to an embodiment [Figure 2]Configuration diagram of an energy management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Configuration diagram of the user terminal according to the embodiment [Figure 4] Configuration diagram of the administrator terminal according to the embodiment [Figure 5] Sequence diagram showing the processing flow executed by each device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Diagram showing the operating conditions setting screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Diagram showing the operation plan confirmation screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Diagram illustrating the trained model according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Diagram showing the results presentation screen for the embodiment. [Figure 10] Diagram showing the individual performance display screen related to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Diagram showing the questionnaire screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing the simulated DR control process performed by the energy management device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0011] (Embodiment) Figure 1 shows the configuration of an energy management system 1 including an energy management device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The energy management system 1 comprises an energy management device 100, an air conditioning system 301, an access control system 302, a storage device 360, a power meter 370, an administrator terminal 400, and a weather server 500. The energy management device 100 is a system that manages the power consumption of a building 300, which is a demand site where electricity is consumed, in order to improve the balance of power supply and demand. The energy management device 100 executes simulated demand response control (hereinafter referred to as simulated DR control), which is a control that mimics the control of equipment within a consumer's premises when responding to an adjustment request, which is a DR (Demand Response) command in demand response, for a pre-set adjustment period.

[0012] The energy management device 100 is, for example, a server that provides energy management services. The energy management device 100 receives a period for adjusting the amount of electricity consumed at a demand site from the administrator of the demand site, and executes simulated DR control during the adjustment period, which is a control that mimics the control of equipment when an adjustment request is made in response to a demand response. The energy management device 100 may be configured as a cloud in which multiple cloud servers that provide resources in cloud computing work together. As shown in Figure 2, the energy management device 100 comprises a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 15.

[0013] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an RTC (Real Time Clock), etc. The CPU is also called a central processing unit, a central arithmetic unit, a processor, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., and functions as a central arithmetic processing unit that executes processes and operations related to the control of the energy management device 100. In the control unit 11, the CPU reads the programs and data stored in the ROM, and uses the RAM as a work area to comprehensively control the energy management device 100. The RTC is, for example, an integrated circuit having a timekeeping function. Note that the CPU can specify the current date and time from the time information read from the RTC. The various functional configurations of the control unit 11 shown in FIG. 2 will be described later.

[0014] The storage unit 12 includes a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a SSD (Solid State Drive), etc., and plays the role of a so-called auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 12 stores the programs and data used by the control unit 11 to execute various processes. For example, the storage unit 12 stores a learned model 121 for estimating the power consumption of the floor and the comfort of the building 300, and a questionnaire result storage unit 122 that stores the questionnaire results received from the user terminal 380. Further, the storage unit 12 stores the data generated or acquired by the control unit 11 by executing various processes.

[0015] The communication unit 15 communicates with devices connected to the communication network 710 in accordance with the control by the control unit 11. The communication unit 15 has a function of connecting to the communication network 710 and communicates with devices connected to the communication network 710. The communication network 710 is, for example, the Internet. The communication unit 15 includes a communication interface compliant with various communication standards.

[0016] Returning to Figure 1, Building 300 is the demand location whose power consumption is to be adjusted in this embodiment. In other words, in this embodiment, the total power consumption of Building 300 is adjusted by the simulated DR control process described later. Building 300 is equipped with an air conditioning system 301 and an access control system 302. The air conditioning system 301 is a system for harmonizing the air within each floor of Building 300. The access control system 302 is a system for managing the entry and exit of people to and from each floor of Building 300.

[0017] The air conditioning system 301 comprises an air conditioning equipment control device 310, an outdoor unit 320A, an outdoor unit 320B, an outdoor unit 320C, an indoor unit 330A, an indoor unit 330B, and an indoor unit 330C. Hereinafter, the outdoor units 320A, 320B, and 320C will be collectively referred to as the outdoor unit 320. Similarly, the indoor units 330A, 330B, and 330C will be collectively referred to as the indoor unit 330. The outdoor unit 320 and the indoor units 330 are examples of air conditioning equipment. The air conditioning equipment control device 310, each outdoor unit 320, and each indoor unit 330 are interconnected via a communication network 311.

[0018] The air conditioning equipment control device 310 is a device that controls the outdoor unit 320 and the indoor unit 330. For example, the air conditioning equipment control device 310 controls the outdoor unit 320 and the indoor unit 330 according to the operation plan of the simulated DR control selected by the user, in accordance with instructions from the energy management device 100. The outdoor unit 320 is an equipment that is installed outdoors among the equipment that harmonizes the indoor air. The indoor unit 330 is an equipment that is installed indoors among the equipment that harmonizes the indoor air.

[0019] The access control system 302 comprises an access control device 340, an access detection device 350A, an access detection device 350B, and an access detection device 350C. Hereinafter, access detection devices 350A, 350B, and 350C will be collectively referred to as the access detection device 350. The access control device 340, access detection device 350A, access detection device 350B, and access detection device 350C are interconnected via a communication network 341.

[0020] The access control device 340 is a device that manages the entry and exit of people to and from each floor of the building 300. Based on information from the access detection devices 350 installed on each floor, the access control device 340 identifies the number of people on each floor. The access control device 340 generates a history of the number of people, showing the identified number of people on each floor in chronological order. The history of the number of people is stored, for example, in a memory unit (not shown), a storage device 360, etc., provided by the access control device 340.

[0021] The access detection device 350 is a device that detects when people enter or leave a corresponding floor. The access detection device 350 can have any configuration as long as it is a device that can detect when people enter or leave a corresponding floor. For example, the access detection device 350 may be a device equipped with gate sensors installed at the entrance / exit of the corresponding floor that counts the number of people entering the corresponding floor and the number of people leaving the corresponding floor.

[0022] Furthermore, the access detection device 350 may also include an information reading device installed at the entrance / exit of the corresponding floor to identify people entering and leaving the corresponding floor. This information reading device may be, for example, a device that authenticates a person's fingerprint, or a device that reads a person's identification information from a card they possess. Additionally, the access detection device 350 may include an imaging device that captures an image of the entire corresponding floor and counts the number of people on that floor.

[0023] The access detection device 350 transmits information about the number of people, such as the number of people on a corresponding floor and the number of people entering and leaving a corresponding floor, to the access control device 340 via the communication network 341. Access detection device 350A is located on the 4th floor of building 300 and detects people entering and leaving the 4th floor of building 300. Access detection device 350B is located on the 3rd floor of building 300 and detects people entering and leaving the 3rd floor of building 300. Access detection device 350C is located on the 2nd floor of building 300 and detects people entering and leaving the 2nd floor of building 300.

[0024] Building 300 is equipped with a storage device 360 ​​and a power meter 370. The storage device 360 ​​is equipped with an HDD, SSD, etc., and stores various information about building 300. For example, the storage device 360 ​​stores the number of people history information generated by the access control device 340, building design information which is information related to the design of building 300, etc. Building design information includes, for example, the number of floors in building 300, the material of the walls of building 300, the floor area of ​​each floor of building 300, the age of building 300, and the number of outdoor units 320, indoor units 330, etc. installed on each floor of building 300.

[0025] The power meter 370 is a device that measures the amount of electricity consumed in building 300. The power meter 370 calculates, for example, the amount of electricity consumed on each floor of building 300 per unit time. The power meter 370 generates power consumption history information that shows the history of the amount of electricity consumed per unit time on each floor. The power meter 370 stores this information in, for example, a memory unit (not shown), a storage device 360, etc., provided within the power meter 370.

[0026] Furthermore, user terminals 380A, 380B, and 380C are installed on the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd floors of Building 300. Hereafter, user terminals 380A, 380B, and 380C will be collectively referred to as user terminal 380. User terminal 380 is a relatively large touch-panel monitor terminal installed in a location easily visible to users on the corresponding floor, such as the lobby, and provides various information to users on that floor. As shown in Figure 3, user terminal 380 comprises a control unit 381, a storage unit 382, ​​a touch panel 383, and a communication unit 384.

[0027] The control unit 381 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, RTC, etc. In the control unit 381, the CPU reads programs and data stored in ROM and uses RAM as a work area to comprehensively control the user terminal 380. The storage unit 382 includes non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and plays the role of so-called auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 382 stores programs and data used by the control unit 381 to execute various processes. The storage unit 382 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 381 when it executes various processes.

[0028] The touch panel 383 displays various images in accordance with the control unit 381, accepts various operations from the user, and supplies information indicating the content of the accepted operations to the control unit 381. For example, the touch panel 383 displays a screen that notifies the adjustment period during which simulated DR control is performed, a screen that shows the results of the simulated DR control, and a screen for a post-simulated DR control questionnaire. For example, the touch panel 383 displays a screen for accepting various operations from the user.

[0029] The communication unit 384 communicates with devices connected to the communication network 720 according to the control of the control unit 381. The communication unit 384 has the function of connecting to the communication network 720 and communicates with devices connected to the communication network 720. The communication network 720 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). The communication unit 384 is equipped with communication interfaces compliant with various communication standards.

[0030] Returning to Figure 1, the air conditioning equipment control device 310, the access control device 340, the storage device 360, the power meter 370, and the user terminal 380 are interconnected via a communication network 720 installed in the building 300. The communication network 710 and the communication network 720 are interconnected, and devices connected to the communication network 710 and devices connected to the communication network 720 can communicate with each other.

[0031] The administrator terminal 400 is a terminal device used by the user who is the administrator of building 300. This user has the authority to make decisions regarding the energy management of building 300. The administrator terminal 400 can be a smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc. As shown in Figure 4, the administrator terminal 400 comprises a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a display unit 43, an operation reception unit 44, a communication unit 45, and an imaging unit 46.

[0032] The control unit 41 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, RTC, etc. In the control unit 41, the CPU reads programs and data stored in ROM and uses RAM as a work area to centrally control the administrator terminal 400. The storage unit 42 includes non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and plays the role of so-called auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 42 stores programs and data used by the control unit 41 to execute various processes. The storage unit 42 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 41 when executing various processes.

[0033] The display unit 43 displays various images according to the control of the control unit 41. For example, the display unit 43 displays a screen for receiving various operations from the user. The display unit 43 includes a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, etc. The operation reception unit 44 receives various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the content of the received operation to the control unit 41. The operation reception unit 44 includes a touch screen, buttons, levers, etc.

[0034] The communication unit 45 communicates with devices connected to the communication network 710 according to the control of the control unit 41. The communication unit 45 has the function of connecting to the communication network 710 and communicates with devices connected to the communication network 710. The communication unit 45 is equipped with a communication interface compliant with various communication standards. The imaging unit 46 takes images according to the control of the control unit 41. The imaging unit 46 supplies the image acquired by imaging to the control unit 41. The imaging unit 46 is equipped with, for example, an image sensor.

[0035] Returning to Figure 1, the weather server 500 is a server that provides weather information, which is information about weather conditions. For example, the weather server 500 transmits weather information indicating the current or future weather conditions around building 300 to the energy management device 100 via the communication network 710. Weather conditions include outside temperature, outside humidity, weather, wind speed, etc. The weather server 500 is equipped with a communication interface for connecting to the communication network 710.

[0036] Next, we will explain the processing flow performed by each device, referring to the sequence diagram shown in Figure 5.

[0037] In step S11, the administrator terminal 400 requests the energy management device 100 to perform a simulated demand response (DR) at building 300, which is the demand location. In step S12, the energy management device 100 selects several candidate periods to be used as the adjustment period for performing the simulated DR. At this time, the energy management device 100 refers to forecast values ​​such as outside temperature and weather obtained from the weather server 500 and selects as candidate periods the date and time when it is expected that there is a high probability of adjustment requests being made due to actual demand response, such as when extremely hot days are expected.

[0038] In step S13, the energy management device 100 notifies the administrator terminal 400 of the selected candidate periods. In step S14, the administrator terminal 400 presents an operating condition setting screen that allows the administrator to select the adjustment period for which the simulated DR will be performed from among the notified candidate periods. The administrator selects one candidate period from the presented candidate periods. The administrator also appropriately selects the operating policy for the simulated DR when performing the simulated DR.

[0039] In step S15, the administrator terminal 400 transmits the administrator's selection result to the energy management device 100. The selection result includes the adjustment period for executing simulated DR control, and the operating policy for the outdoor unit 320 and indoor unit 330. In step S16, the energy management device 100 formulates an operating plan for the equipment used at the demand site during the selected adjustment period. This operating plan is a simulation of the operating plan when responding to a demand response adjustment request, and is an operating plan that reduces the power consumption of the equipment. In this embodiment, the equipment used at the demand site, building 300, is the outdoor unit 320 and indoor unit 330. The energy management device 100 also estimates the amount of adjusted power and comfort level for each floor when operating with this operating plan.

[0040] Adjusted power consumption is the amount of power consumption adjusted, and is the difference between the power consumption when equipment control is not performed in accordance with the adjustment request and the power consumption when equipment control is performed in accordance with the adjustment request. For example, base power consumption can be considered as the power consumption when equipment control is not performed in accordance with the adjustment request. Base power consumption can be, for example, the average of the top few (e.g., four) power consumption values ​​from the corresponding time period over the most recent few days (e.g., five days). The corresponding time period is the time period corresponding to the adjustment period.

[0041] In step S17, the energy management device 100 transmits plan confirmation information to the administrator terminal 400, which includes operation plan information showing the planned operation plan, adjustment power amount information showing the adjustment power amount in the operation plan, and comfort information showing comfort levels. In step S18, the administrator terminal 400 displays an operation plan confirmation screen based on the plan confirmation information. In step S19, when the administrator accepts the presented operation plan from the confirmation screen, the administrator terminal 400 transmits confirmation information to the energy management device 100.

[0042] Subsequently, when the adjustment period begins, in step S20, the energy management device 100 instructs the air conditioning equipment control device 310 to operate the outdoor unit 320 and indoor unit 330 based on the confirmed operating plan, simulating control in response to an adjustment request via demand response. When the adjustment period ends, in step S21, the energy management device 100 reports the adjustment results for each floor of the building to the administrator terminal. This adjustment result includes the actual values ​​of power consumption, comfort level, and carbon dioxide emissions for all floors of the building during the adjustment period, as well as predicted values ​​of power consumption, comfort level, and carbon dioxide emissions if the simulated DR control had not been performed. In step S22, the energy management device 100 also reports the individual adjustment results for the corresponding floor and questionnaire information regarding the simulated DR control to the user terminal 380. For example, the energy management device 100 transmits the individual adjustment results for the 4th floor of building 300 to user terminal 380A, the individual adjustment results for the 3rd floor of building 300 to user terminal 380B, and the individual adjustment results for the 2nd floor of building 300 to user terminal 380C. Then, in step S23, the energy management device 100 receives and stores the user's response information to the questionnaire. Then, in step S24, the energy management device 100 transmits the received response information to the administrator terminal 400. This allows the administrator of building 300 to view the responses to the questionnaire regarding the simulated DR control. The simulated DR control process is then completed.

[0043] Next, the functions of the energy management device 100 will be described with reference to Figure 2. The control unit 11 of the energy management device 100 has the following functional configuration: a condition reception unit 101, a simulated operation plan generation unit 102, a person estimation unit 103, a design information acquisition unit 104, a weather information acquisition unit 105, a power consumption estimation unit 106, a comfort estimation unit 107, an equipment control unit 108, a CFP information generation unit 109, a performance transmission unit 110, and a questionnaire management unit 111. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the ROM or storage unit 12. The CPU then realizes each of these functions by executing the programs stored in the ROM or storage unit 12.

[0044] The condition reception unit 101 receives conditions for executing simulated DR control from the administrator terminal 400. These conditions include the date on which the simulated DR control will be executed, and the percentage of normal operation of the indoor unit 330 and the outdoor unit 320. Specifically, the condition reception unit 101 receives the conditions specified by the administrator from the operating condition setting screen 810 shown in Figure 6, which is displayed on the display unit 43 of the administrator terminal 400. The condition reception unit 101 is an example of the reception means described in this disclosure.

[0045] The simulated operation plan generation unit 102 generates an operation plan for the indoor unit 330 and outdoor unit 320 during the adjustment period, which simulates an operation plan in response to an adjustment request by demand response, according to the conditions received by the condition reception unit 101. For example, if "Uniform setting for all floors" is selected on the operation condition setting screen 810 shown in Figure 6, the simulated operation plan generation unit 102 generates an operation plan for the indoor unit 330 and outdoor unit 320 that sets a uniform temperature on all floors of the building 300, regardless of usage. For example, if "Prioritize floors with many people" is selected on the operation condition setting screen 810 shown in Figure 6, the simulated operation plan generation unit 102 compares the number of people on each floor estimated by the person estimation unit 103 and generates an operation plan for the indoor unit 330 and outdoor unit 320 that sets a comfortable temperature that consumes the most power on floors with more people. The information indicating the driving plan generated by the simulated driving plan generation unit 102 is transmitted to the administrator terminal 400, and the driving plan confirmation screen 820 shown in Figure 7 is displayed on the display unit 43 of the administrator terminal 400. Upon confirmation by the administrator, simulated DR control is executed using the generated driving plan. The simulated driving plan generation unit 102 is an example of the simulated driving plan generation means of this disclosure.

[0046] The people estimating unit 103 estimates the number of people in building 300 on each floor during the adjustment period. Specifically, the people estimating unit 103 estimates the number of people on the 4th floor, the number of people on the 3rd floor, and the number of people on the 2nd floor during the adjustment period. The method used by the people estimating unit 103 to estimate the number of people on each floor can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the people estimating unit 103 may estimate the number of people on each floor based on the people history information obtained from the access control device 340. For example, the people estimating unit 103 may estimate the number of people during the adjustment period as the average number of people in past periods corresponding to the same time period and day of the week as the adjustment period.

[0047] The design information acquisition unit 104 acquires building design information, which is information related to the design of building 300. For example, the design information acquisition unit 104 acquires building design information from the storage device 360, which includes the number of floors in building 300, the material of the walls of building 300, the floor area of ​​each floor of building 300, the age of building 300, and the number of outdoor units 320, indoor units 330, etc., installed on each floor of building 300.

[0048] The weather information acquisition unit 105 acquires weather information, which is information about weather conditions. For example, the weather information acquisition unit 105 acquires weather information from the weather server 500 that shows the outside temperature, outside humidity, weather, wind speed, etc., around the building 300 during the adjustment period.

[0049] The power consumption estimation unit 106 estimates the power consumption of the demand location during the adjustment period. Specifically, the power consumption estimation unit 106 estimates the power consumption of each floor of the building 300, which is the demand location, during the adjustment period, according to the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation unit 102.

[0050] Furthermore, the power consumption estimation unit 106 estimates the amount of power adjustment that will be made by following the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation unit 102. For example, the power consumption estimation unit 106 estimates the difference between the estimated power consumption of the demand site when following the operation plan and the estimated power consumption of the customer when not following the operation plan as the amount of power adjustment for the demand site when following the operation plan.

[0051] Specifically, the power consumption estimation unit 106 can estimate power consumption using the trained model 121 shown in Figure 8. This trained model 121 is a model that takes variables indicating the operating conditions of the indoor unit 330 and the outdoor unit 320, variables indicating weather conditions, variables indicating floor conditions, and variables indicating building design information as explanatory variables, and outputs variables indicating power consumption and variables indicating comfort index values ​​as objective variables. Hereinafter, each variable representing an element will be simply referred to as "each element." The trained model 121 is generated by a known training process in advance and stored in the storage unit 12.

[0052] The operating conditions input to the trained model 121 are the conditions under which equipment used at the demand site is operated, and include the set temperature, airflow rate, time of operation start, room temperature at the start of operation, etc. The operating conditions are identified, for example, from the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation unit 102. The weather conditions are the weather conditions around the demand site, and include the outside temperature, outside humidity, weather, wind speed, etc. The weather conditions are identified, for example, from the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 105.

[0053] The floor information input to the trained model 121 is the status of each floor of the building 300, which is the demand location, and includes, for example, the number of people on each floor. The floor information is determined, for example, from the number of people estimated by the people estimation unit 103. The building design information is information about the design of the building 300, which is the demand location, and includes the number of floors, the material of the walls, the floor area of ​​each floor, the age of the building, and the number of outdoor units 320, indoor units 330, etc., installed on each floor. The building design information is obtained, for example, from the design information acquisition unit 104.

[0054] The comfort estimation unit 107 estimates the comfort level of the demand area. Specifically, the comfort estimation unit 107 estimates the comfort level of the demand area during the adjustment period when following the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation unit 102. How comfort is expressed can be adjusted as appropriate. In this embodiment, comfort is expressed by a comfort index value, which is an index value indicating comfort.

[0055] The comfort estimation unit 107, similar to the power consumption estimation unit 106 described above, can use the trained model 121 to estimate the comfort level of the demand area during the adjustment period according to the operation plan. For example, the comfort estimation unit 107 inputs the operating conditions indicated by the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation unit 102, the weather conditions indicated by the weather information acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 105, the floor conditions including the number of people estimated by the person estimation unit 103, and the building design information acquired by the design information acquisition unit 104 into the trained model 121 and obtains the comfort index value output from the trained model 121.

[0056] The equipment control unit 108 controls the operation of the indoor unit 330 and the outdoor unit 320 during the adjustment period according to the simulated operation plan generation unit 102. As a result, simulated DR control, which mimics the control performed in response to an adjustment request via demand response, is executed in the indoor unit 330 and the outdoor unit 320. The equipment control unit 108 is an example of the equipment control means of this disclosure.

[0057] After the adjustment period has ended, the CFP information generation unit 109 generates CFP (Carbon Footprint of Product) information for each floor of the building 300, which has been adjusted by the simulated DR control, from the adjusted power amount for each floor. Specifically, the CFP information generation unit 109 generates CFP information by multiplying the adjusted power amount by a carbon dioxide emission factor that is set in advance for each electricity company. It is desirable for the CFP information generation unit 109 to generate CFP information using a carbon dioxide emission factor that corresponds to the electricity company with which it is currently contracted or is most likely to be contracted in the future, but if there are multiple such electricity companies, CFP information may be generated for each electricity company. The CFP information generation unit 109 is an example of the emission calculation means described herein.

[0058] The performance transmission unit 110 transmits the adjustment results to the administrator terminal after the adjustment period has ended. These adjustment results include the actual values ​​of power consumption for each floor during the adjustment period, the CFP information generated by the CFP information generation unit, and the comfort index value. The administrator terminal 400 displays a performance presentation screen, which is a screen for presenting the adjustment results. Figure 9 shows the performance presentation screen 830. This performance presentation screen displays a comparison of the actual values ​​of power consumption, CO2 emissions, and comfort index value for each floor of the building 300 during the adjustment period in which the simulated DR control was performed, the normal power consumption, CO2 emissions, and comfort index value if the simulated DR control had not been performed during the adjustment period, and the reductions in these values ​​due to the execution of the simulated DR control.

[0059] Furthermore, after the adjustment period has ended, the performance transmission unit 110 transmits the adjustment results for the corresponding floor to the user terminal 380 on each floor. The user terminal 380 displays an individual performance display screen, which is a screen for displaying the adjustment results. Figure 10 shows the individual performance display screen 840 displayed on the touch panel 383 of the user terminal 380A on the 4th floor. Unlike Figure 9, only the results for the 4th floor are displayed. The performance transmission unit 110 is an example of the performance transmission means of this disclosure.

[0060] Returning to Figure 2, the survey management unit 111 transmits survey information regarding the simulated DR control to the user terminal 380 after the adjustment period has ended. As a result, the survey screen 850, as illustrated in Figure 11, is displayed on the touch panel 383 of the user terminal 380. The survey management unit 111 receives the user's response information to the survey and stores it in the survey result storage unit 122. The survey management unit 111 also transmits the received response information to the administrator terminal 400. The survey management unit 111 is an example of the survey management means of this disclosure.

[0061] Next, the energy management process performed by the energy management device 100 will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 12.

[0062] When a simulated DR control is requested from the administrator terminal 400 (step S101; Yes), the control unit 11 of the energy management device 100 extracts multiple candidate periods for the adjustment target period during which the simulated DR control will be performed (step S102). The control unit 11 then notifies the administrator terminal 400 of each candidate period (step S103). Upon receiving notification of each candidate period, the administrator terminal 400 is presented with the operating condition setting screen 810 shown in Figure 6. The administrator selects conditions such as the adjustment target period, the output suppression of the air conditioner, and the operating policy for the simulated DR control. When the energy management device 100 receives this selection result information (step S104), the control unit 11 generates an operating plan for the simulated DR control based on the conditions included in the selection result information (step S105).

[0063] Next, the control unit 11 estimates the amount of power consumed during operation according to the generated operation plan (step S106). Next, the control unit 11 estimates the amount of adjustment power consumed during operation according to the operation plan (step S107). For example, the control unit 11 estimates the difference between the amount of power consumed during operation according to the operation plan and the base power consumption as the amount of adjustment power. Next, the control unit 11 estimates the comfort level during operation according to the operation plan (step S108). The estimations in steps S106 to S108 can be performed by inputting explanatory variables such as weather conditions and operating conditions into the trained model 121. Alternatively, these estimations can be performed by averaging past performance data under the same conditions without using the trained model 121. Once step S108 is completed, the control unit 11 sends plan confirmation information to the administrator terminal 400 (step S109). Upon receiving the plan confirmation information, the administrator terminal displays the operation plan confirmation screen 820 shown in Figure 7. Then, when the administrator clicks the OK button and the energy management device receives the confirmation information (step S110), the control unit 11 waits until the adjustment period (step S111). When the adjustment period begins, the control unit 11 controls the equipment according to the generated operation plan (step S112).

[0064] Subsequently, once the survey period has elapsed (Step S113; Yes), the control unit 11 calculates the adjusted power amount, CFP information, and comfort index values ​​for each floor based on simulated DR control (Step S114). For example, the control unit 11 calculates the adjusted power amount for each floor based on the power consumption amount and base power consumption amount indicated by the power consumption information obtained from the power meter 370. The control unit 11 also calculates the CFP information by multiplying the calculated adjusted power amount by a coefficient corresponding to the power company. The control unit also calculates comfort index values ​​from the current temperature, humidity, etc., of each floor.

[0065] Then, the control unit 11 transmits to the administrator terminal 400 actual information showing the adjusted power amount, CFP information, and comfort index value calculated in step S114 for all floors (step S115). This allows the administrator terminal 400 to check the results of the simulated DR control for each floor. The control unit 11 also transmits to the user terminal 380 on each floor actual information for the corresponding floor (step S116). This allows the user terminal 380 to check the results of the simulated DR control on the floor where its terminal is located.

[0066] Next, the control unit 11 transmits questionnaire information about the simulated DR control to the user terminals 380 on each floor (step S117). As a result, the questionnaire screen 850 illustrated in Figure 11 is displayed on the touch panel 383 of the user terminal 380, and the user answers the questionnaire, and the answer information is transmitted to the energy management device 100. When the control unit 11 receives the answer information for the questionnaire from each user terminal 380, it stores the answer information in the questionnaire result storage unit 122 (step S118). The control unit 11 also transmits the received answer information to the administrator terminal 400 (step S119). Then, the process returns to step S101.

[0067] Thus, according to this embodiment, since the equipment used at the point of demand is controlled according to an operating plan that mimics an operating plan that responds to adjustment requests from actual demand response, it becomes possible to simulate demand response before concluding a contract with an aggregator.

[0068] (modified version) Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, various modifications and applications are possible. It is arbitrary which parts of the configuration, function, and operation described in the above embodiments are adopted. Furthermore, additional configurations, functions, and operations may be adopted in addition to those described above. Also, the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments can be freely combined.

[0069] For example, in the above embodiment, the energy management device 100 extracts multiple candidate adjustment periods for executing simulated DR control and allows the administrator to select one from among them. However, the administrator terminal 400 may directly input the adjustment period.

[0070] For example, in the above embodiment, the energy management device 100 created one operation plan set from the operation condition setting screen 810 shown in Figure 6. However, it is also possible to create multiple operation plans that match the operation conditions and have the administrator select the plan to be used in the simulated DR control from among them.

[0071] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the energy management device 100 indirectly controls the outdoor unit 320 and the indoor unit 330 via the air conditioning equipment control device 310. However, the energy management device 100 may directly control the outdoor unit 320 and the indoor unit 330. Furthermore, the equipment whose power consumption is to be adjusted at the point of demand is not limited to air conditioning equipment such as the outdoor unit 320 and the indoor unit 330. The equipment whose power consumption is to be adjusted at the point of demand may be equipment other than air conditioning equipment, such as lighting equipment and hot water supply equipment.

[0072] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the comfort index value is room temperature or comfort level based on room temperature. The comfort index value is not limited to this example. For example, the comfort index value may be a PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) value. PMV is an index that represents how comfortable a person is, and is calculated from six elements: temperature, humidity, radiant temperature, airflow velocity, amount of clothing worn, and activity level. For elements that can be easily measured by temperature sensors, humidity sensors, flow sensors, etc., such as temperature, humidity, radiant temperature, and airflow velocity, the output values ​​of these sensors can be used. On the other hand, for elements that are difficult to measure easily, such as amount of clothing worn and activity level, predetermined values ​​may be used.

[0073] The above embodiment describes an example in which a demand area managed by one administrator comprises multiple areas. However, a demand area managed by one administrator may comprise only one area. Furthermore, the embodiment describes an example in which a demand area managed by one administrator comprises one building 300. However, a demand area managed by one administrator is not limited to one building 300. For example, a demand area managed by one administrator may comprise one floor or one room in one building 300. Alternatively, a demand area managed by one administrator may comprise multiple buildings 300. In this case, the demand area may comprise each building 300 as an area.

[0074] In this embodiment, we described an example using a trained model 121 that takes operating conditions including the set temperature, weather conditions including the outside temperature, floor conditions including the number of people on the floor, and building design information including the wall material as explanatory variables, and outputs power consumption and comfort index values. The explanatory variables in the trained model 121 are not limited to this example. For example, if the power consumption or comfort index values ​​differ for each floor of building 300 even if the conditions corresponding to the explanatory variables are the same, the floor number indicating the floor of building 300 may be included as an explanatory variable. Also, if there is a large difference between the starting room temperature, which is the room temperature at the start of the adjustment period, and the set temperature, and even if the conditions corresponding to the explanatory variables are the same, the starting room temperature may be included as an explanatory variable.

[0075] Furthermore, by providing a large number of explanatory variables to absorb differences in conditions, the versatility of the trained model 121 can be increased. For example, by adding building design information as an explanatory variable, differences due to differences in buildings 300 can be absorbed, eliminating the need to prepare a trained model 121 for each building 300. Also, for example, by adding the number of floors as an explanatory variable, differences due to differences in the number of floors can be absorbed, eliminating the need to prepare a trained model 121 for each floor. Also, for example, by adding the type of air conditioning system as an explanatory variable, differences due to differences in the type of air conditioning system can be absorbed, eliminating the need to prepare a trained model 121 for each type of air conditioning system.

[0076] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the energy management device 100 estimates the number of people on each floor during the adjustment period based on the number of people history information generated by the access control device 340. The method for estimating the number of people on each floor is not limited to this example. For example, if building 300 is a commercial building, there may be a high correlation between the congestion status of the nearest station to building 300 and the number of people on each floor of building 300. In this case, the energy management device 100 may estimate the number of people on each floor during the adjustment period based on congestion prediction information that shows the predicted congestion status of the nearest station during the adjustment period. Congestion prediction information can be obtained, for example, from a congestion status provision server (not shown) connected to the communication network 710.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the CPU executes one or more programs stored in ROM to realize each functional unit (see Figure 2) of the control unit 11 of the energy management device 100. However, all or part of the functional units of the control device 2 may be realized by dedicated hardware. Dedicated hardware includes, for example, a single circuit, a complex circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the program executed by the control unit 11 can also be stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto-Optical Disk), USB memory, or memory card. By installing such a program on a specific or general-purpose computer, the computer can be made to function as the energy management device 100 in the above embodiment.

[0079] Alternatively, the above program may be stored on a disk drive or similar device on a server device on a communication network such as the Internet, and then downloaded to a computer, for example, by superimposing it onto a carrier wave. The above processing can also be achieved by launching and executing the program while transferring it over a communication network. Furthermore, the above processing can also be achieved by running all or part of the program on a server device, with the computer sending and receiving information related to that process over a communication network while executing the program.

[0080] Furthermore, if the above-mentioned functions are implemented by the OS (Operating System) or through collaboration between the OS and the application, only the parts other than the OS may be stored and distributed on the above-mentioned recording medium, or they may be downloaded to a computer.

[0081] This disclosure allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from its broad spirit and scope. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. In other words, the scope of this disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent significance of the disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. [Industrial applicability]

[0082] This disclosure can be suitably adopted in systems for managing electricity and equipment used within a building.

[0083] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.

[0084] (Note 1) A receiving means for receiving a period of adjustment target from the administrator of a demand area, during which a simulated demand response will be implemented to adjust the amount of electricity consumed at the demand area in response to an adjustment request for electricity quantity, A simulated operation plan generation means for generating an operation plan for equipment used at the demand site when responding to an adjustment request for power quantity in the simulated demand response during the adjustment period, A device control means controls the device during the adjustment period according to the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation means, An energy management device equipped with the following features. (Note 2) The receiving means extracts multiple candidate periods that can be used as the adjustment period, and accepts the candidate period selected by the administrator from among the extracted multiple candidate periods as the adjustment period. The energy management device described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The receiving means extracts as candidate periods periods during which it is expected that adjustment requests based on the demand response will likely be made. The energy management device described in Appendix 2. (Note 4) The system includes a performance transmission means that, after the aforementioned adjustment period has elapsed, transmits performance information indicating the control performance by the equipment control means to at least one of the administrator's terminal or the user's terminal at the demand location. The energy management device described in Appendix 1. (Note 5) The system includes an emission calculation means for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions reduced by the control of the equipment by the equipment control means, The performance transmission means transmits the performance information which includes at least information indicating the carbon dioxide emissions calculated by the emissions calculation means. The energy management device described in Appendix 4. (Note 6) The system includes a questionnaire management means that, after the aforementioned adjustment period has elapsed, transmits questionnaire information indicating a questionnaire regarding control by the equipment control means to the terminal of a user in the demand area, and transmits response information indicating the response to the questionnaire received from the user's terminal to the administrator's terminal. The energy management device described in Appendix 1. (Note 7) The computer receives a request from the administrator of the demand area to adjust the amount of electricity consumed at the said demand area in response to the request for adjustment of electricity consumption, and executes a simulated demand response that mimics a demand response. The computer generates a simulated operation plan that generates an operation plan for the equipment used at the demand site when it responds to the power quantity adjustment request in the simulated demand response during the adjustment period. The computer controls the equipment during the adjustment period according to the generated operating plan. Energy management methods. (Note 8) An energy management system comprising an administrator terminal for the administrator of the demand area, and an energy management device that is communicatively connected to the administrator terminal, The energy management device is A receiving means that receives from the administrator terminal the adjustment period for executing a simulated demand response that mimics a demand response that adjusts the amount of electricity consumed at the demand site in response to an electricity adjustment request, A simulated operation plan generation means for generating an operation plan for equipment used at the demand site when responding to an adjustment request for power quantity in the simulated demand response during the adjustment period, The system includes equipment control means that controls the equipment during the adjustment period according to the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation means, Energy management system. (Note 9) Computers, A receiving means for receiving a period of adjustment target from the administrator of a demand area, during which a simulated demand response is executed, which mimics a demand response that adjusts the amount of electricity consumed at the said demand area in response to an adjustment request for electricity quantity. A simulated operation plan generation means that generates an operation plan for equipment used at the demand site when responding to an adjustment request for power quantity in the simulated demand response during the adjustment period, According to the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation means, the equipment control means controls the equipment during the adjustment period. A program that makes it function as such. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 1 Energy Management System, 11, 41, 381 Control Unit, 12, 42, 382 Memory Unit, 15, 45, 384 Communication Unit, 43 Display Unit, 44 Operation Reception Unit, 46 Imaging Unit, 383 Touch Panel, 101 Condition Reception Unit, 102 Simulated Operation Plan Generation Unit, 103 Person Estimation Unit, 104 Design Information Acquisition Unit, 105 Weather Information Acquisition Unit, 106 Power Consumption Estimation Unit, 107 Comfort Estimation Unit, 108 Equipment Control Unit, 109 CFP Information Generation Unit, 110 Performance Transmission Unit, 111 Questionnaire Management Unit, 121 Trained Model, 122 Questionnaire Result Storage Unit, 300 Building, 301 Air Conditioning System, 302 Access Control System, 310 Air Conditioning Equipment Control Device, 311, 341, 710, 720 Communication network, 320, 320A, 320B, 320C Outdoor unit, 330, 330A, 330B, 330C Indoor unit, 340 Access control device, 350, 350A, 350B, 350C Access detection device, 360 Storage device, 370 Power meter, 380, 380A, 380B, 380C User terminal, 400 Administrator terminal, 500 Weather server, 810 Operating condition setting screen, 820 Operating plan confirmation screen, 830 Performance display screen, 840 Individual performance display screen, 850 Questionnaire screen, 100 Energy management device

Claims

1. A receiving means for receiving a period of adjustment target from the administrator of a demand area, during which a simulated demand response will be implemented to adjust the amount of electricity consumed at the demand area in response to an adjustment request for electricity quantity, A simulated operation plan generation means for generating an operation plan for equipment used at the demand site when responding to an adjustment request for power quantity in the simulated demand response during the adjustment period, A device control means controls the device during the adjustment period according to the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation means, An energy management device equipped with the following features.

2. The receiving means extracts multiple candidate periods that can be used as the adjustment period, and accepts the candidate period selected by the administrator from among the extracted multiple candidate periods as the adjustment period. The energy management device according to claim 1.

3. The receiving means extracts as candidate periods periods during which it is expected that adjustment requests based on the demand response are likely to be made. The energy management device according to claim 2.

4. The system includes a performance transmission means that, after the aforementioned adjustment period has elapsed, transmits performance information indicating the control performance by the equipment control means to at least one of the administrator's terminal or the user's terminal at the demand location. The energy management device according to claim 1.

5. The system includes an emission calculation means for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions reduced by the control of the equipment by the equipment control means, The performance transmission means transmits the performance information which includes at least information indicating the carbon dioxide emissions calculated by the emissions calculation means. The energy management device according to claim 4.

6. After the aforementioned adjustment period has elapsed, the system includes a questionnaire management means that transmits questionnaire information indicating a questionnaire regarding control by the equipment control means to the terminal of a user in the demand area, and transmits response information indicating the response to the questionnaire received from the user's terminal to the administrator's terminal. The energy management device according to claim 1.

7. The computer receives a request from the administrator of the demand area to adjust the amount of electricity consumed at the said demand area in response to the request for adjustment of electricity consumption, and executes a simulated demand response that mimics a demand response. The computer generates a simulated operation plan that generates an operation plan for the equipment used at the demand site when it responds to the power quantity adjustment request in the simulated demand response during the adjustment period. The computer controls the equipment during the adjustment period according to the generated operating plan. Energy management methods.

8. An energy management system comprising an administrator terminal for the administrator of the demand area, and an energy management device that is communicatively connected to the administrator terminal, The energy management device is A receiving means that receives from the administrator terminal the adjustment target period for executing a simulated demand response that mimics a demand response that adjusts the amount of electricity consumed at the demand site in response to an electricity adjustment request, A simulated operation plan generation means for generating an operation plan for equipment used at the demand site when responding to an adjustment request for power quantity in the simulated demand response during the adjustment period, The system includes equipment control means that controls the equipment during the adjustment period according to the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation means, Energy management system.

9. Computers, A receiving means for receiving a period of adjustment target from the administrator of a demand area, during which a simulated demand response is executed, which mimics a demand response that adjusts the amount of electricity consumed at the said demand area in response to an adjustment request for electricity quantity. A simulated operation plan generation means for generating an operation plan for equipment used at the demand site when responding to an adjustment request for power quantity in the simulated demand response during the adjustment period, According to the operation plan generated by the simulated operation plan generation means, the equipment control means controls the equipment during the adjustment period. A program that makes it function as such.

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