Power management system

Abstract

This invention provides a power management system that enhances the effectiveness of reducing electricity demand through peak shaving. [Solution] The power management system 1 includes a controller 110 that performs peak-cut processing to reduce the power demand at the customer facility 2 by switching one or more first air conditioners 22 included in the customer facility 2 from their current state to an energy-saving state with less power consumption than the current state, and a decision unit 112 that determines whether or not to allow the execution of peak-cut processing. If the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 that cannot be controlled by the controller 110, the decision unit 112 allows the execution of peak-cut processing depending on whether the future predicted power demand at the customer facility 2 is below a threshold, and does not allow the execution of peak-cut processing depending on whether the future predicted power demand exceeds the threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power management system, and more particularly to a power management system for managing the power consumption of a customer facility.

Background Art

[0002] In a high-voltage power contract, the basic charge is determined based on the maximum value of the average power (also referred to as the "30-minute demand value") of the demand time limit (30 minutes) included in the past 12 months. The demand time limit means a 30-minute time interval from 0 minutes to 30 minutes and from 30 minutes to 60 minutes per hour. Therefore, peak cut processing is performed to reduce the power demand during the time period when the power consumption is the highest. For example, Japanese Patent No. 6808891 (Patent Document 1) discloses a system that outputs a discharge command to a power storage device in order to reduce the power demand exceeding the peak cut level.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Customer facilities generally include air conditioners as devices with high power consumption. Therefore, as peak cut processing, it is possible to switch the operating state of the air conditioner. For example, the air conditioner can be switched from a cooling operation (or a heating operation) to a ventilation operation.

[0005] However, a customer facility may include both air conditioners designated for peak shaving and those not designated for peak shaving within the same space (for example, a relatively large space in a vehicle sales store). For example, an air conditioner that cannot be fitted with a control device for peak shaving will not be designated for peak shaving. In such a case, even if some air conditioners designated for peak shaving are switched to fan-only operation to reduce electricity demand, the remaining air conditioners not designated for peak shaving may consume more electricity to compensate for the temperature change. As a result, the effect of reducing the electricity demand of the customer facility will not be achieved.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a power management system that improves the effect of reducing power demand through peak shaving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A power management system relating to a certain aspect of this disclosure includes a controller that performs peak-cut processing to reduce the power demand at a customer facility by switching one or more first air conditioners included in the customer facility from their current state to an energy-saving state that consumes less power than their current state, and a decision unit that determines whether or not to allow the peak-cut processing to be performed. The decision unit, if the customer facility includes one or more second air conditioners that cannot be controlled by the controller, allows the peak-cut processing to be performed if the predicted future power demand at the customer facility is below a threshold, and does not allow the peak-cut processing to be performed if the predicted future power demand exceeds the threshold. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the power management system described in this disclosure, the effect of reducing electricity demand through peak shaving is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]This diagram shows the configuration of the power management system and customer facilities according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram shows an example of the process for determining whether a customer facility includes one or more second air conditioning units. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a processing flow for determining whether or not to allow the execution of peak-cut processing, which switches one or more first air conditioners from their current state to an energy-saving state. [Figure 4] Figure 3 illustrates the advantages of the process in steps S12 to S14. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates the advantages of the processes in steps S15 and S17 shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 3 illustrates the advantages of the processes in steps S15 and S16. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] 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 and their descriptions will not be repeated. In this specification, either "greater than" or "greater than or equal to" may be replaced by the other. Either "less than or equal to" or "less than or equal to" may be replaced by the other.

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a power management system and a customer facility according to an embodiment. The power management system 1 shown in Figure 1 manages the power consumption of the customer facility 2. The customer facility 2 includes single-family homes, apartment buildings, shops, vehicle charging stations, factories, commercial facilities, medical facilities, educational facilities, public facilities, buildings, etc.

[0012] The customer facility 2 includes a smart meter 21 and one or more first air conditioners 22. The smart meter 21 has the function of measuring the power supplied from the power grid to the customer facility 2 (also referred to as "receiving end power") and the function of communicating the measurement results. The measurement results are output via one of the A route, B route, or C route.

[0013] One or more first air conditioners 22 conditioned the air in the space within the customer facility 2. One or more first air conditioners 22 switched on and off according to control commands. One or more first air conditioners 22 also operated in an operating mode selected from multiple operating modes according to control commands. Multiple operating modes include cooling operation, heating operation, fan operation, dehumidification operation, etc. Furthermore, one or more first air conditioners 22 switched the target temperature and airflow according to control commands. One or more first air conditioners 22 can communicate with the power management system 1. One or more first air conditioners 22 may receive control commands in response to user input from a control panel (not shown) or from the power management system 1. In other words, one or more first air conditioners 22 are controlled by the power management system 1.

[0014] Furthermore, the customer facility 2 may include one or more load devices 23 that consume electricity. In the example shown in Figure 1, the one or more load devices 23 include one or more second air conditioners 24 and various electrical equipment 25.

[0015] One or more second air conditioners 24 conditioned the air in the space of the customer facility 2. One or more second air conditioners 24 may be installed in the same space as one or more first air conditioners 22. One or more second air conditioners 24 operate in the same way as the first air conditioners 22, in an operating mode selected from among multiple operating modes according to a control command. Furthermore, one or more first air conditioners 22 switch the target temperature and airflow according to a control command. However, one or more second air conditioners 24 receive control commands in response to user input from a control panel (not shown) and do not receive control commands from the power management system 1. In other words, one or more second air conditioners 24 are not subject to control by the power management system 1. For example, one or more second air conditioners 24 may be air conditioners that do not have a communication function with the power management system 1, or air conditioners that do not have a function to receive control commands from the power management system 1.

[0016] The various electrical devices 25 include, for example, refrigerators, freezers, charge-discharge devices for electric vehicles, and the like. Some or all of the various electrical devices 25 may be communicable with the power management system 1 and may be controlled by the power management system 1.

[0017] Furthermore, the consumer facility 2 may include one or more sensors 26 that measure parameters related to the power consumption of one or more load devices 23. The parameters include, for example, the amount of electric power consumed by some or all of the one or more load devices 23, the current supplied to some or all of the one or more load devices 23, or the voltage applied to some or all of the one or more load devices 23.

[0018] The power management system 1 is composed of one or more computers. Also, the power management system 1 may include a virtual machine or a container constructed in a cloud environment, or a configuration consisting of at least a part of these. For example, the power management system 1 includes a computer installed in the consumer facility 2 and a cloud server.

[0019] The power management system 1 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, a communication interface 1 (should be 13 in the original, assuming it's a typo), and a user interface 14. The number of each of the processor 10, the memory 11, the storage 12, the communication interface 13, and the user interface 14 is not limited to one and may be plural. For example, when the power management system 1 is composed of a plurality of computers, the processors provided in each of the plurality of computers operate as the processor 10.

[0020] The processor 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), etc., and executes a power management program 120 stored in the storage 12.

[0021] The memory 11 stores volatile data such as data generated by the execution of the power management program 120 by the processor 10, data input via the user interface 14, and data received from the outside via the communication interface 13.

[0022] The storage 12 stores data non-volatily. The storage 12 is realized by a hard disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive) device, or the like.

[0023] The communication interface 13 communicates with external devices via a network including, for example, the Internet. The user interface 14 includes, for example, a touch panel, a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

[0024] When the processor 10 executes the power management program 120, a plurality of functional blocks are realized. The plurality of functional blocks include a controller 110, a determination unit 112, and a judgment unit 114. <着

[0025] The controller 110 controls the devices included in the customer facility 2 in order to reduce the power demand in the customer facility 2. The devices to be controlled by the controller 110 include one or more first air conditioners 22 and do not include one or more second air conditioners 24. Further, the devices to be controlled by the controller 110 may include a part of various electric devices 25.

[0026] The controller 110 executes a peak cut process for switching one or more first air conditioners 22 included in the customer facility 2 from the current state to an energy-saving state with less power consumption than the current state in order to reduce the power demand in the customer facility 2. The controller 110 determines that it is necessary to perform the peak cut process in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied. The controller 110 executes the peak cut process in response to determining that it is necessary to perform the peak cut process and being determined by the determination unit 112 to be permitted to execute the peak cut process.

[0027] The predetermined conditions typically include the condition that the power at the receiving end, as measured by the smart meter 21, exceeds a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as the "control target"). However, the predetermined conditions may include other conditions.

[0028] The control target is determined based on user input. For example, the user can set the control target to the maximum value of the 30-minute demand value over the past 12 months, or a value smaller than that maximum, taking into account the basic charge of the electricity contract.

[0029] An energy-saving state is typically a fan-only operation state. If the current state is an operating state that can consume the rated power consumption (high-load operation state), an energy-saving state may include a medium-load or low-load operation state that consumes less power than the high-load operation state. Alternatively, an energy-saving state may include an operating state in which the target temperature setting is closer to the external ambient temperature of the customer facility 2 than the current value, an operating state in which the upper limit of power consumption is lower than the current value, or an operating state in which the airflow rate is reduced compared to the current value.

[0030] The determination unit 112 determines whether or not to perform peak-cut processing to switch one or more first air conditioners 22 from their current state to an energy-saving state, based on the presence or absence of one or more second air conditioners 24 that the controller 110 cannot control, and the forecast power demand for the future. The presence or absence of one or more second air conditioners 24 is determined by the judgment unit 114, as will be described later.

[0031] The decision unit 112 predicts future power demand using, for example, a prediction model. The prediction model is a trained model that takes explanatory variables as input and outputs a predicted value of power demand at the target time (predicted power demand) as the target variable. The prediction model is generated by executing a machine learning algorithm using training data. The machine learning algorithm is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of solving regression tasks. For example, the machine learning algorithm can be a neural network, a support vector machine, or a decision tree. Explanatory variables include, for example, temperature, solar radiation, and date and time. The training data shows, for example, the values ​​of the explanatory variables and the trend of power at the receiving end of the consumer facility 2 over the past two years.

[0032] As described above, in high-voltage power contracts, the basic charge is determined based on the maximum value of the average power during the demand period (30 minutes) over the past 12 months. Therefore, the determination unit 112 predicts the predicted power demand for the next demand period by inputting explanatory variables (for example, current temperature, solar radiation, and date / time, or predicted temperature, predicted solar radiation, and date / time at the target time) into the prediction model. Temperature and solar radiation are obtained, for example, from a weather data server.

[0033] The decision unit 112, if the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24, permits the execution of peak cutting processing depending on whether the predicted power demand in the next demand period is below the control target. The decision unit 112, if the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24, does not permit the execution of peak cutting processing depending on whether the predicted power demand in the next demand period exceeds the control target.

[0034] The determination unit 114 determines whether the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 based on status information indicating the status of the customer facility 2 after one or more first air conditioners 22 have been switched from a first state to a second state that consumes less power than the first state. The first state is, for example, an operating state that consumes the rated power. Specifically, the first state is a cooling operation state in summer and a heating operation state in winter. The second state is, for example, a fan operation state or a stopped state.

[0035] The status information, for example, shows the trend of electricity supplied from the power grid to customer facility 2 (receiving end power). This status information is obtained from the smart meter 21.

[0036] Referring to Figure 2, the flow of the decision-making process by the decision-making unit 114 will be explained. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the decision-making process for determining whether or not a customer facility includes one or more second air conditioners.

[0037] The processor 10, operating as a determination unit 114, determines whether the power supplied from the power grid to the customer facility 2 (receiving end power) is stable (step S1). For example, the processor 10 determines that the receiving end power is stable based on the measurement results of the smart meter 21, depending on whether the fluctuation range of the measured value is within a standard range. Alternatively, the processor 10 may determine that the receiving end power is stable depending on whether the current time is a stable period. The stable period is set in advance based on past measurement results from the smart meter 21.

[0038] Next, the processor 10 determines whether one or more first air conditioners 22 are in operation (step S2).

[0039] If one or more of the first air conditioners 22 are not in operation (NO in step S2), the processor 10 outputs an operation start command to one or more of the first air conditioners 22 and waits for a first predetermined time (step S3). Specifically, the processor 10 outputs an operation start command for cooling in the summer and an operation start command for heating in the winter. At this time, the set temperature is set so that the difference from the room temperature exceeds 3 degrees. The first predetermined time is, for example, the time required to change the room temperature by 3 degrees or more.

[0040] After step S3 is completed, the process moves to step S4. If one or more first air conditioners 22 are in operation (YES in step S2), the process also moves to step S4. In step S4, the processor 10 outputs a stop command to one or more first air conditioners 22. As a result, one or more first air conditioners 22 are stopped.

[0041] Next, the processor 10 collects status information indicating the status of the customer facility 2 after switching one or more first air conditioners 22 to a stopped state (step S5). Specifically, the processor 10 collects status information indicating the changes in the indoor temperature and power supply at the receiving end of the customer facility 2 during a second predetermined time after switching one or more first air conditioners 22 to a stopped state. The second predetermined time is, for example, the time required for the indoor temperature to change by 3 degrees or more.

[0042] The processor 10 obtains data indicating the indoor temperature from one or more first air conditioners 22. Alternatively, if one or more sensors 26 include temperature sensors that measure the indoor temperature, the processor 10 may obtain data indicating the indoor temperature from the temperature sensors. The processor 10 obtains data indicating the power supply from the smart meter 21.

[0043] Next, the processor 10 calculates the correlation coefficient between the room temperature and the power supply at the receiving end (step S6). As the correlation coefficient, a linear correlation coefficient such as the Pearson correlation coefficient or Spearman's rank correlation coefficient may be used.

[0044] Next, the processor 10 determines whether or not there is a correlation between the room temperature and the power at the receiving end based on the correlation coefficient (step S7). For example, the processor 10 determines that there is a correlation between the room temperature and the power at the receiving end if the correlation coefficient exceeds a predetermined reference value.

[0045] If the indoor temperature and the power supply at the receiving end are correlated even though one or more first air conditioners 22 are stopped, it suggests that another air conditioner is operating. Therefore, if there is a correlation between the indoor temperature and the power supply at the receiving end (YES in step S7), the processor 10 determines that the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 (step S8). On the other hand, if there is no correlation between the indoor temperature and the power supply at the receiving end (NO in step S7), the processor 10 determines that the customer facility 2 does not include one or more second air conditioners 24 (step S9). The processor 10 stores a flag indicating the determination result of steps S8 and S9 in the memory 11. After steps S8 and S9, the process ends.

[0046] It should be noted that the power at the receiving end can also be increased by load equipment other than air conditioners. Therefore, the processor 10 may perform steps S1 to S7 of the flow shown in Figure 2 multiple times and determine whether the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 based on the results of the multiple steps S7. For example, the processor 10 may perform steps S1 to S7 N times (where N is an integer of 2 or more) and determine that the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 based on the determination of a correlation in M ​​or more of the steps S7 (where M is an integer less than N).

[0047] Referring to Figures 3 to 6, the flow of the decision processing by the decision unit 112 will be explained. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing that determines whether or not to perform peak cut processing to switch one or more first air conditioners from their current state to an energy-saving state.

[0048] First, the processor 10, which operates as the decision unit 112, determines whether the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 (step S11). Specifically, the processor 10 determines whether the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 by checking the flags stored in the memory 11 through the execution of the flow shown in Figure 2.

[0049] If the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 (YES in step S11), the processor 10 predicts the power demand for the next demand period by inputting the values ​​of the explanatory variables into the prediction model. Then, the processor 10 determines whether the power demand is below the control target (step S12).

[0050] If the forecasted power demand is below the control target (YES in step S12), the processor 10 permits peak cutting during the current demand period (step S13). If the forecasted power demand exceeds the control target (NO in step S12), the processor 10 does not permit peak cutting during the current demand period (step S14).

[0051] If the customer facility 2 does not include one or more second air conditioners 24 (NO in step S11), the processor 10 determines whether the current state of one or more first air conditioners 22 is an operating state in which they can consume the rated power (step S15). An operating state in which they can consume the rated power is also called a high-load operating state, and is a state in which the power consumption of the compressor exceeds a predetermined high-load operating value.

[0052] If the current state of one or more of the first air conditioners 22 is an operating state in which they can consume the rated power consumption (YES in step S15), the processor 10 permits peak cut processing during the current demand time (step S16). If the current state of one or more of the first air conditioners 22 is not an operating state in which they can consume the rated power consumption (NO in step S15), the processor 10 does not permit peak cut processing during the current demand time (step S17).

[0053] Figure 4 illustrates the advantages of the process shown in steps S12 to S14 in Figure 3. In Figure 4, the upper graph shows the change in power at the receiving end. The middle graph shows the change in power consumption of the first air conditioner 22. The lower graph shows the change in power consumption of the second air conditioner 24.

[0054] In the example shown in Figure 4, the receiving end power exceeds the limit target in the current demand time TA. Therefore, regardless of the predicted power demand in the next demand time TB, it is conceivable to allow the execution of peak-cutting processing in the current demand time TA, which switches one or more first air conditioners from their current state to an energy-saving state.

[0055] However, if peak cutting is performed during the current demand time TA, the difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature will gradually increase after the start of peak cutting. Therefore, one or more second air conditioners 24 will switch to a high-load operation state to compensate for this difference. As a result, if the predicted power demand during the next demand time TB exceeds the control target, the power at the receiving end may increase significantly during the next demand time TB. This could lead to a significant increase in the basic charge.

[0056] Therefore, as described above, the processor 10, which operates as the decision unit 112, determines whether or not to allow peak cutting processing depending on whether the predicted demand power in the next demand time limit TB is below the limit target. In the example shown in Figure 4, the predicted demand power in the next demand time limit TB is below the limit target. Therefore, the processor 10 determines YES in step S12 and allows peak cutting processing in the current demand time limit TA in step S13. As a result, the processor 10 switches one or more first air conditioners 22 to an energy-saving state for at least a portion of the time period in the current demand time limit TA (for example, the latter half of the current demand time limit TA time period T (a predetermined time period starting from time t1)).

[0057] Because one or more first air conditioners 22 are switched to energy-saving mode, the difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature gradually increases from time t1 onward. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 4, one or more second air conditioners 24 switch to high-load operation mode at time t2, which is later than time t1, in order to compensate for this difference. As a result, the power consumption of one or more second air conditioners 24 increases at the next demand time limit TB. However, the predicted power demand at the next demand time limit TB is expected to be below the limit target. Therefore, even if the power consumption of one or more second air conditioners 24 increases, a significant increase in power at the receiving end at the next demand time limit TB is avoided.

[0058] Figure 5 illustrates the advantages of the processes in steps S15 and S17 shown in Figure 3. The graph in Figure 5 shows the change in power consumption of the first air conditioner 22. In the example shown in Figure 5, the first air conditioner 22 is operating in a medium-load state, which consumes less power than the operating state in which it can consume its rated power (high-load operating state). If peak-cut processing is permitted in this case, the first air conditioner 22 will operate in a low-load state with even less power consumption from time t3 to a predetermined time period T, as shown by the dashed line 50. After the start of peak-cut processing, the difference between the room temperature and the target temperature gradually increases. Therefore, after the completion of peak-cut processing (i.e., after time period T), one or more second air conditioners 24 will switch to a high-load operating state to compensate for this difference. As a result, the power at the receiving end after the completion of peak-cut processing may increase compared to the power at the receiving end before peak-cut processing.

[0059] Therefore, if the current state of one or more of the first air conditioners 22 is not in an operating state that can consume the rated power, the processor 10 does not permit peak shaving processing during the current demand period. This prevents a situation in which the power at the receiving end after the completion of peak shaving processing is greater than the power at the receiving end before peak shaving processing.

[0060] Figure 6 illustrates the advantages of the processes in steps S15 and S16 shown in Figure 3. The graph in Figure 6 shows the change in power consumption of the first air conditioner 22. In the example shown in Figure 6, the first air conditioner 22 is operating in an operating state that can consume its rated power consumption (high-load operating state). If peak-cut processing is permitted in this case, the first air conditioner 22 operates in a low-load operating state with low power consumption from time t3 to a predetermined time period T, as shown by the dashed line 60. After the start of peak-cut processing, the difference between the room temperature and the target temperature gradually increases. Therefore, after the completion of peak-cut processing (i.e., after time period T), one or more second air conditioners 24 return to a high-load operating state to compensate for this difference. In this case, the power at the receiving end after the completion of peak-cut processing is the same as the power at the receiving end before peak-cut processing. In other words, even if peak-cut processing is performed, the power at the receiving end after the completion of peak-cut processing will not be greater than the power at the receiving end before peak-cut processing. Therefore, if the current state of one or more first air conditioners 22 is an operating state that can consume the rated power, the processor 10 allows peak shaving processing in the current demand period. This makes it possible to reduce the power at the receiving end in the current demand period without increasing the power at the receiving end in the next demand period.

[0061] The following describes various modifications. When peak cutting is performed on one or more first air conditioners 22, the difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature increases. Therefore, after the peak cutting is completed, the power consumption of one or more first air conditioners 22 may increase significantly. Accordingly, the controller 110 may control one or more first air conditioners 22 to consume power lower than the rated power consumption for a predetermined time after the peak cutting is completed. This suppresses a significant increase in the power consumption of one or more first air conditioners 22 after the peak cutting is completed. The predetermined time is determined in advance based on the results of experiments or simulations. For example, based on the simulation results, the time required for the difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature to fall below a specified value is set as the predetermined time.

[0062] Possible methods for one or more first air conditioners 22 to consume less power than their rated power include bringing the target temperature closer to the external ambient temperature of the customer facility 2 than the current installed value, limiting the upper limit of power consumption, and reducing the airflow.

[0063] The processor 10, which operates as a decision unit 114, may, in step S5 shown in Figure 2, use as status information information the trend of measurement results from a sensor 26 that measures parameters related to the power consumption of one or more load devices 23 included in the customer facility 2, and information the trend of the indoor temperature.

[0064] The correlation between the indoor temperature and the power consumption of one or more load devices 23, even when one or more first air conditioners 22 are stopped, suggests that one or more load devices 23 include one or more second air conditioners 24. Therefore, in step S6 shown in Figure 2, the processor 10 only needs to calculate the correlation coefficient between the indoor temperature and the power consumption of one or more load devices 23. This also allows the processor 10 to determine whether or not the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24.

[0065] Alternatively, the processor 10 may acquire only information as status information that shows the trend of power supplied from the power grid to the customer facility 2 (receiving end power), or the trend of measurement results from one or more sensors 26 that measure parameters related to the power consumption of one or more load devices 23. In this case, the processor 10 can determine that the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 if the power indicated by the status information increases. Conversely, the processor 10 can determine that the customer facility 2 does not include one or more second air conditioners 24 if the power indicated by the status information does not increase.

[0066] Alternatively, if one or more sensors 26 include image sensors that capture the space within the customer facility 2, the processor 10 may determine whether the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 based on the images acquired from the image sensors. For example, the processor 10 performs object recognition processing on the image and determines whether the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 based on the recognition of more air conditioners than the number of first air conditioners 22. Alternatively, the processor 10 may determine whether the customer facility 2 includes one or more second air conditioners 24 based on the recognition of air conditioners in the image at locations other than pre-registered locations. The locations of one or more first air conditioners 22 are registered as pre-registered locations.

[0067] The processor 10, which operates as a decision unit 112, may perform the following processing if it is able to obtain information indicating the status of one or more second air conditioners 24. That is, if the processor 10 is NO in step S12 shown in Figure 3, it determines whether the current state of one or more second air conditioners 24 is an operating state that can consume the rated power consumption (high-load operating state). If the current state of one or more second air conditioners 24 is a high-load operating state, the power consumption of one or more second air conditioners 24 will not increase any further. Therefore, if the processor 10 determines that the current state of one or more second air conditioners 24 is a high-load operating state, it proceeds to step S13 to allow peak cut processing in the current demand time limit.

[0068] On the other hand, if one or more second air conditioners 24 are not currently operating under high load conditions, allowing peak-cutting processing during the current demand period could significantly increase the power consumption of one or more second air conditioners 24 during the next demand period. Therefore, if one or more second air conditioners 24 are not currently operating under high load conditions, the processor 10 proceeds to step S14 and does not allow peak-cutting processing during the current demand period.

[0069] If the power management system 1 is composed of multiple computers, the controller 110, decision unit 112, and judgment unit 114 may be implemented by different computers. For example, the controller 110 may be implemented by a computer installed in the customer facility 2 and constituting a home energy management system (HEMS). On the other hand, the decision unit 112 and judgment unit 114 may be implemented by a cloud server.

[0070] Some or all of the functions of the determination unit 112 and the judgment unit 114 may be implemented by a computer that constitutes the HEMS. For example, among the functions of the determination unit 112, the function of predicting future demand power may be implemented by a cloud server, and the function of deciding whether or not to allow peak cutting based on future demand power may be implemented by a computer that constitutes the HEMS.

[0071] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than by the description of the embodiments above, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Power management system, 2 Customer facilities, 10 Processor, 11 Memory, 12 Storage, 13 Communication interface, 14 User interface, 21 Smart meter, 22 First air conditioner, 23 Load equipment, 24 Second air conditioner, 25 Electrical equipment, 26 Sensor, 110 Controller, 112 Decision unit, 114 Judgment unit, 120 Power management program.

Claims

1. It is a power management system, A controller that performs peak-cut processing to reduce electricity demand at a customer facility by switching one or more first air conditioners included in the customer facility from their current state to an energy-saving state that consumes less power than the current state, The system includes a determination unit that determines whether or not to allow the execution of the peak cutting process, A power management system in which, if the customer facility includes one or more second air conditioners that cannot be controlled by the controller, the determination unit permits the execution of the peak cut processing in accordance with whether the future predicted power demand at the customer facility is below a threshold, and does not permit the execution of the peak cut processing in accordance with whether the future predicted power demand exceeds the threshold.

2. The system further includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the customer facility includes the one or more second air conditioners, based on status information indicating the status of the customer facility after switching one or more first air conditioners from a first state to a second state with less power consumption than the first state. The power management system according to claim 1, wherein the status information indicates the trend of electricity supplied from the power grid to the customer facility, or the trend of measurement results from a sensor that measures parameters related to the power consumption of one or more load devices other than the one or more first air conditioners included in the customer facility.

3. The power management system according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not the customer facility includes one or more second air conditioners based on an image obtained by photographing the space within the customer facility.

4. The power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit permits the execution of the peak cut processing when the customer facility does not include one or more second air conditioners, depending on whether the current state is an operating state in which the rated power consumption can be consumed, and does not permit the execution of the peak cut processing when the current state is not an operating state.

5. The power management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller controls one or more first air conditioners to consume power lower than the rated power consumption for a predetermined time after the completion of the peak cut process.

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