Power control device

Abstract

To provide a power control device that can suppress the dilution of the power consumption reduction effect obtained by performing power leveling by suppressing the amount of power consumption after leveling is performed. [Solution] The power control device 21 comprises a communication unit 21d and a control unit 21c. The control unit 21c stores information for leveling instructions and information for recovery mitigation requests. The leveling instruction information includes information for the execution time and information for the first allowable average power during the execution time. The recovery mitigation request information includes information for the recovery period and information for the second allowable average power during the recovery period. The control unit 21c controls the operation of the power load equipment 22 so that the average power consumption of the facility 20 during the execution time is less than or equal to the first allowable average power, and controls the operation of the power load equipment 22 so that the average power consumption of the facility 20 during the recovery period is less than or equal to the second allowable average power. The second allowable average power is greater than the first allowable average power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power control device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, by utilizing distributed energy resources introduced to power consumers such as storage batteries and negative watts, the power consumption during the time period with the highest power usage (peak time period) has been "cut" or "shifted" to adjust the power supply and demand. The adjustment of power supply and demand is carried out, for example, by the system of a VPP (Virtual Power Plant). A VPP is composed of, for example, a power company, an aggregator, and small-scale consumers. The power company identifies the peak time period when the supply and demand are urgent from the prediction of power demand, and requests the aggregator to respond to demand response during that period. The aggregator that has received the request for demand response requests small-scale consumers to respond to demand response. Small-scale consumers consider whether they can suppress power consumption based on the request for demand response. The aggregator provides the power company with information related to the suppression amount of small-scale consumers corresponding to demand response. Subsequently, small-scale consumers who have suppressed power consumption according to the request for demand response receive a reward from the power company through the aggregator.

[0003] When a small-scale consumer suppresses power consumption based on information on demand response instructions, for example, HEMS (Home Energy Management) is used. HEMS is formed to be communicable with electrical equipment in a facility and is formed to be able to manage electrical equipment. Various demand response control systems using HEMS have been proposed. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-047366 (Patent Document 1), an invention is disclosed in which a demand response priority is provided for each electrical equipment in a facility to suppress the impact on the activities of consumers during demand response control.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-047366 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] For example, consider an air conditioner as an electrical appliance. If the indoor temperature rises due to the reduction in the air conditioner's power consumption during demand response control, there is a risk that the air conditioner's power consumption will increase after demand response control to lower the indoor temperature to the set temperature. As a result, the reward obtained through demand response control may be canceled out by the power consumption after demand response control. In this way, the power consumption reduction effect of demand response control may be diminished by the activity of electrical appliances after demand response control.

[0006] This disclosure was made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a power control device that can suppress the dilution of the power consumption reduction effect obtained by demand response control by suppressing the amount of power consumption after demand response control. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The power control device according to this disclosure comprises a communication unit configured to communicate with power load equipment installed in the facility and an external server installed outside the facility, and a control unit that controls the driving of the power load equipment. The control unit receives leveling instruction information from the external server. The control unit stores leveling instruction information and recovery mitigation request information. The leveling instruction information includes execution time information and first allowable average power information during the execution time. The recovery mitigation request information includes recovery period information calculated from immediately after leveling execution and second allowable average power information during the recovery period. The control unit controls the driving of the power load equipment so that the average power consumption of the facility during the execution time is less than or equal to the first allowable average power, and also controls the driving of the power load equipment so that the average power consumption of the facility during the recovery period is less than or equal to the second allowable average power. The second allowable average power is greater than the first allowable average power.

[0008] The power load equipment relating to this disclosure may include air conditioners installed in the facility. The control unit may control the operating settings of the air conditioner so that the average power consumption of the facility during the recovery period is less than or equal to the second allowable average power. The operating settings may include at least one of the operating mode, temperature setting, airflow setting, and intermittent operation setting.

[0009] The control unit of the power control device relating to this disclosure may store power consumption characteristic information, including historical information on power consumption at the facility. The control unit may calculate, based on the power consumption characteristic information, the amount of rebound power consumed at the facility during the recovery period if a recovery mitigation request is not responded to after leveling is performed. The control unit may determine a second allowable average power so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the amount of rebound power by the recovery period.

[0010] The power consumption characteristic information relating to this disclosure may further include historical information relating to at least one of the following: information on the outside temperature, information on the actual temperature inside the facility, and information on the set temperature inside the facility.

[0011] The control unit of the power control device according to this disclosure may store power consumption characteristic information, including historical information on power consumption at the facility. A first standard amount of power consumed at the facility during the execution time if leveling is not performed, and a second standard amount of power consumed at the facility during the recovery period if leveling is not performed, may be calculated based on the power consumption characteristic information. The control unit may calculate the amount of energy saved from the first standard amount of power and the actual power consumed during the execution time. The control unit may determine a second allowable average power so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the amount of power saved (second standard amount plus energy saved) by the recovery period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the power control device described herein, by suppressing the amount of power consumed after demand response control, it is possible to prevent the dilution of the power consumption reduction effect obtained by demand response control. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of the power system 1 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows the power suppression control flow according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of power suppression control according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the power suppression control flow for a modified example. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of power suppression control related to a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] 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.

[0015] <Configuration of the power system> FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the power system 1 according to this embodiment. The power system 1 includes a power grid PG, a system management server 10, a facility 20, a communication terminal 30, and an external server 40.

[0016] The power grid PG is, for example, operated by an electric power company. The power grid PG is a power network constructed by a power plant and power transmission and distribution facilities (not shown). The power grid PG is connected to the facility 20 via a pole-mounted transformer for reducing the voltage of the power supplied from the power grid PG.

[0017] The system management server 10 manages the power supply and demand within the power grid PG managed by the system management server 10. The system management server 10 is, for example, a server managed by an electric power company (such as a general power transmission and distribution operator).

[0018] The facility 20 is a facility operated by a small-scale electricity consumer. The small-scale electricity consumer is, for example, a commercial facility manager or a condominium manager. The facility 20 includes a power control device 21 and power load equipment 22. The power control device 21 has a smart meter 21a, a HEMS-compatible distribution board 21b, and a HEMS controller 21c. The smart meter 21a, the HEMS-compatible distribution board 21b, and the HEMS controller 21c are formed to be able to communicate with each other. Note that the HEMS controller 21c is an example of the "control unit" in the present disclosure.

[0019] The smart meter 21a has a function of measuring the power entering and leaving the facility 20 and is located between the connected pole-mounted transformer and the HEMS-compatible distribution board 21b. The smart meter 21a transmits the time-series data of the measured power to the HEMS controller 21c.

[0020] The HEMS-compatible distribution board 21b distributes the power supplied from the power grid PG to the power load equipment 22 and is formed to be able to measure the power of each circuit.

[0021] The HEMS controller 21c has a communication unit 21d. The communication unit 21d is communicatively formed with the power load device 22 provided in the facility 20 and an external server 40 provided outside the facility 20. The communication unit 21d receives information on a demand response instruction from the external server 40 and provides it to the HEMS controller 21c. The HEMS controller 21c stores information on a demand response instruction, information on whether return relaxation control is necessary, and information on a return relaxation request. The information on the demand response instruction includes information on the execution time for performing power saving and information on the first allowable average power at the execution time. The first allowable average power is the upper limit value of the average power consumed in the facility 20 at the execution time. The information on the return relaxation request includes information on the return period and information on the second allowable average power during the return period. The return period is a period starting immediately after the demand response is executed. The second allowable average power is the upper limit value of the average power consumed in the facility 20 during the return period. Note that the second allowable average power is greater than the first allowable average power. The HEMS controller 21c is formed to be able to control the driving of the power load device 22.

[0022] The HEMS controller 21c acquires and stores power consumption characteristic information. The power consumption characteristic information includes history information on power consumption in the facility 20 and information on the electricity charge of the power supplied from the power grid PG acquired from the external server 40 described later. The history information on power consumption in the facility 20 may be acquired from the HEMS-compatible distribution board 21b or may be acquired from the external server 40 described later. Note that the demand response is an example of "load leveling" in the present disclosure, and the demand response instruction is an example of the "load leveling instruction" in the present disclosure.

[0023] The power load device 22 is, for example, a connected home appliance that can connect to a network such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, and a public communication network such as 4G or 5G. The power load device 22 may be configured to be connectable to the network by a smart remote control connected to the power load device 22. The operation of the power load device 22 is controlled by control commands from the HEMS controller 21c. The power load device 22 includes, for example, an air conditioner 22a installed in the facility 20.

[0024] The air conditioner 22a is controlled by the HEMS controller 21c. More specifically, the air conditioner 22a is configured so that its operating settings, such as operating mode, temperature setting, airflow setting, and intermittent operation setting, can be controlled by the HEMS controller 21c. The operating mode includes cooling mode, heating mode, fan mode, and dehumidification mode.

[0025] The HEMS controller 21c further includes historical information relating to at least one of the following as power consumption characteristics for the air conditioner 22a: information on the outside temperature, information on the actual temperature inside the facility 20, and information on the set temperature of the air conditioner 22a. The HEMS controller 21c obtains the information on the actual temperature inside the facility 20 and the information on the set temperature of the air conditioner 22a from the air conditioner 22a. The HEMS controller 21c may obtain the information on the outside temperature from an external server 40 (described later) or may obtain it itself using the internet.

[0026] The communication terminal 30 is a communication terminal managed by the administrator of the facility 20. The administrator of the facility 20 controls the HEMS controller 21c through the communication terminal 30.

[0027] The external server 40 is a server managed by the aggregator. An aggregator is an electric power company that provides energy management services by bundling multiple power adjustment resources, such as those for a region or designated facilities. The external server 40 is configured to communicate with the grid management server 10 and the HEMS controller 21c. Through communication with the HEMS controller 21c, the external server 40 stores information such as the type of business of the facility 20, the scale of power resources in the facility 20, the power consumption of the facility 20, and the contract capacity of the power company that operates the power grid PG for the facility 20. The external server 40 also stores weather conditions such as temperature and humidity.

[0028] The administrator of facility 20 considers whether it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the power load equipment 22 in facility 20, based on the demand response request sent from the external server 40 to the communication terminal 30. Then, the administrator of facility 20 uses the communication terminal 30 to send a response to the external server 40 indicating whether it is possible to fulfill the demand response. If the demand response is possible, facility 20 constitutes an element of the VPP during the execution time.

[0029] Here, VPP refers to controlling the power consumption of power load equipment 22 in a facility 20 connected to the power grid, for example, with the aim of leveling the load on the power grid and adjusting the power supply and demand balance of the power grid.

[0030] The details of the VPP system are described below. The grid management server 10 requests a demand response (first request) for the power grid PG from the external server 40 based on the power consumption within the power grid PG managed by the grid management server 10 and the power generated by each power adjustment resource. The first request includes information indicating the execution time (time period) for the negawatt request to the external server 40 and information indicating the amount of power saved during the execution time.

[0031] Based on the first request, the external server 40 requests power supply and demand adjustment (second request) from each power resource (including facility 20) under its jurisdiction. The second request includes information indicating the execution time (time period) for the demand response and information indicating the amount of power saved for each power resource. The amount of power saved for each power resource is calculated based on, for example, weather conditions during the demand response execution time, the contracted capacity of facility 20, and the past power consumption pattern of facility 20 during the demand response execution time period. Each power resource responds to the external server 40 regarding whether it can respond to the second request. Based on the response status from each power resource, the external server 40 formulates a power saving plan for each power resource. The power resources implement power saving based on the power saving plan transmitted from the external server 40. Generally, when a power resource achieves the planned power saving during the execution time included in the second request, the power resource receives a reward from the operating company of the external server 40. <Power Suppression Control Flow> Figure 2 shows the flow of power suppression control performed by the HEMS controller 21c.

[0032] In step S1, the HEMS controller 21c receives demand response instruction information from the external server 40. Subsequently, the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to step S5.

[0033] In step S5, the HEMS controller 21c starts demand response control. More specifically, based on the demand response instruction information received from the external server 40 in step S1, the HEMS controller 21c controls the operation of the power load equipment 22 in the facility 20 so that the average power consumption of the facility 20 during the execution time is less than or equal to the first allowable average power. The demand response instruction information includes information on the execution time for power saving and information on the first allowable average power during the execution time. The operation control of the power control device 21 based on the demand response instruction information is performed, for example, by a known method described in Patent Document 1. That is, during the execution time, the HEMS controller 21c transmits a power saving control command to the power load equipment 22. The power saving control command is a drive control signal that the HEMS controller 21c instructs the power load equipment 22 to reduce power consumption so that the average power of the facility 20 during the execution time is less than or equal to the first allowable average power. The power load equipment 22 is driven to reduce power consumption in accordance with the power saving control command. The power load device 22 transmits the status of response to the power saving control command and the power consumption to the HEMS controller 21c. The HEMS controller 21c then proceeds to step S10.

[0034] In step S10, the HEMS controller 21c checks whether the demand response has finished executing. If it confirms that the demand response has finished executing (Yes in step S10), the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to step S20. If it confirms that the demand response has not finished executing (No in step S10), the HEMS controller 21c processes step S1 again.

[0035] In step S20, the HEMS controller 21c checks whether recovery mitigation control is necessary. More specifically, the HEMS controller 21c checks the information stored in the HEMS controller 21c regarding the necessity of recovery mitigation control. This information is updated when the administrator of facility 20 sends a message to the HEMS controller 21c via the communication terminal 30 indicating whether recovery mitigation control is necessary. If it is confirmed that recovery mitigation control is necessary (Yes in step S20), the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to step S30. If it is confirmed that recovery mitigation control is not necessary (No in step S20), the HEMS controller 21c terminates the recovery mitigation control.

[0036] In step S30, the HEMS controller 21c checks if there is information about the recovery period. The recovery period information is information that defines the period for which recovery mitigation control will be implemented, starting from immediately after the execution of the demand response. The administrator of facility 20 can send the recovery period information to the HEMS controller 21c in advance, along with information on whether or not recovery mitigation control is necessary. The HEMS controller 21c then stores the recovery period information sent from the administrator of facility 20. In step S30, the HEMS controller 21c checks the recovery period information. If there is information about the recovery period (Yes in step S30), the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to step S50. If there is no information about the recovery period (No in step S30), the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to step S40.

[0037] In step S40, the HEMS controller 21c generates recovery period information. The HEMS controller 21c may determine the recovery period based, for example, on the execution time of the demand response. The recovery period is, for example, between the same duration as the execution time of the demand response and three times the execution time of the demand response. After generating the recovery period information, the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to the process in step S50.

[0038] In step S50, the HEMS controller 21c calculates the reaction power based on the power consumption characteristic information. The reaction power is the amount of power consumed by the facility 20 during the recovery period if the facility does not respond to the recovery mitigation request after the demand response control.

[0039] In step S60, the HEMS controller 21c determines the second allowable average power. The second allowable average power is the upper limit of the average power that the facility 20 can consume during the recovery period. The HEMS controller 21c determines the second allowable average power so as not to exceed the amount of rebound power calculated in step S50. More specifically, the second allowable average power is determined so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the amount of rebound power by the recovery period. After that, the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to step S70.

[0040] In step S70, the HEMS controller 21c performs recovery mitigation control based on the recovery mitigation request information. More specifically, at the time of processing in step S70, the HEMS controller 21c has recovery mitigation request information, which includes information on the recovery period and information on the second allowable average power during the recovery period. After demand response control, the HEMS controller 21c controls the operation of the power load equipment 22 so that the average power consumption of the facility 20 during the recovery period is less than or equal to the second allowable average power. Subsequently, the processing of the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to step S80.

[0041] In step S80, the HEMS controller 21c checks whether the recovery period has elapsed. If the recovery period has elapsed (Yes in step S80), the HEMS controller 21c terminates the recovery mitigation control. If the recovery period has not elapsed (No in step S80), the HEMS controller 21c processes step S70 again. <An example of power suppression control> Figure 3 shows the time course of power consumed by facility 20 during execution time and recovery period. In Figure 3, the actual power consumption during execution time and recovery period is shown by solid lines, as is the average actual power consumption during execution time and recovery period. In Figure 3, the first allowable average power during execution time and the second allowable average power during recovery period are shown by dotted lines. In Figure 3, the reaction power when no recovery mitigation control is performed after demand response control is shown by a dashed line.

[0042] At time t1, the HEMS controller 21c controls the operation of power load equipment 22 in the facility 20, which is a power resource, based on the information of the demand response instruction provided in advance, so that the average power consumption of the facility 20 during the execution time is less than or equal to the first allowable average power. The demand response instruction information includes information on the execution time for power saving and information on the first allowable average power during the execution time. Power saving using the power load equipment 22 installed in the facility 20 is performed, for example, by a known method described in Patent Document 1. At time t1, which is the start of demand response control, for example, the set temperature of the air conditioner 22a is raised from temperature T1 to temperature T3. Temperature T1 is the set temperature of the air conditioner 22a during normal operation before the execution of demand response control. By raising the set temperature to temperature T3, the rotation speed of the compressor of the air conditioner 22a decreases from n1 to n3, and the power consumption of the air conditioner 22a is suppressed. As a result, the power consumption of the facility 20 is suppressed. As a result, the actual average power consumption of facility 20 during the execution period (from time t1 to time t2) will be less than or equal to the first allowable average power.

[0043] At time t2, facility 20 terminates demand response control. The HEMS controller 21c then calculates the amount of rebound power in the event that no recovery mitigation control is performed after demand response control, based on the power consumption characteristic information. The power consumption characteristic information includes historical information on power consumption within facility 20. Furthermore, the power consumption characteristics related to the air conditioner 22a include historical information related to at least one of the following: information on the outside temperature, information on the temperature inside facility 20, and information on the set temperature of the air conditioner 22a. The amount of rebound power may also include the amount of power required to lower the indoor temperature at time t2 to temperature T1, calculated by the HEMS controller 21c based on the power consumption characteristic information. The HEMS controller 21c then sets a second allowable average power so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the calculated amount of rebound power by the recovery period. Subsequently, based on the recovery period information and the second allowable average power information, the HEMS controller 21c controls the operation of the power load equipment 22 so that the average power consumption of facility 20 during the recovery period is less than or equal to the second allowable average power.

[0044] Between time t2 and time t3, the HEMS controller 21c controls the operation of the power load equipment 22 based on the recovery mitigation request. Here, the HEMS controller 21c may control the operating settings of the air conditioner 22a so that the power consumption of the facility 20 during the recovery period is less than or equal to the second allowable average power. More specifically, the operating settings of the air conditioner 22a refer to at least one of the operating mode, temperature setting, airflow setting, and intermittent operation setting. As shown in Figure 5, for example, at time t2, the HEMS controller 21c sets the set temperature of the air conditioner 22a from temperature T3 to temperature T2. Temperature T2 is lower than temperature T3 and higher than temperature T1. Then, the set temperature is gradually lowered so that the temperature inside the facility 20 becomes the normal temperature T1 at time t3. This prevents a sharp increase in the power consumption of the air conditioner 22a by preventing a rapid drop in the set temperature of the air conditioner 22a to the normal temperature T1 immediately after the end of the execution time. As a result, the actual average power consumption of facility 20 during the recovery period (from time t2 to time t3) is less than or equal to the second allowable average power.

[0045] At time t3, the HEMS controller 21c terminates the recovery mitigation control. In embodiments of this disclosure, the HEMS controller 21c controls the operation of power load equipment 22 after demand response control, based on a recovery mitigation request, so that the average power consumption of the facility 20 during the recovery period is less than or equal to the second allowable average power. This suppresses the increase in power consumption required to return the indoor temperature of the facility 20, which rose during demand response control, to the normal temperature T1. By suppressing power consumption after demand response control in this way, it is possible to prevent the dilution of the power consumption reduction effect obtained by demand response control.

[0046] In embodiments of this disclosure, the second allowable average power is greater than the first allowable average power. This allows the environment, which has deteriorated during execution, such as room temperature, to be restored to its normal state.

[0047] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the HEMS controller 21c performs recovery mitigation control by controlling the operating settings of the air conditioner 22a installed in the facility 20. The proportion of power consumed by the air conditioner 22a in the total power consumed by the facility 20, such as a commercial facility, is larger than the proportion of power consumed by indoor lighting and store equipment (cash registers and cooking appliances). As a result, by controlling the operating settings of the air conditioner 22a, power consumption in the facility 20 can be effectively suppressed compared to controlling other power load devices 22.

[0048] In embodiments of this disclosure, power consumption is limited by controlling the operating settings of the air conditioner 22a. The operating settings include at least one of the operating mode, temperature setting, airflow setting, and intermittent operation. The operating settings are parameters that can be changed using the remote control of the air conditioner 22a. Controlling the air conditioner 22a by controlling the operating settings simplifies the configuration for the HEMS controller 21c to control the air conditioner 22a.

[0049] Figure 3 shows an example of suppressing the power consumption of the facility 20 during the recovery period by changing the set temperature as the operating setting of the air conditioner 22a, but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, if there are multiple air conditioners 22a installed in the facility 20, the operation of some of the air conditioners 22a may be stopped and only the other air conditioners 22a may be operated. Alternatively, some of the air conditioners 22a may be operated in fan mode and only the other air conditioners 22a may be operated in cooling mode. This makes it possible to suppress the power consumption of the facility 20 during the recovery period. As a result, by suppressing the power consumption after demand response control, it is possible to prevent the dilution of the power consumption reduction effect obtained by demand response control.

[0050] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the HEMS controller 21c determines a second allowable average power so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the reaction power by the recovery period. This suppresses the power consumption after demand response control and prevents the dilution of the power consumption reduction effect obtained by demand response control.

[0051] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the HEMS controller 21c calculates the reaction energy based on power consumption characteristic information. The power consumption characteristic information includes historical power consumption information at the facility 20. This allows the HEMS controller 21c to calculate the reaction energy from past power usage patterns.

[0052] Furthermore, the power consumption characteristic information further includes historical information relating to at least one of the following: information on the outside temperature, information on the actual temperature inside the facility 20, and information on the set temperature of the air conditioner 22a. This allows the HEMS controller 21c to calculate the amount of power required to change the current temperature inside the facility 20 to the set temperature from the historical information. This helps to suppress deterioration in the estimation accuracy of reaction power. <Variation> In embodiments of this disclosure, the HEMS controller 21c determines a second allowable average power so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the reaction power by the recovery period, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The HEMS controller 21c may determine the second allowable average power based on the amount of power saved by the demand response control.

[0053] Figure 4 shows the flow of power suppression control performed by the HEMS controller 21c in a modified example. Steps S1 to S40 shown in Figure 4 are the same processes as steps S1 to S40 shown in Figure 3, so their explanation is omitted.

[0054] In step S50a, the HEMS controller 21c calculates a first standard energy amount and a second standard energy amount based on power consumption characteristic information, including historical power consumption information of the facility. The first standard energy amount is the amount of energy consumed by the facility 20 during the execution time if demand response is not performed. The second standard energy amount is the amount of energy consumed by the facility 20 during the recovery period if demand response is not performed. In other words, the first standard energy amount and the second standard energy amount are estimated values ​​calculated based on historical power consumption information of the facility 20. After that, the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to step S50b.

[0055] In step S50b, the HEMS controller 21c calculates the amount of energy saved based on the first standard energy consumption and the actual energy consumption during the execution time. The actual energy consumption is the amount of energy consumed by the facility 20 during the execution time. The amount of energy saved is the effect obtained through the energy consumption reduction activities related to demand response control. After that, the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to step S60a.

[0056] In step S60a, the HEMS controller 21c calculates the second allowable average power. The second allowable average power is determined so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the sum of the second standard energy amount and the energy saved by the recovery period. After that, the HEMS controller 21c proceeds to step S70.

[0057] Steps S70 and S80 are the same processes as those shown in Figure 2, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0058] Figure 5 shows the time progression of power consumed by facility 20 during execution time and recovery period. In Figure 5, the actual power consumption during execution time and recovery period is shown by solid lines, as is the actual average power consumption during execution time and recovery period. In Figure 5, the first allowable average power during execution time and the second allowable average power during recovery period are shown by dotted lines. In Figure 5, the first standard power consumed during execution time and the second standard power consumed during recovery period if demand response is not performed are shown by dashed lines.

[0059] At time t1, the HEMS controller 21c controls the operation of power load equipment 22 in the facility 20, which is a power resource, based on the previously provided demand response instruction information, so that the average power consumption of the facility 20 during the execution time is less than or equal to the first allowable average power.

[0060] At time t2, facility 20 terminates demand response control. The HEMS controller 21c then calculates a first standard amount of power consumed during the execution time if demand response was not performed, and a second standard amount of power consumed during the recovery period if demand response was not performed, based on power consumption characteristic information. Power consumption characteristic information includes historical information on power consumption within facility 20. Furthermore, the power consumption characteristics for air conditioner 22a include historical information related to at least one of the following: information on the outside temperature, information on the actual temperature inside facility 20, and information on the set temperature of air conditioner 22a. The first standard amount of power is represented in Figure 5 by the integral value (area) of the first standard power. The second standard amount of power is represented in Figure 5 by the integral value (area) of the second standard power. The HEMS controller 21c then calculates the amount of power saved by subtracting the actual power consumption during the execution time from the first standard amount of power. The actual power consumption is represented in Figure 5 by the integral value (area) of the actual power consumption during the execution time. The amount of energy saved is represented in Figure 5 by the area defined by the first standard power and the actual power consumption. The HEMS controller 21c determines the second allowable average power so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the amount of energy saved (second standard energy) by the recovery period.

[0061] Between time t2 and time t3, the HEMS controller 21c controls the operation of power load equipment 22 so that the average power consumption of the facility 20 during the recovery period is less than or equal to the second allowable average power. Power load equipment 22 is, for example, an air conditioner 22a. The HEMS controller 21c may also control the operating settings of the air conditioner 22a based on the recovery mitigation request. More specifically, the operating settings of the air conditioner 22a refer to the operating mode, temperature setting, airflow setting, and intermittent operation setting of the air conditioner 22a.

[0062] At time t3, the HEMS controller 21c terminates the recovery mitigation control. In the modified version of this disclosure, the HEMS controller 21c calculates a first standard energy amount during the execution time when demand response is not performed, and a second standard energy amount during the recovery period when demand response is not performed, based on power consumption characteristic information. The HEMS controller 21c then calculates the amount of energy saved from the first standard energy amount and the actual energy consumed during the execution time when demand response is performed. The HEMS controller 21c determines a second allowable average power so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the amount of energy saved (second standard energy amount plus energy saved) by the recovery period. The HEMS controller 21c controls the operation of power load equipment 22 installed in the facility 20 so that the average power consumption of the facility 20 during the recovery period does not exceed the second allowable average power. This makes it possible to suppress, for example, an increase in power consumption due to the recovery of the indoor temperature of the facility 20 that rose during demand response control. As a result, by suppressing power consumption after demand response control, it is possible to suppress the dilution of the power consumption reduction effect obtained by demand response control.

[0063] 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 and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Power system, 10 System management server, 20 Facilities, 21 Power control device, 21a Smart meter, 21b HEMS-compatible distribution board, 21c HEMS controller, 21d Communication unit, 22 Power load equipment, 22a Air conditioner, 30 Communication terminal, 40 External server.

Claims

1. A communication unit formed to communicate with power load equipment installed in the facility and an external server installed outside the facility, The system includes a control unit that controls the operation of the aforementioned power load equipment, The control unit receives leveling instruction information from the external server, The control unit stores the information for the leveling instruction and the information for the return mitigation request. The information for the leveling instruction includes information on the execution time and information on the first allowable average power during the execution time. The information for the restoration relaxation request includes information on the restoration period calculated from immediately after the leveling is performed, and information on the second allowable average power during the restoration period. The control unit, The operation of the power load equipment is controlled so that the average power consumption of the facility during the execution time is less than or equal to the first allowable average power. The operation of the power load equipment is controlled so that the average power consumption of the facility during the recovery period is less than or equal to the second allowable average power. A power control device wherein the second allowable average power is greater than the first allowable average power.

2. The aforementioned power load equipment includes an air conditioner installed in the facility, The control unit controls the operation settings of the air conditioner so that the average power consumption of the facility during the recovery period is less than or equal to the second allowable average power. The power control device according to claim 1, wherein the operation setting includes at least one of an operation mode, a temperature setting, an airflow setting, and an intermittent operation setting.

3. The control unit, The facility stores power consumption characteristic information, including historical information on power consumption. After the leveling is performed, if the request for mitigation of the return to normalization is not met, the amount of reaction power consumed by the facility during the return period is calculated based on the power consumption characteristic information. The power control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second allowable average power is determined so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the reaction power by the recovery period.

4. The power control device according to claim 3, wherein the power consumption characteristic information further includes historical information relating to at least one of the following: information on the outside temperature, information on the actual temperature inside the facility, and information on the set temperature inside the facility.

5. The control unit, The facility stores power consumption characteristic information, including historical information on power consumption. If the leveling process is not performed, the first standard amount of electricity consumed by the facility during the execution time and the second standard amount of electricity consumed by the facility during the recovery period if the leveling process is not performed are calculated based on the power consumption characteristic information. The amount of energy saved is calculated from the first standard energy amount and the actual energy consumption during the execution time. The power control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second allowable average power is determined so as not to exceed the value obtained by dividing the amount of power obtained by adding the amount of power saving to the second standard power by the recovery period.

6. The power control device according to claim 5, wherein the power consumption characteristic information further includes historical information relating to at least one of the following: information on the outside temperature, information on the actual temperature inside the facility, and information on the set temperature inside the facility.

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