Proposed system and proposed method

Abstract

This system provides a proposal system that can suggest changes to the operating schedule of equipment to improve economic efficiency. [Solution] The proposed system 10 includes an acquisition unit 23a that acquires the operating schedule of the equipment 35 installed in the house 70 and the electricity purchase price for each time period in the house 70; an estimation unit 23b that estimates the power consumption of the equipment 35; a calculation unit 23c that calculates a first electricity charge when the equipment 35 is operated in a first time period determined by the acquired operating schedule, and a second electricity charge when the equipment 35 is operated in a second time period where the electricity purchase price is lower than in the first time period, based on the acquired electricity purchase price and the estimated power consumption; and a proposal unit 23d that proposes operating the equipment 35 in the second time period by presenting the amount of savings determined by the calculated first and second electricity charges.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a proposal system and a proposal method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a control system that can propose how to use equipment installed in a facility. The control system of Patent Document 1 can propose to construct a comfortable environment by utilizing the batch control function of the equipment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a proposal system or the like that can propose to change the operation schedule of equipment to improve economy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A proposal system according to an aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires an operation schedule of equipment installed in a facility and a power purchase unit price for each time period in the facility, an estimation unit that estimates the power consumption of the equipment, and a calculation unit that calculates a first electricity charge when the equipment is operated in a first time period determined by the acquired operation schedule and a second electricity charge when the equipment is operated in a second time period in which the power purchase unit price is lower than that in the first time period, based on the acquired power purchase unit price and the estimated power consumption. The proposal system further includes a proposal unit that proposes to operate the equipment in the second time period by presenting an effect amount determined by the calculated first electricity charge and the second electricity charge.

[0006] A proposed method according to one aspect of the present invention is a proposed method performed by a computer, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring the operating schedule of equipment installed in a facility and the electricity purchase price for each time period in the facility; an estimation step of estimating the power consumption of the equipment; a calculation step of calculating, based on the acquired electricity purchase price and the estimated power consumption, a first electricity charge for operating the equipment in a first time period determined by the acquired operating schedule and a second electricity charge for operating the equipment in a second time period where the electricity purchase price is lower than that of the first time period; and a proposal step of proposing to operate the equipment in the second time period by presenting the amount of benefit determined by the calculated first and second electricity charges.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer to execute the proposed method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] A proposed system according to one aspect of the present invention can propose changes to the operating schedule of equipment in order to improve economic efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the proposed system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the information acquisition process. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the proposed operation schedule. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the first and second operating schedules. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a suggestion screen for proposing a second operational schedule to the user. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components.

[0011] Please note that each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [composition] First, the configuration of the proposed system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the proposed system according to the embodiment.

[0013] The proposed system 10 is a system that can propose changes to the operating schedule of equipment 35 in the house 70 to the user. The user is a resident of the house 70, etc. The proposed system 10 can also control equipment 35 according to the operating schedule.

[0014] The proposed system 10 comprises an energy management device 20, a power meter 30, multiple devices 35, an information processing server 40, a mobile terminal 50, and a power price management server 60. The energy management device 20 and the power meter 30 are installed inside the residence 70, while the information processing server 40 is installed outside the residence 70. The mobile terminal 50 is located outside the residence 70, but may also be located inside the residence 70. The residence 70 is an example of a facility, specifically a detached house, but may also be an apartment building. The proposed system 10 may also be applied to facilities other than the residence 70, such as accommodation facilities.

[0015] The energy management device 20 is an EMS controller having an energy management function. The energy management device 20 manages (stores in the storage unit 24) the power consumption measured by the power measurement device 30. Also, the energy management device 20 can control devices 35 communicatively connected to the energy management device 20. The energy management device 20 is not limited to an EMS controller and may be another controller or a gateway device. The energy management device 20 includes an operation reception unit 21, a display unit 22, an information processing unit 23, a storage unit 24, a first communication unit 25, and a second communication unit 26.

[0016] The operation reception unit 21 receives a user's operation. The operation reception unit 21 is realized by, for example, a touch panel, but may also be realized by a hardware key or the like.

[0017] The display unit 22 displays an image. The display unit 22 is realized by, for example, a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel. Note that the display unit 22 may be separate from the energy management device 20.

[0018] The information processing unit 23 performs display processing and the like for displaying the power consumption in the house 70 on the display unit 22. The information processing unit 23 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. As functional components, the information processing unit 23 has an acquisition unit 23a, an estimation unit 23b, a calculation unit 23c, a proposal unit 23d, a control unit 23e, and a creation unit 23f. The functions of the acquisition unit 23a, the estimation unit 23b, the calculation unit 23c, the proposal unit 23d, the control unit 23e, and the creation unit 23f are realized, for example, by a microcomputer or a processor or the like constituting the information processing unit 23 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 24.

[0019] The storage unit 24 is a storage device that stores computer programs and the like executed by the information processing unit 23. The storage unit 24 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0020] The first communication unit 25 is a communication circuit for the energy management device 20 to communicate with devices 35 and power measurement devices 30 etc. that are communicatively connected to the energy management device 20 via a local communication network. The first communication unit 25 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. The communication standard of the communication performed by the first communication unit 25 is, for example, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), but is not particularly limited.

[0021] The second communication unit 26 is a communication circuit for the energy management device 20 to communicate with an information processing server 40, a mobile terminal 50, a power price management server 60 etc. via a wide-area communication network 80. The second communication unit 26 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may also be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. There is no particular limitation on the communication standard of the communication performed by the second communication unit 26.

[0022] The power measurement device 30 measures the power consumption (electric power) in the house 70. The power measurement device 30 is, for example, a distribution board having a power measurement function, and measures the power consumption for each branch circuit provided in the house 70. The power measurement function is realized, for example, by a current sensor (CT: Current Transformer).

[0023] The plurality of devices 35 are devices provided in the house 70. At least some of the plurality of devices 35 are communicatively connected to the energy management device 20 and are controlled by the energy management device 20. The plurality of devices 35 include lighting devices, air conditioning devices, ventilation devices, air purifiers, electric shutters, electric locks, heat pump water heaters, fuel cell power generation systems, solar power generation systems, power storage systems, delivery boxes, and chargers for electric vehicles etc. Although not shown, among the plurality of devices 35, there are devices that do not have a communication connection function to the energy management device 20, and devices that have a communication connection function to the energy management device 20 but are not communicatively connected to the energy management device 20.

[0024] The information processing server 40 is a cloud server that performs information processing for users to remotely control multiple devices 35 from their home 70 using a mobile terminal 50. The information processing server 40 can communicate with the energy management device 20 and the mobile terminal 50 via a wide-area communication network 80. The information processing server 40 is operated and managed, for example, by the manufacturer and distributor of the energy management device 20.

[0025] The mobile terminal 50 is a portable information terminal owned by the user, specifically a smartphone or tablet device. The mobile terminal 50 can communicate with the information processing server 40 via a wide-area communication network 80. The mobile terminal 50 is equipped with a display unit 51. The display unit 51 is implemented by a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0026] The electricity price management server 60 is a server that manages the user's electricity contract plan and is used by the retail electricity provider with whom the user has a contract. Specifically, the electricity price management server 60 manages electricity purchase price information that shows the latest electricity purchase price for each time period in the residence 70. The electricity price management server 60 may also manage electricity purchase price information for market price-linked pricing (RTP: Real Time Pricing).

[0027] [Information acquisition operation] The proposed system 10 (energy management device 20) can propose to the user an operating schedule that can keep electricity costs lower than the normal operating schedule of the equipment 35. The operation of proposing such an operating schedule for the equipment 35 will be described below.

[0028] The energy management device 20 acquires the information necessary to perform the operation of proposing the operating schedule for the equipment 35. First, the information acquisition operation will be explained. Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the information acquisition operation.

[0029] The acquisition unit 23a of the energy management device 20 transmits request information for acquiring power consumption information to the power measuring device 30 using the first communication unit 25 (S11). In response to the request information, the acquisition unit 23a acquires (receives) power consumption information for each branch circuit in the house 70 (S12) and stores the acquired power consumption information in the storage unit 24 (S13). The power consumption information is information that shows time-series data of power consumption for each branch circuit and includes information that shows the date and time of power consumption measurement. The acquisition and storage of power consumption information is performed periodically and automatically, for example, once a day.

[0030] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 23a transmits request information for acquiring electricity purchase price information to the electricity price management server 60 using the second communication unit 26 (S14). In response to the request information, the acquisition unit 23a acquires (receives) electricity purchase price information for each time period in the house 70 (S15) and stores the acquired electricity purchase price information in the storage unit 24 (S16). The electricity purchase price information is information that shows the electricity purchase price for each time period in the house. The acquisition and storage of electricity purchase price information is performed periodically and automatically, for example, once every one to several months.

[0031] While the electricity purchase price for each time period may be manually entered into the energy management device 20 by the user, the second communication unit 26 can communicate with the electricity price management server 60 (an example of an external device) to receive electricity purchase price information, thereby reducing the effort required for manual entry of electricity purchase prices and automatically obtaining the latest electricity purchase prices.

[0032] [Suggested action] Next, we will explain the operation that proposes an operating schedule based on the information acquired in this way. Figure 3 is a flowchart of the operation schedule proposal operation. In the following explanation of the proposal operation, it is assumed that one device 35 is connected to one branch circuit in the house 70. In other words, the power consumption information for each branch circuit stored in the memory unit 24 in step S13 above is treated as power consumption information for each device 35.

[0033] The user inputs the operation schedule for multiple devices 35 (hereinafter also referred to as the first operation schedule), and the operation reception unit 21 accepts the input operation (S21). The first operation schedule is, for example, information indicating the planned operation of multiple devices 35 for the following day. The first operation schedule includes, for example, the start time and end time (stop time) of operation for each of the multiple devices 35. The acquisition unit 23a acquires the first operation schedule input by the user (S22).

[0034] Next, the estimation unit 23b estimates the power consumption of each of the multiple devices 35 if it were operated during the first time period determined by the start time and end time of operation indicated by the first operating schedule obtained in step S22 (S23).

[0035] Specifically, the estimation unit 23b estimates the power consumption of equipment 35 in the house 70 based on the equipment's past power consumption data. For example, the estimation unit 23b considers the time-series data of power consumption for each branch circuit, indicated by the power consumption information stored in the memory unit 24 in step S13, as time-series data of power consumption for each equipment 35, and estimates the time-series data (time waveform) of the equipment 35's power consumption by averaging the past time-series data of power consumption for the equipment 35.

[0036] In step S23, the estimation unit 23b may estimate the power consumption based on the design specifications of the device 35, but by estimating the power consumption based on past power consumption data, it is possible to improve the estimation accuracy while ensuring a certain level of accuracy.

[0037] Next, the calculation unit 23c calculates the electricity charge (hereinafter also referred to as the first electricity charge) for each of the multiple devices 35 if the device 35 is operated during the first time period (S24). Figure 4(a) is a diagram illustrating the method for calculating the first electricity charge.

[0038] In (a) of FIG. 4, there is shown a time waveform of power consumption when the device 35 is operated during the first time period indicated by the first operation schedule estimated in step S23. The start time of the first time period is t1 and the end time is t3. In the example of (a) of FIG. 4, the electricity purchase unit price from the start time t1 to the time t2 is a yen, and the electricity purchase unit price from the time t2 to the end time t3 is b yen (< a yen). In this case, the calculation unit 23c can calculate the first electricity charge based on the formula of (power consumption from the start time t1 to the time t2 × a) + (power consumption from the time t2 to the end time t3 × b). That is, the calculation unit 23c can calculate the electricity charge of the device 35 by applying the electricity purchase unit price for each time period indicated by the electricity purchase unit price information stored in the storage unit 24 in step S16 to the power consumption of the device 35 during the first time period estimated in step S23.

[0039] Next, the proposal unit 23d identifies the device 35 for which a reduction in the electricity charge can be expected by changing the operation schedule (S25). Specifically, the proposal unit 23d identifies the device 35 that is operating during a time period when the electricity purchase unit price is not the lowest among the plurality of devices 35 by comparing the first operation schedule and the electricity purchase unit price information. That is, the proposal unit 23d identifies the device 35 for which a reduction in the electricity charge can be expected by operating it during the time period when the electricity purchase unit price is the lowest among the plurality of devices 35.

[0040] Next, the proposal unit 23d creates a second operation schedule that is estimated to result in a lower electricity charge than the first operation schedule for the identified device 35 (S26). The second operation schedule is, for example, information indicating the operation schedule of the plurality of devices 35 on the next day. The second operation schedule includes, for example, the operation start time and the operation end time (stop time) of each of the plurality of devices 35. (b) of FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the second operation schedule, and the second operation schedule can be created by shifting the operation start time of the first operation schedule to a time period with a lower electricity purchase unit price. The second time period from the operation start time to the operation end time in the second operation schedule is a time period when the electricity purchase unit price (for example, the average value of the electricity purchase unit prices) is lower than that in the first time period.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 4(b), the proposal unit 23d selects a time period B, which has a lower electricity purchase price than the first time period, as the second time period, which is the closest to the first time period and has the same length as the first time period, and proposes operating the equipment 35 during the selected second time period. As a result, the second time period is close to the first time period, so the proposed second operating schedule minimizes the impact on the user's lifestyle and is therefore an easily acceptable proposal for the user.

[0042] Next, the estimation unit 23b estimates the power consumption of each of the multiple devices 35 if the device 35 is operated during the second time period indicated by the second operating schedule obtained in step S22 (S27).

[0043] Specifically, the estimation unit 23b estimates the power consumption of equipment 35 in the house 70 based on the equipment's past power consumption data. For example, the estimation unit 23b considers the time-series data of power consumption for each branch circuit, indicated by the power consumption information stored in the memory unit 24 in step S13, as time-series data of power consumption for each equipment 35, and estimates the time-series data (time waveform) of the equipment 35's power consumption by averaging the past time-series data of power consumption for the equipment 35.

[0044] In step S27, the estimation unit 23b may estimate the power consumption based on the design specifications of the device 35, but by estimating the power consumption based on past power consumption data, it is possible to improve the estimation accuracy while ensuring a certain level of accuracy.

[0045] Next, the calculation unit 23c calculates the electricity charge (hereinafter also referred to as the second electricity charge) for each of the multiple devices 35 if the device 35 is operated during the second time period (S28). The calculation unit 23c calculates the second electricity charge for the device 35 by applying the electricity purchase price for each time period, as indicated by the electricity purchase price information stored in the storage unit 24 in step S16, to the amount of electricity consumed by the device 35 during the second time period, which was estimated in step S27.

[0046] Next, the proposal unit 23d displays a proposal screen on the display unit 22 for proposing a second operating schedule to the user for the equipment 35 identified in step S25 (S29). Figure 5 shows an example of the proposal screen.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the proposal screen includes the first electricity charge calculated in step S24, the second electricity charge calculated in step S28, and the difference between the first and second electricity charges (hereinafter also referred to as the effect amount). In this way, in step S29, the proposal unit 23d proposes operating the equipment 35 during the second time period by presenting the effect amount determined by the calculated first and second electricity charges.

[0048] In step S25, the user performs an approval operation to approve the change from the first operating schedule to the second operating schedule of the equipment 35 identified in step S25 (hereinafter also referred to as the second equipment), and the operation reception unit 21 accepts the approval operation (S30). The proposal unit 23d changes the first operating schedule to the second operating schedule of the equipment 35 identified in step S25 (S31). Specifically, the proposal unit 23d stores the second operating schedule in the storage unit 24. For equipment 35 that was not identified in step S25, and for equipment 35 whose operating schedule change was not approved (hereinafter also referred to as the first equipment), the first operating schedule is stored in the storage unit 24.

[0049] Subsequently, the control unit 23e operates the first device according to the first operating schedule and the second device according to the second operating schedule (S32). For example, when the start time of operation in the first schedule arrives, the control unit 23e sends an operation start command to the first device using the first communication unit 25, and when the end time of operation in the first schedule arrives, it sends an operation end command to the first device using the first communication unit 25. Similarly, when the start time of operation in the second schedule arrives, the control unit 23e sends an operation start command to the second device using the first communication unit 25, and when the end time of operation in the second schedule arrives, it sends an operation end command to the second device using the first communication unit 25.

[0050] As explained above, the proposed system 10 proposes operating equipment 35 during the second time period by presenting the amount of savings determined by the first electricity charge when equipment 35 is operated during the first time period indicated by the first operating schedule, and the second electricity charge when equipment 35 is operated during the second time period indicated by the second operating schedule. The user can receive information (amount of savings) to help them decide whether or not to change the operating schedule.

[0051] In step S29, the suggestion unit 23d may display the suggestion screen on the display unit 51 of the mobile terminal 50. For example, the suggestion unit 23d transmits suggestion information for displaying the suggestion screen to the information processing server 40 using the second communication unit 26. The mobile terminal 50 receives the suggestion information from the information processing server 40 and can display the suggestion screen on the display unit 51 based on the received suggestion information.

[0052] In this case, the user's input operation for the first operation schedule is received by the mobile terminal 50, and the mobile terminal 50 transmits first operation schedule information indicating the first operation schedule to the information processing server 40 based on the received input operation. The second communication unit 26 of the energy management device 20 receives the first operation schedule information from the information processing server 40, and the acquisition unit 23a can acquire the first operation schedule based on the received first operation schedule information.

[0053] In this case, the user's approval operation is received by the mobile terminal 50, and the mobile terminal 50 transmits approval information to the information processing server 40 based on the received approval operation. The second communication unit 26 of the energy management device 20 receives the approval information from the information processing server 40, and the proposal unit 23d can store the second operation schedule in the storage unit 24 based on the received approval information.

[0054] [Variations in the method for obtaining the first operational schedule] In the proposed operation described above, the acquisition unit 23a of the energy management device 20 acquired the first operating schedule entered by the user. However, the acquisition unit 23a may also acquire the first operating schedule created by the creation unit 23f.

[0055] For example, the storage unit 24 of the energy management device 20 stores past operating history information of the equipment 35, and the creation unit 23f creates a first operating schedule based on the operating performance of the equipment 35 indicated by the operating history information. The creation unit 23f can, for example, use the average operating schedule of the equipment 35 over the most recent predetermined period as the first operating schedule.

[0056] In this way, the energy management device 20 can create a first operating schedule, and even without the user inputting the first operating schedule, it can propose a second operating schedule to the user and prompt the user to change the operating schedule.

[0057] [Examples of methods for obtaining power consumption information and estimating power consumption] In the above information acquisition operation, the acquisition unit 23a of the energy management device 20 may store the power consumption information (past power consumption performance) in the storage unit 24, along with the date and time and the temperature information for that date and time. The acquisition unit 23a can communicate with a weather information management server (not shown) using the second communication unit 26 and acquire temperature information from the weather information management server.

[0058] In this case, in the proposed operation described above, the estimation unit 23b of the energy management device 20 can estimate the power consumption of the equipment 35 based on temperature information, in addition to actual power consumption, and the similarity of the date and time (season) and temperature conditions. For example, if the equipment 35 is an air conditioner or a heat pump water heater, the temperature has a significant impact on power consumption, so considering temperature information improves the accuracy of power consumption estimation.

[0059] Alternatively, the estimation unit 23b may estimate the power consumption of the device 35 using a machine learning model. The machine learning model is a trained model that uses power consumption information as training data, and for example, takes the date and the predicted temperature information for that date as input data and outputs time-series data of power consumption.

[0060] [Examples of methods for calculating electricity charges] If a solar power generation system is installed in a house 70, the electricity bill may be calculated taking into account the amount of electricity generated by the solar power generation system consumed by equipment 35 (so-called self-consumption).

[0061] For example, the acquisition unit 23a of the energy management device 20 communicates with a weather information management server (not shown) using the second communication unit 26 and acquires solar radiation forecast information from the weather information management server. The calculation unit 23c may predict the power generation on a day when the equipment 35 is in operation based on the acquired solar radiation forecast information and calculate the electricity charge for the power consumption that cannot be covered by the power generation. In this case, the purchase price of the generated power is considered to be, for example, 0 yen, but the purchase price of the generated power may be considered to be c yen, based on the idea that the expected profit obtained from selling electricity becomes the cost of purchasing electricity.

[0062] [Variations of the entity that performs the proposed action] The processes in steps S22-S29 and S31-S32 of the proposed operation described above may be performed by the information processing server 40 instead of the energy management device 20. In other words, the information processing server 40 may be equipped with functional components corresponding to the acquisition unit 23a, estimation unit 23b, calculation unit 23c, proposal unit 23d, control unit 23e, and creation unit 23f. In this case, for example, the information processing server 40 acquires electricity unit price information by communicating with the electricity price management server 60 and acquires power consumption information by communicating with the energy management device 20 before these processes.

[0063] Furthermore, if the processing in steps S22 to S29 and steps S31 to S32 is performed by the information processing server 40, the user interface (a device on which the proposed screen is displayed and which performs the processing in step S21 and step S30) may be the energy management device 20 or the mobile terminal 50.

[0064] Furthermore, the processing in steps S22 to S29 and steps S31 to S32 may be partially performed by the energy management device 20 and partially performed by the information processing server 40.

[0065] [Effects, etc.] The following describes examples of inventions that can be obtained from the disclosures in this specification, and explains the effects and other benefits that can be obtained from such inventions.

[0066] Invention 1 is a proposal system 10 comprising: an acquisition unit 23a that acquires the operating schedule of equipment 35 installed in a house 70 and the electricity purchase price for each time period in the house 70; an estimation unit 23b that estimates the power consumption of equipment 35; a calculation unit 23c that calculates a first electricity charge when equipment 35 is operated in a first time period determined by the acquired operating schedule, and a second electricity charge when equipment 35 is operated in a second time period where the electricity purchase price is lower than in the first time period, based on the acquired electricity purchase price and the estimated power consumption; and a proposal unit 23d that proposes operating equipment 35 in the second time period by presenting the amount of savings determined by the calculated first and second electricity charges. House 70 is an example of a facility.

[0067] Such a proposal system 10 can provide the user with information (monetary benefits) to help them decide whether or not to change the operating schedule of the equipment 35, and then propose changes to the operating schedule of the equipment 35 to improve economic efficiency.

[0068] Invention 2 is the proposed system 10 of Invention 1, in which the acquisition unit 23a acquires the operation schedule entered by the user.

[0069] Such a suggestion system 10 can suggest changes to the operating schedule entered by the user.

[0070] Invention 3 is a proposed system 10 of Invention 1, further comprising a creation unit 23f that creates an operation schedule based on the operating history of the equipment 35, and an acquisition unit 23a that acquires the operation schedule created by the creation unit 23f.

[0071] Such a suggestion system 10 can prompt changes to the normal operating schedule that are expected based on actual operating performance.

[0072] Invention 4 is a proposed system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 3, further comprising a second communication unit 26 that receives electricity purchase price information by communicating with an electricity price management server 60, and an acquisition unit 23a that acquires the electricity purchase price indicated by the received electricity purchase price information. The electricity price management server 60 is an example of an external device.

[0073] Such a proposal system 10 can reduce the effort required for manually entering electricity purchase prices and can also obtain the latest electricity purchase prices.

[0074] Invention 5 is a proposed system 10 according to any of Inventions 1 to 4, in which the proposal unit 23d proposes selecting the time period closest to the first time period from among the time periods in which the electricity purchase price is lower than the first time period as the second time period, and operating the equipment 35 during the selected second time period.

[0075] Such a proposal system 10 can make proposals that minimize the impact on the user's lifestyle patterns and are therefore easily accepted by the user.

[0076] Invention 6 is a proposed system 10 of any of Inventions 1 to 5, wherein the estimation unit 23b estimates the power consumption of equipment 35 based on the past power consumption data of equipment 35 in the house 70.

[0077] This proposed system 10 can improve the estimation accuracy of power consumption while ensuring a certain level of estimation accuracy.

[0078] Invention 7 is a proposed method performed by a computer, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring the operating schedule of equipment 35 installed in a house 70 and the electricity purchase price per hour in the house 70; an estimation step of estimating the power consumption of equipment 35; a calculation step of calculating, based on the acquired electricity purchase price and the estimated power consumption, a first electricity charge when equipment 35 is operated in a first time period determined by the acquired operating schedule and a second electricity charge when equipment 35 is operated in a second time period where the electricity purchase price is lower than that of the first time period; and a proposal step of proposing to operate equipment 35 in the second time period by presenting the amount of savings determined by the calculated first and second electricity charges.

[0079] This proposal method allows the user to be presented with information (monetary benefits) to help them decide whether or not to change the operating schedule of equipment 35, and then propose changes to the operating schedule of equipment 35 to improve economic efficiency.

[0080] Invention 8 is a program for causing a computer to execute the proposed method of Invention 7.

[0081] According to such a program, the computer can provide the user with information (monetary benefits) to help them decide whether or not to change the operating schedule of equipment 35, and then propose changes to the operating schedule of equipment 35 to improve economic efficiency.

[0082] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0083] For example, in the above embodiment, the proposed system was implemented by multiple devices. In this case, the components of the proposed system may be distributed among the multiple devices in any way. Alternatively, the proposed system may be implemented by a single device. For example, the proposed system may be implemented as a single device corresponding to the energy management device in the above embodiment, or as a single device corresponding to a server device.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a process executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of multiple processes may be changed, or multiple processes may be executed in parallel.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may also be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0086] Furthermore, each component may be implemented by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or they may be separate circuits. Also, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0087] Furthermore, general or specific embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Alternatively, they may be implemented as any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0088] For example, the present invention may be implemented as an energy management device, server device, or mobile terminal according to the above embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented as a proposed method executed by a computer, such as a proposed system, or as a program for causing a computer to execute such a proposed method. The present invention may also be implemented as a computer-readable non-temporary recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0089] Furthermore, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art could conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 10. Proposed System 20 Energy Management Devices 21 Operation Reception Section 22, 51 Display section 23 Information Processing Department 23a Acquisition Department 23b Estimation part 23c Calculation part 23d Proposal Department 23e Control Unit 23f Created section 24 Memory section 25. First Communications Department 26. Second Communications Department 30 Power measuring device 35 Equipment 40 Information Processing Server 50 Mobile devices 60 Electricity Price Management Server 70 Housing (Facilities) 80 Wide-area telecommunications network

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires the operating schedule of equipment installed in the facility and the electricity purchase price for each time period in the facility, An estimation unit for estimating the power consumption of the aforementioned device, A calculation unit that calculates, based on the acquired electricity purchase price and the estimated electricity consumption, a first electricity charge for operating the equipment during a first time period determined by the acquired operating schedule, and a second electricity charge for operating the equipment during a second time period in which the electricity purchase price is lower than that of the first time period. The system includes a proposal unit that proposes operating the equipment during the second time period by presenting the amount of savings determined by the calculated first and second electricity charges. Proposed system.

2. The acquisition unit acquires the operation schedule entered by the user. The proposed system according to claim 1.

3. Furthermore, it includes a creation unit that creates the operation schedule based on the operating history of the equipment, The acquisition unit acquires the operation schedule created by the creation unit. The proposed system according to claim 1.

4. Furthermore, it is equipped with a communication unit that receives electricity purchase price information by communicating with an external device. The acquisition unit acquires the electricity purchase price indicated by the received electricity purchase price information. The proposed system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The proposal unit selects the time period closest to the first time period among the time periods in which the electricity purchase price is lower than the first time period as the second time period, and proposes operating the equipment during the selected second time period. The proposed system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The estimation unit estimates the power consumption of the equipment based on the equipment's past power consumption data at the facility. The proposed system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A proposed method to be performed by a computer, An acquisition step to obtain the operating schedule of equipment installed in the facility and the electricity purchase price for each time period in the said facility, An estimation step for estimating the power consumption of the aforementioned device, A calculation step to calculate, based on the acquired electricity purchase price and the estimated electricity consumption, a first electricity charge when the equipment is operated during a first time period determined by the acquired operating schedule, and a second electricity charge when the equipment is operated during a second time period in which the electricity purchase price is lower than that of the first time period, The process includes a proposal step of proposing to operate the equipment during the second time period by presenting the amount of benefit determined by the calculated first and second electricity charges. Proposal method.

8. A program for causing the computer to execute the proposed method described in claim 7.

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