Power control system and program

Abstract

To reduce electricity costs in a plant-producing facility without impairing plant growth. [Solution] The power system includes one or more processors that acquire status information regarding the growth status of plants in a plant-producing facility, acquire price information regarding electricity prices, and control electricity usage based on constraints on electricity usage determined by the acquired status information and the acquired price information.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power control system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 describes a plant cultivation device having a plurality of sensors that monitor the growth state of plants, an environment management means that manages the environment within the plant cultivation device, and a process management means that manages the work process of cultivating plants. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-166495 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In plant production facilities, the light energy required for plant photosynthesis is often provided by artificial light such as LEDs. In such facilities, the amount of electricity consumed by the artificial light is large, resulting in high electricity costs. An object of the present invention is to reduce electricity costs in plant-producing facilities without impairing plant growth. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 includes one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to process the plant in a facility for producing the plant. Cultivation phases according to growth obtain status information about the power supply, obtain price information about the power price, Regarding the cultivation phase according to growth Determined by the state information , depending on the cultivation phase The power control system controls the use of power based on constraints on the amount of power usage and the acquired price information. The invention described in claim 2 is the power control system described in claim 1, which obtains the status information from the facility via a network, obtains the price information via a network, and outputs control information for controlling the use of electricity to the facility via the network. The invention described in claim 3 is the power control system described in claim 1, which increases the output of the light source that irradiates the plant with light within a range that satisfies the constraint condition when the electricity price is relatively low. The invention recited in claim 4 is the power control system recited in claim 3, wherein the constraint condition is a condition related to irradiation of light necessary for the growth of the plant. The invention recited in claim 5 is the power control system recited in claim 4, wherein the constraint condition is a condition related to an amount of irradiation by the light source in a predetermined period of time. The invention recited in claim 6 is the power control system recited in claim 4, wherein the constraint condition is a condition regarding the maximum time for which the light source is allowed to continuously emit light. The invention described in claim 7 is the power control system described in claim 1, which, when the electricity price is relatively high, reduces the output of the light source that irradiates the plant with light within a range that satisfies the constraint condition. The invention described in claim 8 is a program to be implemented by one or more processors, the program comprising: Cultivation phases according to growth and a function for obtaining price information regarding an electricity price. Regarding the cultivation phase according to growth Determined by the state information , depending on the cultivation phase The program is for implementing a function of controlling the use of electricity based on constraints on the amount of electricity used and the acquired price information. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce electricity costs in a plant-producing facility without impairing plant growth. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a power control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a cultivation device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer used as a control device and a management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of a management server. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flow in a management server. [Figure 6] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a process in which an output amount determination unit determines an output amount of a light source. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of price information. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of cultivation environment condition information. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of determining the output amount of a light source based on price information and constraint conditions, where (a) shows an example in which the constraint condition regarding the maximum duration under each power output condition is satisfied, and (b) shows an example in which the constraint condition regarding the maximum duration under each power output condition is not satisfied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Power control system configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power control system 1 according to the present embodiment. The power control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plant factory 10 and a management server 40. The plant factory 10 and the management server 40 are connected via a network 50.

[0009] The plant factory 10 is a facility for producing plants. The plant factory 10 is an artificial light type plant factory that uses artificial light sources such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) to provide the light energy required for photosynthesis of plants. The plant factory 10 includes a plurality of cultivation devices 20 for cultivating plants and a control device 30 for controlling the cultivation devices 20.

[0010] The control device 30 controls the cultivation environment in the cultivation device 20. Examples of the cultivation environment include the output of an artificial light source, the air temperature, humidity, and the amount of nutrient solution supplied. The control device 30 monitors the growth state of the plant in the cultivation device 20 and obtains status information regarding the growth state of the plant. The status information is information indicating a cultivation phase according to the growth of each type of plant. Examples of the status information include the cultivation phase, such as "germination stage", "early growth stage", "late growth stage", and "harvest stage". The growth state of the plant is monitored, for example, by a sensor (not shown) installed in the cultivation device 20. The control device 30 compares, for example, the growth state expected for each cultivation phase with the actual growth state of the plant acquired by multiple sensors, and determines the status information. The growth state expected for each cultivation phase is, for example, stored in advance in the control device 30.

[0011] The control device 30 transmits status information to the management server 40 via the network 50. The control device 30 also acquires control information related to control of the cultivation environment from the management server 40 via the network 50. The control device 30 controls the cultivation environment in the cultivation device 20 based on the acquired control information. The functions of the control device 30 are realized, for example, by a computer. The control device 30 may be configured by a single computer, or may be realized by distributed processing using a plurality of computers.

[0012] The management server 40 acquires status information regarding the growth status of plants in the plant factory 10 via the network 50. The management server 40 also acquires price information regarding electricity prices. The management server 40 controls the use of electricity in the plant factory 10 based on the acquired status information and price information. The management server 40 outputs control information regarding the use of electricity to the plant factory 10 via the network 50. The functions of the management server 40 are realized, for example, by a computer. The management server 40 may be configured by a single computer, or may be realized by distributed processing using a plurality of computers.

[0013] The network 50 is an information and communication network that handles communication between the plant factory 10 and the management server 40. The type of the network 50 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of transmitting and receiving data, and may be, for example, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the like. The communication line used for data communication may be wired or wireless. Also, the network may be configured to connect each device via multiple networks or communication lines.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cultivation device 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the cultivation device 20 is formed by stacking multiple cultivation chambers 200 vertically, each divided by a shelf board 230. Fig. 2 shows an example in which the cultivation chambers 200 are stacked in three layers, but this is not limited to this. The number of layers of the cultivation chambers 200 can be changed as appropriate. In one cultivation device 20, the same type of plant may be grown in each cultivation room 200, or different types of plants may be grown. Also, in the plant factory 10, different types of plants may be grown in each cultivation device 20, or the same type of plant may be grown in multiple cultivation devices 20. Also, plants may be grown by shifting the cultivation cycle so that each cultivation device 20 is in a different cultivation phase.

[0015] The cultivation room 200 includes a cultivation plate 210 and a light source 220. Plants produced in the plant factory 10 are grown on the cultivation plate 210. The cultivation plate 210 is supplied with, for example, a nutrient solution containing nutrients necessary for growth. For example, an LED is used as the light source 220. Alternatively, a fluorescent lamp may be used as the light source 220. The output of the light source 220 is controlled by the control device 30. The cultivation environment, including the output amount of the light source 220, is controlled, for example, for each cultivation room 200.

[0016] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 60 used as the control device 30 and the management server 40. The computer 60 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 601, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 602, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 603. The RAM 602 is a volatile memory used as a work area when the CPU 601 executes a program. The ROM 603 is a non-volatile memory that stores the programs executed by the CPU 601 and other data. The CPU 601 uses the RAM 602 as a work area and executes the programs read from the ROM 603. The computer 60 also includes a network IF 604 for connecting to the network 50, and a display mechanism 605 for displaying and outputting data on a display. The computer 60 also includes an input device 606, which is configured with a touch panel or the like and through which an operator performs input operations.

[0017] <Management Server Functionality Configuration> FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the management server 40. As shown in FIG. The management server 40 includes a price information acquisition unit 41, a state information acquisition unit 42, a cultivation environment condition information acquisition unit 43, a constraint condition determination unit 44, an output amount determination unit 45, and a control information output unit 46. Each function of the management server 40 is executed by, for example, a CPU 601 (see FIG. 3) which is a processor.

[0018] The price information acquisition unit 41 acquires price information on electricity prices. The price information acquisition unit 41 acquires the market price of electricity from the electricity wholesale market, for example, via a network 50 (see FIG. 1). The price information acquisition unit 41 may also acquire price information from another server of the company that has the management server 40. For example, if a power company has the management server 40, the price information acquisition unit 41 acquires price information from the other server of the power company. The price information will be described in detail below.

[0019] The status information acquisition unit 42 acquires status information related to the growth status of the plant. The status information acquisition unit 42 acquires status information of the plant in the cultivation room 200 (see FIG. 2) having the light source 220 to be controlled. The status information acquisition unit 42 acquires status information from the control device 30 (see FIG. 1) of the plant factory 10, for example, via the network 50. The status information acquisition unit 42 may be installed in the cultivation device 20 (see FIG. 1) and acquire the growth status of the plant from a sensor or the like that monitors the growth status of the plant, and determine the status information. The status information acquisition unit 42 may also be configured to estimate the growth status from the time when the plant starts growing.

[0020] The cultivation environment condition information acquisition unit 43 acquires cultivation environment condition information related to constraint conditions for each cultivation phase. The constraint conditions are conditions related to the amount of power consumption that are set to ensure a cultivation environment necessary for the growth of a plant. The constraint conditions are, for example, conditions related to the irradiation of light by the light source 220. The constraint conditions are set in advance to be different for each type of plant and each cultivation phase.

[0021] The cultivation environment condition information acquiring unit 43 acquires the cultivation environment condition information from a server storing information on plants grown in the plant factory 10, for example, via the network 50. The cultivation environment condition information may be acquired from the control device 30 of the plant factory 10. Alternatively, the cultivation environment condition information may be stored in advance in the management server 40, and the cultivation environment condition information acquiring unit 43 may acquire the stored cultivation environment condition information. The cultivation environment condition information will be described in detail later.

[0022] The constraint condition determination unit 44 determines the constraint condition related to the amount of power usage. The constraint condition determination unit 44 determines the constraint condition used to determine the output amount of the light source 220. The constraint condition determination unit 44 determines the corresponding constraint condition from the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit 42 and the cultivation environment condition information acquired by the cultivation environment condition information acquisition unit 43.

[0023] The output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220. The output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 based on price information within a range that satisfies the constraint condition determined by the constraint condition determination unit 44. If constraints are not taken into consideration, it is desirable to reduce the power cost by lowering the output of the light source 220 when the power price is high and by increasing the output of the light source 220 when the power price is low. By lowering the output of the light source 220 when the power price is high, it is possible to suppress power consumption and reduce power costs.

[0024] However, for example, if the output of the light source 220 continues to be low, the growth of the plant slows down and productivity decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to control the output of the light source 220 within a range that does not inhibit the growth of the plant. Therefore, in this embodiment, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 based on price information and constraint conditions. For example, when the price of electricity is relatively low, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output of the light source 220 to be high within a range that satisfies the constraint conditions. Also, for example, when the price of electricity is relatively high, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output of the light source 220 to be low within a range that satisfies the constraint conditions.

[0025] The power price being relatively low means that the power price is relatively low compared to other time periods in a predetermined period. For example, a threshold may be set within the fluctuation range of the power price in a predetermined period, and the power price may be determined to be relatively low when the power price is lower than the threshold. The power price being relatively high means that the power price is relatively high compared to other time periods in a predetermined period. For example, a threshold may be set within the fluctuation range of the power price in a predetermined period, and the power price may be determined to be relatively high when the power price is higher than the threshold.

[0026] The control information output unit 46 outputs control information related to the use of power. The control information output unit 46 outputs the control information to the plant factory 10 via the network 50. The control information includes the output amount of the light source 220 determined by the output amount determination unit 45.

[0027] <Processing flow on the management server> The flow of processing in the management server 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of processing in the management server 40. As shown in FIG. 5, first, the price information acquisition unit 41 acquires price information related to the electricity price (step 1001). The price information acquisition unit 41 acquires the price information, for example, via the network 50. The price information is information indicating the electricity price, for example, the hourly electricity unit price P (yen / kWh).

[0028] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of price information. As shown in Fig. 7, the price information indicates, for example, the power unit price P for every 30 minutes for each date. The price information acquisition unit 41 acquires price information for a predetermined period. The price information acquisition unit 41 acquires price information for, for example, the period from the present to 24 hours later. Next, the state information acquiring unit 42 acquires state information regarding the growth state of the plant (step 1002). The state information acquiring unit 42 acquires the type of plant and the cultivation phase. Next, the cultivation environment condition information acquiring unit 43 acquires cultivation environment condition information (step 1003).

[0029] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of cultivation environment condition information. As shown in Fig. 8, the cultivation environment condition information indicates predetermined constraint conditions for each power output condition related to the output of the light source 220 for each cultivation phase. Here, a case is shown in which the light source 220 can switch between three power output levels, "low", "medium", and "high", as the power output condition. The constraint conditions shown in Fig. 8 are conditions related to the maximum duration and cumulative time for each power output condition. The cultivation environment condition information is predetermined for each type of plant.

[0030] Constraints on maximum duration and cumulative time are set to prevent stunting of plant growth. For example, in the "initial" cultivation phase, the constraint on the maximum duration means that irradiation cannot be continued for more than two hours under the "low" power output condition. Also, in the "initial" cultivation phase, the constraint on the cumulative time means that the cumulative time under the "low" power output condition and the "high" power output condition must be equal in a predetermined period.

[0031] In this case, the power output condition indicates, but is not limited to, the output of the light source 220. For example, the cultivation environment condition information may include constraints on the output of an air conditioner that controls the cultivation environment, such as temperature and humidity. Next, the constraint condition determination unit 44 determines the constraint condition related to the amount of power consumption (step 1004). The constraint condition determination unit 44 determines the constraint condition corresponding to the type of plant and the cultivation phase acquired by the state information acquisition unit 42 from the cultivation environment condition information.

[0032] Next, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 (step 1005). The output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 based on the price information and the constraint conditions. The process in which the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 will be described in detail later. Then, the control information output unit 46 outputs the control information including the output amount of the light source 220 (step 1006). The control information output unit 46 outputs the control information to the plant factory 10 via the network 50.

[0033] The process in step 1005 in FIG. 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a process in which the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220. Fig. 6 shows an example in which the constraint condition regarding the cumulative time under each power output condition is not taken into consideration, and the condition regarding the maximum duration is used as the constraint condition. Fig. 6 also describes a case in which the light source 220 can switch between three power output conditions, "low", "medium", and "high".

[0034] Hereinafter, "the power unit price P is relatively low" means that the power unit price P is lower than the threshold value P_low. Also, "the power unit price P is relatively high" means that the power unit price P is higher than the threshold value P_high. The threshold value P_low and the threshold value P_high are predetermined threshold values, and a value of P_high is set to be larger than P_low.

[0035] In FIG. 6, first, the power output amount determination unit 45 identifies a time period during which the power unit price P is relatively high from the price information, and calculates the duration D1 of each time period (step 1011). The power output amount determination unit 45 calculates the duration D1 during which P_high < P from the price information. When there are a plurality of time periods during which P_high < P, the duration D1 for each time period is calculated. Next, the power output amount determination unit 45 determines whether the duration D1 satisfies the constraint condition (step 1012). When there are a plurality of time periods during which P_high < P, it is determined whether the duration D1 for each time period satisfies the constraint condition.

[0036] When the duration D1 satisfies the constraint condition (YES in step 1012), the power output condition "low" is assigned to the time period during which the power unit price P is relatively high (step 1013). On the other hand, when the duration D1 does not satisfy the constraint condition (NO in step 1012), the power output condition "low" is assigned to the portion that satisfies the constraint condition among the time periods during which the power unit price P is relatively high (step 1014). Then, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the portion that exceeds the constraint condition among the time periods during which the power unit price P is relatively high (step 1015).

[0037] Next, the power output amount determination unit 45 identifies a time period during which the power unit price P is relatively low from the price information, and calculates the duration D2 of each time period (step 1016). The power output amount determination unit 45 calculates the duration D2 during which P_low > P from the price information. When there are a plurality of time periods during which P_low > P, the duration D2 for each time period is calculated. Next, the output amount determination unit 45 judges whether the duration D2 satisfies the constraint condition (step 1017). If there are multiple time periods where P_low > P, it is judged whether the duration D2 for each time period satisfies the constraint condition.

[0038] If duration D2 satisfies the constraint (YES in step 1017), the power output condition "high" is assigned to the time period when the power unit price P is relatively low (step 1018). On the other hand, if duration D2 does not satisfy the constraint (NO in step 1017), the power output condition "high" is assigned to the part of the time period when the power unit price P is relatively low that satisfies the constraint (step 1019). Then, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the part of the time period when the power unit price P is relatively low that exceeds the constraint (step 1020). Then, the output amount determination unit 45 assigns the power output condition "medium" to the remaining portion (step 1021).

[0039] In this way, within a range that satisfies the constraint conditions, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 to be high when the power unit price P is relatively low, and determines the output amount of the light source 220 to be low when the power unit price P is relatively high. Note that Fig. 6 shows an example in which only the condition related to the maximum duration under each power output condition is used as the constraint condition. The output amount determination unit 45 may determine the output amount of the light source 220 by further using the condition related to the accumulated time under each power output condition as the constraint condition.

[0040] For example, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 so that the accumulated time of the power output condition "low" is equal to the accumulated time of the power output condition "high" in a predetermined period. The output amount determination unit 45 assigns the power output condition "low" to a time period in which the power unit price P is relatively high within a range that satisfies the constraint conditions, and assigns the power output condition "high" to a time period in which the power unit price P is relatively low. Then, the output amount determination unit 45 assigns the power output condition "medium" to a portion that does not satisfy the constraint conditions.

[0041] For example, the output amount determination unit 45 identifies a time period during which the power unit price P is relatively high and a time period during which the power unit price P is relatively low from price information for a predetermined period. The output amount determination unit 45 calculates the cumulative time of each of the time periods during which the power unit price P is relatively high and relatively low. The output amount determination unit 45 assigns a power output condition according to, for example, the shorter accumulated time between the time period when the power unit price P is relatively high and the time period when the power unit price P is relatively low. For the longer accumulated time, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the portion where the time exceeds the accumulated time.

[0042] 9A and 9B are diagrams showing examples of determining the output amount of the light source 220 based on price information and constraint conditions. (a) shows an example where the constraint condition regarding the maximum duration under each power output condition is satisfied. (b) shows an example where the constraint condition regarding the maximum duration under each power output condition is not satisfied. Fig. 9 shows an example in which a condition regarding the maximum duration under each power output condition is used as a constraint condition. Fig. 9 also shows a case in which the light source 220 can switch between three power output conditions: "low", "medium", and "high". In Fig. 9, the horizontal axis shows time, and the vertical axis shows the unit price of electricity P (yen / kWh).

[0043] In Fig. 9(a), the time periods when the power unit price P is relatively high are the period from time t3 to time t4 and the period from time t7 to time t8. In step 1012 in Fig. 6, it is determined whether the duration D1 of these periods satisfies the respective constraints. In Fig. 9(a), the constraints on the maximum duration for each power output condition are satisfied, so the power output condition "low" is assigned to these periods.

[0044] In addition, in Fig. 9(a), the time periods when the power unit price P is relatively low are the period from time t1 to time t2 and the period from time t5 to time t6. In step 1017 in Fig. 6, it is determined whether the duration D2 of these periods satisfies the respective constraints. In Fig. 9(a), the constraints on the maximum duration for each power output condition are satisfied, so the power output condition "high" is assigned to these periods. The power output condition "medium" is assigned to the remaining portions. That is, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the periods from time t2 to time t3, from time t4 to time t5, from time t6 to time t7, and from time t8 to time t9.

[0045] On the other hand, Fig. 9(b) shows an example in which the constraint condition regarding the maximum duration for each power output condition is not satisfied. In Fig. 9(b), the time periods in which the power unit price P is relatively high are the period from time t3 to time t4 and the period from time t7 to time t8. Now, assume that the period from time t7 to time t8 does not satisfy the constraint condition regarding the maximum duration. In this period, the portion from time t7 to time T2 satisfies the constraint condition, but the portion from time T2 to time t8 does not satisfy the constraint condition. In this case, the power output condition "low" is assigned to the portion from time t7 to time T2 that satisfies the constraint condition. And the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the portion from time T2 to time t8 that does not satisfy the constraint condition.

[0046] In FIG. 9(b), the time periods when the power unit price P is relatively low are the period from time t1 to time t2 and the period from time t5 to time t6. Now, assume that the period from time t1 to time t2 does not satisfy the constraint condition regarding the maximum duration. In this period, the portion from time t1 to time T1 satisfies the constraint condition, but the portion from time T1 to time t2 does not satisfy the constraint condition. In this case, the power output condition "high" is assigned to the portion from time t1 to time T1 that satisfies the constraint condition. And the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the portion from time T1 to time t2 that does not satisfy the constraint condition.

[0047] The power output condition "medium" is assigned to the remaining portions. That is, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the periods from time t2 to time t3, from time t4 to time t5, from time t6 to time t7, and from time t8 to time t9.

[0048] Note that the example shown in Fig. 9 is merely an example, and is not limited thereto. For example, the output amount of the light source 220 may be determined by further using a condition related to the accumulated time under each power output condition as a constraint condition. Also, for example, P_high and P_low may be set to the same value, and the power output condition may be switched between two levels, "low" and "high". Also, the threshold value may be set more finely, and the power output condition may be set more finely.

[0049] The output amount determination unit 45 may be configured to determine the cultivation conditions including the air temperature and humidity, in addition to determining the output amount of the light source 220. For example, a table of cultivation conditions related to the output amount of the light source 220, the air temperature, and the humidity is created in advance. The output amount determination unit 45 selects appropriate cultivation conditions from the table of cultivation conditions based on the price information and the constraint conditions. In this way, the cultivation conditions may be controlled by allocating predetermined cultivation conditions.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the management server 40 acquires status information related to the growth status of the plants in the plant factory 10 via the network 50, but is not limited thereto. For example, the control device 30 may be configured to have the functional configuration of the management server 40 shown in FIG. 4. The management server 40 may be configured to be provided inside the plant factory 10. The management server 40 may also be configured to acquire status information and the like directly from the cultivation device 20 and directly output control information.

[0051] In this embodiment, the management server 40 may perform power control by utilizing the fact that the plants are in different cultivation phases for each cultivation device 20. For example, by shifting the cultivation phases, the number of cultivation devices 20 that simultaneously have the power output condition "high" during a time period when the electricity price is relatively high can be reduced. This can be considered to reduce the electricity cost in the entire plant factory 10. In this embodiment, an alternative condition may be set to substitute for the "high" power output condition. For example, if the "high" power output condition is required for five hours as a constraint condition, the alternative condition may be that the "medium" power output condition is required for eight hours.

[0052] As described above, the artificial light type plant factory 10 has a feature that the power load can be adjusted since the plant cultivation environmental conditions can be artificially controlled. For example, by controlling the output of the light source 220, the day and night can be reversed to grow the plants. In this embodiment, the power load can be adjusted in conjunction with the market price of electricity to reduce the power cost. In addition, by setting constraints on various environmental conditions according to the cultivation characteristics of the plants, the power cost can be reduced without impairing the growth of the plants. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...power control system, 10...plant factory, 20...cultivation device, 30...control device, 40...management server, 41...price information acquisition unit, 42...status information acquisition unit, 43...cultivation environment condition information acquisition unit, 44...constraint condition determination unit, 45...output amount determination unit, 46...control information output unit, 50...network, 200...cultivation room, 210...cultivation plate, 220...light source, 230...shelf

Claims

1. One or more processors; The one or more processors: acquiring status information regarding a cultivation phase corresponding to the growth of the plant in a facility for producing the plant; Obtain price information on electricity prices; A power control system that controls power usage based on constraints on the amount of power usage according to a cultivation phase, which is determined by the status information related to the cultivation phase according to growth, and the acquired price information.

2. acquiring the status information from the facility via a network; Obtaining the price information via a network; outputting control information for controlling the use of the power to the facility via a network; The power control system of claim 1 .

3. When the electricity price is relatively low, increasing the output of a light source that irradiates light to the plant within a range that satisfies the constraint condition. The power control system of claim 1 .

4. The constraint is a condition regarding irradiation of light necessary for the growth of the plant. The power control system of claim 3.

5. The constraint condition is a condition regarding an amount of irradiation by the light source in a predetermined period of time. The power control system of claim 4.

6. The constraint is a condition regarding a maximum time for which the light source is continuously irradiated. The power control system of claim 4.

7. When the electricity price is relatively high, an output of a light source that irradiates light to the plant is reduced within a range that satisfies the constraint condition. The power control system of claim 1 .

8. A program to be implemented on one or more processors, a function for acquiring status information regarding a cultivation phase corresponding to the growth of the plant in a facility for producing the plant; The ability to obtain price information on electricity prices; a function of controlling the use of electricity based on a constraint on the amount of electricity used according to a cultivation phase, the constraint being determined based on the state information on the cultivation phase according to growth, and the acquired price information; A program to achieve this.

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