Method, program, device and power saving system for estimating power saving amount

Abstract

A method, a program, an apparatus, and a power saving system capable of accurately estimating the amount of power saved are provided. [Solution] A method for estimating a power saving amount includes a step of acquiring a first measurement value of an amount of uncontrolled power A supplied to a device 7 in a non-control period Ta in which power saving control is stopped, a step of acquiring a second measurement value of an amount of controlled power B supplied to the device 7 in a control period Tb in which power saving control is performed, and a step of estimating a power saving amount S for each control period Tb. The step of estimating the power saving amount S for one control period Tb includes calculating the power saving amount S according to a difference between the amount of uncontrolled power A for one control period Tb estimated based on one or more first measurement values ​​acquired for one or a series of multiple non-control periods Ta including a non-control period Ta adjacent to the one control period Tb, and the amount of controlled power B indicated by the second measurement value for the one control period Tb.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method, a program, an apparatus, and a power saving system for estimating an amount of power saved by power saving control. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a demand control system that monitors the amount of power used by facility equipment in a building or the like, and controls the facility equipment to reduce the amount of power used so that the power demand (average power per unit time) does not exceed a predetermined maximum value. The following patent document describes a demand control system that includes a power measuring device that measures the amount of power used by the load equipment, a monitoring device that calculates a predicted value of the power demand and transmits a control command when it is determined that the predicted value exceeds a target value, and an operating device that operates the load equipment in response to the control command. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7085069 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, reducing CO2 emissions, which cause global warming, has become an issue. As part of energy conservation activities that can lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions, energy management that optimizes the balance between power supply and demand in buildings and other locations has been attracting attention. The demand control system described above not only reduces the basic fee for power contracts by suppressing peak power demand, but also functions as a system (EMS) for achieving energy management. In other words, the demand control system is also used to achieve energy management, such as visualizing energy usage and controlling power saving in facility equipment.

[0005] It is important from the viewpoint of energy management to visualize the effect of power-saving control to grasp the amount of power saved (hereinafter referred to as "power saving amount") by the power-saving control of facility equipment. One method for calculating the amount of power saving is to use measurement data obtained by continuously measuring the power supplied to the facility equipment and history information of the power-saving control for the facility equipment. In this method, a period in which a temporary drop in power occurred due to the power-saving control (power drop period) is specified based on the history information of the power-saving control. The amount of power saved during the power-drop period is calculated according to the difference between the average power measured during the power-drop period and the average power measured before and after the power-drop period. The amount of power saved during a certain period can be calculated as the sum of the amount of power saved during the power-drop periods that occurred during that period. However, when the drop in power due to the power-saving control overlaps with the drop in power caused by another factor (e.g., artificial operation of the equipment, automatic control of the equipment performed for purposes other than power saving), the above method has a problem in that the amount of power saving cannot be calculated correctly.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a method, a program, an apparatus, and a power saving system that are capable of accurately estimating the amount of power saved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a method performed by a device for estimating an amount of power saved, the amount of power saved being an amount of power saved by power-saving control for saving power supplied to an appliance, a non-control period in which the power-saving control is stopped and a control period in which the power-saving control is performed are alternately repeated, and the method includes a first measurement value acquisition step of acquiring a first measurement value of a non-controlled amount of power, which is an amount of power supplied to the appliance in a state in which the power-saving control is stopped, for each of the periodically repeated non-control periods, and a second measurement value acquisition step of acquiring a first measurement value of a controlled amount of power, which is an amount of power supplied to the appliance in a state in which the power-saving control is performed, for each of the periodically repeated control periods. The method includes a second measurement value acquisition step of acquiring two measurement values, and an estimation step of estimating an amount of power saving for each of the periodically repeated control periods, wherein the estimation step of estimating the amount of power saving for one control period includes calculating an amount of power saving corresponding to a difference between the amount of non-controlled power for the one control period estimated based on one or more first measurement values ​​acquired for one or a series of multiple non-controlled periods including at least one of the non-controlled periods immediately before and after the one control period, and the amount of controlled power indicated by the second measurement value acquired for the one control period.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a program including instructions to be performed by an apparatus for estimating an amount of power saving, the processing performed by the apparatus in accordance with the instructions including each step of the method according to the first aspect.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for estimating an amount of power saving, the apparatus having a processing unit and a memory unit storing instructions to be executed by the processing unit, and the processing performed by the processing unit in accordance with the instructions includes each step of the method relating to the first aspect above.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for estimating power savings, comprising means for performing each step of the method according to the first aspect.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a power saving system having a power saving control unit that performs power saving control to save power supplied to an apparatus, and a power saving amount estimation unit that estimates a power saving amount, which is the amount of power saved by the power saving control, wherein the power saving control unit alternates between a non-control period in which the power saving control is stopped and a control period in which the power saving control is performed, and the power saving amount estimation unit performs each step of the method relating to the first aspect above. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method, a program, an apparatus, and a power saving system that are capable of estimating the amount of power saving with high accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power saving system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power saving control device according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] Fig. 3A is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method for estimating a power saving amount according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3B is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process for calculating a power saving amount. [Figure 4] Fig. 4A is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the uncontrolled power amount, the controlled power amount, and the power saving amount, and Fig. 4B is a diagram for explaining a series of uncontrolled power amounts used for estimating the power saving amount. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for correcting the amount of saved power in the method for estimating the amount of saved power according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a modified example of the process of correcting the amount of saved power in the method for estimating the amount of saved power according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] <First embodiment> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a power saving system according to the present embodiment. This power saving system performs power saving control to save power supplied to devices 7 (electrical devices, electronic devices, etc.) installed in buildings, factories, facilities, homes, etc., and performs processing to estimate the amount of power saved by the power saving control as the amount of power saved. In the example of Fig. 1, the power saving system includes a power saving control device 1, an administrator terminal device 3, a device operating device 4, a power meter 5, and a sensor 6.

[0015] The administrator terminal device 3 is a device operated by an administrator of the power saving system. The administrator terminal device 3 accesses the power saving control device 1 via a communication network 9 such as the Internet, a WAN, or a LAN, and performs a process of inputting settings related to the power saving control of the power saving control unit 101 and a process of displaying information related to the power usage status of the device 7 recorded in a measurement record database 21 described later. The administrator terminal device 3 is configured by a device equipped with an information communication function, such as a personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone.

[0016] The appliance operation device 4 operates the appliance 7 in accordance with a control signal from a power saving control unit 101 (described later) of the power saving control device 1 so as to reduce the amount of power supplied to the appliance 7. For example, if the appliance 7 is an outdoor unit of an air conditioning facility, the appliance operation device 4 stops a compressor of the outdoor unit in response to a control signal from the power saving control unit 101. The appliance operation device 4 and the power saving control device 1 perform wireless or wired communication using any communication method such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area-network). In the example of FIG. 1, the power saving system has a plurality of appliance operation devices 4 corresponding to a plurality of appliances 7.

[0017] The power meter 5 measures the power supplied to the device 7 from the AC system AC, and transmits the measured value to the power saving control device 1. The power meter 5 and the power saving control device 1 perform wireless or wired communication using any communication method such as LPWA. In the example of FIG. 1, the power saving system has a plurality of power meters 5 corresponding to a plurality of devices 7.

[0018] The sensor 6 collects predetermined information referenced in power saving control and transmits it to the power saving control unit 101 of the power saving control device 1. For example, if the device 7 is an outdoor unit of an air conditioning facility, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or the like that detects the temperature and humidity in the room is used as the sensor 6. The sensor 6 and the power saving control device 1 communicate wirelessly or wired by any communication method such as LPWA. In the example of FIG. 1, the power saving system has multiple sensors 6.

[0019] The power saving control device 1 is a device that performs processes related to power saving control and processes related to estimation of the amount of power saved, and includes a power saving control unit 101 and a power saving amount estimation unit 102, as shown in FIG.

[0020] The power saving control unit 101 performs power saving control to save power supplied to each device 7 according to predetermined information (room temperature, humidity, etc.) collected by the sensor 6. Based on the information from the sensor 6, the power saving control unit 101 generates a control signal for controlling the device 7 so as to save the amount of power supplied to the device 7 while preventing a predetermined function of the device 7 (for example, a function of adjusting the air in the room by an air conditioner) from being hindered, and transmits the control signal to the device operating device 4. The power saving control unit 101 records control content information related to the content of the power saving control performed on each device 7 in the control content recording database 22.

[0021] The power saving control unit 101 alternates between a period during which power saving control is stopped (hereinafter referred to as a "non-control period Ta") and a period during which power saving control is performed (hereinafter referred to as a "control period Tb"). The power saving control unit 101 sets the non-control period Ta to a period that is relatively shorter than the control period Tb (for example, about one-tenth of the control period Tb). By setting the non-control period Ta to be relatively shorter, a decrease in the amount of power saved during the entire operation period of the device 7 is suppressed.

[0022] The power saving amount estimation unit 102 estimates the power saving amount, which is the amount of power saved by the power saving control, for each control period Tb, based on the power of the device 7 measured by the power meter 5 in each of the non-control period Ta and the control period Tb.

[0023] Hereinafter, the amount of power saved in one control period Tb will be specifically referred to as "amount of power saved S." Moreover, the amount of power supplied to device 7 when power saving control is stopped will be specifically referred to as "uncontrolled amount of power," and the amount of uncontrolled power in one non-control period Ta will be specifically referred to as "uncontrolled amount of power A." Furthermore, the amount of power supplied to device 7 when power saving control is performed will be specifically referred to as "controlled amount of power," and the amount of controlled power in one control period Tb will be specifically referred to as "controlled amount of power B."

[0024] For each of the periodically repeated non-control periods Ta, the power saving amount estimation unit 102 acquires a measurement value (first measurement value) of the amount of non-controlled power A during the non-control period Ta based on the measurement result of the power meter 5. Furthermore, for each of the periodically repeated control periods Tb, the power saving amount estimation unit 102 acquires a measurement value (second measurement value) of the amount of controlled power B during the control period Tb based on the measurement result of the power meter 5.

[0025] The power saving amount estimation unit 102 estimates the power saving amount S in each control period Tb based on the measurement value (first measurement value) of the non-controlled power amount A in each non-control period Ta and the measurement value (second measurement value) of the controlled power amount B in each control period Tb.

[0026] When estimating the amount of power saved S for one control period Tb, the power saving amount estimation unit 102 calculates the amount of power saved S corresponding to the difference (Ae-B) between the non-controlled power amount estimated for that one control period Tb (hereinafter referred to as the "non-controlled power amount Ae") and the controlled power amount B indicated by the second measurement value obtained for that one control period Tb.

[0027] When estimating the uncontrolled energy Ae for one control period Tb, the power saving control unit 101 uses one or more first measurement values ​​(first measurement values ​​of the uncontrolled energy A in the uncontrolled period Ta) obtained near the one control period Tb. That is, the power saving control unit 101 estimates the uncontrolled energy Ae for one control period Tb based on one or more first measurement values ​​obtained for one or a series of multiple uncontrolled periods Ta including at least one of the uncontrolled periods Ta immediately before and after the one control period Tb.

[0028] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the power-saving control device 1. The power-saving control device 1 shown in FIG.

[0029] The communication unit 11 communicates with other devices (such as the administrator terminal device 3) via a communication network 9 such as the Internet. The communication unit 11 includes a device (such as a network interface card) that communicates in accordance with a predetermined communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or wireless LAN. The communication unit 11 also performs wireless or wired communication with the appliance operating device 4, the power measuring device 5, and the sensor 6 using any communication method (such as LPWA).

[0030] The storage unit 12 stores one or more programs 121 including instructions executable by the processing unit 13, data temporarily stored during processing by the processing unit 13, data used in processing by the processing unit 13, data obtained as a result of processing by the processing unit 13, and the like. The storage unit 12 may include, for example, a main storage device (RAM, ROM, etc.) and an auxiliary storage device (flash memory, SSD, hard disk, memory card, optical disk, etc.). The storage unit 12 may be composed of one storage device or may be composed of multiple storage devices. When the storage unit 12 is composed of multiple storage devices, each storage device may be connected to the processing unit 13 via a computer bus or any other communication means.

[0031] The processing unit 13 generally controls the overall operation of the power saving control device 1 and performs predetermined information processing. The processing unit 13 includes, for example, one or more processors (such as a central processing unit (CPU), a micro-processing unit (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a neural network processing unit (NPU)) that perform processing according to instructions of one or more programs 121 stored in the storage unit 12. The processing unit 13 operates as one or more computers by the one or more processors executing instructions of one or more programs 121 stored in the storage unit 12. The power saving control device 1 may have multiple computers, and at least a part of the processing according to this embodiment (such as processing related to power saving control performed by the power saving control unit 101 and processing related to estimation of the amount of power saving performed by the power saving amount estimation unit 102) may be performed by the multiple computers in cooperation with each other.

[0032] The processing unit 13 may include one or more dedicated hardware (such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)) configured to realize a specific function. The processing unit 13 may perform all of the processes according to this embodiment (such as processes related to power saving control and processes related to estimation of the amount of power saving) in one or more computers, may perform some of the processes in one or more computers and dedicated hardware, or may perform all of the processes in dedicated hardware.

[0033] The program 121 may be recorded, for example, in a computer-readable recording medium (optical disk, memory card, USB memory, or other non-transitory tangible medium). The processing unit 13 may read at least a part of the one or more programs 121 recorded in such a recording medium by a recording medium reading device (optical disk device, etc.) or an interface device (USB interface, etc.) not shown, and write the program in the storage unit 12. Alternatively, the processing unit 13 may download at least a part of the one or more programs 121 from another device connected to the communication network 9 by the communication unit 11, and write the program in the storage unit 12. The one or more programs 121 may include an instruction to cause the processing unit 13 to perform at least a part of the processing according to this embodiment (processing related to power saving control, processing related to estimation of power saving amount, etc.).

[0034] The storage device 2 stores information related to the processing of the power saving control device 1. The power saving control device 1 and the storage device 2 can communicate with each other via any communication path (LAN, dedicated line network, Internet, etc.). For example, the storage device 2 may be included in a file server, database server, cloud server, etc. that accepts access from a plurality of devices, may be a dedicated storage device accessible only by the power saving control device 1, or may be a storage device connected to the processing unit 13 via a computer bus or the like.

[0035] In the example of FIG. 2, the storage device 2 stores a measurement record database 21 and a control content record database 22. The measurement record database 21 records the amount of power per unit time of the device 7 based on the measurement results of the power measuring device 5, instantaneous power, the amount of power savings estimated by the power savings estimation unit 102 for each control period Tb, and the like. In the control content record database 22, control content information on the content of the power saving control performed on the device 7 by the power saving control unit 101 is recorded.

[0036] Next, a method for estimating the amount of saved power according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 3A. Step ST100 is an example of a first measurement value acquisition step of the present invention. Step ST105 is an example of a second measurement value acquisition step of the present invention. Step ST110 is an example of the estimation step of the present invention.

[0037] ST100: The power saving control device 1 acquires a first measurement value of the non-controlled power amount A for each of the periodically repeated non-control periods Ta. For example, the power saving control device 1 acquires the first measurement value of the non-controlled power amount A based on an average value of power measured by the power meter 5 per unit time in the non-control period Ta. Alternatively, the power saving control device 1 may acquire the first measurement value of the non-controlled power amount A based on the sum of the power amounts measured by the power meter 5 per unit time in the non-control period Ta. The power saving control device 1 records the acquired first measurement value in the measurement record database 21.

[0038] ST105: The power saving control device 1 acquires a second measurement value of the controlled power amount B for each of the periodically repeated control periods Tb. For example, the power saving control device 1 acquires the second measurement value of the controlled power amount B based on an average value of the power measured by the power measuring device 5 per unit time during the control period Tb. Alternatively, the power saving control device 1 may acquire the second measurement value of the controlled power amount B based on the sum of the power amounts measured by the power measuring device 5 per unit time during the control period Tb. The power saving control device 1 records the acquired second measurement value in the measurement record database 21.

[0039] ST110: The power saving control device 1 estimates the amount of power saving S for each of the periodically repeated control periods Tb based on the first measurement value of the non-controlled power amount A obtained in step ST100 and the second measurement value for the control period Tb obtained in step ST105. That is, when estimating the amount of power saving S for one control period Tb, the power saving control device 1 calculates the amount of power saving S according to the difference (Ae-B) between the non-controlled power amount Ae estimated for that one control period Tb and the controlled power amount B indicated by the second measurement value acquired for that one control period Tb. The power saving control device 1 records the estimated amount of power saving S in the measurement record database 21.

[0040] FIG. 3B is a flowchart for explaining an example of the process for calculating the amount of saved power S in step ST110.

[0041] ST200: When calculating the amount of power saving S for one control period Tb, the power saving control device 1 first calculates an estimated amount of non-controlled power Ae for the one control period Tb. For example, the power saving control device 1 calculates the amount of non-controlled power Ae according to the product of a first measurement value of the amount of non-controlled power A acquired for a non-control period Ta immediately before or after the one control period Tb and a ratio (Tb / Ta) of the control period Tb to the non-control period Ta. In this case, the amount of non-controlled power Ae is expressed by the following formula (1). Ae = (Tb / Ta) × A … (1)

[0042] ST205: The power saving control device 1 calculates a power saving amount S according to the difference between the non-controlled power amount Ae calculated for one control period Tb and the controlled power amount B indicated by the second measurement value acquired for the one control period Tb. The power saving amount S is expressed by, for example, the following formula (2). S = Ae - B ... (2)

[0043] FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the non-controlled power amount A and the controlled power amount B and the power saving amount S. In the example of FIG. 4A, the non-controlled period Ta is 3 minutes, and the controlled period Tb is 27 minutes. The non-controlled period Ta of 3 minutes is repeated every 30 minutes with a 27-minute controlled period Tb in between. In the control period Tb of FIG. 4A, the power supplied to the device 7 is reduced by the power saving control in the periods of 6 to 9 minutes, 15 to 18 minutes, and 24 to 27 minutes. Therefore, in these periods, the increase in the power amount is suppressed as shown by the solid line graph. On the other hand, the non-controlled power estimated based on the non-controlled power amount A of the non-controlled period Ta increases linearly in the range of 3 to 30 minutes as shown by the dotted line graph, since there is no reduction in power due to the power saving control. As a result, the estimated non-controlled power amount Ae in the control period Tb is larger than the actual controlled power amount B in the control period Tb, and the power saving amount S is estimated from the difference between them.

[0044] As described above, according to this embodiment, the uncontrolled power amount Ae of the control period Tb in which the power saving control is performed is estimated based on the first measurement value of the uncontrolled power amount A of the uncontrolled period Ta in which the power saving control is stopped, and the power saving amount S is estimated according to the difference between the controlled power amount B indicated by the second measurement value of the control period Tb and the estimated uncontrolled power amount Ae. The first measurement value of the uncontrolled power amount A is a measurement value measured without fail in a state in which power saving control is not performed, and no error due to power saving control occurs. As a result, the uncontrolled power amount Ae of the control period Tb can be accurately estimated based on the first measurement value of the uncontrolled power amount A, so that the power saving amount S according to the difference between the uncontrolled power amount Ae and the controlled power amount B can be accurately estimated.

[0045] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the amount of energy saved S for one control period Tb is estimated based on the second measurement value obtained for the non-control period Ta immediately before or after the one control period Tb, so that the amount of energy saved S can be accurately estimated using the amount of non-controlled energy A for a period that is close in time to the one control period Tb.

[0046] Next, some modified examples of the method for estimating the amount of saved power S according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0047] (Variation 1) In the above description of step ST200, an example has been given in which, when calculating the uncontrolled energy Ae for one control period Tb, the uncontrolled energy Ae is calculated by formula (1) based on a first measurement value of one uncontrolled energy A acquired for a non-control period Ta immediately before or after the one control period Tb. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this example, and the first measurement value of the uncontrolled energy A used to calculate the uncontrolled energy Ae may be two or more.

[0048] For example, the power saving control device 1 may calculate the non-controlled energy Ae according to the product of the average value of a predetermined number (two or more) of first measurement values ​​acquired for a series of a predetermined number (two or more) of non-controlled periods Ta including at least one of the non-controlled periods Ta immediately before and after one controlled period Tb, and the ratio (Tb / T) of the controlled period Tb to the non-controlled period Ta.

[0049] Here, the series of periodically repeated control periods Tb is Tb(1), Tb(2), Tb(3), Tb(4),… The numbers in parentheses in the above notation represent the time order of the control period Tb. Furthermore, the non-control period Ta immediately preceding the control period Tb(n) is represented as "Ta(n)" where "n" is an arbitrary positive integer. Furthermore, the uncontrolled power amount A in the uncontrolled period Ta(n) is denoted as "A(n)", and the controlled power amount B in the controlled period Tb(n) is denoted as "B(n)". FIG. 4B illustrates a set of uncontrolled power amounts A used to estimate power savings S according to the above notation.

[0050] Let “p” be an integer equal to or greater than 1 and “q” be an integer equal to or greater than zero, and let “EA” be the average of the (p+q+1) uncontrolled amounts of energy A(n), ..., A(n+p+q) from the uncontrolled period Ta(n) to the uncontrolled period Ta(n+p+q). The uncontrolled amount of energy Ae in the controlled period Tb(n+p) can be expressed, for example, by the following equation (3). Ae = (Tb / Ta) × EA … (3)

[0051] If the average value EA is the arithmetic mean value, the average value EA is expressed by the following formula. EA={A(n)+ … +A(n+p+q)} / (p+q+1) …(4)

[0052] According to this modification, the variation in the amount of uncontrolled power A is averaged, so that the variation in the estimated amount of uncontrolled power Ae is also reduced, and the accuracy of the estimation of the amount of saved power S can be improved.

[0053] (Variation 2) In the above-mentioned variant example 1, an arithmetic mean value EA is calculated as the average value EA of the (p+q+1) non-controlled energy amounts A(n), ..., A(n+p+q) from the non-control period Ta(n) to the non-control period Ta(n+p+q). However, this average value EA is not limited to the arithmetic mean value and may be, for example, a weighted average value.

[0054] That is, when estimating the non-controlled power amount Ae of the control period Tb(n+p), the power saving control device 1 calculates the average value EA so that the first measurement value of the non-controlled period Ta that is temporally distant from the control period Tb(n+p) is weighted less. In this case, the average value EA of the weighted average is expressed by, for example, the following formula (5). EA={KA(n)+ … +KA(n+p+q)} / SK …(5)

[0055] In formula (5), "KA(i)" is expressed by the following formula (6), where "i" represents any integer from n to n+p+q. KA(i) = K(i) × A(i) … (6)

[0056] In formula (6), "K(i)" represents a weighting coefficient given to the uncontrolled power amount A(i) of the uncontrolled period Ta(i). The weighting coefficient K(i) is a coefficient whose value decreases the further away in time it is from the controlled period Tb(n+p). The weighting coefficient K(i) may be, for example, a predetermined function (such as a function proportional to the inverse of the time interval, an exponential function, etc.) in which the time interval from the uncontrolled period Ta(i) to the controlled period Tb(n+p) (such as a time interval based on the center time of each) is a variable and the value continuously decreases as the value of the variable increases.

[0057] The denominator “SK” in equation (5) is the sum of the weighting coefficients K(i) used in the weighted average, and is expressed by the following equation (7). SK=K(n)+K(n+1)+ … +K(n+p+q) …(7)

[0058] According to this modification, when estimating the uncontrolled power amount Ae for one control period Tb, the uncontrolled power amount Ae is calculated by a weighted average in which a larger weight is assigned to the first measurement value (uncontrolled power amount A) for the uncontrolled period Ta that is temporally close to the one control period Tb. This suppresses the influence of the variation in the uncontrolled power amount A, and calculates the uncontrolled power amount Ae in which the influence of the uncontrolled power amount A for the uncontrolled period Ta that is temporally close to the one control period Tb is emphasized, so that the power saving amount S can be estimated with higher accuracy.

[0059] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is a modification of the estimation process of the power saving amount S (FIG. 3B: ST110 in FIG. 3A) in the first embodiment described above. The configuration of the system according to the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 in the first embodiment described above.

[0060] Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process for correcting the amount of saved power in the method for estimating the amount of saved power according to the second embodiment. The flowchart shown in Fig. 5 is obtained by adding steps ST210 to ST225 to the flowchart shown in Fig. 3B, and other processes are the same as those in the flowchart shown in Fig. 3. Here, the processes of steps ST210 to ST225 will be explained.

[0061] ST210 The power saving control device 1 identifies, in the measurement record database 21, a plurality of pieces of predetermined information that satisfy a predetermined similarity condition for the predetermined information (temperature, humidity, etc.) collected by the sensor 6 in one target control period Tb (target control period Tb).Then, the power saving control device 1 reads out from the measurement record database 21 a plurality of power saving amounts S in a plurality of past control periods Tb in which the identified plurality of pieces of predetermined information were referenced for power saving control.

[0062] For example, the device 7 is an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and the power-saving control device 1 performs power-saving control in response to information such as the indoor temperature, humidity, and discomfort index. One or more sensors 6 detect the temperature, humidity, and the like of the room in which the indoor unit of the air conditioner is installed, and transmit the detected temperature, humidity, and the like as predetermined information to the power-saving control device 1. In this case, the power-saving control device 1 searches and identifies records of temperature, humidity, and the like that fall within a predetermined similarity range for the temperature, humidity, and the like detected by the sensor 6 during the target control period Tb in the measurement record database 21. The power-saving control device 1 then reads out from the measurement record database 21 the amount of power saved S during the past control period Tb in which the identified temperature, humidity, and the like were referenced for power-saving control.

[0063] ST215: The power saving control device 1 sets a normal range of the power saving amount S in the target control period Tb based on the multiple power saving amounts S in the multiple past control periods Tb read out in step ST210. For example, the power saving control device 1 may set the normal range to a range (ES±W) having a predetermined width 2W centered on the average value ES of the multiple power saving amounts S read out in step ST210. The width W may be set to a predetermined percentage (such as 10%) of the average value ES, for example, or may be set based on the variance, standard deviation, etc. of the multiple power saving amounts S read out.

[0064] ST220: When the power saving amount S calculated in step ST205 according to the difference (Ae-B) between the uncontrolled power amount Ae and the controlled power amount B deviates from the above-mentioned normal range, the power saving control device 1 corrects the power saving amount calculated in step ST205 according to the multiple power saving amounts S read out in step ST210. For example, the power saving control device 1 may set the above-mentioned average value ES as the corrected power saving amount S.

[0065] ST225: When the power saving control device 1 corrects the amount of power saving S calculated in step ST205 in step ST220, the power saving control device 1 records the corrected amount of power saving in the measurement record database 21. On the other hand, when the power saving control device 1 does not correct the amount of power saving in step ST220, the power saving control device 1 records the amount of power saving S calculated in step ST205 in the measurement record database 21.

[0066] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of amounts of power saved S in a plurality of past control periods Tb in which predetermined information similar to that collected by the sensor 6 in the target control period Tb was collected are read from the measurement record database 21, and a normal range of the amount of power saved S in the target control period Tb is set based on the read amounts of power saved S. When the amount of power saved S in the target control period Tb calculated according to the difference between the non-controlled power amount Ae and the controlled power amount B deviates from the set normal range, the calculated amount of power saved S is corrected according to the plurality of amounts of power saved S that have been read. This makes it possible to avoid a large error in the estimation result of the amount of power saved S due to irregular measurement errors or the like.

[0067] (Modification) Next, a modified example of the correction process of the power saving amount S according to the second embodiment will be described. In the embodiment described above, the amount of power saved S of the target control period Tb is corrected in accordance with the amount of power saved S of a past control period Tb in which similar predetermined information was collected by the sensor 6. In this modified example, the amount of power saved S of the target control period Tb is corrected in accordance with the amount of power saved S of a past control period Tb in which the content of the power saving control was similar.

[0068] Fig. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a modified example of a process for correcting the amount of saved power in the method for estimating the amount of saved power according to the second embodiment. The flowchart shown in Fig. 6 is obtained by replacing step ST210 in the flowchart shown in Fig. 5 with step ST210A, and other processes are the same as those in the flowchart shown in Fig. 5. Here, the process of step ST210 will be explained.

[0069] ST210A The power saving control device 1 identifies, in the control content record database 22, a plurality of pieces of control content information that satisfy a predetermined similarity condition for the content of power saving control of the device 7 performed in one target control period Tb (target control period Tb). Then, the power saving control device 1 reads, from the measurement record database 21, a plurality of amounts of power saving S in a plurality of past control periods Tb that correspond to the plurality of pieces of control content information identified.

[0070] For example, the device 7 is an outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and the power saving control device 1 performs power saving control by repeating a period (operation stop period) in which a predetermined operation of the outdoor unit (e.g., compressor operation) is stopped for a unit time. The control content information includes the number of operation stop periods (number of operation stoppages) within the control period Tb. In this case, the power saving control device 1 searches and identifies, in the control content record database 22, control content information indicating the number of operation stoppages that falls within a predetermined similarity range with respect to the number of operation stoppages in the target control period Tb. Then, the power saving control device 1 reads out from the measurement record database 21 the amount of power saved S in the past control period Tb that corresponds to the identified control content information.

[0071] In another example, the sensor 6 detects the CO2 concentration in the room, and if the detected CO2 concentration is lower than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 1000 ppm), it is expected that the number of people in the room is small, so the power-saving control device 1 performs power-saving control by reducing the ventilation capacity of the outdoor unit to lower the ventilation volume. The control content information includes information indicating whether or not the above-mentioned ventilation capacity reduction control has been performed within the control period Tb. In this case, if the ventilation capacity reduction control has been performed during the target control period Tb, the power-saving control device 1 searches and identifies the control content information indicating that the ventilation capacity reduction control has been performed in the control content record database 22. Then, the power-saving control device 1 reads out the power saving amount S during the past control period Tb corresponding to the identified control content information from the measurement record database 21.

[0072] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of power-saving amounts S in a plurality of past control periods Tb in which power-saving control similar to that in the target control period Tb was performed are read from the measurement record database 21, and a normal range of the power-saving amount S in the target control period Tb is set based on the read power-saving amounts S. If the power-saving amount S in the target control period Tb calculated according to the difference between the non-controlled power amount Ae and the controlled power amount B deviates from the set normal range, the calculated power-saving amount S is corrected according to the read power-saving amounts S. This makes it possible to avoid a large error in the estimation result of the power-saving amount S due to irregular measurement errors or the like.

[0073] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but includes various variations.

[0074] The acquisition of measurement values ​​(ST100, ST105) and the estimation of the amount of power saved S (ST110) in the flowchart shown in FIG. 3A may be performed in parallel in real time, or the acquisition of measurement values ​​for a certain period (ST100, ST105) may be followed by the estimation of the amount of power saved S for that period (ST100) all at once.

[0075] The power-saving control device 1 may estimate the amount of power saved S (ST110) every time a measurement value is acquired (ST100, ST105), and may display information on power saving corresponding to the estimation result (the amount of power saved S for each target control period Tb, the integrated value of the amount of power saved S from a predetermined point in time, etc.) on the display device every time the amount of power saved S is estimated. This allows the amount of power saved S to be visualized in real time, thereby improving awareness of power saving.

[0076] A part of the processing executed by the power saving control device 1 described above may be executed by another device (server device, terminal device, etc.). In this case, it can be said that the processing is executed as a device that executes the power saving amount estimation method according to the present embodiment by a plurality of computers (computer systems) in the power saving control device 1 and the other device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1...power saving control device, 11...communication unit, 12...storage unit, 121...program, 13...processing unit, 101...power saving control unit, 102...power saving amount estimation unit, 2...storage device 2, 21...measurement record database, 22...control content record database, 3...administrator terminal device, 4...device operation device, 5...power measuring device, 6...sensor, 7...device, 9...communication network

Claims

1. A method performed by a device for estimating power saving, comprising: the power saving amount is an amount of power saved by power saving control that saves power supplied to a device, a non-control period during which the power saving control is stopped and a control period during which the power saving control is performed are alternately repeated; a first measurement value acquisition step of acquiring a first measurement value of an amount of uncontrolled power, which is an amount of power supplied to the device in a state in which the power saving control is stopped, for each of the non-control periods that are periodically repeated; a second measurement value acquisition step of acquiring a second measurement value of a control amount of power, which is an amount of power supplied to the device in a state in which the power saving control is performed, for each of the periodically repeated control periods; and estimating the amount of power saving for each of the periodically repeated control periods, The estimation step of estimating the power saving amount for one of the control periods includes: calculating the amount of power saving according to a difference between the non-controlled power amount of one control period estimated based on one or more of the first measurement values ​​acquired for one or a series of a plurality of the non-controlled periods including at least one of the non-controlled periods immediately before and after the one control period, and the controlled power amount indicated by the second measurement value acquired for the one control period; method.

2. The estimation step of estimating the power saving amount for one of the control periods includes: Calculating the uncontrolled power amount in the one control period according to a product of the first measurement value acquired in the non-control period immediately before or after the one control period and a ratio of the control period to the non-control period; calculating the amount of saved power according to a difference between the calculated amount of uncontrolled power and the amount of controlled power indicated by the second measurement value acquired for the one control period; The method of claim 1.

3. The estimation step of estimating the power saving amount for one of the control periods includes: calculating the amount of uncontrolled power during the one control period according to a product of an average value of a predetermined number of the first measurement values ​​acquired during a series of a predetermined number of the non-control periods including at least one of the non-control periods immediately before and after the one control period and a ratio of the control period to the non-control period; calculating the amount of saved power according to a difference between the calculated amount of uncontrolled power and the amount of controlled power indicated by the second measurement value acquired for the one control period; The method of claim 1.

4. The estimation step of estimating the power saving amount for one of the control periods includes: calculating the amount of uncontrolled power in the one control period according to a product of a weighted average value of a predetermined number of the first measurement values ​​acquired for a series of a predetermined number of the non-control periods including at least one of the non-control periods immediately before and after the one control period, the weighting being smaller for the first measurement values ​​in the non-control periods farther from the one control period, and a ratio of the control period to the non-control period; calculating the amount of saved power according to a difference between the calculated amount of uncontrolled power and the amount of controlled power indicated by the second measurement value acquired for the one control period; The method of claim 1.

5. the device that estimates the power savings has access to a storage device; The power saving control includes controlling the device in response to predetermined information collected by a sensor; The storage device includes: The predetermined information referred to in the power saving control in each of the control periods; the power saving amount estimated for each of the control periods; Remember, The estimation step of estimating the power saving amount for one of the control periods includes: Identifying in the storage device a plurality of pieces of predetermined information that satisfy a predetermined similarity condition for the predetermined information collected by the sensor during the one control period, and reading from the storage device a plurality of the amounts of power saving during a plurality of past control periods during which the plurality of pieces of predetermined information were referenced for the power saving control; setting a normal range of the amount of power saving in the one control period based on the plurality of amounts of power saving that have been read; When the power saving amount calculated according to the difference between the uncontrolled power amount and the controlled power amount deviates from the normal range, correcting the calculated power saving amount according to the plurality of read power saving amounts; storing the corrected amount of power saving in the storage device when the calculated amount of power saving is corrected, and storing the calculated amount of power saving in the storage device when the correction is not performed; Including, The method of claim 1.

6. the device that estimates the power savings has access to a storage device; The storage device includes: Control content information regarding the content of the power saving control during each of the control periods; the power saving amount estimated for each of the control periods; Remember, The estimation step of estimating the power saving amount for one of the control periods includes: Identifying, in the storage device, a plurality of pieces of control content information that satisfy a predetermined similarity condition with the content of the power-saving control in the one control period, and reading, from the storage device, a plurality of pieces of power-saving amounts in a plurality of past control periods that correspond to the plurality of pieces of control content information identified; setting a normal range of the amount of power saving in the one control period based on the plurality of amounts of power saving that have been read; When the power saving amount calculated according to the difference between the uncontrolled power amount and the controlled power amount deviates from the normal range, correcting the calculated power saving amount according to the plurality of read power saving amounts; storing the corrected amount of power saving in the storage device when the calculated amount of power saving is corrected, and storing the calculated amount of power saving in the storage device when the correction is not performed; Including, The method of claim 1.

7. A program including instructions to be executed by a device for estimating an amount of power saving, the power saving amount is an amount of power saved by power saving control that saves power supplied to a device, a non-control period during which the power saving control is stopped and a control period during which the power saving control is performed are alternately repeated, The process performed by the device in accordance with the instructions includes each step of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. program.

8. A device for estimating power saving amount, comprising: the power saving amount is an amount of power saved by power saving control that saves power supplied to a device, a non-control period during which the power saving control is stopped and a control period during which the power saving control is performed are alternately repeated, A processing section; a memory unit that stores instructions to be executed by the processing unit; The processing performed by the processing unit in accordance with the instructions includes each step of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Device.

9. A device for estimating power saving amount, comprising: the power saving amount is an amount of power saved by power saving control that saves power supplied to a device, a non-control period during which the power saving control is stopped and a control period during which the power saving control is performed are alternately repeated, The present invention is provided with a means for carrying out each step of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Device.

10. 1. A power saving system, comprising: a power saving control unit that performs power saving control to save power supplied to the device; a power saving amount estimation unit that estimates a power saving amount that is an amount of power saved by the power saving control, the power-saving control unit alternately repeats a non-control period during which the power-saving control is stopped and a control period during which the power-saving control is performed, The power saving amount estimation unit performs each step of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Energy saving system.

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