Method, Information Processing Apparatus, and Program

Abstract

To improve a technology for adjusting power supply and demand in a target area.SOLUTION: A method executed by an information processing apparatus 10 includes: acquiring power supply and demand prediction information in a target area; determining a sleep schedule of an occupant in the target area so that a target period and a sleep period at least partially overlap based on health information of the occupant when the target period in which power supply and demand in the target area are predicted to be tight is detected based on the supply and demand prediction information; and notifying the occupant of a message proposing the sleep schedule.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method, an information processing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a technique for adjusting power supply and demand in a target area using a CEMS (Community Energy Management System) is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power management device that requests a power usage suppression request to a consumer's home belonging to a specific consumer group during a time period when power consumption reduction is required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, simply requesting a power usage suppression request to a consumer may not be able to give the consumer sufficient motivation to respond to the request. Thus, there is room for improvement in the technique for adjusting power supply and demand in the target area.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technique for adjusting power supply and demand in the target area.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a method executed by an information processing apparatus, acquiring power supply and demand prediction information in a target area, When a target period in which power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand prediction information, the residents in the target area when the time from the first time of waking up from sleep last to the second time included in the target period is equal to or greater than the first threshold value , determine the sleep plan of the resident so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially, and notify the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan.

[0007] An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an information processing apparatus including a control unit, the control unit acquires supply and demand prediction information of electric power in a target area, When a target period in which power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand prediction information, the residents in the target area when the time from the first time of waking up from sleep last to the second time included in the target period is equal to or greater than the first threshold value , determine the sleep plan of the resident so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially, and notify the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan.

[0008] A program according to an embodiment of the present disclosure acquires supply and demand prediction information of electric power in a target area, When a target period in which power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand prediction information, the residents in the target area when the time from the first time of waking up from sleep last to the second time included in the target period is equal to or greater than the first threshold value , determine the sleep plan of the resident so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially, and notify the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan and causes a computer to execute operations including this.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the technology for adjusting power supply and demand in a target area is improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] (Outline of Embodiment) With reference to FIG. 1, an outline of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The system 1 includes an information processing apparatus 10 and a plurality of terminal devices 20. The information processing apparatus 10 and each terminal device 20 can communicate with each other via a network 30 such as the Internet, for example.

[0013] The information processing apparatus 10 is a computer such as a server or a PC (Personal Computer), for example. In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 may be communicable with a CEMS (Community Energy Management System) that performs power control in a desired target area, or may constitute part or all of the CEMS. Typically, the CMES accumulates past supply and demand information of power in the target area, and predicts future power supply and demand in the target area from the accumulated information. Further, the CEMS performs power control to adjust the demand power and / or the supply power in order to maintain a sound balance of the power supply and demand in the target area.

[0014] For example, when it is predicted that the required power exceeds the supplied power, the CEMS may perform a demand response to call on the residents and / or businesses in the target area to save electricity, or may additionally supply power from the energy storage device provided in the target area. Also, for example, when it is predicted that the supplied power exceeds the required power, the CEMS may reduce the supplied power purchased from the power generation company, or may use the surplus supplied power to charge the energy storage device provided in the target area. However, the content of the power control in the target area executed by the CEMS is not limited to these examples.

[0015] The terminal device 20 is a computer such as a PC, smartphone, tablet terminal, smart speaker, smart display, or wearable terminal. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 20 is used by the residents in the target area.

[0016] First, the outline of the present embodiment will be described, and the details will be described later. The information processing device 10 acquires power supply and demand prediction information in the target area. When a target period in which power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand prediction information, the information processing device 10 determines the sleep plan of the resident such that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially based on the health information of the resident in the target area. Then, the information processing device 10 notifies the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan.

[0017] According to this embodiment, a sleep plan is proposed to the resident such that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least in part. Here, the period during which the resident is in a sleeping state has a high probability of having a lower power demand of the resident compared to the period during which the resident is in an awake state. According to this embodiment, the probability that the resident sleeps increases in at least part of the target period predicted to have a tight power supply and demand in the target area, and as a result, the power demand in the target period can be reduced. Also, according to this embodiment, since the sleep plan is determined and proposed based on the health information of the resident, for example, by proposing a sleep plan to a resident with a relatively long continuous wake time, the probability that the resident accepts the proposal can be improved. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the technology for adjusting the power supply and demand in the target area is improved in that it can reduce the power demand in the target period while improving the probability that the resident accepts the proposal.

[0018] (Configuration of Information Processing Device) Referring to FIG. 2, each component included in the information processing device 10 will be described in detail. The information processing device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 13.

[0019] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to a network 30 such as the Internet. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a mobile communication standard such as 4G (4th Generation) or 5G (5th Generation), a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard, or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited thereto and may correspond to any communication standard.

[0020] The storage unit 12 includes one or more memories. The memory is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, etc., but is not limited thereto. Each memory included in the storage unit 12 may function as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores any information used for the operation of the information processing device 10. For example, the storage unit 12 may store a system program and an application program, etc.

[0021] The control unit 13 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or a combination thereof. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing, but is not limited thereto. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited thereto. The control unit 13 controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 10.

[0022] (Operation of the information processing apparatus) With reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the information processing apparatus 10 will be described.

[0023] Step S100: The control unit 13 of the information processing apparatus 10 acquires power supply and demand prediction information in the target area.

[0024] "Power supply and demand prediction information" is information including predicted values of power supply and demand in a certain future period (i.e., predicted values of demand power and supply power). Any method can be adopted to obtain the power supply and demand prediction information. For example, the control unit 13 may obtain the power supply and demand prediction information from the CEMS of the target area via the communication unit 11 and the network 30. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may store the past power supply and demand information (i.e., the actual values of demand power and supply power) in the target area in the storage unit 12. Then, the control unit 13 may determine the predicted value of the future power supply and demand in the target area from the past power supply and demand information stored in the storage unit 12 by, for example, AI (Artificial Intelligence) or a predetermined algorithm. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may obtain the total of the demand power indicated in the demand plans of each consumer in the target area as the predicted value of the demand power. Further, the control unit 13 may obtain the total of the supply power indicated in the power generation plans of each power generation facility supplying power to the target area as the predicted value of the supply power.

[0025] Step S101: Based on the power supply and demand prediction information obtained in step S100, the control unit 13 determines whether a future period (hereinafter also referred to as the "target period") in which power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected. If it is determined that the target period is detected (step S101-Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if it is determined that the target period is not detected (step S101-No), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0026] Any method can be adopted to detect the target period. For example, in the demand prediction information, when there is a period in which the ratio of the predicted value of the demand power to the predicted value of the supply power is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 1), the control unit 13 detects the period as the target period.

[0027] Step S102: If it is determined in step S101 that the target period is detected (step S101-Yes), the control unit 13 obtains the health information of the residents in the target area.

[0028] "Health information" includes any information related to the health of residents. In this embodiment, the health information of a resident in a waking state includes information indicating the time when the resident last woke up from sleep (hereinafter also referred to as the first time). Note that the health information of a resident in a sleeping state may not include information indicating the first time.

[0029] Any method can be adopted to obtain health information. For example, the information processing device 10 may obtain health information from the resident's terminal device 20. Here, it will be described as if the health information of a resident in a waking state is obtained. Specifically, the resident's terminal device 20 monitors whether the resident is in a sleeping state or a waking state, for example, using a biosensor and a vibration sensor mounted on the device itself. When the resident is in a waking state, the terminal device 20 transmits information indicating the first time when the resident last woke up from sleep to the information processing device 10 via the network 30. The control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 obtains the information indicating the first time received from the terminal device 20 via the network 30 and the communication unit 11 as health information.

[0030] Step S103: The control unit 13 determines whether the resident meets the condition based on the health information obtained in step S102. If it is determined that the resident meets the condition (step S103 - Yes), the process proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if it is determined that the resident does not meet the condition (step S103 - No), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0031] In this embodiment, the "condition" is the condition that the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or greater than the first threshold value th1. The "second time" is, for example, any time (e.g., the start time of the target period) included in the target period detected in step S101. Also, the "time from the first time to the second time" means the continuous waking time of the resident at the time of the second time, assuming that the resident stays awake without sleeping from the first time to the second time.

[0032] In other words, in step S103, when it is assumed that the resident stays awake without sleeping from the first time to the second time, if the continuous wake-up time at the second time becomes relatively long (that is, when the continuous wake-up time is equal to or greater than the first threshold th1), the resident is determined to meet the condition. On the other hand, if the continuous wake-up time at the second time becomes relatively short (that is, when the continuous wake-up time is less than the first threshold th1), the resident is determined not to meet the condition.

[0033] Step S104: When it is determined in step S103 that the resident meets the condition (step S103 - Yes), the control unit 13 determines the sleep plan of the resident so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially.

[0034] Step S105: The control unit 13 notifies the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan determined in step S104.

[0035] Specifically, the control unit 13 transmits the message to the terminal device 20 of the resident via the communication unit 11 and the network 30.

[0036] Step S106: The control unit 13 determines whether the resident has accepted the proposed sleep plan. When it is determined that the resident has accepted the proposal (step S106 - Yes), the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, when it is determined that the resident has not accepted the proposal (step S106 - No), the process proceeds to step S108.

[0037] Specifically, the resident inputs to the terminal device 20 an answer as to whether to accept the proposed sleep plan. The terminal device 20 transmits information indicating the answer input by the resident to the information processing device 10. Then, when the control unit 13 of the information processing device 10 receives information indicating that the resident accepts the proposal from the terminal device 20, it determines that the resident has accepted the proposal. On the other hand, when the control unit 13 receives information indicating that the resident does not accept the proposal from the terminal device 20, or when it cannot receive information indicating an answer from the terminal device 20 even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the message notification, it determines that the resident has not accepted the proposal.

[0038] Step S107: When it is determined in step S106 that the resident has accepted the proposal (step S106 - Yes), the control unit 13 corrects the supply - demand prediction information.

[0039] As described above, the sleep period shown in the sleep plan overlaps with the target period at least in part. Therefore, when the resident sleeps according to the sleep plan, the demand power in the target area for at least part of the target period can be reduced. In contrast, the control unit 13 corrects the supply - demand prediction information so as to reduce the demand power in the target area during the sleep period shown in the sleep plan. When correcting the supply - demand prediction information, the reduction amount of the demand power may be predetermined as a specified value. Alternatively, the control unit 13 may calculate the difference between the demand power when the resident is awake and the demand power when the resident is asleep from the past actual values of the resident's demand power, and use this difference as the reduction amount of the demand power.

[0040] Note that steps S102 to S107 described above may be executed for some or all of the residents in the target area.

[0041] Step S108: The control unit 13 performs power control of the target area based on the supply - demand prediction information.

[0042] For power control based on the demand prediction information, any method can be adopted. For example, the target period indicated in the supply-demand prediction information is likely to have a tight power supply-demand situation. In contrast, the control unit 13 may increase, for example, the supply power from resources such as a storage battery installed in the target area only within the target period. Also, for example, the control unit 13 may request a demand response from the consumers in the target area to reduce the demand power within the target period. In this embodiment, power control of the target area can be implemented based on the supply-demand prediction information corrected in step S107. By correcting the supply-demand prediction information, the demand power in the target period can be reduced as described above.

[0043] As described above, the information processing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment acquires supply-demand prediction information of electric power in the target area. When the information processing apparatus 10 detects, based on the supply-demand prediction information, a target period in which the power supply-demand in the target area is predicted to be tight, the information processing apparatus 10 determines the sleep plan of the resident so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially based on the health information of the resident in the target area. Then, the information processing apparatus 10 notifies the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan.

[0044] According to such a configuration, as described above, the technology for adjusting the power supply-demand in the target area is improved in that the demand power in the target period can be reduced while improving the probability that the resident will accept the proposal of the sleep plan.

[0045] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions etc. included in each component or each step etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and it is possible to combine a plurality of components or steps etc. into one or to divide them.

[0046] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an embodiment in which the configuration and operation of the information processing apparatus 10 are distributed among a plurality of computers capable of communicating with each other is also possible. Also, for example, an embodiment in which the above-described step S103 is omitted and no conditions are set for the residents who determine and propose the sleep plan is also possible.

[0047] Also, in the above-described embodiment, for residents who satisfy the condition that the time from the first time when waking up from sleep to the second time included in the target period (that is, the continuous wake-up time at the time of the second time) is equal to or greater than the first threshold value th1, the sleep plan is determined so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially. Here, an embodiment in which the start time of the sleep period is determined according to the length of the time from the first time to the second time is also possible. For example, when the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or greater than the second threshold value th2 that is longer than the first threshold value th1, the control unit 13 of the information processing apparatus 10 may determine the sleep plan so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially and the start time of the sleep period is earlier than the start time of the target period. On the other hand, when the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or greater than the first threshold value th1 and less than the second threshold value th2, the control unit 13 may determine the sleep plan so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially and the start time of the sleep period is after the start time of the target period. According to such a configuration, for residents whose continuous wake-up time at the time of the second time is equal to or greater than the second threshold value th2, earlier bedtime is promoted compared to residents whose continuous wake-up time is equal to or greater than the first threshold value th1 and less than the second threshold value th2, so the health of the residents can be maintained or improved.

[0048] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the health information of a resident in the waking state includes information indicating the first time when the resident last woke up from sleep. However, the health information is not limited to this example. For example, an embodiment in which the health information of a resident further includes information indicating the average sleep time or total sleep time of the resident over a past predetermined period is also possible. For example, when determining the sleep plan, the control unit 13 of the information processing apparatus 10 may determine the length of the sleep period related to the sleep plan based on the average sleep time or total sleep time. For example, the shorter the average sleep time or total sleep time is, the longer the control unit 13 makes the sleep period. According to such a configuration, for a resident with insufficient sleep, ensuring a relatively long sleep time is promoted, so the health of the resident can be maintained or improved.

[0049] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the health information of a resident in the waking state includes information indicating the first time when the resident last woke up from sleep. And in step S103, it is determined whether the resident satisfies the condition that the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or greater than the first threshold value th1. However, the health information of the resident and the condition of the resident determined in step S103 are not limited to this example. For example, an embodiment in which the health information of a resident includes information indicating the average sleep time or total sleep time of the resident over a past predetermined period instead of the information indicating the first time is also possible. For example, in the above-described step S103, the control unit 13 of the information processing apparatus 10 may determine whether the resident satisfies the condition that the average sleep time or total sleep time is less than a predetermined threshold value. According to such a configuration, since a sleep plan is proposed for a resident with insufficient sleep, similar to the above-described embodiment, the probability that the resident accepts the proposal can be improved while reducing the required power during the target period.

[0050] Further, for example, an embodiment in which a general-purpose computer functions as the information processing apparatus 10 according to the above-described embodiment is also possible. Specifically, a program describing the processing contents for realizing each function of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of a general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor or a non-temporary computer-readable medium storing the program.

[0051] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be exemplified below. However, note that the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to these. [Appendix 1] A method executed by an information processing apparatus, comprising: acquiring power supply and demand prediction information in a target area; when a target period in which power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand prediction information, determining a sleep plan of the residents such that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially based on the health information of the residents in the target area; and notifying the residents of a message proposing the sleep plan. A method comprising the above. [Appendix 2] The method according to Appendix 1, wherein the health information includes information indicating an average sleep time or a total sleep time of the residents in a past predetermined period, the method further includes determining a length of the sleep period based on the average sleep time or the total sleep time of the residents when the target period is detected. [Appendix 3] The method according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the health information includes information indicating a first time when the resident last woke up from sleep, the information processing apparatus determines the sleep plan when a time from the first time to a second time included in the target period is equal to or greater than a first threshold. [Appendix 4] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, wherein when the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or longer than a second threshold value that is longer than the first threshold value, the sleep plan is determined such that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially, and the start time of the sleep period is earlier than the start time of the target period. [Supplementary Note 5] The method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein when the resident approves the proposal of the sleep plan, the supply-demand prediction information is corrected so as to reduce the power demand during the sleep period, and power control of the target area is performed based on the corrected supply-demand prediction information is further included. [Supplementary Note 6] An information processing apparatus including a control unit, wherein the control unit acquires supply-demand prediction information of electric power in a target area, when a target period predicted to have a tight power supply and demand in the target area is detected based on the supply-demand prediction information, determines a sleep plan of the resident such that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially based on the health information of the resident in the target area, and notifies the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan. [Supplementary Note 7] acquiring supply-demand prediction information of electric power in a target area, when a target period predicted to have a tight power supply and demand in the target area is detected based on the supply-demand prediction information, determining a sleep plan of the resident such that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially based on the health information of the resident in the target area, and notifying the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan is a program that causes a computer to execute operations including.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0052] 1 System 10 Information processing apparatus 11 Communication unit 12 Memory unit 13 Control unit 20 Terminal device 30 Network

Claims

1. A method executed by an information processing apparatus, comprising: acquiring power supply and demand prediction information in a target area; when a target period in which power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand prediction information, if the time from a first time when a resident in the target area last woke up from sleep to a second time included in the target period is equal to or longer than a first threshold, determining a sleep plan for the resident such that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially; and notifying the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan. A method comprising the above.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: when the target period is detected, determining the length of the sleep period based on the average sleep time or total sleep time of the resident in a past predetermined period.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: when the time from the first time to the second time is equal to or longer than a second threshold that is longer than the first threshold, the information processing apparatus determines the sleep plan such that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially and the start time of the sleep period is earlier than the start time of the target period.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: when the resident accepts the proposal of the sleep plan, modifying the supply and demand prediction information so as to reduce the power demand during the sleep period; and performing power control in the target area based on the modified supply and demand prediction information. A method further comprising the above.

5. An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit, wherein: the control unit: acquires power supply and demand prediction information in a target area; when a target period in which power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand prediction information, if the time from a first time when a resident in the target area last woke up from sleep to a second time included in the target period is equal to or longer than a first threshold, determines a sleep plan for the resident such that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially; and notifies the resident of a message proposing the sleep plan.

6. Acquiring power supply and demand prediction information in a target area When a target period in which power supply and demand is predicted to be tight in the target area is detected based on the supply and demand prediction information, if the time from the first time when the residents in the target area woke up from sleep to the second time included in the target period is equal to or longer than a first threshold, determining the sleep schedule of the residents so that the target period and the sleep period overlap at least partially, and notifying the resident of a message proposing the sleep schedule A program that causes a computer to execute operations including this.

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