Power supply and demand adjustment system, temperature control device, power supply and demand adjustment method, and program

Abstract

To realize a power load for power supply and demand adjustment that can quickly respond and is available for a long time.SOLUTION: A power supply and demand adjusting system comprises: an instruction unit for transmitting preset temperature pull-down instructions to a facility whose equipment is necessary for being cooled down using an air conditioner when the imbalance between power supply and demand occurs due to an increase of an amount of green power generation; and a temperature setting unit for pulling down the preset temperature of the air conditioner in the facility according to the preset temperature pull-down instructions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to balancing of supply and demand for electricity. [Background technology]

[0002] In commercial power systems, in order to maintain system frequency, it is necessary to always accurately match the total power generation and total demand of the power system. If the balance of supply and demand of electricity is disrupted, fluctuations in electrical frequency and voltage may, in the worst case, lead to a widespread blackout. Generally, supply and demand balancing is adjusted by issuing instructions from a central load dispatching center to thermal power plants and other facilities to increase or decrease their power output.

[0003] Meanwhile, efforts to decarbonize are seeing an increase in the amount of green electricity generated by solar power, wind power, and other sources. However, the amount of electricity generated by green electricity generation is dependent on the weather and therefore fluctuates greatly. This can make balancing supply and demand difficult. In particular, on holidays in the intermediate seasons (spring and autumn) when overall demand is low, solar power generation exceeds demand, causing power companies to stop accepting solar-generated electricity into the power grid. This has led to problems for green electricity companies, who are unable to make effective use of their power generation facilities.

[0004] One prior art technique for solving the above problem is to secure controllable adjusting power loads (e.g., storage batteries) in advance, and connect these power loads when the supply and demand balance is about to be disrupted, thereby maintaining the supply and demand balance. Another technique is to control electric water heaters, mainly for home use, as the controllable adjusting power loads. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-133782 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with conventional technology, the power loads that can respond quickly to fluctuations in supply are extremely limited. For example, storage batteries are expensive and cannot be used if they are already fully charged. On the other hand, with domestic electric water heaters, hot water usage is low during the off-season, so there is a high possibility that the hot water storage tank is already full and has reached its maximum heating temperature, making it impossible to use as a power load.

[0007] That is, in the case of an electric power load with a small upper limit of available electric power, there is a problem in that it is difficult to respond quickly and use it for a long period of time for adjusting the balance of supply and demand.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to provide a technique for realizing a power load for supply and demand balance adjustment that can respond quickly and be used for a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the disclosed technology, when an imbalance between power supply and demand occurs due to an increase in the amount of power generated by green power generation, an instruction unit transmits an instruction to lower the set temperature to a facility that uses an air conditioner to cool the equipment; In accordance with the instruction to lower the set temperature, the set temperature of the air conditioner in the facility is lowered. The set temperature is lowered from a first temperature to a second temperature, and when an instruction to stop lowering the set temperature is issued from the instruction unit, the set temperature is raised in stages from the second temperature to the first temperature. Temperature setting section and An electric power supply and demand adjustment system comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to realize an electric power load for supply and demand balancing that can respond quickly and be used for a long period of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration diagram of an electric power supply and demand control device 100. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an image diagram of a case where a plurality of data centers are controlled by the power supply and demand control device 100. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a server room. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a server room. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration in a data center. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a temperature control device. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the system. [Figure 11] Correlation graph between outside temperature, target power demand increase, and temperature reduction amount [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of changing the set temperature. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0013] For example, in the following description, a data center is used as the power load, but this is just one example. A facility (building) other than a data center may also be used as the power load. The present invention can be applied to any facility as long as it is a "facility that uses air conditioners to cool equipment."

[0014] (Outline of the embodiment) In this embodiment, the cooling power for storing coolness in the building frame of the data center is used as an adjustment power load and is utilized for adjusting the power supply and demand.

[0015] In data centers, server equipment and other facilities are constantly running, so air conditioning is also constantly in use. Furthermore, the building framework is made of concrete, which has a large heat capacity. Therefore, data centers can be used as a power load for adjusting the balance of supply and demand, which can respond quickly and be used for a long period of time. However, the building framework does not have to be made of concrete. The present invention can also be applied to buildings that do not use concrete.

[0016] In this embodiment, a power supply and demand control device 100 (described later) monitors the balance of power supply and demand in the power grid, and if it determines that normal supply and demand adjustments will not be sufficient and that the power supply may exceed the power demand, it instructs the data center to lower the air conditioning temperature. The data center that receives the instruction lowers the air conditioning temperature and stores cold in the building structure. This allows the power demand to increase. At this time, the power demand can be easily adjusted by the degree to which the air conditioning temperature is lowered.

[0017] In addition, since it utilizes the existing cooling equipment installed in the data center, unlike storage batteries, there are no installation costs.Furthermore, unlike electric water heaters, there are fewer restrictions on the maximum amount of hot water storage and the maximum temperature of the hot water storage.

[0018] In this way, balancing the supply and demand of electricity using cold storage in the building framework has the advantages of being inexpensive, having almost no upper limit on electricity use, and being able to respond quickly and for a long time to balancing the supply and demand.

[0019] On the other hand, in the past, green power generation companies such as solar power companies were likely to have their power transmission stopped by power companies when there was an excess supply of electricity. However, with the technology of the present invention, there is a higher chance that they will be able to find a demand source that can respond immediately, and they will be able to sell electricity even at a low price without losing the opportunity to sell electricity due to a power outage.

[0020] Furthermore, in data centers, when there is an excess of electricity supply, cheap electricity can be purchased to store cold energy, and even after the electricity supply and demand is balanced, the stored cold energy can be used to reduce air conditioning power consumption, making this extremely effective in reducing electricity bills.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0022] (Overall composition) Fig. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, there are a power supply and demand control device 100, a thermal power plant 20, a green power plant 30, and a consumer 40. The thermal power plant 20, the green power plant 30, and the consumer 40 are connected to a power grid 60 for transmitting and receiving power. The power supply and demand control device 10 can perform control communication with each of the thermal power plant 20, the green power plant 30, and the consumer 40 via a control network 50. The power supply and demand control device 10 can also monitor the power grid 60 via the control network 50.

[0023] For convenience of illustration, one each of the thermal power plant 20, green power plant 30, and consumer 40 is shown, but in reality, there may be a plurality of each.

[0024] The power grid 60 may be a grid that covers a certain area (e.g., a factory site, a city, town, village, region, etc.), or may be a grid in which multiple power systems are connected by interconnection lines so as to cover multiple areas.

[0025] The power supply and demand control device 100 is a device installed in, for example, a central power control center of an electric power company. The thermal power plant 20 is a power plant that generates electricity by burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. Note that the thermal power plant 20 is described as a representative of power plants other than the green power plant 30. In addition to the thermal power plant 20, power plants other than the green power plant 30 may also include hydroelectric power plants, nuclear power plants, etc.

[0026] The green power plant 30 is a power plant that generates electricity using natural energy such as solar power, wind power, etc. The green power plant 30 may also be called a natural energy power plant.

[0027] The consumers 40 are those who use electricity, such as companies, ordinary households, and public facilities. The consumers 40 also include data centers. In this embodiment, the power supply and demand control device 100 instructs the thermal power plant 20 to adjust its output and instructs the data center to increase the amount of demand (power usage) based on the results of monitoring the power supply and demand.

[0028] Here, the power supply and demand control device 100 monitors the power supply and demand, determines whether the supply and demand are balanced, and also issues instructions (requests) to data centers, etc. However, instructions to data centers, etc. may also be given by a person to someone at the data center, etc., by telephone (or email, etc.).

[0029] (Configuration example of power supply and demand control device 100) 2 shows an example of the configuration of the power supply and demand control device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply and demand control device 100 includes a supply and demand monitoring unit 110, an instruction unit 120, and a data storage unit .

[0030] The supply and demand monitoring unit 110 monitors the system frequency of the power grid 60 and requests the instruction unit 120 to adjust the output of the thermal power plant 20 so that the system frequency becomes a specified value. Note that deviation of the system frequency from the specified value means that the supply and demand are not balanced.

[0031] In addition, if the supply and demand monitoring unit 110 determines that the supply and demand balance cannot be maintained by simply adjusting the output of the thermal power plant 20 to reduce the output due to an increase in the output of the green power plant 30, it requests the instruction unit 120 to instruct the data center to increase demand.

[0032] The instruction unit 120 executes instructions to the thermal power plant 20 and the data center. The data storage unit 130 stores, for example, the addresses of data centers that can issue demand increase instructions (destination addresses of instructions).

[0033] 3 shows an image of the power supply and demand control device 100 instructing and controlling a plurality of data centers to increase demand, etc. When the power supply and demand control device 100 instructs a data center to increase demand, the power supply and demand control device 100 may instruct the data center directly (specifically, the temperature control device 200 described later), or may instruct a terminal of the business operator that operates the data center. "Instructing a data center" includes both of these.

[0034] (Data center configuration example) In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, there are multiple data centers that can issue a demand increase instruction. Here, an example of the configuration of one data center will be described. The other data centers also have a similar configuration.

[0035] Data center buildings are made of reinforced concrete, which has a high cooling capacity. Data centers have one or more server rooms. In the server rooms, most of the information and communication equipment, such as servers, is stored in racks. To prevent breakdowns in the information and communication equipment, it is necessary to take measures against the heat generated by the equipment, and air conditioners are used to cool the equipment.

[0036] Examples of information and communication equipment include communication devices such as exchanges, switches, and routers, as well as servers, computers, patch panels, and patch panel control robots. In this embodiment, a room in which an air conditioner is installed is called a "server room." A "server room" may also be called a "machine room." Information and communication equipment, not limited to servers, is provided in a "server room."

[0037] The server room in this embodiment is assumed to be a typical server room in a data center, and is equipped with approximately three to five air conditioners with a cooling capacity of 40 to 60 kW.

[0038] This section explains the basic structure and air flow of a server room. However, the server room structure explained here is just one example.

[0039] Figure 4 shows an example of the layout of a server room when viewed from above. As shown in Figure 4, the server room is equipped with one or more air conditioners and multiple racks. Generally, a server room has a double floor structure, and the cold air blown in by the air conditioners cools the information and communications equipment mounted in the racks.

[0040] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the air flow in a server room in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, in this example, racks 2 carrying information and communication equipment to be cooled are installed on double floor panels 3 with many small holes. Note that the racks 2 shown in Figure 5 are a collection of multiple shelves (individual racks).

[0041] An air conditioner 1 is installed as shown in the figure. The air conditioner 1 of this embodiment blows out cool air under the double floor in a direction parallel to the front of the rack, which is written as "front of the rack," and parallel to the floor surface.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the cold air 4 output from the air conditioner 1 weakens as it moves away from the air conditioner 1, flows under the double-layered floor, and rises onto the double-layered floor through small holes in the double-layered floor panel as cold air 5. The cold air 5 is then sucked into the front of the rack, cools the information and communications equipment inside the rack 2, and is then discharged from the rear of the rack as high-temperature exhaust air 6. The exhaust air 6 is returned to the air conditioner 1.

[0043] Typically, a server room is equipped with multiple racks2, which are arranged in pairs in parallel with the fronts of the two racks facing each other in order to improve air conditioning efficiency. The space created when the fronts of the two racks face each other is called the cold aisle, and the space created when the backs of the two racks face each other is called the hot aisle.

[0044] (Example of system configuration in a data center) A data center is equipped with a temperature control system. Fig. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a temperature control system in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, this temperature control system includes an air conditioner 1, a temperature control device 200, and a temperature sensor 400, which are connected to a network 300. Data can be transmitted and received between the devices via the network 300.

[0045] The number of air conditioners 1 may be one or more. The number of temperature sensors 400 may also be one or more.

[0046] The air conditioner 1 is a device that sends out cool air. The temperature sensor 400 measures the temperature inside the server room. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the temperature sensor 400 is installed on top of the air conditioner 1 and measures the temperature of the air that the air conditioner 1 draws in.

[0047] The network 300 is, for example, any one or a combination of a LAN, a wireless LAN, the Internet, and a mobile phone network. The temperature control device 200 may be located inside or outside a server room. When the temperature control device 200 is provided outside a server room, the temperature control device 200 may be located inside or outside a data center where the server room is located.

[0048] The air conditioner 1 is controlled so that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 400 becomes the temperature set in the temperature control device 200 (referred to as the "air conditioner set temperature" or "set temperature"). This control function may be provided by the air conditioner 1 itself, the temperature control device 200, or a control device other than the temperature control device 200. Here, it is assumed that the temperature control device 200 performs the control.

[0049] When the temperature control device 200 performs control, for example, the temperature control device 200 periodically acquires the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 400 from the temperature sensor 400, and adjusts the cooling strength of the air conditioner 1, adjusts the amount of cooling airflow output from the air conditioner 1, turns the air conditioner 100 on / off, etc. so that the temperature becomes the set temperature.

[0050] (Configuration example of temperature control device 200) FIG. 7 shows an example configuration of the temperature control device 200. As shown in FIG. 7, the temperature control device 200 includes a temperature setting unit 210, an air conditioner control unit 220, and a data storage unit 230. The temperature setting unit 210 receives a demand increase instruction (such as a request to lower the temperature) from the power supply and demand control device 100 and determines the set temperature of the air conditioner 1 based on that instruction. The air conditioner control unit 220 controls the air conditioner 1 so that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 400 becomes the set temperature. The data storage unit 230 stores information necessary for temperature setting and air conditioner control. For example, the data storage unit 230 stores the range by which the set temperature is changed (e.g., 0.125°C, 0.1°C, etc.), the address for accessing the air conditioner 1 to control it, the relationship between increased demand and the set temperature, etc.

[0051] A system including the instruction unit 120 in the power supply and demand control device 100 and the temperature setting unit 210 in the temperature control device 200 may be called a power supply and demand adjustment system.

[0052] Furthermore, the temperature setting unit 210 can receive, from the network, instructions transmitted from the instruction unit 120 via the network. Furthermore, a person who receives an instruction to increase demand from an electric power company or the like by telephone or the like may input information (e.g., a temperature reduction command, a target demand increase amount) to the temperature setting unit 210.

[0053] (Example of operation) An example of the operation of the system according to this embodiment will be described below in accordance with the procedures of the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

[0054] 8, the supply and demand monitoring unit 110 of the power supply and demand control device 100 determines that an imbalance between power supply and demand (excess supply) has occurred due to an increase in the amount of green power generated, etc. This determination may be a prediction based on weather, etc. that an imbalance between power supply and demand (excess supply) will occur in the near future (for example, four hours from the present time).

[0055] In S2, the supply and demand monitoring unit 110 of the power supply and demand control device 100 determines whether or not it is possible to restore the balance between supply and demand by adjusting the amount of power generated by the thermal power plant 20. If the determination result in S2 is Yes, the process proceeds to S3, where the instruction unit 120 of the power supply and demand control device 100 instructs the thermal power plant 20 to reduce the amount of power generated.

[0056] If the determination result in S2 is No (if it is not expected that the supply and demand balance will be restored by adjusting the power generation amount of the thermal power plant 20), in S4 the instruction unit 120 of the power supply and demand control device 100 notifies each of one or more data centers of a request to lower the air conditioning temperature and a target increase in demand. The control operations at the data centers in the following explanation are the control operations at each data center that receives the request.

[0057] In the data center that receives the request and the target demand increase in S4, the temperature setting unit 210 of the temperature control device 200 determines the temperature reduction range (ΔT) of the set temperature of the air conditioner 1 based on the current outside temperature and the target demand increase in S5.

[0058] Any method may be used to determine the temperature reduction range (ΔT) of the set temperature. For example, the relationship between the outside air temperature, the target demand increase amount, and ΔT may be determined in advance through experimentation, as shown in Fig. 11, and ΔT may be determined using that relationship. Information representing this relationship is stored in the data storage unit 230, and the temperature setting unit 210 reads it from the data storage unit 230 and uses it.

[0059] In the example of Figure 11, for example, if the outside temperature is 27°C and the target demand increase is 120 kWh / 30 minutes, the temperature setting unit 210 determines ΔT = 5°C, that is, to reduce the current cooling setting temperature by 5°C.

[0060] 9, the air conditioner control unit 220 of the temperature control device 200 instructs the air conditioner 1 to set a temperature based on the temperature reduction range determined in S5. The air conditioner 1 performs cooling at that set temperature. As a result, the amount of electricity demand increases and coolness is stored in the building structure of the data center, bringing the electricity supply and demand toward equilibrium.

[0061] The supply and demand monitoring unit 110 in the power supply and demand control device 100 constantly monitors whether the power supply and demand are in balance. If, after a certain time has elapsed since the start of control in S6, the supply and demand monitoring unit 110 of the power supply and demand control device 100 determines that the power supply and demand balance has been restored (Yes in S7), the process proceeds to S8. If, on the other hand, it determines that the power supply and demand balance has not been restored (No in S7), the process returns to S4 and executes the process from S4 again.

[0062] The above "point in time after a certain period of time has elapsed" may be a point in time after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, or a point in time when the temperature has been lowered by a determined temperature reduction amount, or may be some other point in time.

[0063] After the balance between power supply and demand is restored, it is expected that the amount of green power generated will decrease due to factors such as sunset. Therefore, in S8, the supply and demand monitoring unit 110 of the power supply and demand control device 100 determines that an imbalance between power supply and demand (a decrease in supply amount) has occurred. Note that the imbalance between power supply and demand (a decrease in supply amount) in S8 can also be restored by adjusting the output of the thermal power plant 20.

[0064] In S9, the instruction unit 120 of the power supply and demand control device 100 instructs (requests) each data center to stop lowering the set temperature.

[0065] Upon receiving the instruction to stop decreasing the set temperature, the temperature setting unit 210 of the temperature control device 200 gradually raises the set temperature of the air conditioner 1 to return it to the original set temperature in S10 of Fig. 10. At this time, the cold energy stored in the structure of the data center can be used, thereby reducing the air conditioning power consumption.

[0066] When the set temperature of the air conditioner 1 returns to the original set temperature and all the stored cold energy is used, the air conditioner 1 returns to normal operation (S11). The cold energy storage in the building structure ends, and the amount of electricity demand begins to decrease, thereby maintaining and ensuring the balance between electricity supply and demand.

[0067] (Example of temperature control in a data center) As described above, in this embodiment, when an increase in the amount of power generated by green power generation makes it difficult to adjust supply and demand, the data center's air conditioning temperature setting is lowered to increase demand. The green power generated in this situation would have been wasted without being accepted into the power grid in the past. Therefore, the electricity rate for the power used by the data center in response to a request to lower the temperature setting is expected to be cheaper than the normal daytime electricity rate (or free). For example, it is expected to be cheaper than the nighttime electricity rate.

[0068] In this embodiment, the explanation will be given assuming that the electricity rate for the electricity used by the data center due to a request to lower the set temperature is lower than the normal daytime electricity rate. The "electricity used by the data center due to a request to lower the set temperature" may be the total electric power used during the request to lower the set temperature, or may be the increased amount of electric power compared to the electric power used during normal times.

[0069] By storing cold energy in the data center (server room) using inexpensive electricity, the stored cold energy can be used to reduce air conditioning power consumption after a request to stop lowering the set temperature is received (after the electricity rate returns to the normal rate), thereby reducing the overall electricity rate. An example of temperature control that makes it possible to reduce electricity rates in this way is described below. This temperature control is performed by the temperature control device 200.

[0070] Hereinafter, the period from when a request to lower the set temperature is received to when a request to stop lowering the set temperature is received will be referred to as the "temperature lowering period," and the electricity rate during the temperature lowering period will be assumed to be lower than the normal electricity rate. Furthermore, the period outside the temperature lowering period will be referred to as the "normal period."

[0071] In this embodiment, during the temperature reduction period, the data center is cooled by using more electric power than usual at a cheaper electricity rate. When the normal period begins, the set temperature is relaxed, and after the relaxation is completed, the set temperature at the time of relaxation is maintained.

[0072] This type of temperature control allows the air cooled by the cold storage and the building structure (concrete, etc.) to cover to some extent the heat emitted by information and communication equipment during normal hours, thereby reducing power consumption during normal hours when electricity rates are high and, as a result, reducing overall electricity charges.

[0073] In this embodiment, the set temperature is changed in stages both when changing from a high temperature to a low temperature and when changing from a low temperature to a high temperature. However, if the request to lower the temperature is urgent, the set temperature may be lowered all at once when changing from a high temperature to a low temperature, rather than in stages.

[0074] <Operation when the set temperature is lowered> The temperature setting unit 210 of the temperature control device 200 cools the server room in two stages during the set temperature reduction time period. In the first stage of cooling, the temperature setting unit 210 of the temperature control device 200 reduces the set temperature in stages until the reduction amount reaches ΔT. For example, the temperature setting unit 210 of the temperature control device 200 reduces the set temperature by Y°C every X minutes. X is, for example, an arbitrary value in the range of 10 to 30. Y is, for example, an arbitrary value in the range of 0.05 to 0.2.

[0075] For example, when ΔT=3° C., the temperature setting unit 210 of the temperature control device 200 reduces the set temperature by 0.125° C. every 10 minutes, thereby reducing the set temperature by 3° C. in 4 hours.

[0076] In the second stage of cooling, the temperature setting unit 210 of the temperature control device 200 maintains the set temperature lowered in the first stage until a request to stop lowering the set temperature is received.

[0077] When the request to stop lowering the set temperature is received, the temperature setting unit 210 of the temperature control device 200 relaxes the set temperature, that is, performs an operation to raise the set temperature.

[0078] In relaxing the set temperature, the temperature setting unit 210 of the temperature control device 200 raises the set temperature in stages until the temperature increase reaches ΔT. For example, the temperature setting unit 210 of the temperature control device 200 raises the set temperature by B°C every A minutes. A is, for example, an arbitrary value in the range of 10 to 30. B is, for example, an arbitrary value in the range of 0.05 to 0.2.

[0079] As an example, if ΔT=3° C., the temperature control device 200 raises the set temperature by 0.1° C. every 10 minutes, thereby raising the set temperature by 3° C. in 5 hours.

[0080] The relaxation time (the time for gradually increasing the set temperature) is, for example, 5 hours, but may be any time in the range of 4 to 6 hours, or may be any time other than these. After the set temperature is gradually increased, that temperature is maintained.

[0081] <Example of temperature setting change> Figure 12 shows a specific example of changes in the set temperature set by the temperature control device 200. In the case of Figure 12, T1 to T3 are the temperature lowering time periods, during which a low rate applies, and from T3 onwards the normal rate applies. Also, in the case of Figure 12, the normal set temperature is 30°C.

[0082] 12, the first stage of cooling begins at T1, which is the start time of the low-cost rate. Here, the set temperature is lowered by 0.125°C every 10 minutes, thereby lowering the set temperature by 3°C over 4 hours to a set temperature of 27°C. From T2 to T3, the temperature control device 200 maintains the set temperature at 27°C.

[0083] From T3, the temperature control device 200 gradually increases the set temperature. In the example of Fig. 12, the set temperature is increased by 0.1°C every 10 minutes, thereby increasing the set temperature by 3°C over 5 hours to 30°C. Thereafter, the set temperature is maintained at 30°C.

[0084] If the set temperature is lowered rapidly in a short period of time in the first stage of cooling, the power peak of the air conditioner 100 will increase, causing a sudden increase in power consumption, which may reduce the effectiveness of reducing electricity charges. Also, if the time for the first stage of cooling is too long, there is a possibility that the coolness will not be stored sufficiently.

[0085] Furthermore, when the set temperature is increased to 30°C in a short time (for example, one hour), the cooling of the air conditioner 100 is frequently turned on and off, which increases the power peak of the air conditioner 100 and causes a sudden increase in power consumption, reducing the effectiveness of reducing electricity charges. Also, if the set temperature is increased too slowly, there is a possibility that the cold storage will not be effectively utilized.

[0086] By performing the above-described cold storage operation, the effect of reducing electricity charges is greater than when the set temperature is changed rapidly simply in response to a request to lower / stop lowering the set temperature.

[0087] (Example of device hardware configuration) The power supply and demand control device 100 and the temperature control device 200 can both be realized by, for example, causing a computer to execute a program. The computer may be a physical machine or a virtual machine on the cloud.

[0088] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer according to this embodiment. If the computer is a virtual machine, the hardware configuration is a virtual hardware configuration. The computer in Fig. 13 includes a drive device 1000, an auxiliary storage device 1002, a memory device 1003, a CPU 1004, an interface device 1005, a display device 1006, an input device 1007, an output device 1008, and the like, all of which are interconnected via a bus B.

[0089] A program for realizing processing on the computer is provided by a recording medium 1001 such as a CD-ROM or a memory card. When the recording medium 1001 storing the program is set in the drive device 1000, the program is installed from the recording medium 1001 to the auxiliary storage device 1002 via the drive device 1000. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 1001, but may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 1002 stores the installed program as well as necessary files, data, etc.

[0090] The memory device 1003 reads and stores a program from the auxiliary storage device 1002 when an instruction to start the program is received. The CPU 1004 realizes the functions related to the device in accordance with the program stored in the memory device 1003. The interface device 1005 is used as an interface for connecting to a network. The display device 1006 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like according to the program. The input device 1007 is composed of a keyboard, mouse, buttons, a touch panel, or the like, and is used to input various operation instructions. The output device 1008 outputs the results of calculations.

[0091] (Effects of the embodiment) The technology according to the present embodiment allows for quick and low-cost adjustment of power supply and demand, and also allows for effective utilization of power buying and selling opportunities that would otherwise be lost due to the suspension of green power generation.

[0092] Furthermore, data centers use a lot of electricity to cool information and communication equipment such as servers and storage devices, running air conditioning 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which generally results in high electricity bills. However, the technology according to this embodiment has the effect of reducing the electricity bills of data centers.

[0093] (Summary of the embodiment) This specification discloses at least the power supply and demand adjustment system, temperature control device, power supply and demand adjustment method, and program described in the following sections. (Section 1) an instruction unit that transmits an instruction to lower the set temperature to a facility that uses an air conditioner to cool the equipment when an imbalance in power supply and demand occurs due to an increase in the amount of power generated by green power generation; a temperature setting unit that lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner in the facility in accordance with the set temperature lowering instruction; An electricity supply and demand adjustment system equipped with: (Section 2) A temperature control device that controls a set temperature of an air conditioner in a facility that uses an air conditioner to cool equipment, a temperature setting unit that, when an instruction to lower the set temperature is issued due to an imbalance in power supply and demand caused by an increase in the amount of power generated by green power generation, lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner in the facility from a first temperature to a second temperature, and, when an instruction to stop lowering the set temperature is issued, raises the set temperature in stages from the second temperature to the first temperature. A temperature control device comprising: (Section 3) The temperature setting unit determines a decrease in temperature from the first temperature to the second temperature based on an outside air temperature and a target demand increase amount. 3. The temperature control device according to claim 2. (Section 4) When the instruction to lower the set temperature is issued, the temperature setting unit lowers the set temperature in stages from the first temperature to the second temperature. Item 2 or 3. The temperature control device according to item 2 or 3. (Section 5) When the instruction to stop lowering the set temperature is issued, the temperature setting unit raises the set temperature stepwise from the second temperature to the first temperature over a period of time ranging from 4 hours to 6 hours. A temperature control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. (Section 6) A power supply and demand adjustment method executed in a power supply and demand adjustment system including an instruction unit and a temperature setting unit, the instruction unit transmits an instruction to lower the set temperature to a facility that uses an air conditioner to cool the equipment when an imbalance in power supply and demand occurs due to an increase in the amount of power generated by green power generation; The temperature setting unit lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner in the facility in accordance with the set temperature lowering instruction. Electricity supply and demand adjustment method. (Section 7) A program for causing a computer to function as each part of the temperature control device described in any one of paragraphs 2 to 5.

[0094] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 Air conditioner 100 Power supply and demand control device 110 Supply and Demand Monitoring Department 120 Instruction section 130 Data storage unit 200 Temperature Control Device 210 Temperature setting section 220 Air conditioner control unit 230 Data storage unit 300 Network 400 Temperature Sensor 1000 Drive Device 1001 Recording media 1002 Auxiliary storage 1003 Memory device 1004 CPU 1005 Interface device 1006 Display device 1007 Input Device 1008 Output Device

Claims

1. an instruction unit that transmits an instruction to lower the set temperature to a facility that uses an air conditioner to cool the equipment when an imbalance in power supply and demand occurs due to an increase in the amount of power generated by green power generation; a temperature setting unit that lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner in the facility from a first temperature to a second temperature in accordance with the set temperature lowering instruction, and that increases the set temperature in stages from the second temperature to the first temperature when an instruction to stop lowering the set temperature is issued from the instruction unit; An electricity supply and demand adjustment system equipped with:

2. A temperature control device that controls a set temperature of an air conditioner in a facility that uses an air conditioner to cool equipment, a temperature setting unit that, when an instruction to lower the set temperature is issued due to an imbalance in power supply and demand caused by an increase in the amount of power generated by green power generation, lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner in the facility from a first temperature to a second temperature, and, when an instruction to stop lowering the set temperature is issued, raises the set temperature in stages from the second temperature to the first temperature. A temperature control device comprising:

3. The temperature setting unit determines a decrease in temperature from the first temperature to the second temperature based on an outside air temperature and a target demand increase amount. The temperature control device according to claim 2 .

4. When the instruction to lower the set temperature is issued, the temperature setting unit lowers the set temperature in stages from the first temperature to the second temperature. The temperature control device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. When the instruction to stop lowering the set temperature is issued, the temperature setting unit raises the set temperature stepwise from the second temperature to the first temperature over a period of time ranging from 4 hours to 6 hours.

5. The temperature control device according to claim 2.

6. A power supply and demand adjustment method executed in a power supply and demand adjustment system including an instruction unit and a temperature setting unit, the instruction unit transmits an instruction to lower the set temperature to a facility that uses an air conditioner to cool the equipment when an imbalance in power supply and demand occurs due to an increase in the amount of power generated by green power generation; The temperature setting unit lowers the set temperature of the air conditioner in the facility from a first temperature to a second temperature in accordance with the set temperature lowering instruction, and when an instruction to stop lowering the set temperature is issued from the instruction unit, raises the set temperature in stages from the second temperature to the first temperature. Electricity supply and demand adjustment method.

7. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit in the temperature control device according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

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