Control system and control method

Abstract

To keep supply and demand of electricity in balance without using photovoltaic generation and a storage battery.SOLUTION: A control system 1 comprises: a solar water heater 3 that generates hot water using sunlight; a heat source utilization unit 4 that utilizes the hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 as a heat source; an electric power utilization unit 5 that utilizes electric power to achieve the same effect as the effect achieved when the heat source utilization unit 4 operates; and a control unit 6 that controls the supply system of hot water and the amount of hot water to operate the heat source utilization unit 5 using the hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 in place of the electric power utilization unit 5 when electric power shortage occurs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control system and a control method for stabilizing the supply and demand of electricity using a heat source utilization device. [Background technology]

[0002] In demand response control aimed at saving electricity, a technique is known in which, for example, solar power generation is combined with a storage battery, surplus electricity from the solar power generation is stored in the storage battery, and electricity is supplied from the storage battery during times of power shortage, such as at night or in the morning and evening when sunlight cannot be expected, thereby reducing the power consumption of the grid and leveling out the power consumption of the grid. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-89231 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This type of demand response control contributes to stabilizing the supply and demand of electricity by utilizing surplus electricity generated by solar power generation during times of power shortage, but the amount of electricity generated by solar power generation is affected by the time of day and weather, and the power generation efficiency is only 13 to 20%.Furthermore, since storage batteries experience a phenomenon of performance degradation with use, there is also the problem that demand response control using solar power generation and storage batteries must take into account the deterioration status of the storage batteries.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a control system and a control method that stabilizes power supply and demand without using solar power generation and storage batteries. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the control system of the first aspect includes a solar water heater that generates hot water using sunlight, a heat source utilization facility that uses the hot water generated by the solar water heater as a heat source, an electricity utilization facility that uses electricity to obtain the same effect as that obtained when the heat source utilization facility is operated, and a control device that controls the hot water supply system and the amount of hot water so that, when a power shortage situation occurs in which the power reserve rate drops to a predetermined value, the heat source utilization facility is operated using the hot water generated by the solar water heater instead of the power utilization facility.

[0007] The control system of the second aspect is the control system of the first aspect, wherein the heat source utilization equipment is equipment that uses hot water as a heat source to perform at least one of heating and cooling, humidity adjustment, and temperature adjustment of water used for hot water supply, and the power utilization equipment is equipment that uses electricity to perform at least one of heating and cooling, humidity adjustment, and temperature adjustment of water used for hot water supply.

[0008] A control system according to a third aspect is the control system according to the second aspect, wherein the control device, when a power shortage occurs in the summer, stops at least one of the cooling and dehumidifying operations performed by the power utilization equipment, controls the hot water supply system and amount of hot water supplied to the heat source utilization equipment so that the stopped operation is replaced by the heat source utilization equipment, and controls the power utilization equipment to adjust the temperature of the hot water generated by the solar water heater during the summer when there is no power shortage.

[0009] A control system according to a fourth aspect is the control system according to the second aspect, wherein the control device, when a power shortage occurs in winter, stops at least one of the heating and humidifying operations performed by the power utilization equipment, controls the hot water supply system and amount of hot water supplied to the heat source utilization equipment so that the stopped operation is replaced by the heat source utilization equipment, and controls the power utilization equipment to adjust the temperature of the hot water generated by the solar water heater during winter when there is no power shortage.

[0010] A control system according to a fifth aspect is a control system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which the control device estimates whether or not there will be a future power shortage from fluctuations in the market trading price of electricity, and if it is estimated that a power shortage will occur, controls the hot water supply system and the amount of hot water to be supplied to the heat source utilization equipment during the power shortage period using the amount and temperature of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank by the start of the power shortage period, the amount and temperature of hot water generated in the past by the solar water heater, and the amount of hot water used in the past by the heat source utilization equipment, which are each pre-stored in a memory device.

[0011] A control system according to a sixth aspect is the control system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater and the amount of hot water used in the heat source utilization facility are stored in the storage device in association with date and time information and weather information including sunshine hours, temperature, and humidity, and the control device acquires the weather information for the tight period, acquires from the storage device the amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater and the amount of hot water used in the heat source utilization facility that correspond to combinations of the acquired weather information and the date and time of the tight period, and uses the acquired amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater. The amount and temperature of hot water generated by the solar water heater during the tight period is estimated, and the amount of hot water to be used in the heat source utilization equipment during the tight period is estimated using the obtained amount of hot water usage in the heat source utilization equipment, and the hot water supply system and amount of hot water to be supplied to the heat source utilization equipment during the tight period are controlled using the amount and temperature of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank by the start of the tight period, the amount and temperature of hot water estimated to be generated by the solar water heater during the tight period, and the amount of hot water estimated to be used in the heat source utilization equipment during the tight period.

[0012] A control method according to a seventh aspect is a control system including a solar water heater that generates hot water using sunlight, a heat source utilization facility that uses the hot water generated by the solar water heater as a heat source, and an electricity utilization facility that uses electricity to obtain the same effect as when the heat source utilization facility is operating, in which, when a power shortage situation occurs in which the electricity reserve rate drops to a predetermined value, a computer executes a process to control the hot water supply system and the amount of hot water so that the heat source utilization facility is operated using the hot water generated by the solar water heater instead of the electricity utilization facility. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the first and seventh aspects, there is an effect that it is possible to stabilize the supply and demand of electricity without using solar power generation and a storage battery.

[0014] According to the second aspect, there is an effect that the air-conditioned environment obtained by operating the power utilization facility can be realized by the heat source utilization facility that uses the hot water generated by the solar water heater as a heat source.

[0015] According to the third aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to contribute to stabilizing the supply and demand of electricity in the summer.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to contribute to stabilizing the supply and demand of electricity in winter.

[0017] According to the fifth aspect, there is an effect that it is possible to control the heat source utilization equipment in preparation for the occurrence of a tight power supply situation.

[0018] According to the sixth aspect, by using historical information that records weather conditions, hot water production status by a solar water heater, and hot water usage status in association with each other, it is possible to control heat source utilization equipment in preparation for the occurrence of a power shortage situation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a history table. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a main part of an electrical system in the control device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a DR control process performed in summer. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a DR control process performed in winter. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a DR control process in a normal period. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the same components and processes are given the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0021] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control system 1 that performs demand response (DR) control for the purpose of saving electricity. DR control is a method of controlling the amount of electricity consumed at demand facilities in accordance with the amount of supplied electricity in order to adjust the balance (called electricity supply and demand) between the supply electricity provided by an electric power company and the demand electricity consumed at demand facilities of consumers who have signed electricity receiving contracts with the electric power company.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the disclosed control system 1 includes a solar water heater 3, heat source utilization equipment 4, power utilization equipment 5, and control device 6 installed in a customer's building 2, and a remote control server 7 connected to the control device 6 via the Internet 8.

[0023] A consumer's building 2 is a building 2 from which the consumer receives electricity from the electric power company.If the consumer is an individual, the consumer's building 2 would be, for example, the consumer's home or storage shed, and if the consumer is a corporation, the consumer's building 2 would be, for example, a factory, office, or store.

[0024] The solar water heater 3 is a facility that uses the heat of sunlight to raise the temperature of water flowing through pipes installed inside, producing hot water. While the power generation efficiency of general solar power generation, which also uses sunlight to generate electricity, is between 13% and 20%, the heat collection efficiency of the solar water heater 3, which uses the infrared rays contained in sunlight, is around 50%.

[0025] The heat source utilization equipment 4 is equipment that performs at least one of heating and cooling, humidity control, and temperature control of water used for hot water supply by using the hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 as a heat source. The heat source utilization equipment 4 includes, for example, a heat source utilization air conditioner 30, a heating heat exchanger 31, and a hot water supply preheating heat exchanger 32.

[0026] The heat source utilization air conditioner 30 is a heat source utilization facility 4 that performs at least one of air conditioning operations such as cooling, heating, dehumidification, and humidification using hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 as a heat source. Examples of the heat source utilization air conditioner 30 include an absorption chiller / heater and a desiccant air conditioner.

[0027] An absorption chiller / heater is an example of a heat source air conditioner 30 that performs cooling and heating using the heat of vaporization of water.

[0028] A desiccant air conditioner is an example of a heat source air conditioner 30 that performs at least one of cooling, heating, dehumidification, and humidification through heat exchange using a dehumidifying rotor and a sensible heat exchange rotor. In a desiccant air conditioner, outside air is dehumidified by the dehumidifying rotor and becomes dry air before being supplied. Indoor air is heated on the regeneration side and discharged while regenerating the dehumidifying rotor.

[0029] For ease of explanation, it is assumed that an absorption chiller / heater is installed in the customer's building 2 as a representative example of the heat source utilization equipment 4. Therefore, the absorption chiller / heater will be given a reference symbol and represented as "absorption chiller / heater 30A."

[0030] The heating heat exchanger 31 is equipment that transfers the thermal energy of the hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 to another fluid and raises the temperature of that fluid, thereby providing heating. For example, a hot water heating device 31A and a radiator 31B are examples of the heating heat exchanger 31. Strictly speaking, the heating heat exchanger 31 is also an example of the heat-source air conditioner 30, but since it is equipped only with a function specialized for heating, the heating heat exchanger 31 will be described separately from the heat-source air conditioner 30.

[0031] The hot water supply preheating heat exchanger 32 is a facility that preheats the water to be supplied to the solar water heater 3 by exchanging heat energy between the hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 and water newly supplied to the solar water heater 3. If the hot water supply preheating heat exchanger 32 preheats the water, the temperature of the hot water can be increased in a shorter time than if preheating is not performed.

[0032] The indoor temperature and humidity in the building 2, and the temperature and amount of hot water supplied, are referred to as the "environment" in the building 2.

[0033] The power utilization equipment 5 is equipment that uses power supplied from an electric power company to achieve the same effect as that achieved when the heat source utilization equipment 4 is operated. In other words, the power utilization equipment 5 is equipment that uses electric power to perform at least one of the following operations: heating / cooling, humidity control, and temperature control of water used for hot water supply. For example, an air conditioner that compresses a refrigerant with a compressor that uses electric power as its energy source to perform cooling, heating, dehumidification, and humidification, and a heater 26 that heats water using electric power as its energy source are examples of the power utilization equipment 5. Because an air conditioner is a typical example of the power utilization equipment 5, hereinafter, the same reference number as the power utilization equipment 5 will be added to the end of "air conditioner" and referred to as "air conditioner 5."

[0034] The heat source utilization equipment 4 does not use electricity as the main energy source to control the temperature and humidity of the air and water, as does the power utilization equipment 5. Therefore, even if the heat source utilization equipment 4 is operated to create the same environment as the environment of the building 2 created by the power utilization equipment 5, it consumes less power than the power utilization equipment 5.

[0035] The control device 6 is a device that controls the supply system for hot water generated by the solar hot water heater 3 and the amount and temperature of the hot water so that, when a power shortage situation (hereinafter referred to as "power shortage situation") occurs, the heat source utilization facility 4 operates instead of the power utilization facility 5. The occurrence of a power shortage situation means that a situation occurs in which the power reserve margin of the power company falls to a predetermined value (for example, 3%).

[0036] The remote control server 7 is installed, for example, in a monitoring center of an electric power company that monitors the power supply situation, and performs data communication with the control device 6 installed in each customer's building 2. For example, the remote control server 7 notifies the control device 6 of a power shortage alarm that notifies that a power shortage situation has occurred.

[0037] In addition to the control device 6 and the remote control server 7, an external device 9 is also connected to the Internet 8. The external device 9 represents each device that is connected to the Internet 8 and is not included in the control system 1. The external device 9 includes, for example, a file server that stores data used by the remote control server 7, and an information server that provides various information such as weather information and the market trading price of electricity in the wholesale electricity trading market.

[0038] Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the route of the hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 will be described.

[0039] The water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 is supplied to the solar water heater 3 through the flow path R4 by the operation of a heat collection pump 28A provided in the flow path R4.

[0040] The solar water heater 3 heats the supplied water by using infrared rays contained in sunlight. When at least one of the valve 23A and the valve 23B is opened, the solar water heater 3 starts to flow the hot water into the flow path R1.

[0041] When valve 23B is opened, the hot water flowing through flow path R1 is supplied to radiator 31B via flow path R2. Heat is exchanged between the hot water and the air inside building 2 by radiator 31B, thereby heating the inside of building 2.

[0042] The hot water that has lost heat through heat exchange in the radiator 31B returns to water and rejoins the water flowing through flow path R4 to be supplied to the solar water heater 3. An expansion tank 27 is connected to flow path R4 through flow path R12 to suppress a pressure increase in flow path R4 due to the hot water.

[0043] On the other hand, when valve 23A is opened, the hot water flowing through flow path R1 flows into hot water storage tank 25 through flow path R3 and is stored in hot water storage tank 25. Note that hot water storage tank 25 is divided into a storage area that stores water supplied to solar water heater 3 and a hot water storage region that stores hot water generated by solar water heater 3.

[0044] When at least one of the valves 23C and 23D is opened, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 starts to flow into the flow path R5 by the operation of the absorption pump 28B.

[0045] When the valve 23C is opened, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 is supplied to the absorption hot / cold water machine 30A.

[0046] The absorption chiller / heater 30A uses gas to heat hot water and generate steam. The generated steam heats the water in the pipe 33A. The heated hot water is circulated through the pipe 33A by the operation of the circulation pump 34A, and an indoor unit (not shown) attached to the pipe 33A blows out hot air heated by the hot water, thereby heating the inside of the building 2.

[0047] Meanwhile, the generated water vapor is cooled by cooling water circulating through flow path R6, cooling tower 35, flow path R7, and absorption chiller / heater 30A by the operation of cooling water pump 28C, and is returned to water. Note that cooling tower 35 is a device that cools the cooling water heated by water vapor, for example, by heat exchange with outside air.

[0048] The water obtained from the steam is evaporated in an evaporator (not shown), and the heat of vaporization generated during evaporation cools the water in pipe 33A inside the evaporator. The cold water obtained by cooling in the evaporator is circulated through pipe 33A by the operation of circulation pump 34A, and an indoor unit attached to pipe 33A blows out cold air cooled by the cold water, thereby cooling the inside of building 2. The pressure inside the evaporator is adjusted to a near-vacuum pressure (for example, 1 / 100 atmosphere) so that the water can evaporate even at low temperatures. The hot water after heat exchange in absorption chiller / heater 30A is discharged into flow path R9.

[0049] Furthermore, when the valve 23D is opened, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 branches from the flow path R5 to the flow path R8 and is supplied to the hot water heating device 31A.

[0050] Through heat exchange in the hot water heating device 31A, the water in the pipe 33B installed in the building 2 is heated by the hot water, and the heated hot water is circulated through the pipe 33B by the operation of the circulation pump 34B, thereby heating the building 2.

[0051] The hot water after heat exchange by the hot water heating device 31A is discharged into a flow path R10, merges with the discharged water from the absorption chiller / heater 30A flowing through a flow path R9, and is supplied to the hot water supply preheating heat exchanger 32.

[0052] The wastewater from the absorption chiller / heater 30A and the hot water heating system 31A flowing through flow path R9 has had heat removed by heat exchange, but is still at a higher temperature than the water flowing through the water pipes. Therefore, when tap water flowing through pipe 33C is supplied to the hot water supply preheating heat exchanger 32 by the operation of water supply pump 34C, the tap water is heated by heat exchange in the hot water supply preheating heat exchanger 32 using the wastewater. When valve 23E is opened in this state, the preheated tap water is supplied to a hot water supply facility such as a faucet installed in a bathroom, for example.

[0053] On the other hand, the wastewater after heat exchange by the hot water supply preheating heat exchanger 32 is returned to the hot water storage tank 25 through the flow path R11 and is supplied to the solar water heater 3 again through the flow path R4.

[0054] The control panel 36 is electrically connected to the sunshine meter 21, temperature sensors 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, and 22E, valves 23A, 23B, and 23E, heater 26, heat collection pump 28A, absorption pump 28B, and flow meter 29, each of which is an example of a controlled device, and controls each of the controlled devices and acquires information from each of the controlled devices as necessary.

[0055] Sunshine meter 21 measures the illuminance and sunshine hours around solar water heater 3. Temperature sensor 22A measures the temperature of hot water generated by solar water heater 3. Temperature sensor 22B measures the temperature inside control panel 36. Temperature sensor 22C measures the temperature of hot water stored in hot water storage tank 25. Temperature sensor 22D measures the temperature of hot water stored in hot water storage tank 25 from solar water heater 3. Temperature sensor 22E measures the temperature of water supplied to solar water heater 3.

[0056] Valve 23A controls the amount of hot water stored in hot water storage tank 25. Valve 23B controls the amount of hot water supplied to radiator 31B. Valve 23E controls the amount of tap water preheated by hot water supply preheating heat exchanger 32 when it is supplied to the hot water supply equipment.

[0057] The heater 26, under the control of the control panel 36, uses electric power to heat at least one of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 and the stored water. The hot water storage tank 25 is also capable of storing the hot water heated by the heater 26.

[0058] The heat collection pump 28A pumps up water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 and controls the amount of water supplied from the hot water storage tank 25 to the solar water heater 3. The absorption pump 28B pumps up hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 and controls the amount of hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 25 to the heat source utilization facility 4.

[0059] The flow meter 29 measures the flow rate of the hot water flowing through the flow path R3, that is, the amount of hot water produced by the solar water heater 3.

[0060] The control panel 36 controls these controlled devices to generate and store hot water, and by acquiring information from each controlled device, it grasps the status of hot water generation and hot water storage.

[0061] In addition, the status of hot water generation and hot water storage that the control panel 36 grasps also includes the amount and temperature of hot water generated in the past by the solar water heater 3, and the amount of hot water used in the past in the building 2 in which the solar water heater 3 is installed.

[0062] The control device 6 is electrically connected to the control panel 36. By controlling the control panel 36, the control device 6 generates hot water and stores hot water through the control panel 36, and also grasps the status of hot water generation and hot water storage through the control panel 36.

[0063] The control device 6 is electrically connected to the air conditioner 5 and controls the power on / off of the air conditioner 5, switching between heating and cooling, and controlling the set temperature and air volume for heating and cooling.

[0064] Furthermore, the control device 6 is electrically connected to valves 23C, 23D, cooling water pump 28C, circulation pump 34A, circulation pump 34B, and water supply pump 34C, each of which is an example of a controlled device, and controls each of the controlled devices.

[0065] The valve 23C controls the amount of hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 25 to the absorption chiller / heater 30A. The valve 23D controls the amount of hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 25 to the hot water heating device 31A.

[0066] The cooling water pump 28C controls the amount of circulation of cooling water that cools the steam generated by the absorption chiller / heater 30A.

[0067] Circulation pump 34A controls the amount of hot or cold water circulating through pipe 33A. Because the temperature inside building 2 changes depending on the amount of hot or cold water circulating through pipe 33A, it can also be said that circulation pump 34A controls the temperature of heating and cooling by absorption chiller / heater 30A. Circulation pump 34B controls the amount of hot water circulating through pipe 33B. Because the temperature inside building 2 changes depending on the amount of hot water circulating through pipe 33B, it can also be said that circulation pump 34B controls the temperature of heating by hot water heating device 31A. Water supply pump 34C controls the supply amount of tap water to be preheated.

[0068] The control device 6 controls these controlled devices to control air conditioning using the heat source utilization equipment 4 and to control preheating of tap water used for hot water supply.

[0069] Furthermore, the control device 6 generates a history table 40 in which the supply and demand state including the state related to the production and storage of hot water, and information related to the use of the heat source utilization facility 4 is recorded in chronological order.

[0070] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the history table 40. The history table 40 includes at least one piece of history information, and each piece of history information is associated with an ID, date, weather, sunshine hours, time, temperature, humidity, production amount, temperature, and usage amount.

[0071] The ID is an identifier for identifying history information, and is set uniquely for each piece of history information.

[0072] The date indicates the date on which the supply and demand state represented by the history information occurred.

[0073] The weather indicates the weather on the day when the supply and demand state represented by the history information occurred. The weather is set based on meteorological information obtained from the external device 9, for example, but may also be set by the system administrator of the control system 1.

[0074] The sunshine hours represent the sunshine hours around the solar water heater 3 on the day when the supply and demand state represented by the history information occurred. For example, a value measured by a sunshine meter 21 is used as the sunshine hours. If a sunshine meter 21 is not provided, the sunshine hours in the area where the solar water heater 3 is installed may be obtained from an external device 9 and set.

[0075] The time represents a time period of the day represented by the date. In the example of the history table 40, the start time of each time period is set, dividing a day into one-hour increments. That is, "0:00" represents a time period from midnight to just before 1:00. Note that the time period represented by the time is not limited to one-hour increments, and may be any length, such as 10-second increments, 1-minute increments, or 15-minute increments.

[0076] The temperature represents the average temperature for the time period corresponding to each time on the day when the supply and demand state represented by the history information occurred. In addition to or instead of the average temperature, the maximum temperature and the minimum temperature for the time period may be set.

[0077] The humidity represents the average humidity for the time period corresponding to each time on the day when the supply and demand state represented by the history information occurred. In addition to or instead of the average humidity, the maximum humidity and the minimum humidity for the time period may be set.

[0078] The temperature and humidity are set, for example, by obtaining weather information for the area where the solar water heater 3 is installed from an external device 9, but the measurements of a thermometer and hygrometer installed near the solar water heater 3 may also be used.

[0079] The amount of production represents the amount of hot water produced by the solar water heater 3 in the time period corresponding to each time. The amount of hot water produced is, for example, a value measured by the flow meter 29.

[0080] The temperature indicates the temperature of the hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 in the time period corresponding to each time. The temperature of the hot water is, for example, a value measured by the temperature sensor 22A.

[0081] The usage amount indicates the amount of hot water used by the heat source utilization equipment 4 from the hot water storage tank 25 during the time period corresponding to each time. In the example of Figure 2, the usage amount of one heat source utilization equipment 4 is shown, but if there are multiple heat source utilization equipment 4, the usage amount is recorded for each heat source utilization equipment 4.

[0082] The amount of hot water used is calculated using, for example, the pumping force of absorption pump 28B to pump hot water from hot water storage tank 25, or the opening and closing amounts of valves 23C and 23D. Needless to say, a flow meter may be added, and the value measured by the added flow meter may be used as the amount of hot water used in heat source utilization facility 4.

[0083] The control device 6 described above is configured using, for example, a computer 10. FIG.

[0084] The computer 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, which is an example of a processor that performs processing on the control device 6, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 that stores a startup program (Basic Input Output System: BIOS) that performs startup processing on the computer 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 that is used as a temporary work area for the CPU 11, a nonvolatile memory 14, and an input / output interface (I / O) 15. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, nonvolatile memory 14, and I / O 15 are all connected to each other via a bus 16.

[0085] Nonvolatile memory 14 is an example of a storage device that maintains stored information even when power supplied to nonvolatile memory 14 is cut off, and may be, for example, a semiconductor memory or a hard disk. Therefore, nonvolatile memory 14 stores, for example, a control program that causes computer 10 to function as control device 6. Note that nonvolatile memory 14 does not necessarily have to be built into computer 10, and may be a storage device that is detachable from computer 10, such as a memory card.

[0086] To the I / O 15, for example, a communication unit 17, an input unit 18, and an output unit 19 are connected.

[0087] The communication unit 17 is connected to the Internet 8 and has a communication protocol for communicating with the remote control server 7 and the external device 9. The communication unit 17 also has a communication protocol for communicating with the air conditioner 5 and the control panel 36.

[0088] The input unit 18 is a device that receives instructions from the consumer and notifies the CPU 11, and includes, for example, various buttons.

[0089] The output unit 19 is a device that outputs a control signal to an electrically connected controlled device.

[0090] The units connected to the I / O 15 are not limited to the communication unit 17, the input unit 18, and the output unit 19. For example, a display unit that displays various information processed by the CPU 11 may be connected to the I / O 15. As a means for displaying various information in the display unit, a display device such as an LED, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display is used.

[0091] Next, the operation of the control system 1 will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of DR control processing executed by the CPU 11 of the control device 6 when the control device 6 receives a power shortage alarm from the remote control server 7 during the summer. A control program that defines the DR control processing is stored in advance in, for example, the nonvolatile memory 14 of the control device 6. The CPU 11 of the control device 6 reads the control program stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 and executes the DR control processing shown in Fig. 4.

[0092] In this disclosure, the term "summer" refers to a predetermined period during which air conditioning is expected to be used. Specifically, the summer period corresponds to, for example, July to September, but is not limited to this, and the summer period is set according to actual weather conditions. Before the DR control process shown in FIG. 4 is started, it is assumed that the air conditioner 5 is cooling the building 2.

[0093] In step S10, the CPU 11 controls the communication unit 17 to send an operation stop instruction to the air conditioner 5, causing the air conditioner 5 to stop cooling.

[0094] In step S20, the supply system and amount of hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 25 to the heat source utilization equipment 4 are controlled so that cooling is performed by substituting the heat source utilization equipment 4 for the air conditioner 5. As an example, the CPU 11 opens the valve 23C and operates the absorption pump 28B to supply hot water from the hot water storage tank 25 to the absorption chiller / heater 30A, thereby cooling the building 2, and ends the DR control process.

[0095] That is, the CPU 11 stops the operation being performed by the power utilization equipment 5 and controls the hot water supply system and the amount of hot water supplied to the heat source utilization equipment 4 so that the stopped operation is replaced by the heat source utilization equipment 4. When the same operation is performed by the heat source utilization equipment 4 and the power utilization equipment 5, the operation by the power utilization equipment 5 consumes more power than the operation by the heat source utilization equipment 4. Therefore, the power consumption of the entire building 2 in a power-strapped situation can be reduced compared to when the intended operation is performed by the power utilization equipment 5 alone, which can contribute to a reduction in power demand.

[0096] In addition, although it is not an operation that was performed by the power utilization equipment 5, the CPU 11 may also initiate an operation that has the effect of reducing the amount of power consumed by the entire building 2 in a power shortage situation, such as preheating water using the hot water preheating heat exchanger 32.

[0097] In the above, an example has been described in which the absorption chiller / heater 30A replaces the cooling by the air conditioner 5, but if dehumidification is being performed by the air conditioner 5, for example, the CPU 11 may supply hot water from the hot water storage tank 25 to the desiccant air conditioner and control the desiccant air conditioner to perform dehumidification so that dehumidification is performed by the heat source utilization equipment 4 instead of the air conditioner 5. In other words, the CPU 11 selects the heat source utilization equipment 4 to be operated depending on the operation being performed by the power utilization equipment 5.

[0098] If no power shortage warning is received from the remote control server 7, the CPU 11 may turn on the power to the heater 26 of the hot water storage tank 25 to raise the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 25, or may boil water to increase the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 25. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 25 obtained in this way can be used for cooling and dehumidification by the heat source utilization equipment 4, which makes it possible to use the heat source utilization equipment 4 for a longer period of time in a power shortage situation, thereby further contributing to meeting requests for a reduction in power demand during power shortage situations in the summer.

[0099] Furthermore, for example, if the building 2 has a storage battery that stores power generated by solar power generation, the CPU 11 may use the surplus power stored in the storage battery to adjust the temperature of the hot water by the heater 26.

[0100] Next, the DR control process in the control device 6 in winter will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the DR control process executed by the CPU 11 of the control device 6 when the control device 6 receives a power shortage alarm from the remote control server 7 during the winter period. A control program that defines the DR control process is stored in advance in, for example, the nonvolatile memory 14 of the control device 6. The CPU 11 of the control device 6 reads the control program stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 and executes the DR control process shown in Fig. 5.

[0101] In this disclosure, winter refers to a predetermined period when heating is expected to be used. Specifically, winter corresponds to, for example, December to February, but is not limited to this, and the winter period is set according to actual weather conditions. Before the DR control process shown in FIG. 5 is started, it is assumed that heating is being performed by the air conditioner 5 in the building 2.

[0102] In step S50, the CPU 11 controls the communication unit 17 to send an operation stop instruction to the air conditioner 5, and stops the heating by the air conditioner 5.

[0103] In step S60, the CPU 11 controls the supply system and amount of hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank 25 to the heat source utilization equipment 4 so that heating is performed by substituting the heat source utilization equipment 4 for the air conditioner 5. As an example, the CPU 11 opens the valve 23C and operates the absorption pump 28B to supply hot water from the hot water storage tank 25 to the absorption chiller / heater 30A, thereby heating the building 2, and ends the DR control process. Naturally, the CPU 11 may also heat the building 2 by supplying hot water to the hot water heating device 31A or the radiator 31B. Alternatively, the hot water preheating heat exchanger 32 may preheat water.

[0104] The above describes an example in which heating by the air conditioner 5 is replaced by at least one of the absorption chiller / heater 30A, the hot water heating device 31A, and the radiator 31B. However, if humidification is being performed by the air conditioner 5, the CPU 11 may supply hot water from the hot water storage tank 25 to the desiccant air conditioner and control the desiccant air conditioner to perform humidification so that dehumidification is performed by the heat source utilization equipment 4 instead of the air conditioner 5.

[0105] If no power shortage warning is received from the remote control server 7, the CPU 11 may turn on the power to the heater 26 of the hot water storage tank 25 even in winter to raise the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 or to boil water to increase the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 25. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 25 obtained in this way can be used for heating and humidification by the heat source utilization equipment 4, which makes it possible to use the heat source utilization equipment 4 for a longer period of time in a power shortage situation, thereby further contributing to meeting requests for a reduction in power demand in a power shortage situation in winter.

[0106] <DR control processing in preparation for power shortages> So far, we have explained the DR control process in the control device 6 when a power shortage alarm is received. A power shortage alarm is an alarm that is issued when a power shortage is recognized, so when a power shortage alarm is issued, it means that the power supply is already in a tight situation. In other words, the DR control process in the control device 6 described above is an example of DR control process that is performed when the power supply is already in a tight situation.

[0107] Below, we will explain an example in which the control device 6 estimates whether or not a power shortage situation exists based on changes in power supply and demand before a power shortage warning is issued, and if it estimates that a power shortage situation will occur, reduces the amount of power consumed by the entire building 2 during the power shortage period.

[0108] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of DR control processing executed by the CPU 11 of the control device 6 during a normal period when a power shortage warning is not issued. A control program that defines the DR control processing is stored in advance in, for example, the nonvolatile memory 14 of the control device 6. The CPU 11 of the control device 6 reads the control program stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 and executes the DR control processing shown in FIG.

[0109] In step S100, the CPU 11 acquires from the external device 9 the market trading price in the wholesale electricity trading market provided by the electricity exchange where electricity is bought and sold.

[0110] When demand exceeds supply, the market price of electricity rises, and when demand falls short of supply, the market price falls. In this way, changes in electricity supply and demand are correlated with fluctuations in market prices. Therefore, it is possible to generate a prediction model that learns the relationship between past changes in the market price of electricity and periods of power shortage, such as what changes in the market price cause power shortage warnings to be issued, when they occur, and for how long.

[0111] In step S110, the CPU 11 uses the prediction model to estimate whether or not a power shortage will occur in the future, based on the fluctuations in the market trading price of electricity acquired in step S100.

[0112] In step S120, the CPU 11 determines whether the estimation result obtained in step S110 indicates that a power shortage situation will occur. If it is estimated that a power shortage situation will occur, the process proceeds to step S130. In this case, the CPU 11 reduces the amount of power consumption of the entire building 2 in preparation for the occurrence of a power shortage situation.

[0113] To this end, in step S130, the CPU 11 acquires from the external device 9 weather information for the estimated power shortage period.

[0114] In step S140, CPU 11 estimates the amount and temperature of hot water to be stored in hot water storage tank 25 until a power tightness situation occurs. To do this, CPU 11 acquires the amount and temperature of hot water currently stored in hot water storage tank 25. Then, CPU 11 estimates the amount and temperature of hot water newly generated by solar water heater 3 during the period until a power tightness situation occurs, and estimates the amount and temperature of hot water to be stored in hot water storage tank 25 until a power tightness situation occurs. To estimate the amount and temperature of hot water newly generated by solar water heater 3 during the period until a power tightness situation occurs, for example, the average amount and average temperature of hot water generated by solar water heater 3 by weather and by time slot can be used. The average amount and average temperature of hot water generated by solar water heater 3 by weather and by time slot can be obtained, for example, from the history information in history table 40.

[0115] In step S150, the CPU 11 acquires history information corresponding to each combination of the weather information for the power shortage period acquired in step S130 and the date and time representing the power shortage period. Note that "date and time" is a value composed of a date and time. From the acquired history information, the CPU 11 acquires the amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar hot water heater 3 and the amount of hot water used by the heat source utilization facility 4, each corresponding to the combination of the weather information for the power shortage period and the date and time representing the power shortage period.

[0116] The amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater 3 and the amount of hot water used by the heat source utilization equipment 4, which correspond to a combination of weather information during a power shortage period and a date and time representing the power shortage period, respectively, refer to the past amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater 3 and the amount of hot water used by the heat source utilization equipment 4 under the same weather and date and time as the power shortage period and a different year and date and time. Specifically, if the weather and date and time of the estimated power shortage period are a sunny day from 16:00 to 19:00 on November 1st, then the amount of hot water produced, the temperature, and the amount of hot water used are included in the historical information for the period from 16:00 to 19:00 on November 1st in each past year, where the weather is recorded as sunny. For ease of explanation, a past period with the same weather and date and time as the power shortage period is referred to as the "corresponding period."

[0117] Because the season and time of day are the same, the amount and temperature of hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 during periods of power shortage tend to be similar to the amount and temperature of hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 during corresponding periods.

[0118] Therefore, in step S160, the CPU 11 estimates the amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater 3 during the power shortage period using the amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater 3 during the corresponding period obtained in step S150.

[0119] Similarly, since the season and time period are the same, the types of heat source utilization equipment 4 used during the power shortage period and the amount of hot water used at each heat source utilization equipment 4 tend to be similar to the types of heat source utilization equipment 4 used during the response period and the amount of hot water used at each heat source utilization equipment 4.

[0120] Therefore, in step S170, the CPU 11 estimates the amount of hot water that will be used by each heat source utilization equipment 4 during the power shortage period, using the amount of hot water used by each heat source utilization equipment 4 during the corresponding period acquired in step S150.

[0121] The amount of hot water used in the heat source utilization facility 4 also changes depending on the temperature of the hot water supplied to the heat source utilization facility 4. Therefore, the CPU 11 may estimate the temperature of the hot water to be supplied to the heat source utilization facility 4 during the power tightness period from the amount and temperature of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 before the power tightness situation occurs, estimated in step S140, and the amount and temperature of hot water generated by the solar water heater 3 during the power tightness period, estimated in step S160, and may correct the amount of hot water used in the heat source utilization facility 4 using the estimated hot water temperature.

[0122] As a result of the above, the types of heat source utilization equipment 4 used during the power shortage period and the amount of hot water used by each heat source utilization equipment 4 can be obtained.

[0123] Therefore, in step S180, the CPU 11 controls the hot water supply system and the amount of hot water to be supplied to the heat source utilization equipment 4 during the estimated power shortage period in accordance with the type of heat source utilization equipment 4 used and the estimated amount of hot water usage.

[0124] In addition, if the amount of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 25 is less than the amount of hot water used by each heat source utilization equipment 4 during the period of power shortage, the CPU 11 may turn on the power to the heater 26 of the hot water storage tank 25 to increase the amount of hot water in the hot water storage tank 25.

[0125] On the other hand, in the determination process of step S120, if the estimation result obtained in step S110 is that a power shortage situation will not occur, the process proceeds to step S190.

[0126] This indicates that the electric power company has a surplus in its supply of power. Therefore, in step S190, CPU 11 turns on heater 26 of hot water storage tank 25 to raise the temperature of the hot water stored in hot water storage tank 25 or boils water to increase the amount of hot water in hot water storage tank 25. If the hot water thus obtained in hot water storage tank 25 is used by heat source utilization equipment 4 in a power-stressed situation, it becomes possible to use heat source utilization equipment 4 for a longer period of time in a power-stressed situation, which can further contribute to meeting requests for a reduction in power demand in a power-stressed situation.

[0127] This completes the DR control process for the normal period when no power shortage warning is issued, as shown in Fig. 6. Note that, although in step S110 it is estimated whether or not a power shortage will occur based on fluctuations in the electricity market trading price, weather information may also be taken into account in this estimation. This is because the operating status of the power utilization equipment changes in response to changes in temperature and humidity.

[0128] While one aspect of the control system 1 has been described above using the embodiment, the disclosed form of the control system 1 is merely an example, and the form of the control system 1 is not limited to the scope described in the embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be made to the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present disclosure, and forms incorporating such changes or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the disclosure.

[0129] In addition, in the present disclosure, as an example, the DR control process shown in Figures 4 to 6 has been described as being implemented by software. However, processes equivalent to the flowcharts shown in Figures 4 to 6 may be implemented in, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a programmable logic device (PLD) and processed by hardware. In this case, the processing speed can be increased compared to when the DR control process is implemented by software.

[0130] In this way, the CPU 11 of the control device 6 may be replaced with a dedicated processor specialized for specific processing, such as an ASIC, FPGA, PLD, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or FPU (Floating Point Unit).

[0131] Furthermore, the control device 6 may be implemented by one CPU 11, or may be implemented by a combination of two or more processors of the same or different types, such as a plurality of CPUs 11 or a combination of a CPU 11 and an FPGA.

[0132] In the embodiment, an example in which the control program is stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 of the control device 6 has been described, but the storage destination of the control program is not limited to the nonvolatile memory 14. The control program of the present disclosure may also be provided in a form recorded on a storage medium readable by the computer 10. For example, the control program may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) or a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk-Read Only Memory). The control program may also be provided in a form recorded on a portable semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The ROM 12, the nonvolatile memory 14, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a USB, and a memory card are examples of non-transitory storage media.

[0133] Furthermore, the control device 6 may download a control program from an external device 9 connected to the Internet 8 and store the downloaded control program in the nonvolatile memory 14. In this case, the CPU 11 of the control device 6 reads the control program downloaded from the external device 9 and executes the DR control process.

[0134] The following notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0135] (Additional note 1) A solar water heater that generates hot water using sunlight; a heat source utilization facility that utilizes the hot water generated by the solar water heater as a heat source; an electric power utilization facility that utilizes electric power to obtain the same effect as that obtained when the heat source utilization facility is operated; For a control system including A control method in which a computer executes a process to control the hot water supply system and the amount of hot water so that the heat source utilization equipment operates using hot water generated by the solar hot water heater instead of the power utilization equipment when a power shortage situation occurs in which the power reserve rate drops to a predetermined value.

[0136] (Additional note 2) The heat source utilization facility is a facility that uses hot water as a heat source to perform at least one of heating and cooling, humidity control, and temperature control of water used for hot water supply, The power utilization facility is a facility that uses electric power to perform at least one of the following operations: heating and cooling, humidity control, and temperature control of water used for hot water supply. The control method described in appended paragraph 1.

[0137] (Additional note 3) When a tight power situation occurs in the summer, the computer controls the supply system and amount of hot water supplied to the heat source utilization equipment so that at least one of the cooling and dehumidifying operations by the power utilization equipment is stopped and the stopped operation is substituted by the heat source utilization equipment, and also controls the power utilization equipment to adjust the temperature of the hot water generated by the solar hot water heater during the summer when there is no tight power situation. The control method described in appended paragraph 2.

[0138] (Additional note 4) When a tight power situation occurs in winter, the computer controls the supply system and amount of hot water supplied to the heat source utilization equipment so that at least one of heating and humidifying operations by the power utilization equipment is stopped and the stopped operation is substituted by the heat source utilization equipment, and also controls the power utilization equipment to adjust the temperature of hot water so as to increase the temperature of hot water generated by the solar hot water heater during the winter period when there is no tight power situation. The control method described in appended paragraph 2.

[0139] (Additional note 5) We estimate whether there will be a shortage of electricity in the future based on fluctuations in the electricity market price, If it is predicted that a power shortage will occur, The amount and temperature of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank before the start of the power shortage period; A computer executes a process for controlling a supply system for hot water and an amount of hot water to be supplied to the heat source utilization facility during the tight period, using the amount and temperature of hot water generated in the past by the solar water heater and the amount of hot water used in the past in the heat source utilization facility, each of which is stored in advance in a storage device. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0140] (Additional note 6) The amount and temperature of hot water generated by the solar water heater and the amount of hot water used in the heat source utilization facility are stored in the storage device in association with date and time information and weather information including sunshine hours, temperature, and humidity, Obtaining the weather information during the tight period; Obtaining from the storage device the amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater and the amount of hot water used in the heat source utilization facility, each corresponding to a combination of the acquired weather information and the date and time of the tight period; Using the acquired amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater, estimate the amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater during the tight period, and using the acquired amount of hot water usage in the heat source utilization equipment, estimate the amount of hot water used in the heat source utilization equipment during the tight period; A computer executes a process to control the supply system and amount of hot water to be supplied to the heat source utilization facility during the tight period, using the amount and temperature of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank before the start of the tight period, the amount and temperature of hot water estimated to be generated by the solar water heater during the tight period, and the amount of hot water estimated to be used in the heat source utilization facility during the tight period. The control method described in appended paragraph 5.

[0141] (Additional note 7) A solar water heater that generates hot water using sunlight; a heat source utilization facility that utilizes the hot water generated by the solar water heater as a heat source; an electric power utilization facility that utilizes electric power to obtain the same effect as that obtained when the heat source utilization facility is operated; A non-transitory storage medium storing a program executable by a computer to perform DR control processing in a building equipped with a control step in which the DR control process controls a hot water supply system and a hot water amount so that the heat source utilization equipment is operated using hot water generated by the solar hot water heater instead of the power utilization equipment when a tight power situation occurs in which the power reserve rate drops to a predetermined value. Non-transitory storage media, including: [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1. Control System 2. Building 3 Solar water heater 4 Heat source utilization equipment 5. Air Conditioning 5 Electric power usage equipment 6. Control device 7 Remote Control Server 8. Internet 9 External device 10. Computers 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 Non-volatile memory 15 I / O 16 Bus 17 Communication Unit 18 Input Units 19 Output Unit 21 Sunshine meter 22A~22E Temperature Sensor 23A~23E Valves 25 Hot water tank 26 Heater 27 Expansion tank 28A heat collector pump 28B Absorption Pump 28C Cooling Water Pump 29 Flow meter 30 Air conditioner using heat source 30A absorption chiller / heater 31 Heat exchanger for heating 31A Hot water heating system 31B Radiator 32 Hot water preheating heat exchanger 33A~33C Pipe 34A, 34B Circulation Pump 34C Water Pump 35 Cooling Tower 36 Control Panel 40 History Table R1~R12 flow path

Claims

1. A solar water heater that generates hot water using sunlight; a heat source utilization facility that utilizes the hot water generated by the solar water heater as a heat source; an electric power utilization facility that utilizes electric power to obtain the same effect as that obtained when the heat source utilization facility is operated; a control device that controls the hot water supply system and the amount of hot water so that the heat source utilization equipment is operated using hot water generated by the solar water heater instead of the power utilization equipment when a tight power situation occurs in which the power reserve rate drops to a predetermined value; A control system including:

2. The heat source utilization facility is a facility that uses hot water as a heat source to perform at least one of heating and cooling, humidity control, and temperature control of water used for hot water supply, The power utilization facility is a facility that uses electric power to perform at least one of the following operations: heating and cooling, humidity control, and temperature control of water used for hot water supply. The control system of claim 1 .

3. When a tight power situation occurs in the summer, the control device stops at least one of the cooling and dehumidifying operations by the power utilization equipment, and controls the supply system and amount of hot water supplied to the heat source utilization equipment so that the stopped operation is substituted by the heat source utilization equipment, and also controls the power utilization equipment to adjust the temperature of the hot water generated by the solar water heater during the summer when there is no tight power situation. The control system of claim 2 .

4. When a tight power situation occurs in winter, the control device stops at least one of heating and humidifying operations by the power utilization equipment, and controls the supply system and amount of hot water supplied to the heat source utilization equipment so that the stopped operation is substituted by the heat source utilization equipment, and also controls the power utilization equipment to adjust the temperature of hot water so as to increase the temperature of hot water generated by the solar water heater during the winter period when there is no tight power situation. The control system of claim 2 .

5. The control device estimates whether or not there will be a shortage of electricity in the future based on fluctuations in the market trading price of electricity, If it is predicted that a power shortage will occur, The amount and temperature of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank before the start of the power shortage period; The hot water supply system and the amount of hot water supplied to the heat source utilization facility during the tight period are controlled using the amount and temperature of hot water generated in the past by the solar hot water heater and the amount of hot water used in the past in the heat source utilization facility, which are each stored in advance in a storage device. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The amount and temperature of hot water generated by the solar water heater and the amount of hot water used in the heat source utilization facility are stored in the storage device in association with date and time information and weather information including sunshine hours, temperature, and humidity; The control device acquires the weather information during the pressure period, Obtaining from the storage device the amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater and the amount of hot water used in the heat source utilization facility, each corresponding to a combination of the acquired weather information and the date and time of the tight period; Using the acquired amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater, estimate the amount and temperature of hot water produced by the solar water heater during the tight period, and using the acquired amount of hot water usage in the heat source utilization equipment, estimate the amount of hot water used in the heat source utilization equipment during the tight period; The hot water supply system and the amount of hot water to be supplied to the heat source utilization facility during the tight period are controlled using the amount and temperature of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank before the start of the tight period, the amount and temperature of hot water estimated to be generated by the solar water heater during the tight period, and the amount of hot water estimated to be used in the heat source utilization facility during the tight period. The control system of claim 5 .

7. A solar water heater that generates hot water using sunlight; a heat source utilization facility that utilizes the hot water generated by the solar water heater as a heat source; an electric power utilization facility that utilizes electric power to obtain the same effect as that obtained when the heat source utilization facility is operated; For a control system including A control method in which a computer executes a process to control the hot water supply system and the amount of hot water so that the heat source utilization equipment operates using hot water generated by the solar hot water heater instead of the power utilization equipment when a power shortage situation occurs in which the power reserve rate drops to a predetermined value.

Images