Power supply and demand adjustment system, power supply and demand adjustment method, and program

Abstract

A power supply-demand adjustment system (1) for adjusting power supply to and power demand from a consumer provided with a water heater (300) inside a pipe comprises: a boiling power amount prediction unit (103) for predicting an amount of power required for future boiling from a past power consumption record of the water heater (300); a power procurement price prediction unit (205) for predicting a power procurement price for each future fixed period on the basis of a past power procurement price record; a boiling planning unit (104) for planning a boiling schedule (105) for determining a boiling shift-destination period in which the power procurement cost is the lowest on the basis of the power procurement price predicted by the power procurement price prediction unit (205), and consuming at least a portion of the required boiling power amount in the boiling shift-destination period; and a water heater control unit (106) for controlling the water heater (300) in the pipe according to the boiling schedule (105).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply and demand adjustment system, a power supply and demand adjustment method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Various techniques for reducing the cost of power procurement by a power company to supply power to consumers are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a power demand procurement support server that bids in a position based on the predicted demand volume, power trading information, history, etc. of each power consumer, procures power from the power wholesale market, and generates a power generation plan and a supply and demand plan for the next day.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Many consumers have a storage-type water heater. In the case of such consumers, it is expected that the power procurement cost can be further reduced by devising the boiling-up time of the water heater. In the technique described in Cited Document 1, there is no description about managing the water heater, so such an effect cannot be obtained.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a power supply and demand adjustment system or the like that can further reduce the power procurement cost of a power company.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a power supply and demand adjustment system according to the present disclosure is a power supply and demand adjustment system that adjusts the power supply and demand to a consumer having a water heater in a pipe, A water heating power prediction unit predicts the future amount of power required for heating water based on the actual power consumption of the aforementioned water heater, At regular intervals in the future A heating planning unit determines the period for which the power procurement cost is lowest based on the power procurement price, and creates a heating schedule that consumes at least a portion of the required amount of power for heating during the period for which the power procurement cost is lowest. A water heater control unit controls the water heater in the pipe according to the aforementioned heating schedule, A power demand forecasting unit that predicts the amount of electricity demand at regular intervals in the future within the aforementioned pipe based on the actual amount of electricity consumed within the pipe, Based on the amount of electricity demand predicted by the electricity demand forecasting unit and the water heating schedule created by the water heating planning unit, the electricity procurement planning unit determines the amount of electricity that will need to be procured at regular intervals in the future within the service area. It is equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] This disclosure will make it possible to further reduce the electricity procurement costs of power companies. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall configuration of a power supply and demand adjustment system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the configuration of the equipment management device according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the configuration of a power management device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] Block diagram showing the configuration of a power supply and demand adjustment system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5] Flowchart of water heater control process according to an embodiment of this disclosure [Figure 6] Flowchart of the power generation required for water heating according to the embodiment of this disclosure [Figure 7] Figure (1) illustrating the power generation required for boiling according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure (2) illustrating the power generation required for boiling according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 9] Flowchart of the boiling schedule creation process according to the embodiment of this disclosure [Figure 10] Figure for explaining the boiling schedule creation process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure [Figure 11] Figure for explaining a specific method for identifying a time zone with a shift duration that minimizes the power procurement cost in an embodiment of the present disclosure

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] The power supply and demand adjustment system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The configuration of the power supply and demand adjustment system 1 is shown in FIG. 1. The power supply and demand adjustment system 1 is a system that adjusts the power supply and demand to each consumer 800 in the pipe, and includes an equipment management device 100 and a power management device 200. All consumers 800 in the pipe are equipped with a water heater 300, a power meter 400, and a controller 500. Further, some consumers 800 in the pipe also have a power generation facility 600 such as a solar panel.

[0011] The water heater 300 is a storage-type water heater equipped with a hot water storage tank and a heat pump. The water heater 300 stores water in the hot water storage tank and boils it with the heat pump. The hot water storage tank can store several hundred liters of water. Since the water heater 300 boils a large amount of water in the hot water storage tank during boiling, it consumes a considerable amount of power. However, once boiled, the resident can use the boiled water (hot water) thereafter.

[0012] In addition, the water heater 300 has a communication function for transmitting the value of the consumed power. The water heater 300 measures, for example, the amount of power consumed in every 5 minutes every 5 minutes, and transmits the measured value to the controller 500. Every time the controller 500 receives the value of the amount of power from the water heater 300, it transmits it to the equipment management device 100 via the network 700.

[0013] The power meter 400 is a smart meter that has a function of measuring the power used by the consumer 800 and a communication function of transmitting the measured power value. The power used by the consumer 800 includes the power used by the water heater 300, as well as the power used by air conditioners, lighting fixtures, cooking appliances, etc. that are not shown in the figure. The power meter 400 measures, for example, every 30 minutes, the amount of power consumed within the consumer 800 during those 30 minutes, and transmits the measured value to the controller 500.

[0014] The controller 500 is a control device compliant with the HEMS (Home Energy Management System) standard, and controls the operation of various electrical devices within the consumer 800. The controller 500 acquires, every 30 minutes, the value of the amount of power consumed by the consumer 800 from the power meter 400, and transmits it to the power management device 200 via the network 700. Also, the controller 500 acquires, every 5 minutes, the value of the amount of power consumed by the water heater 300 from the water heater 300, and transmits it to the device management device 100 via the network 700.

[0015] The consumer 800 may be a single-family house, or may be a single dwelling unit within a condominium or apartment building such as an apartment. In this embodiment, each consumer 800 includes a water heater 300, a power meter 400, and a controller 500.

[0016] The device management device 100 is a computer for monitoring and controlling the water heater 300 within the consumer 800 via the network 700. For example, the device management device 100 acquires the value of the power consumption of the water heater 300 via the network 700. Also, the device management device 100 performs boiling control of each water heater 300 by transmitting a boiling command to each water heater 300 via the network 700.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the device management device 100 comprises a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit 130. The control unit 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc., and provides overall control of the device management device 100. The storage unit 120 includes non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM). The storage unit 120 stores programs and data used by the control unit 110 to execute various processes, and also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 110 when executing various processes. The communication unit 130 has the function of connecting to the network 700 and communicates with each device connected to the network 700 according to the control of the control unit 110.

[0018] Returning to Figure 1, the power management device 200 is a computer for monitoring and controlling the power consumption of customer 800. For example, the power management device 200 obtains the power consumption value of customer 800 via the network 700. The power management device 200 also performs processing to procure the power required by customer 800 from the electricity market.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the power management device 200 comprises a control unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a communication unit 240. The control unit 220 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and provides overall control of the power management device 200. The storage unit 230 includes non-volatile semiconductor memory such as flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM. The storage unit 230 stores programs and data used by the control unit 220 to execute various processes, and also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 220 as it executes various processes. The communication unit 240 has the function of connecting to the network 700 and communicates with each device connected to the network 700 according to the control of the control unit 220.

[0020] Here, Figure 4 shows the functional configuration of the power supply and demand adjustment system 1. The equipment management device 100 includes a water heater power collection unit 101, a water heater power history storage unit 102, a water heating power amount prediction unit 103, a water heating planning unit 104, a water heating schedule 105, a water heater control unit 106, a water heating adjustment unit 107, and a water heater specific information storage unit 108.

[0021] The water heater power collection unit 101 acquires the power consumption values ​​of each water heater 300 from each controller 500 in the pipe every 5 minutes and stores them in the water heater power history storage unit 102 as past performance.

[0022] The water heater power history storage unit 102 stores the actual power consumption values ​​of each water heater 300 collected by the water heater power collection unit 101 for the most recent 14 days.

[0023] The water heating power consumption prediction unit 103 predicts the amount of power required for water heating in the future (for one day the following day) based on past power consumption data of the water heater 300 stored in the water heater power history storage unit 102. In the following explanation, the amount of power predicted by the water heating power consumption prediction unit 103 will also be referred to as the required water heating power.

[0024] The water heating planning unit 104 determines the operation plan for the water heaters 300 in a way that minimizes electricity procurement costs. Specifically, the water heating planning unit 104 determines the water heating shift period that minimizes electricity procurement costs based on the electricity procurement price predicted by the electricity procurement price forecasting unit 205 (described later) and the unique information about each water heater 300 stored in the water heater-specific information storage unit 108 (described later), and creates a water heating schedule 105 that shifts at least a portion of the required electricity for water heating to the water heating shift period.

[0025] The water heater control unit 106 controls each water heater 300 in the pipe according to the water heating schedule 105 created by the water heating planning unit 104.

[0026] The water heating adjustment unit 107 identifies a water heater 300 that can increase or decrease the amount of power equivalent to the adjustment power amount calculated by the adjustment command unit 210 (described later), and instructs the identified water heater 300 to perform a water heating operation different from the operation according to the water heating schedule 105 by the water heater control unit 106.

[0027] The water heater-specific information storage unit 108 stores information specific to each water heater 300 in the pipe. Specifically, the water heater-specific information storage unit 108 stores information such as the rated power consumption, maximum hot water storage capacity, current hot water volume, heating capacity, and heat retention efficiency of each water heater 300. The rated power consumption of the water heater 300 is the power consumption when the water heater 300 is operated at maximum output, and corresponds to the maximum power consumption of that water heater 300.

[0028] The power management device 200 includes a power collection unit 201, a power history storage unit 202, a power demand forecasting unit 203, a power procurement price history storage unit 204, a power procurement price forecasting unit 205, a power procurement planning unit 206, a power procurement schedule 207, a power procurement unit 208, a power generation control unit 209, and an adjustment command unit 210.

[0029] The power collection unit 201 acquires the power consumption values ​​of each customer 800 from the controller 500 of each customer 800 within its service area every 30 minutes and stores them in the power history storage unit 202 as past performance.

[0030] The power history storage unit 202 stores the actual power consumption values ​​for each of the 800 consumers collected by the power collection unit 201 for the most recent 14 days.

[0031] The power demand forecasting unit 203 predicts the total amount of electricity demand for all customers 800 in the service area for a certain period of time in the future (the next day), based on the actual electricity consumption values ​​of each customer 800 stored in the power history storage unit 202.

[0032] The power procurement price history storage unit 204 stores the actual procurement prices of electricity procured in the past. The procurement price is expressed, for example, as the amount required to procure per unit of electricity.

[0033] The electricity procurement price forecasting unit 205 forecasts the electricity procurement price for every 30 minutes for the following day within the service area, based on the actual procurement price values ​​stored in the electricity procurement price history storage unit 204.

[0034] The Power Procurement Planning Department 206 determines the amount of electricity that needs to be procured at regular intervals for the following day in its service area, based on the amount of electricity demand predicted by the Power Demand Forecasting Department 203 and the water heating plan (water heating schedule 105) for regular intervals devised by the Water Heating Planning Department 104, and creates a Power Procurement Schedule 207.

[0035] The power procurement department 208 procures the required amount of electricity from the electricity market or power generation facilities 600 based on the power procurement schedule 207.

[0036] The power generation control unit 209 is connected to the power generation equipment 600 within the pipe and controls the power generation equipment 600 to generate at least the amount of electricity required to be procured from the power generation equipment 600.

[0037] The adjustment command unit 210 calculates the amount of adjustment power to compensate for any difference between the actual power consumption in the service area and the amount of power that needs to be procured.

[0038] Next, we will explain the water heater control process executed by the power supply and demand adjustment system 1. The power supply and demand adjustment system 1 always has in parallel the following processes: the water heater power collection unit 101 of the equipment management device 100 collects the power consumption of the water heater 300 every 5 minutes and stores it in the water heater power history storage unit 102; and the power collection unit 201 of the power management device 200 collects the power consumption of the customer 800 every 30 minutes and stores it in the power history storage unit 202. In parallel with these processes, in a separate thread, the water heater control process shown in Figure 5 is executed every day at 7:00 AM.

[0039] When the water heater control process begins, the first step is to perform a water heater power prediction process (step S11) in which the water heater power prediction unit 103 of the equipment management device 100 predicts the amount of water heater power required for the next day based on the actual power consumption values ​​of each water heater 300 stored in the water heater power history storage unit 102. The details of the water heater power prediction process will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 6.

[0040] First, the water heating power prediction unit 103 calculates the average power consumption every 30 minutes for all water heaters 300 in the pipe over a day, based on the power consumption history of each water heater 300 in the pipe for the past 14 days, which is stored in the water heater power history storage unit 102 (step S111).

[0041] The average power consumption every 30 minutes calculated in step S111 includes the amount of water heated during the daytime (9:00 to 19:00). Therefore, the water heating power consumption prediction unit 103 shifts the average power consumption during the daytime from the average power consumption calculated in step S111 to the nighttime (12:00 to 6:00) (step S112). The way in which the shift occurs during the nighttime is arbitrary, but it must not exceed the upper limit of the total power consumption per 30 minutes for all water heaters 300. The upper limit of the total power consumption per 30 minutes for all water heaters 300 can be determined from the rated power consumption of each water heater 300 stored in the water heater-specific information storage unit 108. For example, if there are five water heaters 300 with a rated power consumption of 1kW and five water heaters 300 with a rated power consumption of 2kW in the pipe, the upper limit of the power consumption per 30 minutes will be 7.5kWh. Alternatively, the water heating power consumption prediction unit 103 may store the average rated power consumption of each water heater 300, calculate the upper limit of the power consumption per 30 minutes for one water heater 300 from this average value, and then add these up for all water heaters 300 in the pipe to determine the upper limit of the power consumption per 30 minutes for all water heaters 300.

[0042] For example, consider the case where the average power consumption of the entire water heater 300 is calculated in step S111 as shown in Figure 7. In this case, in step S112, as shown in Figure 8, the portion A of the average power consumption during the daytime is shifted to the portion B of the nighttime, within the range that does not exceed the upper limit Z of power consumption per 30 minutes mentioned above.

[0043] Returning to Figure 6, the water heating power prediction unit 103 then calculates the total daily water heating power required for the entire water heater 300 from the average power consumption of the entire water heater 300 that was shifted in step S112 (step S113). Alternatively, the daily water heating power required may be calculated from the average power consumption of the entire water heater 300 without the shift in step S112. This completes the water heating power required prediction process.

[0044] Returning to Figure 5, once the process for predicting the amount of electricity needed for heating is complete, the power demand forecasting unit 203 of the power management device 200 predicts the amount of electricity demand for all customers 800 in the service area at regular intervals (every 30 minutes) for the future (next day) (step S12). Specifically, the power demand forecasting unit 203 can predict the amount of electricity demand by averaging the actual power consumption values ​​of each customer 800 stored in the power history storage unit 202. At this time, it is desirable for the power demand forecasting unit 203 to predict the amount of electricity demand if the heating of the water heater 300 is not shifted to daytime hours. That is, the power demand forecasting unit 203 performs the process of returning the daytime heating shift to nighttime hours (the process of returning to a state where no shift was performed), as explained in Figure 8, and then predicts the amount of electricity demand for all customers 800 at regular intervals (every 30 minutes) for the future (next day).

[0045] Next, the power procurement price prediction unit 205 of the power management device 200 predicts the power procurement price for every 30 minutes for the following day within the service area based on the actual power procurement price values ​​stored in the power procurement price history storage unit 204 (step S13).

[0046] Next, the water heating planning unit 104 of the equipment management device 100 executes a water heating schedule creation process (step S14) to create a water heating schedule 105 for the water heater 300 that minimizes electricity procurement costs, based on the electricity procurement price predicted in step S13. The details of the water heating schedule creation process will be explained with reference to Figure 9.

[0047] When the water heating schedule creation process begins, the water heating planning unit 104 first calculates the amount of electricity (daytime water heating electricity) to be shifted from nighttime (0:00 to 6:00) to daytime (9:00 to 19:00) for the entire water heater 300 (step S141).

[0048] Here, we will specifically explain how to calculate the daytime heating power consumption. Each water heater 300 in the pipe basically predicts the daytime heating power consumption that will shift from nighttime to daytime, at the time just before nighttime heating begins each day (for example, around 11 PM), and operates the heating system according to the prediction. For example, at 11 PM, each water heater 300 calculates the amount of power required for one day of heating based on the hot water usage record for a certain period in the past, for example, the last two weeks, the remaining amount in the tank, etc., and predicts the daytime heating power consumption by shifting a portion of that, for example, 30%, to daytime. Note that there are various methods for predicting the daytime heating power consumption by each water heater 300, and it is not limited to these. Therefore, the heating planning unit 104 can obtain the most recently predicted daytime heating power consumption values ​​from each water heater 300 in the pipe and sum them up to calculate the total daytime heating power consumption for all water heaters 300. The water heating planning unit 104 may also calculate the total daytime water heating power for all water heaters 300 from the average of the predicted daytime water heating power values ​​predicted by each water heater 300 in the pipe for the most recent predetermined number of days (for example, 14 days).

[0049] Next, the water heating planning unit 104 calculates the duration of the shift period for daytime water heating (shift duration) (step S142). Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the water heating planning unit 104 allocates the daytime water heating power calculated in step S141 to each of the water heaters 300 (water heaters A to C) in the pipe every 30 minutes, up to the upper limit of their power consumption per 30 minutes. Therefore, in this figure, the height of each rectangle whose area represents the power consumption of water heaters A to C represents the upper limit of the power consumption (rated power consumption) of water heaters A to C. The water heating planning unit 104 then calculates the shift duration as the time equivalent to the number of 30-minute intervals when all of the daytime water heating power has been allocated. That is, in Figure 10, the shift duration is calculated to be 90 minutes.

[0050] Next, the water heating planning unit 104 identifies the time period with the lowest power procurement cost from the daytime hours (9:00 to 17:00) based on the power procurement price predicted in step S13 (step S143). For example, if the shift duration predicted in step S13 is 90 minutes, the water heating planning unit 104, as shown in Figure 11, can identify the time period with the lowest power procurement cost from among time periods t1 to t14 by referring to the predicted procurement price each time, shifting the time period by 30 minutes in the range of 9:00 to 17:00, such as time period t1 from 9:00 to 10:30, time period t2 from 9:30 to 11:00, ..., time period t14 from 15:30 to 17:00.

[0051] Next, the water heating planning unit 104 creates a water heating schedule 105 for heating each water heater 300 during the shift duration period identified in step S143 (step S144). This completes the water heating schedule creation process.

[0052] Returning to Figure 5, once the process of creating the boiling schedule is complete, the power procurement planning unit 206 of the power management device 200 determines the amount of electricity that needs to be procured at regular intervals (every 30 minutes) in the pipe the following day, based on the amount of electricity demand in the pipe predicted in step S12 and the boiling schedule 105 created by the boiling planning unit 104, and creates the power procurement schedule 207 (step S15).

[0053] Then, the power procurement department 208 carries out the process of procuring the required amount of electricity from the electricity market or the power generation facilities 600 within its service area, in accordance with the power procurement schedule 207 that it has created (for example, by bidding on the electricity market) (step S16).

[0054] Next, the water heater control unit 106 registers the heating schedule 105 created in step S14 with the schedule management tool and starts controlling the hot water supply to each water heater 300 in the pipe (step S17). As a result, each water heater 300 performs the process of heating water at the time specified in the heating schedule 105.

[0055] Next, when the time for power procurement specified in the power procurement schedule 207 arrives (step S18; Yes), the power generation control unit 209 controls the power generation equipment 600 within the service area to generate at least the required amount of power to be procured from the power generation equipment 600 (step S19).

[0056] Furthermore, if there is a difference between the actual power consumption in the service area, which is updated periodically by the power history storage unit 202, and the amount of power required to be procured that exceeds a predetermined standard (step S20; Yes), the adjustment command unit 210 calculates the amount of adjustment power to compensate for the difference (step S21).

[0057] Then, the water heating adjustment unit 107 of the equipment management device 100 identifies a water heater 300 that can compensate for the calculated adjustment amount and controls the identified water heater 300 individually (step S22). For example, the water heating adjustment unit 107 controls the operation of the water heater 300 by appropriately transmitting power reduction commands, power increase commands, etc., to the identified water heater 300 that is currently operating or is scheduled to operate within 30 minutes, according to the adjustment amount.

[0058] Then, at midnight when the date changes (Step S23; Yes), the water heater control process ends. If the date has not changed (Step S23; No), the process returns to Step S18.

[0059] Thus, according to this disclosure, the period for which the power supply shift will result in the lowest power supply cost is determined based on the predicted power supply price at regular intervals, and the power supply of each hot water heater 300 in the pipe is controlled during the shift period, thereby making it possible to further reduce the power supply costs of the power company.

[0060] (modified version) This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are, of course, possible without departing from the gist of this disclosure.

[0061] In step S142 of the water heating schedule creation process, the shift duration was calculated by allocating the daytime water heating power to each water heater 300 in 30-minute increments up to the upper limit of their power consumption (Figure 10). However, the method for calculating the shift duration is not limited to this. For example, the water heating planning unit 104 may use the time required for all water heaters 300 to complete heating when multiple water heaters 300 in the pipe are started heating simultaneously as the shift duration.

[0062] In the above embodiment, one water heating shift period was determined, and the water heater 300 was controlled to heat water during that period. However, multiple water heating shift periods may be determined by dividing the single determined water heating shift period, and the water heater 300 may be controlled to heat water during each of these periods.

[0063] For example, the power supply and demand adjustment system 1 may be configured by a single device that integrates the functions of the equipment management device 100 and the power management device 200. Alternatively, the program executed by such a single device can be applied to an existing computer to make that computer function as the power supply and demand adjustment system 1 according to this disclosure.

[0064] The method of distributing such programs is arbitrary; for example, they may be distributed by storing them on computer-readable storage media such as CD-ROMs (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks), MOs (Magneto Optical Disks), or memory cards, or they may be distributed via communication networks such as the Internet.

[0065] This disclosure allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. In other words, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent significance of the disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1 Power supply and demand adjustment system, 100 Equipment management device, 200 Power management device, 300 Water heater, 400 Power meter, 500 Controller, 600 Power generation equipment, 700 Network, 800 Consumer, 101 Water heater power collection unit, 102 Water heater power history storage unit, 103 Water heating power amount forecasting unit, 104 Water heating planning unit, 105 Water heating schedule, 106 Water heater control unit, 107 Water heating adjustment unit, 108 Water heater specific information storage unit, 110, 220 Control unit, 120, 230 Storage unit, 130, 240 Communication unit, 201 Power collection unit, 202 Power history storage unit, 203 Power demand forecasting unit, 204 Power procurement price actual storage unit, 205 Power procurement price forecasting unit, 206 Power procurement planning unit, 207 Power procurement schedule, 208 Power Procurement Department, 209 Power Generation Control Department, 210 Coordination Command

Claims

1. A power supply and demand adjustment system that adjusts the supply and demand of electricity to consumers equipped with hot water heaters within the pipes, A water heating power prediction unit predicts the future amount of power required for heating water based on the actual power consumption of the aforementioned water heater, A water heating planning unit determines the water heating shift period that minimizes electricity procurement costs based on future electricity procurement prices at regular intervals, and creates a water heating schedule that consumes at least a portion of the required water heating amount during the water heating shift period. A water heater control unit controls the water heater in the pipe according to the aforementioned heating schedule, A power demand forecasting unit that predicts the amount of electricity demand at regular intervals in the future within the aforementioned pipe based on the actual amount of electricity consumed within the pipe, Based on the amount of electricity demand predicted by the electricity demand forecasting unit and the water heating schedule created by the water heating planning unit, the electricity procurement planning unit determines the amount of electricity that will need to be procured at regular intervals in the future within the service area. A power supply and demand adjustment system equipped with the following features.

2. A power procurement unit that procures the amount of electricity required to be procured determined by the power procurement planning unit from the electricity market or from power generation facilities within the service area. The power supply and demand adjustment system according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. A power generation control unit that controls the power generation equipment within the pipe to generate at least a portion of the amount of electricity to be procured by the power procurement unit, The power supply and demand adjustment system according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. The aforementioned water heating planning unit determines a plurality of water heating shift periods and creates a water heating schedule in which at least a portion of the required water heating power is consumed during the plurality of water heating shift periods. A power supply and demand adjustment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The aforementioned power demand forecasting unit predicts the amount of electricity demand at regular intervals in the future, assuming that the water heater does not shift its heating function. The power supply and demand adjustment system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. When there is a difference of more than a predetermined standard between the actual power consumption amount at regular intervals within the aforementioned pipe and the amount of power procurement required at regular intervals within the aforementioned pipe as determined by the power procurement planning department, the adjustment command unit calculates an adjustment amount for the amount of power to be heated during the power heating shift period determined by the power heating planning department, for the amount of power to be heated that is planned for at least one of the time periods from the present onward. A water heating adjustment unit identifies a water heater capable of increasing or decreasing the amount of power equivalent to the adjustment power amount calculated by the adjustment command unit, and commands the identified water heater to perform a water heating operation different from the control unit of the water heater control unit. The power supply and demand adjustment system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

7. A power supply and demand adjustment method for adjusting the supply and demand of electricity to consumers equipped with hot water heaters within a pipe, A step of predicting the amount of electricity needed to heat water in the future, based on the actual power consumption of the aforementioned water heater, A heating planning step involves determining the period for which the power procurement cost is lowest based on the power procurement price at regular intervals in the future, and creating a heating schedule that consumes at least a portion of the required amount of power for heating during the period for which the power procurement cost is lowest, and A water heater control step that controls the water heater in the pipe according to the aforementioned heating schedule, A power demand forecasting step that predicts the amount of electricity demand at regular intervals in the future within the aforementioned pipe, based on the actual amount of electricity consumed within the pipe, A power procurement planning step that determines the amount of electricity to be procured at regular intervals in the service area in the future, based on the amount of electricity demand predicted in the power demand forecasting step and the heating schedule created in the heating planning step, A method for adjusting the supply and demand of electricity.

8. A computer that adjusts the supply and demand of electricity to customers equipped with water heaters within the pipes, A water heating power consumption prediction unit predicts the future amount of power required for water heating based on the actual power consumption of the aforementioned water heater. A water heating planning unit determines the period for which the power procurement cost is lowest based on the power procurement price at regular intervals in the future, and creates a water heating schedule that consumes at least a portion of the required amount of electricity for water heating during the period for which the power procurement cost is lowest. A water heater control unit controls the water heater in the pipe according to the aforementioned heating schedule. A power demand forecasting unit predicts the amount of electricity demand at regular intervals in the area in the future, based on the actual amount of electricity consumed within the area. Based on the amount of electricity demand predicted by the electricity demand forecasting unit and the water heating schedule created by the water heating planning unit, the electricity procurement planning unit determines the amount of electricity that will need to be procured at regular intervals in the future within the service area. A program that makes it function as such.

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