Power demand adjustment server and power demand adjustment system

Abstract

To calculate a target value for an optical operating state of each of a gas air conditioner and an electric air conditioner when there is a request for power demand adjustment.SOLUTION: A power demand adjustment server comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires, for each customer, an operating state of each of a gas air conditioner and an electric air conditioner of the customer; a target value determination unit that when adjusting power demand, based on an adjustment amount of power demand and the operating state of each of the gas air conditioner and the electric air conditioner acquired for each consumer, determines a target value for the operating state of each of the gas air conditioner and the electric air conditioner in each consumer so as to satisfy the adjustment amount of power demand; and an output unit that outputs the determined target value of the operating state of each of the gas air conditioner and the electric air conditioner to each consumer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power demand adjustment server and a power demand adjustment system.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, air conditioners are used for power demand countermeasures. When the contract power is instantaneously exceeded, the air conditioning output is automatically reduced so that the average power demand for 30 minutes does not exceed the contract power, and a demand control function of the air conditioner to prevent demand over is common.

[0003] When the output of solar power generation decreases or when power is in short supply during extremely hot or cold weather, the power supply company requests power demand suppression from power consumers, which is called demand response. It is a mechanism to obtain a certain reward by temporarily stopping production to shift the power demand peak to the night or stopping the air conditioner as much as possible.

[0004] By the way, it is conceivable to install a storage battery in a consumer and operate the EHP using the storage battery when a demand response request is received during the operation of the EHP to suppress the power demand. However, there are problems in that it is costly to set up the storage battery. Therefore, a smart multi-air conditioner, which is a composite package air conditioner of GHP and EHP, is used, and priority operation of GHP is performed as a power demand countermeasure.

[0005] As a technology for controlling a smart multi-air conditioner, which is a composite package air conditioner of GHP and EHP, for power demand countermeasures, Patent Document 1 describes that when a demand response command for reducing power demand is received, when the consumer side starts demand response to reduce power demand, the heat output of the EHP unit and the heat output of the heat treatment unit are reduced compared to before the start of demand response, and the heat output of the GHP unit is derived according to the air conditioning heat load.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes changing the operating ratio of EHP units and GHP units compared to before the reception of a demand response command, while maintaining the total output before and after the timing of the reception of the demand response command. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-143810 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-190399 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Maintaining comfortable air conditioning during extreme heat and cold requires the installation and securing of ample air conditioning capacity. However, adding backup air conditioners for just a few days of extreme heat or cold each year is not economically viable, making this a common challenge across industry, business, and households.

[0009] Furthermore, when electricity demands are strained due to extreme heat or cold, electricity consumers who receive demand response requests often find themselves unable to reduce their air conditioning output to the extent possible, or even reduce it to the extent possible, due to insufficient air conditioning capacity.

[0010] Furthermore, in cases of reduced output due to unfavorable weather conditions for solar power generation, or demand response instructions due to generator failures or grid faults, while consumers can respond to air conditioning demand response instructions, if the reduction in demand exceeds expectations, it becomes necessary to pay demand response compensation in excess of what was anticipated. Therefore, realizing monitoring and control that can ensure a certain level of reduction in electricity demand to compensate for the decrease in solar power output was a challenge.

[0011] Furthermore, in large factories and commercial facilities, even when a demand response request is received, it takes time to arrive on-site to shut down the air conditioning units, making it difficult to implement timely demand response by shutting down the air conditioning.

[0012] Patent documents 1 and 2 describe changing the operating ratio of EHP units and GHP units compared to before receiving a demand response command, but they do not mention a method for calculating the optimal operating ratio according to the operating state.

[0013] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a power demand adjustment server and a power demand adjustment system that can calculate target values ​​for the optimal operating state of gas air conditioners and electric air conditioners, respectively, when a request for power demand adjustment is made. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] To achieve the above objective, the power demand adjustment server according to the first invention is a power demand adjustment server for adjusting the power demand of a group of customers consisting of customers each having a gas air conditioner and an electric air conditioner, and is configured to include: an acquisition unit that acquires the operating status of each of the gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner of each customer; a target value determination unit that, when adjusting the power demand, determines a target value for the operating status of each of the gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner at each customer so as to satisfy the amount of power demand adjustment, based on the amount of power demand adjustment and the operating status of each of the gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner acquired for each customer; and an output unit that outputs the determined target value for the operating status of each of the gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner to each customer.

[0015] According to the first invention, the acquisition unit acquires the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner for each customer. When adjusting the power demand, the target value determination unit determines the target value of the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner at each customer based on the amount of power demand adjustment and the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner acquired for each customer, so as to satisfy the amount of power demand adjustment. Then, the output unit outputs the determined target value of the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner to each customer.

[0016] In this way, by acquiring the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner for each customer, and determining target values ​​for the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner at each customer in order to meet the adjustment amount for electricity demand, it is possible to calculate the optimal target values ​​for the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner when a request for electricity demand adjustment is made.

[0017] Furthermore, the power demand adjustment system according to the second invention is a power demand adjustment system that includes the power demand adjustment server of the above invention and a control device provided on the side of each customer, wherein the control device controls the operation of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner based on target values ​​for the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner at the customer determined by the power demand adjustment server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] As described above, the power demand adjustment server and power demand adjustment system of the present invention have the effect of being able to calculate target values ​​for the optimal operating state of gas air conditioners and electric air conditioners when a request for power demand adjustment is made. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing a power demand adjustment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]It is a block diagram showing a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing the content of a demand adjustment processing routine in a server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] <System Configuration of Power Demand Adjustment System> As shown in FIG. 1, a power demand adjustment system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a gas air conditioner 10, an electric air conditioner 12, and a control device 16 provided for each customer, and a server 20 provided on the energy center side. The control device 16 and the server 20 for each customer are interconnected via a network 41 such as the Internet. Note that the server 20 is an example of a power demand adjustment server.

[0022] The electric air conditioner 12 is installed outdoors, for example. System power (commercial power) is supplied to the electric air conditioner 12. The electric air conditioner 12 consumes the supplied power (operates with electricity) to cool and heat a heat medium. The heat medium cooled and heated by the electric air conditioner 12 is supplied to an air conditioning indoor unit (not shown).

[0023] The gas air conditioner 10 is installed outdoors, for example, and is provided independently of the electric air conditioner 12. The gas air conditioner 10 mainly operates with gas and cools and heats a heat medium. The heat medium cooled and heated by the gas air conditioner 10 is supplied to the air conditioning indoor unit. At this time, the heat medium sent from the electric air conditioner 12 and the heat medium sent from the gas air conditioner 10 are supplied to the air conditioning indoor unit through a common pipe.

[0024] The indoor air conditioning unit performs heat exchange between the heat transfer medium supplied from the gas air conditioner 10 and the electric air conditioner 12 and the air supplied in the room, thereby cooling or heating the air supplied in the room. The indoor air conditioning unit sends the air after heat exchange into the room and sends the heat transfer medium after heat exchange back to the gas air conditioner 10 and the electric air conditioner 12.

[0025] The control device 16 transmits the operating status of the gas air conditioner 10 and the electric air conditioner 12, along with the customer's identification number, to the server 20. The control device 16 also controls the operation of the gas air conditioner 10 and the electric air conditioner 12 based on the target values ​​of their respective operating statuses, which are determined by the server 20 and received from the server 20.

[0026] Server 20 adjusts the electricity demand of a group of customers, each consisting of a gas air conditioner 10 and an electric air conditioner 12.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the server 20 includes a communication unit 22 and a calculation unit 24. The calculation unit 24 includes an operating status acquisition unit 30, a target value determination unit 32, and an output unit 34.

[0028] The communication unit 22 receives the operating status of the gas air conditioner 10 and electric air conditioner 12 for each customer from the control device 16.

[0029] The operating status acquisition unit 30 acquires the operating status of each customer's gas air conditioner 10 and electric air conditioner 12, which is received from each customer.

[0030] When a request for power demand adjustment is received, the target value determination unit 32 determines target values ​​for the operating status of the gas air conditioner 10 and electric air conditioner 12 at each customer in order to satisfy the requested power demand adjustment amount, based on the requested power demand adjustment amount and the respective operating status of the gas air conditioner 10 and electric air conditioner 12 obtained for each customer.

[0031] Specifically, when adjusting electricity demand, the target value determination unit 32 determines the target value of the planned operating load rate for each gas air conditioner 10 and electric air conditioner 12 at each customer based on the amount of electricity demand adjustment, the operating status of each gas air conditioner 10 and electric air conditioner 12 obtained for each customer, the temperature of the cooling water at each customer, and the partial load efficiency at the planned operating load rate for each gas air conditioner 10 at each customer.

[0032] The output unit 34 outputs to each customer the target values ​​for the operating status of the determined gas air conditioner 10 and electric air conditioner 12.

[0033] <Operation of the power demand adjustment system 100> Next, the operation of the power demand adjustment system 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0034] When a request for power demand adjustment is received, the server 20 executes the demand adjustment processing routine shown in Figure 5.

[0035] First, in step S100, the operating status acquisition unit 30 acquires the operating status of each customer's gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner.

[0036] Specifically, the control device 16 for each customer requests the operating status of the gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner, and the control device 16 for each customer transmits the operating status of the customer's gas air conditioner 10 and electric air conditioner 12, along with the customer's identification number, to the server 20.

[0037] More specifically, the operating status acquisition unit 30 acquires, for each customer, the operating status of the gas air conditioner 10 and the electric air conditioner 12, including the specifications of the gas air conditioner 10 and the electric air conditioner 12, the current operating load factor, and the cooling water temperature.

[0038] For example, assuming multiple customers, customers A through C, the following information will be obtained.

[0039] For customer A, gas air conditioner 10 has a capacity of 500kW, an output of 100kW, an operating load factor of 20%, and a surplus capacity of 400kW (= 500kW × (1 - 0.2)). Electric air conditioner 12 has a capacity of 500kW, an output of 500kW, and an operating load factor of 100%. Therefore, as an air conditioning output-based power demand adjustment, it is possible to reduce power demand by reducing the output of electric air conditioner 12 by 400kW and increasing the output of gas air conditioner 10. The cooling water temperature is 28 degrees Celsius.

[0040] For customer B, gas air conditioner 10 has a capacity of 200 kW, an output of 0 kW, an operating load factor of 0%, and a surplus capacity of 200 kW. Electric air conditioner 12 has a capacity of 200 kW, an output of 200 kW, and an operating load factor of 100%. Therefore, as an air conditioning output-based power demand adjustment, it is possible to reduce power demand by reducing the output of electric air conditioner 12 by 200 kW and increasing the output of gas air conditioner 10. The cooling water temperature is 28 degrees Celsius.

[0041] For customer C, the gas air conditioner 10 has a capacity of 250 kW, an output of 50 kW, an operating load factor of 20%, and a surplus capacity of 200 kW. The electric air conditioner 12 has a capacity of 250 kW, an output of 250 kW, and an operating load factor of 100%. Therefore, as an air conditioning output-based power demand adjustment, it is possible to reduce power demand by reducing the output of the electric air conditioner 12 by 200 kW and increasing the output of the gas air conditioner 10. The cooling water temperature is 24 degrees Celsius.

[0042] In step S104, the target value determination unit 32 determines the customers with the highest priority.

[0043] Specifically, because gas-combustion absorption chillers take several minutes to start up, the priority for power demand adjustment requests to customers whose gas air conditioners 10 are stopped is set low. On the other hand, gas air conditioners 10 that are in operation can respond to output adjustments within a few seconds to tens of seconds. Therefore, in the above example, customers A and C become the first choice for power demand adjustment command recipients, and customer B becomes the second choice.

[0044] In step S106, the target value determination unit 32 determines the operating pattern for each customer.

[0045] Specifically, based on the operating status of the gas air conditioners 10 and electric air conditioners 12 for each customer, the operating load ratio of the gas air conditioners 10 for customers A and C, who are ranked higher as candidates for electricity demand adjustment commands, is increased to meet the required amount of electricity demand adjustment, thereby determining the operating patterns for customers A and C, who are ranked higher as candidates for electricity demand adjustment commands.

[0046] For example, consider a case where the required amount of power demand adjustment is 100kW x 1 hour based on power consumption. To reduce the air conditioning power consumption by 100kW x 1 hour based on power consumption, assuming the COP of the electric air conditioner 12 is 3.0, it is necessary to replace 300kW x 1 hour of cooling with the gas air conditioner 10 based on air conditioning output. The following operating patterns 1 and 2 are determined to satisfy this required amount of power demand adjustment.

[0047] In operation pattern 1, the current operating load factor of customer A's gas air conditioner 10 is increased from 20% to the planned operating load factor of 60%, thereby adjusting the power demand by 200kW x 1 hour based on air conditioning output. Additionally, the current operating load factor of customer C's gas air conditioner 10 is increased from 20% to the planned operating load factor of 60%, thereby adjusting the power demand by 100kW x 1 hour based on air conditioning output. As a result, a total of 300kW x 1 hour of power demand reduction is achieved based on air conditioning output.

[0048] In operation pattern 2, the current operating load factor of customer A's gas air conditioner 10 is increased from 20% to the planned operating load factor of 40%, thereby adjusting the power demand by 100kW x 1 hour based on air conditioning output. Additionally, the current operating load factor of customer C's gas air conditioner 10 is increased from 20% to the planned operating load factor of 100%, thereby adjusting the power demand by 200kW x 1 hour based on air conditioning output. As a result, a total of 300kW x 1 hour of power demand reduction is achieved based on air conditioning output.

[0049] In step S108, the target value determination unit 32 estimates the COP for each operating pattern of each customer.

[0050] Specifically, for each operating pattern, the COP is estimated for each customer based on the partial load efficiency corresponding to the planned operating load factor and an efficiency correction coefficient corresponding to the cooling water temperature. COP = (Partial load efficiency corresponding to planned operating load rate) × (Efficiency correction factor corresponding to cooling water temperature)

[0051] For example, for operating pattern 1, at customer A, the partial load efficiency of customer A's gas air conditioner 10 corresponding to the planned operating load factor of 60% is 1.72, the efficiency correction factor corresponding to the cooling water temperature of 28 degrees is 1, and the COP is 1.72 (=1.72 × 1). At customer C, the partial load efficiency of customer C's gas air conditioner 10 corresponding to the planned operating load factor of 60% is 1.72, the efficiency correction factor corresponding to the cooling water temperature of 24 degrees is 1.1, and the COP is 1.89 (=1.72 × 1.1).

[0052] For operating pattern 2, at customer A, the partial load efficiency of customer A's gas air conditioner 10 corresponding to the planned operating load factor of 40% is 1.81, the efficiency correction factor corresponding to the cooling water temperature of 28 degrees is 1, and the COP is 1.81 (=1.81 × 1). At customer C, the partial load efficiency of customer C's gas air conditioner 10 corresponding to the planned operating load factor of 100% is 1.51, the efficiency correction factor corresponding to the cooling water temperature of 24 degrees is 1.1, and the COP is 1.66 (=1.51 × 1.1).

[0053] In step S110, the target value determination unit 32 estimates the energy consumption for each operating pattern for each customer.

[0054] Specifically, for each operating pattern, energy consumption is estimated for each customer based on the output (kW) of the gas air conditioner 10 corresponding to the planned operating load factor and the estimated COP. Energy consumption = (Output of gas air conditioner 10 according to planned operating load factor) / (Estimated COP)

[0055] For example, for operating pattern 1, at customer A, the output of gas air conditioner 10 corresponding to the planned operating load factor of 60% is 300, the estimated COP is 1.72, and the energy consumption is 174.4 (=300 / 1.72). At customer C, the output of gas air conditioner 10 corresponding to the planned operating load factor of 60% is 150, the estimated COP is 1.89, and the energy consumption is 79.3 (=150 / 1.89). Therefore, the total energy consumption is 253.7 (=174.4 + 79.3) [kW].

[0056] For operating pattern 2, at customer A, the output of gas air conditioner 10 corresponding to the planned operating load factor of 40% is 200, the estimated COP is 1.81, and the energy consumption is 110.5 (=200 / 1.81). At customer C, the output of gas air conditioner 10 corresponding to the planned operating load factor of 100% is 250, the estimated COP is 1.66, and the energy consumption is 150.5 (=250 / 1.66). Therefore, the total energy consumption is 261.0 (=110.5 + 150.5) [kW].

[0057] In step S112, the target value determination unit 32 determines the optimal operating pattern for each customer.

[0058] Specifically, the optimal operating pattern is determined to be the one that minimizes total energy consumption.

[0059] For example, if driving pattern 1 consumes less total energy than driving pattern 2, then driving pattern 1 is determined to be the optimal driving pattern.

[0060] In step S114, the output unit 34 outputs the target values ​​for the operating status of the determined gas air conditioner 10 and electric air conditioner 12 to each customer. Then, the demand adjustment processing routine is terminated.

[0061] Specifically, an operation command including target values ​​for the planned operating load factors of the gas air conditioner 10 and the electric air conditioner 12 in the optimal operating pattern is output to the control device 16 of each customer.

[0062] For example, an operation command including a target operating load factor of 60% for customer A's gas air conditioner 10 and a target operating load factor of 60% (=(500-200) / 500) for customer A's electric air conditioner 12 in operation pattern 1 is output to customer A's control device 16. In addition, an operation command including a target operating load factor of 60% for customer A's gas air conditioner 10 and a target operating load factor of 60% (=(250-100) / 250) for customer B's electric air conditioner 12 in operation pattern 1 is output to customer B's control device 16.

[0063] Then, the control device 16 for each customer controls the operation of the gas air conditioner 10 and the electric air conditioner 12 based on the operation command received, which includes the target value of the planned operating load rate for each of the gas air conditioner 10 and the electric air conditioner 12 of that customer.

[0064] As described above, according to the power demand adjustment system of the embodiment of the present invention, the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner is acquired for each customer, and target values ​​for the planned operating load rate of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner at each customer are determined in order to satisfy the amount of power demand adjustment. Therefore, when a request for power demand adjustment is made, the optimal target values ​​for the planned operating load rate of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner can be calculated.

[0065] Furthermore, the reduction in electricity demand due to the priority operation of gas air conditioners and the shutdown or reduction in output of electric air conditioners has the same effect as reducing electricity demand by discharging storage batteries. Since it is more economically cost-effective for solar power generation businesses and other operators to reduce electricity demand by adding gas air conditioners than by installing storage battery systems to ensure simultaneous supply and demand, the following effects can be obtained by having energy service providers bear the difference between the cost of installing storage batteries and the cost of increasing the capacity of gas air conditioners. Firstly, consumers can secure air conditioning reserve capacity at a lower cost than usual. Solar power generation businesses and other operators can use gas air conditioners as a virtual storage battery system and secure it at a lower cost than a storage battery system used as a normal supply and demand adjustment capacity. Secondly, even during times of power shortage due to extreme heat or cold, because gas air conditioners with a margin equivalent to the output of electric air conditioners have been introduced, electric air conditioners can be shut down or their output reduced, and compensation can be obtained for adjusting electricity demand. Thirdly, the power demand adjustment server can instantly determine the target operating load factor for each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner to meet the required power demand adjustment amount, thus ensuring that the necessary power is available when and for the required duration. Fourthly, automatic power demand adjustment control eliminates the need for consumers to manually shut down their air conditioners.

[0066] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0067] For example, the explanation described a case where there are two operating patterns that satisfy the adjustment amount for electricity demand, but it is not limited to this. It is also possible to determine three or more operating patterns that satisfy the adjustment amount for electricity demand and then determine the operating pattern that minimizes energy consumption.

[0068] Furthermore, the present invention may be applied not only to operations aimed at improving energy efficiency during normal times, but also to operations during emergencies such as when infrastructure is disrupted or equipment fails. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 10 Gas air conditioners 12 Electric air conditioners 16 Control device 20 servers 22 Communications Department 24 Arithmetic section 30 Operating status acquisition unit 32 Target Value Determination Unit 34 Output section 100 Power Demand Adjustment System

Claims

1. A power demand adjustment server for adjusting the power demand of a group of customers consisting of customers who each have gas air conditioners and electric air conditioners, For each customer, an acquisition unit acquires the operating status of each of the customer's gas air conditioners and electric air conditioners. When adjusting electricity demand, a target value determination unit determines target values ​​for the operating status of the gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner at each customer in order to satisfy the adjustment amount of electricity demand, based on the amount of electricity demand adjustment and the operating status of the gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner obtained for each customer. An output unit that outputs target values ​​for the operating status of each of the gas air conditioners and electric air conditioners determined above to each customer, Includes, The aforementioned target value determination unit is a power demand adjustment server that, when adjusting power demand, determines a target value for the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner at each customer based on the amount of power demand adjustment, the operating status of each gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner obtained for each customer, the temperature of the cooling water at each customer, and the partial load efficiency at the planned operating load rate for each gas air conditioner at each customer.

2. The power demand adjustment server according to claim 1, A control device installed on each customer's side, A power demand adjustment system including, The control device controls the operation of the gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner based on target values ​​for the operating status of each of the gas air conditioner and electric air conditioner at the customer, as determined by the power demand adjustment server. Electricity demand adjustment system.

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