Power saving guarantee system, power saving guarantee program, and power saving guarantee method

Abstract

To provide a power saving guarantee system for guaranteeing an effect of power saving by a power saving controller.SOLUTION: A power saving guarantee system 10 includes a power saving control data acquisition unit 1 that acquires power saving control data representing a power saving effect from a power saving controller 12 that controls a target device 11 to operate in a power saving manner, an electricity charge acquisition unit 2 that acquires electricity charge data representing electricity charges during an evaluation target period of a facility 100 that uses the target device 11, an effect determination unit 4 that uses the power saving control data and the electricity charge data to determine whether or not the power saving effect by the power saving controller 11 has reached a target, and a guarantee amount determination unit 5 that determines a guaranteed amount of power savings to be paid to a user of the power saving controller 11 when it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached the target.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer system for power saving guarantee.

Background Art

[0002] A control device has been developed to control devices that consume power and operate them with power saving. For example, Japanese Patent No. 6434910 (Patent Document 1) describes a coolant system for controlling the temperature of a solvent (for example, gas or liquid) in a sealed space. In this system, the on and off of a compressor are controlled by a processor using the solvent temperature, the operating time of the compressor, and the heat exchanger temperature. Thereby, the temperature of the refrigerant can be efficiently controlled and the cost can be reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When introducing a control device for power saving control to existing devices, it is necessary that the cost that can be reduced by power saving is larger than the cost of introduction. Therefore, before deciding on the introduction, long-term tests may be carried out, etc., which may delay the decision and implementation of the introduction. As a result, opportunity losses occur. If there is a mechanism that can guarantee the power saving effect by introducing a power saving control device, such opportunity losses can be prevented.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a power saving guarantee system, program, and method for guaranteeing the power saving effect by a power saving control device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (Composition 1) The power saving guarantee system in an embodiment of the present invention is A power saving control data acquisition unit is attached to a target device that operates by consuming power, and acquires power saving control data indicating the power saving effect of the target device as controlled by the power saving control unit from a power saving control unit that controls the target device to operate in a power-saving manner. An electricity rate acquisition unit that acquires electricity rate data showing the electricity rates for the evaluation period of the facility using the aforementioned equipment, An effect determination unit that uses the power saving control data and the electricity rate data to determine whether the power saving effect of the power saving control device has reached the target, The system includes a guarantee amount determination unit that determines the amount of guaranteed power savings to be paid to the user of the power saving control unit if it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached the target.

[0007] In the system of Configuration 1 described above, it is determined whether the power saving effect has reached the target based on power saving control data acquired from the power saving controller and electricity bill data showing the electricity bill of the facility using the target equipment. This allows for an accurate determination of the power saving effect for cost reduction by the power saving controller. If the power saving effect has not reached the target, the guaranteed amount is determined. Therefore, the guaranteed amount is determined based on an accurate determination of the power saving effect. As a result, the power saving effect by the power saving controller can be guaranteed.

[0008] The power saving control data may also be data showing the power saving effect based on the operating performance of at least one of the target equipment and the power saving controller. For example, the power saving effect data may include a comparison of the operating performance when the target equipment operates for a certain period of time under the control of the power saving controller and the operating performance when the target equipment operates for a certain period of time without the control of the power saving controller.

[0009] The power saving control data may also be data showing the power saving effect based on the operational performance of at least one of the target equipment and the power saving controller during the evaluation period. For example, the power saving control data acquisition unit may acquire power saving control data from the power saving controller during the evaluation period.

[0010] The electricity bill data may include, for example, the amount of electricity charges for the evaluation period (e.g., the billed amount) or at least one of the amount of electricity used that forms the basis for calculating the electricity charges. For example, in addition to the amount of electricity charges, the electricity bill data may include at least one of the following: maximum demand power, basic charge, amount of electricity used, energy charge, fuel cost adjustment, and renewable energy generation promotion surcharge.

[0011] The electricity rate data acquisition unit may further acquire non-implementation period electricity rate data, which shows the electricity rates for the facility during the period when control by a power-saving controller has not been introduced (hereinafter referred to as the non-implementation period).

[0012] The effectiveness determination unit can determine whether or not to pay a power saving guarantee to the user of the power saving control device by determining whether or not the power saving effect has reached the target. For example, the effectiveness determination unit can determine that the power saving effect has reached the target if the amount of power saved indicated by the power saving control data reaches the target, and the amount of reduction in power consumption determined based on the electricity rate indicated by the electricity rate data also reaches the target. In this case, the effectiveness determination unit can determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the amount of power saved indicated by the power saving control data does not reach the target, and the amount of reduction in power consumption determined based on the electricity rate indicated by the electricity rate data also does not reach the target.

[0013] The amount of power saved indicated by the power saving control data may be, for example, the reduction in power consumption when the target device operates for a certain period of time under the control of a power saving controller compared to the power consumption when the target device operates for a certain period of time without the control of a power saving controller. The power consumption of the target device may be expressed, for example, in terms of the operating amount of the target device.

[0014] The amount of reduction in electricity consumption determined based on the electricity rates shown in the electricity rate data may be, for example, the reduction in electricity consumption during the evaluation period compared to the electricity consumption during the non-implementation period. Here, electricity consumption may be calculated using at least one of the electricity rate amount and the amount of electricity consumed included in the electricity rate data. Furthermore, the amount of reduction in electricity consumption may be calculated using at least one of the following: maximum demand power, basic charge, amount of electricity consumed, energy charge, fuel cost adjustment, and renewable energy generation promotion surcharge.

[0015] (Configuration 2) In the above configuration 1, the power saving guarantee system may further include a power acquisition unit that acquires power measured by a measuring instrument installed on the power supply line of the facility using the target equipment. The effect determination unit may further use the power measured by the measuring instrument to determine whether the power saving effect of the power saving controller has reached the target. This allows for a more accurate determination of the power saving effect.

[0016] The effectiveness determination unit may determine whether the reduction in power consumption of the target equipment, determined by the power measured by the measuring instrument, has reached the target. In this case, the effectiveness determination unit can determine that the power saving effect has reached the target if the power saving control amount indicated by the power saving control data reaches the target, the reduction in power consumption determined based on the electricity rate data reaches the target, and the reduction in power consumption determined by the power measured by the measuring instrument reaches the target.

[0017] The amount of power consumption reduction determined by the power measured by the measuring instrument may be, for example, the amount of reduction between the power measured by the measuring instrument during the period when the target device was operating under the control of the power-saving controller (ON period) (ON period power) and the power measured by the measuring instrument during the period when the target device was operating without the control of the power-saving controller (OFF period) (OFF period power).

[0018] If the effectiveness determination unit determines that the amount of power consumption reduction determined by the power measured by the measuring instrument does not reach the target, the measured power acquisition unit may acquire the ON period power measured over a longer ON period and the OFF period power measured over a longer OFF period. In this case, the effectiveness determination unit repeatedly determines whether the amount of reduction in ON period power relative to the OFF period reaches the target.

[0019] The effectiveness evaluation unit may use other data in addition to power saving control data and electricity rate data to determine whether the power saving effect of the power saving control device has reached the target.

[0020] The effectiveness determination unit may, for example, use environmental data indicating the environment of the target equipment during the evaluation period to make the above determination. The environment of the target equipment may, for example, be temperature. As an example, the temperature of the environment of the facility in which the target equipment is used may be included in the environmental data. The effectiveness determination unit may allow itself to determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the environment indicated by the environmental data meets predetermined conditions, and may not determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the environment does not meet the predetermined conditions. This makes it possible to avoid external factors such as the environment influencing the power saving effect determination by the power saving controller.

[0021] The effectiveness determination unit may, for example, use setting data indicating the operating settings of the target equipment during the evaluation period to make the above determination. The operating settings of the target equipment may, for example, be the setting of the target equipment's operating target value. The effectiveness determination unit may allow itself to determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the operating settings of the target equipment indicated by the setting data meet predetermined conditions, and may not determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the operating settings of the target equipment do not meet the predetermined conditions. This makes it possible to avoid the operating settings of the target equipment influencing the power saving effect determination by the power saving controller.

[0022] The power-saving guarantee program according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a target device that consumes power and operates, and obtains power-saving control data indicating the amount of power saved by the target device under the control of the power-saving controller from the power-saving controller that controls the target device to operate with power saving. A power-saving control data acquisition process, an electricity charge data acquisition process for acquiring electricity charge data indicating the electricity charge during the evaluation period of the facility using the target device, and using the power-saving control data and the electricity charge data. An effect determination process for determining whether the power-saving effect by the power-saving controller has reached the target, and a guarantee amount determination process for determining the guarantee amount of power saving to be paid to the user of the power-saving controller when it is determined that the power-saving effect has not reached the target are executed by a computer.

[0023] The power-saving guarantee method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps executed by a computer. The power-saving guarantee method is attached to a target device that consumes power and operates, and obtains power-saving control data indicating the amount of power saved by the target device under the control of the power-saving controller from the power-saving controller that controls the target device to operate with power saving. A power-saving control data acquisition step, an electricity charge data acquisition step for acquiring electricity charge data indicating the electricity charge during the evaluation period of the facility using the target device, and using the power-saving control data and the electricity charge data. An effect determination step for determining whether the power-saving effect by the power-saving controller has reached the target, and a guarantee amount determination step for determining the guarantee amount of power saving to be paid to the user of the power-saving controller when it is determined that the power-saving effect has not reached the target.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] Functional block diagram showing a configuration example of the power-saving guarantee system of the present embodiment [Figure 2] Flowchart showing an operation example of the power-saving guarantee system shown in FIG. 1 [Figure 3] Diagram showing examples of electricity charge data and non-introduction period electricity charge data, and an example of determination of power consumption reduction amount [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. For the sake of clarity, the drawings referenced below show simplified or schematic representations of the configuration, and some components are omitted.

[0026] (Example system configuration) Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing an example configuration of the power saving guarantee system of this embodiment. The power saving guarantee system 10 shown in Figure 1 determines whether the power saving effect of the power saving controller 12 attached to the target equipment 11 has reached the target, and if the target has not been reached, it determines the amount of power saving guarantee. The power saving guarantee system 10 comprises a power saving control data acquisition unit 1, an electricity rate data acquisition unit 2, a measured power acquisition unit 3, an effect determination unit 4, and a guarantee amount determination unit 5.

[0027] The target device 11 is installed in facility 100. Facility 100 is supplied with power from the power grid. The target device 11 operates by consuming this power. The power saving controller 12 controls the target device 11 to operate with reduced power consumption.

[0028] The target equipment 11 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, an air conditioning unit. For example, the target equipment 11 may be an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature and / or humidity of a room in facility 100. If the target equipment 11 is an air conditioner, the power saving controller 12 may be configured to control the air conditioner's compressor. In this case, the power saving controller 12 may have a sensor that detects at least one of the following: the operation of the compressor, the temperature of the air adjusted by the air conditioner, the temperature of the refrigerant, and the temperature of the heat exchanger. The power saving controller 12 improves the efficiency of adjusting the room temperature and / or humidity to a set value by controlling the compressor according to the sensor's detected value. This allows the air conditioner to operate with reduced power consumption. Note that there may be multiple combinations of target equipment 11 and power saving controller 12 in one facility 100.

[0029] In this way, the power-saving controller 12 controls the target device 11 to reduce power consumption while maintaining operational performance. The power-saving controller 12 may be configured to be additionally attached to the target device 11. Alternatively, the power-saving controller 12 may be part of the target device 11 and built in at the time of product shipment.

[0030] The power saving control data acquisition unit 1 acquires power saving control data from the power saving controller 12. The power saving control data acquisition unit 1 may also acquire power saving control data from, for example, the storage unit 20 which stores power saving control data output by the power saving controller 12. The power saving control data is data that indicates the amount of power saved by the target equipment 11 due to the control of the power saving controller 12. The amount of power saved may be the amount of reduction in power consumption of the target equipment 11 due to the control of the power saving controller 12. The amount of power saved may be, for example, the difference between the power consumption when the target equipment is operating with control by the power saving controller 12 and the power consumption when it is operating under the same conditions but without control by the power saving controller 12. Here, power consumption may be expressed as the value of power consumption itself, or as the operating amount of the target equipment 11 (for example, the operating rate of the compressor).

[0031] The electricity bill data acquisition unit 2 acquires electricity bill data. The electricity bill data is data showing the electricity bill for the evaluation period (e.g., the evaluation month) of the facility 100 that uses the target equipment 11. At least a portion of the period during which control by the power saving controller 12 is implemented is set as the evaluation period. The electricity bill data acquisition unit 2 may, for example, acquire electricity bill data from the storage unit 20 that stores electricity bill data. The electricity bill data may include at least one of the amount of electricity bill (billed amount) and the amount of electricity used that forms the basis of the electricity bill during the evaluation period. The electricity bill data may, for example, be data from an electricity bill issued by a power supplier. The electricity bill data may be automatically stored in the storage unit 20, or it may be stored in the storage unit 20 by human input.

[0032] The electricity rate data acquisition unit 2 may further acquire non-implementation period electricity rate data. Non-implementation period electricity rate data is data showing the electricity rates for facility 100 during the period when control by the power saving controller 12 has not been introduced (non-implementation period). The amount of reduction in power consumption due to the control by the power saving controller 12 can be calculated using the electricity rate data and the non-implementation period electricity rate data. Alternatively, the amount of reduction in power consumption due to the control by the power saving controller 12 can be calculated by calculating the difference between the amount of electricity charges or the amount of power consumed shown in the electricity rate data and a predetermined standard value.

[0033] The pre-implementation period electricity rate data may, for example, be data showing the electricity rate for the same month more than one year prior to the month for which the electricity rate data is being evaluated. Alternatively, the pre-implementation period electricity rate data may be data showing the electricity rate calculated based on the electricity rates for multiple months during the pre-implementation period. The pre-implementation period electricity rate data may be automatically stored in the storage unit 20, or it may be stored in the storage unit 20 through human input.

[0034] The power measurement acquisition unit 3 acquires the power (measured power) measured by the measuring instrument 13. The measuring instrument 13 is installed on the power supply line of the facility 100 that uses the target equipment 11. That is, the measuring instrument 13 is installed on the line that supplies power to the target equipment 11. For example, the measuring instrument 13 may be installed on the power supply line between the circuit breaker 14 of the distribution board of the facility 100 and the target equipment 11. The measuring instrument 13 may be, for example, a clamp meter, a tester, or other detector that measures power consumption. The power measurement acquisition unit 3 may acquire the measured power from, for example, a storage unit 20 that stores the measured power data. The measured power measured by the measuring instrument 13 may be automatically stored in the storage unit 20, or it may be stored in the storage unit 20 by human input operation.

[0035] The power measurement unit 3 may acquire, as measured power, the power measured by the measuring instrument 13 during the period when the target device 11 was operating under the control of the power saving controller 12 (power saving control period), and the power measured by the measuring instrument 13 during the period when the target device 11 was operating without control by the power saving controller 12 (no power saving control period). Alternatively, the power measurement unit 3 may acquire, as measured power, the amount of reduction in the amount of energy measured during the power saving control period compared to the amount of energy measured during the no power saving control period.

[0036] The effectiveness determination unit 4 uses power saving control data, electricity rate data, and measured power to determine whether the power saving effect of the power saving controller 12 has reached the target. If the power saving effect has not reached the target, a guarantee payment is made to the user of the power saving controller 12, i.e., the installer, to guarantee cost reduction through power saving. In other words, the effectiveness determination unit 4 will decide whether or not to pay a power saving guarantee payment to the user of the power saving controller 12.

[0037] The guarantee amount determination unit 5 determines the amount of power saving guarantee to be paid to the user of the power saving controller 12 when the effectiveness determination unit 4 determines that the power saving effect has not reached the target. The determined guarantee amount may be a predetermined fixed amount, or it may be an amount that varies depending on the degree of power saving effect.

[0038] The power saving guarantee system 10 is implemented by one or more computers. The power saving control data acquisition unit 1, the electricity rate data acquisition unit 2, the measured power acquisition unit 3, the effectiveness judgment unit 4, and the guarantee amount determination unit 5 are realized by the computer's processor executing a predetermined program. Such a program and a non-transitory storage medium storing the program are also included in embodiments of the present invention. The storage unit 20 consists of a storage device (storage or memory) that can be accessed by the computers constituting the power saving guarantee system 10.

[0039] The configuration of the power saving guarantee system 10 is not limited to the above example. For example, in the power saving guarantee system 10 of Figure 1, the measured power acquisition unit 3 may be omitted. The power saving guarantee system 10 may also be configured to acquire at least one of environmental data and setting data. The environmental data and setting data may be stored in the storage unit 20. Environmental data is, for example, data indicating the environment around the target equipment 11 during the evaluation period (temperature, humidity, wind speed, weather, or terrain, etc.). Setting data indicates the settings for the operation of the target equipment during the evaluation period. Setting data may include, for example, a target setting value for the operation of the target equipment 11. The effect determination unit 4 may use at least one of the environmental data and setting data to determine whether the power saving effect has reached the target.

[0040] (Example of system operation) Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the power saving guarantee system 10 shown in Figure 1. In the example in Figure 2, the power saving guarantee system 10 acquires setting data indicating the operating settings of the target equipment 11 during the evaluation period (S1). It is determined whether the operating settings of the target equipment 11 indicated by the setting data satisfy predetermined setting conditions (S2). The setting conditions may be, for example, that the set value is within a predetermined range. For example, if the target equipment 11 is an air conditioner, the set temperature of the air conditioner may be included in the setting data. The setting conditions may also include that the set temperature has not been changed from a predetermined temperature or temperature range.

[0041] If the settings do not meet the conditions (NO in S2), the process will terminate. In this case, it will be determined that no deposit will be paid. For example, if the set temperature has been changed since the introduction (installation) of the power saving controller 12, it may be determined that no deposit will be paid as an exemption.

[0042] The power saving guarantee system 10 acquires environmental data (S3) and determines whether the values ​​indicating the environment for the evaluation period included in the environmental data meet predetermined conditions (S4). For example, it may be determined whether the values ​​indicating the environment for the evaluation period are within a predetermined range relative to a reference value. As an example, if the value indicating the environment is temperature, it is determined whether the representative value of the temperature during the evaluation period (e.g., average temperature or maximum temperature) is within a predetermined range relative to the representative value of the temperature for the same period in the previous year. As a specific example, if the average temperature of the month in question, which is the evaluation period, has risen by a predetermined amount (e.g., 2 degrees) or more from the average temperature of the same month in the previous year, it may be determined to be outside the predetermined range. Also, if there are 5 or more days in the month in question, which is the evaluation period, where the maximum temperature exceeds the maximum temperature of the same day in the same month of the previous year, it may be determined to be outside the predetermined range.

[0043] If the environment does not meet the specified conditions (NO in S4), the process will terminate. In this case, it will be determined that no deposit will be paid. For example, if the values ​​indicating the environment are outside the specified range, it may be determined that no deposit will be paid as an exemption due to external factors.

[0044] If the answer is YES in both S2 and S4, the electricity bill data acquisition unit 2 acquires the electricity bill data (S5). The electricity bill data acquisition unit 2 or the effectiveness determination unit 4 uses the electricity bill data to determine a value indicating the amount of reduction in electricity consumption (energy saving) during the evaluation period (S6). For example, the amount of reduction in electricity consumption can be calculated using, for example, the amount of electricity charges during the evaluation period, the breakdown of electricity charges, and at least two of the amount of electricity consumption that forms the basis of the electricity charges. The effectiveness determination unit 4 determines whether the amount of reduction in electricity consumption determined in S5 has reached the target (S7).

[0045] Figure 3 shows examples of electricity rate data and pre-implementation electricity rate data, as well as an example of determining the amount of power consumption reduction based on the electricity rate data. In the example in Figure 3, the electricity rate data and pre-implementation electricity rate data each include maximum demand power, basic charge, power factor discount rate, amount of electricity used, energy charge, fuel cost adjustment, renewable energy generation promotion surcharge, and electricity charge (billed amount). The effectiveness determination unit 4 can use at least two of these to determine whether the amount of power consumption reduction determined based on the electricity rate data has reached the target.

[0046] Equations (1) to (4) in Table T1 are examples of expressions used in the process of determining whether the amount of power consumption reduction achieved by the power saving controller 12 during the evaluation month has reached the target. For example, if any of equations (1) to (4) in Table T1 are true, it can be determined that the power saving controller 12 is operating normally. In other words, if any of equations (1) to (4) are true, it can be determined that the amount of power consumption reduction achieved by the power saving controller 12 has reached the target.

[0047] The decision process using formula (1) is an example of a process that uses the basic charge and the amount of the electricity charge (billed amount) to determine whether the reduction in electricity consumption has reached the target. The decision process using formula (2) is an example of a process that uses the power factor discount rate and the amount of the electricity charge to determine whether the reduction in electricity consumption has reached the target. The decision process using formula (3) is an example of a process that uses the amount of electricity consumed, the energy charge, and the amount of the electricity charge to determine whether the reduction in electricity consumption has reached the target. Formula (4) is an example of a process that uses the fuel cost adjustment amount and the electricity charge to determine whether the reduction in electricity consumption has reached the target.

[0048] If the effectiveness determination unit 4 determines that the amount of reduction in power consumption, which is determined based on the electricity bill data, has reached the target (YES in S7 in Figure 2), it determines that the power saving effect of the power saving controller 12 has reached the target (S14), and terminates the process.

[0049] If the answer in S7 is NO, the power saving control data acquisition unit 1 acquires power saving control data (S8). As an example, the power saving control data acquisition unit 1 changes the operating mode of the power saving controller 12 to a test mode or an operating mode to check the amount of power consumption reduction. In this operating mode, an ON period in which the control of the target equipment 11 by the power saving controller 12 is ON and an OFF period in which the control is OFF continue for a fixed period of time. The amount of reduction in the amount of operation of the target equipment 11 during the ON period compared to the amount of operation of the target equipment 11 during the OFF period is acquired as power saving control data. For example, the amount of reduction in the amount of operation of the compressor during the ON period (e.g., operating rate) compared to the amount of operation of the compressor during the OFF period (e.g., operating rate) may be included in the power saving control data.

[0050] The effectiveness determination unit 4 determines whether the amount of power saved indicated by the power saving control data has reached the target (S9). That is, the effectiveness determination unit 4 determines whether the amount of power consumption reduced by the control of the power saving controller 12 has reached the target. For example, it may be determined whether the reduction in the amount of operation of the target device 11 during the ON period relative to the amount of operation of the target device 11 during the OFF period has reached a predetermined amount. For example, if the above reduction amount is a predetermined percentage (for example, 20%) or more of the operation amount during the OFF period, it may be determined that the amount of power consumption reduced by power saving control has reached the target. That is, if the reduction amount reaches a predetermined amount, it may be determined that the power saving controller 12 is operating normally.

[0051] If the effect determination unit 4 determines that the amount of power saved indicated by the power saving control data has reached the target (YES in S9), it determines that the power saving effect by the power saving controller 12 has reached the target (S14), and terminates the process.

[0052] Furthermore, if there are multiple combinations of target equipment 11 and power saving controllers 12, power saving control data acquisition and determination of whether the reduction amount has reached the target may be performed sequentially for each of the power saving controllers 12.

[0053] If the answer in S9 is NO, the power measurement unit 3 acquires the power measured by the measuring instrument 13 (S10). The power measurement unit 3 acquires the power measured from the measuring instrument 13. The measuring instrument 13 may be, for example, a clamp meter installed on the breaker 14 of the target equipment 11. As an example, the power measurement unit 3 acquires the power measured during a certain period when the control of the target equipment 11 by the power saving controller 12 is ON (ON period power) and the power measured during a certain period when the control is OFF (OFF period power) as the power measured. The length of this certain period is defined as the first period length. The power measurement unit 3 may also control the power saving controller 12 to operate in an ON state for a certain period and in an OFF state for a certain period of the same length.

[0054] The effect determination unit 4 or the measured power acquisition unit 3 determines the amount of power consumption reduction using the measured power acquired in S10 (S11). The effect determination unit 4 determines whether the amount of power consumption reduction has reached the target (S12). For example, the effect determination unit 4 determines that the amount of power consumption reduction determined using the measured power has reached the target if the reduction amount of ON period power compared to OFF period power reaches a predetermined amount (for example, 20% of OFF period power). In other words, if the reduction amount of ON period power compared to OFF period power reaches a predetermined amount, it is determined that the power saving controller 12 is operating normally.

[0055] If the effect determination unit 4 determines that the amount of power saved indicated by the power saving control data has reached the target (YES in S12), it determines that the power saving effect by the power saving controller 12 has reached the target (S14), and terminates the process.

[0056] If the answer in S12 is NO, the effectiveness determination unit 4 determines that the power saving effect of the power saving controller 12 has not reached the target (S13). In this case, the guarantee amount determination unit 5 determines a guarantee amount to guarantee cost reduction due to power saving (S15). The guarantee amount may be, for example, the amount equivalent to the usage fee for the power saving controller 12 during the evaluation period. Once the guarantee amount is determined, the guarantee amount is paid to the user. In this example, the usage fee for the power saving controller 12 will be refunded. In this case, the power saving controller 12 may be replaced.

[0057] As a variation of S10 to S12, if the first S12 is NO, that is, if it is determined that the reduction amount based on the measured power has not reached the target, the measured power acquisition unit 3 may acquire the ON period power measured during an ON period longer than the first ON period (first period length), and the OFF period power measured during an OFF period longer than the first OFF period. The effect determination unit 4 determines whether the reduction amount of OFF period power relative to ON period power has reached the target. That is, if the first S12 is NO, the processing of S10 to S12 may be executed again for longer ON and OFF periods. This re-execution of S10 to S12 may be repeated until the length of the ON and OFF periods reaches the upper limit length.

[0058] For example, the first time, S10 to S12 may be executed with the ON and OFF periods set to 1 hour; the second time, S10 to S12 may be executed with the ON and OFF periods set to 24 hours; the third time, S10 to S12 may be executed with the ON and OFF periods set to 7 days; and the fourth time, S10 to S12 may be executed with the ON and OFF periods set to 30 days. In this case, for example, if NO (the reduction amount does not reach the target) is determined in the fourth S12 as well, the effect determination unit 4 will determine that the power saving effect does not reach the target (S13), and the guarantee amount determination unit 5 will determine the guarantee amount (S15). In this way, by repeatedly executing S10 to S12 when it is determined that the reduction amount does not reach the target, the power saving effect can be determined more accurately.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, in the operation example shown in Figure 2, at least one of the processing using the setting data in S1 and S2, and the processing using the environmental data in S3 and S4 may be omitted. Also, the processing using the measured power in S10 to S12 may be omitted.

[0060] The equipment covered is not limited to air conditioning equipment, but may also include, for example, liquid temperature control equipment, refrigerators, lighting equipment, heating equipment, machine tools, presses, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, or other equipment that consumes electricity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: Power saving control data acquisition unit, 2: Electricity rate data acquisition unit, 3: Measured power acquisition unit, 4: Effectiveness judgment unit, 5: Guarantee amount determination unit, 10: Power saving guarantee system, 11: Target equipment, 11: Power saving controller, 13: Measuring instrument

Claims

1. A power saving control data acquisition unit is attached to a target device that operates by consuming power, and acquires power saving control data indicating the amount of power saved by the target device through the control of the power saving controller, from the power saving controller that controls the target device to operate in a power-saving manner. An electricity rate data acquisition unit acquires electricity rate data showing the electricity rates for the evaluation period of the facility using the aforementioned equipment, An effect determination unit that uses the power saving control data and the electricity rate data to determine whether the power saving effect of the power saving control device has reached the target, The system includes a guarantee amount determination unit that determines the guaranteed amount of power savings to be paid to the user of the power saving control unit if it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached the target, The aforementioned effectiveness determination unit further uses environmental data, including the temperature of the environment of the facility where the target equipment is used during the evaluation period, to perform the above determination, A power saving guarantee system that allows the system to determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the ambient temperature indicated by the aforementioned environmental data meets predetermined conditions, and does not determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target if the ambient temperature does not meet the predetermined conditions.

2. A power saving guarantee system according to claim 1, The system further includes a power acquisition unit that acquires power measured by a measuring instrument installed on the power supply line of a facility using the aforementioned equipment. The aforementioned effect determination unit further uses the power measured by the measuring instrument to determine whether the power saving effect of the power saving control device has reached the target, thus providing a power saving guarantee system.

3. A power saving control data acquisition process that acquires power saving control data indicating the amount of power saved by the target device through the control of the power saving controller, which is attached to the target device that operates by consuming power and controls the target device to operate in a power-saving manner, A process for acquiring electricity bill data that obtains electricity bill data showing the electricity charges for the evaluation period of the facility using the aforementioned equipment, An effect determination process that uses the power saving control data and the electricity rate data to determine whether the power saving effect of the power saving control device has reached the target, If it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached the target, the computer is instructed to perform a guarantee amount determination process to determine the guaranteed amount of power saving to be paid to the user of the power saving control unit. The aforementioned effect determination process further uses environmental data, including the temperature of the environment of the facility where the target equipment is used during the evaluation period, to perform the determination. A power saving guarantee program that includes a process that allows the program to determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target when the ambient temperature indicated by the aforementioned environmental data meets predetermined conditions, and does not determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target when the ambient temperature does not meet the predetermined conditions.

4. A power saving guarantee method performed by a computer, A power saving control data acquisition step involves acquiring power saving control data indicating the amount of power saved by the target device through the control of the power saving controller, which is attached to the target device that operates by consuming power and controls the target device to operate in a power-saving manner. A step of acquiring electricity rate data to acquire electricity rate data showing the electricity rates for the evaluation period of the facility using the aforementioned equipment, An effect determination step, which uses the power saving control data and the electricity rate data to determine whether the power saving effect of the power saving control device has reached the target, The system includes a guarantee amount determination step, which determines the amount of guaranteed power savings to be paid to the user of the power saving control unit if it is determined that the power saving effect has not reached the target. The aforementioned effect determination step involves the computer further using environmental data, including the temperature of the environment of the facility where the equipment is used during the evaluation period, to perform the determination. A power saving guarantee method wherein the computer is permitted to determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target when the ambient temperature indicated by the ambient data meets predetermined conditions, and does not determine that the power saving effect has not reached the target when the ambient temperature does not meet the predetermined conditions.

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