Maintenance plan creation assistance device and maintenance plan creation assistance method

Abstract

A maintenance plan creation assistance device 100: stores preventive maintenance item data 110 which is data regarding restriction related to execution timing of inspection for each wind power generator 50 that generates electric power to be supplied to consumers; creates individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 which is data regarding inspection timing that is for each of the wind power generators 50 and that satisfies said restriction; acquires past air volume data at the place where each of the wind power generators 50 is installed; estimates a future power generation amount of each of the wind power generators 50 on the basis of the acquired air volume data; calculates, on the basis of the estimated power generation amount, the preventive maintenance item data, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120, execution timing of inspection for each of the wind power generators 50 such that a supply shortage risk of the electric power to the consumers due to execution of the inspection for each of the wind power generators 50 is minimized; and outputs the calculated execution timing information to an output device.

Description

Maintenance plan creation support device and maintenance plan creation support method

[0001] The present invention relates to a maintenance plan creation support device and a maintenance plan creation support method.

[0002] INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-033282, filed March 5, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In recent years, the introduction of wind power plants has been promoted as one of the measures to address environmental issues such as global warming. Because wind power generation generates electricity using natural energy, it requires operations that are different from those of conventional power plants such as thermal power plants.

[0003] As a technology for supporting the operation of wind power plants, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a maintenance improvement support system that includes an asset knowledge management unit that manages asset knowledge, which is knowledge about asset failures and maintenance; a maintenance improvement measure database that records pre-defined maintenance improvement measures; a maintenance improvement policy selection unit that accepts maintenance improvement policies set by users; a maintenance improvement measure list generation unit that generates a list of maintenance improvement measures to be implemented based on the asset knowledge and maintenance improvement measures of the assets and the user's maintenance improvement policy; and an optimal implementation plan generation unit that generates a plan from the list of maintenance improvement measures to be implemented, with an order that is highly efficient in implementing maintenance improvements and easy to introduce; the system extracts maintenance improvement measures that are compatible with the characteristics of the assets from those that are in line with the user's maintenance improvement policy, and determines the order in which they are implemented based on the dependencies between the technology and data requirements between the maintenance improvement measures.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-181230

[0005] As mentioned above, wind power generation is based on the nature of uncertain natural phenomena, and therefore requires stable power generation, i.e., a stable supply of electricity to consumers. For example, the operating rate and power generation efficiency of wind power generation vary depending on the location, environment, and time of year of the power plant. Therefore, power generation companies with many wind power generators in many areas are highly required to create an appropriate power generation implementation plan for the entire plant. In particular, because wind power generators must be shut down during power plant inspections, inappropriate timing of inspections could result in significant fluctuations in overall power generation.

[0006] However, the technique of Patent Document 1 cannot create a maintenance plan for a wind power generator that takes such circumstances into consideration.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a maintenance plan creation support device and a maintenance plan creation support method that can support the creation of a maintenance plan for a wind turbine generator that enables a stable supply of power.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a maintenance plan creation support device that includes a storage device that stores preventive maintenance item data, which is data on constraints related to the timing of inspections of each wind power generator that generates electricity to be supplied to consumers, and a calculation device that executes the following: an individual preventive maintenance plan creation process that creates individual preventive maintenance plan data that is data on the timing of inspections of each wind power generator that satisfies the constraints; a wind power generation amount calculation process that acquires past wind volume data at each location where each of the wind power generators is installed and estimates the future power generation amount of each of the wind power generators based on the acquired wind volume data; and an overall preventive maintenance plan generation process that calculates the timing of inspections of each of the wind power generators based on the estimated power generation amount, the preventive maintenance item data, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data, so as to minimize the risk of a power supply shortage to the consumers due to inspections of each of the wind power generators, and outputs information on the calculated inspection timing to an output device.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to support the creation of a maintenance plan for a wind power generator that enables a stable supply of power. Configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments.

[0010] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a maintenance plan creation support system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional units included in a maintenance plan creation support device. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration included in a maintenance plan creation support device. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an overview of a maintenance plan creation support process. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating details of a wind power generation amount prediction process. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen for accepting designation of a wind power generator for acquiring measured values. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of data items of wind condition data. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of power curve data of a certain wind power generator. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of created individual power generation amount data. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an individual preventive maintenance plan generation process. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of created preventive maintenance item data. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of created individual preventive maintenance plan data. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an overall preventive maintenance plan generation process. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of created overall preventive maintenance plan data. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional units included in a maintenance plan creation support device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of overall preventive maintenance plan generation process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of overall preventive maintenance plan data created in the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional units included in a maintenance plan creation support device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an overall preventive maintenance plan generation process according to the third embodiment. 13 is a diagram showing an example of overall preventive maintenance plan data created in the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of correction of individual preventive maintenance plan data.

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a maintenance plan creation support system 1 according to the first embodiment. The maintenance plan creation support system 1 includes a maintenance plan creation support device 100 and a plurality of wind power generators 50 installed at various locations.

[0013] The maintenance plan creation support device 100 and each wind power generator 50 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a wired or wireless communication network 5, such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or a dedicated line.

[0014] The power generated by the wind power generators 50 is supplied to consumers (not shown) via predetermined facilities and a power transmission network. On the other hand, each wind power generator 50 needs to be inspected for predetermined items. This inspection also needs to be carried out at a predetermined frequency.

[0015] The wind power generator 50 is equipped with a predetermined sensor. This sensor measures wind power (wind volume) at predetermined timing (for example, at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined times) and transmits the measured values ​​to the maintenance plan creation support device 100. The measured values ​​are accumulated in wind condition data 70, which will be described later.

[0016] The maintenance plan creation support device 100 is an information processing device used by a business operator that manages the wind power generator 50. The maintenance plan creation support device 100 supports the business operator in creating a maintenance plan for the wind power generator 50 based on measurement values ​​received from the wind power generator 50.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional units included in the maintenance plan creation support device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0018] The maintenance plan creation support device 100 has functional units, namely, an individual preventive maintenance plan generation unit 101 , a wind power generation amount calculation unit 102 , and an overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 .

[0019] The individual preventive maintenance plan generation unit 101 generates preventive maintenance item data 110, which is data on constraints regarding the timing of inspections of each wind power generator 50 that generates power to be supplied to consumers. The preventive maintenance item data 110 is data on constraints regarding the items to be inspected and the frequency of inspections. Details of the preventive maintenance item data 110 will be described later.

[0020] Furthermore, the individual preventive maintenance plan generation unit 101 creates, for each wind power generator 50, individual preventive maintenance plan data 120, which is an inspection schedule for the wind power generator 50, that satisfies the contents (inspection constraint conditions) indicated by the preventive maintenance item data 110. Details of the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 will be described later.

[0021] The wind power generation calculation unit 102 stores the following data: wind condition data 70, which is past wind volume data at the location where each wind power generator 50 is installed; power curve data 80, which is data on the operating patterns of the wind power generators 50 associated with the wind volumes; and individual generator power generation data 90, which is historical data on the power generation volume of each wind power generator 50.

[0022] The wind power generation calculation unit 102 acquires wind condition data 70 and individual generator power generation data 90, and estimates the future power generation amount by each wind power generator 50 based on the acquired wind condition data 70, individual generator power generation data 90, and power curve data 80.

[0023] The overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 calculates the timing of inspections of each wind power generator 50 (inspection items and inspection timing) that minimizes the risk of power supply shortages to consumers due to inspections of each wind power generator 50, based on the power generation amount estimated by the wind power generation amount calculation unit 102, the preventive maintenance item data 110, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120, and outputs information on the calculated inspection timing (inspection schedule). The overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 stores the calculated inspection timing data in overall preventive maintenance plan data 140. Furthermore, the overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 corrects each individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 using the created overall preventive maintenance plan data 140.

[0024] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the maintenance plan creation support device 100. The maintenance plan creation support device 100 includes a calculation device 31 such as a central processing unit (CPU), a main storage device 32 such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), an external storage device 33 such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), an input device 34 such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel, an output device 35 such as a display or a touch panel, and a communication device 36 configured with a network interface card (NIC), a wireless communication module, a universal serial interface (USB) module, a serial communication module, or the like.

[0025] The functions of the functional units of the maintenance plan creation support device 100 described above are realized by the maintenance plan creation support device 100 reading out programs from the main storage device 32 or the external storage device 33. Each program can be recorded on, for example, a portable or fixed recording medium and distributed. All or part of these programs may be realized using virtual information processing resources provided using virtualization technology, process space separation technology, or the like, such as a virtual server provided by a cloud system. All or part of these programs may be realized by a service provided by the cloud system via an API (Application Programming Interface), for example. Next, the processing performed by the maintenance plan creation support system 1 will be described.

[0026] 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an outline of processing (maintenance plan creation support processing) performed by the maintenance plan creation support system 1. The maintenance plan creation support processing is started, for example, at a predetermined timing (for example, at a predetermined time interval or a predetermined time), or when the maintenance plan creation support device 100 receives a predetermined input from a user.

[0027] The maintenance plan creation support device 100 executes a wind power generation amount prediction process s1 for predicting the future wind power at the installation location of each wind power generator 50 and the future power generation amount of each wind power generator 50 .

[0028] Furthermore, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 executes an individual preventive maintenance plan generation process s3 for setting information on the inspection items and inspection frequencies to be performed on each wind power generator 50 .

[0029] The maintenance plan creation support device 100 executes an overall preventive maintenance plan creation process s5 that creates information on an inspection schedule for each wind power generator 50 based on the power generation amount obtained by the wind power generation amount prediction process s1 and the inspection information described above, so that power can be stably supplied to consumers by all wind power generators 50. Next, these processes will be described in detail.

[0030] <Wind Power Generation Amount Prediction Processing> FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating details of the wind power generation amount prediction processing s1.

[0031] First, the wind power generation amount calculation unit 102 acquires the wind speed measurement values ​​measured by each sensor of each wind power generator 50 from the wind condition data 70 (s11). For example, the wind power generation amount calculation unit 102 displays a predetermined input screen and accepts from the user the designation of the wind power generator 50 from which the measurement values ​​are to be acquired.

[0032] 6 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for accepting the designation of the wind power generator 50 for which measurements are to be acquired. This input screen 60 displays an image of the wind power generator managed by the maintenance plan creation support device 100. This input screen 60 is a screen that displays, for example, a three-dimensional image of an existing wind power generator 61 and the topography 62 of its installation location, and is a screen that displays a virtual space such as the so-called metaverse. This input screen 60 may be displayed, for example, by a VR device (VR: Virtual Reality) communicatively connected to the maintenance plan creation support device 100.

[0033] 7 is a diagram showing an example of data items of the wind condition data 70. The wind condition data 70 includes data on the wind power generator 71 that measured the wind speed, the date and time 72 that each wind speed was measured, and each measured wind speed 73.

[0034] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the wind power generation amount calculation unit 102 predicts future wind speed values ​​at the installation locations of each wind power generator 50 based on the past wind speed data acquired in s11 (s12).

[0035] For example, the wind power generation amount calculation unit 102 generates a function (a function representing the Weibull distribution) representing the probability value of wind speed, as shown in equation (1).

[0036] Probability that wind speed is less than Vx f (V≦Vx)= 1-exp((-Vx / c)k) ・・・(1)

[0037] Here, c and k are constants.

[0038] The wind power generation amount calculation unit 102 determines the constants c and k for each month by substituting the actual wind speed values ​​acquired in step s11 into formula (1). In this way, the wind power generation amount calculation unit 102 determines formula (1) for each month.

[0039] Here, the case where the wind speed distribution is estimated assuming that the probability distribution of wind speed follows a Weibull distribution has been described, but the wind speed distribution may be estimated based on other types of distribution (for example, Bayesian estimation).

[0040] Next, the wind power generation amount calculation unit 102 acquires the cut-in wind speed, rated wind speed, and cut-out wind speed of each wind power generator 50 from the power curve data 80 of each wind power generator 50 (s13).

[0041] (Power Curve Data) Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of power curve data 80 for a certain wind power generator 50. The power curve data 80 is data that represents an operation pattern (output characteristics) associated with the wind volume of the wind power generator 50. Specifically, the power curve data 80 includes data on a cut-in wind speed 81, which is the minimum wind force required to generate power, a rated wind speed 82, which is the minimum wind speed for operation at a predetermined output (rated output operation), and a cut-out wind speed 83, which is the maximum wind speed at which operation is possible.

[0042] Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the wind power generation amount calculation unit 102 calculates the probability of each wind speed from the cut-in wind speed to the rated wind speed, and also calculates the probability of each wind speed from the rated wind speed to the cut-out wind speed (s14).

[0043] The wind power generation amount calculation unit 102 acquires the output value of each wind power generator 50 at each wind speed from the power curve data 80 of each wind power generator 50 (s15).

[0044] The wind power generation calculation unit 102 calculates the output value (power generation amount) of each wind power generator 50 for each future month by multiplying the probability of each wind speed calculated in s14 by the output value of each wind speed obtained in s15, and registers it in the individual generator power generation amount data 90 (s16).

[0045] (Individual Generator Power Generation Amount Data) Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the created individual generator power generation amount data 90. The individual generator power generation amount data 90 is data in which the power generation amount 91 of each wind power generator 50 for each month is registered.

[0046] <Individual Preventive Maintenance Plan Generation Processing> FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of the individual preventive maintenance plan generation processing s3.

[0047] The individual preventive maintenance plan generating unit 101 generates preventive maintenance item data 110 (s31). For example, a user inputs the contents of an inspection manual or safety regulations of the manufacturer of the wind power generator 50 into the maintenance plan creation support device 100. The individual preventive maintenance plan generating unit 101 may acquire data from a predetermined inspection database or the like and automatically generate the preventive maintenance item data 110.

[0048] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the created preventive maintenance item data 110. The preventive maintenance item data 110 is data that specifies various constraints on the inspection of the wind power generator 50. Specifically, the preventive maintenance item data 110 has data on inspection items 112, inspection frequencies 113, and periods 114 required for inspection for each wind power generator 111.

[0049] Next, as shown in Figure 10, the individual preventive maintenance plan generation unit 101 creates an arbitrary inspection schedule that satisfies the contents (inspection constraints) indicated by the preventive maintenance item data 110 generated in s31 and stores it in the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 (s32).

[0050] The individual preventive maintenance plan generating unit 101 may create the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 based on input from a user, or may automatically create an inspection schedule that satisfies each constraint condition indicated by the preventive maintenance item data 110. The individual preventive maintenance plan generating unit 101 may generate any inspection schedule as long as it satisfies each constraint condition indicated by the preventive maintenance item data 110.

[0051] 12 is a diagram showing an example of the created individual preventive maintenance plan data 120. The individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 is data in which inspection details 123 (whether or not an inspection is performed and the items of the inspection) for each wind power generator 121 at each timing 122 (here, each month from January to December) are registered.

[0052] <Overall Preventive Maintenance Plan Generation Processing> FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of the overall preventive maintenance plan generation processing s5.

[0053] The overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 acquires the individual generator power generation amount data 90 for each wind power generator 50 created in the wind power generation amount prediction process s1 (s51). The overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 also acquires the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 for each wind power generator 50 created in s32 (s52).

[0054] The overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 creates information on other inspection schedules for each wind turbine other than the inspection schedule indicated by the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 created in s32, which satisfy each constraint condition indicated by the preventive maintenance item data 110 (s53).

[0055] For each inspection schedule created in s53, the overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 calculates the value of the following objective function E (Equation (2)) for each wind power generator 50, which represents the magnitude of the risk of a shortage in the supply of power to consumers when inspections are carried out according to that inspection schedule (s54). Note that, since each wind power generator 50 is assumed to operate independently here, the value of E is calculated for each wind power generator 50, but if there is an operational dependency between the wind power generators 50, the value of E for those wind power generators 50 is calculated.

[0056] Ei = Σj ((power generation amount of wind power generator i in month j × reduction rate of power generation amount when inspection is performed in month j (relative to when inspection is performed)) (j = 1, 2, ... 12) ... (2)

[0057] Here, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 calculates the rate of decrease (amount of decrease) of the power generation amount by assuming that the power generation amount of the wind power generator 50 would be zero if no inspection was performed. The overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 calculates the value of the objective function E based on this rate of decrease (amount of decrease). Note that the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 may calculate the rate of decrease (amount of decrease) of power by setting the power generation amount of the wind power generator 50 if no inspection was performed to an arbitrary numerical value (other than zero) according to the content of the inspection.

[0058] The overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 identifies for each wind power generator 50 the inspection schedule associated with the objective function E with the smallest value among the values ​​of the objective function E calculated in s54, and stores the identified content as overall preventive maintenance item data 130 (s55).

[0059] Thereafter, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 displays on the screen the contents of the overall preventive maintenance item data 130. The overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 may also correct the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 created in s32 by overwriting the contents of the overall preventive maintenance item data 130 onto the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 already stored in s32.

[0060] (Overall preventive maintenance plan data) Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of created overall preventive maintenance plan data 140. The overall preventive maintenance plan data 140 is data having the same format as the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120. Specifically, the overall preventive maintenance plan data 140 is data in which inspection schedules 143 (whether or not an inspection is to be performed and the items to be inspected) for each wind power generator 141 at each timing (here, each month from January to December) are registered.

[0061] The overall preventive maintenance plan data 140 differs from the inspection schedule indicated by the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120, and this inspection schedule is a schedule in which the reduction in power generation amount due to inspection (decrease rate) is smaller.

[0062] As described above, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 of this embodiment acquires past wind volume data (wind condition data 70) at each location where each wind power generator 50 is installed, estimates the future power generation capacity of each wind power generator 50 based on the acquired wind condition data 70, and calculates the timing of inspection of each wind power generator 50 so as to minimize the risk of a shortage of power supply to consumers due to inspection of each wind power generator 50 based on the estimated power generation capacity, preventive maintenance item data 110, which is data on constraints related to the timing of inspection of each wind power generator 50, and individual preventive maintenance plan data 120, and outputs information on the calculated inspection timing (overall preventive maintenance plan data 140) to an output device.

[0063] In other words, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 can identify the timing for each inspection to minimize the risk of a shortage of power supply to consumers while satisfying constraints on the timing for each inspection of the wind power generator 50, which vary depending on various factors such as the installation location.

[0064] In this way, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 of this embodiment can support the creation of a maintenance plan for the wind power generator 50 that enables a stable supply of power.

[0065] Furthermore, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 calculates the timing of inspections of each wind power generator 50 based on the estimated power generation amount, data on constraints regarding the items to be inspected and the frequency of inspections (preventive maintenance item data 110), and individual preventive maintenance plan data 120.

[0066] This makes it possible to identify specific inspection items and the timing of their implementation.

[0067] In addition, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 acquires past wind volume data (wind condition data 70) at each location where each wind power generator 40 is installed, and estimates the future power generation amount by each wind power generator 50 based on the acquired wind condition data 70 and data on the operating pattern of the wind power generator 40 corresponding to the wind volume (power curve data 80).

[0068] This makes it possible to accurately predict the amount of power generation in accordance with the output characteristics of the wind power generator 50.

[0069] Furthermore, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 corrects each individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 using the data on the timing of inspection of each wind power generator 50 calculated as above.

[0070] This makes it possible to keep the inspection schedule data for each wind power generator 50 up to date and more appropriate.

[0071] In addition, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 outputs a graphic representing the wind power generator 50 to the output device, accepts the designation of the wind power generator 50 from the user (input screen 60), and estimates the future power generation amount by each designated wind power generator 50.

[0072] This allows the user to easily select the wind power generator 50 for which a maintenance plan is to be created.

[0073] Second Embodiment A maintenance plan creation support system 1 according to a second embodiment supports the creation of a maintenance plan that further takes into consideration the price of electricity generated by a wind power generator 50 (electricity selling price).

[0074] The configuration of the maintenance plan creation support system 1 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0075] 15 is a diagram showing an example of functional units included in the maintenance plan creation support device 100 according to the second embodiment. Compared to the maintenance plan creation support device 100 according to the first embodiment, this maintenance plan creation support device 100 further includes a purchase and sale price data acquisition unit 104.

[0076] The selling price data acquiring unit 104 acquires data representing the amount of power generated by the wind power generator 50 that is demanded by the consumer, and stores the data in the power selling price data 105 .

[0077] In this embodiment, the buying and selling price data acquiring unit 104 acquires data representing the price of electricity generated by the wind power generator 50. This is because the price of electricity is predicted to correspond to the amount of electricity demand. Therefore, the buying and selling price data acquiring unit 104 may estimate electricity demand by acquiring parameters other than the price of electricity that affect electricity demand. The electricity selling price data 105 is acquired, for example, from an external database or the like.

[0078] Then, based on the power generation amount estimated by the wind power generation amount calculation unit 102, the preventive maintenance item data 110, the data representing the demand amount (power sales price data 105), and the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120, the overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 calculates the timing for inspecting each wind power generator 50 so as to minimize the risk of a shortage of power supply to consumers due to the inspection of each wind power generator 50.

[0079] Next, a description will be given of the processes performed by the maintenance plan creation support system 1 according to the second embodiment. The wind power generation amount calculation process s1 and the individual preventive maintenance plan generation process s3 according to the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0080] <Overall Preventive Maintenance Plan Generation Processing> FIG. 16 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an overall preventive maintenance plan generation processing s5 according to the second embodiment.

[0081] The processes in steps s51 and s52 shown in the figure are the same as the overall preventive maintenance plan generation process s5 in the first embodiment.

[0082] Then, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 acquires the power selling price data 105 (s56).

[0083] Then, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 generates information on the inspection schedule (s53), similarly to s53 of the overall preventive maintenance plan generating process s5 of the first embodiment.

[0084] The overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 calculates the value of the following objective function E (Equation (3)) for each wind power generator 50, which represents the level of risk of a shortage of power supply to consumers if inspections are carried out according to each inspection schedule created in s53 (s57).

[0085] Ei = Σj ((power generation amount of wind power generator i in month j × reduction rate of power generation amount when inspection is performed in month j (relative to when inspection is not performed)) × power selling price (j = 1, 2, ... 12) ... (3)

[0086] As in s55 of the overall preventive maintenance plan generation process s5 of the first embodiment, the overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 identifies for each wind power generator 50 the inspection schedule associated with the objective function E with the smallest value among the values ​​of the objective function E calculated in s57, and stores the identified content in the overall preventive maintenance plan data 170 (s58).

[0087] (Overall preventive maintenance plan data) Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of overall preventive maintenance plan data 170 created in the second embodiment. The overall preventive maintenance plan data 170 is data having the same format as the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120. Specifically, the overall preventive maintenance plan data 170 is data in which inspection schedules 173 (whether or not an inspection is to be performed and the items of the inspection) for each wind power generator 171 at each timing 172 (here, each month from January to December) are registered.

[0088] Thereafter, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 displays on the screen the contents of the overall preventive maintenance plan data 170. Furthermore, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 may correct the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 created in s32 by overwriting the contents of the overall preventive maintenance plan data 170 onto the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 already stored in the individual preventive maintenance plan generating process s3.

[0089] As described above, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 of this embodiment calculates the timing for inspecting each wind power generator 50 so as to minimize the risk of a shortage of power supply to consumers due to inspection of each wind power generator 50, based on the power generation amount estimated in the wind power generation amount calculation process s1, the preventive maintenance item data 110, data representing the demand amount, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120.

[0090] This makes it possible to support the creation of a maintenance plan for the wind power generator 50 that can maintain an appropriate supply-demand balance according to the power demand of the consumer.

[0091] Specifically, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 of this embodiment calculates the timing for inspecting each wind power generator 50 based on the power generation amount estimated in the wind power generation amount calculation process s1, preventive maintenance item data 110, power sales price data 105, and individual preventive maintenance plan data 120.

[0092] In this way, by using the electricity selling price as a parameter representing the electricity demand, it is possible to assist in creating a maintenance plan for the wind power generator 50 that can maintain an appropriate balance between supply and demand.

[0093] Third Embodiment A maintenance plan creation support system 1 according to a third embodiment supports the creation of an optimal maintenance plan that takes into account the cost of inspecting wind power generators.

[0094] The configuration of the maintenance plan creation support system 1 of the third embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0095] 18 is a diagram showing an example of functional units included in a maintenance plan creation support device 100 according to the third embodiment. Compared to the maintenance plan creation support device 100 according to the second embodiment, this maintenance plan creation support device 100 further stores inspection cost data 200 in the overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103. The inspection cost data 200 is data on the costs associated with carrying out inspections of each item.

[0096] The overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 calculates the timing for inspecting each wind power generator 50 based on the power generation amount estimated by the wind power generation amount calculation unit 102, the preventive maintenance item data 110, data representing costs (inspection cost data 200), and the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120, so as to optimize the risk of power shortages to consumers and costs due to inspecting each wind power generator 50.

[0097] Next, a description will be given of the processes performed by the maintenance plan creation support system 1 according to the third embodiment. The wind power generation amount calculation process s1 and the individual preventive maintenance plan generation process s3 according to the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0098] <Overall Preventive Maintenance Plan Generation Processing> FIG. 19 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an overall preventive maintenance plan generation processing s5 according to the third embodiment.

[0099] The processes of s51, s52, and s56 shown in the figure are the same as the overall preventive maintenance plan generation process s5 in the first embodiment.

[0100] Then, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 creates information on an inspection schedule that satisfies the cost-related conditions (s59).

[0101] Specifically, first, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 generates inspection schedule information in the same manner as in s53 of the overall preventive maintenance plan generating process s5 in the first embodiment. The overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 also acquires inspection cost data 200.

[0102] (Inspection Cost Data) Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of inspection cost data 200. The inspection cost data 200 is data that registers the upper limit of inspection costs 204 for each wind power generator 201 of each type 202 (onshore or offshore generator) at each timing 203 (each month from January to December). The content of the upper limit of inspection costs 204 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the upper limit of the cost of inspections that can be performed in the same month, or the upper limit of the number of wind power generators 50 that can be inspected in the same month.

[0103] Next, as shown in Figure 19, the overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 creates information on other inspection schedules for each wind power generator 50 that satisfy each constraint condition indicated by the preventive maintenance item data 110, other than the inspection schedule indicated by the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 created in the individual preventive maintenance plan generation process s3.

[0104] At this time, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 deletes inspection schedules that do not satisfy the cost constraints. For example, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 excludes, from the created inspection schedules, inspection schedules in which inspections of two or more wind power generators 50 are carried out in the same month.

[0105] The overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 calculates the value of the following objective function E (Equation (4)) for each wind turbine generator, which represents the risk of a shortage of power supply to consumers and low costs when inspections are carried out according to each inspection schedule created in s59 (s60).

[0106] Ei = Σj {((power generation amount of wind power generator i in month j × reduction rate of power generation amount when inspection is performed in month j (relative to when inspection is performed)) × electricity selling price + inspection cost for month j} (j = 1, 2, ..., 12) ... (4)

[0107] Similar to s55 of the overall preventive maintenance plan generation process s5 of the first embodiment, the overall preventive maintenance plan generation unit 103 identifies for each wind power generator 50 the inspection schedule associated with the objective function E having the smallest value among the values ​​of the objective function E calculated in s60, and stores the identified content as overall preventive maintenance plan data 210 (s61).

[0108] Thereafter, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 displays on the screen the contents of the overall preventive maintenance plan data 210. Furthermore, the overall preventive maintenance plan generating unit 103 may correct the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 created in s32 by overwriting the contents of the overall preventive maintenance plan data 210 onto the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120 already stored in the individual preventive maintenance plan generating process s3.

[0109] (Overall preventive maintenance plan data) Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of overall preventive maintenance plan data 210 created in the third embodiment. The overall preventive maintenance plan data 210 is data having the same format as the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120. Specifically, the overall preventive maintenance plan data 210 is data in which inspection schedules 23 (whether or not an inspection is to be performed and the items of the inspection) for each wind power generator 211 at each timing 212 (here, each month from January to December) are registered.

[0110] As described above, in the third embodiment, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 generates an inspection schedule using the electricity selling price data 105 and the inspection cost data 200, but it is also possible to generate an inspection schedule using only the inspection cost data 200 without using the electricity selling price data 105.

[0111] 22 is a diagram showing an example of correction of the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120. That is, when there is individual generator power generation amount data 90 as indicated by the reference numeral 221, in the inspection schedule of each wind power generator 50 indicated by the initial individual preventive maintenance plan data 222, the amount of reduction in power generation amount due to inspection is 2690.4. On the other hand, in the inspection schedule 223 generated based on the estimated power generation amount and the power selling price, the amount of reduction in power generation amount due to inspection is 1921. Therefore, the individual preventive maintenance plan data is corrected based on this inspection schedule 223.

[0112] As described above, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 of this embodiment calculates the timing of inspection of each wind power generator 50 so as to optimize the risk of a shortage of power supply to consumers and costs due to inspection of each wind power generator 50, based on the estimated power generation amount estimated in the wind power generation amount calculation process s1, the preventive maintenance item data 110, data representing the demand amount (power sales price data 105), the inspection cost data 200, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120.

[0113] This makes it possible to calculate the timing for inspection while stabilizing the power supply from the wind power generator 50 and taking cost efficiency into consideration.

[0114] In addition, the maintenance plan creation support device 100 of this embodiment may calculate the timing for inspecting each wind power generator 50 based on the estimated power generation amount estimated in the wind power generation amount calculation process s1, the preventive maintenance item data 110, the inspection cost data 200, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data 120.

[0115] This makes it possible to calculate the timing of inspections taking cost efficiency into consideration.

[0116] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented using any components within the scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments and modifications are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these contents as long as the features of the invention are not impaired. Furthermore, although various embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these contents. Other aspects conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention.

[0117] For example, part of the hardware provided in each device of this embodiment may be provided in another device.

[0118] Furthermore, each program of each device may be provided in another device, a program may consist of multiple programs, or multiple programs may be integrated into one program.

[0119] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the creation of a maintenance plan for a wind power generator is supported, but the present invention can also be applied to other types of generators that use natural energy.

[0120] In addition, in this embodiment, the inspection schedule is created on a yearly basis, but it may be created on other time intervals.

[0121] 1 Maintenance plan creation support system, 100 Maintenance plan creation support device, 50 Wind power generator

Claims

1. A maintenance plan creation support device comprising: a storage device that stores preventive maintenance item data, which is data on constraints related to the timing of inspections of each wind power generator that generates electricity to be supplied to consumers; and a computing device that executes the following processes: an individual preventive maintenance plan creation process that creates individual preventive maintenance plan data, which is data on the timing of inspections of each wind power generator that satisfies the constraints; a wind power generation amount calculation process that acquires past wind volume data at each location where each of the wind power generators is installed and estimates the future power generation amount of each of the wind power generators based on the acquired wind volume data; and an overall preventive maintenance plan generation process that calculates the timing of inspections of each of the wind power generators based on the estimated power generation amount, the preventive maintenance item data, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data, so as to minimize the risk of power supply shortages to the consumers due to inspections of each of the wind power generators, and outputs information on the calculated inspection timing to an output device.

2. The maintenance plan creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic device further executes a power sales price data acquisition process to acquire data representing the demand for power generated by wind power generators by the consumers, and in the overall preventive maintenance plan generation process, calculates the timing of inspection of each wind power generator based on the estimated power generation amount, the preventive maintenance item data, the data representing the demand amount, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data, so as to minimize the risk of a shortage of power supply to the consumers due to the inspection of each wind power generator.

3. The maintenance plan creation support device according to claim 2, wherein the calculation device, in the electricity sales price data acquisition process, acquires data representing the price of electricity generated by wind power generators, and, in the overall preventive maintenance plan generation process, calculates the timing of inspection of each wind power generator based on the estimated power generation amount, the preventive maintenance item data, the data representing the price, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data, so as to minimize the risk of electricity shortages to the consumers due to the inspection of each wind power generator.

4. The maintenance plan creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the calculation device, in the overall preventive maintenance plan generation process, acquires data representing the costs associated with each inspection, and calculates the timing of inspections of each wind power generator based on the estimated power generation amount, the preventive maintenance item data, the data representing the costs, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data, so as to optimize the risk of a shortage of power supply to the consumer and the costs resulting from the inspection of each wind power generator.

5. The maintenance plan creation support device according to claim 2, wherein the calculation device, in the overall preventive maintenance plan generation process, acquires data representing the costs associated with each inspection, and calculates the timing of inspections of each wind power generator based on the estimated power generation amount, the preventive maintenance item data, the data representing the demand amount, the data representing the costs, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data, so as to optimize the risk of a shortage of power supply to the consumer and the costs resulting from the inspection of each wind power generator.

6. The maintenance plan creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device stores data on constraints regarding the items to be inspected and the frequency of inspection as the preventive maintenance item data, and the calculation device, in the overall preventive maintenance plan generation process, calculates the inspection items to be inspected and the timing of inspection for each wind power generator based on the estimated power generation amount, the data on constraints regarding the items to be inspected and the frequency of inspection, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data.

7. The maintenance plan creation support device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device stores data on operation patterns of wind power generators associated with wind volume, and the arithmetic device, in the wind power generation volume calculation process, acquires past wind volume data at each location where each of the wind power generators is installed, and estimates future power generation volume by each of the wind power generators based on the acquired wind volume data and the operation pattern data.

8. The maintenance plan creation support device according to claim 1, wherein in the overall preventive maintenance plan generation process, the individual preventive maintenance plan data is corrected at the calculated timing for carrying out inspection of each of the wind power generators.

9. The maintenance plan creation support device according to claim 1, wherein, in the wind power generation calculation process, the arithmetic device outputs to the output device a screen that outputs a graphic representing a wind power generator and receives a wind power generator specification from the user, and estimates the future power generation capacity of each of the specified wind power generators.

10. A maintenance plan creation support method using an information processing device having a storage device that stores preventive maintenance item data, which is data on constraints related to the timing of inspections of each wind turbine that generates electricity to be supplied to consumers, and an arithmetic device, the method executing the following: an individual preventive maintenance plan creation process that creates individual preventive maintenance plan data, which is data on the timing of inspections of each wind turbine that satisfies the constraints; a wind power generation amount calculation process that acquires past wind volume data at each location where each wind turbine is installed and estimates future power generation by each wind turbine based on the acquired wind volume data; and an overall preventive maintenance plan generation process that calculates the timing of inspections of each wind turbine based on the estimated power generation, the preventive maintenance item data, and the individual preventive maintenance plan data, so as to minimize the risk of power supply shortages to consumers due to inspections of each wind turbine, and outputs information on the calculated inspection timing to an output device.

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