Power control system and program

Abstract

This power control system comprises at least one processor. The at least one processor acquire status information related to a cultivation phase in accordance with growth of a plant in a facility for producing the plant, acquires price information related to the power price, and controls the use of power on the basis of the acquired price information and a constraint condition related to the usage amount of power in accordance with the cultivation phase, the constraint condition being determined by the status information related to the cultivation phase in accordance with the growth.

Description

Power control system and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a power control system and a program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a plant cultivation device having a plurality of sensors that monitor the growth state of plants, an environment management means that manages the environment within the plant cultivation device, and a process management means that manages the work process for cultivating plants.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-166495

[0004] In plant production facilities, the light energy required for plant photosynthesis is sometimes supplied by artificial light such as LEDs. Such facilities face the problem of high power consumption due to the artificial light, resulting in high power costs. The present invention aims to reduce power costs in plant production facilities without impairing plant growth.

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is a power control system including one or more processors, the one or more processors acquiring status information regarding a cultivation phase corresponding to the growth of a plant in a plant-producing facility, acquiring price information regarding an electricity price, and controlling power usage based on a constraint regarding power usage corresponding to the cultivation phase, the constraint being determined by the status information regarding the cultivation phase corresponding to the growth, and the acquired price information. The invention described in claim 2 is the power control system described in claim 1, which acquires the status information from the facility via a network, acquires the price information via the network, and outputs control information for controlling the power usage to the facility via the network. The invention described in claim 3 is the power control system described in claim 1, which, when the electricity price is relatively low, increases the output of a light source that irradiates the plant within a range that satisfies the constraint. The invention described in claim 4 is the power control system described in claim 3, in which the constraint is a condition regarding the irradiation of light necessary for the growth of the plant. The invention described in claim 5 is the power control system described in claim 4, in which the constraint is a condition regarding the amount of irradiation by the light source during a predetermined period. The invention described in claim 6 is the power control system described in claim 4, wherein the constraint condition is a condition related to the maximum time for continuous irradiation by the light source.The invention described in claim 7 is the power control system described in claim 1, wherein, when the electricity price is relatively high, the output of the light source that irradiates the plant with light is reduced within a range that satisfies the constraint condition.The invention described in claim 8 is a program to be implemented by one or more processors, which realizes a function of acquiring status information related to a cultivation phase corresponding to the growth of the plant in a plant-producing facility, a function of acquiring price information related to the electricity price, and a function of controlling power usage based on a constraint condition related to the amount of power usage corresponding to the cultivation phase, which is determined by the status information related to the cultivation phase corresponding to the growth, and the acquired price information.

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the electricity costs in a plant production facility without impairing the growth of the plants.

[0007] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power control system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cultivation device; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer used as a control device and a management server; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a management server; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow in the management server; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of processing in which an output amount determination unit determines the output amount of a light source; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of price information; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of cultivation environment condition information; and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of determining the output amount of a light source based on price information and constraints. (a) shows an example when the constraints regarding the maximum duration under each power output condition are satisfied; (b) shows an example when the constraints regarding the maximum duration under each power output condition are not satisfied.

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Configuration of Power Control System> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a power control system 1 according to this embodiment. The power control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a plant factory 10 and a management server 40. The plant factory 10 and the management server 40 are connected via a network 50.

[0009] The plant factory 10 is a facility for producing plants. The plant factory 10 is an artificial light type plant factory that uses artificial light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide the light energy required for plant photosynthesis. The plant factory 10 includes a plurality of cultivation devices 20 for cultivating plants and a control device 30 for controlling the cultivation devices 20.

[0010] The control device 30 controls the cultivation environment in the cultivation device 20. Examples of the cultivation environment include the output power of the artificial light source, air temperature, humidity, and the amount of nutrient solution supplied. The control device 30 monitors the growth state of the plants in the cultivation device 20 and acquires status information regarding the growth state of the plants. The status information is information indicating the cultivation phase corresponding to the growth of each type of plant. Examples of the status information include the cultivation phase, such as "germination stage," "early growth stage," "late growth stage," and "harvest stage." The growth state of the plants is monitored, for example, by a sensor (not shown) installed in the cultivation device 20. The control device 30 determines the status information by, for example, comparing the growth state expected for each cultivation phase with the actual growth state of the plant acquired by multiple sensors. The growth state expected for each cultivation phase is, for example, stored in advance in the control device 30.

[0011] The control device 30 transmits status information to the management server 40 via the network 50. The control device 30 also acquires control information related to control of the cultivation environment from the management server 40 via the network 50. The control device 30 controls the cultivation environment in the cultivation device 20 based on the acquired control information. The functions of the control device 30 are realized, for example, by a computer. The control device 30 may be configured by a single computer, or may be realized by distributed processing using multiple computers.

[0012] The management server 40 acquires status information related to the growth status of plants in the plant factory 10 via the network 50. The management server 40 also acquires price information related to electricity prices. The management server 40 controls the use of electricity in the plant factory 10 based on the acquired status information and price information. The management server 40 outputs control information related to the use of electricity to the plant factory 10 via the network 50. The functions of the management server 40 are realized, for example, by a computer. The management server 40 may be configured by a single computer, or may be realized by distributed processing using multiple computers.

[0013] The network 50 is an information communication network that handles communication between the plant factory 10 and the management server 40. The type of the network 50 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of transmitting and receiving data, and may be, for example, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), etc. The communication line used for data communication may be wired or wireless. Furthermore, a configuration in which each device is connected via multiple networks or communication lines may be used.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cultivation device 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the cultivation device 20 is formed by stacking multiple cultivation chambers 200 vertically, each separated by shelves 230. While FIG. 2 shows an example in which the cultivation chambers 200 are stacked in three tiers, this is not limiting. The number of tiers of the cultivation chambers 200 may be changed as appropriate. In one cultivation device 20, each cultivation chamber 200 may grow the same type of plant, or different types of plants. Furthermore, within the plant factory 10, different types of plants may be grown in each cultivation device 20, or the same type of plant may be grown in multiple cultivation devices 20. Furthermore, plants may be grown by staggering the cultivation cycle so that each cultivation device 20 is in a different cultivation phase.

[0015] The cultivation room 200 includes a cultivation plate 210 and a light source 220. Plants produced in the plant factory 10 are grown on the cultivation plate 210. The cultivation plate 210 is supplied with, for example, a nutrient solution containing nutrients necessary for growth. For example, an LED is used as the light source 220. Alternatively, a fluorescent lamp may be used as the light source 220. The output of the light source 220 is controlled by the control device 30. The cultivation environment, including the output amount of the light source 220, is controlled, for example, for each cultivation room 200.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 60 used as the control device 30 and the management server 40. The computer 60 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 601, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 602, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 603. The RAM 602 is a volatile memory used as a work area when the CPU 601 executes a program. The ROM 603 is a nonvolatile memory that stores the program executed by the CPU 601 and other data. The CPU 601 uses the RAM 602 as a work area and executes the program read from the ROM 603. The computer 60 also includes a network IF 604 for connecting to the network 50 and a display mechanism 605 for displaying output on a display. The computer 60 also includes an input device 606, such as a touch panel, through which an operator performs input operations.

[0017] <Functional Configuration of Management Server> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the management server 40. The management server 40 includes a price information acquisition unit 41, a state information acquisition unit 42, a cultivation environment condition information acquisition unit 43, a constraint condition determination unit 44, an output amount determination unit 45, and a control information output unit 46. Each function of the management server 40 is executed by, for example, a CPU 601 (see Fig. 3) which is a processor.

[0018] The price information acquisition unit 41 acquires price information related to electricity prices. The price information acquisition unit 41 acquires the market price of electricity from the wholesale electricity market, for example, via the network 50 (see FIG. 1 ). The price information acquisition unit 41 may also acquire price information from another server of the company that owns the management server 40. For example, if a power company owns the management server 40, the price information acquisition unit 41 acquires price information from the other server of the power company. The price information will be described in detail later.

[0019] The status information acquisition unit 42 acquires status information regarding the growth status of the plants. The status information acquisition unit 42 acquires status information of the plants in the cultivation room 200 (see FIG. 2) having the light source 220 to be controlled. The status information acquisition unit 42 acquires the status information from the control device 30 (see FIG. 1) of the plant factory 10, for example, via the network 50. The status information acquisition unit 42 may be installed in the cultivation device 20 (see FIG. 1) and acquire the growth status of the plants from a sensor or the like that monitors the growth status of the plants, and determine the status information. The status information acquisition unit 42 may also be configured to estimate the growth status from the time when the plants start growing.

[0020] The cultivation environment condition information acquisition unit 43 acquires cultivation environment condition information related to constraints for each cultivation phase. The constraints are conditions related to the amount of power consumption that are set to ensure a cultivation environment necessary for plant growth. The constraints are, for example, conditions related to the irradiation of light by the light source 220. The constraints are set in advance differently for each plant type and cultivation phase.

[0021] The cultivation environment condition information acquiring unit 43 acquires the cultivation environment condition information from a server that stores information about plants grown in the plant factory 10, for example, via the network 50. The cultivation environment condition information may be acquired from the control device 30 of the plant factory 10. Alternatively, the cultivation environment condition information may be stored in advance in the management server 40, and the cultivation environment condition information acquiring unit 43 may acquire the stored cultivation environment condition information. Details of the cultivation environment condition information will be described later.

[0022] The constraint condition determination unit 44 determines constraint conditions related to the amount of power consumption. The constraint condition determination unit 44 determines constraint conditions to be used in determining the output amount of the light source 220. The constraint condition determination unit 44 determines corresponding constraint conditions from the state information acquired by the state information acquisition unit 42 and the cultivation environment condition information acquired by the cultivation environment condition information acquisition unit 43.

[0023] The output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220. The output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 based on price information within a range that satisfies the constraint conditions determined by the constraint condition determination unit 44. If the constraint conditions are not taken into consideration, it is desirable to reduce the output of the light source 220 when the electricity price is high and to increase the output of the light source 220 when the electricity price is low in order to reduce electricity costs. By reducing the output of the light source 220 when the electricity price is high, it is possible to suppress power consumption and reduce electricity costs.

[0024] However, for example, if the output of the light source 220 continues to be low, plant growth will slow down and productivity will decrease. Therefore, it is necessary to control the output of the light source 220 within a range that does not inhibit plant growth. Therefore, in this embodiment, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 based on price information and constraints. For example, when the electricity price is relatively low, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output of the light source 220 to be high within a range that satisfies the constraints. Furthermore, for example, when the electricity price is relatively high, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output of the light source 220 to be low within a range that satisfies the constraints.

[0025] A relatively low electricity price means that the electricity price is relatively low compared to other time periods in a predetermined period. For example, a threshold may be set within the fluctuation range of electricity prices in a predetermined period, and the electricity price may be considered to be relatively low when the electricity price is lower than the threshold. A relatively high electricity price means that the electricity price is relatively high compared to other time periods in a predetermined period. For example, a threshold may be set within the fluctuation range of electricity prices in a predetermined period, and the electricity price may be considered to be relatively high when the electricity price is higher than the threshold.

[0026] The control information output unit 46 outputs control information related to power usage. The control information output unit 46 outputs the control information to the plant factory 10 via the network 50. The control information includes the output amount of the light source 220 determined by the output amount determination unit 45.

[0027] <Processing Flow in Management Server> The processing flow in the management server 40 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 9. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow in the management server 40. In Fig. 5, first, the price information acquisition unit 41 acquires price information related to electricity prices (step 1001). The price information acquisition unit 41 acquires the price information, for example, via the network 50. The price information is information indicating the hourly electricity price P (yen / kWh) as the electricity price, for example.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of price information. As shown in FIG. 7, the price information indicates, for example, the unit price P of electricity for every 30 minutes for each date. The price information acquisition unit 41 acquires price information for a predetermined period. The price information acquisition unit 41 acquires price information for, for example, the period from the present to 24 hours from now. Next, the status information acquisition unit 42 acquires status information related to the growth status of the plant (step 1002). The status information acquisition unit 42 acquires the type of plant and the cultivation phase. Next, the cultivation environment condition information acquisition unit 43 acquires cultivation environment condition information (step 1003).

[0029] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of cultivation environment condition information. As shown in FIG. 8, the cultivation environment condition information indicates predetermined constraints for each power output condition related to the output of the light source 220 for each cultivation phase. Here, the case where the light source 220 can switch between three power output levels, "low," "medium," and "high," is shown as the power output condition. The constraints shown in FIG. 8 are conditions related to the maximum duration and cumulative time for each power output condition. The cultivation environment condition information is predetermined for each type of plant.

[0030] The constraints on the maximum duration and cumulative time are set to prevent plant growth inhibition. For example, in the "initial" cultivation phase, the constraint on the maximum duration dictates that irradiation cannot be performed continuously for more than two hours at the "low" power output condition. Furthermore, in the "initial" cultivation phase, the constraint on cumulative time dictates that the cumulative time at the "low" power output condition must be equal to the cumulative time at the "high" power output condition during a predetermined period.

[0031] Here, the power output condition refers to the output of the light source 220, but is not limited to this. For example, the cultivation environment condition information may include constraints on the output of an air conditioner that controls the cultivation environment, such as temperature and humidity. Next, the constraint condition determination unit 44 determines constraints on the amount of power usage (step 1004). The constraint condition determination unit 44 determines constraints corresponding to the type of plant and cultivation phase acquired by the status information acquisition unit 42 from the cultivation environment condition information.

[0032] Next, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 (step 1005). The output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 based on the price information and the constraints. The process by which the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 will be described in detail later. Then, the control information output unit 46 outputs control information including the output amount of the light source 220 (step 1006). The control information output unit 46 outputs the control information to the plant factory 10 via the network 50.

[0033] The processing in step 1005 in Fig. 5 will be described in detail using Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of processing in which the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220. Fig. 6 shows an example in which the constraint condition regarding the cumulative time under each power output condition is not taken into consideration, and the constraint condition is the maximum duration. Fig. 6 also describes a case in which the light source 220 can switch between three power output conditions: "low," "medium," and "high."

[0034] In the following, "relatively low power unit price P" means that the power unit price P is lower than a threshold value P_low. Also, "relatively high power unit price P" means that the power unit price P is higher than a threshold value P_high. The threshold values ​​P_low and P_high are predetermined threshold values, and P_high is set to a value greater than P_low.

[0035] 6 , first, the output amount determination unit 45 identifies time periods in which the electricity unit price P is relatively high from the price information, and calculates the duration D1 for each time period (step 1011). The output amount determination unit 45 calculates the duration D1 such that P_high < P from the price information. If there are multiple time periods in which P_high < P, the output amount determination unit 45 calculates the duration D1 for each time period. Next, the output amount determination unit 45 determines whether the duration D1 satisfies the constraint condition (step 1012). If there are multiple time periods in which P_high < P, it determines whether the duration D1 for each time period satisfies the constraint condition.

[0036] If the duration D1 satisfies the constraint (YES in step 1012), the power output condition "low" is assigned to the time period when the power unit price P is relatively high (step 1013). On the other hand, if the duration D1 does not satisfy the constraint (NO in step 1012), the power output condition "low" is assigned to the part of the time period when the power unit price P is relatively high that satisfies the constraint (step 1014). Then, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the part of the time period when the power unit price P is relatively high that exceeds the constraint (step 1015).

[0037] Next, the output amount determination unit 45 identifies time periods in which the electricity unit price P is relatively low from the price information, and calculates the duration D2 for each time period (step 1016). The output amount determination unit 45 calculates the duration D2 for which P_low > P from the price information. If there are multiple time periods in which P_low > P, the output amount determination unit 45 calculates the duration D2 for each time period. Next, the output amount determination unit 45 determines whether the duration D2 satisfies the constraint condition (step 1017). If there are multiple time periods in which P_low > P, it determines whether the duration D2 for each time period satisfies the constraint condition.

[0038] If the duration D2 satisfies the constraint (YES in step 1017), the power output condition "high" is assigned to the time period when the power unit price P is relatively low (step 1018). On the other hand, if the duration D2 does not satisfy the constraint (NO in step 1017), the power output condition "high" is assigned to the portion of the time period when the power unit price P is relatively low that satisfies the constraint (step 1019). Then, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the portion of the time period when the power unit price P is relatively low that exceeds the constraint (step 1020). Then, the output amount determination unit 45 assigns the power output condition "medium" to the remaining portion (step 1021).

[0039] In this way, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 to be high when the unit price P of power is relatively low, and to be low when the unit price P of power is relatively high, within a range that satisfies the constraint conditions. Note that Fig. 6 shows an example in which only the condition related to the maximum duration under each power output condition is used as the constraint condition. The output amount determination unit 45 may determine the output amount of the light source 220 by further using the condition related to the cumulative time under each power output condition as the constraint condition.

[0040] For example, the output amount determination unit 45 determines the output amount of the light source 220 so that the cumulative time of the "low" power output condition is equal to the cumulative time of the "high" power output condition within a predetermined period. The output amount determination unit 45 assigns the "low" power output condition to time periods when the power unit price P is relatively high within a range that satisfies the constraint conditions, and assigns the "high" power output condition to time periods when the power unit price P is relatively low. Then, the output amount determination unit 45 assigns the "medium" power output condition to parts that do not satisfy the constraint conditions.

[0041] For example, the output amount determination unit 45 identifies time periods when the electricity unit price P is relatively high and time periods when it is relatively low from price information for a predetermined period. The output amount determination unit 45 calculates the accumulated time for each of the time periods when the electricity unit price P is relatively high and relatively low. For example, the output amount determination unit 45 assigns a power output condition according to the time period when the electricity unit price P is relatively high or relatively low, whichever has the shorter accumulated time. For the time period when the accumulated time is longer, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the portion that exceeds the accumulated time.

[0042] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of determining the output amount of the light source 220 based on price information and constraints. (a) shows an example where the constraint regarding the maximum duration for each power output condition is satisfied. (b) shows an example where the constraint regarding the maximum duration for each power output condition is not satisfied. FIG. 9 shows an example where the condition regarding the maximum duration for each power output condition is used as the constraint. FIG. 9 also describes a case where the light source 220 can switch between three power output conditions: "low," "medium," and "high." In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the unit price of electricity P (yen / kWh).

[0043] In Figure 9(a), the time periods when the unit price of electricity P is relatively high are the period from time t3 to time t4 and the period from time t7 to time t8. In step 1012 in Figure 6, it is determined whether the duration D1 of these periods satisfies the constraints. In Figure 9(a), the constraints regarding the maximum duration for each power output condition are satisfied, so the power output condition "low" is assigned to these periods.

[0044] 9A, the time periods in which the power unit price P is relatively low are the period from time t1 to time t2 and the period from time t5 to time t6. In step 1017 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether the duration D2 of these periods satisfies the respective constraints. In FIG. 9A, the constraints regarding the maximum duration for each power output condition are satisfied, so the power output condition "high" is assigned to these periods. The power output condition "medium" is assigned to the remaining portions. In other words, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the periods from time t2 to time t3, from time t4 to time t5, from time t6 to time t7, and from time t8 to time t9.

[0045] On the other hand, FIG. 9B shows an example in which the constraint on the maximum duration under each power output condition is not satisfied. In FIG. 9B, the time periods in which the power unit price P is relatively high are the period from time t3 to time t4 and the period from time t7 to time t8. Here, it is assumed that the constraint on the maximum duration is not satisfied during the period from time t7 to time t8. During this period, the portion from time t7 to time T2 satisfies the constraint, but the portion from time T2 to time t8 does not. In this case, the power output condition "low" is assigned to the portion from time t7 to time T2 that satisfies the constraint. Furthermore, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the portion from time T2 to time t8 that does not satisfy the constraint.

[0046] 9B, the time periods in which the power unit price P is relatively low are the period from time t1 to time t2 and the period from time t5 to time t6. Here, it is assumed that the period from time t1 to time t2 does not satisfy the constraint condition regarding the maximum duration. In this period, the portion from time t1 to time T1 satisfies the constraint condition, but the portion from time T1 to time t2 does not. In this case, the power output condition "high" is assigned to the portion from time t1 to time T1 that satisfies the constraint condition. And the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the portion from time T1 to time t2 that does not satisfy the constraint condition.

[0047] The remaining portions are assigned the power output condition "medium." That is, the power output condition "medium" is assigned to the periods from time t2 to time t3, from time t4 to time t5, from time t6 to time t7, and from time t8 to time t9.

[0048] Note that the example shown in FIG. 9 is merely an example and is not limiting. For example, the output amount of the light source 220 may be determined by further using a condition related to the cumulative time under each power output condition as a constraint condition. Alternatively, for example, P_high and P_low may be set to the same value, and the power output condition may be switched between two levels, "low" and "high." Alternatively, the threshold may be set more precisely, allowing the power output condition to be set more precisely.

[0049] Furthermore, the output amount determination unit 45 may be configured to determine not only the output amount of the light source 220 but also the cultivation conditions including the air temperature and humidity. For example, a table of cultivation conditions relating to the output amount of the light source 220, the air temperature, and the humidity is created in advance. The output amount determination unit 45 selects appropriate cultivation conditions from the table of cultivation conditions based on price information and constraints. In this way, the cultivation conditions may be controlled by assigning predetermined cultivation conditions.

[0050] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the management server 40 acquires status information regarding the growth status of the plants in the plant factory 10 via the network 50, but this is not limiting. For example, the control device 30 may be configured to have the functional configuration of the management server 40 shown in FIG. 4. The management server 40 may also be configured to be provided inside the plant factory 10. The management server 40 may also be configured to acquire status information and the like directly from the cultivation device 20 and directly output control information.

[0051] In this embodiment, the management server 40 may perform power control by utilizing, for example, the fact that plants are in different cultivation phases for each cultivation device 20. For example, by shifting the cultivation phases, the number of cultivation devices 20 that simultaneously have the power output condition "high" during a time period when electricity prices are relatively high can be reduced. This is thought to reduce the power cost of the entire plant factory 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an alternative condition that substitutes for the power output condition "high" may be set. For example, if the constraint condition requires the power output condition to be in the "high" state for five hours, the alternative condition may be that the power output condition must be in the "medium" state for eight hours.

[0052] As described above, the artificial light plant factory 10 has the advantage of being able to adjust the power load because it can artificially control the environmental conditions for plant cultivation. For example, by controlling the output of the light source 220, it is possible to grow plants by reversing day and night. In this embodiment, power costs can be reduced by adjusting the power load in conjunction with the market price of electricity. Furthermore, by setting constraints on various environmental conditions according to the cultivation characteristics of the plants, it is possible to reduce power costs without impairing plant growth.

[0053] 1...power control system, 10...plant factory, 20...cultivation device, 30...control device, 40...management server, 41...price information acquisition unit, 42...status information acquisition unit, 43...cultivation environment condition information acquisition unit, 44...constraint condition determination unit, 45...output amount determination unit, 46...control information output unit, 50...network, 200...cultivation room, 210...cultivation plate, 220...light source, 230...shelf

Claims

1. A power control system comprising one or more processors, which acquire status information regarding the cultivation phase of a plant according to its growth in a plant production facility, acquire price information regarding electricity prices, and control the use of electricity based on constraints regarding the amount of electricity used according to the cultivation phase, which are determined by the status information regarding the cultivation phase according to its growth, and the acquired price information.

2. The power control system according to claim 1, further comprising: acquiring the status information from the facility via a network; acquiring the price information via a network; and outputting control information for controlling the use of power to the facility via a network.

3. The power control system according to claim 1, wherein, when the electricity price is relatively low, the output of the light source that irradiates the plants with light is increased within a range that satisfies the constraint condition.

4. The power control system according to claim 3, wherein the constraint is a condition related to the illumination of light necessary for the growth of the plant.

5. The power control system according to claim 4, wherein the constraint is a condition regarding the amount of irradiation by the light source during a predetermined period.

6. The power control system according to claim 4, wherein the constraint is a condition regarding the maximum time for continuous illumination by the light source.

7. The power control system according to claim 1, wherein, when the electricity price is relatively high, the output of the light source that irradiates the plants with light is reduced within a range that satisfies the constraint condition.

8. A program to be implemented by one or more processors, which performs the following functions: acquiring status information regarding the cultivation phase of a plant according to its growth in a plant production facility; acquiring price information regarding electricity prices; and controlling electricity usage based on constraints regarding the amount of electricity used according to the cultivation phase, which is determined by the status information regarding the cultivation phase according to its growth, and the acquired price information.

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