Power cost management device, control method for power cost management device, program, and power cost management system

Abstract

According to the present invention, a power cost management device comprises: an expected power market price calculation unit that calculates an expected power market price in a certain period on the basis of past power market price information including past power market prices of power, weather forecast information in a certain period in the future, and usage outlook information including a power usage outlook of a power system in the certain period; an expected power cost calculation unit that calculates an expected power cost in the expected certain period on the basis of the expected power market price calculated by the expected power market price calculation unit and an operation schedule for future operation of a plurality of production facilities in a preset production plan; and a facility operation ranking generation unit that generates a facility operation ranking defining a ranking of a plurality of operation sequences of a production facility to be operated from among the plurality of production facilities on the basis of the expected power cost calculated by the expected power cost calculation unit.

Description

Power cost management device, control method for power cost management device, program, and power cost management system

[0001] The present invention relates to a power cost management device, a control method for a power cost management device, a program, and a power cost management system.

[0002] For example, as a conventional technique, Patent Document 1 proposes an energy management device that predicts a plurality of activation times and activation probabilities of adjustment power.

[0003] This conventional energy management device creates multiple operation plans for energy conservation and adjustment power generation in the energy equipment of a utility company for multiple adjustment power activation times, and evaluates the expected value of the energy cost reduction for each operation plan for each adjustment power activation time based on the product of the energy cost reduction for each operation plan and the probability of adjustment power activation.

[0004] This conventional energy management device compares the expected values ​​of the reduced energy cost at multiple activation times of the adjustment power, and outputs an operation plan selected based on the comparison result of the expected values ​​of the reduced energy cost to an operator.

[0005] This allows the operator to operate the energy facilities of the utility in accordance with the predicted adjustment capacity based on the operation plan output by the conventional energy management device. In other words, the conventional energy management device can reduce energy costs while dealing with uncertainty regarding the activation time of adjustment capacity.

[0006] JP 2020-137395 A

[0007] As described above, the conventional energy management device predicts multiple activation times and activation probabilities of adjustment reserve. Then, the conventional energy management device creates multiple operation plans for energy conservation and adjustment reserve generation in the energy facilities of the utility for the multiple activation times of adjustment reserve. The operation plans are for operating energy facilities such as storage batteries in accordance with the adjustment reserve.

[0008] Here, this conventional energy management device does not predict the market price of electricity in the power supply area to which electricity is supplied from the power grid when adjustment power is activated.

[0009] Furthermore, this conventional energy management device creates operation plans for energy facilities such as storage batteries of business entities with the intention of saving energy and generating adjustment power in those facilities, and does not generate multiple operation sequences for production facilities that should be operated among multiple production facilities that produce products, taking production efficiency into consideration.

[0010] As such, the operation plan output by the conventional energy management device does not take into account the production efficiency of the pre-production equipment, and even if the operator uses the operation plan, he or she cannot operate the production equipment that should be operated among the multiple production equipment that produces the product, taking production efficiency into account.

[0011] That is, the conventional energy management device has a problem in that it is not possible to manage the power costs of production facilities while taking into consideration the production efficiency of the production facilities.

[0012] The present invention is based on the inventors' findings, and aims to provide a power cost management device, a control method for a power cost management device, a program, and a power cost management system that are capable of managing the power costs of production equipment while taking into account the production efficiency of the production equipment.

[0013] An electric power cost management device according to an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention is an electric power cost management device that manages the electric power cost of using electric power supplied from a power grid of an electric power company at a plurality of production facilities, and is characterized by comprising: a predicted electric power market price calculation unit that calculates a predicted electric power market price for a certain period of time based on past electric power market price information including past electric power market prices of electric power in a power supply area to which electric power is supplied from the power grid, weather forecast information for a certain future period of time, and usage forecast information including an outlook for electric power usage in the power grid for the certain period of time; a predicted electric power cost calculation unit that calculates a predicted electric power cost for the certain period of time based on the predicted electric power market price calculated by the predicted electric power market price calculation unit and an operation schedule for future operation of the plurality of production facilities in a preset production plan; and an equipment operation ranking generation unit that generates an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of a plurality of operation sequences of production facilities that should be operated from among the plurality of production facilities, based on the predicted electric power costs calculated by the predicted electric power cost calculation unit.

[0014] In the electricity cost management device, the expected electricity market price calculation unit calculates the expected electricity market price to decrease when the weather forecast information indicates that the sunshine hours in the certain period will be longer than a predetermined first reference value, and calculates the expected electricity market price to increase when the weather forecast information indicates that the sunshine hours in the certain period will be shorter than the first reference value.

[0015] In the power cost management device, the predicted power market price calculation unit calculates the predicted power market price to increase when the usage forecast information indicates that the power usage rate of the power supply area during the certain period will be higher than a predetermined second reference value, and calculates the predicted power market price to decrease when the usage forecast information indicates that the power usage rate during the certain period will be lower than the second reference value.

[0016] In the power cost management device, the equipment operation ranking generation unit generates the equipment operation ranking by setting an operation sequence for executing multiple production processes performed by the multiple production equipment in parallel and / or series based on the calculated expected power cost.

[0017] The power cost management device is characterized by comprising a control unit that selects an operation sequence from the equipment operation ranking, and controls the operation of the production equipment among the plurality of production equipment in accordance with the operation sequence based on the selected operation sequence.

[0018] In the power cost management device, the equipment operation ranking generation unit refers to maintenance schedule information indicating schedules for maintenance to shut down the production equipment, sets an operation sequence for operating the production equipment that is operable during the certain period, and generates the equipment operation ranking.

[0019] In the power cost management device, the equipment operation ranking generation unit references operation status information of the production equipment obtained by sensing the current operation status of the production equipment, sets an operation sequence for operating the production equipment that should be operated during the certain period, and generates the equipment operation ranking.

[0020] The power cost management device is characterized by comprising a display unit that displays predetermined information, and the display unit displays image information or text information including information on the equipment operation ranking.

[0021] The power cost management device is characterized by comprising an output unit that outputs control commands or predetermined information for controlling the plurality of production facilities via wireless or wired communication.

[0022] The electricity cost management device is characterized by having an input unit TIN into which the past electricity market price information, the maintenance schedule information, the operating status information, the weather forecast information, and the usage forecast information are input via wireless or wired communication.

[0023] In the power cost management device, the production process of the product carried out by the plurality of production facilities includes a first process for producing the product, and the facility operation ranking generation unit sets a plurality of operation sequences that increase or decrease the current consumed in each series of the plurality of production facilities operated in the first process so as to increase or decrease the current consumed in the first process.

[0024] In the power cost management device, the production process of a product carried out by the multiple production facilities includes a first process for producing the product and a second process following the first process for processing the object processed in the first process, the power consumption of each production facility operated in the second process is different, and the facility operation ranking generation unit sets multiple operation sequences for operating or stopping the production facilities that process the object processed in each series of the multiple production facilities operated in the first process in the second process so as to increase or decrease the current consumed in the second process.

[0025] In the power cost management device, the product is an electrolytic copper foil, the first process is an electrolysis process among the electrolytic copper foil production processes carried out by the plurality of production facilities, and the second process is a surface treatment process among the electrolytic copper foil production processes carried out by the plurality of production facilities.

[0026] In the electric power cost management device, the product is electrolytic copper or electrolytic zinc, and the first process is an electrolytic process in a copper refining production process for producing the electrolytic copper or an electrolytic process in a zinc refining production process for producing the electrolytic zinc, which is carried out in the plurality of production facilities.

[0027] In the power cost management device, the control unit is characterized in that it selects an operation sequence from the equipment operation ranking so that the power cost of operating the production equipment over the certain period approaches a predetermined target value.

[0028] A control method of an electric power cost management device according to an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention is a control method of an electric power cost management device that manages the cost of using electric power supplied from a power grid of an electric power company at a plurality of production facilities, the electric power cost management device comprising: a predicted electric power market price calculation unit; a predicted electric power cost calculation unit; and an equipment operation ranking generation unit, wherein the predicted electric power market price calculation unit calculates a predicted electric power market price for the certain period based on past electric power market price information including past electric power market prices of electric power in a power supply area to which electric power is supplied from the power grid, weather forecast information for a certain future period, and usage forecast information including an outlook for electric power usage of the power grid for the certain period, the predicted electric power cost calculation unit calculates a predicted electric power cost for the certain period based on the predicted electric power market price calculated by the predicted electric power market price calculation unit and an operation schedule for future operation of the plurality of production facilities in a preset production plan, and the equipment operation ranking generation unit generates an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of a plurality of operation sequences of production facilities to be operated from among the plurality of production facilities based on the calculated predicted electric power cost.

[0029] The power cost management device is characterized in that it includes a control unit, which selects an operation sequence from the equipment operation ranking, and controls the operation of production equipment among the plurality of production equipment in accordance with the operation sequence based on the selected operation sequence.

[0030] A program according to an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention is a program executed by a power cost management device that manages the cost of using power supplied from a power system of a power company at a plurality of production facilities and that has a computer, wherein the power cost management device has: a predicted power market price calculation unit; a predicted power cost calculation unit; and a facility operation ranking generation unit; the predicted power market price calculation unit calculates a predicted power market price for a certain period of time based on past power market price information including past power market prices of power in a power supply area to which power is supplied from the power system, weather forecast information for a certain period of time in the future, and usage forecast information including an outlook for power usage of the power system for the certain period of time; and the predicted power cost calculation unit calculates a predicted power cost for the certain period of time based on the predicted power market price calculated by the predicted power market price calculation unit and an operation schedule for future operation of the plurality of production facilities in a preset production plan; The computer is characterized in that the equipment operation ranking generation unit executes a process to generate an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of multiple operation sequences of production equipment that should be operated from among the multiple production equipment, based on the calculated expected power cost.

[0031] An electric power cost management system according to an embodiment of one aspect of the present invention is an electric power cost management system comprising: a management server that stores a database and outputs information contained in the database; and an electric power cost management device that manages the electric power costs of using electric power supplied from a power grid of an electric power company at a plurality of production facilities, wherein the electric power cost management device comprises: a predicted electric power market price calculation unit that calculates a predicted electric power market price for a certain period based on past electric power market price information including past electric power market prices of electric power in a power supply area to which electric power is supplied from the power grid, weather forecast information for a certain future period, and usage forecast information including an outlook for electric power usage of the power grid for the certain period; an expected electric power cost calculation unit that calculates a predicted electric power cost for the certain period based on the predicted electric power market price calculated by the predicted electric power market price calculation unit and an operation schedule for future operation of the plurality of production facilities in a preset production plan; and an equipment operation ranking generation unit that generates an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of a plurality of operation sequences of production facilities to be operated from among the plurality of production facilities, based on the predicted electric power costs calculated by the predicted electric power cost calculation unit.

[0032] According to the present invention, it is possible to manage the power costs of production facilities while taking into consideration the production efficiency of the production facilities.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power cost management system to which a power cost management device according to an embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power cost management device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of a control method of the power cost management device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation sequence of a plurality of production facilities according to a first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation sequence of a plurality of production facilities according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation sequence of a plurality of production facilities according to a third embodiment.

[0034] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings accompanying this specification, the scale and aspect ratios have been appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual objects for ease of understanding. Configurations shown in some drawings may be omitted in other drawings. The scale and aspect ratios may differ between the drawings.

[0035] In this specification, terms that specify shapes, geometric conditions, and their degrees, such as "parallel," "orthogonal," and "identical," as well as values ​​of lengths and angles, are not limited to their strict meanings, but are interpreted to include a range within which similar functions can be expected.

[0036] In the following embodiment, a power cost management system will be described, which applies a power cost management device that manages the power costs of using power supplied from a power company's power system in a plurality of production facilities.

[0037] [Power Cost Management System] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power cost management system 1000 to which a power cost management apparatus 100 according to an embodiment is applied.

[0038] For example, as shown in Fig. 1, an electricity cost management system 1000 according to this embodiment is configured to manage the electricity costs incurred when electricity supplied from a power company's power grid is used by a plurality of production facilities Z. The plurality of production facilities Z are facilities for producing various products U.

[0039] In this embodiment, the power cost management system 1000 includes, for example, a management server SV and a power cost management apparatus 100 as shown in FIG.

[0040] The management server SV stores a database DB and outputs information contained in the database DB.

[0041] This management server SV communicates with external servers (not shown) such as electric power companies and the Japan Weather Association outside the power cost management system 1000, as well as the core system (not shown) that operates the multiple production facilities, to obtain the desired data and store it in the database DB.

[0042] The power cost management device 100 is a device that manages the power costs of using power supplied from the power company's power grid in multiple production facilities Z, using data stored in the database DB of the management server SV.

[0043] The power cost management apparatus 100 is configured to acquire data stored in the database DB of the management server SV via wireless or wired communication.

[0044] The following describes in detail the configuration of the power cost management system 1000 shown in FIG.

[0045] [Management Server] The management server SV stores a database DB as shown in FIG. 1, for example, and outputs information contained in the database DB.

[0046] As already mentioned, this management server SV communicates with external servers such as electric power companies and the Japan Weather Association outside the power cost management system 1000, as well as with core systems that operate the multiple production facilities, to obtain the desired data and store it in the database DB.

[0047] In the example of FIG. 1, the management server SV is shown as a single configuration, but a plurality of management servers may be provided corresponding to the respective databases DB1 to DBXb.

[0048] The database DB of this management server SV includes, for example, as shown in Figure 1, a production equipment operation history database DB1, a production equipment operation status database DB2, a production plan database DB3, an equipment maintenance plan database DB4, a power usage and fee history database DBXa, and a forecast data collection database DBXb.

[0049] [Production equipment operation history database] The production equipment operation history database DB1 stores, for example, data on the equipment operation history of multiple production facilities Z, data on link information between equipment operation and power, and data on equipment operation rules.

[0050] [Production Equipment Operation Status Database] The production equipment operation status database DB2 stores data collected by sensing the current equipment operation status of a plurality of production equipment Z, for example.

[0051] [Production Plan Database] The production plan database DB3 stores, for example, information on the production plans for the current day for a plurality of production facilities Z and information on the margin of facility stoppage for the production targets of the plurality of production facilities Z for the current month.

[0052] [Equipment Maintenance Plan Database] The equipment maintenance plan database DB4 stores, for example, data on maintenance reservation information (daily / weekly) for shutting down and maintaining a plurality of pieces of production equipment Z. Note that production equipment that is shut down for maintenance is excluded from production equipment that is shut down to adjust power consumption during the maintenance period.

[0053] [Power usage and fee record database] The power usage and fee record database DBXa stores past date and time data, data on grid power demand information at the date and time of the past date and time data, data on past electricity market prices at the date and time of the past date and time data (past electricity market price information), and the like.

[0054] The data including the past electricity market price information is acquired by the management server SV from an external server of the electric power company (for example, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc.), for example.

[0055] The above-mentioned "electric power company" includes, for example, a power generation company that owns power generation facilities such as a power plant, and a retail electricity company that retails the electricity generated by the power generation company.

[0056] The forecast information of the electricity trading price is information that predicts the price of electricity traded between the power generation company and the electricity retailer. This forecast information of the electricity trading price is obtained by the management server SV from, for example, an external server of the Japan Weather Association.

[0057] For example, the electricity supplied from the power grid of an electric power company includes electricity generated by natural energy sources such as solar power generation. Therefore, it is expected that the electricity market price will be affected by the weather when electricity is generated by natural energy sources.

[0058] The historical electricity market price information also includes date and time data indicating the date and time of the information.

[0059] The weather forecast information includes date and time data indicating the date and time of the information.

[0060] The usage forecast information also includes, for example, the power usage rate of the power supply area and date and time data indicating the date and time of the information.

[0061] As described above, each piece of information includes date and time data indicating the date and time of the information. However, since the amount of electricity used by each company, household, etc. varies depending on the date and time (weekly, holiday, etc.), it is expected that the electricity market price will change depending on the date and time.

[0062] [Forecast data collection database] The forecast data collection database DBXb stores future date and time data, weather forecast information data for the date and time of the future date and time data, forecast information data for electricity trading prices for the date and time of the future date and time data, and information on today's electricity usage forecast (usage outlook information) provided by the electric power company that supplies electricity.

[0063] The weather forecast information data includes weather forecast information for the power supply area to which electricity is supplied from the power grid of the power company (especially including areas where the power company's natural energy power plants, such as solar power plants, are installed).

[0064] The usage forecast information is information that the management server SV acquires from an external server of the electric power company (for example, an electricity forecast provided by Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc.).

[0065] The weather forecast information and electricity trading price forecast information are provided, for example, from an external server of the Japan Weather Association.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, not only is data relating to a plurality of production facilities Z stored in each of the databases DB1 to DB4 and used, but information from external sources (the web) other than the data relating to the plurality of production facilities Z is also stored in the databases DBXa and DBXb using ICT (Information and Communication Technology), and a system is constructed in which data such as prices and forecasts are linked to the management system.

[0067] [Electricity Cost Management Device] The electricity cost management device 100 according to this embodiment is a device that manages the electricity costs of using electricity supplied from the power company's power grid at multiple production facilities Z, using data stored in the database DB of the management server SV.

[0068] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power cost management apparatus shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the power cost management apparatus 100 includes, for example, a control unit CON, a predicted power market price calculation unit X1, a predicted power cost calculation unit X2, an equipment operation ranking generation unit X3, a memory unit M, an input unit TIN, a display unit D, an operation unit W, and an output unit TOUT.

[0069] [Expected electricity market price calculation unit X1] The expected electricity market price calculation unit X1 calculates the expected electricity market price for a certain period of time based on past electricity market price information including past electricity market prices of electricity in the power supply area to which electricity is supplied from the power system, weather forecast information for a certain period of time in the future, and usage outlook information including the outlook for electricity usage in the power system for the certain period of time.

[0070] More specifically, when the weather forecast information indicates that the sunshine hours during the certain period will be longer than a predetermined first reference value, the expected electricity market price calculation unit X1 calculates a decrease in the expected electricity market price based on the past electricity market price.

[0071] For example, if the weather forecast information indicates that the sunshine hours during the certain period will be longer than a predetermined first reference value, for example, if the weather is sunny, the expected electricity market price calculation unit X1 calculates the expected electricity market price to be lower than the past electricity market price.

[0072] On the other hand, when the weather forecast information indicates that the sunshine hours during the certain period will be shorter than the first reference value, the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 calculates an increase in the predicted electricity market price based on the past electricity market price.

[0073] For example, if the weather forecast information indicates that the sunshine hours for the certain period will be shorter than a first reference value, for example, if the weather is cloudy or rainy, the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 calculates the predicted electricity market price to be higher than the past electricity market price.

[0074] The "first reference value" is, for example, the amount of sunshine during a predetermined period in the past, but may also be a value of the amount of sunshine that is set in advance based on other criteria.

[0075] Furthermore, the above-mentioned "certain period" in the future is, for example, the period on the day when multiple production facilities will be operated in the future, but it also intends a predetermined period set in advance when multiple production facilities will be operated in the future.

[0076] In addition, if the usage forecast information indicates that the power usage rate of the power supply area during the certain period will be higher than a predetermined second reference value, the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 calculates an increase in the predicted electricity market price based on the past electricity market price.

[0077] Here, the "second reference value" is the power usage rate for the predetermined period in the past (for example, 90%), but may be a power usage rate value that is set in advance based on other criteria.

[0078] That is, for example, if the usage forecast information indicates that the power usage rate of the power supply area for the certain period will be higher than the second predetermined reference value of 90%, for example, if the predicted usage rate is 95%, the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 calculates the predicted electricity market price to be higher compared to the past electricity market price.

[0079] On the other hand, when the usage forecast information indicates that the electricity usage rate during the certain period will be less than the second reference value, the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 calculates a decrease in the predicted electricity market price based on the past electricity market price.

[0080] For example, the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 calculates the predicted electricity market price to be lower than the past electricity market price when the usage forecast information indicates that the electricity usage rate of the power supply area for the certain period will be less than the predetermined second reference value of 90%, i.e., when the predicted usage rate is 85%.

[0081] In addition, the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 may calculate the predicted electricity market price based on the past electricity market price by combining the electricity usage rate of the power supply area indicated by the usage forecast information and the sunshine hours etc. of the weather forecast information.

[0082] Furthermore, the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 may adjust the predicted electricity market price by referring to, for example, the predicted electricity trading price between the aforementioned electric power companies.

[0083] For example, when the predicted electricity market price indicates that the predicted electricity trading price will be higher than the reference price, the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 may calculate the predicted electricity market price to be higher.

[0084] On the other hand, if the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 indicates that the predicted electricity trading price will be lower than the reference price, the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 may calculate the predicted electricity market price to fall.

[0085] As mentioned above, the past electricity market price information, weather forecast information, and usage forecast information contain date and time data indicating the date and time of each piece of information. However, since the amount of electricity used by each company, household, etc. varies depending on the date and time (weekly, holiday, etc.), it is expected that the electricity market price will change depending on the date and time.

[0086] The predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 is configured with hardware such as a CPU, for example. At least a part of the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 may be configured with software.

[0087] [Expected electricity cost calculation unit] The expected electricity cost calculation unit X2 calculates the expected electricity cost for the certain period based on the expected electricity market price calculated by the expected electricity market price calculation unit X1 and the operation schedule for future operation of multiple production facilities Z in a pre-set production plan.

[0088] The predicted electricity cost calculation unit X2 may also simultaneously calculate the cost of increasing or decreasing the number of operating production facilities of the multiple production facilities Z based on the predicted electricity market price and the operation schedule.

[0089] The estimated power cost calculation unit X2 is configured with hardware such as a CPU, etc. At least a part of the estimated power cost calculation unit X2 may be configured with software.

[0090] [Equipment Operation Ranking Generation Unit] The equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 is configured to generate an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of multiple operation sequences of production equipment that should be operated among multiple production equipment Z, based on the expected power costs calculated by the expected power cost calculation unit X2.

[0091] The equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 generates the equipment operation ranking by setting an operation sequence for executing multiple production processes performed by multiple production equipment Z in parallel and / or series based on the calculated estimated electricity cost.

[0092] Furthermore, for example, the equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 is configured to set an operation sequence for operating production equipment that is operable during the certain period of time, and generate the equipment operation ranking, by referring to maintenance schedule information indicating the schedule for maintenance to shut down production equipment among the plurality of production equipment Z. As described above, production equipment that is shut down for maintenance indicated by the maintenance schedule information is excluded from production equipment that is shut down to adjust power consumption during the maintenance period.

[0093] In addition, the equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 may refer to the operation status information of the production equipment obtained by sensing the current operation status of the production equipment, set an operation sequence for operating the production equipment that should be operated during the certain period, and generate the equipment operation ranking.

[0094] The equipment operation ranking generating unit X3 is configured with hardware such as a CPU, etc. At least a part of the equipment operation ranking generating unit X3 may be configured with software.

[0095] [Display Unit] The display unit D is configured to display predetermined information such as information acquired and information generated by the power cost management apparatus 100. In particular, the display unit D is configured to display image information or text information including information on equipment operation rankings.

[0096] The display unit D is, for example, a touch panel.

[0097] [Operation Unit] The operation unit W is used by the user to input operations. This operation unit W is, for example, a touch panel that displays buttons for various operations and selections for the user to operate. In this case, the touch panel also functions as the display unit D as described above.

[0098] [Output Unit] The output unit TOUT outputs control commands or predetermined information for controlling the plurality of production facilities Z generated by the control unit CON via wireless communication or wired communication.

[0099] [Input unit] The input unit TIN is configured to input the past electricity market price information, the maintenance schedule information, the operating status information, the weather forecast information, and the usage outlook information, etc., output from the management server SV via wireless or wired communication.

[0100] [Control unit]

[0101] The control unit CNT also controls the operations of, for example, the display unit D, operation unit W, output unit TOUT, input unit TIN, memory unit M, predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1, predicted electricity cost calculation unit X2, and equipment operation ranking generation unit X3, to execute necessary processes for the power cost management apparatus 100. For example, the control unit CON can control the operation of multiple production facilities Z by outputting control commands from the output unit TOUT.

[0102] In this embodiment, the control unit CON selects an operation sequence from the equipment operation ranking, and based on the selected operation sequence, controls the operation of a production equipment Z corresponding to the operation sequence.

[0103] In particular, the control unit CON is configured to select an operation sequence from the equipment operation rankings described above so that the power cost for operating the production equipment during the given period approaches a preset target value.

[0104] The control unit CON is configured with hardware such as a CPU, etc. At least a part of the control unit CON may be configured with software.

[0105] [Storage Unit] The storage unit M stores information for the operation control unit CON to execute predetermined processes. This storage unit M includes, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a NAND flash memory (a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for installing, executing, distributing, etc., the above-mentioned program).

[0106] More specifically, this memory unit M stores programs for processing, and data necessary for processing, executed by the control unit CON, predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1, predicted electricity cost calculation unit X2, and equipment operation ranking unit X3 of the power cost management apparatus 100. This memory unit M is also configured to temporarily store, for example, predetermined data in the database DB received from the management server SV, information on operation sequences for controlling multiple production facilities Z, and the like.

[0107] The above-mentioned program is a program executed by a power cost management device 100 that manages the power costs of using power supplied from a power company's power system at multiple production facilities and that includes at least a computer (a control unit CON, a predicted power market price calculation unit X1, a predicted power cost calculation unit X2, and an equipment operation ranking unit X3). The program causes the computer to perform the following processes: the predicted power market price calculation unit X1 calculates a predicted power market price for a certain period of time based on past power market price information including past power market prices of electricity in a power supply area to which power is supplied from the power system, weather forecast information for a certain future period of time, and usage forecast information including an outlook for power usage in the power system for the certain period of time; the predicted power cost calculation unit X2 calculates a predicted power cost for the certain period of time based on the predicted power market price calculated by the predicted power market price calculation unit X1 and an operation schedule for future operation of multiple production facilities in a preset production plan; and the equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 generates an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of multiple operation sequences of production facilities Z that should be operated among the multiple production facilities Z, based on the calculated predicted power costs.

[0108] Furthermore, the program causes the control unit CON to select an operation sequence from the equipment operation ranking, and based on the selected operation sequence, controls the operation of a production facility Z corresponding to the operation sequence (step S4 in Figure 3), causing the computer to execute processing.

[0109] [Control Method of Power Cost Management Apparatus] Next, an example of a control method of the power cost management system 1000 according to this embodiment having the configuration and functions described above will be described, focusing on a specific example of a control method of the power cost management apparatus 100.

[0110] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the flow of a control method for the power cost management apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 2. The processing of steps S1 to S4 shown in Fig. 3 is mainly carried out by the computer of the power cost management apparatus 100 (controller CON, predicted power market price calculation unit X1, predicted power cost calculation unit X2, and equipment operation ranking unit X3) by executing a program prepared in advance and stored in memory unit M.

[0111] First, as already mentioned, the management server SV shown in Figure 1 communicates with external servers (not shown) such as electric power companies and the Japan Weather Association outside the power cost management system 1000, as well as with a core system (not shown) that operates the multiple production facilities, to obtain the desired data and store it in the database DB.

[0112] The power cost management apparatus 100 then acquires the data stored in the database DB of the management server SV from the input unit TIN via wireless or wired communication, and stores the data in the memory unit M.

[0113] The predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 of the electricity cost management device 100 calculates the predicted electricity market price for a certain period of time based on past electricity market price information stored in the memory unit M, including past electricity market prices of electricity in the power supply area to which electricity is supplied from the power system, weather forecast information for a certain period of time in the future, and usage forecast information including the outlook for electricity usage in the power system for that certain period of time (step S1 in Figure 3).

[0114] Next, the predicted electricity cost calculation unit X2 of the electricity cost management device 100 calculates the predicted electricity cost for the certain period based on the predicted electricity market price calculated by the predicted electricity market price calculation unit X1 and the operation schedule for future operation of multiple production facilities Z in the pre-set production plan stored in the memory unit M (step S2 in Figure 3).

[0115] Next, the equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 of the power cost management device 100 generates an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of multiple operation sequences of the production equipment Z that should be operated based on the calculated expected power costs (step S3 in Figure 3).

[0116] The display unit D of the power cost management apparatus 100 is configured to display image information or text information including the facility operation ranking information.

[0117] This allows, for example, the user to check the equipment operation ranking displayed on the display unit D. That is, the user can check which production equipment among the multiple production equipment Z should be operated and take the necessary measures from the perspective of managing the power costs of the production equipment while taking into account the production efficiency of the production equipment.

[0118] Next, the control unit CON of the power cost management device 100 selects an operation sequence from the equipment operation ranking, and based on the selected operation sequence, controls the operation of the production equipment Z according to the operation sequence (step S4 in Figure 3).

[0119] In particular, the control unit CON selects an operation sequence from the above-mentioned equipment operation ranking so that the power cost for operating the production equipment during the certain period approaches a preset target value, for example.

[0120] As described above, for example, information on a control command corresponding to an operation sequence selected by the control unit CON is output to the corresponding production equipment via the output unit TOUT. Then, the operation of the production equipment is controlled in accordance with this control command.

[0121] According to the control flow described above, the cost of electricity used in a plurality of production facilities is managed by the control method of the electricity cost management apparatus 100 according to this embodiment.

[0122] That is, the power cost management apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can manage the power cost of a production facility while taking into consideration the production efficiency of the production facility.

[0123] First Example In this first example, a specific example of an operation sequence for adjusting current consumption set by the facility operation ranking generating unit X3 of the power cost management apparatus 100 will be described.

[0124] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation sequence of a plurality of production facilities according to the first embodiment.

[0125] As shown in Figure 4, the production process of product U carried out by multiple production equipment Z includes, for example, a first process using multiple series of production equipment (first series ZK1 to fourth series ZK4) to produce product U, and a second process using multiple production equipment devices (first machine ZG1 to fifth machine ZG5) that process the object processed in the first process subsequent to the first process.

[0126] For example, the equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 of the power cost management device 100 may set multiple operation sequences that increase or decrease the number of units in each series of multiple production equipment operated in the first process so as to increase or decrease the current consumed in the first process (first operation sequence (1) in Figure 4).

[0127] In addition, the equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 may set multiple operation sequences that increase or decrease the current consumed in each series of multiple production equipment operated in the first process so as to increase or decrease the current consumed in the first process (second operation sequence (2) in Figure 4).

[0128] Then, as in the previously described embodiment, the control unit CON of the power cost management device 100 selects an operation sequence from the equipment operation ranking, and based on the selected operation sequence, controls the operation of the production equipment Z in accordance with the operation sequence.

[0129] Here, the product U is, for example, an electrolytic copper foil. In the production process of this electrolytic copper foil, for example, the electrolytic copper foil is produced by depositing copper ions on a titanium drum by electrolysis. Then, the drum immersed in an electrolytic solution is rotated, and the copper foil is wound up from the drum surface. In this case, the first step corresponds to, for example, the electrolysis step among the electrolytic copper foil production steps carried out in the first line ZK1 to the fourth line ZK4 of the production facilities Z, as shown in FIG. 4 . This electrolysis step requires a large amount of power among the electrolytic copper foil production steps.

[0130] Furthermore, the second process corresponds to, for example, a surface treatment process in the electrolytic copper foil production process carried out by a production facility (No. 1 ZG1 to No. 5 ZG5) among a plurality of production facilities Z, as shown in FIG. 4 . In this surface treatment process, for example, the surface of the electrolytic copper foil (target object) formed in the electrolysis process is cleaned and copper nodules are precipitated. Thereafter, necessary treatments such as anti-rust treatment to prevent oxidation of the copper foil surface are carried out. This surface treatment process requires a large amount of power among the electrolytic copper foil production processes.

[0131] In the electrolysis step of the production process for producing electrodeposited copper foil corresponding to the first step, as described above, the large amount of power is increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing the number of operating production equipment or the current value of the rectifier of the production equipment, thereby making it possible to adjust the power consumption while taking into consideration the production efficiency of the production equipment.

[0132] The product U is not limited to the above-mentioned electrolytic copper foil, but may be other products that require a large current in their production process, such as electrolytic copper or electrolytic zinc. In this case, the first step corresponds to an electrolysis step in the copper refining production process for producing the electrolytic copper or an electrolysis step in the zinc refining production process for producing the electrolytic zinc, which are carried out in multiple production facilities Z. The second step corresponds to a step in which necessary treatment is carried out after these electrolysis steps.

[0133] In the electrolysis step of the copper refining production process for producing electrolytic copper or the electrolysis step of the zinc refining production process for producing electrolytic zinc, which corresponds to the first step, the current value of the rectifier of the production equipment is increased or decreased to increase or decrease a large amount of power, as described above, thereby making it possible to adjust the power consumption while taking into account the production efficiency of the production equipment.

[0134] Other control flows of the power cost management apparatus according to this first example are the same as the control flows of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to the previously described embodiment. The configuration and functions of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to this first example are the same as the configuration and functions of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to the previously described embodiment. In other words, according to this first example, it is possible to manage the power cost of a production facility while taking into account the production efficiency of the production facility.

[0135] Second Example In this second example, we will explain another specific example of an operation sequence for adjusting the current consumption set by the equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 of the power cost management apparatus 100. Note that the configuration of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to this second example is similar to the configuration of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 described above.

[0136] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation sequence of a plurality of production facilities according to the second embodiment.

[0137] As shown in Figure 5, the production process of product U carried out by multiple production equipment Z includes, for example, a first process using multiple series of production equipment (first series ZK1 to fourth series ZK4) to produce product U, and a second process using multiple production equipment devices (first machine ZG1 to fifth machine ZG5) that process the object processed in the first process subsequent to the first process.

[0138] In the second embodiment, the power consumption of each production facility (No. 1 machine ZG1 to No. 5 machine ZG5) operated in the second process is different.

[0139] The equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 of the power cost management device 100 may set multiple operation sequences in which the production equipment (machine number) that processes the objects processed in each series of the multiple production equipment operated in the first process is different in the second process so as to increase or decrease the current consumed in the second process (third operation sequence (3) in Figure 5).

[0140] For example, as shown in Figure 5, the operating sequence is set so that the object treated in the first series ZK1 of the production equipment in the first process (electrolysis process) is treated in one of the first to third units ZG1 to ZG3 of the production equipment, which have different power consumptions, in order to increase or decrease the current consumed in the second process (surface treatment process).

[0141] Here, as in the first embodiment, the product U is, for example, an electrolytic copper foil. In this case, the second process corresponds to, for example, a surface treatment process in the electrolytic copper foil production process carried out in a production facility (first facility ZG1 to fifth facility ZG5) among a plurality of production facilities Z, as shown in FIG.

[0142] In the surface treatment step of the production process for producing electrodeposited copper foil corresponding to the second step, as described above, the treatment is performed in one of the production facilities with different power consumptions, thereby increasing or decreasing the power consumption significantly, and thereby adjusting the power consumption while taking into consideration the production efficiency of the production facilities.

[0143] The control flow of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is similar to the control flow of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to the previously described embodiment. The configuration and functions of the power cost management apparatus according to the second embodiment are similar to the configuration and functions of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to the previously described embodiment. In other words, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to manage the power cost of a production facility while taking into account the production efficiency of the production facility.

[0144] Third Example This third example describes yet another specific example of an operation sequence for adjusting current consumption set by the equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 of the power cost management apparatus 100. The configuration of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to this third example is similar to the configuration of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0145] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation sequence of a plurality of production facilities according to the third embodiment.

[0146] As shown in Figure 6, the production process of product U carried out by multiple production facilities Z includes, for example, a first process by multiple series of production facilities (first series ZK1 to fourth series ZK4) to produce product U, and a second process by multiple devices of production facilities (first machine ZG1 to fifth machine ZG5) that process the object processed in the first process subsequent to the first process.

[0147] In the third embodiment, the power consumption of each production facility (No. 1 machine ZG1 to No. 5 machine ZG5) operated in the second process is different.

[0148] The equipment operation ranking generation unit X3 of the power cost management device 100 sets multiple operation sequences for operating or stopping production equipment (machines) that process objects processed in each series of multiple production equipment operated in the first process in the second process so as to increase or decrease the current consumed in the second process (fourth operation sequence (4) in Figure 6).

[0149] For example, as shown in Figure 6, the operation sequence is set so that the current consumed in the second process (surface treatment process) is increased or decreased by stopping one of the production equipment Nos. 1 ZG1 to 6 ZG6, which have different power consumptions, and operating the remaining production equipment, so that the processing is carried out using the operating production equipment.

[0150] In the surface treatment step of the production process for producing electrodeposited copper foil corresponding to the second step, as described above, by stopping one of the production facilities with different power consumption and operating the remaining production facility, the power consumption is increased or decreased significantly by the treatment performed by the operating production facility, thereby making it possible to adjust the power consumption while taking into account the production efficiency of the production facilities.

[0151] The control flow of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment is similar to the control flow of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to the previously described embodiment. The configuration and functions of the power cost management apparatus according to the third embodiment are similar to the configuration and functions of the power cost management apparatus 100 according to the previously described embodiment. In other words, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to manage the power cost of a production facility while taking into account the production efficiency of the production facility.

[0152] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0153] 1000 Electricity cost management system 100 Electricity cost management device CON Control unit CON X1 Estimated electricity market price calculation unit X2 Estimated electricity cost calculation unit X3 Equipment operation ranking generation unit M Memory unit TIN Input unit D Display unit W Operation unit TOUT Output unit DB Database of management server SV DB1 Production equipment operation record database DB2 Production equipment operation status database DB3 Production plan database DB4 Equipment maintenance plan database DBXa Power usage and fee record database DBXb Forecast data collection database

Claims

1. An electric power cost management device that manages the electric power costs of using electric power supplied from an electric power company's electric power system at a plurality of production facilities, comprising: a predicted electric power market price calculation unit that calculates a predicted electric power market price for a certain period of time based on past electric power market price information including past electric power market prices of electric power in a power supply area to which electric power is supplied from the electric power system, weather forecast information for a certain future period of time, and usage forecast information including an outlook for electric power usage in the electric power system for the certain period of time; a predicted electric power cost calculation unit that calculates a predicted electric power cost for the certain period of time based on the predicted electric power market price calculated by the predicted electric power market price calculation unit and an operation schedule for future operation of the plurality of production facilities in a preset production plan; and an equipment operation ranking generation unit that generates an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of a plurality of operation sequences of production facilities that should be operated from among the plurality of production facilities, based on the predicted electric power costs calculated by the predicted electric power cost calculation unit.

2. The power cost management device of claim 1, wherein the predicted electricity market price calculation unit calculates the predicted electricity market price to decrease when the weather forecast information indicates that the sunshine hours during the certain period will be longer than a predetermined first reference value, and calculates the predicted electricity market price to increase when the weather forecast information indicates that the sunshine hours during the certain period will be shorter than the first reference value.

3. The power cost management device of claim 1, wherein the predicted power market price calculation unit calculates the predicted power market price to increase when the usage forecast information indicates that the power usage rate of the power supply area during the certain period will be higher than a predetermined second reference value, and calculates the predicted power market price to decrease when the usage forecast information indicates that the power usage rate during the certain period will be lower than the second reference value.

4. The power cost management device described in claim 1, characterized in that the equipment operation ranking generation unit generates the equipment operation ranking by setting an operation sequence for executing multiple production processes performed by the multiple production equipment in parallel and / or series based on the calculated expected power cost.

5. The power cost management device of claim 1, further comprising a control unit that selects an operation sequence from the equipment operation ranking and controls the operation of the production equipment among the plurality of production equipment in accordance with the operation sequence based on the selected operation sequence.

6. The power cost management device described in claim 1, characterized in that the equipment operation ranking generation unit refers to maintenance schedule information indicating scheduled maintenance for stopping the production equipment, sets an operation sequence for operating the production equipment that is operable during the certain period, and generates the equipment operation ranking.

7. The power cost management device described in claim 6, characterized in that the equipment operation ranking generation unit references operation status information of the production equipment obtained by sensing the current operation status of the production equipment, sets an operation sequence for operating the production equipment that should be operated during the certain period, and generates the equipment operation ranking.

8. The power cost management device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit for displaying predetermined information, wherein the display unit displays image information or text information including information on the equipment operation ranking.

9. The power cost management device according to claim 5, further comprising an output unit that outputs control commands or predetermined information for controlling the plurality of production facilities via wireless or wired communication.

10. The power cost management device of claim 7, further comprising an input unit TIN into which the past electricity market price information, the maintenance schedule information, the operating status information, the weather forecast information, and the usage forecast information are input via wireless or wired communication.

11. The power cost management device described in claim 1, characterized in that the product production process carried out by the multiple production facilities includes a first process for producing the product, and the equipment operation ranking generation unit sets multiple operation sequences that increase or decrease the current consumed in each series of the multiple production facilities operated in the first process so as to increase or decrease the current consumed in the first process.

12. The power cost management device of claim 1, characterized in that the production process of the product carried out by the multiple production facilities includes a first process for producing the product and a second process following the first process for processing the object processed in the first process, the power consumption of each production facility operated in the second process is different, and the facility operation ranking generation unit sets multiple operation sequences for operating or stopping the production facilities that process the object processed in each series of the multiple production facilities operated in the first process in the second process so as to increase or decrease the current consumed in the second process.

13. The power cost management device described in claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the product is electrolytic copper foil, the first process is an electrolysis process among the electrolytic copper foil production processes carried out by the plurality of production facilities, and the second process is a surface treatment process among the electrolytic copper foil production processes carried out by the plurality of production facilities.

14. The power cost management device described in claim 11, characterized in that the product is electrolytic copper or electrolytic zinc, and the first process is an electrolytic process within the copper refining production process that produces the electrolytic copper or an electrolytic process within the zinc refining production process that produces the electrolytic zinc, which is carried out at the multiple production facilities.

15. The power cost management device of claim 5, wherein the control unit selects an operation sequence from the equipment operation ranking so that the power cost of operating the production equipment during the certain period approaches a predetermined target value.

16. A control method for an electric power cost management device that manages the electric power costs of using electric power supplied from an electric power company's electric power system at multiple production facilities, the electric power cost management device comprising: a predicted electric power market price calculation unit; a predicted electric power cost calculation unit; and an equipment operation ranking generation unit; the predicted electric power market price calculation unit calculates a predicted electric power market price for a certain period of time based on past electric power market price information including past electric power market prices of electric power in a power supply area to which electric power is supplied from the electric power system, weather forecast information for a certain future period of time, and usage forecast information including an outlook for electric power usage of the electric power system for the certain period of time; the predicted electric power cost calculation unit calculates a predicted electric power cost for the certain period of time based on the predicted electric power market price calculated by the predicted electric power market price calculation unit and an operation schedule for future operation of the multiple production facilities in a preset production plan; and the equipment operation ranking generation unit generates an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of multiple operation sequences of production facilities that should be operated from among the multiple production facilities based on the calculated predicted electric power cost.

17. The control method for an electric power cost management device described in claim 16, characterized in that the electric power cost management device is provided with a control unit, and the control unit selects an operation sequence from the equipment operation ranking, and based on the selected operation sequence, controls the operation of production equipment among the plurality of production equipment in accordance with the operation sequence.

18. A program executed by an electricity cost management device that manages the electricity costs of using electricity supplied from an electric power company's power system at multiple production facilities and that has a computer, wherein the electricity cost management device has a predicted electricity market price calculation unit, a predicted electricity cost calculation unit, and an equipment operation ranking generation unit, and the program causes the computer to perform the following processes: the predicted electricity market price calculation unit calculates a predicted electricity market price for a certain period based on past electricity market price information including past electricity market prices of electricity in the power supply area to which electricity is supplied from the power system, weather forecast information for a certain future period, and usage forecast information including an outlook for electricity usage in the power system for the certain period; the predicted electricity cost calculation unit calculates a predicted electricity cost for the certain period based on the predicted electricity market price calculated by the predicted electricity market price calculation unit and an operation schedule for future operation of the multiple production facilities in a preset production plan; and the equipment operation ranking generation unit generates an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of multiple operation sequences of production facilities that should be operated from among the multiple production facilities based on the calculated predicted electricity cost.

19. An electricity cost management system comprising: a management server that stores a database and outputs information contained in the database; and an electricity cost management device that manages the electricity costs of using electricity supplied from a power grid of an electric power company at a plurality of production facilities, wherein the electricity cost management device comprises: a predicted electricity market price calculation unit that calculates a predicted electricity market price for a certain period based on past electricity market price information including past electricity market prices of electricity in a power supply area to which electricity is supplied from the power grid, weather forecast information for a certain future period, and usage forecast information including an outlook for electricity usage in the power grid for the certain period; a predicted electricity cost calculation unit that calculates a predicted electricity cost for the certain period based on the predicted electricity market price calculated by the predicted electricity market price calculation unit and an operation schedule for future operation of the plurality of production facilities in a predetermined production plan; and an equipment operation ranking generation unit that generates an equipment operation ranking that specifies the order of multiple operation sequences of production facilities that should be operated from among the plurality of production facilities, based on the predicted electricity costs calculated by the predicted electricity cost calculation unit.

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