Method for estimating power-saving amount, recording medium having program recorded thereon, device, and power-saving system

Abstract

This method for estimating a power-saving amount includes: a step for obtaining a first measurement value of an uncontrolled power amount A supplied to an apparatus 7 in a non-control period Ta in which a power-saving control is stopped; a step for obtaining a second measurement value of a controlled power amount B supplied to the apparatus 7 in a control period Tb in which the power-saving control is performed; and a step for estimating a power-saving amount S in each control period Tb. The step for estimating the power-saving amount S in one control period Tb involves calculating the power-saving amount S according to the difference between the uncontrolled power amount A of said one control period Tb estimated on the basis of one or more first measurement values obtained for one or a series of a plurality of uncontrolled periods Ta including a non-control period Ta adjacent to said one control period Tb, and a controlled power amount B expressed by the second measurement value for said one control period Tb.

Description

Method for estimating power savings, recording medium recording a program, device, and power-saving system

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for estimating the amount of electric power saved by power-saving control, a recording medium recording a program, a device, and a power-saving system.

[0002] A demand control system is known that monitors the amount of electric power used by facility equipment such as buildings and performs control to reduce the amount of electric power of the facility equipment so that the demand power (average power per unit time) does not exceed a predetermined maximum value. The following patent document describes a demand control system including a power measurement device that measures the amount of electric power of a load device, a monitoring device that calculates a predicted value of the demand power and transmits a control command when it is determined that the predicted value exceeds a target value, and an operation device that operates the load device in response to the control command.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7085069

[0004] In recent years, reducing the amount of CO2 emissions that cause global warming has become an issue. As part of energy-saving activities that lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions, energy management that optimizes the power supply-demand balance in buildings and the like has attracted attention. In addition to suppressing the peak of demand power and reducing the basic charge of the power contract, the above-described demand control system also has an aspect as a system (EMS) for realizing energy management. That is, the demand control system is also used to realize energy management, such as visualization of energy usage status and power-saving control of facility equipment.

[0005] Understanding the amount of electricity saved through power-saving control of equipment (hereinafter referred to as "energy savings") is important from the perspective of energy management, as it visualizes the effectiveness of power-saving control. One method for calculating energy savings is to use measurement data obtained by continuously measuring the power supplied to the equipment and historical information on power-saving control applied to the equipment. In this method, based on the historical information on power-saving control, periods in which a temporary decrease in power occurred due to power-saving control (power decrease periods) are identified. The amount of energy saved during a power decrease period is calculated according to the difference between the average power measured during that period and the average power measured before and after that period. The amount of energy saved for a given period can be calculated as the sum of the energy savings during power decrease periods that occurred during that period. However, when a decrease in power due to power-saving control overlaps with a decrease in power caused by other factors (such as human operation of equipment or automatic control of equipment for purposes other than energy saving), the above method has the problem of not being able to correctly calculate the amount of energy saved.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a method, program, apparatus, and power saving system that can accurately estimate the amount of power saved.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a method performed by a device for estimating the amount of energy saved, wherein the amount of energy saved is the amount of energy saved by energy saving control that saves power supplied to the equipment, and a non-control period in which energy saving control is stopped and a control period in which energy saving control is performed are repeated alternately, and for each of the periodically repeated non-control periods, a first measurement value acquisition step is obtained in which a first measurement value of the non-control energy amount, which is the amount of energy supplied to the equipment when energy saving control is stopped, is obtained, and for each of the periodically repeated control periods, a first measurement value of the control energy amount, which is the amount of energy supplied to the equipment when energy saving control is performed, is obtained. The method comprises a second measurement acquisition step of acquiring two measurement values, and an estimation step of estimating the amount of energy saved for each periodically repeated control period, wherein the estimation step for estimating the amount of energy saved for one control period includes calculating the amount of energy saved according to the difference between the uncontrolled energy for that control period, estimated based on one or more first measurement values ​​acquired for one or more uncontrolled periods including at least one of the uncontrolled periods immediately preceding and following that control period, and the controlled energy indicated by the second measurement value acquired for that control period.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records a program including instructions for a device that estimates the amount of power saved, wherein the program includes instructions for the device to perform processing including each step of the method according to the first aspect.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is a device for estimating the amount of power saved, comprising a processing unit and a storage unit that stores instructions to be executed in the processing unit, wherein the processing performed by the processing unit in accordance with the instructions includes each step of the method according to the first aspect described above.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for estimating the amount of electricity saved, which is equipped with means for performing each step of the method according to the first aspect described above.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is an energy-saving system comprising: an energy-saving control unit that performs energy-saving control to conserve power supplied to equipment; and an energy-saving amount estimation unit that estimates the amount of energy saved by the energy-saving control, wherein the energy-saving control unit alternately repeats a non-control period in which energy-saving control is stopped and a control period in which energy-saving control is performed, and the energy-saving amount estimation unit performs each step of the method according to the first aspect described above.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method, program, apparatus, and energy-saving system that can accurately estimate the amount of energy saved.

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power saving system according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power saving control device according to this embodiment. Figure 3A is a flowchart illustrating an example of the method for estimating the amount of power saved according to the first embodiment. Figure 3B is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process for calculating the amount of power saved. Figure 4A is a diagram illustrating the relationship between uncontrolled power and controlled power and the amount of power saved. Figure 4B is a diagram illustrating a series of uncontrolled power used in estimating the amount of power saved. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process for correcting the amount of power saved in the method for estimating the amount of power saved according to the second embodiment. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of the process for correcting the amount of power saved in the method for estimating the amount of power saved according to the second embodiment.

[0014] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 shows an example of a power saving system according to this embodiment. This power saving system performs power saving control to conserve power supplied to equipment 7 (electrical equipment, electronic equipment, etc.) installed in buildings, factories, facilities, houses, etc., and processes the amount of power saved by the power saving control to estimate the amount of power saved. In the example of Figure 1, the power saving system includes a power saving control device 1, an administrator terminal device 3, an equipment operating device 4, a power meter 5, and a sensor 6.

[0015] The administrator terminal device 3 is a device operated by the administrator of the power saving system. The administrator terminal device 3 accesses the power saving control device 1 via a communication network 9 such as the Internet, WAN, or LAN, and performs processes such as inputting power saving control settings for the power saving control unit 101 and displaying information about the power usage status of the devices 7 recorded in the measurement record database 21, which will be described later. The administrator terminal device 3 is composed of, for example, a device equipped with information and communication functions such as a personal computer, tablet, or smartphone.

[0016] The equipment operating device 4 operates the equipment 7 in accordance with a control signal from the power saving control unit 101 of the power saving control device 1 (described later) so that the amount of power supplied to the equipment 7 decreases. For example, if the equipment 7 is an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system, the equipment operating device 4 stops the compressor of the outdoor unit in accordance with the control signal from the power saving control unit 101. The equipment operating device 4 and the power saving control device 1 communicate wirelessly or via wired communication using any communication method, such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area-network). In the example in Figure 1, the power saving system has multiple equipment operating devices 4 corresponding to multiple pieces of equipment 7.

[0017] The power meter 5 measures the power supplied to the equipment 7 from the AC grid and transmits the measured value to the power saving control device 1. The power meter 5 and the power saving control device 1 communicate wirelessly or via wired communication using any communication method, such as LPWA. In the example shown in Figure 1, the power saving system has multiple power meters 5 corresponding to multiple pieces of equipment 7.

[0018] Sensor 6 collects predetermined information referenced in power saving control and transmits it to the power saving control unit 101 of the power saving control device 1. For example, if the device 7 is an outdoor unit of an air conditioning system, a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, etc., that detect the indoor temperature and humidity are used as sensor 6. Sensor 6 and the power saving control device 1 communicate wirelessly or via wired communication using any communication method, such as LPWA. In the example in Figure 1, the power saving system has multiple sensors 6.

[0019] The power saving control device 1 is a device that performs processing related to power saving control and processing related to the estimation of the amount of power saved, and for example, as shown in Figure 1, it has a power saving control unit 101 and a power saving amount estimation unit 102.

[0020] The power saving control unit 101 performs power saving control to conserve power supplied to each device 7 in accordance with predetermined information (room temperature, humidity, etc.) collected by the sensor 6. Based on the information from the sensor 6, the power saving control unit 101 generates a control signal to control the device 7 so as to conserve power supplied to the device 7 while ensuring that predetermined functions of the device 7 (e.g., the function of adjusting the room air by the air conditioning system) are not hindered, and transmits this signal to the device operating device 4. The power saving control unit 101 records control content information regarding the power saving control performed on each device 7 in the control content record database 22.

[0021] The power saving control unit 101 alternately repeats a period during which power saving control is stopped (hereinafter referred to as the "non-control period Ta") and a period during which power saving control is performed (hereinafter referred to as the "control period Tb"). The power saving control unit 101 sets the non-control period Ta to be relatively shorter than the control period Tb (for example, about one-tenth of the control period Tb). By making the non-control period Ta relatively shorter, the reduction in the amount of power saved over the entire operating period of the equipment 7 is suppressed.

[0022] The power saving amount estimation unit 102 estimates the amount of power saved, which is the amount of power saved by power saving control, for each control period Tb, based on the power of the equipment 7 measured by the power measuring instrument 5 during the non-control period Ta and the control period Tb, respectively.

[0023] Hereinafter, the amount of energy saved during one control period Tb will be specifically referred to as "energy saved S". The amount of energy supplied to the device 7 when energy saving control is stopped will be referred to as "uncontrolled energy", and the amount of uncontrolled energy during one uncontrolled period Ta will be specifically referred to as "uncontrolled energy A". Furthermore, the amount of energy supplied to the device 7 when energy saving control is performed will be referred to as "controlled energy", and the amount of controlled energy during one control period Tb will be specifically referred to as "controlled energy B".

[0024] The power saving amount estimation unit 102 acquires a measured value (first measured value) of the uncontrolled energy amount A within each periodically repeated uncontrolled period Ta, based on the measurement results of the power meter 5. The power saving amount estimation unit 102 also acquires a measured value (second measured value) of the controlled energy amount B within each periodically repeated controlled period Tb, based on the measurement results of the power meter 5.

[0025] The power saving amount estimation unit 102 estimates the power saving amount S for each control period Tb based on the measured value of the uncontrolled power amount A in each uncontrolled period Ta (first measured value) and the measured value of the controlled power amount B in each control period Tb (second measured value).

[0026] When the power saving amount estimation unit 102 estimates the power saving amount S for one control period Tb, it calculates the power saving amount S according to the difference (Ae - B) between the uncontrolled power amount estimated for that one control period Tb (hereinafter referred to as "uncontrolled power amount Ae") and the controlled power amount B indicated by the second measurement value obtained for that one control period Tb.

[0027] When the power saving amount estimation unit 102 estimates the uncontrolled power amount Ae for one control period Tb, it uses one or more first measured values ​​(first measured values ​​of the uncontrolled power amount A for the uncontrolled period Ta) obtained near the control period Tb. That is, the power saving control unit 101 estimates the uncontrolled power amount Ae for one control period Tb based on one or more first measured values ​​obtained for one or a series of uncontrolled periods Ta that include at least one of the uncontrolled periods Ta immediately preceding and following the control period Tb.

[0028] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the power saving control device 1. The power saving control device 1 shown in Figure 2 has a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a processing unit 13.

[0029] The communication unit 11 communicates with other devices (such as the administrator terminal device 3) via a communication network 9, such as the Internet. The communication unit 11 includes a device (such as a network interface card) that communicates in accordance with a predetermined communication standard, such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or wireless LAN. The communication unit 11 also communicates wirelessly or via wired connection with the equipment operating device 4, power measuring instrument 5, and sensor 6 using an arbitrary communication method (such as LPWA).

[0030] The storage unit 12 stores one or more programs 121 including instructions executable by the processing unit 13, data temporarily stored during processing by the processing unit 13, data used in processing by the processing unit 13, data obtained as a result of processing by the processing unit 13, etc. The storage unit 12 may include, for example, a main memory (RAM, ROM, etc.) and an auxiliary memory (flash memory, SSD, hard disk, memory card, optical disc, etc.). The storage unit 12 may consist of one memory device or multiple memory devices. If the storage unit 12 consists of multiple memory devices, each memory device may be connected to the processing unit 13 via a computer bus or other arbitrary communication means.

[0031] The processing unit 13 comprehensively controls the overall operation of the power saving control device 1 and performs predetermined information processing. The processing unit 13 includes, for example, one or more processors (CPU (central processing unit), MPU (micro-processing unit), DSP (digital signal processor), GPU (graphics processing unit), NPU (neural network processing unit), etc.) that process in accordance with the instructions of one or more programs 121 stored in the storage unit 12. The processing unit 13 operates as one or more computers by having one or more processors execute the instructions of one or more programs 121 stored in the storage unit 12. The power saving control device 1 may have multiple computers, and at least a part of the processing according to this embodiment (processing related to power saving control performed by the power saving control unit 101, processing related to power saving amount estimation performed by the power saving amount estimation unit 102, etc.) may be performed in cooperation with multiple computers.

[0032] The processing unit 13 may include one or more dedicated hardware components (such as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (field-programmable gate array)) configured to implement specific functions. The processing unit 13 may perform all of the processing according to this embodiment (such as power saving control processing and power saving amount estimation processing) on ​​one or more computers, or it may perform some of the processing on one or more computers and dedicated hardware components, or it may perform all of the processing on dedicated hardware components.

[0033] The program 121 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (optical disc, memory card, USB memory, or other non-temporary tangible medium), for example. The processing unit 13 may read at least a portion of one or more programs 121 recorded on such a recording medium using a recording medium reading device (optical disc drive, etc.) or interface device (USB interface, etc.) not shown, and write it to the storage unit 12. Alternatively, the processing unit 13 may download at least a portion of one or more programs 121 from another device connected to the communication network 9 using the communication unit 11, and write it to the storage unit 12. One or more programs 121 may include instructions that cause the processing unit 13 to perform at least a portion of the processing according to this embodiment (processing related to power saving control, processing related to power saving amount estimation, etc.).

[0034] The storage device 2 stores information related to the processing of the power saving control device 1. The power saving control device 1 and the storage device 2 can communicate via any communication channel (LAN, dedicated network, internet, etc.). For example, the storage device 2 may be included in a file server, database server, cloud server, etc. that accepts access from multiple devices, or it may be a dedicated storage device that can only be accessed by the power saving control device 1, or it may be a storage device connected to the processing unit 13 via a computer bus, etc.

[0035] In the example shown in Figure 2, the storage device 2 stores a measurement record database 21 and a control content record database 22. The measurement record database 21 records the amount of power consumed per unit time, instantaneous power, and the amount of power saved estimated by the power saving amount estimation unit 102 for each control period Tb, based on the measurement results of the power measuring instrument 5. The control content record database 22 records control content information related to the power saving control performed on the device 7 by the power saving control unit 101.

[0036] Next, the method for estimating the amount of power saved according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 3A. Step ST100 is an example of the first measurement value acquisition step of the present invention. Step ST105 is an example of the second measurement value acquisition step of the present invention. Step ST110 is an example of the estimation step of the present invention.

[0037] ST100: The power saving control device 1 acquires a first measured value of the uncontrolled energy amount A for each periodically repeated uncontrolled period Ta. For example, the power saving control device 1 acquires a first measured value of the uncontrolled energy amount A based on the average value of the power measured by the power meter 5 for each unit time during the uncontrolled period Ta. Alternatively, the power saving control device 1 may acquire a first measured value of the uncontrolled energy amount A based on the sum of the energy measured by the power meter 5 for each unit time during the uncontrolled period Ta. The power saving control device 1 records the acquired first measured value in the measurement record database 21.

[0038] ST105: The power saving control device 1 acquires a second measured value of the controlled energy amount B for each periodically repeated control period Tb. For example, the power saving control device 1 acquires the second measured value of the controlled energy amount B based on the average value of the power measured by the power meter 5 at each unit time during the control period Tb. Alternatively, the power saving control device 1 may acquire the second measured value of the controlled energy amount B based on the sum of the energy measured by the power meter 5 at each unit time during the control period Tb. The power saving control device 1 records the acquired second measured value in the measurement record database 21.

[0039] ST110: For each periodically repeated control period Tb, the power saving control device 1 estimates the amount of power saved S based on the first measured value of the uncontrolled power amount A obtained in step ST100 and the second measured value of the control period Tb obtained in step ST105. That is, when the power saving control device 1 estimates the amount of power saved S for one control period Tb, it calculates the amount of power saved S according to the difference (Ae-B) between the uncontrolled power amount Ae estimated for that control period Tb and the controlled power amount B indicated by the second measured value obtained for that control period Tb. The power saving control device 1 records the estimated amount of power saved S in the measurement record database 21.

[0040] Figure 3B is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process for calculating the amount of electricity saved S in step ST110.

[0041] ST200: When calculating the amount of energy saved S for one control period Tb, the energy saving control device 1 first calculates the estimated uncontrolled energy Ae for that control period Tb. For example, the energy saving control device 1 calculates the uncontrolled energy Ae based on the product of the first measured value of the uncontrolled energy A obtained for the uncontrolled period Ta immediately before or after the control period Tb, and the ratio of the control period Tb to the uncontrolled period Ta (Tb / Ta). In this case, the uncontrolled energy Ae is expressed by the following equation (1): Ae = (Tb / Ta) × A …(1)

[0042] ST205: The power saving control device 1 calculates a power saving amount S corresponding to the difference between the uncontrolled power amount Ae calculated for one control period Tb and the controlled power amount B indicated by the second measurement value obtained for the same control period Tb. The power saving amount S is expressed, for example, by the following equation (2): S = Ae - B ... (2)

[0043] FIG. 4A is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the non-controlled power amount A, the controlled power amount B, and the power saving amount S. In the example of FIG. 4A, the non-control period Ta is 3 minutes, and the control period Tb is 27 minutes. The 3-minute non-control period Ta is repeated every 30 minutes with the 27-minute control period Tb in between. In the periods of 6 to 9 minutes, 15 to 18 minutes, and 24 to 27 minutes in the control period Tb of FIG. 4A, the power supplied to the device 7 decreases due to the power saving control. Therefore, in these periods, as represented by the solid line graph, the increase in the power amount is suppressed. On the other hand, the non-controlled power estimated based on the non-controlled power amount A in the non-control period Ta increases linearly in the range of 3 to 30 minutes as represented by the dotted line graph because there is no decrease in power due to the power saving control. As a result, the estimated non-controlled power amount Ae in the control period Tb becomes larger than the actual controlled power amount B in the control period Tb, and the power saving amount S is estimated from these differences.

[0044] As described above, according to the present embodiment, based on the first measurement value of the non-controlled power amount A in the non-control period Ta when the power saving control is stopped, the non-controlled power amount Ae in the control period Tb when the power saving control is performed is estimated, and the power saving amount S is estimated according to the difference between the controlled power amount B indicated by the second measurement value in the control period Tb and the estimated non-controlled power amount Ae. The first measurement value of the non-controlled power amount A is a measurement value that is surely measured in a state without power saving control and does not cause an error due to the power saving control. Thereby, since the non-controlled power amount Ae in the control period Tb can be accurately estimated based on the first measurement value of the non-controlled power amount A, the power saving amount S corresponding to the difference between the non-controlled power amount Ae and the controlled power amount B can be accurately estimated.

[0045] Further, according to the present embodiment, since the power saving amount S of one control period Tb is estimated based on the first measurement value obtained for the non-control period Ta immediately before or after the one control period Tb, it is possible to estimate the power saving amount S with high accuracy using the non-controlled power amount A in a period temporally close to the one control period Tb.

[0046] Next, some modifications of the method for estimating the power saving amount S according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0047] (Modification Example 1) In the description of step ST200 above, when calculating the non-controlled power amount Ae for one control period Tb, an example was given in which the non-controlled power amount Ae was calculated by Equation (1) based on the first measured value of one non-controlled power amount A obtained for the non-control period Ta immediately before or after the one control period Tb. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this example, and two or more first measured values of the non-controlled power amount A used for calculating the non-controlled power amount Ae may be used.

[0048] For example, the power saving control device 1 may calculate the non-controlled power amount Ae corresponding to the product of the average value of a predetermined number (two or more) of first measured values obtained for a series of predetermined numbers (two or more) of non-control periods Ta including at least one of the non-control periods Ta immediately before and after one control period Tb, and the ratio (Tb / Ta) of the control period Tb to the non-control period Ta.

[0049] Here, a series of control periods Tb that are periodically repeated are represented as Tb(1), Tb(2), Tb(3), Tb(4),.... The numbers in parentheses in the above notation represent the temporal order of the control periods Tb. Also, letting "n" be an arbitrary positive integer, the non-control period Ta immediately before the control period Tb(n) is represented as "Ta(n)". Further, the non-controlled power amount A in the non-control period Ta(n) is represented as "A(n)", and the controlled power amount B in the control period Tb(n) is represented as "B(n)". FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a series of non-controlled power amounts A used for estimating the power saving amount S according to the above notation.

[0050] Letting "p" be an integer of 1 or more and "q" be an integer of 0 or more, and letting the average value of the (p + q + 1) non-controlled power amounts A(n),..., A(n + p + q) from the non-control period Ta(n) to the non-control period Ta(n + p + q) be "EA", the non-controlled power amount Ae of the control period Tb(n + p) is represented, for example, by the following Equation (3). Ae = (Tb / Ta) × EA...(3)

[0051] When the average value EA is an arithmetic mean value, the average value EA is represented by the following equation. EA = {A(n) +... + A(n + p + q)} / (p + q + 1)...(4)

[0052] According to this modification, the variation in uncontrolled energy A is averaged out, so the variation in the estimated uncontrolled energy Ae is also reduced, and the accuracy of the estimation of energy saving S can be improved.

[0053] (Modification 2) In Modification 1 described above, the arithmetic mean is calculated as the average value EA of (p+q+1) uncontrolled energy quantities A(n), ..., A(n+p+q) from the uncontrolled period Ta(n) to the uncontrolled period Ta(n+p+q). However, this average value EA is not limited to the arithmetic mean; for example, it may be a weighted mean.

[0054] In other words, when the power saving control device 1 estimates the uncontrolled energy amount Ae during the control period Tb(n+p), it calculates the average value EA such that the first measured value of the uncontrolled period Ta, which is temporally further away from the control period Tb(n+p), is given a smaller weight. In this case, the weighted average value EA is expressed by, for example, the following equation (5): EA = {KA(n) + … + KA(n+p+q)} / SK … (5)

[0055] In equation (5), "KA(i)" is expressed by the following equation (6), where "i" is any integer from n to n+p+q. KA(i) = K(i) × A(i) …(6)

[0056] In equation (6), "K(i)" represents the weighting coefficient given to the uncontrolled energy A(i) during the uncontrolled period Ta(i). The weighting coefficient K(i) is a coefficient whose value decreases as time moves away from the controlled period Tb(n+p). The weighting coefficient K(i) may be, for example, a predetermined function (a function proportional to the reciprocal of the time interval, an exponential function, etc.) in which the variable is the time interval from the uncontrolled period Ta(i) to the controlled period Tb(n+p) (such as a time interval based on the midpoint of each period), and whose value decreases continuously as the value of the variable increases.

[0057] The denominator "SK" in equation (5) is the sum of the weighting coefficients K(i) used in the weighted average, and is expressed by the following equation (7): SK = K(n) + K(n+1) + ... + K(n+p+q) ... (7)

[0058] According to this modified method, when estimating the uncontrolled energy amount Ae for a single control period Tb, the uncontrolled energy amount Ae is calculated by a weighted average that gives greater weight to the first measured value (uncontrolled energy amount A) of the uncontrolled period Ta which is temporally closer to the control period Tb. As a result, the influence of variability in the uncontrolled energy amount A is suppressed, and the influence of the uncontrolled energy amount A of the uncontrolled period Ta which is temporally closer to the control period Tb is emphasized, resulting in the calculation of an uncontrolled energy amount Ae that allows for the estimation of a more accurate amount of energy saved S.

[0059] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is a modification of the power saving amount S estimation process (Figure 3B: ST110 in Figure 3A) in the first embodiment described above. The system configuration according to the second embodiment is the same as that shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the first embodiment described above.

[0060] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process for correcting the amount of energy saved in the energy saving estimation method according to the second embodiment. The flowchart shown in Figure 5 is the same as the flowchart shown in Figure 3B with steps ST210 to ST225 added, and the other processes are the same as the flowchart shown in Figure 3. Here, we will explain the processes of steps ST210 to ST225.

[0061] ST210 The power saving control device 1 identifies a plurality of predetermined pieces of information in the measurement record database 21 that satisfy predetermined similar conditions to predetermined information (temperature, humidity, etc.) collected by the sensor 6 during one target control period Tb (target control period Tb). The power saving control device 1 then reads from the measurement record database 21 a plurality of power saving amounts S from a plurality of past control periods Tb in which the identified plurality of predetermined pieces of information were referenced for power saving control (or power saving control was performed based on the identified information).

[0062] For example, suppose that device 7 is the outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and the power saving control device 1 performs power saving control according to information such as the indoor temperature, humidity, and discomfort index. In addition, one or more sensors 6 detect the temperature, humidity, etc. in the room where the indoor unit of the air conditioner is installed and transmit this information to the power saving control device 1 as predetermined information. In this case, the power saving control device 1 searches the measurement record database 21 for records of temperature, humidity, etc. that fall within a predetermined similar range to the temperature, humidity, etc. detected by the sensors 6 during the target control period Tb, and identifies them. The power saving control device 1 then reads the amount of power saved S in past control periods Tb when the identified temperature, humidity, etc. was referenced for power saving control from the measurement record database 21.

[0063] ST215: The power saving control device 1 sets a normal range for the amount of power saved S in the target control period Tb based on the multiple amounts of power saved S in the past control period Tb read out in step ST210. For example, the power saving control device 1 may set a normal range (ES ± W) with a predetermined width 2W centered on the average value ES of the multiple amounts of power saved S read out in step ST210. The width W may be set to a predetermined ratio (10%, etc.) of the average value ES, or it may be set based on the variance, standard deviation, etc. of the multiple amounts of power saved S read out.

[0064] ST220: If the amount of energy saved S calculated in step ST205 according to the difference between the uncontrolled energy amount Ae and the controlled energy amount B (Ae-B) deviates from the normal range described above, the energy saving control device 1 corrects the amount of energy saved calculated in step ST205 according to the multiple amounts of energy saved S read out in step ST210. For example, the energy saving control device 1 may use the average value ES described above as the corrected amount of energy saved S.

[0065] ST225: If the power saving control device 1 corrects the amount of power saved S calculated in step ST205 in step ST220, it records the corrected amount of power saved in the measurement record database 21. On the other hand, if the power saving control device 1 does not perform a correction in step ST220, it records the amount of power saved S calculated in step ST205 in the measurement record database 21.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, multiple power saving amounts S from multiple past control periods Tb in which predetermined information similar to that collected by sensor 6 in the target control period Tb was collected are read from the measurement record database 21, and the normal range of the power saving amount S for the target control period Tb is set based on the read power saving amounts S. If the power saving amount S for the target control period Tb, calculated according to the difference between the uncontrolled power amount Ae and the controlled power amount B, deviates from the set normal range, the calculated power saving amount S is corrected according to the read multiple power saving amounts S. This makes it possible to avoid large errors in the estimation result of the power saving amount S due to irregular measurement errors, etc.

[0067] (Modified Version) Next, a modified version of the correction process for the amount of power saved S described above according to the second embodiment will be described. In the embodiment described above, the amount of power saved S for the target control period Tb is corrected according to the amount of power saved S for past control periods Tb in which the predetermined information collected by the sensor 6 is similar. In this modified version, the amount of power saved S for the target control period Tb is corrected according to the amount of power saved S for past control periods Tb in which the content of the power saving control is similar.

[0068] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of the process for correcting the amount of energy saved in the energy saving estimation method according to the second embodiment. The flowchart shown in Figure 6 is the same as the flowchart shown in Figure 5, but with step ST210 replaced by step ST210A, and the other processes are the same as those in the flowchart shown in Figure 5. Here, the process of step ST210 will be explained.

[0069] The ST210A power saving control device 1 identifies multiple control content pieces in the control content record database 22 that satisfy predetermined similar conditions for the power saving control of the equipment 7 performed during one target control period Tb (target control period Tb). The power saving control device 1 then reads multiple power saving amounts S from the measurement record database 21 for multiple past control periods Tb that correspond to the multiple control content pieces identified.

[0070] For example, suppose that equipment 7 is the outdoor unit of an air conditioner, and the power saving control device 1 performs power saving control by repeatedly stopping a predetermined operation of the outdoor unit (e.g., compressor operation) for a unit of time (operation stop period). The control content information also includes the number of operation stop periods (number of operation stops) within the control period Tb. In this case, the power saving control device 1 searches the control content record database 22 for control content information indicating the number of operation stops that falls within a predetermined similar range to the number of operation stops in the target control period Tb, and identifies it. The power saving control device 1 then reads the amount of power saved S in past control periods Tb corresponding to the identified control content information from the measurement record database 21.

[0071] Alternatively, in another example, if the sensor 6 detects the CO2 concentration in the room and the detected CO2 concentration is lower than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 1000 ppm), it is assumed that there are few people in the room, and the power saving control device 1 performs power saving control by reducing the ventilation capacity of the outdoor unit and lowering the ventilation rate. The control content information also includes information indicating whether or not the above-mentioned ventilation capacity reduction control was performed within the control period Tb. In this case, if the ventilation capacity reduction control was performed within the target control period Tb, the power saving control device 1 searches the control content record database 22 for control content information indicating that the ventilation capacity reduction control was performed and identifies it. The power saving control device 1 then reads the amount of power saved S in past control periods Tb corresponding to the identified control content information from the measurement record database 21.

[0072] As described above, according to this embodiment, multiple amounts of energy saved S in multiple past control periods Tb where energy saving control similar to the energy saving control for the target control period Tb was performed are read from the measurement record database 21, and the normal range of the amount of energy saved S for the target control period Tb is set based on the read amounts of energy saved S. If the amount of energy saved S for the target control period Tb, calculated according to the difference between the uncontrolled energy amount Ae and the controlled energy amount B, deviates from the set normal range, the calculated amount of energy saved S is corrected according to the read amounts of energy saved S. This makes it possible to avoid large errors in the estimation result of the amount of energy saved S due to irregular measurement errors, etc.

[0073] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes various variations.

[0074] In the flowchart shown in Figure 3A, the acquisition of measured values ​​(ST100, ST105) and the estimation of the amount of electricity saved S (ST110) may be performed in parallel and in real time, or the acquisition of measured values ​​(ST100, ST105) for a certain period may be performed first, and then the estimation of the amount of electricity saved S for that period (ST110) may be performed all at once.

[0075] The power saving control device 1 may estimate the amount of power saved S (ST110) each time it acquires a measured value (ST100, ST105), and each time it estimates the amount of power saved S, it may display information related to power saving (such as the amount of power saved S for each target control period Tb, and the cumulative value of the amount of power saved S from a predetermined point in time) on the display device. As a result, the amount of power saved S is visualized in real time, which can improve awareness of power saving.

[0076] Some of the processing performed by the power saving control device 1 described above may be performed by other devices (server devices, terminal devices, etc.). In this case, it can be said that the processing of the power saving amount estimation method according to this embodiment is performed by multiple computers (computer systems) in the power saving control device 1 and the other devices.

[0077] 1...Power saving control device, 11...Communication unit, 12...Storage unit, 121...Program, 13...Processing unit, 101...Power saving control unit, 102...Power saving amount estimation unit, 2...Storage device 2, 21...Measurement record database, 22...Control content record database, 3...Administrator terminal device, 4...Equipment operating device, 5...Power meter, 6...Sensor, 7...Equipment, 9...Communication network

Claims

1. A method performed by a device for estimating the amount of energy saved, wherein the amount of energy saved is the amount of energy saved by energy saving control that saves power supplied to the equipment, and the device alternates between an uncontrolled period when the energy saving control is stopped and a controlled period when the energy saving control is performed, and for each of the periodically repeated uncontrolled periods, it obtains a first measurement value acquisition step of obtaining a first measurement value of the uncontrolled energy amount, which is the amount of energy supplied to the equipment when the energy saving control is stopped, and for each of the periodically repeated controlled periods, it obtains a second measurement value acquisition step of obtaining a second measurement value of the controlled energy amount, which is the amount of energy supplied to the equipment when the energy saving control is performed, and for each of the periodically repeated controlled periods, it obtains an estimation step of estimating the amount of energy saved, wherein the estimation step for estimating the amount of energy saved for one of the controlled periods is: A method comprising calculating the amount of energy saved based on the difference between the amount of uncontrolled energy for a control period estimated based on one or more first measurements obtained for one or more of the uncontrolled periods, which include at least one of the uncontrolled periods immediately preceding and immediately following the control period, and the amount of controlled energy indicated by the second measurements obtained for the control period.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the estimation step for estimating the amount of power saved for one control period includes: calculating the amount of uncontrolled power during one control period based on the product of the first measured value obtained for the uncontrolled period immediately preceding or following the control period and the ratio of the control period to the uncontrolled period; and calculating the amount of power saved based on the difference between the calculated amount of uncontrolled power and the amount of controlled power indicated by the second measured value obtained for the control period.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the estimation step for one control period includes: calculating the uncontrolled energy amount in one control period according to the product of the average value of a predetermined number of first measured values ​​obtained for a series of predetermined numbers of uncontrolled periods including at least one of the uncontrolled periods immediately preceding and immediately following the control period, and the ratio of the control period to the uncontrolled period; and calculating the energy amount according to the difference between the calculated uncontrolled energy amount and the controlled energy amount indicated by the second measured value obtained for the control period.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the estimation step for one control period includes: calculating the uncontrolled energy amount in one control period based on the product of a predetermined number of weighted average values ​​of a predetermined number of first measured values ​​obtained for a series of predetermined numbers of non-control periods including at least one of the non-control periods immediately preceding and immediately following the control period, wherein the weighted average value is given smaller weights for the first measured values ​​of non-control periods that are further away from the control period, and the ratio of the control period to the non-control period; and calculating the energy amount based on the difference between the calculated uncontrolled energy amount and the controlled energy amount indicated by the second measured values ​​obtained for the control period.

5. The device for estimating the amount of power saved is accessible to a storage device, the power saving control includes controlling the device in accordance with predetermined information collected by a sensor, the storage device stores the predetermined information referenced in the power saving control for each control period, and the amount of power saved estimated for each control period, the estimation step for estimating the amount of power saved for one control period includes: identifying a plurality of predetermined pieces of information in the storage device that satisfy predetermined similar conditions with respect to the predetermined information collected by the sensor in that control period, reading a plurality of power saving amounts from the storage device for a plurality of past control periods in which the identified plurality of predetermined pieces of information were referenced for the power saving control, setting a normal range for the amount of power saved in that control period based on the plurality of power saving amounts read, and correcting the calculated amount of power saved in accordance with the plurality of power saving amounts read if the amount of power saved calculated according to the difference between the uncontrolled amount of power and the controlled amount of power deviates from the normal range. The method according to claim 1, further comprising storing in the storage device the corrected amount of energy saved if the calculated amount of energy saved is corrected, or the calculated amount of energy saved if no correction is made.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device for estimating the amount of power saved is accessible to a storage device, the storage device stores control content information relating to the content of the power saving control in each control period, and the estimated amount of power saved for each control period, and the estimation step for estimating the amount of power saved for one control period includes: identifying a plurality of control content pieces in the storage device that satisfy predetermined similar conditions to the content of the power saving control in the one control period; reading a plurality of power saving amounts for a plurality of past control periods corresponding to the identified plurality of control content pieces from the storage device; setting a normal range for the amount of power saved in the one control period based on the read-out plurality of power saving amounts; correcting the calculated amount of power saved according to the read-out plurality of power saving amounts if the amount of power saved calculated according to the difference between the uncontrolled amount of power and the controlled amount of power deviates from the normal range; and storing the corrected amount of power saved in the storage device if the correction of the calculated amount of power saved is performed, or the calculated amount of power saved if the correction is not performed.

7. A computer-readable recording medium that records a program including instructions for a device to perform an action to estimate the amount of power saved, wherein the amount of power saved is the amount of power saved by power saving control that saves power supplied to the equipment, the non-control period in which the power saving control is stopped and the control period in which the power saving control is performed alternately, and the program includes instructions for the device to perform an action including each step of the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A device for estimating the amount of power saved, wherein the amount of power saved is the amount of power saved by power saving control that saves power supplied to the equipment, and a non-control period in which the power saving control is stopped and a control period in which the power saving control is performed are repeated alternately, and the device comprises a processing unit and a storage unit that stores instructions to be executed in the processing unit, and the processing performed by the processing unit in accordance with the instructions includes each step of the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A device for estimating the amount of power saved, wherein the amount of power saved is the amount of power saved by power saving control that saves power supplied to the equipment, and a non-control period in which the power saving control is stopped and a control period in which the power saving control is performed are repeated alternately, and the device comprises means for performing each step of the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. An energy-saving system comprising: an energy-saving control unit that performs energy-saving control to conserve power supplied to equipment; and an energy-saving amount estimation unit that estimates the amount of energy saved by the energy-saving control, wherein the energy-saving control unit alternately repeats a non-control period in which the energy-saving control is stopped and a control period in which the energy-saving control is performed, and the energy-saving amount estimation unit performs each step of the method described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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