Energy Management Controller Using Questionnaire-Based User Behavior Prediction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current demand response systems face challenges in accurately predicting energy consumption due to user behavior uncertainty, particularly in the use of air conditioning and electric vehicle storage batteries, which affects the maximization of demand response potential.
Innovation Solution
An energy management apparatus and user terminal system that communicates via a network to prepare and answer questions about user behavior, enabling accurate prediction of energy consumption based on user input, thereby influencing demand response implementation probabilities and amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If demand response amount is evaluated based on power generation prediction and demand prediction only, then the evaluation process is simple, but the prediction accuracy is insufficient due to user behavior uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a questionnaire system as an intermediary between the prediction system and user behavior. The questionnaire collects user behavior information (preferences, habits, responsiveness to demand response) which serves as mediating data to improve prediction accuracy without requiring direct complex monitoring of user actions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by collecting user behavior information through questionnaires before the actual demand response event. This advance collection of behavioral data allows the prediction model to account for user-specific factors in advance, improving accuracy without adding complexity during the critical prediction moment
2Ease of operation
If air conditioning output is set in advance for demand response, then the control is simplified, but the actual demand response amount may be reduced when users change set temperature due to comfort concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by incorporating user behavior information collected through questionnaires into the prediction model. This feedback loop allows the system to predict how users will respond to temperature changes, enabling more reliable demand response planning while maintaining simple advance setting of air conditioning output
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by using user behavior data (such as temperature preferences, comfort thresholds, and demand response responsiveness) to adjust prediction accuracy. This allows the system to account for individual user variations while maintaining the simplicity of advance air conditioning control
3Productivity
If demand response evaluation does not consider user behavior information, then the evaluation process is straightforward, but the demand response potential is not maximally utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by collecting user behavior information through questionnaires before the demand response event. This advance collection prevents information loss while maintaining a straightforward evaluation process, as the behavioral data is gathered once and stored for use in predictions
Solution Approach 2:
The questionnaire system serves multiple functions: it collects user behavior information, characterizes user responsiveness to demand response, and provides data for prediction modeling. This multi-functional approach maximizes demand response utilization without significantly complicating the evaluation process
Data Source
AI summary
Included are an energy management apparatus that manages at least one or more management target that consumes energy; and a user terminal that transmits and receives information to and from the energy management apparatus via a network. The energy management apparatus includes an energy management controller that prepares a question regarding a behavior of a user who uses the at least one or more management target, and transmits it to the user terminal. The user terminal includes a user terminal controller that transmits a question answer regarding the received question to the energy management controller when receiving the question transmitted from the energy management controller. The energy management controller predicts an energy consumption amount of the at least one or more management target based on the received question answer when receiving the question answer transmitted from the user terminal controller.