JP2014060887A - Power saving requirement generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the following problem: even when completion is made in a power saving requirement for load reduction in peak power consumption of a power consumer, conventionally, a notification of the power saving requirement is not repeated again in a short period.SOLUTION: The power saving requirement generator includes a communication section (203) that receives power information about power consumption of each of a plurality of power consumers, and a control section (201). The control section (201), when a total of power of the plurality of power consumers which is acquired from the received power information is not less than a first threshold value, transmits a power saving requirement notification to terminals of the plurality of power consumers and, when the power is then not more than a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value, transmits a power saving requirement completion notification to the terminals of the plurality of power consumers.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power saving request generation device, and more particularly, to a power saving request generation device that communicates with a power consumer device.

  Conventionally, various methods and systems for requesting power consumers to save power have been proposed for the purpose of reducing the load of peak power when the supply and demand of the power supplier is tight.

  For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-284649) discloses a system that can realize load leveling of electric power in consideration of the situation of both a consumer side such as a home and a factory and an electric power company. Specifically, when the power supplier side needs load leveling, it presents the load reduction request time and incentive to the customer terminal, and responds with a bid signal that includes the amount of power reduction and the reduction time. From the customers, the power company selects a consumer whose product of reduced power and reduction time is large, presents a successful bid signal, and selects a consumer for load reduction.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-176729 discloses a method and system for requesting power reduction. Specifically, when the power supply company's equipment is predicted to be in short supply, the cost of starting power generation facilities for peak demand, the cost of purchasing power from other companies, and the cost of requesting power reduction with incentives Are calculated, and when it is determined that the power reduction request is inexpensive, the customer is requested to present the reducible power, and the incentive fee is presented for each of the presented reducible power of the customer.

JP-A-5-284649 JP 2002-176729 A

  A general power saving request method and system, such as the systems of Patent Documents 1 and 2, is aimed at reducing the load of the supplied peak power when the power supplier is in tight supply and demand. Therefore, the customer who responds to the power saving request is only one of all the customers (many) who contract with the power supplier, and the influence on the peak cut per customer is very small. However, the power saving request in the present invention is not related to the supply of the power supplier. For example, when it is intended to reduce the load of the peak power consumption of a limited small number of power consumers (small number) such as an apartment house, The influence on the peak cut of the house is relatively large. In the case of providing a system for notifying a power saving request in this environment, the power saving request is repeated in a short period of time when the consumer starts using all the devices that the patient has put up with after the power saving request is completed.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a power-saving request generating device that aims to reduce the load of peak power consumption of a power consumer and does not repeat the power-saving request notification again in a short period of time even when the power-saving request is completed.

  A power saving request generation device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a communication unit that receives power information related to power consumption of each of a plurality of power consumers, and a control unit.

  The control unit transmits a power saving request notification to the terminals of the plurality of power consumers when the total power of the plurality of power consumers acquired from the received power information is equal to or more than the first threshold, When the power falls below a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value, a power saving request end notification is transmitted to the terminals of a plurality of power consumers.

  Preferably, the control unit includes a grouping unit that divides the plurality of power consumers into two or more groups, and the control unit has a total of power acquired from power information received from each of the plurality of power consumers. When the threshold value is 1 or more, a power saving request notification is sent to each terminal of the power consumer. After that, when the total power becomes 2nd threshold value or less, two or more groups The power saving request end notification is transmitted to one of the groups, and then the power saving request end notification is sequentially transmitted to each of the other groups at predetermined time intervals.

  Preferably, the control unit includes a grouping unit that divides the plurality of power consumers into two or more groups, and the control unit is configured such that the total power acquired from the power information received from each of the plurality of power consumers is a first threshold value. When it becomes above, when a power saving request notification is transmitted to each terminal of the power consumer, and the total of the power becomes below the second threshold value, one of the two or more groups Send a power saving request end notification to a group, and then send the power saving request end notification to one of the groups that have not yet sent a power saving request end notification when the total power falls below the second threshold. This process is repeated until there is no group for which the power saving request end notification has not yet been transmitted.

  Preferably, the grouping unit divides the plurality of power consumers into two or more groups based on the magnitude of power acquired from the power information received from each of the plurality of power consumers.

  Preferably, the grouping unit sets the plurality of power consumers to 2 based on the magnitude of power acquired from the power information received from each of the plurality of power consumers so that the total power of each group is substantially equal. Divide into two or more groups.

  Preferably, the terminal includes an output unit that outputs information to be received, and the control unit transmits difference information indicating a difference between the total power and the first threshold value to the terminal.

  Preferably, the control unit transmits the difference information to the terminal when or after the power saving request is notified, and then when the total power becomes less than the third threshold value which is smaller than the second threshold value. The terminal notifies the terminal of the output of difference information.

  Preferably, when transmitting the difference information, the control unit transmits mode information for designating an output mode of the difference information to the terminal.

  Preferably, the output mode includes a mode for indicating the magnitude of the difference indicated by the difference information, a mode for displaying with a graph, a mode for displaying with a display color, and a mode for displaying with a pattern.

  Preferably, a reserve value acquisition unit that acquires a reserve value indicating power expected to be consumed by each of the plurality of electric power consumers is further provided, and the control unit determines the fourth threshold value from the second threshold value and the reserved value. Is calculated, and a power saving request notification is transmitted. Thereafter, when the total power is equal to or lower than the fourth threshold value, a power saving request end notification is transmitted.

  Preferably, the reservation value acquisition unit acquires the reservation value after transmitting the power saving request notification and before transmitting the power saving request end notification.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a power saving request generating device, a plurality of power consumer systems receiving a power saving request notification and a power saving request end notification from the power saving request generating device, and a plurality of power consumer systems respectively A power information management unit that receives power information related to power, and the power saving request generator includes a communication unit that receives power information related to power consumption of each of the plurality of power consumer systems from the power information management unit, and a control unit The control unit sends a power saving request notification to the plurality of power consumer systems when the total power of the plurality of power consumer systems acquired from the received power information is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. Then, when the power becomes equal to or lower than the second threshold value which is smaller than the first threshold value, a power saving request end notification is transmitted to a plurality of power consumer systems.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, a power saving request method includes a step of receiving power information related to power consumption of each of a plurality of power consumers, and a sum of powers of a plurality of power consumers acquired from the received power information is first. A step of transmitting a power saving request notification to a plurality of power consumer terminals when the threshold value is exceeded, and a second threshold value of which the power is smaller than the first threshold after transmitting the power saving request notification And a step of transmitting a power saving request end notification to a plurality of power consumer terminals in the case of the following.

  A program according to still another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer including a processor to execute a power saving request method, wherein the processor receives power information related to power consumption of each of a plurality of power consumers; A step of transmitting a power saving request notification to the terminals of the plurality of power consumers when the total power of the plurality of power consumers acquired from the received power information exceeds a first threshold, and a power saving request notification Transmitting the power saving request termination notification to the terminals of a plurality of power consumers when the power is equal to or lower than the second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value after transmitting It is a program.

  According to the invention, when the total power acquired from the power information related to the power consumption of each of the plurality of power consumers indicates a first threshold value or more, a power saving request notification is transmitted to the plurality of power consumers, and then When the sum is equal to or less than the second threshold value (smaller than the first threshold value), a power saving end notification is transmitted, and a power saving amount corresponding to a power saving request for power consumption can be obtained during that time.

  In addition, since the second threshold value is smaller than the first threshold value, it is possible to prevent the power saving request from being notified again in a short period even when the power saving request is completed.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the power saving request | requirement system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the customer system of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the gateway shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the power information management apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the power saving request generation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a process flowchart of the control part of the power saving request generation device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the power consumption change which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a process flowchart of the control part of the power saving request generation device concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the power consumption change which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a processing flowchart of grouping concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the grouping based on 2nd Embodiment. It is a process flowchart of the control part of the power saving request generation device concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the power consumption change which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a process flowchart of the control part of the power saving request generation device concerning a 4th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the power consumption change which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the power saving request | requirement system which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the reservation value management apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the reservation screen which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of the reservation screen which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a process flowchart of the control part of the power saving request generation device concerning a 5th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the power consumption change which concerns on 5th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the power saving request according to the embodiment is output based on the total power consumption of a limited number of power consumers such as apartment houses, regardless of the supply of the power supplier, the peak power consumption is reduced. The influence of one customer on the peak cut becomes relatively large.

  In addition, when providing a power saving request system that notifies a power saving request when the total power consumption exceeds a predetermined threshold, an electric device that a consumer has put up with after the power saving is completed in response to the power saving request. When using all at once, the total power consumption may exceed the threshold again in a short period of time. Even in such a case, the power saving request system according to the embodiment of the present invention avoids the situation where the notification of the power saving request is repeated many times.

[First embodiment]
<Configuration of the entire system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power saving request system according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the power saving request system is a consumer having a function of measuring power consumption installed in each of a limited number of power consumers (consumer A, consumer B, and consumer C) such as a condominium. The system 100, the power saving request generation device 200, and a power information management device 300 that manages information related to power consumption (hereinafter referred to as power information) acquired from each customer system 100 are provided. These communicate via a communication network. The power saving request generation device 200 acquires the total power consumption from the power information of each consumer received from the power information management device 300, compares the acquired total with a predetermined threshold, and from the comparison result, A power saving request notification or a power saving request end notification is transmitted to the customer system 100. “Power saving request notification” is a notification for requesting the user to reduce power consumption, that is, power consumption. “Power saving request end notification” is to cancel a request to reduce power consumption, that is, to save power. The user is notified that it can be canceled and returned to the normal power consumption state.

  Here, for the sake of explanation, the power saving request system targets three customers, that is, a customer A, a customer B, and a customer C as consumers, but the number of consumers is not limited to three but four or more consumers. It may be a target.

  The consumer system 100 may be in any form as long as it can measure the total power consumption for each consumer. Specifically, it may include a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) or may include a smart meter (a power meter with a communication function).

  In addition, as long as the power saving request generation device 200 can acquire the total power consumption from the power information of a limited number of consumers, the path for acquiring the power information is not limited. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, it may be received from the power information management device 300 or may receive power information related to power consumption measured by the customer system 100 directly from each customer system 100. Good.

<Customer system>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the customer system 100 of FIG.

  The customer system 100 has a power measurement function for measuring the power consumption of the consumer and a communication function for transmitting information on the measured power consumption to the power saving request generating device 200 of FIG. 1 via the communication network.

  Referring to FIG. 2, customer system 100 is installed in one of the breakers (circuits) of the distribution board to measure power consumption, and power related to power consumption measured by power measurement device 120. A gateway 110 that transmits information to the power information management apparatus 300 via a communication network, a personal computer (abbreviation of personal computer) that receives and displays power information via a communication network, a television, a tablet terminal, a smartphone (multifunctional terminal) ) And the like. The display unit 130 receives power information transmitted from the gateway 110 via the power information management apparatus 300 and displays the received power information.

  The power measuring device 120 may measure the total power consumed by the consumer by measuring the power of each breaker (circuit) unit of the distribution board, or the main breaker (circuit) of the distribution board. You may measure the whole electric power by measuring electric power. As a specific power measurement function, there is a method in which a CT (current transformer) sensor for measuring current is attached to a breaker (circuit), and power consumption is measured by multiplying voltage information.

  The power measuring device 120 is installed between a power line and a plug of an electric device such as a home appliance, and uses a power measuring device that measures the power consumption of each home appliance. There is also a method of measuring the total power consumption of the customer by the total. Here, the power consumption measurement target is a home appliance, but it is not limited to a home appliance as long as it is an electric device to which power is supplied.

  The display unit 130 is not limited to the personal computer, the tablet terminal, the smartphone, the television, and the like in FIG. 2 as long as the device has a function of communicating via a communication network and a function of displaying various information such as received information.

  The communication network between the gateway 110 and the power measurement device 120 includes wired or wireless communication. For a wired network, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), PLC (Power Line Communication), or the like can be used. In addition, for a wireless network, for example, a wireless local area network (LAN), ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), an infrared communication method, or the like conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard can be used. Further, a plurality of communication methods may be combined.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the gateway illustrated in FIG.
Referring to FIG. 3, gateway 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a control unit 111 including a memory and a timer, a storage unit 112, and a communication unit 113. The communication unit 113 includes a function of communicating with the power saving request generation device 200 and the power information management device 300 via a communication network and a function of receiving information regarding power consumption from the power measurement device 120. The storage unit 112 stores information from the power measurement device 120 for a certain period. The communication unit 113 transmits information stored in the storage unit 112 to an external device including the power information management device 300 via the communication network. The control unit 111 controls each unit of the gateway 110.

  When receiving the power saving request notification via the communication unit 113, the CPU of the control unit 111 outputs the power saving request notification or information based on the notification to the display unit 130. When the user confirms the power saving request notification from the information output from the display unit 130, the user operates to turn off the home appliance and reduce power consumption in response to the request. Thereafter, when a power saving request end notification is received via the communication unit 113, the power saving request end notification or information based on the notification is output to the display unit 130. The user can confirm from the information output from the display unit 130 that there has been an effect of reducing power consumption.

<Power information management device>
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the power information management device 300 illustrated in FIG. 1.

  Referring to FIG. 4, power information management device 300 includes a control unit 301 including a CPU, a memory and a timer, a storage unit 302, and a communication unit 303. The control unit 301 calculates the power consumption indicated by the power information received from the consumer system 100 for each consumer, or calculates the total power consumption of all consumers. The communication unit 303 has a function of communicating with the customer system 100 and the power saving request generation device 200 via a communication network. The storage unit 302 stores the received power information and the calculated power information (consumer power consumption (unit: kW) and total power consumption (unit: kW)). The communication unit 303 transmits the power information of each customer system 100 in the storage unit 302 to the power saving request generation device 200.

  Preferably, the power information management apparatus 300 has a communication function and a control function for outputting power information for each consumer on the display unit 130 of the consumer system 100.

<Power saving request generator>
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the power saving request generation device 200 illustrated in FIG. 1.

  Referring to FIG. 5, power saving request generating device 200 receives a control unit 201 including a CPU, a memory and a timer, a communication unit 203 communicating with customer system 100 and power information management device 300, and information including a threshold value. An input interface 205 for outputting information, an output interface 204 for outputting information, a storage unit 202, and a recording medium 207 are detachably mounted, and a memory driver for accessing (reading / writing data) the mounted recording medium 207 is included. An interface 208 is provided. The control unit 201 compares the threshold value stored in the storage unit 202 with the total power consumption indicated by the power information received from the power information management apparatus 300 via the communication unit 203, and calculates the comparison result and the total power consumption. When it is determined that the threshold value TH1 is exceeded, an instruction to output a power saving request notification to the customer system 100 is output to the communication unit 203. The customer system 100 that has received this notification returns a power saving request response.

  Thereafter, when it is determined that the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2 (where TH2 <TH1), an instruction to output a power saving request end notification to the customer system 100 is output to the communication unit 203. The communication unit 203 transmits a notification to the customer system 100 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 201. Here, the threshold values TH1 and TH2 are basically target values, and are values determined by an apartment house manager or a resident corresponding to the customer system 100.

  The storage unit 203 stores the above-described predetermined threshold value, a program executed by the control unit 201, data necessary for executing the program, and the like.

  The output interface 204 and the input interface 205 of FIG. 5 are provided in the power saving request generation device 200, but may be devices different from the power saving request generation device 200. That is, the power saving request generation device 200 may have a function of inputting a threshold value from the outside and storing it in the storage unit 203. For example, the power saving request generation device 200 may receive a threshold value transmitted from an external computer or the like by the communication unit 203 via a communication network such as the Internet and store the received threshold value in the storage unit 202. Good.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 in the present embodiment. The determination shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is periodically performed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in power consumption predicted when the control unit 201 controls each unit of the power saving request generation device 200 according to the flowchart of FIG. The program according to the flowchart of FIG. 6 is stored in the storage unit 202 in advance, and the CPU of the control unit 201 reads the program from the storage unit 202 and executes it. The program is repeatedly executed at regular intervals. FIG. 7 shows a graph of power consumption change over time, with the vertical axis indicating power consumption (unit: kW) and the horizontal axis indicating time.

  With reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 corresponds to a computer, and the CPU includes the total power consumption indicated by the power information of each customer system 100 received from the power information management device 300 ( (Unit: kW) and whether or not the threshold value TH1 or more is indicated (step S3). If it is determined that the threshold value TH1 is not exceeded (NO in step S3), the process in FIG. 6 ends.

  If it is determined that the threshold value TH1 is exceeded (YES in step S3), the CPU transmits a power saving request notification to the customer system 100 via the communication unit 203 (step S5). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the total power consumption indicated by the power information of each customer system 100 received from the power information management device 300 is equal to or less than a threshold value TH2 (step S7). If it is determined that the threshold value TH2 or less is not indicated (NO in step S7), the process of step S7 is repeated.

  When it is determined that the threshold value TH2 or higher is indicated (YES in step S7), the CPU transmits a power saving request end notification to the customer system 100 via the communication unit 203 (step S9).

  The difference between the threshold value TH1 for power saving request notification and the threshold value TH2 for power saving request end notification is set to a predetermined value as shown in FIG. As a result, when the consumer starts turning off the home appliances all at once after sending the power-saving request end notification and starts to increase power consumption, the increase (hereinafter referred to as “power consumption increase after power-saving request ends”), The difference can be absorbed. That is, even if there is “an increase in power consumption after the end of the power saving request”, it is possible to satisfy the condition (total power consumption represented by power information of each customer system 100 ≦ TH1). As a result, it is possible to prevent the power saving request notification from being transmitted again within a short period.

[Second Embodiment]
Since the system configuration of the present embodiment is the same as the system configuration described in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated.

In the first embodiment, the control unit 201 of the power saving request generating device 200 transmits the power saving request notification, and then, when the total power consumption is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value TH2, the consumers of all consumers. A power saving request completion notification is transmitted to the system 100. On the other hand, in this embodiment, all customers are divided into a plurality of groups in advance, and an order is assigned to each group, and a power saving request completion notification is transmitted in groups at predetermined intervals according to the order. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in power consumption predicted when the control unit 201 controls each unit of the power saving request generation device 200 according to the flowchart of FIG. The program according to the flowchart of FIG. 8 is stored in the storage unit 202 in advance, and the CPU of the control unit 201 reads the program from the storage unit 202 and executes it. By this program, “output of power saving request completion notification” to each group is repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals. FIG. 9 shows a graph of power consumption change over time with the vertical axis indicating power consumption (unit: kW) and the horizontal axis indicating time.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 201 performs control such that the control unit 201 groups the customer system 100 of all customers into a plurality of groups such as A group, B group, C group, etc. in advance. To do.

  Identification data for identifying the customer system 100 is stored in the storage unit 112 of the customer system 100. And the storage part 202 of the power-saving request | requirement generator 200 of FIG. 5 has previously stored the identification data of the customer system 100 which belongs to the said group about each of several groups. In the present embodiment, the header portion of the power saving request notification and the power saving request end notification includes identification data of the customer system 100 that is the destination of the notification, and includes identification data read from the storage unit 202. When the customer system 100 receives the notification from the power saving request generating device 200, the customer system 100 collates the destination (identification data) of the header part with its own identification data in the storage unit 112, and the collation result is not a notification addressed to itself. If it is determined, the notification is discarded (ignored). If it is determined that the notification is addressed to itself, predetermined processing (such as display of notification by the display unit 130) is executed according to the notification.

  With reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the CPU of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 includes the total power consumption indicated by the power information of each customer system 100 received from the power information management device 300 and a threshold value. It is compared with TH1, and from the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the total power consumption indicates a threshold value TH1 or more (step S13). If it is determined that the threshold value TH1 or higher is not indicated (NO in step S13), the process of FIG. 8 ends.

  If it is determined that the threshold value TH1 is exceeded (YES in step S13), the CPU transmits a power saving request notification to all customer systems 100 via the communication unit 203 (step S15). Thereafter, the total power consumption indicated by the power information of each customer system 100 received from the power information management device 300 is compared with the threshold value TH2, and whether the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2 from the comparison result. Is determined (step S17). When it is determined that the threshold value is not less than TH2 (NO in step S17), the process of step S17 is repeated.

  After that, when it is determined that the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2 (YES in step S17), first addressed to the customer system 100 of one group (for example, group A) of all the customer systems 100. Then, a power saving request end notification is transmitted (step S19). Then, it waits for predetermined time, such as m minutes (step S21), and transmits a power-saving request end notification to the customer system 100 of a group other than the previous group (for example, group B) (step S23). After that, a predetermined time such as m minutes is waited (step S25), and a power saving request end notification is sent to the customer system 100 of a group (for example, group C) that has not transmitted the power saving request end notification among a plurality of groups. Send.

  The power saving request end notification is sequentially transmitted with a predetermined time interval until there is no group in which the power saving request end notification is not transmitted to each of the plurality of groups. When the power saving request end notification is transmitted to all the groups, the processing in FIG. 8 ends.

  In the present embodiment, the rate of increase in power consumption can be made slower than in the first embodiment by starting to use the consumer electronics that the consumer who has received the notification has put up with using the power ON. (See FIGS. 7 and 9). That is, in the second embodiment, the grouping unit divides the customer system 100 into a plurality of groups. Then, the control unit 201 first transmits a power saving request end notification to a certain group, and then transmits it to the next group after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. Even if there is an “increase”, the power saving request notification can be prevented from being transmitted again in a short period of time.

  In the present embodiment, the grouping unit is not limited in how the group is divided. For example, the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 randomly divides consumers into 1 / n groups, or the power saving request generation device 200 There are a method of dividing according to a contract between an electric power company and each customer, or a method of dividing into a group for each floor in the case of an apartment house.

  The method of grouping at random can eliminate the unfair feeling of the consumer, and the method of grouping by the contract previously concluded with the customer can provide the customer with a sense of satisfaction.

  10 and 11 show how other groups are divided by the grouping unit. FIG. 10 is a processing flowchart of grouping according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining grouping according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The program according to the flowchart of FIG. 10 is stored in the storage unit 202 in advance, and the CPU of the control unit 201 reads the program from the storage unit 202 and executes it. The program is executed between step 17 and step 19 in FIG. Here, for example, it is assumed that there are 100 consumers. The communication unit 203 of the power saving request generation device 200 receives power information indicating the power consumption of each customer system 100 from the power information management device 300.

  Referring to FIG. 10, when it is determined that the total power consumption is equal to or less than threshold value TH <b> 2 (YES in step S <b> 17 in FIG. 8), the CPU grouping unit of control unit 201 determines 100 customer systems 100. Are ranked in descending order of current power consumption acquired from the power information of each customer system 100 received from the power information management device 300, that is, in descending order as shown in the left column of FIG. 11 (step S18a).

  From the ranking results, the third and 98th demands are such that the first and 100th customer systems 100 belong to the A group, and the second and 99th customer systems 100 belong to the B group. Two home systems 100 are selected so that they belong to group C, such as one from the top and one from the bottom, and are grouped as shown in the right column of FIG. 11 (step S18b). The grouping information in the right column of FIG. 11, that is, the identification data of the customer system 100 belonging to each group is stored in the storage unit 202.

  The ranking is not limited to the order in which the power consumption is large, but may be the order in which the power consumption is small. Moreover, the method is not limited to the method of selecting one from the upper level and one from the lower level and putting it in the group, but may be a method of selecting two from the upper level and two from the lower level and putting them in the group. Further, the number of groups is not limited to 3 groups of A, B, and C, and may be 2 groups or 4 groups or more.

  Further, the ranking is performed in the order of the current power consumption, but the ranking may be performed in the order of the power consumption before the request for the power saving request instead of the current situation. By performing grouping according to this ranking, it is possible to perform grouping in consideration of the influence of consumers who return to the state before power saving.

  In this method, the power consumption can be grouped so that the total power consumption is substantially equal (approximately equal). Therefore, even if there is “an increase in power consumption after the end of power saving request” (the power information of each customer system 100 indicates The power saving request period can be equally allocated to each group so as to satisfy the condition of (total power consumption ≦ TH1). As a result, it becomes easier to prevent the power saving request notification from being transmitted again in a short period of time compared to the case of random grouping. Further, by randomly determining the order of transmitting the power saving request end notification as shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to eliminate unfairness between groups or between consumers at the same time.

[Third embodiment]
Since the system configuration of the present embodiment is the same as the system configuration described in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the second embodiment, the power saving request end notification is first transmitted to one of the arbitrarily divided groups, and then transmitted in order to the remaining groups after a predetermined time interval. did. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the power saving request end notification is first transmitted to one of the arbitrarily divided groups, and then when the total power consumption falls below the threshold value TH2, the remaining Send to groups of in order.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 in the present embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in power consumption predicted when the control unit 201 controls each unit of the power saving request generation device 200 according to the flowchart of FIG. The program according to the flowchart of FIG. 12 is stored in the storage unit 202 in advance, and the CPU of the control unit 201 reads the program from the storage unit 202 and executes it. The program is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals. FIG. 13 shows a graph of power consumption change over time with the vertical axis indicating power consumption (unit: kW) and the horizontal axis indicating time.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 transmits a power saving request notification to all the customer systems 100 when the total power consumption becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1, and then calculates the total power consumption. When the threshold value TH2 or less is reached, the customer system 100 of all customers is divided into a plurality of groups such as A group, B group, C group, etc., and power is first saved in one group (for example, A group). Notify the end of the request. Up to this point, the processing is the same as that of the second embodiment. The difference is the method of transmitting the power saving request end notification to other groups.

  Specifically, in the second embodiment, after that, a predetermined time such as m minutes is waited, a power saving request end notification is transmitted to a group other than the previous group (for example, group B), and then waits for m minutes. Then, a power saving request end notification is transmitted to the remaining group (for example, group C). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, after the power saving request end notification is transmitted to the A group, not after waiting for a predetermined time such as m minutes, but again when the total power consumption becomes the threshold value TH2 or less. The power saving request end notification is transmitted to the next group (for example, group B).

  Then, when the total power consumption becomes equal to or less than the threshold value TH2, the process of transmitting the power saving request end notification to the next group is repeated until the power saving request end notification is transmitted to all the divided groups.

  Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the CPU of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 includes the total power consumption indicated by the power information of each customer system 100 received from the power information management device 300 and the threshold value TH1. From the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the total power consumption indicates a threshold value TH1 or more (step S33). If it is determined that the threshold value TH1 or higher is not indicated (NO in step S33), the process in FIG. 12 ends.

  When it is determined that the threshold value TH1 is exceeded (YES in step S33), the CPU transmits a power saving request notification to all customer systems 100 via the communication unit 203 (step S35). Thereafter, the total power consumption indicated by the power information of each customer system 100 received from the power information management device 300 is compared with the threshold value TH2, and whether the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2 from the comparison result. It is determined whether or not (step S37). When it is determined that the threshold value is not less than TH2 (NO in step S37), the process of step S37 is repeated.

  After that, when it is determined that the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2 (YES in step S37), first addressed to the customer system 100 of one group (for example, group A) of all the customer systems 100. Then, a power saving request end notification is transmitted (step S39).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2 (step S41). If it is determined that the total power consumption is not equal to or less than the threshold value TH2 (NO in step S41), the process of step S41 is repeated. If it determines with it being below threshold value TH2 (it is YES at step S41), the power-saving request | requirement completion notification will be transmitted to the customer system 100 of groups (for example, B group) other than a previous group (step S43). Thereafter, when it is determined that the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2, a power saving request end notification is transmitted to the customer system 100 of a group other than the previous group (for example, C group).

  In this way, every time it is determined that the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2, the power saving request end notification is sent to the customer system 100 of one group among the groups to which the power saving request end notification is not transmitted. The process of transmitting is repeated until there is no group for which the power saving request end notification has not been transmitted.

  In the present embodiment, the grouping process described with reference to FIG. 10 is executed between step S37 and step S39.

  In the present embodiment, even if one of a plurality of groups receives an “increase in power consumption after the end of power saving request” after receiving a power saving request end notification, the increase in power consumption is It can be surely offset by group power saving (see FIG. 13). As a result, it is possible to prevent the power saving request notification from being transmitted again in a short period of time even if there is “an increase in power consumption after the power saving request is completed”.

  In addition, by offsetting “an increase in power consumption after the end of a power saving request” with power savings of other groups, a threshold value TH2 for transmitting a power saving request end notification is set as compared with the first or second embodiment. It can be set high. Therefore, the group to which the power saving request end notification is transmitted first has a shorter power saving request period, and the burden of cooperating with the power saving request is reduced.

  The grouping method in the present embodiment is not limited, but the same method as in the second embodiment may be used.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Since the system configuration of the present embodiment is the same as the system configuration described in the first embodiment, description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 201 of the power saving request generating device 200 transmits the power saving request notification, and then, when the total power consumption is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value TH2, the consumers of all consumers. A power saving request completion notification is transmitted to the system 100. On the other hand, in this embodiment, when the power saving request end notification is transmitted to the customer system 100, the value of the power consumption indicated by the threshold value TH1 and the total power consumption of the current consumer as a whole are stored in the customer system 100. Transmit and display on the display unit 130. Thereafter, when the total power consumption falls below a predetermined threshold value TH3 (where TH3 <TH2), control is performed so as to end the output (display) of each value. The threshold value TH3 is acquired in advance through experiments or the like and stored in the storage unit 202.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in power consumption predicted when the control unit 201 controls each unit of the power saving request generation device 200 according to the flowchart of FIG. 14. The program according to the flowchart of FIG. 14 is stored in the storage unit 202 in advance, and the CPU of the control unit 201 reads the program from the storage unit 202 and executes it. The program is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals. FIG. 15 shows a graph of power consumption change over time with the vertical axis indicating power consumption (unit: kW) and the horizontal axis indicating time.

  Referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the CPU of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 includes the total power consumption indicated by the power information of each customer system 100 received from the power information management device 300 and the threshold value TH1. Are compared, and it is determined whether the comparison result and the total power consumption indicate a threshold value TH1 or more (step S53). If it is determined that the threshold value TH1 or higher is not indicated (NO in step S53), the process in FIG. 14 ends.

  When it is determined that the threshold value TH1 is exceeded (YES in step S53), the CPU transmits a power saving request notification to the customer system 100 via the communication unit 203 (step S55), and then from the power information management apparatus 300. It is determined whether or not the total power consumption indicated by the received power information of each customer system 100 is equal to or less than a threshold value TH2 (step S57).

  If it is determined that the threshold value TH2 or less is not indicated (NO in step S57), the process of step S57 is repeated. A power saving request end notification is transmitted to the customer system 100 (step S59).

  After transmitting the power saving request end notification or simultaneously with the transmission of the power saving request end notification, the CPU completes the power indicated by the threshold value TH1 and the total power consumption indicated by the power information received from the current power information management device 300. It transmits to the customer system 100 (step S61). The CPU of the control unit 111 of the customer system 100 receives the power indicated by the threshold value TH1 and the total of the current power consumption via the communication unit 113, and displays information based on the received value on the display unit 130. .

  Thereafter, the total power consumption is compared with the threshold value TH3, and based on the comparison result, it is determined whether it is less than the threshold value TH3 (step S63). If it is determined that it is not less than the threshold value TH3 (NO in step S63), the process returns to step S61 to perform the subsequent processing.

  If it is determined that the threshold value is less than TH3 (YES in step S63), the CPU terminates transmission of the power indicated by threshold value TH1 and the total of the current power consumption, that is, notifies the display unit 130 of the end of display. To do. When the notification is received, the information display based on these values on the display unit 130 of the customer system 100 ends.

  Note that the CPU may transmit, from the communication unit 203, the difference between the current total power consumption and the threshold value TH1 to the customer system 100.

  In the present embodiment, the customer who has received the power saving request end notification, from the display information on the display unit 130 of the customer system 100, the power consumption limit value (threshold value TH1) and the current state It is possible to know the difference from the total power consumption, that is, the margin, and to urge the consumers to save power even after the end of the power saving request. As a result, “an increase in power consumption after the end of the power saving request” can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the power saving request notification from being transmitted again within a short period.

  In the above description, the power saving request generation device 200 may transmit the mode information specifying the total output mode of the current power consumption by the display unit 130 of the customer system 100.

  The mode information may be information that specifies a mode in which a number changes in real time, a mode in which a value is updated at a predetermined time interval, or information that specifies a graph display instead of a numerical value. The display mode is not limited. Further, the total of the threshold value TH1 and the current power consumption is displayed, but the difference between the power consumption limit value (threshold value TH1) requested to save power and the current total power consumption, that is, the margin is shown. Any display mode can be used as long as it can be recognized and the consumer can be conscious of power saving.

  For example, as the above-described display mode specified, there is a method indicated by color. As a specific example, referring to FIG. 15, when the current total power consumption indicates a value between the threshold value TH1 and the threshold value TH2, the total is displayed in “red”. When a value between TH2 and threshold value TH3 is indicated, it is displayed in “yellow”.

  Here, any number of colors may be used. Further, the total power consumption may be displayed in red as it approaches the threshold value TH1, and the total may be displayed in blue as it approaches the threshold value TH3.

  By adopting such a display method using colors, the consumer can consciously recognize the margin until the power saving request is notified again, compared with the case where the number is displayed. Is easily aroused. In addition, it can also arouse children's power saving awareness that is difficult to recognize with numbers.

  As another display method, there is a method of displaying using a pattern such as a character. As a specific example, referring to FIG. 15, when the total current power consumption shows a value between the thresholds TH1 and TH2, the character shows a “crying expression” pattern. When a value between the threshold values TH2 and TH3 is indicated, it is a method of indicating a picture of “an embarrassed expression”.

  The above-mentioned facial expression of the character is an example, and any facial expression may be used, and there is a method of using the character's attitude and type instead of the facial expression.

  When such a display method using a character is adopted, the above margin can be recognized sensuously rather than using a color display method, and power saving awareness can be easily evoked. In addition, since the amusement is enhanced, it is possible to enhance the child's awareness of power saving rather than the color display method.

  Note that the mode information may be information specifying that a plurality of types of modes are combined and displayed on the display unit 130.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the power saving request system according to the present embodiment. In the system configuration of this embodiment, a reserved value management device 400 is added to the system configuration of the first embodiment. The other configuration of FIG. 16 excluding reserved value management device 400 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, and description thereof will not be repeated. The reservation value management device 400 communicates with the power saving request generation device 200 or the customer system 100 via a communication network.

  In each of the above embodiments, reservation information regarding power consumption (hereinafter referred to as reservation information) is used. The reservation information is information for a consumer to reserve power that is expected to be consumed by driving home appliances.

  In the present embodiment, when the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2, the power saving request end notification is transmitted to the customer system 100. However, in this embodiment, when the power saving request notification is received, the demand is House system 100 transmits reservation information for reserving power consumption of a home appliance to be used (power OFF → power ON) to reservation value management apparatus 400 when a power saving request end notification is received. The reservation value management device 400 calculates, from the reservation information received from each customer system 100, the total power consumption reserved by all the customer systems 100 (hereinafter referred to as reservation value (unit: kW)). The reserved value is transmitted to the power saving request generation device 200. The CPU of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 newly acquires the threshold value TH3 by subtracting the received reservation value from the threshold value TH2. After transmitting the power saving request notification, the CPU transmits a power saving request end notification when the total power consumption of the customer system 100 is equal to or less than the threshold value TH3.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the reservation value management apparatus 400 of FIG.
Referring to FIG. 17, reserved value management apparatus 400 includes a control unit 401 including a CPU, a memory and a timer, a storage unit 402, a communication unit 403, an output interface 404, and an input interface 405.

  The communication unit 303 has a function of communicating with the customer system 100 and the power saving request generation device 200 via a communication network.

  The input interface 404 includes operation buttons for inputting reservation screen information, and the output interface 405 outputs (displays) a screen based on the input reservation screen information. The storage unit 402 stores reservation screen information, reservation information received from the customer system 100, various programs, and data. The control unit 401 acquires the above-described reservation value from the reservation information of each customer system 100, and controls the communication unit 403 to transmit the acquired reservation value to the power saving request generation device 200.

  Even if the output interface 404 and the input interface 405 in FIG. 17 are not incorporated in the configuration of the reservation value management apparatus, the output interface 404 and the input interface 405 may have a function of acquiring reservation screen information set from the outside and storing it in the storage unit 402. . For example, there is a method in which reservation screen information from an external computer or the like is received by the communication unit 303 of the power information management apparatus 300 via a communication network such as the Internet and stored in the storage unit 402 of the reservation value management apparatus 400.

  In addition, the reservation value management device 400 operates as a reservation value acquisition unit for acquiring a reservation value, and the reservation value acquisition unit may be incorporated in the power saving request generation device 200. That is, the CPU of the control unit 201 may include a reservation value acquisition unit that calculates a reservation value from reservation information received from each customer system 100 via the communication unit 203.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a reservation screen according to the present embodiment. The screen of FIG. 18 displays a numeric keypad image 181 for inputting a numeric value and an icon 182 for displaying the numeric value input based on the operation of the numeric keypad.

  The reservation value management apparatus 400 creates reservation screen information as shown in FIG. 18 and transmits the reservation screen information to the customer system 100. When receiving the reservation screen information, the customer system 100 displays the reservation screen of FIG. 18 based on the reservation screen information on the display unit 130.

  Thereafter, the consumer operates the numeric keypad image 181 to input a numerical value indicating the power consumption (unit: kW) of the home appliance to be used when receiving the power saving request completion notification on the displayed reservation screen. The numerical value of the input power consumption is displayed on the icon 182, and reservation information indicating the power consumption of the displayed input value is transmitted from each customer system 100 to the reservation value management device 400. The reservation value management device 400 acquires the reservation value from the reservation information received from each customer system 100 and transmits it to the power information management device 300.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another example of the reservation screen according to the present embodiment. The reservation value management apparatus 400 transmits information on the reservation screen in FIG. 19 to the customer system 100. The display unit 130 of the customer system 100 displays a screen according to the received reservation screen information. In the screen of FIG. 19, the identifier (name) of each home appliance used by the consumer is indicated by an icon. When the screen of FIG. 19 is displayed, the consumer performs a touch operation on the icon in order to designate a household appliance that is scheduled to start use (power OFF → ON) after the power saving request is completed.

  When, for example, a television and an air conditioner are designated on the screen of FIG. 19, reservation information including the identifier of the television and the air conditioner is transmitted to the reservation value management device 400.

  The control unit 401 of the reservation value management apparatus 400 converts the reservation information received from each customer system 100 into the above-described reservation value expressed in power consumption, and transmits the converted reservation value to the power saving request generation apparatus 200. To do.

  In this case, for example, in the storage unit 402 of the reservation value management apparatus 400, data on the rated power consumption of the home appliance is stored in advance in association with each identifier of the home appliance. The control unit 401 searches the storage unit 402 based on the home appliance identifier included in the reservation information received from the customer system 100, and reads the rated power consumption data associated with the identifier from the search result. By summing the power consumption indicated by the rated power consumption data read for the reservation information of each customer system 100, the above-mentioned reservation value is acquired.

  Further, the reserved value management device 400 acquires power consumption information during normal use of each home appliance (TV, air conditioner, etc.) used by the consumer from the power information management device 300 of FIG. There is a method of creating reservation value data by collating with reservation information including an identifier of a selected home appliance.

  In this case, the reservation value management apparatus 400 has a communication unit that acquires data from the power information management apparatus 300.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing processing of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 in the present embodiment.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a change in power consumption predicted when the control unit 201 controls each unit of the power saving request generation device 200 according to the flowchart of FIG. A program according to the flowchart of FIG. 20 is stored in the storage unit 202 in advance, and the CPU of the control unit 201 reads the program from the storage unit 202 and executes it. The program is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals. FIG. 21 shows a graph of power consumption change over time, with the vertical axis indicating power consumption (unit: kW) and the horizontal axis indicating time.

  Referring to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, the CPU of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 includes the total power consumption indicated by the power information of each customer system 100 received from the power information management device 300 and the threshold value TH1. From the comparison result, it is determined whether or not the total power consumption indicates a threshold value TH1 or more (step S73). If it is determined that the threshold value TH1 or higher is not indicated (NO in step S73), the process in FIG. 20 ends.

  When it is determined that the threshold value TH1 is exceeded (YES in step S73), the CPU transmits a power saving request notification to all customer systems 100 via the communication unit 203 (step S75).

  Thereafter, the CPU of the control unit 201 of the power saving request generation device 200 receives the reserved value from the reserved value management device 400 (step S77), subtracts the received reserved value from the threshold value TH2, and sets a new threshold value TH4. Calculate (step S79).

  Thereafter, the total power consumption of the consumer is compared with the threshold value TH4, and it is determined from the comparison result whether or not the total power consumption is equal to or less than the threshold value TH4 (step S81). When it is determined that the threshold value is not lower than TH4 (NO in step S81), the process of step S81 is repeated, but when it is determined that the threshold value is TH4 or lower (YES in step S81), a power saving request end notification is sent to all consumers. It transmits to the system 100 (step S83).

  In the present embodiment, the power saving request generation device 200 can quantitatively predict “an increase in power consumption after the end of the power saving request” in advance by receiving the reserved value. Then, by using the reserved value, which is the prediction result, for calculating a threshold value used for determining the end of the power saving request, the threshold value for determination is set to a threshold value TH4 that is lower than the original threshold value TH2. Set. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the power saving request notification from being transmitted again within a short period of time.

  In the present embodiment, the power saving request generation device 200 acquires the reservation value via the reservation value management device 400, but the acquisition method is not limited to this.

  For example, the power saving request generation device 200 may receive reservation information from each customer system 100 and acquire a reservation value from the received reservation information.

  Note that the power saving request system can be configured by combining two or more of the first to fifth embodiments described above.

(Modification 1)
In each of the above-described embodiments, the power information indicates power consumption (unit: kW), but may indicate power consumption (unit: kWh). That is, the customer system 100 may calculate the power consumption amount from the measured power consumption, and transmit power information indicating the power consumption amount to the power information management apparatus 300. Further, the power information management device 300 calculates the power consumption from the power information indicating the power consumption received from the customer system 100, stores the power information indicating the power consumption, and transmits the power information to the power saving request generation device 200. Also good.

  In addition, the power information may represent identification information of a home appliance that is being operated by the customer system 100. That is, the power information management device 300 searches the storage unit 402 based on the identifier of the household appliance in operation included in the power information received from the customer system 100, and from the search result, the rated power consumption data associated with the identifier. Read out. Then, current power consumption (or power consumption) in the customer system 100 is calculated from the read data, and power information indicating the calculated power consumption (or power consumption) is transmitted to the power saving request generation device 200. Good.

  As described above, the power saving request generation device 200 acquires the power value (unit: kW or kWh) related to the power consumption from the received power information.

  The reservation information may also indicate either power consumption or power consumption. That is, in FIG. 18, both power consumption and power consumption can be input. The reservation information transmitted from the customer system 100 to the reservation management apparatus 400 indicates power consumption or power consumption, and the reservation management apparatus 400 uses the power consumption or power consumption acquired from the reservation information received from the customer system 100. A reservation value indicating the amount may be transmitted to the power saving request generation device 200.

  As described above, when the power information and the reservation information indicate power consumption, the threshold values TH1 to TH4 also indicate the power consumption value, and when the power information and reservation information indicate the power consumption amount, TH1 to TH4 also indicate power consumption values.

(Modification 2)
In each embodiment, the power saving request generating device 200 transmits a power saving request notification or a power saving request end notification to the consumer system 100. However, the power saving request generating device 200 is a terminal designated in advance by a power consumer (user). It may be transmitted to the address. That is, the user can variably change the notification destination.

  Specifically, it is specified to be transmitted to the gateway 110 as a power consumer terminal when at home, and to be transmitted to other terminals (tablet terminals, smartphone terminals, etc.) carried by the user when going out. To do. When the other terminal receives the power saving request notification or the power saving request end notification, the other terminal notifies the user of the reception by an image, sound, vibration of the terminal, or the like. As a result, the user who is away from home can switch the home appliances in the home from ON to OFF or from OFF to ON by remote control through communication via a communication network from a portable terminal.

[Sixth embodiment]
The control unit 111 of the power saving request generation device 200 is a computer having a general-purpose architecture, and provides various functions as described above by executing a program installed in advance. When such a general-purpose computer is used, an OS (Operating System) for providing basic functions of the computer is installed in addition to an application for providing functions according to each embodiment. May be. In this case, the program according to the above-described embodiment may be a program module that is provided as a part of the OS and calls necessary modules in a predetermined arrangement at a predetermined timing to execute processing. Good. That is, the program itself according to the embodiment does not include the module as described above, and the process is executed in cooperation with the OS. The program according to the embodiment may have a form that does not include some of such modules.

  Furthermore, the program according to the above embodiment may be provided by being incorporated in a part of another program. Even in that case, the program itself does not include the modules included in the other programs to be combined as described above, and the processing is executed in cooperation with the other programs. That is, the program according to each embodiment may be in a form incorporated in such another program.

  A part or all of the functions provided by executing the program may be implemented as a dedicated hardware circuit.

  The functions of each of the above-described units can be provided as the above-described program, and such a program is stored in a recording medium (memory-shaped card, flexible disk, CD (Compact Disc) -ROM, ROM) attached to the control unit 201. 207, RAM, etc.) 207, which can be non-temporarily recorded on a recording medium readable by the CPU of the control unit 201 and provided as a program product. Alternatively, the program can be provided by downloading to a predetermined storage area of the power saving request generation device 200 via a communication network. The program product includes the program itself and a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

(Effect of embodiment)
According to the present embodiment, the power saving request notification is transmitted when the total power consumption of a limited number of power consumers such as condominiums is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1, and then from the threshold value TH1. When the consumer increases the power consumption all at once after the power saving request is completed by transmitting a power saving request completion notification when the threshold value TH2 is less than the threshold TH2, the increase amount is set to the threshold value TH1. Since it can be absorbed by the difference from TH2, it is possible to prevent the power saving request notification from being repeatedly transmitted within a short period.

  As a result, the consumer is free from the annoyance of repeated power saving requests. In addition, it becomes easier for the side requesting power saving to obtain cooperation from consumers for the power saving request. This is a very important effect in a power saving request for a limited number of power consumers such as condominiums, which has a great influence on the peak cut per customer.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  100 all-customer systems, 110 gateways, 200 power-saving request generating devices, 120 power measuring devices, 130 display units, 300 power information management devices, 400 reserved value management devices, TH1, TH2, TH3 and TH4 thresholds.

Claims (14)

A communication unit that receives power information about power consumption of each of a plurality of power consumers;
A control unit,
The controller is
When the total power of the plurality of power consumers obtained from the received power information is equal to or greater than a first threshold, a power saving request notification is transmitted to the terminals of the plurality of power consumers, and then A power-saving request generating device that transmits a power-saving request end notification to the terminals of the plurality of power consumers when power is equal to or lower than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value. The controller is
A grouping unit that divides the plurality of power consumers into two or more groups,
The controller is
When the total power acquired from the power information received from each of the plurality of power consumers is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, a power saving request notification is transmitted to each terminal of the power consumers, and then When the total power is equal to or less than the second threshold value, the power saving request end notification is transmitted to one of the two or more groups, and then the predetermined power is determined for each of the other groups. The power saving request generation device according to claim 1, wherein the power saving request end notification is sequentially transmitted at predetermined time intervals. A grouping unit that divides the plurality of power consumers into two or more groups,
The controller is
When the total power acquired from the power information received from each of the plurality of power consumers is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, a power saving request notification is transmitted to each terminal of the power consumers, and then When the total power is equal to or less than the second threshold, the power saving request end notification is transmitted to one of the two or more groups, and then
When the total power is equal to or less than the second threshold value, a process of transmitting the power saving request end notification to one of the groups to which the power saving request end notification has not been transmitted is performed. The power saving request generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power saving request generating apparatus repeats until there are no unsent groups. The grouping unit
The power saving request generation according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of power consumers are divided into two or more groups based on the magnitude of power acquired from the received power information from each of the plurality of power consumers. apparatus. The grouping unit
Based on the magnitude of power acquired from the received power information from each of the plurality of power consumers, the two or more power consumers are divided into two or more such that the total of the power of each group is substantially equal. The power saving request generation device according to claim 4, which is divided into groups. The terminal includes an output unit that outputs information to be received.
The controller is
The power saving request generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein difference information indicating a difference between the total power and the first threshold value is transmitted to the terminal. The controller is
When the power saving request completion notification is sent or after, the difference information is transmitted to the terminal, and then when the total power becomes less than a third threshold value smaller than the second threshold value, The power saving request generating apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the terminal notifies the terminal of the output of the difference information. The controller is
The power saving request generation device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein when transmitting the difference information, mode information for designating an output mode of the difference information is transmitted to the terminal.   The power saving request generation device according to claim 8, wherein the output mode includes a mode in which the difference indicated by the difference information is represented by a numerical value, a graph, a display color, and a pattern. . A reservation value acquisition unit for acquiring a reservation value indicating power expected to be consumed by each of the plurality of power consumers;
The control unit calculates a fourth threshold value from the second threshold value and the reserved value,
The power saving request notification according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the power saving request notification is transmitted, and then the power saving request end notification is transmitted when the total power is equal to or less than the fourth threshold value. Request generator. The reserved value acquisition unit
The power saving request generation device according to claim 10, wherein the reserved value is acquired after transmitting the power saving request notification and before transmitting the power saving request end notification. A power saving request generating device;
A plurality of power consumer systems for receiving a power saving request notification and a power saving request end notification from the power saving request generating device;
A power information management unit that receives power information related to power consumption from each of the plurality of power consumer systems; and
The power saving request generation device includes:
A communication unit that receives power information related to power consumption of each of the plurality of power consumer systems from the power information management unit;
A control unit,
The controller is
When the total power of the plurality of power consumer systems acquired from the received power information is equal to or greater than a first threshold, a power saving request notification is transmitted to the plurality of power consumer systems, and then A power saving request system that transmits a power saving request end notification to the plurality of power consumer systems when electric power becomes equal to or less than a second threshold value that is smaller than the first threshold value. Receiving power information on power consumption of each of a plurality of power consumers;
Transmitting a power saving request notification to the terminals of the plurality of power consumers when the total power of the plurality of power consumers acquired from the received power information is equal to or greater than a first threshold;
A step of transmitting a power saving request end notification to the terminals of the plurality of power consumers when the power is equal to or lower than a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value after transmitting the power saving request notification; A method for requesting power saving. A program for causing a computer including a processor to execute a power saving request method,
The program is stored in the processor.
Receiving power information on power consumption of each of a plurality of power consumers;
Transmitting a power saving request notification to the terminals of the plurality of power consumers when the total power of the plurality of power consumers acquired from the received power information is equal to or greater than a first threshold;
A step of transmitting a power saving request end notification to the terminals of the plurality of power consumers when the power is equal to or lower than a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value after transmitting the power saving request notification; , A program for running.

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