JP2014085034A - Smart energy system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attempt reduction of a complaint by improving a personal feeling of consent for a preset temperature and a lighting brightness in a control area, and promoting an independent response behavior.SOLUTION: Information processing units constructing a smart energy system comprise: a processing unit associating users with respective control areas; a processing unit collecting opinion data for a preset temperature and a lighting brightness from user terminals; a processing unit totalizing the opinion data every control area; a processing unit determining the preset temperature and the lighting brightness every control area based on the totalized result; a processing unit determining an opinion position of each user in the whole users every control area; and a processing unit feeding the opinion position of each user in the whole users back to each user.

Description

  The present invention relates to a smart energy system that collects opinions from users in a control area and centrally controls a set temperature and brightness of a corresponding control area based on the result of the opinion, and a control method thereof.

  Whether the system that controls the air conditioning temperature by the centralized control method (so-called central method) uses the individual's subjectivity such as “hot” or “cold” for control, and actually changes the air-conditioning set temperature by majority decision (Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2). In addition, there is an air conditioning control device that aims to realize a comfortable air conditioning environment with energy saving using a learning function based on a neural network (Patent Document 3). There is also an air conditioning temperature control device that automatically controls temperature in a direction that reduces energy consumption while maintaining user comfort (Patent Document 4). There is also a system that classifies users by energy consumption type and notifies each user of the consumption type (Patent Document 5).

JP 2004-003759 A JP 7-158924 A JP-A-9-196434 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-254581 JP 2012-155385 A

  By the way, there are individual differences in the body temperature. For this reason, for example, even if the air conditioning temperature that many people feel comfortable with, there are always people who feel hot and people who feel cold. For this reason, there is a tendency to send information such as “hot” to people who are hot and “cold” to people who are cold. However, people who are hot or cold are generally a minority. For this reason, in an air conditioning system that changes the set temperature based on the majority decision, a situation in which the opinions of a hot person or a cold person are not reflected in the set temperature often occurs. As a result, hot or cold people are dissatisfied with the continuing unpleasant situation and frustrated with their requests being rejected. These dissatisfactions become dissatisfaction with the air conditioning system itself, which may contribute to a decrease in tenant satisfaction, a tenant withdrawal, and a decrease in building value. Similar dissatisfaction is also assumed for lighting.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and enhances the user's persuasive feeling regarding the determination of the set temperature of the control area to be centrally controlled and the determination of the brightness of the lighting, and promotes a proactive response action. The purpose is to reduce dissatisfaction.

  For this reason, in this invention, it collects from a user facility provided with the function which adjusts the air-conditioning temperature or the brightness of illumination to a setting value for every control area, the energy supply facility which supplies energy to a consumer facility, and a user In a smart energy system having an information processing device that determines a set value of the air conditioning temperature or illumination brightness of each control area based on the opinion data obtained, a processing unit that associates a user with each control area to the information processing device; A processing unit that collects opinion data on the air conditioning temperature or the brightness of the lighting from the user terminal, a processing unit that counts the opinion data for each control area, and a set temperature or lighting brightness for each control area based on the counting result A processing unit for determining the user's opinion, a processing unit for determining the opinion position of each user in the entire user for each control area, and a user for each user. Providing a processing unit for feeding back their opinion position in the body.

  According to the present invention, each user can know his / her opinion position with respect to all the users in the same control area. As a result, the individual's satisfaction with the set values of the air conditioning temperature and the brightness of the illumination can be enhanced, and the proactive action can be promoted.

The figure which shows the example of whole structure of a smart energy system. The figure which shows the function structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on an Example. The figure which shows an example of an air-conditioning control procedure. The figure which shows an example of a preset temperature determination processing procedure. The figure which shows an example of a preset temperature determination processing procedure. The figure which shows an example of the feedback procedure of a temperature control result. The figure which shows an example of the feedback procedure of the opinion position within a group. The figure which shows the example of an input operation screen. The figure which shows the feedback screen example of an opinion position.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the examples described later, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea.

〔Example〕
[System configuration]
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual configuration of a smart energy system 1 according to the embodiment. This system assumes a system called a district cooling / heating system, a regional energy system, or the like. The system includes a user terminal 10, a network 20, an information processing device 30, an energy supply facility 40, and a customer facility 50.

  The user terminal 10 is a terminal operated by a user in a control area (for example, an air conditioning control area or a lighting control area), and is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The user terminal 10 includes a data processing unit, a memory, a communication interface, and a display device. The user terminal 10 has a function of accepting an input of an opinion based on the user's individual subjectivity with respect to the air conditioning temperature and the brightness of the illumination, a function of transmitting the accepted opinion as opinion data to the information processing device 30, and from the information processing device 30 An application is installed that executes a function for acquiring the opinion position of the entire user and a function for displaying the acquired opinion position. The communication method between the user terminal 10 and the network 20 may be a wireless communication method or a wired communication method. The communication protocol is arbitrary.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the air conditioning control area is set for each area whose temperature can be individually adjusted by an air conditioner (AHU: Air Handling Unit) 531. The lighting control area is set for each area where the brightness can be individually adjusted by the lighting fixture 521. Note that the adjustment of the brightness of the luminaire 521 is realized by adjustment using a dimming function or by increasing or decreasing the number of luminaires 521 that are controlled to be lit.

  The network 20 is a wireless network or an IP network provided by a communication carrier. For example, a wireless network is used for communication with the user terminal 10, and an IP network is used for communication with the information processing apparatus 30, the energy supply facility 40, and the like.

  The information processing apparatus 30 is physically composed of one or a plurality of computers or servers connected to the network 20, and its processing function is realized as one of services on a cloud computing service, for example. As will be described later, the information processing device 30 has a function of collecting user opinion data via the network 20, a function of statistically processing the collected opinion data, and setting values of air conditioning temperature and lighting brightness by majority decision. (Including the function to determine the target numerical value necessary for the control), feedback function of each user's opinion position (for example, discrete value from the average value or mode) in the entire user, etc. Have. In the statistical processing, majority processing, normalization processing, weighting processing, and the like are executed as necessary.

  The energy supply facility 40 is a system in which an energy provider supplies energy based on, for example, heat demand, and includes a central monitoring system and various heat source systems. The energy supply facility 40 and the customer facility 50 in a certain region are connected through a regional conduit, and a heat medium such as cold water, hot water, and steam and electric power are supplied through the regional conduit. Note that the supply of power is arbitrary. Moreover, the kind of the heat medium supplied is also arbitrary.

  The customer facility 50 is a facility provided in a building that receives energy supply from the energy supply facility 40, and includes a building automation system 51, a lighting facility 52 (lighting fixture 521), an air conditioning facility 53 (AHU531), a duct, a network, It consists of a temperature sensor, an illuminance sensor, and the like. Here, the building automation system 51 is connected to the information processing apparatus 30 and the energy supply facility 40 through the network 20, and transmits and receives control information necessary for controlling the individual lighting fixtures 521 and the AHU 531 to set values.

[Functional configuration of information processing device]
FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration example of the information processing apparatus 30. As described above, the information processing apparatus 30 is physically composed of one or a plurality of computers or servers. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 30 includes a database 31, a data processing unit 32, and a communication interface 33. The database 31 is a storage area for storing various types of data generated by the data processing unit 32 or necessary for data processing, and is configured by a hard disk device, for example.

  The data processing unit 32 includes a user position confirmation processing unit 321, an opinion data collection processing unit 322, an area-by-area totaling processing unit 323, an area-specific setting value determination processing unit 324, an opinion position determination processing unit 325, and a setting value feedback processing unit 326. , An opinion position feedback processing unit 327, an energy information feedback processing unit 328, and a point grant processing unit 329.

  The user position confirmation processing unit 321 executes processing for confirming the correspondence between the current position of the user and the control area (air conditioning control area or lighting control area). The current position is confirmed from the correspondence between the IP address of the access point or router used by the user terminal 10 for communication and the control area, for example. The correspondence between each control area and the user is determined by the current position confirmation process.

  The opinion data collection processing unit 322 inquires of the user of the user terminal 10 about an opinion about the current air conditioning temperature and the brightness of the illumination, and executes a process of collecting opinion data from each user terminal 10. An input operation screen, which will be described later, is used to input an opinion on the user terminal 10. Opinion input includes a method of selecting subjectivity and numerical values from selection items, and a method of inputting arbitrary numerical values. The collection of opinion data is repeatedly executed at regular intervals.

  The area-by-area totaling processing unit 323 executes processing for totalizing opinion data collected from users for each control area. The total result here is used for determining whether to change the air conditioning temperature and the brightness of the illumination for each control area, and also for selecting the determination logic.

  The area-specific set value determination processing unit 324 executes processing for determining whether or not to change the air conditioning temperature and brightness based on the determination logic and the result of opinion data aggregation.

  The opinion position determination processing unit 325 executes processing for determining the opinion position of each user in the entire user for each control area. For example, when an opinion is input with an item name representing subjectivity (for example, “hot”, “just right”, “cold”), the same item name is used for the opinion position. For example, when the user inputs an opinion as a numerical value, the input numerical value is used as an opinion position, and a discrete value or the like for an average value or a mode value is used as an opinion position.

  The set value feedback processing unit 326 executes a process of feeding back the set values of the air conditioning temperature and the brightness of the illumination determined for each control area to the user of the corresponding control area.

  The opinion position feedback processing unit 327 executes a process of feeding back the user's opinion position with respect to the totaled result for each control area to the corresponding user. This feedback function is one of the functions characteristic of this embodiment. By installing this function, the user can objectively recognize his / her opinion position in the entire user. It is expected that the user's persuasive feeling will be improved by knowing the opinion position in the whole user. In addition, with the improvement of persuasiveness, users can be encouraged to take proactive actions (for example, installing a desk fan or desk lamp, wearing a jacket, changing to light clothes, etc.). Energy demand adjustment.

  The energy information feedback processing unit 328 executes processing for feeding back to the user an increase or decrease related to energy information (for example, energy consumption, energy cost, carbon dioxide generation amount, etc.).

  The point grant processing unit 329 executes processing for assigning points to a user whose own opinion is not reflected in the set value. The giving of points may be limited to a case where the user's opinion falls within a certain numerical range based on the set value. This is because, if points are given to extreme opinions, there is a possibility that it is against the reduction of energy consumption. The points given for each user are stored in the database 31. The provision of points and the feedback of energy information here can also be expected to be effective as an incentive to reduce user dissatisfaction with the determination of the set value.

[Set temperature adjustment processing]
In FIG. 3, the example of an air-conditioning control procedure performed through the information processing apparatus 30 is shown. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that the air conditioning temperature is controlled for each air conditioning control area, but the same procedure can be used for controlling the brightness of the lighting for each lighting control area. In the case of the lighting control procedure, the “air conditioning control area” in FIG. 3 is “lighting control area”, “hot” is “bright”, “cold” is “dark”, and “temperature setting” is “ It may be read as “lighting setting” or the like.

  The information processing apparatus 30 that has started the air conditioning control checks the initial set temperature T0 (S100). Next, the information processing apparatus 30 confirms the position of the individual user (S101). Here, the information processing apparatus 30 acquires, for example, the IP address of the network device accessed by the user terminal 10 used by the user. Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 30 executes two systems of processes in parallel. One system is S102 to S104, and the other system is S105 to S107.

  First, in the system defined in S102 to S104, the information processing apparatus 30 executes association between the acquired user position information and the air conditioning control area (S102). Next, the information processing apparatus 30 determines the number of people in the air conditioning control area (S103). Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 30 determines the temperature control determination logic used when determining the set temperature according to the number of people in the air conditioning control area.

  On the other hand, in the system defined in S105 to S107, the information processing apparatus 30 inquires about the user's opinion on the current air conditioning temperature (S105). Specifically, a message for inquiring an opinion on the current air conditioning temperature is transmitted to all the users in the air conditioning control area to be checked (specifically, each user terminal 10 is the destination). For example, a message for inquiring whether it is “hot”, “cold”, or “just right” is transmitted. Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 30 determines whether or not the elapsed time t from the message transmission time exceeds the threshold value t1 (S106). The threshold value t1 here is a time (second) given for the user to respond to the confirmation message. When the elapsed time t exceeds the determination time t1, the information processing apparatus 30 closes the collection of opinion data from the user terminal 10 at that time, and adds up (S107).

  After these processes, the information processing apparatus 30 executes a set temperature determination process for each air conditioning control area (S108). In the case of the present embodiment, one of the temperature control determination logic shown in FIG. 4A and the temperature control determination logic shown in FIG. 4B is selected according to the determination in S104 and executed in the information processing apparatus 30.

  When the temperature control determination logic illustrated in FIG. 4A is selected, the information processing apparatus 30 first determines whether or not “hot” is the most (S1081). If an affirmative result is obtained in S1081, the information processing apparatus 30 determines the set temperature to a value that is T1 ° C. lower than the current value (S1082). On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in S1081, the information processing apparatus 30 determines whether or not “cold” is the largest (S1083). When an affirmative result is obtained in S1083, the information processing apparatus 30 determines the set temperature to be a value that is T1 ° C. higher than the current value (S1084). On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in S1083, the information processing apparatus 30 determines that it is not necessary to change the set temperature, and proceeds to the next process S109 as it is.

  On the other hand, when the temperature control determination logic illustrated in FIG. 4B is selected, the information processing apparatus 30 first compares the frequency of the most frequent opinion with the second most frequent opinion (S1181). Next, the information processing apparatus 30 determines whether or not the frequency difference between the two opinions is equal to or greater than x% of the total. The value of x can be modified according to the determination situation. If the frequency difference is small, the information processing apparatus 30 determines that the set temperature does not need to be changed, and proceeds to the next process S109 as it is. On the other hand, if the frequency difference is greater than x%, the information processing apparatus 30 determines whether “cold” is the most frequent opinion (S1183). If an affirmative result is obtained in S1183, the information processing apparatus 30 determines the set temperature to be a value that is T1 ° C. higher than the current value (S1184). On the other hand, when a negative result is obtained in S1183, the information processing apparatus 30 determines whether “hot” is the most frequent opinion (S1185). If an affirmative result is obtained in S1185, the information processing apparatus 30 determines the set temperature to a value that is T1 ° C. lower than the current value (S1186). On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in S1185, the information processing apparatus 30 determines that it is not necessary to change the set temperature, and proceeds to the next process S109 as it is.

  After determining the set temperature, the information processing apparatus 30 instructs the building automation system 51 to control the temperature according to the determined set temperature, and feeds back the temperature control result to each user (S109). . FIG. 5 shows details of the processing contents executed in S109. First, the information processing apparatus 30 checks whether or not the set temperature has been changed for each air conditioning control area (S1091). Next, the information processing apparatus 30 sorts out the relationship between the feedback target person's opinion and the presence or absence of a change in the set temperature in the corresponding air conditioning control area (S1092). For example, it is confirmed whether there is a change in the set temperature and whether or not the feedback target person's opinion matches. Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 30 feeds back to the feedback target person whether the set temperature has been changed or not (S1093). In the processing of S109, for example, “The set temperature has been changed from 27 ° C. to 26 ° C. Your opinion has been reflected.” “The set temperature is still 27 ° C. The opinions of many other people have been reflected. The message such as “It is done” is fed back.

  Subsequently, the information processing apparatus 30 feeds back an individual opinion position within the group (S110). FIG. 6 shows details of the processing contents executed in S110. First, the information processing apparatus 30 arranges the number of users who participated in the determination of the temperature setting for each air conditioning control area (S1101). For example, 30 people are arranged for the air conditioning control area 1, and 23 people are arranged for the air conditioning control area 2. Next, the information processing apparatus 30 sorts the opinions of users who participated in the determination of the temperature setting for each air conditioning control area according to the number of people (S1102). For example, in the case of the air conditioning control area 1, the number of people belonging to the same opinion category is arranged such that “cold” is 3 people, “just right” is 18 people, and “hot” is “9 people”. Next, the information processing apparatus 30 confirms the opinion transmitted by the feedback target person (S1103). Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 30 feeds back the opinion position of the feedback target person in the group (S1104).

  Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 30 feeds back an increase or decrease in energy information (for example, energy consumption, energy cost, carbon dioxide, etc.) (S111). Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 30 stores in the database 31 the opinions of the individual users and the presence / absence of changes in the set temperature (S112). Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 30 determines whether or not the elapsed time t from the start of the current determination has exceeded the threshold value t2 (S113). The threshold value t2 here is a time (second) for giving a period (interval) for inquiring of the user an opinion on the air conditioning temperature.

[Example interface]
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show an example of an interface screen used when inquiring a user about an opinion based on subjectivity and an example of an interface screen used when feedback of an opinion position. 7 and 8 are examples in the case of controlling the air conditioning temperature in the air conditioning control area based on the opinion of the user.

  FIG. 7A is an interface screen for inputting “hot”, “just right”, and “cold” corresponding to the subjectivity by a selection method. FIG. 7 (b) is the same as FIG. 7 (a) in that it is a subjective input method, but is an interface screen on which more detailed nuances can be input. In this example, subjectivity is input by moving the slider 71 left and right along the axis. FIG. 7C shows an interface screen used when a user's opinion is numerically input. In the figure, the current temperature is displayed as a reference for numerical input.

  FIG. 8A shows an interface screen used when the user's opinions are collected by subjective expression. FIG. 8A shows an example in which the user's opinion position is represented by a color or brightness different from those of other opinion bar graphs, and represents a case where the opinion position is “just right”. FIG. 8B shows an example of an interface screen when user opinions are collected numerically. In this case, the numerical value range (upper and lower limit values) for displaying the result of aggregation may be limited to a certain range, or the numerical value display range may be processed in a constant unit. In this case as well, it is possible to display the user's opinion position based on the difference in color and brightness. However, in FIG. 8B, a method of expressing the user's opinion position with an arrow is adopted. FIG. 8C shows an example in which the counting result is represented by a normal distribution diagram. In this example, the user's opinion position is indicated by an arrow.

[Example image]
Finally, based on a specific example, the image of the feedback function of the opinion position will be described. Here, it is assumed that there are 10 occupants in a room and the current room temperature is set to 27 ° C. In addition, each person responds to an inquiry from the system side as to whether the current room temperature is “hot”, “cold”, or “just right”. In this example, for example, it is assumed that 9 out of 10 answered “just right” and 1 answered “hot”.

  In this case, the information processing apparatus 30 determines that the set temperature of the AHU 531 that performs air conditioning of the room where these ten people are present is “not changed”. In the case where information is not fed back to a person who answered “hot” as in the conventional method, a person who does not adopt his / her wish is dissatisfied with the decision. This state is basically repeated unless the member changes, and the dissatisfaction of the person who feels that the air conditioning temperature is “hot” is accumulated.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the person whose opinion is not reflected can objectively check the position of his / her opinion among the entire occupants, the persuasive feeling is improved. be able to. In addition, in the present embodiment, in the case where an energy amount of XX (or electricity cost of ◎◎◎) is additionally required to lower the temperature by 1 ° C., in this embodiment, a person who feels “hot” ◎◎◎ We were able to contribute to the cost savings of the yen. ” That is, the psychological incentive (compensation) for this patience is fed back. Incentives can also be performed in the form of points. This improvement in persuasiveness and the provision of incentives will change the patience of many users to be positive, and it is expected that dissatisfaction and mitigation for not reflecting opinions will be expected.

[Summary]
As described above, in the centralized control method (central method), “individual opinions” are developed into “overall opinions” and the set temperature and brightness are determined. Will be generated.

  However, in this example, the basis for rejecting the opinion is fed back as the individual opinion position in the entire user, thereby increasing the satisfaction of the opinion being rejected, and the result Responding actions (for example, installing a tabletop fan, tabletop desk lamp, wearing outerwear, changing to light clothing, etc.) can be encouraged, and comfort and more aggressive adjustment of energy demand can be realized.

  In the above-mentioned embodiment, an incentive is given to the patience of the user whose opinion is rejected, but the merit caused by the reduction of the energy cost is returned as an incentive (for example, points) for an individual or an affiliated organization. By introducing, control in the centralized control method (central method) can be guided in a direction in which the energy cost is reduced.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Smart energy system, 10 ... User terminal, 20 ... Network, 30 ... Information processing apparatus, 31 ... Database, 32 ... Data processing part, 321 ... User position confirmation processing part, 322 ... Opinion data collection processing part, 323 ... Area totaling processing unit, 324 ... Area-specific set value determination processing unit, 325 ... Opinion position determination processing unit, 326 ... Set value feedback processing unit, 327 ... Opinion position feedback processing unit, 328 ... Energy information feedback processing unit, 329 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Point provision processing part, 33 ... Communication interface, 40 ... Energy supply equipment, 50 ... Consumer equipment, 51 ... Building automation system, 52 ... Lighting equipment, 521 ... Lighting equipment, 53 ... Air conditioning equipment, 531 ... AHU.

Claims (10)

Based on consumer equipment with a function to adjust the air conditioning temperature or brightness of the lighting to a set value for each control area, energy supply equipment that supplies energy to the customer equipment, and opinion data collected from users In a smart energy system having an information processing device that determines a set value of air conditioning temperature or lighting brightness in a control area,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A processing unit that associates a control area with a user;
A processing unit that collects opinion data on air conditioning temperature or lighting brightness from the user terminal; and
A processing unit that counts opinion data for each control area;
A processing unit for determining the set temperature or the brightness of the illumination for each control area based on the counting results;
A processing unit that determines the opinion position of each user in the entire user for each control area;
A smart energy system characterized by having a processing unit that feeds back each user's opinion position among all users to each user. The smart energy system according to claim 1,
The information processing apparatus includes a processing unit that notifies incentive information to a user having at least a determined setting value different from an opinion. The smart energy system according to claim 2,
The smart energy system, wherein the incentive information is point information. The smart energy system according to claim 1,
The operation terminal displays a user's opinion position in a specific color or brightness on a graph indicating the total result of the corresponding control area. The smart energy system according to claim 1,
The smart energy system, wherein the operation terminal indicates an opinion position of a user on a graph indicating a total result of a corresponding control area by an arrow. Based on consumer equipment with a function to adjust the air conditioning temperature or brightness of the lighting to a set value for each control area, energy supply equipment that supplies energy to the customer equipment, and opinion data collected from users In a control method of a smart energy system having an information processing device for determining an air conditioning temperature of a control area or a setting value of illumination brightness,
The information processing apparatus is
A process for associating a user with each control area;
Processing to collect opinion data on the air conditioning temperature or lighting brightness from the user terminal;
A process of aggregating opinion data for each control area;
A process of determining the set temperature or the brightness of the illumination for each control area based on the counting results;
A process for determining the opinion position of each user in the entire user for each control area;
A smart energy system control method characterized by executing a process of feeding back each user's opinion position among all users to each user. The smart energy system control method according to claim 6,
A smart energy system control method, wherein the information processing apparatus notifies incentive information to a user having at least a determined setting value different from an opinion. The smart energy system control method according to claim 7,
The smart energy system control method, wherein the incentive information is point information. The smart energy system control method according to claim 6,
The smart information system characterized in that the information processing device notifies the operation terminal of information for displaying a user's opinion position in a specific color or brightness on a graph indicating a total result of a corresponding control area Control method. The smart energy system control method according to claim 6,
The smart information system control method, wherein the information processing apparatus notifies the operation terminal of information indicating a user's opinion position on a graph indicating a total result of a corresponding control area with an arrow.

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