JP2017077175A - Monitoring device and monitoring method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a monitoring device and a monitoring method capable of efficiently suppressing power consumption by a plurality of devices.SOLUTION: According to one embodiment, a monitoring device comprises warning issuing means, selecting means, and determining means. The warning issuing means issues a demand warning when an amount of power consumption by a device to be managed exceeds a threshold value. When the demand warning is issued by the warning issuing means, the selecting means selects a device to which control for suppressing power consumption is to be performed. When the device selected by the selecting means is an analogue device, the determining means determines a setting value to be set in the analogue device from a value that varies the amount of power consumption step by step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a monitoring apparatus and a monitoring method.

Buildings and other buildings are equipped with a large number of devices that operate on electricity, such as air conditioners.
There is a system in which a monitoring device manages the operating state of each device in a building such as a building. Such a monitoring device has a function of controlling each device so that the power consumption of the building does not exceed a predetermined power. Conventionally, the monitoring device suppresses power consumption by stopping the operation of each device.

JP 2011-61991 A

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an object is to provide a monitoring device and a monitoring method that can efficiently suppress power consumption by a plurality of devices.

According to the embodiment, the monitoring device includes a warning issue unit, a selection unit, and a determination unit.
The warning issuing means issues a demand warning when the power consumption by the device to be managed exceeds a threshold value. The selection means selects a device that performs control for suppressing power consumption when a demand warning is issued by the warning issuing means. When the device selected by the selection unit is an analog device, the determining unit determines a setting value to be set in the analog device from a value in which power consumption changes step by step.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a monitoring system including a monitoring device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of a device control output setting table stored in the nonvolatile memory of the monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of an output value setting table stored in the nonvolatile memory of the monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation example of the monitoring system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the monitoring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
The monitoring device (monitoring device) according to the present embodiment is a device that collectively manages the operating states of a plurality of devices that are operated by power such as an air conditioner or lighting installed in a building such as a building. In addition, the monitoring device has a function of controlling power consumption consumed by each device of the building to be equal to or lower than predetermined power. For example, the monitoring device has a function of predicting power consumed by each device of a building. When it is determined that the predicted power consumption is higher than the predetermined power, the monitoring device controls the operating state of each device so that the power consumption is lower than the predetermined power. In other words, the monitoring device has functions such as turning off each device or changing the operating state of each device to a state with less power consumption (for example, changing the set temperature of the air conditioner).

  The monitoring device is installed in a relatively large building such as a building or factory, or a relatively small building such as a private house, but the building where the monitoring device is installed is a specific building. It is not limited to. Moreover, although each apparatus which operate | moves with the electric power which a monitoring apparatus controls is an air conditioner or lighting, it is not limited to a specific apparatus or the combination of apparatuses.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a monitoring system including a monitoring device according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring system 1 includes a monitoring device 10, a display device 20, control devices 30 and 50, field devices 40 and 60, and the like. The monitoring device 10 is electrically connected to the display device 20, the control device 30, and the control device 50 wirelessly or by wire. The monitoring device 10 may be connected to the control device 50 via the control device 30 as shown in FIG. 1 or may be directly connected to the control device 50. Further, the control devices 30 and 50 are electrically connected to the field devices 40 and 60, respectively, wirelessly or in a wired manner.

The monitoring device 10 has a function of controlling the entire monitoring system. The configuration and operation example of the monitoring device 10 will be described later.
The display device 20 is a display unit that displays various information under the control of the monitoring device 10. The display device 20 is a display or the like, but is not limited to a specific configuration.

  The control device 30 is a device for controlling the operation of the field device 40. The control device 30 operates the field device 40 under a command from the monitoring device 10. The control device 30 has a different configuration and function depending on the field device 40 and is not limited to a specific configuration or function. For example, when the field device 40 is an air conditioner, the control device 30 turns on or off the field device 40 or changes the set temperature of the field device 40 to a specific temperature under a command from the monitoring device 10. It has functions. Further, when the field device 40 is illumination, the control device 30 has a function of turning the field device 40 on or off under a command from the monitoring device 10. When the field device 40 is a light that can change the power consumption, the control device 30 turns on or off the field device 40 or consumes the field device 40 under a command from the monitoring device 10. It has a function to change power.

  The field device 40 is a device that operates according to a command from the control device 30. The field device 40 is a device that operates with electric power supplied from a building. The field device 40 has a different configuration and function depending on the use of the building to be installed. The field device 40 is, for example, an air conditioner or lighting, but is not limited to a specific configuration or function.

The control device 30 and the field device 40 are the same as the control device 50 and the field device 60, respectively.
The monitoring system 1 may include three or more control devices and field devices, and the number of control devices and field devices included in the monitoring system is not limited to a specific value. Further, the monitoring device 10 may directly control the field device without using the control device.

Next, a configuration example of the monitoring device 10 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the monitoring apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.
The monitoring device 10 according to the present embodiment is configured by a device such as a personal computer (PC) or a server device, for example, but is not limited to a specific device.
As shown in FIG. 2, the monitoring device 10 includes a CPU 11, a RAM 12, a ROM 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, an external interface (I / F) 15, and the like.

  The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the monitoring device 10. The CPU 11 may include an internal cache and various interfaces. The CPU 11 implements various processes by executing programs stored in advance in the internal cache, the ROM 13 or the nonvolatile memory 14. For example, the CPU 11 has a data processing function for processing data such as data input via the external interface 15 by executing a program. Note that some of the various functions realized by the CPU 11 executing the program may be realized by a hardware circuit. In this case, the CPU 11 controls functions executed by the hardware circuit.

The RAM 12 is a volatile memory. The RAM 12 temporarily stores data being processed by the CPU 11. The RAM 12 stores various application programs based on instructions from the CPU 11. The RAM 12 may store data necessary for executing the application program, an execution result of the application program, and the like.
For example, the CPU 11 develops a demand control program recorded in the nonvolatile memory 14 for realizing the demand control function on the RAM 12 and executes the demand control program.

  The ROM 13 is a nonvolatile memory in which a control program and control data are stored in advance. The control program and control data stored in the ROM 22 are incorporated in advance according to the specifications of the monitoring device 10. The ROM 13 stores, for example, a program (for example, BIOS) for controlling the circuit board of the monitoring device 10.

  The nonvolatile memory 14 is a nonvolatile memory in which data can be written and rewritten. The nonvolatile memory 14 is configured by, for example, a hard disk, SSD, EEPROM (registered trademark), flash memory, or the like. The non-volatile memory 14 stores a demand control program for realizing the demand control function. In addition, the nonvolatile memory 14 stores a control program, an application, and various data according to the operation application of the monitoring device 10.

  Further, the nonvolatile memory 14 has a recording area 16 for recording a demand control function setting database. The recording area 16 has a recording area 16a for storing a device control output setting table and a recording area 16b for storing an output value setting table. Each table will be described later.

The external interface 15 is an interface for performing data communication with the display device 20, the control devices 30 and 50, and the like. The external interface 15 may include individual interfaces corresponding to the display device 20 and the control devices 30 and 50.
Note that the monitoring apparatus 10 may further include an operation unit and other external interfaces, and components other than those described above may be added as appropriate.

Next, the device control output setting table (device control output setting table 16a) stored in the recording area 16a in the nonvolatile memory 14 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the device control output setting table 16a.
The device control output setting table 16a is a table used for determining a device to be controlled in order to suppress power consumption of a building. As shown in FIG. 3, the device control output setting table 16a stores a shut-off order, a point ID number, a capacity (kw), a controlled / unflagged flag, and a model type in association with each other.

The blocking order indicates the control order of devices controlled by the monitoring device 10 when the power consumption of the building is suppressed.
The point ID number is a number uniquely assigned to the device controlled by the monitoring device 10.
The point ID number may be assigned to a group of a plurality of devices. For example, the point ID number may be a number indicating a group of the same type of model (for example, an air conditioner) or a number indicating a group of models at the same position (for example, a device on the first floor). May be.

  The device control output setting table 16a may associate the same point ID number with different blocking orders. In this case, the monitoring device 10 controls the device indicated by the point ID number a plurality of times.

  A capacity | capacitance (kW) is a value which shows the electric power suppressed when the model which a corresponding point ID number shows is controlled. The capacity (kW) is described in kilowatts (kW). The capacity (kW) is determined according to the model indicated by the point ID number and the control content. A capacity | capacitance (kW) is utilized as a standard at the time of selecting the apparatus which the monitoring apparatus 10 controls.

  The controlled / unflagged flag indicates to what cutoff order the monitoring device 10 has controlled the devices so far. “Done” indicates that the monitoring apparatus 10 has already performed control corresponding to the blocking order. “Not yet” indicates that the monitoring apparatus 10 has not yet performed control corresponding to the blocking order. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in the device control output setting table 16a, the control corresponding to the blocking order “1” and “2” has already been performed, and the control corresponding to the blocking order “3” has not been performed yet. It shows that.

  The device type indicates whether or not an operation state in which the device indicated by the corresponding point ID number changes stepwise can be set. That is, the device type indicates whether or not the monitoring device 10 can perform not only on / off control but also control in which the power consumption changes step by step. For example, an air conditioner can take a state corresponding to a set temperature in addition to an on / off state, and thus can be said to be a device (analog device) capable of setting an operation state that changes stepwise. Further, since the illumination is only in the on / off state, it can be said that it is a device (digital device) that cannot set an operation state that changes in stages. Even if it is lighting, the lighting which can set power consumption can be said to be an analog apparatus since the operation state which changes in steps can be set. “A” indicates that the device indicated by the corresponding point ID number is an analog device. “D” indicates that the device indicated by the corresponding point ID number is a digital device.

  For example, the device control output setting table 16a includes, as elements corresponding to the blocking order “2”, a point ID number “6”, a capacity (kW) “12”, a controlled / unflagged “completed”, and a model determination “D”. Is stored. That is, in the device control output setting table 16a, the device number to be controlled in the shut-off order “2” is “6”, the power consumption suppressed by the control is 10 kW, the device is already controlled, The device whose number is “6” indicates that the device is a digital device.

Next, the output value setting table (output value setting table 16b) stored in the recording area 16b in the nonvolatile memory 14 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the output value setting table 16b.
The output value setting table 16b is a table used to determine a setting value to be set for an analog device. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the output value setting table 16b stores a blocking order and set values in association with each other.

  The blocking order is the same as that of the device control output setting table 16a. Further, since the output value setting table 16b stores setting values to be set in the analog device, only the shut-off order in which the analog device is controlled is stored. For example, the device type “A” corresponding to the blocking order “1” and “3” in the device control output setting table 16a, the devices controlled by the blocking order “1” and “3” are analog devices. . Therefore, the output value setting table 16b stores the shut-off orders “1” and “3” that control analog devices.

The set value is a value that determines the operating state of the analog device whose power consumption changes step by step.
That is, the set value is a value set in the analog device when the monitoring device 10 controls the analog device. The set value is determined by the analog device to be set. For example, when the analog device is an air conditioner, the set value is a value such as a set temperature of the air conditioner. In addition, when the analog device is illumination capable of setting power consumption, the set value is the wattage of the illumination. Note that the set value may be a plurality of values when the set device is controlled by a plurality of values. Further, the set value may be a character string when the device to be set is controlled by the character string. The set value is not limited to a specific value, number and configuration.

Next, an operation example of the monitoring system 1 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the monitoring system 1.
First, in the monitoring device 10, the device control output setting table 16a is set. That is, the monitoring device 10 displays the demand control device setting screen 21 on the display device 20 and displays the control device setting field 22 in the demand control device setting screen 21. The monitoring device 10 prompts the operator to input each element of the device control output setting table 16a by displaying the control device setting field 22. The operator installs the point ID number, capacity (kW), controlled / non-flag, device type, and the like corresponding to a plurality of shut-off orders in the monitoring device 10 according to the instructions displayed in the control device setting field 22. An input is made to the monitoring apparatus 10 through an operation unit or the like. Note that the number of blocking orders set by the monitoring device 10 is not limited to a specific value.

  When the operator inputs each element, the CPU 11 of the monitoring device 10 generates a device control output setting table 16a in which each element is associated. When the device control output setting table 16 a is generated, the CPU 11 stores the generated device control output setting table 16 a in the recording area 16 a in the nonvolatile memory 14. When the generated device control output setting table 16a is stored in the recording area 16a in the nonvolatile memory 14, the CPU 11 displays information indicating that the setting of the device control output setting table 16a is successful on the display device 20.

Next, the monitoring apparatus 10 sets the output value setting table 16b. That is, the monitoring device 10 displays the output value setting field 23 in the demand control device setting screen 21 of the display device 20.
The monitoring device 10 prompts the operator to input elements of the output value setting table 16b by displaying the output value setting field 23. The operator inputs a setting value corresponding to each blocking order to the monitoring device 10 through an operation unit or the like installed in the monitoring device 10 according to an instruction displayed in the output value setting field 23.

  When the operator inputs a set value, the CPU 11 of the monitoring device 10 generates an output value setting table 16b in which each blocking order is associated with the set value. When the output value setting table 16b is generated, the CPU 11 stores the generated output value setting table 16b in the recording area 16b in the nonvolatile memory 14. When the generated output value setting table 16b is stored in the recording area 16b in the nonvolatile memory 14, the CPU 11 displays information indicating that the setting of the output value setting table 16b is successful on the display device 20.

  The settings in the device control output setting table 16a and the output value setting table 16b may be reversed in order or may be performed simultaneously. The setting method of the device control output setting table 16a and the output value setting table 16b may be a method of transferring predetermined data, and is not limited to a specific method.

Next, a procedure in which the monitoring device 10 controls the field devices 40 and 60 through the control devices 30 and 50 will be described.
The CPU 11 of the monitoring apparatus 10 reads a demand control program for executing the demand control function 17 from the nonvolatile memory 14 and executes the demand control program.
The CPU 11 realizes control of each device through a demand control function 17 obtained by executing a demand control program.

First, the CPU 11 determines whether a demand warning has been issued. The demand warning is a warning issued by the monitoring device 10 when it is necessary to suppress the power consumption of the building.
That is, when the power consumption predicted by the monitoring device 10 exceeds a predetermined power (target power) as a predetermined threshold, the monitoring device 10 issues a demand warning. Note that the monitoring device 10 may issue a demand warning when the current power consumption exceeds a predetermined power. The condition for issuing the demand warning is not limited to a specific configuration.

If it is determined that a demand warning has been issued, the CPU 11 starts power control.
The CPU 11 calculates the power to be suppressed. That is, the CPU 11 subtracts the target power from the predicted power consumption and calculates the power to be suppressed.

  When the power to be suppressed is calculated, the CPU 11 refers to the device control output setting table 16a and determines to which cutoff order the device control has been performed before the previous power control. For example, in the example of the device control output setting table 16a shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 11 obtains information stored in the controlled / unflagged flag and determines that the control up to the shut-off order “2” has already been performed. .

  When it is determined to which shut-off order the control has been performed up to the previous power control, the CPU 11 selects a device to be controlled by the current power control. That is, the CPU 11 adds the capacity (kW) from the blocking order (start blocking order) one lower than the blocking order corresponding to the control that has already been performed toward the lower blocking order, and the total The interruption order (end interruption order) in which the amount reaches the power to be controlled is determined. When the end cutoff order is determined, the CPU 11 selects the device indicated by the point ID number of the cutoff order from the start cutoff order to the determined end cutoff order as the device to be controlled this time.

  For example, in the example of the device control output setting table 16a shown in FIG. Are added, and the interruption order (end interruption order) that reaches the amount of power to be suppressed is determined. When the end blocking order is determined, the CPU 11 determines the device indicated by the point ID number of the blocking order from the blocking order “3” to the determined end blocking order as the device to be controlled this time.

  When the device to be controlled this time is determined, the CPU 11 determines whether the device corresponding to the start cutoff order is an analog device or a digital device. That is, the CPU 11 refers to the control output setting table 16a and determines whether the device is an analog device or a digital device from the device type corresponding to the start cutoff order. For example, in the example of the device control output setting table 16a shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 11 obtains from the control output setting table 16a that the device type corresponding to the blocking order “3” that is the start blocking order is “A”. Then, it is determined that the device to be controlled is an analog device.

  If it is determined that the device is an analog device, the CPU 11 refers to the set value output setting table 16b and acquires the set value. That is, the CPU 11 acquires a setting value corresponding to the same blocking order as the start blocking order from the set value output setting table 16b. For example, in the example of the output value setting table 16b illustrated in FIG. 4, the CPU 11 acquires the installation value “20” corresponding to the start cutoff ranking “3”.

When the setting value is acquired, the CPU 11 stores the point ID number corresponding to the blocking order that is the starting blocking order and the acquired setting value in the RAM 12 in association with each other.
If it is determined that the device is a digital device, the point ID number corresponding to the blocking order that is the starting blocking order is stored in the RAM 12 as a point ID number indicating a device to be turned off.

  When the CPU 11 stores in the RAM 12 the point ID number and the setting value corresponding to the point ID number, or the point ID number of the device to be turned off, in the device control output setting table 16a, the controlled / uncontrolled Rewrite the flag from “not yet” to “done”. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 11 rewrites the controlled / unflagged flag corresponding to the blocking order “3” from “not yet” to “completed” in the device control output setting table 16a.

  The CPU 11 performs the above-described process from the determination of the device type to the rewriting of the controlled / unflagged in the current power control for all the shut-off orders (shut-off order from the start shut-off order to the end shut-off order). Do it.

When the process is performed for all the shut-off orders to be controlled this time, the CPU 11 acquires from the RAM 12 a point ID number indicating an analog device to be controlled and a setting value corresponding to the point ID number. When the point ID number and the setting value corresponding to the point ID number are acquired, the CPU 11 transmits the acquired setting value to the control device that controls the point ID number through the external I / F 15.
The control device receives the setting value transmitted from the monitoring device 10. When the set value is received, the control device sets the received set value in the device controlled by the control device.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the CPU 11 controls the control device (for example, the control device) that controls the field device (for example, the field device 40) indicated by the point ID number “56” indicated by the blocking order “3” that is the start blocking order. 30), the set value “20” is transmitted. The control device (for example, the control device 30) receives the setting value “20” transmitted from the monitoring device 10, and the site where the control device (for example, the control device 30) controls the received setting value “20”. Set to equipment (for example, field equipment 40).

The CPU 11 performs the process from the acquisition of the set value to the transmission of the set value as described above for the analog device stored as the device to be controlled in the RAM 12.
When the monitoring system 1 performs the process for all analog devices, the CPU 11 acquires a point ID number stored as a point ID number indicating the device to be turned off from the RAM 12. When the point ID number is acquired, the CPU 11 transmits an instruction to turn off the device to the control device that controls the device through the external I / F 15. The control device receives the command from the monitoring device 10 and turns off the device.

The CPU 11 performs the process from acquisition of the point ID indicating the device to be turned off to transmission of the command to be turned off for all digital devices stored as devices to be turned off in the RAM 12 as described above.
When the process is performed for all the digital devices, the CPU 11 ends the power control.

The monitoring apparatus 10 transmits a set value or an instruction to turn off the device to all devices to be controlled this time, and then sets the controlled / unflagged flag corresponding to all controlled blocking orders from “not yet” to “ It may be rewritten to “Done”.
In addition, the process of transmitting the set value to the analog device and the process of transmitting the instruction to turn off to the digital device may be performed in the reverse order or may be performed simultaneously.

  In addition, the CPU 11 displays the analog device to be controlled, the set value corresponding to the analog device, and the digital device to be turned off on the display device 20 without transmitting each data to each control device, and allows the operator to perform each control. Control to the device or each field device may be prompted. In this case, the operator refers to the information displayed on the display device 20 and executes control on each control device and each field device.

Next, an operation example of the monitoring device 10 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating an operation example of the monitoring apparatus 10.
First, the CPU 11 of the monitoring device 10 determines whether a demand warning has been issued (step 11). If it is determined that the demand warning has not been issued (step 11, NO), the CPU 11 returns to step 11.

  If it is determined that a demand warning has been issued (step S11, YES), the CPU 11 refers to the device control output setting table 16a and acquires the shut-off order controlled by the power control up to the previous time (step 12). When the interruption order controlled by the previous power control is acquired, the CPU 11 refers to the device control output setting table 16a and selects the device to be controlled by the current power control (step 13). The selection method is as described above.

When a device to be controlled by the current power control is selected, the CPU 11 determines whether one of the devices to be controlled is an analog device (step S14). If it is determined that the device is an analog device (step S14, YES), the CPU 11 refers to the installation value output setting table 16b and acquires a setting value corresponding to the device (step 15). When the setting value corresponding to the device is acquired, the CPU 11 stores the point ID number indicating the device in association with the acquired setting value in the RAM 12 (step 16).
If it is determined that the device to be controlled is not an analog device (that is, a digital device) (NO in step S14), the CPU 11 stores the point ID number indicating the device as a point ID number indicating the device to be turned off to the RAM 12. Store (step S17).

  When the point ID number indicating the device is associated with the acquired setting value and stored in the RAM 12, or when the point ID number indicating the device is stored in the RAM 12 as the point ID number indicating the device to be turned off, the CPU 11 In the device control output setting table 16a, the controlled / unflagged flag corresponding to the device is rewritten to “completed” (step S18).

  When the controlled / unflagged flag corresponding to the device is rewritten to “completed”, the CPU 11 determines whether there is another device to be controlled determined in step 13 (step 19). If it is determined that there are still devices to be controlled (step 19, YES), the CPU 11 returns to step 14.

  If it determines with there being no apparatus to control (step 19, NO), CPU11 will determine whether the control mode of the monitoring apparatus 10 is an automatic mode (step 20). The automatic mode is a method for automatically controlling the power consumption by each device in the building based on the demand warning issued by the monitoring device 10.

  When it is determined that the control mode of the monitoring device 10 is the automatic mode (step 20, YES), the CPU 11 sets the set value to the control device that controls the device indicated by the point ID number stored as the device controlled by the RAM 12. Alternatively, a command to turn off is transmitted (step S21). That is, when the device indicated by the point ID number is an analog device, the CPU 11 transmits a setting value corresponding to the device to the control device that controls the device indicated by the point ID number. When the device indicated by the point ID number is a digital device, the CPU 11 transmits a command to turn off the device to a control device that controls the device indicated by the point ID number.

When determining that the control mode of the monitoring apparatus 10 is not the automatic mode (step S20, NO), the CPU 11 displays a message that prompts the operator to control each device (step 22). That is, the CPU 11 displays the device indicated by the point ID number stored in the RAM 12 on the display device 20 or the like. At the same time, the CPU 11 indicates that the setting value corresponding to the analog device is turned off when the device indicated by the point ID number is an analog device, and is turned off when the device indicated by the point ID number is a digital device. Are displayed in association with the device indicated by each point ID number.
When a message prompting the operator to control each device is displayed, the CPU 11 ends the control.

  The monitoring apparatus as described above can set not only the on / off control for the device but also an operation state that changes step by step. Moreover, when the same point ID number is matched with the interruption | blocking order from which an apparatus control output setting table differs, the monitoring apparatus suppresses power consumption in steps with respect to the same apparatus (for example, It is also possible to perform a control in which the set temperature of the air conditioner is set stepwise as 29 ° C., 30 ° C. Therefore, the monitoring apparatus can control the apparatus installed in the building more flexibly, and can effectively suppress the power consumption of the building.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Monitoring system, 10 ... Monitoring apparatus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... RAM, 13 ... ROM, 14 ... Nonvolatile memory, 15 ... External interface, 16 ... Demand control apparatus setting table, 16a ... Apparatus control output setting table, 16b ... Output value setting table, 17 ... Demand control function, 30 and 50 ... Control device, 40 and 60 ... Field equipment.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.
The invention described in the scope of the claims at the beginning of the present application is added below.
[C1]
In a monitoring device that collectively manages multiple devices that operate on electricity,
Warning issuing means for issuing a demand warning when power consumption by the device to be managed exceeds a threshold;
A selection unit that selects a device that performs control to reduce power consumption when the demand warning is issued by the warning notification unit;
And a determining unit that determines a setting value to be set in the analog device from a value in which power consumption changes stepwise when the device selected by the selecting unit is an analog device.
[C2]
Setting means for setting the setting value determined by the determining means in the analog device selected by the selecting means,
The monitoring device according to C1, further comprising:
[C3]
Informing means for informing the analog device selected by the selecting means and the set value determined by the determining means,
The monitoring apparatus according to any one of C1 and 2, further provided.
[C4]
A first recording means for recording an output value setting table for storing the setting value;
The determining means refers to the output value setting table recorded in the recording means and determines a setting value to be set in the analog device;
The monitoring apparatus according to any one of C1 to C3.
[C5]
A second recording means for recording a device control output setting table for storing a device capable of performing control for suppressing power consumption and a blocking order in association with each other;
The selection means refers to the device control output setting table recorded in the second recording means, and selects a device that performs control for suppressing power consumption;
The monitoring apparatus according to any one of C1 to C4.
[C6]
A plurality of the devices managed collectively by the monitoring device are installed in a building,
The monitoring apparatus according to any one of C1 to C5.
[C7]
The analog device is an air conditioner,
The set value is a set temperature.
The monitoring apparatus according to any one of C1 to C6.
[C8]
In a monitoring method that manages a plurality of devices that operate on electric power in a batch,
When the power consumption by the device to be managed exceeds a threshold, a demand warning is issued,
When the demand warning is issued by the warning notification means, select a device that performs control to reduce power consumption,
When the device selected by the selection means is an analog device, a setting value to be set in the analog device is determined from a value in which power consumption changes step by step.
Monitoring method.

Claims (8)

In a monitoring device that collectively manages multiple devices that operate on electricity,
Warning issuing means for issuing a demand warning when power consumption by the device to be managed exceeds a threshold;
A selection unit that selects a device that performs control to reduce power consumption when the demand warning is issued by the warning notification unit;
And a determining unit that determines a setting value to be set in the analog device from a value in which power consumption changes stepwise when the device selected by the selecting unit is an analog device. Setting means for setting the setting value determined by the determining means in the analog device selected by the selecting means,
The monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising: Informing means for informing the analog device selected by the selecting means and the set value determined by the determining means,
The monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising: A first recording means for recording an output value setting table for storing the setting value;
The determining means refers to the output value setting table recorded in the recording means and determines a setting value to be set in the analog device;
The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A second recording means for recording a device control output setting table for storing a device capable of performing control for suppressing power consumption and a blocking order in association with each other;
The selection means refers to the device control output setting table recorded in the second recording means, and selects a device that performs control for suppressing power consumption;
The monitoring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A plurality of the devices managed collectively by the monitoring device are installed in a building,
The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The analog device is an air conditioner,
The set value is a set temperature.
The monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. In a monitoring method that manages a plurality of devices that operate on electric power in a batch,
When the power consumption by the device to be managed exceeds a threshold, a demand warning is issued,
When the demand warning is issued by the warning notification means, select a device that performs control to reduce power consumption,
When the device selected by the selection means is an analog device, a setting value to be set in the analog device is determined from a value in which power consumption changes step by step.
Monitoring method.