JP4270929B2 - Air conditioning management device and air conditioning management system - Google Patents

Description

【００３７】
ここで、Ｐｃは現在の施設の使用電力（ｋＷ）、Ｐｆは現在から単位時間の経過後の未来の使用電力（ｋＷ）、Ｐｐは現在から計測時間前の過去の使用電力（ｋＷ）、Ｔｆは未来の単位時間（分）、Ｔｐは過去の計測時間（分）、Ａｖは過去の使用電力の平均変化率である。
【００３８】
また、未来の単位時間当たりの予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａを算出する前後に、省エネ管理部２１１は、実績値算出部として機能し、使用電力指標２５４に基づいて、過去の単位時間（例えば３０分間）での施設の実際の平均使用電力（第３の指標）を算出する。過去の単位時間での施設の実際の平均使用電力Ｐｐａは次式に従って算出できる。
Ｐｐａ＝（Ｐｐ＋Ｐｃ）／２
【００３９】
なお、省エネ管理部２１１は、現在の施設の使用電力Ｐｃ（ｋＷ）を算出するたびに、これを省エネ情報格納部２５０に格納しておき、計測時間（例えば５分間）後に過去の実際の平均使用電力Ｐｐａを算出する時に、以前に格納された使用電力Ｐｃを読み出して過去の使用電力Ｐｐ（ｋＷ）として利用する。
【００４０】
未来の単位時間当たりの予測平均使用電力、および過去の単位時間あたりの実際の平均使用電力を求めるための単位時間は、翌年の電力料金の基本料金を定める基準となる単位時間にすると好ましい。例えば日本の実量値契約によれば、上述の通り単位時間は３０分間である。
【００４１】
未来の単位時間当たりの予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａと過去の単位時間での施設の実際の平均使用電力Ｐｐａを算出した後、省エネ管理部２１１は、比較部として機能し、未来の予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａと過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａを比較する。この比較結果に従って、省エネ管理部２１１は制御部として機能し、省エネ情報格納部２５０に格納された省エネ設定パラメータである省エネ制御レベル２５１、省エネ制御時間２５２および省エネ制御種別２５３に基づいて、空調機器の使用電力を制御する。
【００４２】
前記の比較の結果、未来の予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａが過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａより大きい場合には、省エネ管理部２１１は、過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａを破棄し、未来の予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａを複数の閾値である省エネ制御レベル２５１と比較する。この比較の結果判明した未来の予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａのレベルに応じた省エネ制御時間２５２および省エネ制御種別２５３に従って、省エネ管理部２１１は空調機器の使用電力を規制する。例えば予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａのレベルがレベル５であれば、全ブロックについて、たとえ利用者が送風または冷暖房をリモコンで指定していても３０分間の停止という強制的な省エネ規制が実行され、レベル４であれば、全ブロックについて、たとえ利用者が冷暖房をリモコンで指定していても９分間の送風という強制的な省エネ規制が実行される。
【００４３】
他方、前記の比較の結果、未来の予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａが過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａ以下である場合には、省エネ管理部２１１は、未来の予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａを破棄し、その代わりに過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａを採用し、過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａを省エネ制御レベル２５１と比較する。そして、この比較の結果判明した過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａのレベルに応じた省エネ制御時間２５２および省エネ制御種別２５３に従って、省エネ管理部２１１は空調機器の使用電力を規制する。以上のように、実際の使用電力が増加傾向にある場合には、未来の実際の使用電力が未来の予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａを超えないように省エネ管理部２１１は空調機器の使用電力を規制し、実際の使用電力が減少傾向にある場合には、未来の実際の使用電力が過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａを超えないように省エネ管理部２１１は空調機器の使用電力を規制するので、未来の実際の使用電力をより低いレベルに抑制することができる。
【００４４】
省エネ管理部２１１は、計測期間（例えば５分間）以下の繰返し間隔（例えば１分間）をおいて、上記の使用電力の制御処理を繰り返す。すなわち、前記の過去の計測期間での施設の使用電力の平均変化率（第１の指標）の算出、前記の未来の予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａ（第２の指標）の算出、前記の過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａ（第３の指標）の算出および空調機器の使用電力の規制は、全て一定の間隔をおいて繰り返す。従って、一定間隔おきに、現在の省エネ規制処理が妥当か否か見直される。より具体的には、省エネ制御レベル２５１と比較される平均使用電力のレベルが直前のレベルと同じであれば、同じ省エネ制御時間２５２および同じ省エネ制御種別２５３に従って、同じ使用電力の規制を続行する一方、省エネ制御レベル２５１と比較される平均使用電力のレベルが変化したら、変化後の省エネ制御時間２５２および省エネ制御種別２５３に従って新たな使用電力の規制を開始する。
【００４５】
図４および図５を参照しながら空調機器の省エネ規制処理の詳細をさらに説明する。図４および図５は、省エネ規制対象となった一つのブロックに属する室内機に関する制御タイミングチャートである。室内機の省エネ規制では、省エネ管理部２１１は、空調機器情報格納部２６０に格納されたブロック情報（図示せず）および接続情報２６１を参照する。上述の通りブロック情報は、複数のブロックと各ブロックに属するグループおよび各グループに属する室内機を示す。室内機の省エネ規制では、省エネ管理部２１１は、ブロック情報に基づいて、各ブロックの使用電力を他のブロックの使用電力から独立して規制する。そして、各ブロックでは、各グループ（一つ以上の室内機が属する）の使用電力を異なる時間に規制する。このようにして、ブロック内の省エネ規制処理の実行時間を分散する。そして、省エネ管理部２１１は、接続情報２６１に基づいて、規制対象となる各室内機を制御する信号を各室内機に供給する。
【００４６】
この実施の形態では、単位時間（例えば３０分間）の間に、各グループについて省エネ制御時間２５２で指定された時間だけ省エネ制御種別２５３で指定された省エネ規制を実行する。図４および図５の例では、省エネ規制を実行する持続時間（オン時間）は３分間である。従って、省エネ管理部２１１は、省エネ制御時間２５２で指定された時間を省エネ規制オン時間（３分間）で除算することにより省エネ規制繰り返し回数を算出し、算出した省エネ規制繰り返し回数分だけ単位時間の間に省エネ規制を実行する。また、省エネ管理部２１１は単位時間を省エネ規制繰り返し回数で除算することにより省エネ規制を実行する周期を算出し、この周期をおいて省エネ規制を実行する。
【００４７】
例えば、単位時間が３０分間の条件で、あるグループについて省エネ制御時間２５２に６分間が設定されている場合は、図４に示されるように、省エネ規制繰り返し回数が２回、省エネ規制実行周期は１５分間となる。省エネ制御時間２５２に９分間が設定されている場合は、図５に示されるように、省エネ規制繰り返し回数が３回、省エネ規制実行周期は１０分間となる。
【００４８】
また、省エネ管理部２１１は、一つのグループの省エネ規制の実行開始時期と次のグループの省エネ規制の実行開始時期の差を求める。この実行開始時期の差は、省エネ規制実行周期をブロック内のグループの数で除算することにより求める。例えば、単位時間が３０分間の条件で、省エネ制御時間２５２に６分間が設定されている場合は上述の通り省エネ規制実行周期は１５分間である。ここで、一つのブロック内に５つのグループが存在する場合、図４に示されるように、連続するグループ間の省エネ規制の実行開始時期の差は３分間であり、省エネ管理部２１１は、グループ１の室内機については０分、１５分の時期で省エネ規制を開始し、グループ２は３分、１８分から、グループ３は６分、２１分から省エネ規制を開始する。
【００４９】
図５に示されるように、省エネ規制実行周期は１０分間で、一つのブロック内に３つのグループが存在する場合、連続するグループ間の省エネ規制の実行開始時期の差は計算上は３．３３分間である。省エネ管理部２１１は、計算上の実行開始時期の差を守って各グループの省エネ規制を開始してもよいし、計算上の実行開始時期の差よりも短い差（例えば図示のように３分間）で各グループの省エネ規制を開始してもよい。
【００５０】
なお、ここでは省エネ規制を実行する持続時間（オン時間）は３分間としたが、１分間や５分間など、任意の時間が設定できるようにしてもよい。また、ここでは、一つのブロック内での各グループの使用電力を異なる時間に規制するが、ブロック内にグループを設けずに一つのブロック内での各室内機の使用電力を異なる時間に規制してもよい。
【００５１】
このようにして、未来の単位時間での各室内機の使用電力の規制時間が配分され、各室内機が制御される。この規制時間配分は、使用電力の変動が小さく同じ使用電力の規制が続行される間、遵守される。使用電力が大きく変動し、使用電力の規制処理を変更した場合には、別の省エネ制御時間２５２に従って上記と同様の手法で省エネ制御レベル２５１は各室内機の使用電力の規制時間を配分し直す。
【００５２】
また、室外機について省エネ規制処理を行ってもよい。室外機の省エネ規制では、省エネ管理部２１１は、空調機器情報格納部２６０に格納された接続情報２６１を参照する。上述の通り接続情報は、接続情報２６１は、空調管理装置２００に接続された室外機１００ａ，１００ｂ．．．および室内機１１０ａ〜１１０ｅ，１１０ｆ，．．．の接続関係を表す。室外機の省エネ規制では、省エネ管理部２１１は、接続情報に基づいて、各室外機の使用電力を異なる時間に規制する。このようにして、室外機の省エネ規制処理の実行時間を分散する。そして、省エネ管理部２１１は、接続情報２６１に基づいて、規制対象となる各室外機を制御する信号を各室外機に供給する。
【００５３】
上述の室内機の省エネ規制処理と同様に、この実施の形態では、単位時間（例えば３０分間）の間に、各室外機について省エネ制御時間２５２で指定された時間だけ省エネ制御種別２５３で指定された省エネ規制を実行する。省エネ管理部２１１は、省エネ制御時間２５２で指定された時間を室外機の省エネ規制オン時間で除算することにより省エネ規制繰り返し回数を算出し、算出した省エネ規制繰り返し回数分だけ単位時間の間に省エネ規制を実行する。また、省エネ管理部２１１は単位時間を省エネ規制繰り返し回数で除算することにより省エネ規制を実行する周期を算出し、この周期をおいて省エネ規制を実行する。また、省エネ管理部２１１は、一つの室外機の省エネ規制の実行開始時期と次の室外機の省エネ規制の実行開始時期の差を求める。この実行開始時期の差は、省エネ規制実行周期を室外機の数で除算することにより求める。
【００５４】
次に図６および図７を参照しながら優先度テーブル２５５を使用した空調機器の使用電力の規制を説明する。図６に示されるように優先度テーブル２５５は、各室内機および各室外機の運転優先度を表す。省エネ管理部２１１は、優先度テーブル２５５に指定された各空調機器の優先度に従って、図７に示されるように優先度テーブル２５５に示された運転優先度が低いほど厳しく空調機器の使用電力を規制する。
【００５５】
なお、図７において「温度制御」は冷暖房の温度を加減する程度、「能力セーブ」は各空調機器に許容される最大動作能力値、より正確には各空調機器の最大能力に対する許容される動作能力の割合を示す。図７は各運転優先度での省エネ規制の調節の設定の例を示すが、必ずしもこの設定である必要はなく、段階的に省エネ規制処理が強化または緩和されればよい。
【００５６】
優先度テーブル２５５では、例えば最初は各空調機器について一律に低い運転優先度を与える。従って、省エネ管理部２１１は、省エネ制御時間２５２および省エネ制御種別２５３の指定に従って、使用電力の規制の対象となる各空調機器を平等に取り扱う。しかし、使用電力の規制により不快感を感じた利用者は、リモコン１２０ａ〜１２０ｅ，１２０ｆ，．．．のような操作端末または空調管理装置２００の入力装置２３０を用いて、自分の関連する室内機の操作を試みるかもしれない。利用者が室内機の操作を試行したことを示す信号は、各操作端末または入力装置２３０から制御部２１０に通知される。この信号が、利用者が空調を強くする（冷房であれば温度を下げ、暖房であれば温度を上げる）ように操作を試行したことを示す場合には、使用電力の規制により快適性が損なわれたということである。この場合には、省エネ管理部２１１は、その室内機の運転優先度を１段階上げて優先度テーブル２５５を更新し、この運転優先度に従って使用電力の規制を緩める。
【００５７】
他方、前記の信号が、利用者が空調を弱くする（冷房であれば温度を上げ、暖房であれば温度を下げる）ように操作を試行したことを示す場合には、使用電力の規制を強化する余地があるということである。この場合には、省エネ管理部２１１は、その室内機の運転優先度を１段階下げて優先度テーブル２５５を更新し、この運転優先度に従って使用電力の規制を厳しくする。
【００５８】
また、長期間にわたって温度操作の試みがない場合には、使用電力の規制を強化する余地があるということである。そこで、省エネ管理部２１１は、制御部２１０が内蔵する時計（図示せず）を参照し、優先度テーブル２５５内で各空調機器の更新時刻を記録してもよい。そして、一定期間（例えば１日間または２日間）、利用者が室内機の操作を試行したことを示す信号が通知されて来なかった室内機については、運転優先度を１段階下げて優先度テーブル２５５を更新し、この運転優先度に従って使用電力の規制を厳しくしてもよい。
【００５９】
また、室外機に関しても運転優先度を変更することが可能である。省エネ管理部２１１は、接続情報２６１を参照し、ある室外機に所属する室内機の空調を強くする操作試行回数と空調を弱くする操作試行回数をカウントする。各操作試行回数が一定回数に達した場合、その室外機の運転優先度を変更して優先度テーブル２５５を更新し、この運転優先度に従って使用電力を規制する。また、一定期間（例えば１日間または２日間）、室外機に所属する室内機の操作を利用者が試行したことを示す信号が通知されて来なかった室外機については、運転優先度を１段階下げて優先度テーブル２５５を更新し、この運転優先度に従って使用電力の規制を厳しくしてもよい。
【００６０】
次に、各空調機器を制御する具体的手法を説明する。空調管理装置２００の省エネ管理部２１１は、省エネ制御種別２５３の指定に従って、停止、送風、温度制御といった動作の規制を実現するように、各室外機および各室内機を直接的に制御する。これに加えて、省エネ管理部２１１は、以下のように遠隔的に各室外機および各室内機を制御することができる。遠隔的な制御では、省エネ管理部２１１は、各空調機器の使用電力を規制するために各室外機および各室内機に現在許容される最大動作能力値、より正確には各空調機器の最大能力に対する許容される動作能力の割合（図７の能力セーブに相当する）を通知する。最大動作能力値は、例えば、運転優先度に応じて空調機器に通知するようにしてもよいし、運転優先度に関わりなく空調機器に通知してもよい。
【００６１】
各室内機１１０ａ〜１１０ｅ，１１０ｆ，．．．は冷媒の流量を制御する流量制御器を備えており、最大動作能力値が省エネ管理部２１１から通知されると、省エネ管理部２１１から通知された最大動作能力値を超えないように流量制御器が冷媒の流量を制御する。また、各室外機１００ａ，１００ｂ．．．は、最大動作能力値が省エネ管理部２１１から通知されると、省エネ管理部２１１から通知された最大動作能力値を超えないように自身の動作を制御する。
【００６２】
さらに、省エネのために空調機器の使用電力を規制する時には、省エネ管理部２１１は、使用電力の規制対象となった空調機器の操作装置（リモコン１２０ａ〜１２０ｅ，１２０ｆ，．．．のような操作端末および空調管理装置２００の制御部２１０）に調整受付禁止指令信号を供給する。調整受付禁止指令信号を受けると、その操作装置は、対応する空調機器の運転状態を利用者が調節できないように処理する。従って、利用者が操作装置を使って空調機器の運転状態の操作を試行しても、省エネ管理部２１１による使用電力の規制が優先する。利用者が室内機の操作を試行したことを示す信号は、各操作端末または入力装置２３０から制御部２１０に通知され、前記の運転優先度の更新に使われるだけである。
【００６３】
さらに、調整受付禁止指令信号を受けた各操作装置は、調節受付禁止指令信号に基づいて、使用電力が規制されている旨をその操作装置に設けられた通知器により利用者に通知する。このような通知器としては、表示器（例えば空調管理装置２００では表示装置２２０）であってもよいし、音声通知器でもよい。これにより利用者は、操作を試行した空調機器が省エネのために使用電力の規制対象になったことを知ることができる。
【００６４】
以上のように、実施の形態１に係る空調管理装置２００によれば、過去の計測期間内の施設の使用電力の平均変化率に基づいて未来の単位時間での施設の予測平均使用電力を算出し、予測平均使用電力に基づいて空調機器の使用電力を制御する。このように過去の使用電力の平均変化率に基づいて予測平均使用電力を算出することにより、瞬間的な使用電力の増減があっても、予測平均使用電力が大幅な誤差を持つことがなく、設定された使用上限電力量値を使用電力が超えるおそれを低減することが可能である。
【００６５】
また、計測期間以下の繰返し間隔をおいて、使用電力の平均変化率の算出、予測平均使用電力の算出および空調機器の使用電力の制御を繰り返すことにより、平均変化率が大きく変動した場合には、使用電力の規制処理を短期間で再設定することが可能であり、設定された使用上限電力量値を使用電力が超えるおそれをさらに低減することが可能である。
【００６６】
さらに、過去の単位時間での施設の平均使用電力Ｐｐａと、未来の単位時間での施設の予測平均使用電力Ｐｐａとを比較し、未来の予測平均使用電力Ｐｆａが過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａ以下である場合には、省エネ管理部２１１は過去の平均使用電力Ｐｐａのレベルに応じて使用電力を規制するので、未来の実際の使用電力をより低いレベルに抑制することができる。
【００６７】
また、上述のように最も厳しい省エネレベル５では、全ブロックについて厳しい規制処理である３０分間の停止を実行することにより、無作為に抽出したどの単位時間でも設定した平均電力値を超えることがない。従って、電力会社のデマンド量計の集計開始時刻、集計終了時刻が未知であっても、設定された使用上限電力量値を使用電力が超えるおそれが完全になくなる。
【００６８】
また、室内機の省エネ規制では、省エネ管理部２１１は、ブロック情報に基づいて、各ブロックでは各グループの使用電力を異なる時間に規制して、ブロック内の省エネ規制処理の実行時間を分散する。従来の空調管理システムでは、各室外機に対して送風制御またはオン／オフ制御を行うため、同一室外機に接続されている互いに近傍に設置された複数の室内機が同時に省エネ規制処理の対象となってしまい、快適性を急激に損ねることが多い。この実施の形態では、室外機への所属とは異なるように室内機を分類したグループの使用電力を異なる時間に規制することにより、互いに近傍にある室内機の省エネ規制処理の時間を異ならせることが可能である。従って、空調された環境の温度の急変を抑制することができる。また、同じグループの室内機のみが連続して省エネ規制処理の対象となることが防止されるので、利用者間の不公平感を低減できる。
【００６９】
室外機の省エネ規制においても、各室外機の使用電力を異なる時間に規制することにより、同じ室外機のみが連続して省エネ規制処理の対象となることが防止されるので、利用者間の不公平感を低減できる。
【００７０】
また、この実施の形態による空調管理システムでは、各操作装置は、調節受付禁止指令信号に基づいて、対応する空調機器の運転状態を利用者が調節できないように処理するとともに、使用電力が規制されている旨を通知器により利用者に通知する。利用者がリモコンや空調管理装置といった操作装置を用いて空調機器の運転状態を調節できない場合には、空調機の故障と勘違いされる可能性がある。さらに、省エネ規制処理のために運転状態が例えば冷房から送風に切り替わった場合にも、空調機の故障と勘違いされる可能性がある。この実施の形態では、使用電力が規制されている旨を通知器により利用者に通知することにより、空調機の運転が省エネのために規制されていることを利用者は認識できる。
【００７１】
さらに、この実施の形態では、省エネ管理部２１１が各空調機器の使用電力を規制するために各室外機および各室内機に現在許容される最大動作能力値（図７の能力セーブ）を通知する。この通知に応じて、各室内機の流量制御器が冷媒の流量を制御する。このため、省エネ規制処理のために室内機の運転状態を冷暖房から送風に切り替えなくてもよい。このことによっても、省エネ規制を行っていることを知らない利用者が空調機の故障と勘違いしてしまうことが防止される。
【００７２】
また、省エネ管理部２１１は優先度テーブル２５５に示された運転優先度が低いほど厳しく空調機器の使用電力を規制するので、部屋の大きさや室内機の設置場所、利用者の体感温度の違いなどを考慮して、快適性を保つことが可能である。さらに、利用者の指示に従って各空調機器の運転優先度を設定し直して優先度テーブル２５５を更新することにより、利用者の体感温度を学習し、省エネ規制処理により快適性が保てない場所に設置された室内機および室外機には標準より緩く使用電力を規制し、省エネ規制処理をかけてもあまり快適性に影響がない場所に設置された室内機および室外機には標準より厳しく使用電力を規制することが可能である。これにより、それぞれの設置場所の特性に合わせた省エネ規制処理が可能となる。
【００７３】
なお、上記の実施の形態では、電力量計５００のパルスの発生時間間隔または一定時間間隔をおいた電力量計５００の計測値を使用電力指標４３１として電力情報格納部４３０に格納し、これらのいずれかにより施設の使用電力ひいては使用電力の平均変化率を算出するが、施設の使用電力を直接計測できる電力計を用いて、電力計が計測した使用電力を使用電力の平均変化率の算出に用いてもよい。
【００７４】
また、上記の実施の形態では、電力量計５００に接続された電力量積算装置４００から空調管理装置２００に使用電力指標４３１が送られるようになっているが、電力量計５００または電力計を直接的に空調管理装置２００に接続してもよい。
【００７５】
実施の形態２．
図８はこの発明の実施の形態２による空調管理システムを示すブロック図である。図８のシステムは実施の形態１における図１のシステムから電力量積算装置および電力量計を削除したものである。このシステムの省エネ情報格納部（換算テーブル格納部）２５０内には、使用電力換算テーブル２５６が格納されている。使用電力換算テーブル２５６は、空調管理装置２００が制御する空調機器の運転状態と外気温度と施設の使用電力との関係を示す。この実施の形態では、使用電力換算テーブル２５６を使用して施設の使用電力を推定する。
【００７６】
図９は使用電力換算テーブル２５６の概略を示す。使用電力換算テーブル２５６では、空調管理装置２００が制御する室外機および室内機の機種名が列挙されており、外気温度の候補ごとに各室外機および各室内機の運転状態の候補が記述されている。記述される運転状態には、例えば、設定温度、能力セーブ量、機器の最大能力値がある（図示略）。現在の運転状態と、現在の外気温度をこの使用電力換算テーブル２５６に当てはめることにより、施設の使用電力が得られる。
【００７７】
空調管理装置２００の省エネ管理部２１１は、使用電力算出部として機能し、空調機器情報格納部２６０の接続情報２６１に従って、接続されている室外機１００ａ，１００ｂ．．．から実際の外気温度を取得する（各室外機には温度計が設けられている）。また、省エネ管理部２１１は、空調機器運転状態テーブル２６２から各空調機器の実際の運転状態を取得する。このようにして取得した外気温度および空調機器の運転状態を省エネ管理部２１１は使用電力換算テーブル２５６に当てはめ、現在の施設の使用電力を算出する。
【００７８】
このようにして使用電力を算出した後は、省エネ管理部２１１は、実施の形態１と同様にして省エネ規制処理を実施する。すなわち省エネ管理部２１１は、増加率算出部として、電力量計５００の計測結果の代わりに使用電力換算テーブル２５６を用いて算出された施設の使用電力の変化を監視して、過去の計測期間（例えば５分間）での施設の使用電力の平均変化率（第１の指標）を算出する。また、省エネ管理部２１１は、実績値算出部として機能し、使用電力換算テーブル２５６を用いて算出された施設の使用電力の変化を監視して、過去の単位時間（例えば３０分間）での施設の平均使用電力（第３の指標）を算出する。
【００７９】
この実施の形態２によれば、使用電力換算テーブル２５６を用いて使用電力を推定することにより、実施の形態１の効果に加えて、電力量計や電力積算装置の購入費用、システム設計費、工事費などの費用を低減することができる。
【００８０】
実施の形態３．
図１０はこの発明の実施の形態３による空調管理システムを示すブロック図である。図１０のシステムは実施の形態１における図１のシステムに加え、制御部２１０がライセンス管理部２１３を有する。また、空調管理装置２００にはライセンス情報格納部（限度格納部）２７０が設けられている。空調管理装置２００には、図１のシステムと同様に、省エネ情報格納部２５０と空調機器情報格納部２６０も設けられているが、図１０ではこれらの図示が省略されている。
【００８１】
ライセンス情報格納部２７０には、空調管理システムの提供業者がこの空調管理システムに付与したライセンス情報が格納されている。これらのライセンス情報としては、空調管理システムの提供業者が施設の管理者に付与したライセンス番号２８０、空調管理装置２００自身の固有の製造番号２８１、空調管理装置２００が利用可能な機能を示す機能番号２８２、登録された各機能の有効期限２８３、オプション（限度情報）２８４がある。これらのライセンス情報のうち、製造番号２８１は空調管理装置２００の生産時に書き込まれる。他のライセンス情報は、設定器３００から与えられる暗号情報に従ってライセンス管理部２１３により書き込まれる。
【００８２】
機能番号２８２は、例えば個別リモコン機能、課金機能などを示す。ここで個別リモコン機能とは、各室内機に対してリモコン１２０ａ〜１２０ｅ，１２０ｆ，．．．による操作を有効にする機能であり、リモコン機能が許諾されない場合には、空調管理装置２００のみにより各室内機は集中制御される。また課金機能とは、施設内のテナントに施設の管理者が空調管理の対価として課金することを可能にする機能である。有効期限２８３は、機能番号２８２で指定された各機能を利用可能な利用開始日および利用可能日数を指定する。オプション２８４は、この空調管理装置２００が使用電力の制御を可能な空調機器の数（具体的には室内機の台数）および課金可能な空調機器の数（具体的には室内機の台数）などを示す。
【００８３】
ライセンス情報は、この空調管理システムだけでは書き換えできない形式でライセンス情報格納部２７０に格納されている。より詳しくは、図１１に示す暗号化されたライセンス番号情報６００を設定器３００から空調管理装置２００に送信すると、ライセンス管理部２１３がライセンス番号情報６００を解読し、解読結果に従って機能番号２８２、有効期限２８３およびオプション２８４を書き換える。
【００８４】
ライセンス番号情報６００は、空調管理システムの提供業者が施設の管理者に付与したライセンス番号に加えて、製造番号６１０、機能番号６２０、有効期限６３０およびオプション６４０を有する。製造番号６１０、機能番号６２０、有効期限６３０およびオプション６４０は、それぞれ製造番号２８１、機能番号２８２、有効期限２８３およびオプション２８４に対応し、秘匿化のため暗号化されている。従って、施設の管理者にはライセンス番号情報６００を解読することはできず、ライセンス情報を更新することはできない。
【００８５】
空調管理システムが配備される施設の管理者と空調管理システムの提供業者の合意により提供業者が管理者にライセンスを付与した時に、提供業者は、暗号化されたライセンス番号情報６００を施設の管理者に与える。ライセンス番号情報６００は記憶媒体に記憶されて施設の管理者に与えられてもよいし、ネットワークを通じて与えられてもよい。
【００８６】
施設の管理者は、与えられたライセンス番号情報６００を、設定器３００の表示装置３２０（図１参照）にライセンス番号登録用画面が表示された状態で設定器３００に入力する。すると、設定器３００はライセンス番号情報６００を空中管理装置２００に送信し、空調管理装置２００の制御部２１０のライセンス管理部２１３は暗号化されたライセンス番号情報６００を解読する。
【００８７】
そして、ライセンス管理部２１３は、ライセンス番号情報６００に埋め込まれている製造番号６１０とライセンス情報格納部２７０に格納されている製造番号２８１を比較し、これらが一致している場合にライセンス情報の登録を開始する。ライセンス情報の登録では、ライセンス番号情報６００内のライセンス番号をライセンス情報格納部２７０のライセンス番号２８０に、機能番号６２０は機能番号２８２に、有効期限６３０は有効期限２８３に、オプション６４０はオプション２８４に登録する。さらに、ライセンス管理部２１３は、ライセンス情報の登録が正常に行われたかどうかを示す信号を設定器３００に応答し、設定器３００はライセンス情報の登録の結果を表示装置３２０に表示する。
【００８８】
ライセンス情報の登録後の使用電力の制御では、省エネ管理部２１１は、オプション２８４に示された使用電力を制御可能な室内機の上限数までの室内機の使用電力を制御する。実際に空調管理装置２００に接続されている室内機１１０ａ〜１１０ｅ，１１０ｆ，．．．がこの上限数より多い場合は、余分な室内機の使用電力は制御されない。他の点では、使用電力の制御は実施の形態１と同様に行われる。
【００８９】
なお、ここではオプション２８４には、使用電力を制御可能な室内機の上限数が示されるが、これに代えてあるいはこれに加えて、使用電力を制御可能なグループの上限数を指定してもよい。また、使用電力を制御可能な室内機またはグループの上限数に加えて、使用電力を制御可能な室外機の上限数をオプション２８４で指定し、室外機の最大台数を制限してもよい。
【００９０】
以上のように実施の形態３における空調管理システムでは、空調管理装置が使用電力を制御可能な空調機器の上限数を示す、暗号によってのみ更新可能なオプション２８４を格納したライセンス情報格納部２７０を備え、省エネ管理部２１１は限度数までの空調機器の使用電力を制御するので、省エネ規制処理が可能な空調機器の台数を制限することが可能となる。従って、空調管理システムの提供業者にとって、省エネ規制処理が可能な空調機器の台数を管理することができて便利である。例えば、空調機器の台数に応じて、施設の管理者から得る対価を変更することが可能である。また、空調機器を施設で増設した場合は、ライセンスの追加購入を行わないと、増設した空調機器の使用電力を制御できないため、確実に空調機器の台数に合わせた収入を得ることができる。
【００９１】
なお、実施の形態３のシステムは実施の形態１における図１のシステムをベースにしているが、実施の形態２（図８）と同様に、使用電力換算テーブル２５６を用いて使用電力を推定するように修正してもよい。
【００９２】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、この発明に係る空調管理装置は、複数の空調機器の動作を統合的に制御する空調管理装置において、過去の計測期間での施設の使用電力の平均変化率に対応する第１の指標を算出する増加率算出部と、前記計測期間よりも長い未来の単位時間での前記施設の予測平均使用電力に対応する第２の指標を前記第１の指標に基づいて算出する使用電力予測部と、過去の単位時間での施設の平均使用電力に対応する第３の指標と、前記使用電力予測部に算出された第２の指標とを比較する比較部と、前記比較部の比較の結果、未来の単位時間での予測平均使用電力が過去の単位時間での平均使用電力よりも多い場合には、前記第２の指標に基づいて前記空調機器の使用電力を制御し、未来の単位時間での予測平均使用電力が過去の単位時間での平均使用電力以下の場合には、前記第３の指標に基づいて前記空調機器の使用電力を制御する電力制御部とを備えたことにより、予測電力値の誤差を低減し、設定された使用上限電力量値を使用電力が超えるおそれを低減することが可能である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 この発明の実施の形態１に係る空調管理システムを示すブロック図である。
【図２】 この発明の実施の形態１における設定器の表示装置に表示される設定画面を示す図である。
【図３】 この発明の実施の形態１における未来の単位時間当たりの予測平均使用電力の算出方法を示すグラフである。
【図４】 この発明の実施の形態１における省エネ規制対象となった一つのブロックに属する室内機に関する制御タイミングチャートである。
【図５】 この発明の実施の形態１における省エネ規制対象となった他のブロックに属する室内機に関する制御タイミングチャートである。
【図６】 この発明の実施の形態１で使用される優先度テーブルを示す図である。
【図７】 図６の優先度テーブルで示された優先度に従った省エネ規制の調節の設定の例を示す表である。
【図８】 この発明の実施の形態２に係る空調管理システムを示すブロック図である。
【図９】 この発明の実施の形態２で使用される使用電力換算テーブル示す図である。
【図１０】 この発明の実施の形態３に係る空調管理システムを示すブロック図である。
【図１１】 この発明の実施の形態３で使用されるライセンス番号情報を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１００ａ，１００ｂ．．． 室外機（空調機器）、１１０ａ〜１１０ｅ，１１０ｆ，．．． 室内機（空調機器）、１２０ａ〜１２０ｅ，１２０ｆ，．．． リモコン（操作装置）、２００ 空調管理装置（操作装置）、２１０ 制御部、２１１ 省エネ管理部（増加率算出部、使用電力予測部、電力制御部、比較部、指令信号供給部、使用電力算出部、実績値算出部）、２１２ 空調機器管理部、２１３ ライセンス管理部、２２０ 表示装置、２３０ 入力装置、２４０ インタフェース、２４５ インタフェース、２５０ 省エネ情報格納部（換算テーブル格納部）、２５１ 省エネ制御レベル（閾値）、２５２ 省エネ制御時間、２５３ 省エネ制御種別、２５４ 使用電力指標、２５５ 優先度テーブル、２５６ 使用電力換算テーブル、２６０ 空調機器情報格納部、２６１ 接続情報、２６２ 空調機器運転状態、２７０ ライセンス情報格納部（限度格納部）、２８０ ライセンス番号、２８１ 製造番号、２８２ 機能番号、２８３ 有効期限、２８４ オプション（限度情報）、３００ 設定器、３１０ 制御部、３２０ 表示装置、３２０Ａ 省エネ設定画面、３２０Ｂ 詳細設定画面、３２１省エネ制御レベル入力部、３２２ 省エネ制御時間入力部、３２３ 省エネ制御種別入力部、３２４ ブロック表示部、３２５ グループ表示部、３２６ 水平スクロールバー、３２７ 垂直スクロールバー、３３０ 入力装置、３４０ インタフェース、４００ 電力積算装置、４１０ 制御部、４２０ インタフェース、４３０ 電力情報格納部、４３１ 使用電力指標、４４０ インタフェース、５００ 電力量計、６００ ライセンス番号情報、６１０ 製造番号、６２０ 機能番号、６３０ 有効期限、６４０ オプション。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an air-conditioning management apparatus and an air-conditioning management system that can monitor an index corresponding to the power used by a facility and perform energy-saving control of the air-conditioning equipment in accordance with the power used by the facility.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The electricity tariff system collected by electric power companies can be divided into basic tariffs and electric energy tariffs. The basic fee may be contracted at a fixed amount, but a customer who consumes a large amount of power may conclude an actual value contract with the power company to recalculate the basic fee according to the actual power consumption. In the actual value contract, the basic charge is calculated based on the largest average power value in the past one year among the average power values collected every unit time (for example, 30 minutes in Japan).
[0003]
In this electric power charge calculation method, the basic charge can be reduced throughout the year by saving the peak value of the electric power used. Therefore, a technique for reducing the electric power used at the peak time has been proposed. As this type of technology, for example, a power consumption control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 can be cited.
In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of types of on / off operation control patterns for each outdoor unit for reducing power consumption are prepared. Then, during the on / off operation control, the amount of power used from the operation start (counting start) time to the current time is obtained by calculation, and the predicted power usage at the time of completion of aggregation is calculated based on the rate of change of the power consumption. Calculate. Then, the power consumption reduction rate is switched so that the predicted power usage does not exceed the preset upper limit power consumption (demand value set in the contract), and each outdoor unit is operated according to the operation control pattern corresponding to the reduction rate. Turn off the machine.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-332099 (FIG. 8)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the air conditioning management system described above, the average power value is set as the aggregation start time of the unit time that the system predicts, and the aggregation end time is fixed time. It may deviate significantly from the amount of power actually used. For example, when multiple air conditioners are activated all at once, the amount of power used increases rapidly, but if this sudden increase in power occurs immediately after the aggregation start time, the predicted usage power at the aggregation end time based on the rate of increase Since the amount is calculated, the predicted power consumption may have a large error. Even when the power consumption decreases rapidly, the predicted power consumption may have a large error.
[0006]
In the air conditioning management system described above, the total power start time and total end time used by the system differ from the total start time and total end time of the demand meter (power meter) installed by the power company. In such a case, a phenomenon may occur in which the demand meter of the electric power company exceeds the upper limit power usage amount set on the air conditioning management system.
[0007]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. An air conditioning management device and an air conditioning management system that reduce an error in a predicted power value and reduce the possibility that the power used exceeds the set upper limit power consumption value. The purpose is to obtain.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The air conditioning management apparatus according to the present invention calculates a first index corresponding to an average rate of change of power used in a facility in a past measurement period in an air conditioning management apparatus that integrally controls operations of a plurality of air conditioning devices. An increase rate calculation unit, and a power consumption prediction unit that calculates a second index corresponding to the predicted average power consumption of the facility in a future unit time longer than the measurement period, based on the first index; A comparison unit that compares the third index corresponding to the average power consumption of the facility in the past unit time with the second index calculated by the power consumption prediction unit, and the comparison result of the comparison unit, the future When the predicted average power consumption in the unit time is greater than the average power consumption in the past unit time, the power consumption of the air conditioner is controlled based on the second index, and the future unit time If the predicted average power consumption is less than or equal to the average power consumption in the past unit time, based on the third indicator And a power control unit that controls power used by the air conditioner.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, various embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning management system includes an air conditioning management device 200, a setting device 300, and a power integrating device 400 that are connected so as to communicate with each other. The air conditioning management device 200, the setting device 300, and the power integrating device 400 may be connected by a dedicated communication line, but may be connected by a general-purpose communication line using a LAN or the like.
[0010]
The air-conditioning management apparatus 200 is a dedicated computer that is installed in a facility contracted with a power supply company and controls air-conditioning equipment, and also serves as an integrated user interface for the user to operate the operations of all air-conditioning equipment. . The air-conditioning management device 200 is an air-conditioning device deployed in a facility having one or more buildings, that is, the outdoor units 100a, 100b. . . And indoor units 110a to 110e, 110f,. . . Is controlled in an integrated manner. The setting device 300 is a general-purpose computer managed by an administrator of this facility. The setting device 300 gives parameters for energy-saving control of the air conditioning equipment input by the facility manager to the air conditioning management device 200. The power integrating device 400 is connected to a watt-hour meter 500 that measures the amount of power used in this facility, and gives a signal related to the measured value of the power used in this facility to the air conditioning management device 200.
[0011]
The air conditioning management device 200 includes a plurality of outdoor units 100a, 100b. . . Are connected by a dedicated communication line or LAN, and signal exchange between the air conditioning management device 200 and each outdoor unit is possible. Moreover, each outdoor unit 100a, 100b. . . Are a plurality of indoor units 110a to 110e, 110f,. . . And a dedicated communication line or a LAN, and signal exchange between each outdoor unit and the indoor unit connected thereto is possible. Therefore, the air-conditioning management apparatus 200 can transmit a signal for controlling the operation of each indoor unit and each outdoor unit to each indoor unit and each outdoor unit. A signal for notifying the air conditioning management device 200 of the operation state can be transmitted to the air conditioning management device 200.
[0012]
Indoor units 110a to 110e, 110f,. . . Can be controlled by an operating terminal for each. For example, the indoor units 110a to 110e, 110f,. . . Are remote controllers (operation devices) 120a to 120e, 120f,. . . Alternatively, it may be controlled by a computer terminal in which a WEB browser capable of operating an air conditioner is installed. The “remote controller” here refers to an operation terminal fixed to a building of a facility and connected to each indoor unit by wire, but may be an operation terminal that communicates with each indoor unit wirelessly. Each operation terminal can not only control the corresponding indoor unit, but also receives a display information signal from the air conditioning management device 200 via the indoor unit, and displays display information corresponding to this signal on its own display (not shown). Can be displayed.
[0013]
The air conditioning management device 200 includes a control unit 210, a display device 220, an input device 230, an interface 240, an energy saving information storage unit 250, an air conditioning equipment information storage unit 260, and an interface 245. The control unit 210 corresponds to a central processing unit of a computer, and executes a control process for the air conditioner and a display control process for displaying the operation state of the air conditioner on the display device 220.
[0014]
The display device 220 displays the operation state of each air conditioner under display control of the control unit 210. There are a plurality of monitoring screens that can be displayed on the display device 220, and each of these monitoring screens corresponds to an air conditioner. The input device 230 is a user interface that is operated by a facility user, and supplies a control screen switching and air-conditioning device operation control command to the control unit 210 in accordance with the facility user's input. In accordance with the monitoring screen switching command, the control unit 210 causes the display device 220 to display the operating state (for example, on / off distinction, set temperature, air conditioning distinction, wind power, etc.) of each air conditioner. For example, the input device 230 has an operation button for operating an air conditioning device. When the operation button for switching the monitoring screen is pressed, a command for switching the monitoring screen is supplied to the control unit 210, and the air conditioning device to be operated. A screen corresponding to is displayed on the display device 220 by the control unit 210. When an operation button for operating the operating state of the input device 230 is pressed, an operation control command for the air conditioner is supplied to the control unit 210. The control unit 210 controls each air conditioner in accordance with a command for operation control of the air conditioner. Thus, the air-conditioning management apparatus 200 has the function of an operating device for air-conditioning equipment.
[0015]
In controlling the air conditioner, the control unit 210 automatically restricts the operation of each air conditioner to save energy by using the parameter given from the setting device 300 and the signal given from the power integrating device 400. Therefore, the control unit 210 regulates the operation state of each air conditioner based on the parameter specified by the administrator and the power used by the facility. The operation state of each indoor unit can be operated by a user using an operation terminal such as a remote controller, and the operation state of each outdoor unit and each indoor unit is the input device 230 of the air conditioning management device 200 based on the user's input. However, the automatic regulation of the operating state for energy saving based on the parameter given from the setting device 300 and the signal given from the power integrating device 400 is superior to the user's instruction.
[0016]
The control unit 210 includes an energy saving management unit (an increase rate calculation unit, a used power prediction unit, a power control unit, a comparison unit, a command signal supply unit, a used power calculation unit, an actual value calculation unit) 211, and an air conditioning equipment management unit 212. Prepare. The energy saving management unit 211 regulates the operation state of each outdoor unit and indoor unit based on the parameters specified by the administrator and the power used by the facility. The air conditioner management unit 212 monitors the connection state of the air conditioner and the operation state of the air conditioner based on the communication with the outdoor unit, the indoor unit, and the input device 230.
[0017]
The interface 240 is a communication interface that enables communication between the control unit 210 and the air conditioner. The interface 245 is a communication interface that enables the control unit 210 to communicate with the setting device 300 and the electric energy integrating device 400.
[0018]
The energy saving information storage unit 250 stores information necessary for energy saving control of the air conditioner. These pieces of information include an energy saving control level (threshold) 251, an energy saving control time 252, an energy saving control type 253, a power consumption index 254, and a priority table 255. Among these pieces of information, the energy saving control level 251, the energy saving control time 252 and the energy saving control type 253 are first stored in the energy saving information storage unit 250 by the control unit 210 in accordance with a command from the setting device 300. The energy saving control level 251 is compared with the predicted average power consumption per unit time calculated by the energy saving management unit 211 in order for the energy saving management unit 211 of the control unit 210 to determine what kind of energy saving control processing is executed. Represents a plurality of thresholds. The energy saving control time 252 represents the execution time of the energy saving control process according to the level of predicted average power usage per unit time in the future. The energy saving control type 253 represents the type of energy saving control processing (for example, stop, air blowing, etc.) according to the predicted average power consumption per unit time in the future.
[0019]
The used power index 254 is an index corresponding to the power used by the facility within the past certain time. The used power index 254 is stored in the energy saving information storage unit 250 by the control unit 210 in accordance with the notification from the power integrating device 400. The control unit 210 accumulates a new used power index 254 in the energy saving information storage unit 250 every time a notification regarding the used power index is passed from the power integrating device 400 to the control unit 210 at regular intervals. As will be described later, based on the rate of change of the past power consumption index 254, the energy saving management unit 211 calculates the predicted average power consumption per unit time in the future.
[0020]
The priority table 255 represents the operation priority of each indoor unit and each outdoor unit. The lower the operation priority shown in the priority table 255, the more severely the power used by the air conditioner is regulated. For example, the priority table 255 is initially stored in the energy saving information storage unit 250 by the control unit 210 in accordance with a command from the setting device 300. However, each indoor unit 110a to 110e, 110f,. . . When the signal indicating that the user has tried the operation of the indoor unit is notified from the remote controller or the input device 230, the control unit 210 resets the operation priority of each air-conditioning device based on the signal, and the priority The table 255 is updated.
[0021]
The air conditioner information storage unit 260 stores information regarding each air conditioner controlled by the air conditioner management apparatus 200. These pieces of information include connection information 261 and an air conditioner operating state 262. The connection information 261 includes the outdoor units 100a, 100b,. . . And indoor units 110a to 110e, 110f,. . . Represents the connection relationship. For example, the connection information 261 is initially stored in the air conditioning equipment information storage unit 260 by the control unit 210 in accordance with a command from the setting device 300. In addition, the air conditioner management unit 212 monitors the connection state of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit based on the communication with the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, and if there is a change in the connection state, a new connection relationship indicating the changed connection state is displayed. The connection information 261 is stored in the air conditioner information storage unit 260.
[0022]
The air conditioner operating state 262 represents the operating state of each indoor unit and each outdoor unit (for example, ON / OFF distinction, set temperature, air conditioning distinction, wind power, etc.). The information on the outdoor unit and the operation state of the indoor unit in the air conditioner operation state 262 is transmitted from the input device 230 to the control unit 210 when the operation state of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is switched by the operation of the input device 230 by the user of the facility. The air conditioner management unit 212 updates the signal based on the signal indicating the notified operation. In addition, the information on the operation state of the indoor unit in the air conditioner operation state 262 is obtained when a signal indicating that the user of each indoor unit has operated the indoor unit is notified from the remote controller or the input device 230 to the control unit 210. Updated by the device management unit 212.
[0023]
In addition, as described later, when power consumption is regulated for energy saving, the operation state of each air conditioner is regulated by the energy saving management unit 211. The air conditioner management unit 212 also stores the restriction contents in addition to the air conditioner operation state 262.
[0024]
The setting device 300 performs setting for energy saving control to the air conditioning management device 200, display of the operating state of the air conditioning equipment, and monitoring of the air conditioning management device 200. The setting device 300 may be a WEB browser or a general-purpose personal computer in which the setting / monitoring dedicated software is installed. The setting device 300 includes a control unit 310, a display device 320, an input device 330, and an interface 340. The control unit 310 corresponds to a central processing unit of a computer, and displays a parameter input receiving process for energy saving control of the air conditioning equipment, a supply process for supplying these parameters to the air conditioning management apparatus 200, and a parameter input state. Display control processing for displaying on 320 is executed. The control unit 310 also executes display control processing for displaying the operating state of the air conditioning equipment and the monitoring information of the air conditioning management device 200 on the display device 320 based on the notification from the air conditioning management device 200.
[0025]
The display device 320 displays the parameter input state, the operating state of the air conditioner, and monitoring information under display control of the control unit 310. The input device 330 is a user interface operated by a facility manager, and supplies parameter settings for energy-saving control of the air conditioner to the control unit 310 according to the input of the facility manager. Further, according to the input of the facility manager, the input device 330 supplies a parameter transmission command to the control unit 310, and in response to this, the control unit 310 supplies these parameters to the air conditioning management device 200. The interface 340 is a communication interface that enables communication between the control unit 310 and the air conditioning management device 200.
[0026]
The energy integrating device 400 connected to the energy meter 500 includes a control unit 410, an interface 420, a power information storage unit 430, and an interface 440. The control unit 410 corresponds to a central processing unit of a computer, stores information on the measured value of power used in this facility supplied from the watt hour meter 500 in the power information storage unit 430, and stores the stored information at a certain level. It is read out every time (for example, 5 minutes) and notified to the air conditioning management device 200. The power consumption index 431 shown in the figure is information related to the measurement value of power consumption stored in the power information storage unit 430, more specifically, an index representing the power used by the facility within the past fixed time. Corresponds to the power consumption index 254 stored in the energy saving information storage unit 250. The interface 420 is a communication interface that enables the control unit 410 to communicate with the air conditioning management device 200. The interface 440 is a connector that allows the control unit 410 to receive a signal from the watt-hour meter 500.
[0027]
The watt-hour meter 500 generates a pulse each time the amount of power in the facility being measured increases by a certain increment. The control unit 410 of the power integrating device 400 stores the pulse generation time interval (which is a few seconds) in the power information storage unit 430 as the used power index 431, and the air conditioning management device 200 every certain time (for example, 5 minutes). May be notified. In addition, the power integrating device 400 reads the measurement value of the watt-hour meter 500 at a constant time interval (for example, several seconds), stores each measurement value in the power information storage unit 430 as the power consumption index 431, and for a predetermined time You may notify the air-conditioning management apparatus 200 every (for example, 5 minutes). In the air conditioning management apparatus 200, the power consumption index 254 corresponding to any type of power consumption index 431 is stored in the energy saving information storage unit 250. Since the power can be calculated by differentiating the increment of the power amount with time, the power consumption indexes 254 and 431 can be used as indexes indicating the power consumption of the facility anyway.
[0028]
FIG. 2 shows an example of an energy saving setting screen 320 </ b> A displayed on the display device 320 when inputting parameters for energy saving control of the air conditioner with the setting device 300. The energy saving setting screen 320A includes an energy saving control level input unit 321 and a detailed setting screen 320B. The energy saving control level input unit 321 corresponds to the energy saving control level 251 (FIG. 1) stored in the energy saving information storage unit 250 of the air conditioning management device 200, and the administrator sets the threshold value of the predicted average power usage per unit time in the future. This is the part to specify. In the example shown in the figure, thresholds for power usage of level 1 to level 5 can be specified.
[0029]
The detail setting screen 320B displays different contents depending on each level, and an administrator can specify details of energy saving control at each level by using this. The detailed setting screen 320B includes an energy saving control time input unit 322, an energy saving control type input unit 323, a block display unit 324, a group display unit 325, and a horizontal scroll bar 326 for horizontal scrolling of the screen.
[0030]
The energy saving control time input unit 322 and the energy saving control type input unit 323 are screens for the facility administrator to specify the energy saving control time 252 and the energy saving control type 253 stored in the energy saving information storage unit 250 of the air conditioning management device 200, respectively. Is displayed. In each box surrounded by a solid line in the energy saving control level input unit 321, the energy saving control time input unit 322, and the energy saving control type input unit 323, designation by the facility manager is displayed, and the administrator operates the input device 330. You can change the specification in the box. For example, this operation can use a selection from a pull-down display. Using the detailed setting screen 320B, the administrator sets the energy saving control time input unit 322 and the energy saving control type input unit 323 so that the power usage of the facility does not exceed the power usage level corresponding to the detailed setting screen 320B. .
[0031]
In this air conditioning management system, a plurality of indoor units are classified into a plurality of blocks and a plurality of groups. The block corresponds to, for example, one floor of one building in the facility, and the group corresponds to a narrower area in one floor, for example. A plurality of groups belong to each block, and one or more indoor units belong to each group. One group can be subject to the regulation of the operating state at once. That is, a group is a control unit having one or more indoor units. One group does not support outdoor units. Therefore, indoor units belonging to different outdoor units belong to the same group. Block information (combination information) (not shown) is stored in the air conditioner information storage unit 260 (FIG. 1), and the block information represents a plurality of blocks, groups belonging to each block, and indoor units belonging to each group.
[0032]
Returning to FIG. 2, the block display unit 324 is a display for specifying a block, and presents the position of the floor corresponding to the block. The energy saving control time input unit 322 and the energy saving control type input unit 323 below the block display unit 324 indicate details of the regulation of the operation state of the group belonging to the block at each level displayed on the energy saving control level input unit 321. Show. The group display unit 325 is a display for specifying a group belonging to the block, and presents an area corresponding to the group. Each group display unit 325 can be vertically scrolled by a vertical scroll bar 327 located on the side of the group display unit 325.
[0033]
In FIG. 2, for example, at the strictest energy saving level 5, the administrator inputs so that the energy saving process of 30 minutes of stoppage, which is a strict restriction process, is executed for all blocks, and at level 4, the restriction process is less lenient. It is shown that the administrator has input so that the energy saving process of air blowing for 9 minutes is executed for all blocks.
[0034]
In this manner, details of the energy saving process according to the predicted average power consumption per unit time in the future can be set for each block and each group on the energy saving setting screen 320A. Such energy saving setting may be performed by the user according to the guidance of the dedicated software installed in the setting device 300. For example, the screen is designed so that the energy saving setting can be performed with general-purpose software such as a WEB browser. It may be set by the user. For example, when the dedicated software installed in the setting device 300 is activated, the control unit 310 displays the energy saving setting screen 320A on the display device 320, and the administrator can input items on the screen (make energy saving settings). Become. When the administrator inputs a setting request command via the input device 330 after the input is completed, the control unit 310 notifies the air conditioning management device 200 of the setting request via the interface 340. In the setting request, the parameters set by the administrator on the energy saving setting screen 320A are given to the air conditioning management device 200. The energy saving management unit 211 of the control unit 210 that receives the setting request and these parameters via the interface 245 stores the parameters in the energy saving information storage unit 250.
[0035]
Based on the power consumption index 254 measured by the power integrating device 400 and stored in the energy saving information storage unit 250, the energy saving management unit 211 of the control unit 210 of the air conditioning management device 200 calculates the predicted average usage of the facility per unit time in the future. Calculate power. With reference to FIG. 3, a method for calculating the predicted average power consumption will be described. First, the energy saving management unit 211 functions as an increase rate calculation unit, and based on the power consumption index 254 in the past measurement period (for example, 5 minutes, which is a cycle in which the power consumption index is supplied from the power integrating device 400), The average change rate (first index) of the power consumption of the facility in the past measurement period is calculated. Further, the energy saving management unit 211 calculates the power consumption of the current facility based on the power consumption index 254.
[0036]
Next, the energy saving management unit 211 functions as a power consumption prediction unit, and calculates the predicted average power consumption (second index) of the facility in the future unit time (for example, 30 minutes) longer than the past measurement period. It is calculated based on the average rate of change in the power consumption of the facility during the measurement period and the current power consumption of the facility. This predicted average power consumption is calculated based on the assumption that the average rate of change of power consumption in the past (corresponding to the angle θ in FIG. 3) will continue even in the future unit time. In other words, the predicted average power usage Pfa (kW) per unit time in the future can be calculated according to the following equation.

[0037]
Here, Pc is the current power consumption (kW) of the facility, Pf is the future power consumption (kW) after the unit time has elapsed from the present time, Pp is the past power consumption (kW) before the measurement time from the present time, Tf Is the future unit time (minutes), Tp is the past measurement time (minutes), and Av is the average rate of change of the past power consumption.
[0038]
In addition, before and after calculating the predicted average used power Pfa per unit time in the future, the energy saving management unit 211 functions as an actual value calculation unit, and based on the used power index 254, past unit time (for example, 30 minutes) The actual average power consumption (third index) of the facility at is calculated. The actual average power consumption Ppa of the facility in the past unit time can be calculated according to the following equation.
Ppa = (Pp + Pc) / 2
[0039]
In addition, whenever the energy-saving management part 211 calculates the electric power consumption Pc (kW) of the present facility, this is stored in the energy-saving information storage part 250, and the past actual average after the measurement time (for example, 5 minutes) When calculating the used power Ppa, the previously stored used power Pc is read and used as the past used power Pp (kW).
[0040]
It is preferable that the unit time for obtaining the predicted average power usage per unit time in the future and the actual average power usage per unit time in the past be a unit time that serves as a reference for determining the basic rate of the power rate for the next year. For example, according to the actual value contract in Japan, the unit time is 30 minutes as described above.
[0041]
After calculating the predicted average used power Pfa per unit time in the future and the actual average used power Ppa of the facility in the past unit time, the energy saving management unit 211 functions as a comparison unit, and the predicted average used power Pfa in the future And the past average power consumption Ppa are compared. According to this comparison result, the energy saving management unit 211 functions as a control unit, and based on the energy saving control level 251, the energy saving control time 252 and the energy saving control type 253 that are energy saving setting parameters stored in the energy saving information storage unit 250, Controls the power used.
[0042]
As a result of the comparison, if the future predicted average used power Pfa is larger than the past average used power Ppa, the energy saving management unit 211 discards the past average used power Ppa and sets the future predicted average used power Pfa to It compares with the energy-saving control level 251 which is a some threshold value. In accordance with the energy saving control time 252 and the energy saving control type 253 according to the level of the predicted average average power consumption Pfa determined as a result of this comparison, the energy saving management unit 211 regulates the power consumption of the air conditioner. For example, if the level of the predicted average power usage Pfa is level 5, a compulsory energy-saving regulation that stops for 30 minutes is executed for all blocks even if the user designates air blowing or air conditioning with the remote control. Then, for all blocks, even if the user designates air conditioning with the remote controller, the compulsory energy saving regulation of 9 minutes of air blowing is executed.
[0043]
On the other hand, as a result of the comparison, if the future predicted average used power Pfa is less than or equal to the past average used power Ppa, the energy saving management unit 211 discards the future predicted average used power Pfa, and instead replaces the past Is used, and the past average power consumption Ppa is compared with the energy saving control level 251. And according to the energy saving control time 252 and the energy saving control type 253 according to the level of the past average used electric power Ppa which became clear as a result of this comparison, the energy saving management part 211 regulates the electric power used of an air conditioner. As described above, when the actual power consumption is increasing, the energy saving management unit 211 regulates the power consumption of the air conditioner so that the future actual power consumption does not exceed the future predicted average power consumption Pfa. When the actual power consumption is decreasing, the energy saving management unit 211 regulates the power consumption of the air conditioner so that the future actual power consumption does not exceed the past average power consumption Ppa. The power used can be reduced to a lower level.
[0044]
The energy saving management unit 211 repeats the above power consumption control process at a repetition interval (for example, 1 minute) that is equal to or less than the measurement period (for example, 5 minutes). That is, the calculation of the average change rate (first index) of the power consumption of the facility in the past measurement period, the calculation of the predicted future average power consumption Pfa (second index), and the past average The calculation of the power consumption Ppa (third index) and the regulation of the power consumption of the air conditioner are all repeated at regular intervals. Accordingly, whether or not the current energy saving regulation process is appropriate is reviewed at regular intervals. More specifically, if the average power consumption level compared with the energy saving control level 251 is the same as the previous level, the same power consumption restriction is continued according to the same energy saving control time 252 and the same energy saving control type 253. On the other hand, when the average power consumption level compared with the energy saving control level 251 changes, the regulation of new power usage is started according to the energy saving control time 252 and the energy saving control type 253 after the change.
[0045]
Details of the energy-saving regulation process of the air conditioner will be further described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 and 5 are control timing charts related to indoor units belonging to one block that is subject to energy-saving regulations. In the energy saving regulation for indoor units, the energy saving management unit 211 refers to block information (not shown) and connection information 261 stored in the air conditioner information storage unit 260. As described above, the block information indicates a plurality of blocks, groups belonging to each block, and indoor units belonging to each group. In the energy saving regulation for indoor units, the energy saving management unit 211 regulates the power usage of each block independently from the power usage of other blocks based on the block information. And in each block, the electric power used of each group (one or more indoor units belong) is regulated at different time. In this way, the execution time of the energy saving regulation process in the block is distributed. And the energy-saving management part 211 supplies the signal which controls each indoor unit used as a control object to each indoor unit based on the connection information 261.
[0046]
In this embodiment, during a unit time (for example, 30 minutes), the energy saving regulation specified by the energy saving control type 253 is executed for each group for the time specified by the energy saving control time 252. In the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5, the duration (on time) for executing the energy saving regulation is 3 minutes. Therefore, the energy-saving management unit 211 calculates the number of energy-saving regulation repetitions by dividing the time specified by the energy-saving control time 252 by the energy-saving regulation on-time (3 minutes). Implement energy-saving regulations in between. Further, the energy saving management unit 211 calculates a cycle for executing the energy saving regulation by dividing the unit time by the number of repetitions of the energy saving regulation, and executes the energy saving regulation at this cycle.
[0047]
For example, when the unit time is 30 minutes and the energy saving control time 252 is set to 6 minutes for a certain group, as shown in FIG. 15 minutes. When 9 minutes is set in the energy saving control time 252, as shown in FIG. 5, the number of energy saving restriction repetitions is 3, and the energy saving restriction execution period is 10 minutes.
[0048]
Further, the energy saving management unit 211 obtains a difference between the execution start timing of the energy saving regulation of one group and the execution start timing of the energy saving regulation of the next group. The difference between the execution start times is obtained by dividing the energy saving regulation execution cycle by the number of groups in the block. For example, when the unit time is 30 minutes and the energy saving control time 252 is set to 6 minutes, the energy saving regulation execution period is 15 minutes as described above. Here, when five groups exist in one block, as shown in FIG. 4, the difference in the execution start timing of the energy saving regulation between consecutive groups is 3 minutes. For 1 indoor unit, energy-saving regulations are started at the time of 0 minutes and 15 minutes, Group 2 starts energy-saving regulations from 3 minutes and 18 minutes, Group 3 starts from 6 minutes and 21 minutes.
[0049]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the energy saving regulation execution period is 10 minutes and there are three groups in one block, the difference in the execution start timing of the energy saving regulation between consecutive groups is calculated to be 3.33. For minutes. The energy saving management unit 211 may start the energy saving regulation of each group while keeping the difference in calculation execution start time, or a difference shorter than the difference in calculation execution start time (for example, 3 minutes as shown in the figure). ) May start energy conservation regulations for each group.
[0050]
Although the duration (on time) for executing the energy saving regulation is 3 minutes here, an arbitrary time such as 1 minute or 5 minutes may be set. In addition, here, the power usage of each group in one block is regulated at different times, but the power usage of each indoor unit in one block is regulated at different times without providing a group in the block. May be.
[0051]
In this way, the regulation time of the power used by each indoor unit in the future unit time is distributed, and each indoor unit is controlled. This regulation time allocation is observed while the regulation of the same power consumption is continued with small fluctuations in the power consumption. When the power consumption fluctuates greatly and the power consumption regulation process is changed, the energy conservation control level 251 redistributes the power consumption regulation time of each indoor unit in the same manner as described above according to another energy conservation control time 252. .
[0052]
Moreover, you may perform an energy-saving regulation process about an outdoor unit. In the outdoor unit energy saving regulations, the energy saving management unit 211 refers to the connection information 261 stored in the air conditioner information storage unit 260. As described above, the connection information includes the outdoor unit 100a, 100b. . . And indoor units 110a to 110e, 110f,. . . Represents the connection relationship. In the outdoor unit energy saving regulation, the energy saving management unit 211 regulates the power used by each outdoor unit at different times based on the connection information. In this way, the execution time of the energy saving regulation process of the outdoor unit is distributed. And the energy-saving management part 211 supplies the signal which controls each outdoor unit used as a control object to each outdoor unit based on the connection information 261.
[0053]
Similar to the above-described indoor unit energy-saving regulation processing, in this embodiment, the energy-saving control type 253 is specified for each outdoor unit for the time specified by the energy-saving control time 252 for each unit time (for example, 30 minutes). Implement energy-saving regulations. The energy saving management unit 211 calculates the number of repetitions of energy saving regulation by dividing the time specified by the energy saving control time 252 by the on-time of the energy saving regulation of the outdoor unit, and saves energy during the unit time by the calculated number of repetitions of energy saving regulation. Implement regulations. Further, the energy saving management unit 211 calculates a cycle for executing the energy saving regulation by dividing the unit time by the number of repetitions of the energy saving regulation, and executes the energy saving regulation at this cycle. Further, the energy saving management unit 211 obtains the difference between the execution start timing of the energy saving regulation of one outdoor unit and the execution start timing of the energy saving regulation of the next outdoor unit. The difference between the execution start times is obtained by dividing the energy saving regulation execution period by the number of outdoor units.
[0054]
Next, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the regulation of the power consumption of the air conditioner using the priority table 255 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the priority table 255 represents the operation priority of each indoor unit and each outdoor unit. In accordance with the priority of each air conditioner specified in the priority table 255, the energy saving management unit 211 strictly uses the power consumption of the air conditioner as the operation priority indicated in the priority table 255 is lower as shown in FIG. regulate.
[0055]
In FIG. 7, “temperature control” is the degree to which the temperature of the air conditioning is adjusted, “capacity saving” is the maximum operating capacity value allowed for each air conditioner, more precisely, the allowable operation for the maximum capacity of each air conditioner. Indicates the percentage of ability. FIG. 7 shows an example of the setting for adjusting the energy saving regulation at each operation priority. However, this setting is not necessarily required, and the energy saving regulation processing may be strengthened or relaxed step by step.
[0056]
In the priority table 255, for example, initially, a low operation priority is given to each air conditioner. Therefore, the energy-saving management unit 211 treats each air-conditioning device subject to the restriction of power consumption equally according to the designation of the energy-saving control time 252 and the energy-saving control type 253. However, a user who feels uncomfortable due to the regulation of the power used can control the remote controllers 120a to 120e, 120f,. . . Using the operation terminal or the input device 230 of the air conditioning management device 200, the user may try to operate the related indoor unit. A signal indicating that the user tried to operate the indoor unit is notified to the control unit 210 from each operation terminal or the input device 230. If this signal indicates that the user has attempted an operation to increase air conditioning (decrease the temperature if cooling, increase the temperature if heating), comfort is lost due to the regulation of power usage. That is. In this case, the energy saving management unit 211 increases the operation priority of the indoor unit by one level, updates the priority table 255, and relaxes the restriction on power usage according to the operation priority.
[0057]
On the other hand, if the signal indicates that the user has attempted an operation to weaken the air conditioning (increase the temperature if it is cooling, lower the temperature if it is heating), tighten the regulation of power usage There is room to do. In this case, the energy saving management unit 211 updates the priority table 255 by lowering the operation priority of the indoor unit by one level, and restricts the use power according to the operation priority.
[0058]
In addition, when there is no attempt to manipulate the temperature for a long period of time, there is room for strengthening the regulation of power consumption. Therefore, the energy saving management unit 211 may record the update time of each air conditioner in the priority table 255 with reference to a clock (not shown) built in the control unit 210. For an indoor unit for which a signal indicating that the user has attempted to operate the indoor unit has not been notified for a certain period of time (for example, 1 day or 2 days), the priority level is lowered by one step. 255 may be updated, and the regulation of power usage may be tightened according to the operation priority.
[0059]
Moreover, it is possible to change the driving priority for the outdoor unit. The energy saving management unit 211 refers to the connection information 261 and counts the number of operation trials for increasing the air conditioning of the indoor units belonging to a certain outdoor unit and the number of operation attempts for weakening the air conditioning. When the number of operation trials reaches a certain number, the operation priority of the outdoor unit is changed and the priority table 255 is updated, and the power used is regulated according to the operation priority. In addition, for an outdoor unit for which a signal indicating that the user has attempted to operate an indoor unit belonging to the outdoor unit has not been notified for a certain period (for example, 1 day or 2 days), the driving priority is set to one level. The priority table 255 may be updated by lowering, and the regulation of the electric power used may be tightened according to the operation priority.
[0060]
Next, a specific method for controlling each air conditioner will be described. The energy-saving management unit 211 of the air-conditioning management apparatus 200 directly controls each outdoor unit and each indoor unit so as to realize operation restrictions such as stop, air blowing, and temperature control according to the designation of the energy-saving control type 253. In addition to this, the energy saving management unit 211 can remotely control each outdoor unit and each indoor unit as follows. In remote control, the energy saving management unit 211 controls the maximum operating capacity value currently allowed for each outdoor unit and each indoor unit in order to regulate the power consumption of each air conditioner, more precisely, the maximum capacity of each air conditioner. The ratio of the permissible operating ability to the above (corresponding to ability saving in FIG. 7) is notified. For example, the maximum operating capability value may be notified to the air conditioner according to the driving priority, or may be notified to the air conditioner regardless of the driving priority.
[0061]
Each indoor unit 110a to 110e, 110f,. . . Is provided with a flow rate controller for controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant, and when the maximum operation capability value is notified from the energy saving management unit 211, the flow rate controller does not exceed the maximum operation capability value notified from the energy saving management unit 211. Controls the flow rate of the refrigerant. Moreover, each outdoor unit 100a, 100b. . . When the maximum operation capability value is notified from the energy saving management unit 211, it controls its own operation so as not to exceed the maximum operation capability value notified from the energy saving management unit 211.
[0062]
Further, when the power consumption of the air conditioner is regulated for energy saving, the energy saving management unit 211 operates the operation devices (remote controllers 120a to 120e, 120f,. The control unit 210) of the terminal and the air conditioning management device 200 is supplied with an adjustment acceptance prohibition command signal. When receiving the adjustment acceptance prohibition command signal, the operating device processes the operation state of the corresponding air conditioning equipment so that the user cannot adjust it. Therefore, even if the user tries to operate the operation state of the air conditioner using the operation device, the regulation of the power consumption by the energy saving management unit 211 has priority. A signal indicating that the user has attempted to operate the indoor unit is notified to the control unit 210 from each operation terminal or the input device 230, and is only used for updating the driving priority.
[0063]
Furthermore, each operating device that has received the adjustment acceptance prohibition command signal notifies the user that the power consumption is restricted based on the adjustment acceptance prohibition command signal by a notifier provided in the operating device. Such a notification device may be a display device (for example, the display device 220 in the air conditioning management device 200) or a sound notification device. Thereby, the user can know that the air-conditioning apparatus which tried operation became the regulation object of electric power used for energy saving.
[0064]
As described above, according to the air-conditioning management apparatus 200 according to Embodiment 1, the predicted average power consumption of a facility in a future unit time is calculated based on the average change rate of the power consumption of the facility in the past measurement period. Then, the power consumption of the air conditioner is controlled based on the predicted average power consumption. In this way, by calculating the predicted average power consumption based on the average rate of change in the past power consumption, even if there is a momentary increase or decrease in power consumption, the predicted average power consumption does not have a significant error, It is possible to reduce the risk that the power usage exceeds the set upper limit power usage value.
[0065]
In addition, when the average change rate fluctuates greatly by repeating the calculation of the average change rate of power consumption, the calculation of the predicted average power consumption, and the control of the power consumption of the air conditioning equipment at a repetition interval less than the measurement period In addition, it is possible to reset the use power regulation process in a short period of time, and it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the use power exceeds the set use upper limit power amount value.
[0066]
Further, the average average power usage Ppa of the facility in the past unit time is compared with the predicted average power usage Ppa of the facility in the future unit time, and the future average predicted power usage Pfa is less than or equal to the past average power usage Ppa. In some cases, the energy saving management unit 211 regulates the power consumption according to the level of the past average power consumption Ppa, so that the actual power usage in the future can be suppressed to a lower level.
[0067]
Further, as described above, at the strictest energy saving level 5, by executing a 30 minute stop that is a strict regulation process for all blocks, the average power value set in any randomly extracted unit time is not exceeded. . Therefore, even if the total start time and total end time of the demand meter of the electric power company are unknown, there is no possibility that the used power exceeds the set upper limit power consumption value.
[0068]
Further, in the energy saving regulation for indoor units, the energy saving management unit 211 distributes the execution time of the energy saving regulation processing in the block by regulating the power consumption of each group at different times based on the block information. In conventional air-conditioning management systems, each outdoor unit is controlled for air flow or on / off, so that a plurality of indoor units connected to the same outdoor unit are subject to energy-saving regulation processing at the same time. This often results in a sudden loss of comfort. In this embodiment, by restricting the power consumption of a group in which indoor units are classified so as to be different from belonging to an outdoor unit at different times, it is possible to vary the time of energy-saving regulation processing of indoor units in the vicinity of each other Is possible. Therefore, a sudden change in the temperature of the air-conditioned environment can be suppressed. In addition, since only indoor units in the same group are prevented from being continuously subjected to energy-saving regulation processing, unfairness among users can be reduced.
[0069]
Even in the energy saving regulations for outdoor units, by restricting the power used by each outdoor unit at different times, it is possible to prevent only the same outdoor unit from being subject to energy conservation regulation processing continuously. A sense of fairness can be reduced.
[0070]
Further, in the air conditioning management system according to this embodiment, each operation device performs processing so that the user cannot adjust the operating state of the corresponding air conditioning equipment based on the adjustment acceptance prohibition command signal, and the power consumption is restricted. The user is notified by the notifier. If the user cannot adjust the operating state of the air conditioning equipment using an operation device such as a remote control or an air conditioning management device, it may be mistaken for a malfunction of the air conditioner. Furthermore, even when the operating state is switched from cooling to ventilation for the energy saving regulation process, it may be mistaken for a failure of the air conditioner. In this embodiment, the user can recognize that the operation of the air conditioner is regulated for energy saving by notifying the user that the power consumption is regulated by the notification device.
[0071]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the energy saving management unit 211 notifies each outdoor unit and each indoor unit of the maximum operating capacity value (capacity saving in FIG. 7) currently permitted to regulate the power consumption of each air conditioner. . In response to this notification, the flow rate controller of each indoor unit controls the flow rate of the refrigerant. For this reason, it is not necessary to switch the operation state of the indoor unit from air conditioning to air blowing for the energy saving regulation process. This also prevents a user who does not know that energy-saving regulation is being performed from being mistaken for a malfunction of the air conditioner.
[0072]
In addition, since the energy saving management unit 211 strictly regulates the power consumption of the air conditioner as the operation priority shown in the priority table 255 is lower, the difference in the size of the room, the location of the indoor unit, the temperature of the user's experience temperature, etc. It is possible to keep comfort. Furthermore, by setting the operation priority of each air-conditioning device according to the user's instruction and updating the priority table 255, the user's sensible temperature can be learned and the comfort cannot be maintained by the energy-saving regulation process. For installed indoor units and outdoor units, power consumption is regulated more slowly than the standard, and for indoor units and outdoor units installed in places where there is not much impact on comfort even if energy-saving regulation processing is applied, the power consumption is stricter than the standard Can be regulated. Thereby, the energy-saving regulation process according to the characteristic of each installation place is attained.
[0073]
In the above-described embodiment, the measurement value of the watt hour meter 500 with a pulse generation time interval or a constant time interval stored in the watt hour meter 500 is stored in the power information storage unit 430 as the used power index 431. Either way, the average power change rate of the facility and therefore the power consumption is calculated, but the power consumption measured by the power meter is used to calculate the average power consumption change rate using a power meter that can directly measure the power consumption of the facility. It may be used.
[0074]
In the above-described embodiment, the power consumption index 431 is sent from the power amount integrating device 400 connected to the watt hour meter 500 to the air conditioning management device 200. You may connect directly to the air-conditioning management apparatus 200.
[0075]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning management system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The system of FIG. 8 is obtained by deleting the electric energy integrating device and the electric energy meter from the system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. In the energy saving information storage unit (conversion table storage unit) 250 of this system, a power consumption conversion table 256 is stored. The power consumption conversion table 256 shows the relationship between the operating state of the air conditioning equipment controlled by the air conditioning management device 200, the outside air temperature, and the power consumption of the facility. In this embodiment, the power consumption of the facility is estimated using the power consumption conversion table 256.
[0076]
FIG. 9 shows an outline of the used power conversion table 256. The used power conversion table 256 lists the model names of the outdoor units and indoor units controlled by the air conditioning management device 200, and describes the outdoor units and the candidate operating conditions of each indoor unit for each outdoor temperature candidate. Yes. The described operating state includes, for example, a set temperature, a capability saving amount, and a maximum capability value of the device (not shown). By applying the current operating state and the current outside air temperature to this power consumption conversion table 256, the power consumption of the facility can be obtained.
[0077]
The energy saving management unit 211 of the air conditioning management device 200 functions as a power consumption calculation unit, and is connected to the outdoor units 100a, 100b. . . To obtain the actual outside air temperature (each outdoor unit has a thermometer). In addition, the energy saving management unit 211 acquires the actual operation state of each air conditioner from the air conditioner operation state table 262. The energy saving management unit 211 applies the outside air temperature and the operating state of the air conditioning equipment acquired in this manner to the power consumption conversion table 256, and calculates the current power consumption of the facility.
[0078]
After calculating the power usage in this way, the energy saving management unit 211 performs the energy saving regulation process in the same manner as in the first embodiment. That is, the energy saving management unit 211 monitors the change in the used power of the facility calculated using the used power conversion table 256 instead of the measurement result of the watt-hour meter 500 as the increase rate calculating unit, and the past measurement period ( For example, the average change rate (first index) of the power consumption of the facility in 5 minutes is calculated. In addition, the energy saving management unit 211 functions as an actual value calculation unit, monitors the change in the power consumption of the facility calculated using the power consumption conversion table 256, and the facility in the past unit time (for example, 30 minutes) Average power consumption (third index) is calculated.
[0079]
According to the second embodiment, by estimating the used power using the used power conversion table 256, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the purchase cost of the watt-hour meter and the power integrating device, the system design cost, Costs such as construction costs can be reduced.
[0080]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning management system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The system shown in FIG. 10 has a license management unit 213 in addition to the system shown in FIG. In addition, the air conditioning management device 200 is provided with a license information storage unit (limit storage unit) 270. The air conditioning management device 200 is also provided with an energy saving information storage unit 250 and an air conditioning equipment information storage unit 260, as in the system of FIG. 1, but these are not shown in FIG.
[0081]
The license information storage unit 270 stores license information provided to the air conditioning management system by the air conditioning management system provider. The license information includes a license number 280 given to the facility manager by the provider of the air conditioning management system, a unique manufacturing number 281 of the air conditioning management device 200 itself, and a function number indicating a function that the air conditioning management device 200 can use. 282, expiration date 283 of each registered function, and option (limit information) 284. Of these license information, the serial number 281 is written when the air conditioning management device 200 is produced. The other license information is written by the license management unit 213 according to the encryption information given from the setting device 300.
[0082]
The function number 282 indicates, for example, an individual remote control function, a charging function, or the like. Here, the individual remote control function refers to the remote controllers 120a to 120e, 120f,. . . If the remote control function is not permitted, each indoor unit is centrally controlled only by the air conditioning management device 200. The billing function is a function that allows the facility manager to bill the tenant in the facility as a price for air conditioning management. The expiration date 283 designates the use start date and the number of available days for which each function designated by the function number 282 can be used. The option 284 includes the number of air conditioners (specifically, the number of indoor units) that can be used by the air conditioning management device 200 and the number of air conditioners that can be charged (specifically, the number of indoor units). Indicates.
[0083]
The license information is stored in the license information storage unit 270 in a format that cannot be rewritten only by this air conditioning management system. More specifically, when the encrypted license number information 600 shown in FIG. 11 is transmitted from the setting device 300 to the air conditioning management apparatus 200, the license management unit 213 decrypts the license number information 600, and the function number 282, valid The deadline 283 and the option 284 are rewritten.
[0084]
The license number information 600 includes a manufacturing number 610, a function number 620, an expiration date 630, and an option 640 in addition to the license number assigned to the facility manager by the provider of the air conditioning management system. The production number 610, the function number 620, the expiration date 630, and the option 640 correspond to the production number 281, the function number 282, the expiration date 283, and the option 284, respectively, and are encrypted for concealment. Accordingly, the facility manager cannot decrypt the license number information 600 and cannot update the license information.
[0085]
When the provider grants a license to the manager by agreement between the manager of the facility where the air conditioning management system is deployed and the provider of the air conditioning management system, the provider sends the encrypted license number information 600 to the manager of the facility. To give. The license number information 600 may be stored in a storage medium and given to a facility manager, or may be given through a network.
[0086]
The manager of the facility inputs the given license number information 600 to the setting device 300 in a state where the license number registration screen is displayed on the display device 320 (see FIG. 1) of the setting device 300. Then, the setting device 300 transmits the license number information 600 to the aerial management device 200, and the license management unit 213 of the control unit 210 of the air conditioning management device 200 decrypts the encrypted license number information 600.
[0087]
Then, the license management unit 213 compares the production number 610 embedded in the license number information 600 with the production number 281 stored in the license information storage unit 270, and if they match, the license information is registered. To start. In the registration of license information, the license number in the license number information 600 is set to the license number 280 of the license information storage unit 270, the function number 620 is set to the function number 282, the expiration date 630 is set to the expiration date 283, and the option 640 is set to the option 284. sign up. Further, the license management unit 213 responds to the setting device 300 with a signal indicating whether or not the license information has been registered normally, and the setting device 300 displays the result of the license information registration on the display device 320.
[0088]
In the control of the power consumption after registration of the license information, the energy saving management unit 211 controls the power consumption of the indoor unit up to the upper limit number of indoor units that can control the power consumption indicated in the option 284. The indoor units 110a to 110e, 110f,. . . Is larger than the upper limit, the power consumption of the extra indoor unit is not controlled. In other respects, the control of the power used is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
[0089]
Here, the option 284 indicates the upper limit number of indoor units that can control power consumption. Alternatively or in addition to this, the upper limit number of groups that can control power usage may be specified. Good. Further, in addition to the upper limit number of indoor units or groups that can control power usage, the maximum number of outdoor units that can control power usage may be specified by option 284 to limit the maximum number of outdoor units.
[0090]
As described above, the air conditioning management system according to the third embodiment includes the license information storage unit 270 that stores the option 284 that can be updated only by encryption and that indicates the upper limit number of air conditioning devices that can be used by the air conditioning management apparatus. Since the energy saving management unit 211 controls the power consumption of the air conditioner up to the limit number, the number of air conditioners that can perform the energy saving regulation process can be limited. Therefore, it is convenient for the provider of the air conditioning management system to manage the number of air conditioning devices that can perform the energy saving regulation process. For example, it is possible to change the value obtained from the manager of the facility according to the number of air conditioners. In addition, when an air conditioner is added at a facility, the power consumption of the added air conditioner cannot be controlled unless an additional license is purchased, so that it is possible to reliably obtain income that matches the number of air conditioners.
[0091]
Although the system of the third embodiment is based on the system of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment, the power consumption is estimated using the power consumption conversion table 256 as in the second embodiment (FIG. 8). It may be modified as follows.
[0092]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the air conditioning management device according to the present invention is the first air conditioning management device that controls the operations of a plurality of air conditioning devices in an integrated manner, and that corresponds to the average rate of change of power used in the facility during the past measurement period. An increase rate calculation unit that calculates the index of power, and a second index corresponding to the predicted average power consumption of the facility in a future unit time longer than the measurement period based on the first index A predictor; A comparison unit that compares the third index corresponding to the average power consumption of the facility in the past unit time with the second index calculated by the power consumption prediction unit, and the comparison result of the comparison unit, the future When the predicted average power consumption in the unit time is greater than the average power consumption in the past unit time, the power consumption of the air conditioner is controlled based on the second index, and the future unit time If the predicted average power consumption is less than or equal to the average power consumption in the past unit time, based on the third indicator By including a power control unit that controls the power used by the air conditioner, it is possible to reduce the error in the predicted power value and reduce the risk that the power used will exceed the set upper limit power consumption value. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning management system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a setting screen displayed on the display device of the setting device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing a method for calculating a predicted average power consumption per unit time in the future according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a control timing chart relating to an indoor unit belonging to one block that is subject to energy saving regulation in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a control timing chart relating to an indoor unit belonging to another block that is subject to energy saving regulation in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a priority table used in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of setting of energy saving regulation adjustment according to the priority shown in the priority table of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning management system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a power conversion table used in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an air conditioning management system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing license number information used in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100a, 100b. . . Outdoor units (air conditioners), 110a to 110e, 110f,. . . Indoor units (air conditioners), 120a to 120e, 120f,. . . Remote control (operation device), 200 Air conditioning management device (operation device), 210 Control unit, 211 Energy saving management unit (Increase rate calculation unit, used power prediction unit, power control unit, comparison unit, command signal supply unit, used power calculation unit , Actual value calculation unit), 212 air conditioning equipment management unit, 213 license management unit, 220 display device, 230 input device, 240 interface, 245 interface, 250 energy saving information storage unit (conversion table storage unit), 251 energy saving control level (threshold value) ), 252 Energy saving control time, 253 Energy saving control type, 254 Power consumption index, 255 Priority table, 256 Power consumption conversion table, 260 Air conditioner information storage unit, 261 Connection information, 262 Air conditioner operation state, 270 License information store (Limit storage part) 280 license number, 281 serial number, 282 Function number, 283 expiry date, 284 option (limit information), 300 setting unit, 310 control unit, 320 display device, 320A energy saving setting screen, 320B detailed setting screen, 321 energy saving control level input unit, 322 energy saving control time input unit, 323 Energy saving control type input unit, 324 block display unit, 325 group display unit, 326 horizontal scroll bar, 327 vertical scroll bar, 330 input device, 340 interface, 400 power integrating device, 410 control unit, 420 interface, 430 power information storage Part, 431 power consumption index, 440 interface, 500 watt-hour meter, 600 license number information, 610 serial number, 620 function number, 630 expiration date, 640 option.

Claims (11)

In the air conditioning management device that controls the operation of multiple air conditioning equipment in an integrated manner,
An increase rate calculation unit that calculates a first index corresponding to the average rate of change of power used in the facility in the past measurement period;
A power consumption prediction unit that calculates a second index corresponding to the predicted average power consumption of the facility in a future unit time longer than the measurement period based on the first index;
A comparison unit that compares the third index corresponding to the average power consumption of the facility in the past unit time with the second index calculated by the power consumption prediction unit;
As a result of the comparison by the comparison unit, when the predicted average power consumption in the future unit time is larger than the average power consumption in the past unit time, the power consumption of the air conditioner is calculated based on the second index. A power control unit that controls the power consumption of the air conditioner based on the third index when the predicted average power consumption in the future unit time is less than or equal to the average power consumption in the past unit time. An air conditioning management device characterized by comprising:   Each of the increase rate calculation unit, the power consumption prediction unit, and the power control unit repeats the calculation of the first index, the calculation of the second index, and the control of the power consumption of the air conditioner at a repetition interval equal to or shorter than the measurement period. The air-conditioning management apparatus according to claim 1. A conversion table storage unit that stores a power conversion table that indicates the relationship between the operating state of the air conditioner controlled by the air conditioning management device, the outside air temperature, and the power used by the facility;
A power consumption calculation unit that calculates the power consumption of the facility by applying the actual air conditioner operating state and the actual outside air temperature to the power consumption conversion table;
The increase rate calculation unit monitors the change in the power consumption of the facility calculated by the power consumption calculation unit, and determines a first index corresponding to the average change rate of the power consumption of the facility in the past measurement period. The air conditioning management device according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioning management device is calculated. A conversion table storage unit that stores a power conversion table that indicates the relationship between the operating state of the air conditioner controlled by the air conditioning management device, the outside air temperature, and the power used by the facility;
A power consumption calculator that calculates the power consumption of the facility by applying the actual air conditioner operating state and the actual outside air temperature to the power consumption conversion table;
A change in power consumption of the facility calculated by the power consumption calculation unit, and a performance value calculation unit for calculating a third index corresponding to the average power consumption of the facility in the past unit time. The air-conditioning management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein An air conditioner information storage unit that stores a plurality of combinations generated by classifying a plurality of indoor units that are air conditioners controlled by the air conditioning management device and combination information indicating the indoor units belonging to each combination,
Based on the combination information, the power control unit regulates the power usage of each combination independently of the power usage of other combinations, and regulates the power usage of the plurality of indoor units belonging to each combination at different times. The air-conditioning management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the air-conditioning management apparatus is any one of claims 1 to 4 . The power control unit claim 1, characterized in that to regulate the different time power usage of a plurality of outdoor units are air-conditioning equipment for air conditioning control device controls according to any one of claims 4 Air conditioning management device. An energy-saving information storage unit that stores a priority table indicating operation priorities of a plurality of air-conditioning devices controlled by the air-conditioning management device,
Power control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said operation priority indicated in the priority table to regulate the power usage low as stringent air conditioner Air conditioning management device. The air conditioning management device includes a limit storage unit that stores limit information indicating an upper limit number of air conditioning devices capable of controlling power consumption, and the limit information can be updated by encryption.
The air-conditioning management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the power control unit controls power used by the air-conditioning equipment up to the limit number. An air conditioning management system comprising the air conditioning management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a plurality of air conditioning equipment controlled by the air conditioning management device,
The power control unit of the air conditioning management device notifies each indoor unit of a maximum operating capacity value that is currently allowed in order to regulate power usage of each indoor unit that is the air conditioning equipment,
Each indoor unit includes a flow rate controller that controls the flow rate of the refrigerant, and the flow rate controller controls the flow rate of the refrigerant so as not to exceed a maximum operating capacity value notified from the power control unit. Air conditioning management system. An air conditioning management system comprising the air conditioning management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a plurality of air conditioning equipment controlled by the air conditioning management device,
The power control unit of the air-conditioning management device notifies each outdoor unit of the maximum operating capacity value currently permitted to regulate the power consumption of each outdoor unit that is the air conditioner,
Each outdoor unit controls its own operation so as not to exceed the maximum operating capacity value notified from the power control unit. An air conditioning management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , a plurality of air conditioning devices controlled by the air conditioning management device, and an operation device for a user to adjust an operating state of the air conditioning device. Air conditioning management system,
Each operating device has a notification device,
A command signal supply unit that supplies an adjustment acceptance prohibition command signal that prevents the user from adjusting the operating state of each air conditioner controlled by the air conditioning management device to the operation device for the air conditioner that is subject to the restriction of power consumption The air conditioning management device has,
Based on the adjustment acceptance prohibition command signal, each operation device performs processing so that the user cannot adjust the operating state of the corresponding air conditioner, and notifies the user that the power consumption is regulated by a notification device. An air conditioning management system characterized by

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