JP6739040B2 - Management device, planning method and control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a management device that manages the operation of a plurality of consumers' water heaters (heat pump water heaters) to adjust the supply and demand of electric power, and a planning method and a control program used in this management device.

The water heater is mainly operated at night when the electricity charge is relatively low, and stores hot water in a hot water storage tank.

If the operating time of the water heaters of a plurality of consumers in a certain area is concentrated at a predetermined time in the night, the peak value of the total power consumption may increase, resulting in tight power supply and demand. As a technology to prevent this, according to the capacity of the hot water storage tank of each customer, multiple customers are classified into multiple groups, and the operation of the water heaters is changed so that the operation start time of each group of water heaters is shifted. There is known a technique for controlling the above (see Patent Document 1).

JP, 2014-126351, A

The technique of Patent Document 1 cannot always appropriately suppress the peak of the total power consumption. This is because, for example, each customer does not always uniformly boil the hot water storage tank capacity every day.

The present invention uses a method different from the technique of Patent Document 1 so as to increase the possibility of lowering the peak value of the total power consumption of the water heaters of a plurality of customers, so that the operation timing of the water heaters of each customer is increased. It is an object of the present invention to provide a management device for determining. Another object of the present invention is to provide a planning method and a control program for use in this management device for formulating an operation plan of a water heater.

In order to achieve the above object, the management device according to an aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires water heater information indicating operation results of water heaters of a plurality of consumers, and the plurality of water heaters based on the water heater information. For each of the plurality of groups, the indexing unit that specifies the index value related to the operating time length of each water heater of each of the consumers, and classifies the plurality of consumers into a plurality of groups according to the index value. A determination unit that determines the operation time of the water heater related to the group, and an output unit that outputs time information indicating the operation time determined by the determination unit are provided.

In order to achieve the above object, a planning method according to an aspect of the present invention is a planning method used in a management device that manages the operation time of a water heater, and shows the operation record of the water heater of each of a plurality of consumers. An acquisition step of acquiring water heater information, specifying an index value related to the length of the operating time of the water heater of each of the plurality of consumers based on the water heater information, and the plurality of index values according to the index value. A classification step of classifying the consumers into a plurality of groups, a determination step of determining the operation time of the water heater related to the group for each of the plurality of groups, and timing information indicating the operation time determined in the determination step are output. And an output step to perform.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a control program according to an aspect of the present invention is a control program that includes a microprocessor and causes a management device that manages the operation time of a water heater to execute a planning process, The planning process includes an acquisition step of acquiring water heater information indicating the operation results of the water heaters of each of the plurality of consumers, and the length of operation time of the water heater of each of the plurality of consumers based on the water heater information. A classification step of classifying the plurality of consumers into a plurality of groups according to the index value, and a determination of determining the operation time of the water heater related to the group for each of the plurality of groups. And a step of outputting timing information indicating the operation timing determined in the determination step.

According to the present invention, a plurality of consumers are classified into a plurality of groups in relation to the length of operation time of the water heater of each of the plurality of consumers. Since the operating time of the water heater affects the power consumption, the possibility of lowering the total peak value of the power consumption of the water heater for a plurality of consumers is increased compared to the case where the hot water heater is classified regardless of the operating time.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the management system which concerns on Embodiment 1. It is a functional block diagram of a management device. It is a figure which shows an example of the water heater information which concerns on Embodiment 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the index value (operating time) for every customer. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the group classification|category based on the index value ranked in ascending order. It is a figure which shows the index average value calculated for every group of consumers, and the determined operation start time. It is a figure which shows an example of time information. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a planning process by the management device according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the water heater information which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows an example of the water heater information which concerns on the modification of Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows an example of the water heater information which concerns on Embodiment 3. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a planning process by the management device according to the third embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Each of the embodiments shown here shows one specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, arrangements and connection forms of constituent elements, steps (processes) and order of steps, and the like shown in the following embodiments are examples and limit the present invention. is not. Among the constituents in the following embodiments, constituents not described in independent claims are constituents that can be arbitrarily added. In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily strictly illustrated.

Hereinafter, the management system 10 including the management device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Constitution)
The management system 10 is a system for formulating an operation plan (that is, determining an operation time) of a water heater (heat pump water heater) installed in each customer among a plurality of customers and controlling the operation of the water heater. .. Here, the consumer is a facility that uses (consumes) electric power, and the facility is, for example, a detached house, a dwelling unit of an apartment house, a store, an office, a hospital, a building, a stadium, a station, or the like. The plurality of customers targeted by the management system 10 for formulating the operation plan are, for example, a plurality of customers located in the same region or a plurality of customers that are a plurality of dwelling units in the same condominium. .. In the management system 10, in order to adjust the supply and demand of electric power for the purpose of suppressing the supply and demand of electric power in one region or the like, for example, by formulating an operation plan of water heaters of the plurality of users, Control each water heater.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a management system 10 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, the management system 10 is configured to include a management device 100 and water heaters 200 in a plurality of customers 20. In the management system 10, the number of the customers 20 who are the targets of the operation plan is not particularly limited, and here, it is assumed that there are a large number such as hundreds and thousands. The management device 100 and the water heater 200 of each consumer 20 can communicate with each other via a communication path for wired communication or wireless communication. This communication path may include a wide area network such as the Internet or a telephone network.

The water heater 200 installed in each customer 20 is a device that performs a boiling operation or the like that heats water to hot water by using electric power supplied to the customer 20 from a distribution line such as an electric power system. .. The water heater 200 includes a heat pump unit 201, a hot water storage unit 202, a sensor 203, and a control unit 210.

The hot water storage unit 202 includes a hot water storage tank made of, for example, stainless steel for storing water or hot water, a pipe connected to the hot water storage tank, a valve in the pipe, and the like. Hot water storage unit 202 may include, for example, a heat insulating material (for example, urethane foam) that covers the hot water storage tank. Water is supplied to the hot water storage tank of hot water storage unit 202 through a pipe, and hot water is supplied from the hot water storage tank to the outside (for example, a bath) through a pipe. In the hot water storage tank, water with a low water temperature is stored in the lower part, and water with a relatively high water temperature is stored in the upper part. The hot water storage tank is connected with a pipe for circulation in which the water from the hot water storage tank is heated by the heat pump unit 201 and returned to the hot water storage tank.

The heat pump unit 201 includes, for example, an air heat exchanger, a compressor, a water heat exchanger, and the like. The heat pump unit 201 transfers heat of air to a refrigerant (for example, carbon dioxide) in an air heat exchanger, compresses the refrigerant to a high temperature by a compressor, and heats the heated refrigerant to a hot water storage tank in a water heat exchanger. The temperature of the water is raised by transmitting it to the water in the circulating piping to heat it. The boiling water is stored in the hot water storage section 202 (specifically, the hot water storage tank) by the boiling operation of heating the water to a predetermined temperature (for example, 90° C.). The hot water stored in the hot water storage unit 202 can be appropriately circulated to the heat pump unit 201 and kept warm by heating in a water heat exchanger or the like. Note that among the components of the water heater 200, the power consumption (power consumption) of the compressor that compresses the refrigerant is relatively high, and the power consumption of the compressor during the boiling operation is higher than at other times. The power consumption due to the boiling operation greatly affects the power consumption of the entire water heater 200.

The sensor 203 is a comprehensive representation of various sensors in the water heater 200. For example, a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of hot water, a flow rate sensor that measures various flow rates such as the amount of hot water supplied to the outside (bath, etc.), etc. A current sensor or the like for measuring the power consumption (power consumption) of the water heater 200.

Control unit 210 is composed of a microcomputer for controlling the operation of each unit of water heater 200. The control unit 210 learns the past usage contents (hot water supply amount etc.) of the water heater 200 to determine the control contents, and the boiling operation is performed during a time period (night time, etc.) where the power rate is low in the hourly charge system. It is controlled to be used by giving priority. However, the control unit 210 refers to the control command received from the management device 100 to determine the control content. The control contents of the control unit 210 are the same as the control contents by the microcomputer in the conventional water heater (heat pump water heater), unless otherwise specified here.

The microcomputer forming the control unit 210 includes a communication interface (I/F) 211, a memory 212 and a processor (microprocessor) 213. Control unit 210 may include a display device (display) as a user I/F of water heater 200 and an input device (button, touch panel, etc.). The communication I/F 211 is a communication circuit or the like. The communication I/F 211 enables the control unit 210 to communicate with the management device 100. The memory 212 is a ROM that holds a program and data in advance, a RAM that is used to store data and the like when the program is executed, and may include, for example, a non-volatile memory. Processor 213 executes various programs for controlling water heater 200 by executing the programs stored in memory 212. For example, the processor 213 acquires the measurement result of the sensor 203, controls the communication I/F 211, and exchanges information with the management device 100. The processor 213 attaches predetermined identification information (referred to as a customer ID) of the water heater 200 or the customer 20 to the information indicating the operation record of the water heater 200 (for example, power usage history) based on the measurement result of the sensor 203. Then, the hot water supply device information is periodically transmitted to the management device 100. The transmission cycle of the water heater information is, for example, once a day. Further, the processor 213 responds to the measurement result by the sensor 203, the input from the user I/F, the control command received from the management device 100, or the like, the valve of the pipe in the hot water storage unit 202, the compressor of the heat pump unit 201, or the like. Can be controlled.

The management device 100 is an information processing device (computer) having a function of communicating with the water heater 200 of each customer 20 and formulating an operation plan of each water heater 200. The management apparatus 100 can be operated by, for example, an electric power company, a demand response (DR) aggregator that adjusts the electric power demand, and other companies. The management device 100 may have, for example, a power management function that manages supply and demand related to power supplied to each customer 20 by the power company.

The management device 100 includes a communication I/F 101, a memory 102, and a processor (microprocessor) 103. The communication I/F 101 is a communication circuit or the like for wireless communication or wired communication. Through the communication I/F 101, the management device 100 can communicate with, for example, the water heater 200 in each customer 20. The memory 102 is a ROM that holds a control program and data in advance, a RAM that is used to store data and the like when executing the control program, and may include, for example, a non-volatile memory. The management device 100 may include a storage device such as a hard disk device in addition to the memory 102. The processor 103 executes a program stored in the memory 102 to control the communication I/F 101 and the like to perform various processes. The management device 100 may include a display device (display) as a user I/F and an input device (keyboard, touch panel, etc.). The management device 100 may use the terminal device or the like as a user I/F (display device and input device) of the management device 100 by communicating with an external terminal device or the like using the communication I/F 101. The management device 100 stores, for example, a customer ID for each customer 20 and an address for communication with the water heater 200 in a storage medium such as the memory 102.

In order to appropriately adjust the power supply and demand, the management device 100 formulates an operation plan of each water heater 200 so that the peak of the power consumption by each water heater 200 in the plurality of consumers 20 does not concentrate at the same time. The operation plan is to determine the operation time of the water heater 200, and this operation time is the execution time of the boiling operation. In order to reduce the calculation load for operation plan formulation, the management device 100 classifies the plurality of customers 20 who are the targets of the operation plan formulation into a plurality of groups, and for each group, with respect to the group. Develop a hot water heater operation plan with the same contents. The operation plans of the water heaters may differ between groups, but they do not necessarily have to differ.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the management device 100 will be described. Here, for convenience of explanation, an explanation will be given on the assumption that the predetermined time period in which the power charge of the time-based charge system is low is from 0:00 to 7:00 in the evening. This predetermined time period is referred to as a night time period. In addition, description will be made assuming that the management device 100 determines the operation time (the execution time of the boiling operation) of the water heater 200 in the nighttime period of the day, for example, every day before the nighttime period at 22:00 every day. To do.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the management device 100. In addition, the water heater 200 in each consumer 20 is additionally shown in FIG.

The management device 100 includes an acquisition unit 110, a classification unit 120, a determination unit 130, and an output unit 140, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to realize a function of formulating an operation plan of each water heater 200.

The acquisition unit 110 has a function of collecting (that is, acquiring) the water heater information by receiving the water heater information transmitted from the water heater 200 of each customer 20. The acquisition unit 110 is realized by, for example, the communication I/F 101, the processor 103 that executes a control program, and the like. The acquisition unit 110 stores the acquired water heater information in a storage medium such as the memory 102 so that the water heater information can be used in the classification unit 120 and the like. The water heater information may have different contents for each customer 20 (that is, for each water heater 200). The water heater information indicates the measurement result of the electric power used by the water heater 200.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the water heater information acquired by the acquisition unit 110. In the example of FIG. 3, for a certain period (for example, one month) indicating the power consumption (electric energy) for each time zone as the operation record of the water heater 200 of each customer 20 whose customer ID is A to C. It represents water heater information and the like including power usage history. In FIG. 3, the power usage history shows the power usage for each hour, but the power usage history may also show the power usage for each finer unit time (for example, 5 minutes). The water heater information acquired from each water heater 200 includes not only the power usage history of the water heater 200 but also various information regarding the water heater 200 (rated power consumption, hot water storage tank capacity, hot water history related to the amount of hot water, etc.). May be included. The acquisition unit 110 may request and send water heater information to each water heater 200. The acquisition unit 110 periodically acquires the water heater information, such as once a day. The water heater information that the acquisition unit 110 receives from each water heater 200 at one time may include only the power usage history for one day, for example. Since the acquisition unit 110 accumulates the hot water supply device information that is sequentially acquired in the storage medium, the power usage history for a long time (for example, one month) can be used in the classification unit 120 and the like.

The classification unit 120 identifies (calculates) an index value related to the length of the operating time of the water heater 200 of each of the plurality of consumers 20, based on the water heater information stored in the storage medium such as the memory 102. It has a function of classifying a plurality of customers 20 into a plurality of groups according to the index value. The classification unit 120 is realized by the processor 103 or the like that executes a control program. The classification unit 120 includes a driving tendency analysis unit 121.

For each customer 20, the operation tendency analysis unit 121 analyzes the past operation tendency (the tendency of the length of operation time) of the water heater 200 based on the water heater information of the customer 20, and then arrives at night. It has a function of specifying (calculating) an index value related to the length of driving time in a time zone. This index value is a value that serves as an index indicating the length of operation time (estimated operation time) of water heater 200 in the next nighttime time zone. As a basis for estimating the driving time in the next night time zone, the daily driving time in the night time zone in the past fixed period (for example, one month) that can be specified by the water heater information can be used. The operation tendency analysis unit 121 uses the electric power that is larger than a predetermined electric power (for example, a threshold value of 100 Wh for one hour of electric energy) for the water heater 200 based on the electric power use history of the water heater information (that is, the measurement result of the used electric power). The length of time to run can be specified as the length of operating time. The predetermined power is set in advance so that the power used during the boiling operation exceeds the predetermined power and the power used during the boiling operation is equal to or lower than the predetermined power. For example, according to the example of the water heater information shown in FIG. 3, the operating time of the water heater 200 on April 1 in the customer 20 with the customer ID A is larger than the predetermined power (for example, 100 Wh). It can be specified as 4 hours after the hour and before 7 pm.

A specific example of the index value for a certain customer 20 is an average value of the operation time length of the water heater 200 of the customer 20 in the nighttime period in the past fixed period (for example, one month). This average value may be obtained by, for example, a simple average, or may be obtained by a weighted average in which the closer to the present day in the past certain period, the greater the weight. Further, any method may be used as a method for estimating the operating time length of water heater 200 in the next night time zone, and an index value serving as an index indicating the estimated operating time length using any method. May be calculated. The operation tendency analysis unit 121 predicts the demand for the operation of the water heater 200 in the next night time zone according to the measurement result of the power consumption of the water heater 200 in the night time zone indicated by the water heater information The value can be calculated. For example, the median value or the like may be used as the index value instead of the average value of the length of the driving time in the past fixed period. FIG. 4 shows an example of the index value (index value related to the water heater 200) for each customer 20 specified by the driving tendency analysis unit 121. In this example, the index value represents the value of the operating time of the water heater 200 (that is, the length of the operating time) in the next nighttime time zone. In the example of FIG. 4, the index value for the customer 20 with the customer ID A indicates that the operating time of the water heater 200 of the customer 20 is estimated to be 4 hours. Further, the index value for the customer 20 having the customer ID B indicates that the operating time of the water heater 200 of the customer 20 is estimated to be 6 hours, and the index value for the customer 20 having the customer ID C is shown. The index value indicates that the operating time of the water heater 200 of the customer 20 is estimated to be 3.9 hours.

The classifying unit 120 classifies the plurality of customers 20 who are the targets of the operation planning into a plurality of groups based on the index value calculated for each customer 20 by the driving tendency analysis unit 121. The classification unit 120 has a plurality of ranges in which two or more customers 20 belong to each of the plurality of groups and the index values of the customers 20 belonging to the same group (index values related to the water heater 200) do not overlap with each other. Classify them so that they are included in the same range.

As an example, the classification unit 120 ranks the index values of each customer 20 in ascending order or descending order, and classifies the index values from the beginning in a fixed number (for example, 10, 100) as the same group according to the rank. In addition, after classifying the last group, when the customer 20 of less than a fixed number remains, the customer 20 can be included in the last group, for example. FIG. 5 shows the concept of group classification in which the index values indicating the operating time of each customer 20 are ranked in ascending order and 10 groups are set as one group. According to this classification method, the index values of the customers 20 classified into the group 1 from 1 to 10 are close to each other and are included in a certain fixed range. In addition, for example, the index values of the customers 20 having the ranks 11 to 20 classified into the group 2 are close to each other and are included in a certain range larger than the range of the group 1. In this classification method, when there are many consumers 20 having the same index value, there may be a plurality of groups corresponding to the same range (in this case, the same value). Further, as another example, the classification unit 120 may determine that the index value for each consumer 20 as the operating time is within a predetermined range such as less than 1 hour, 1 hour or more and less than 2 hours, 2 hours or more and less than 3 hours, or the like. Depending on whether each range is included in each range, the customers 20 whose index values are included in the range may be classified into the same group for each fixed number (for example, 10, 100).

The determining unit 130 is realized by the processor 103 or the like that executes the control program. The deciding unit 130 has a function of deciding, for each of the plurality of groups into which the plurality of customers 20 are classified by the classifying unit 120, the operation time of the water heater 200 of the group. The operation time of the water heater 200 of the group is the operation time of the water heater 200 of each customer 20 belonging to the group, and the determination unit 130 determines one operation time for one group. The operation time is determined by the operation start time and the operation end time, for example. Specifically, the determining unit 130 calculates the operating time of the water heater 200 of each group based on the water heater information of each customer 20 belonging to the group (that is, the water heater 200 of the customer 20). It is determined based on the average index value which is the average value of The index average value for a certain group indicates an average operating time (average value of operating hours) of the water heaters 200 of the customers 20 belonging to the group in the next nighttime time zone. The determination unit 130 determines, for each group, the operating time of the hot water heater 200 of each group in the next nighttime time zone.

Based on the average operating time of water heaters 200 indicated by the index average value of each group, determination unit 130 does not concentrate the operating time of water heaters 200 of each group on a part of the nighttime zone. The operating time of the water heater 200 is determined. The determination unit 130 may make this determination by any method. For example, the determining unit 130 determines the operation timings so as to minimize the number of groups in which the operation timings overlap, by distributing the operation timings of the water heaters 200 of each group as evenly as possible in all the nighttime hours. Can be done. FIG. 6 shows an example of the index average value (average value of operating time) calculated by the determining unit 130 for each group and the determined operation start time that determines the operation time of the water heater 200. In the example of FIG. 6, it is indicated that the operation start time as the operation time of the water heater 200 is 3:00 for the group 1 (group having a group number of 1). The water heaters 200 of the customers 20 belonging to this group are scheduled to be operated for one hour, which is generally indicated by the average value of the operation time, from 3:00 in the next nighttime time zone. In addition, the example of FIG. 6 indicates that the operation start time as the operation time of the water heater 200 is 2:00 for the group 15 (group having the group number 15). For the water heaters 200 of the customers 20 (for example, the customers whose customer IDs are A and C, etc.) that belong to this group, from 4 o'clock in the next nighttime time zone, the average value of the operating hours indicates approximately 4 hours. Will be scheduled when the driving is done.

In addition, the determination part 130 contains the operation time of the water heater 200 of each group, and the index value which concerns on the water heater 200 of each consumer 20 which belongs to the group among the several ranges when the classification part 120 classifies the group. It may be determined based on the representative value of the range. As the representative value, in addition to the average value of each index value in the group, there are a median value, a maximum value, a minimum value, or an intermediate value, a maximum value, a minimum value of the range itself including the index value.

The output unit 140 has a function of outputting timing information indicating the driving time determined by the determination unit 130, and includes a transmission unit 141. The transmission unit 141 has a function of transmitting, to each of the water heaters 200 of the plurality of customers 20, timing information indicating the operation time of the water heater 200 of the group to which the customer 20 belongs. FIG. 7 shows an example of the time information.

The transmission unit 141 includes timing information indicating at least one of the operation start time and the operation end time in the nighttime time zone, for example, in a control command in a predetermined format with the water heater 200, and includes the time information of the nighttime time zone. Send before. The transmission unit 141 is realized by, for example, the communication I/F 101, the processor 103 that executes the control program, and the like. Further, output unit 140 may be realized by, for example, a display device as a user interface, or may display time information indicating an operation time as an operation plan of water heater 200 of each of the plurality of groups. The output of information by the output unit 140 may be embodied by various methods such as transmission, display, and audio output. Further, the transmission unit 141 may transmit the timing information to the control device that controls the water heater 200 in the customer 20, instead of transmitting the timing information to the water heater 200 of the customer 20. For example, when the customer 20 is a detached house, a dwelling unit of a condominium, etc., the control device suppresses the power consumption of the electric device including the water heater 200 in the customer 20 and utilizes the measurement result of the power amount ( For example, it may be a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) controller that performs energy management such as display.

The control command including the time information transmitted from the transmission unit 141 of the management device 100 is received by the control unit 210 in the water heater 200 of the consumer 20. The control unit 210 refers to the received time information, determines the execution time of the boiling operation in the nighttime period, and controls the heat pump unit 201. When the received timing information has the content of designating 2 o'clock as the operation start time as illustrated in FIG. 7, the control part 210 starts execution of the boiling operation at 2 o'clock. The end time of the execution of the boiling operation is, for example, the time determined by the control unit 210 identifying the operating time as a result of learning from the past usage contents (hot water supply amount etc.) of the water heater 200. For example, when the received time information specifies only the operation end time, the control unit 210 operates based on the learning result from the past usage contents of the water heater 200 so that the execution of the boiling operation is ended at the operation end time. The execution start time of the boiling operation may be determined by specifying the time. In addition, for example, when the received timing information has the content of designating the operation start time and the operation end time, the control unit 210 starts executing the boiling operation at the operation start time, and the boiling operation is performed at the operation end time. The heat pump unit 201 may be controlled so as to end the execution of the operation.

(motion)
Hereinafter, an operation example of the management system 10 having the above configuration will be described focusing on the operation of the management device 100.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the planning process performed by the management device 100. The planning process will be described below with reference to FIG. This planning process determines the operation timing of each water heater 200 (that is, formulates an operation plan) so that the peak of the power consumption of each water heater 200 during the night time is not concentrated. The planning process is executed by the management device 100, for example, every day at 22:00 pm before the night time zone.

The management apparatus 100 acquires the water heater information about the water heater 200 of each of the plurality of consumers 20 by the acquisition unit 110 (step S1). With this hot water supply device information, the management device 100 can refer to the recent power usage history and the like of the hot water supply device 200 of each customer 20.

Next, the operation tendency analysis unit 121 of the classification unit 120 analyzes the operation tendency of the water heater 200 based on the water heater information of the water heater 200 of each customer 20, and the operation time (execution time of the boiling operation). The index value related to is calculated (step S2). In order to classify a plurality of consumers 20 into a plurality of groups and determine the operation time for each group, the operation tendency analysis unit 121 relates to the length of the operation time of the water heater 200 in the nighttime period as a classification criterion. Calculate the index to do.

Subsequently, the classification unit 120 classifies the plurality of customers 20 into a plurality of groups using the ranking of the index values calculated by the driving tendency analysis unit 121 (step S3). Accordingly, the customers 20 having index values that are close to each other to some extent, that is, the customers 20 that have similar operation times of the water heater 200 during the nighttime hours to the same group, are collectively handled, and an operation plan is created. The calculation load required for can be reduced.

Subsequently, the determination unit 130 determines the operation time of the water heater 200 in each group classified by the classification unit 120 (step S4). For example, the determination unit 130 minimizes the number of groups in which the operation timing overlaps or sets the number of groups to be equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value based on the index average value indicating the length of the operation time for the group of water heaters 200 for each group. The operation timing is determined as follows. In other words, the determination unit 130 sets the maximum value of the number of groups of the water heater 200 including the operation time at each moment in the nighttime time zone to the minimum value or to be equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value. Make a decision.

Then, the output unit 140 outputs timing information indicating the driving start time of the driving timing (step S5). Specifically, the transmission unit 141 of the output unit 140 includes, in the control command, timing information indicating, for example, the operation start time of the operation time of the water heater 200 of each group in the nighttime period, and includes the demands belonging to the group. It transmits to the water heater 200 of the house 20. This transmission is made to be completed before the night time.

Receiving this control command, each water heater 200 determines the execution timing of the boiling operation with reference to the timing information, and performs the control relating to the boiling operation.

In this way, the management system 10 classifies the customers 20 into groups by analyzing the operation tendency of the water heaters 200 in each customer 20 and formulates an operation plan that defines the operation time of the water heater 200 for each group. For this reason, the possibility that the peak value of the total power consumption of the plurality of consumers 20 as a whole is suppressed is increased.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a part of the processing content of the management system 10 described above is modified will be described.

In the above-described first embodiment, the management device 100, as a basis for grouping a plurality of customers 20 into groups, a power usage history indicating the measurement result of the power used by the water heater 200 included in the water heater information of each customer 20. An example in which is mainly used is shown. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the hot water supply device information indicates the measurement result of the hot water supply amount in hot water supply device 200, and management device 100 performs the group classification of customer 20 based on the hot water supply amount. Note that the management system of the present embodiment basically has the same configuration as management system 10 shown in the first embodiment, and therefore each component will be described using the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. The points not particularly shown here are similar to those of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The processor 213 of the water heater 200 of the customer 20 attaches a predetermined customer ID to the information indicating the measurement result of the hot water supply amount, which is the operation result of the water heater 200 based on the measurement result of the sensor 203. The information is transmitted to the management device 100 periodically (for example, every day).

The acquisition unit 110 of the management device 100 collects the hot water supply device information by receiving the hot water supply device information transmitted from the hot water supply device 200 of each customer 20 and showing the measurement result of the hot water supply amount of the hot water supply device 200. FIG. 9 shows an example of the hot water supply device information acquired by the acquisition unit 110.

The example of FIG. 9 includes a hot water supply history for a certain period (for example, one month) indicating the hot water supply amount for each time period as the operation record of the water heater 200 of each of the customers 20 having customer IDs A to C. Shows information such as water heater. In FIG. 9, the hot water supply amount for each hour is shown as the hot water supply history, but the hot water supply amount for each smaller or larger unit time (for example, 30 minutes or one day) may be shown. The water heater information acquired from each water heater 200 may include various kinds of information regarding the water heater 200, in addition to the hot water history of the water heater 200. The water heater information that the acquisition unit 110 receives from each water heater 200 at one time may include only one day's hot water history. Since the acquisition unit 110 accumulates the hot water supply device information that is sequentially acquired in the storage medium, the hot water supply history for a certain length of time (for example, one month) can be used in the classification unit 120 and the like.

The operation tendency analysis unit 121 analyzes the past operation tendency of the water heater 200 based on the water heater information for each customer 20, and serves as an index indicating the length of the operation time in the next night time zone. Identify (calculate) the index value. However, in the present embodiment, the driving tendency analysis unit 121 determines the daily hot water supply amount in the past fixed period (for example, one month) that can be specified by the water heater information as a basis for estimating the driving time in the next night time zone. To use.

The operation tendency analysis unit 121 can calculate the length of the operation time from the hot water supply amount of the hot water supply device 200 based on the hot water supply history of the hot water supply device information (that is, the measurement result of the hot water supply amount). For example, by calculating an average value of the hot water supply amount for one day in the past fixed period based on the hot water supply history, the average value is predicted as the hot water supply amount required for the next day, and the hot water supply amount is boiled by the boiling operation. It is considered to be the amount of hot water to be raised (referred to as the boiling water amount). In addition, the boiling water amount may be predicted by multiplying the hot water supply amount by a fixed rate, or the boiling water amount may be predicted from the hot water supply history. Then, the amount of boiling water is multiplied by the conversion coefficient between the electric power and heat in the water heater 200 to calculate the power consumption, and the power consumption is divided by the power required for the boiling operation (for example, rated power consumption) to operate. Time can be calculated. Although the hot water supply amount is represented by the volume (L) in the example of FIG. 9 and the like, the hot water supply amount may be represented by the hot water supply heat amount (J). Further, the operating time can be calculated by dividing the boiling water amount by the amount of hot water (for example, 50 L) that the water heater 200 can boil to a predetermined temperature (for example, 90° C.) per hour. In this way, the driving tendency analysis unit 121 calculates an index value serving as an index indicating the length of the operating time, based on the hot water supply history of the hot water supply device information.

Similar to the first embodiment, after the driving tendency analysis unit 121 calculates the index value for each customer 20, the classification unit 120 performs the group classification of the customers 20 based on the index value. As a method of suppressing the calculation load of the group classification, the value of the hot water supply amount for each customer 20 for one day or the average value of the daily hot water supply amount for a certain period is used as an index value for performing the group classification. You may use as. In addition, the determining unit 130 calculates the operating time of the water heater 200 of each group based on the water heater information of each customer 20 belonging to the group (that is, the index related to the water heater 200 of the customer 20). The determination based on (value) is the same as in the first embodiment.

(Modification of Embodiment 2)
In Embodiment 2 described above, the hot water supply device information indicates the measurement result of the hot water supply amount in the hot water supply device 200, and the management device 100 classifies the customers 20 into groups based on the hot water supply amount. Here, a modified example will be described in which the water heater information indicates the measurement result of the boiling water amount in the water heater 200, and the management device 100 classifies the customers 20 into groups based on the boiling water amount.

In this modified example, the sensor 203 of the water heater 200 of the customer 20 measures the amount of hot water boiled by the boiling operation of the water heater 200. Further, the processor 213 configuring the control unit 210 provides hot water supply device information in which a customer ID is added to information indicating the amount of hot water boiled by the water heater 200 (for example, the amount of hot water boiled each day) based on the measurement result. The information is transmitted to the management device 100 periodically (for example, every day).

The acquisition unit 110 of the management device 100 collects the water heater information by receiving the water heater information transmitted from the water heater 200 of each customer 20 and showing the measurement result of the boiling water amount of the water heater 200. .. FIG. 10 shows an example of hot water supply device information acquired by the acquisition unit 110. The water heater information may be the measurement result of the boiling water amount itself, or may be other information that can specify the boiling water amount in the water heater 200.

In the example of FIG. 10, the boiling water amount history for a certain period (for example, one month) indicating the daily boiling water amount as the operation record of the water heater 200 of each of the customers 20 having the customer IDs A to C is shown. It represents the hot water supply device information and so on. In FIG. 10, the boiling water amount for each day is shown as the boiling water amount history, but it may be, for example, the boiling water amount for each smaller unit time (for example, one hour). The water heater information that the acquisition unit 110 receives from each water heater 200 at one time may include only the boiling water amount history for one day, for example. Since the acquisition unit 110 accumulates the hot water supply device information that is sequentially acquired in the storage medium, the boiling water amount history for a certain length of time (for example, one month) can be used in the classification unit 120 and the like.

In this modified example, the driving tendency analysis unit 121 uses the daily boiling water amount in the past fixed period (for example, one month) that can be specified by the water heater information as a basis for estimating the driving time in the next night time zone. The operation tendency analysis unit 121 calculates the length of the operating time from the boiling water amount of the water heater 200 based on the boiling water amount history of the water heater information (that is, the measurement result of the boiling water amount). For example, the average value of the boiling water amount for one day in the past fixed period is calculated based on the boiling water amount history, and the average value is predicted as the boiling water amount in the next night time zone. Then, the operating time can be calculated by multiplying the boiling water amount by the conversion coefficient between the electric power and the heat in the water heater 200 to calculate the power consumption, and dividing the power consumption by the rated power consumption. In the example of FIG. 10 and the like, the boiling water amount is represented by the volume (L), but the boiling water amount may be represented by the heat amount (J) related to the boiling, and both can be converted mutually. Further, the operating time can be calculated by dividing the boiling water amount by the amount of hot water (for example, 50 L) that the water heater 200 can boil to a predetermined temperature (for example, 90° C.) per hour. In this way, the operation tendency analysis unit 121 calculates an index value that is an index indicating the length of the operating time, based on the boiling water amount history of the water heater information.

After the driving tendency analysis unit 121 calculates the index value for each customer 20, the classification unit 120 classifies the customers 20 into groups based on the index value. As a method of suppressing the calculation load of the group classification, the value of the boiling water amount for one day for each customer 20 or the average value of the daily boiling water amount for a certain period is used to perform the group classification. It may be used as an index value.

As described above, in the management system according to the second embodiment and the modification thereof, the amount of hot water supplied or the amount of boiling water and the measurement result thereof are measured without measuring the power usage history of the water heater 200 of the customer 20. By using, it becomes possible to appropriately classify the customers 20. Then, since the operation plan that defines the operation time of the water heater 200 is created, the possibility that the total peak value of the total power consumption of the plurality of consumers 20 as a whole will be suppressed increases.

(Embodiment 3)
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a part of the processing content of the management system 10 shown in the first embodiment is modified will be described.

In the management device 100 of the present embodiment, when formulating the operation plan of the water heaters 200 for each group, in addition to the prediction result of the operating time length of the water heaters 200, whether or not there is a demand for hot water in a specific time zone is determined. Use the prediction results. The specific time zone is a partial time zone immediately before the end of the night time zone, and is, for example, 5 am to 7 am in the early hours when the night time zone is from 0:00 to 7:00 am.

In the first embodiment, the management device 100 mainly uses, as a basis for grouping a plurality of customers 20, a power usage history indicating measurement results of power used by the water heater 200, which is included in the water heater information of each customer 20. An example of use is shown. In the present embodiment, the water heater information indicates, in addition to the power usage history, the hot water history which is the measurement result of the amount of hot water in water heater 200 as shown in Embodiment 2, and management device 100 records the power usage history. Also, the customer 20 is classified into groups based on the hot water supply history. Note that the management system of the present embodiment basically has the same configuration as management system 10 shown in the first embodiment, and therefore each component will be described using the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment. The points not particularly shown here are similar to those of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The processor 213 of the water heater 200 of the consumer 20 uses the history of electric power usage indicating the measurement result of the power consumption, which is the operation result of the water heater 200 based on the measurement result of the sensor 203, and the hot water history indicating the measurement result of the amount of hot water supply, The hot water supply device information to which a predetermined consumer ID is attached is transmitted to the management device 100 periodically (for example, every day).

The acquisition unit 110 collects the water heater information by receiving the water heater information transmitted from the water heater 200 of each customer 20. FIG. 11 shows an example of the water heater information acquired by the acquisition unit 110 according to the present embodiment. The example of FIG. 11 represents the water heater information related to the water heater 200 of each customer 20 whose customer ID is A to C. In this example, the hot water supply device information is historical information (electric power use history and hot water supply history) for a certain period (for example, one month) indicating the power consumption and hot water supply amount for each time period as the operation record of the water heater 200. Including. The water heater information that the acquisition unit 110 receives from each water heater 200 at one time may include only the power usage history and hot water history for one day, for example. Since the acquisition unit 110 accumulates the hot water supply device information that is sequentially acquired in the storage medium, the power usage history and the hot water supply history for a certain length of time (for example, one month) can be used in the classification unit 120 and the like.

For each of the plurality of customers 20, the operation tendency analysis unit 121 analyzes the past operation tendency (the tendency of the length of the operating time) of the water heater 200 based on the water heater information of the customer 20, and then Calculate the index value related to the length of driving time in the coming night time zone. This index value is a value that serves as an index indicating the length of operation time (estimated operation time) of water heater 200 in the next nighttime time zone. Similar to the first embodiment, the driving tendency analysis unit 121 operates the water heater 200 during the night time zone that comes next according to the measurement result of the power consumption of the water heater 200 during the night time zone indicated by the water heater information. The index value can be calculated by predicting the demand for Then, the driving tendency analysis unit 121 calculates the index value for each customer 20 as illustrated in FIG.

The classifying unit 120 classifies the plurality of customers 20 who are the targets of the operation planning into a plurality of groups based on the index value calculated for each customer 20 by the driving tendency analysis unit 121. However, in the present embodiment, the classification unit 120 also performs the group classification by using the prediction result of predicting the presence or absence of hot water supply demand of the hot water supply device 200 in the specific time zone of the next night time zone from the hot water supply history. That is, the classification unit 120 adds the condition that the customers 20 who predict that there is a demand for hot water supply of the water heater 200 and the customers 20 who predict that there is no demand for hot water supply are divided into different groups. The classification shown in the first form is performed.

In the example of FIG. 11, in the customer 20 whose customer ID is A, hot water is supplied in the water heater information from 6 am to 7 pm on April 1, and if there is a similar tendency on other days as well. The classifying unit 120 can predict that there is a hot water supply demand in a specific time period. In the customer 20 having the customer ID B and the customer 20 having the customer ID C, hot water is not supplied in the hot water supply device information from 5 am to 7 pm on April 1. If hot water is not supplied to these customers 20 on other days, or if hot water is not supplied for a certain amount or more, the classification unit 120 can predict that there is no hot water supply in a specific time period. As a result of the classification performed by the classification unit 120, the customers 20 to which the presence or absence of hot water supply demand of the hot water supply device 200 in the specific time period coincides and the index values are relatively close to each other belong to each group.

For each of the plurality of groups into which the plurality of customers 20 are classified by the classification unit 120, the determination unit 130 determines the operation time of the water heater 200 of the group. However, in the present embodiment, deciding unit 130 attaches a condition that the operation time precedes the hot water supply device 200 of each group for a group having a hot water supply demand of hot water supply device 200 in the specific time period. To determine when to drive.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the planning process by the management device 100 according to this embodiment. The planning process will be described below with reference to FIG. This planning process determines the operation timing of each water heater 200 (that is, formulates an operation plan) so that the peak of the power consumption of each water heater 200 during the night time is not concentrated. The planning process is executed by the management device 100, for example, every day at 22:00 pm before the night time zone.

The management apparatus 100 acquires the water heater information about the water heater 200 of each of the plurality of consumers 20 by the acquisition unit 110 (step S11). Based on this hot water supply device information, the management device 100 can refer to the recent power usage history and hot water supply history of the hot water supply device 200 of each customer 20.

Next, the operation tendency analysis unit 121 of the classification unit 120 analyzes the operation tendency of the water heater 200 based on the water heater information of the water heater 200 of each customer 20, and the operation time (execution time of the boiling operation). The index value related to is calculated (step S12). This is the same as step S2 in the first embodiment.

Then, the classification|category part 120 predicts the presence or absence of the hot water supply demand of the specific time zone in the nighttime zone next to the water heater 200 based on the water heater information of the water heater 200 of each customer 20 (step S13).

Subsequently, the classification unit 120 classifies the plurality of customers 20 into a plurality of groups using the ranking of the index values calculated by the driving tendency analysis unit 121 and the presence or absence of hot water supply demand in a specific time zone (step S14). .. As a result, it is possible to reduce the calculation load required for formulating the operation plan by collectively handling the customers 20 having the same or less index values and having the same hot water supply demand in the specific time zone in the same group.

Subsequently, the determining unit 130 determines the operating time of the water heater 200 in each group classified by the classifying unit 120, under the condition that the group having hot water supply demand in the specific time zone determines the operating time preceding the specific time zone. Then, it is determined (step S15).

Then, the output unit 140 outputs timing information indicating the driving start time of the driving timing (step S16). Specifically, the transmission unit 141 of the output unit 140 includes, in the control command, timing information indicating, for example, the operation start time of the operation time of the water heater 200 of each group in the nighttime period, and includes the demands belonging to the group. It transmits to the water heater 200 of the house 20.

As described above, in the management system according to the present embodiment, by analyzing the operation tendency of the water heater 200 in each customer 20, the customers 20 are classified into groups by using the prediction result of the hot water supply demand in the specific time zone. Then, an operation plan in which the operation time of water heater 200 is determined for each group is established so as to meet the demand for hot water supply in a specific time zone. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the peak value of the total power consumption of the plurality of customers 20 as a whole will be suppressed, and the occurrence of hot water shortage can be suppressed in the customers 20 who supply hot water in a specific time zone. Will increase.

(Other embodiments, etc.)
Although the management system 10 including the management device 100 has been described above according to the first to third embodiments, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and it goes without saying that various changes, additions, omissions, and the like are possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the management device 100 receives the hot water supply device information from the hot water supply device 200 of each customer 20, but the hot water supply device information is the device other than the hot water supply device 200 of each customer 20 (for example, hot water supply device). Device 200 that can communicate with the device 200). Moreover, the management apparatus 100 may acquire the water heater information for each of the plurality of customers 20 by receiving an input via the user I/F or the like or by reading it from a recording medium.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the power consumption of water heater 200 is measured by sensor 203 in water heater 200 has been shown, but the power consumption of water heater 200 may be measured by another device. For example, by using a current sensor provided in a branch circuit that distributes power to the water heater 200 among the branch circuits in the distribution board of the customer 20 that receives and distributes power from the power system or the like, the power used by the water heater 200 May be measured. In this case, this measurement result is acquired by the water heater 200 or another device in the customer 20 (for example, a control device or a HEMS controller that controls the water heater 200) and the electric power of the water heater 200 is used based on the measurement result. Information indicating the history may be transmitted to the management device 100. The management device 100 can receive and use the information indicating the power usage history as all or part of the water heater information.

Further, in the above-described third embodiment, an example in which the group classification of the plurality of customers 20 is performed based on the water heater information including the power usage history and the hot water supply history has been described, but the second embodiment and the modification thereof are shown. As described above, the index value may be calculated based on the hot water supply history or the boiling water amount history, and the power usage history may not be used.

Further, the execution order of various processing procedures (for example, the planning processing procedure shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 12) in the management device 100 described above is not necessarily limited to the order as described above, and the gist of the invention. The execution order can be changed, a plurality of steps can be performed in parallel, or a part of the steps can be omitted without departing from the above. Further, all or part of the above-described planning process may be realized by hardware of the management device 100 or software. Note that the processing by software is realized by the processor included in the management device 100 executing the control program stored in the memory. Further, the control program may be recorded in a recording medium and distributed or distributed. For example, by installing the distributed control program in a device (computer) and causing the processor of the device to execute the program, the device can be caused to perform all or part of the planning process.

Further, a form realized by arbitrarily combining the constituent elements and functions shown in the above-described embodiments and the like is also included in the scope of the present invention.

It should be noted that various comprehensive or specific aspects of the present invention include one or a combination of an apparatus, a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a computer-readable recording medium, and the like.

Hereinafter, the configuration, modification, effect, and the like of the management device, the planning method, and the control program used in the management device according to one aspect of the present invention will be described.

(1) The management device 100 according to an aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit 110 that acquires water heater information indicating the operation results of the water heater 200 of each of the plurality of consumers 20, and a plurality of demands based on the water heater information. For each of the plurality of groups, a classification unit 120 that identifies an index value related to the length of operation time of the water heater 200 of each house 20 and classifies the plurality of customers 20 into a plurality of groups according to the index value. The determination unit 130 that determines the operation timing of the water heater 200 related to the group, and the output unit 140 that outputs the timing information indicating the operation timing determined by the determination unit 130 are provided.

As a result, the operation tendency (length of operating time) is evaluated by the index value based on the operation record of the water heater 200 of each customer 20, so that the group classification for the customer 20 is appropriately performed according to the index. Can be done. Since it is possible to classify the customers 20 having almost the same operating time length into the same group, it is possible to collectively handle the operating time for each group. As a result, the calculation load can be reduced, and the operation timing of each group can be calculated so as to reduce the total peak value of power consumption. Therefore, if the water heater 200 of each customer 20 is operated based on the determined operation time, there is a high possibility that the peak value of the total power consumption of the water heaters 200 of the plurality of customers 20 will be reduced. ..

(2) For example, in the classification unit 120, two or more customers 20 belong to each of the plurality of groups, and the index values of the water heaters 200 of the customers 20 belonging to the same group are the same in a plurality of ranges. The group classification is performed so that the range is included, and the determination unit 130 determines the operation time of the water heater 200 related to each group by the index value related to the water heater 200 of each customer 20 belonging to the group among the plurality of ranges. It may be determined based on a representative value (for example, an average value) of the included range.

As a result, the management device 100 can calculate the operation time corresponding to the group by using the representative value as a representative, and thus the calculation load is reduced and the operation timing of each group is reduced so as to reduce the peak value of the total power consumption. Can be determined.

(3) For example, the determining unit 130 may determine the operation timing of the water heater 200 related to each group based on the average value of the index values related to the water heater 200 of each customer 20 who belongs to the group. ..

As a result, the management device 100 can determine the operation time by a relatively simple calculation process.

(4) For example, the acquisition unit 110 acquires, for each of the plurality of customers 20, water heater information indicating the measurement result of the electric power used by the water heater 200 of the customer 20, and the classification unit 120 causes the water heater 200 to operate. The index value may be specified according to the length of time for which the power is larger than the predetermined power.

Accordingly, if the electric power used by the water heater 200 of each customer 20 is measured and given as the water heater information, the management device 100 can appropriately determine the operation time of the water heater 200 of each customer 20. ..

(5) For example, the classification unit 120 may specify the index value according to the measurement result in the predetermined time period.

As a result, by setting the predetermined time zone to a time zone in which the power rate of the hourly charge system is relatively low, each group can reduce the peak value of the overall power consumption in the predetermined time zone. The operating time of can be determined.

(6) For example, the acquisition unit 110 acquires, for each of the plurality of customers 20, hot water supply device information indicating the measurement result of the amount of hot water supplied by the hot water supply device 200 of the customer 20, and the classification unit 120 determines the amount of hot water supplied. Alternatively, the index value may be specified.

Accordingly, if the measurement result of the hot water supply amount of the water heater 200 of each customer 20 is given as the water heater information, the management device 100 can appropriately determine the operation time of the water heater 200 of each customer 20.

(7) For example, the acquisition unit 110 acquires, for each of the plurality of customers 20, water heater information indicating the measurement result of the amount of boiling water in the water heater 200 of the customer 20, and the classifying unit 120 causes the classification unit 120 to calculate the amount of boiling water. The index value may be specified according to

Accordingly, if the measurement result of the boiling water amount of the water heater 200 of each customer 20 is given as the water heater information, the management device 100 can appropriately determine the operation time of the water heater 200 of each customer 20. ..

(8) For example, the classifying unit 120 indicates the operation of the water heater 200 in a predetermined time zone that comes next according to the measurement result of any one of the electric power used by the water heater 200, the hot water supply amount, and the boiling water amount. The index value may be specified by predicting the demand, and the determining unit 130 may determine the operation timing of the water heater 200 in the next predetermined time zone. The next predetermined time zone is any time zone in one day, and arrives within 24 hours.

As a result, the demand that arrives within 24 hours is predicted based on the amount of power used, the amount of hot water supplied, or the amount of boiling water, so the prediction accuracy is relatively high, and the possibility of appropriately determining the operating time of each group is increased. ..

(9) For example, the classifying unit 120 belongs to the same group among a plurality of groups by predicting the presence or absence of demand for hot water supply by the water heater 200 in the partial time period immediately before the end of the next predetermined time period. The group classification is performed such that the presence or absence of hot water supply demand in the partial time zone by the water heater 200 of each consumer 20 is matched, and the determination unit 130 determines the group having the hot water supply demand in the partial time zone as the partial time zone. The operation time of the water heater 200 of the customer 20 of each group may be determined so that the water heater 200 is operated earlier.

As a result, the operation timing of hot water supply device 200 can be determined so as to suppress the occurrence of hot water shortage in customer 20 who supplies hot water in the partial time zone.

(10) For example, the output unit 140 indicates to the water heater 200 of each of the plurality of customers 20 or the control device that controls the operation of the water heater 200, the operation time of the water heater 200 related to the group to which the customer 20 belongs. The output may be performed by transmitting the time information.

As a result, the water heater 200 of each customer 20 can perform the operation based on the operation time indicated by the time information, and the peak value of the total power consumption of the set of water heaters 200 can be reduced.

(11) The planning method according to an aspect of the present invention is a planning method used in the management device 100 that manages the operation time of the water heater 200, and indicates the operation record of the water heater 200 of each of the plurality of consumers 20. An acquisition step of acquiring the water heater information (for example, steps S1 and S11), and an index value related to the length of the operating time of the water heater 200 of each of the plurality of consumers 20 is specified based on the water heater information, and the index thereof is specified. A classification step of classifying the plurality of customers 20 into a plurality of groups according to the value (for example, steps S2 to S3, S12 to S14), and a determination of determining the operation time of the water heater 200 related to each of the plurality of groups. It includes a step (for example, steps S4 and S15) and an output step (for example, steps S5 and S16) for outputting timing information indicating the operation timing determined at the determination step.

Thereby, the plurality of customers 20 are classified into a plurality of groups in the classification step in relation to the length of the operating time of the water heater 200 of each of the plurality of customers 20. Since the classification is related to the driving time, the customers 20 whose driving times are almost similar can be classified into the same group. Therefore, the operating time can be handled collectively for each group, and the calculation load at the decision step can be reduced. Then, in the determining step, the operation timing of each group can be calculated so as to reduce the total peak value of power consumption. Therefore, if the water heater 200 of each customer 20 is operated based on the operation time indicated by the time information output in the output step, the peak value of the total power consumption of the water heaters 200 of the plurality of customers 20 will be obtained. Is likely to decrease.

(12) The control program according to one aspect of the present invention is a control program that includes a microprocessor and causes the management device 100 that manages the operation time of the water heater 200 to execute the planning process. An acquisition step (for example, steps S1 and S11) of acquiring water heater information indicating the operation record of the water heater 200 of each of the plurality of customers 20, and the operation of the water heater 200 of each of the plurality of customers 20 based on the water heater information. A classification step (for example, steps S2 to S3, S12 to S14) of specifying an index value related to the length of time and classifying the plurality of customers 20 into a plurality of groups according to the index value, and a plurality of groups, respectively. About the group regarding the operation time of the water heater 200 (for example, steps S4 and S15), and an output step (for example, steps S5 and S16) for outputting the time information indicating the operation time determined in the above determination step. Including and

If this control program is installed in a device (computer) equipped with a microprocessor, the device can perform planning processing and function as the management device 100. With this management device 100, an appropriate operation plan for controlling the operation of the water heater 200 of each customer 20 is formulated so as to reduce the peak value of the total power consumption of the water heater 200 of the plurality of customers 20. Can be done.

20 Consumer 100 Management Device 110 Acquisition Unit 120 Classification Unit 130 Determination Unit 140 Output Unit 200 Water Heater

Claims (12)

An acquisition unit that acquires water heater information indicating the operation results of the water heater of each of a plurality of consumers,
A classification unit on the basis of the water heater information identifying the length of the operating time of the plurality of customers each water heater as an index value, are classified into a plurality of groups of said plurality of customers in accordance with the index value ,
For each of the plurality of groups, a determination unit that determines the operating time of the water heater related to the group,
A management device, comprising: an output unit that outputs time information indicating the operation time determined by the determination unit. The classification unit is configured such that two or more consumers belong to each of the plurality of groups, and the index values related to the water heaters of the consumers belonging to the same group are included in the same range among a plurality of ranges. To the above,
The determination unit, based on the representative value of the operation time of the water heater according to each of the plurality of groups, the range including the index value of the water heater of each consumer belonging to the group out of the plurality of ranges. The management device according to claim 1, wherein the management device determines. The management device according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines an operation time of the water heaters for each of the plurality of groups based on an average value of the index values for the water heaters of each customer belonging to the group. The acquisition unit, for each of the plurality of customers, acquires the water heater information indicating the measurement result of the electric power used by the water heater of the customer,
The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the classification unit identifies the index value according to a length of time that the water heater uses electric power larger than a predetermined electric power. The management device according to claim 4, wherein the classification unit identifies the index value according to the measurement result in a predetermined time period. The acquisition unit, for each of the plurality of consumers, acquires the water heater information indicating the measurement result of the amount of hot water in the water heater of the customer,
The management device according to claim 1, wherein the classification unit identifies the index value according to the hot water supply amount. The acquisition unit, for each of the plurality of customers, acquires the water heater information indicating the measurement result of the amount of boiling water in the water heater of the customer,
The management device according to claim 1, wherein the classification unit identifies the index value according to the amount of boiling water. The classification unit specifies the index value by predicting demand for operation of the water heater in a predetermined time zone that will arrive next according to the measurement result,
The said determination part determines the said operation time in the said predetermined time zone which arrives next, The management apparatus as described in any one of Claims 4-7. The classification unit predicts whether there is a demand for hot water supply by the water heater in a partial time zone immediately before the end of the next predetermined time zone, so that each consumer belonging to the same group among the plurality of groups The classification is performed so that the presence or absence of demand for hot water in the partial time zone by the water heaters of
The management according to claim 8, wherein the determination unit determines the operation timing so that the hot water supply device is operated before the partial time zone for a group having a demand for hot water supply in the partial time zone. apparatus. The output unit transmits the time information indicating the operation time of the water heater of the group to which the customer belongs to the water heater of each of the plurality of customers or a control device that controls the operation of the water heater. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the output is performed by doing so. A planning method used in a management device for managing the operation time of a water heater,
An acquisition step of acquiring water heater information indicating the operation results of the water heater of each of a plurality of consumers,
A classification step of based on said water heater information identifying the length of the operating time of the plurality of customers each water heater as an index value, are classified into a plurality of groups of said plurality of customers in accordance with the index value ,
For each of the plurality of groups, a determination step of determining the operation time of the water heater related to the group,
An output step of outputting timing information indicating the operation timing determined in the determination step. A control program for causing a management device, which includes a microprocessor and manages the operation time of the water heater, to execute a planning process,
The planning process is
An acquisition step of acquiring water heater information indicating the operation results of the water heater of each of a plurality of consumers,
A classification step of based on said water heater information identifying the length of the operating time of the plurality of customers each water heater as an index value, are classified into a plurality of groups of said plurality of customers in accordance with the index value ,
For each of the plurality of groups, a determination step of determining the operation time of the water heater related to the group,
An output step of outputting timing information indicating the operation timing determined in the determination step.

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