WO2016088289A1

WO2016088289A1 - Controlling device and controlling method

Info

Publication number: WO2016088289A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/005132
Authority: WO
Inventors: 佑香山本
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2014-12-05
Filing date: 2015-10-09
Publication date: 2016-06-09
Also published as: JP2016109353A

Abstract

A controlling device (100) that controls an air conditioning device (300) having a function to regulate temperature to a specified target temperature and receiving power supplied from a storage battery (200) comprises: a receiving unit (110) that receives input indicating an usage time period and a desired temperature; a weather information acquiring unit (120) that acquires weather information; a specifying unit (140) that specifies the amount of power that can be used from a storage battery (200) during the usage time period; a determining unit (150) that determines the target temperature on the basis of the amount of power specified by the specifying unit (140), the desired temperature, the usage time period, and the weather information; and a controlling unit (160) that specifies the target temperature determined by the determining unit (150) and operates an air conditioning device (300) during the usage time period.

Description

Control device and control method

The present invention relates to a control device for an air conditioner, and more particularly to control technology for operating the air conditioner so as to suppress the amount of power used.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known a technique for performing air conditioning control based on the remaining amount of a storage battery (battery) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to this technology, the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioner is limited according to the remaining amount of the battery so that the vehicle can travel to the destination.

JP 2011-255686 A

In the above-described air conditioning control technology, since the air conditioning capacity of the air conditioning apparatus is limited regardless of the user's request, it is not always possible to realize a useful air conditioning state for the user.

Therefore, the present invention provides a control device that operates an air conditioner in an economical manner in consideration of the temperature and usage time desired by the user. The present invention also provides a control method associated with this control device.

In order to solve the above problems, a control device according to an aspect of the present invention is a control device that controls an air conditioner that has a function of adjusting the temperature to a designated target temperature and receives power supply from a storage battery. A reception unit for receiving an input indicating a time zone and a desired temperature, a weather information acquisition unit for acquiring weather information, a specification unit for specifying an amount of power available from the storage battery in the use time period, and specification by the specification unit A determination unit that determines a target temperature based on the determined amount of power, the desired temperature, the use time zone, and the weather information; and the target temperature determined by the determination unit to specify the air conditioning during the use time zone And a control unit for operating the device.

Further, in order to solve the above problems, a control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method for controlling an air conditioner that has a function of adjusting the temperature to a designated target temperature and receives power supply from a storage battery. A receiving step for receiving an input indicating a use time zone and a desired temperature; a weather information obtaining step for obtaining weather information; a specifying step for specifying an amount of electric power available from the storage battery in the use time period; A determination step of determining a target temperature based on the amount of electric power specified in step a), the desired temperature, the use time period, and the weather information; and specifying the target temperature determined in the determination step; And a control step of operating the air conditioner.

The control device and control method of the present invention can economically operate the air conditioner reflecting the temperature and use time desired by the user.

FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram showing a control device according to Embodiment 1 and related devices. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view exemplifying a user interface screen of the control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of weather information acquired by the control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a target temperature determination process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a target temperature determination process according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a control device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a purchase target temperature determination process according to the second embodiment.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment shown here shows one specific example of the present invention. Accordingly, the numerical values, shapes, components, arrangement and connection of components, and the order of steps (steps) and steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the present invention. . Among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in the independent claims are components that can be added arbitrarily. Further, each drawing is a schematic view, and is not necessarily illustrated exactly.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, a control device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Constitution)
FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram showing a control device 100 and related devices according to the first embodiment.

The control device 100 is a computer that functions as a HEMS controller in a Home Energy Management System (HEMS) that manages energy of a house 11, and includes a memory, a central processing unit (CPU), an input device, a display device, a communication circuit, and the like. The display device is, for example, a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the input device is, for example, an operation unit such as a keyboard or a button or a touch panel integrated with the display. A terminal device (not shown) such as a smartphone or a tablet that can communicate with the control device 100 may function as an input device and a display device of the control device 100. The memory is a ROM (Read Only Memory) holding a program and data in advance, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for storing data etc. when the program is executed, and includes, for example, a non-volatile memory. Also good. The CPU executes a control program stored in the memory to control the communication circuit and the like. Control device 100 controls HEMS devices (such as air conditioner 300) installed inside and outside house 11 based on measurement results of power consumption (power consumption) in house 11 via a HAN (Home Area Network). Do. The HEMS devices include various electric devices that work as load, power generation, storage, etc., and include the air conditioner 300, device 310a, device 310b, storage battery (power storage device) 200, solar cell (power generation device) 210, etc. . The measurement of the power consumption is performed using, for example, the storage battery 200 and a current sensor that monitors the amount of current flowing from the power system to the electric device in the house 11. The measurement result is associated with the measurement time, and is stored in a storage medium such as the memory of the control device 100 as power information indicating temporal change in the amount of used power in each of a plurality of time zones (for example, hourly hourly intervals) .

The control device 100 can communicate with the server 30 via the network 31. The network 31 includes, for example, a wide area network such as the Internet.

The storage battery 200 accumulates the power generated by the solar battery 210 which is a power generation device, and supplies power to each electric device (HEMS device as a load, etc.) installed in the house 11 when the remaining battery capacity remains. It is a power storage device to supply. The storage battery 200 has a function of measuring the remaining battery level and transmitting battery information indicating the remaining battery level to the control device 100.

The air conditioner 300 has an air conditioning function of adjusting the temperature to a designated (set) target temperature (so-called set temperature).

The apparatus 310a and the apparatus 310b are represented as a representative of the electric apparatus serving as a load other than the air conditioning apparatus 300 for convenience of description, and for example, a lighting apparatus, a refrigerator, a heat pump hot water supply apparatus, an electromagnetic cooker, a tablet, a television receiver Etc. The air conditioner 300, the device 310a and the device 310b operate with the power supplied from the storage battery 200, and also operate with the power supplied from the power system when the supply of the power from the storage battery 200 is stopped.

The server 30 is a server device which is provided outside the house 11 (for example, a facility of an information service company) and distributes weather information.

Hereinafter, it demonstrates paying attention to the control function of the air conditioner 300 in the control apparatus 100. FIG.

The control device 100 economically controls the air conditioner 300 in terms of electric power cost, and has a function of operating the air conditioner based on the temperature and use time desired by the user (for example, a resident of the house 11).

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of control device 100. Note that, in addition to the control device 100, devices installed inside and outside the house 11 (for example, in a site of the house 11) are additionally described in the figure.

In order to realize the function of controlling the air conditioner, the control device 100 in terms of function as shown in FIG. 2 includes the reception unit 110, the weather information acquisition unit 120, the power information storage unit 130, the identification unit 140, the determination unit 150, and control. The unit 160 is provided.

The receiving unit 110 is realized by a CPU that executes a control program, an input device, a display device, and the like, and has a function of receiving an input of a use time zone of an air conditioner and a desired temperature by a user and transmitting it to the determining unit 150. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a user interface screen displayed on the display device of the control device 100. For example, when the user inputs the operating time zone T of the air conditioner and the desired temperature C1 on the screen shown in the figure, the receiving unit 110 transmits the operating time zone T and the desired temperature C1 to the determination unit 150.

The weather information acquisition unit 120 is realized by a CPU that executes a control program, a communication circuit, and the like, and has a function of receiving weather information from the server 30 and transmitting it to the identification unit 140 and the determination unit 150. The server 30 transmits weather information to the control device 100 periodically, for example. Alternatively, the control device 100 may request the server 30 to transmit the weather information, and the server 30 may transmit the weather information accordingly. The meteorological information is information generated by the Japan Meteorological Agency or other organizations based on current and past observation data which are the results of meteorological satellites, meteorological stations and meteorological stations by meteorological stations. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the weather information 32 transmitted by the server 30 and acquired by the control device 100. As shown in the figure, the weather information 32 acquired by the control device 100 includes current temperature information, predicted temperature information, current cloud amount information, predicted cloud amount information, and the like. The current temperature information is information indicating the current outside temperature (outside temperature) in the area where the house 11 is located. The predicted air temperature information is information indicating a predicted future air temperature in the area where the house 11 is located (for example, up to 48 hours after the present). The current cloud amount information is information indicating the cloud amount (the ratio of clouds to the whole sky) in the area where the house 11 is located. The predicted cloud amount information is information indicating a predicted cloud amount in the future (for example, up to 48 hours after the present) in the area where the house 11 is located.

The power information storage unit 130 is configured by a storage area of a storage medium such as a memory, and stores the power consumption measured based on the amount of current flowing to the electric devices such as the device 310a and the device 310b It has a function of holding power information in a storage area.

The identifying unit 140 is realized by a CPU that executes a control program, a communication circuit, and the like. The identifying unit 140 receives, from the storage battery 200, the amount of power available to the air conditioner 300 from the storage battery 200 in the use time zone T transmitted from the receiving unit 110; And a function to identify and transmit to the determination unit 150. The current cloud amount information and the predicted cloud amount information in the weather information 32 are used by the identification unit 140 to calculate the amount of power generated by the solar cell 210 and stored in the storage battery 200. The power information is used by the identification unit 140 to predict the amount of power used by the device 310 a and the device 310 b from the storage battery 200. The amount of power specified by the specifying unit 140 is a predicted value.

The determination unit 150 is realized by a CPU that executes a control program. The determination unit 150 is an air conditioner based on the amount of power transmitted from the identification unit 140, the use time zone T transmitted from the reception unit 110, the desired temperature C1, and the weather information 32 transmitted from the weather information acquisition unit 120. It has a function of determining a target temperature C2 for specification (setting) to 300. The determination unit 150 transmits the determined target temperature C2 and the transmitted use time zone T to the control unit 160. The amount of power required by the air conditioner 300 depends on the difference between the outside air temperature and the target temperature C2, but the current air temperature information and the expected air temperature information in the meteorological information 32 are used to calculate the outside air temperature. .

The control unit 160 is realized by a CPU that executes a control program, a communication circuit, and the like, and has a function of specifying the target temperature C2 transmitted by the determination unit 150 and operating the air conditioner 300 in the use time period T. Specifically, the control unit 160 transmits a control signal to the air conditioner 300 according to a predetermined protocol to control the operation of the air conditioner 300. The predetermined protocol is predetermined in order to communicate between the control device 100 which is the HEMS controller and the HEMS device. For example, the network layer is IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6), the transport layer is UDP (User Datagram Protocol), and the application layer is ECHONET Lite (registered trademark).

(Operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of control device 100 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. It is assumed that power information is stored in the power information storage unit 130 before the operation of FIG. 5 is started.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control processing for realizing the control method of the air conditioner 300 in the control device 100. The control process is executed, for example, when an operation (such as a button operation) of the control device 100 by the user or a terminal device operated by the user transmits a signal to the control device 100 via HAN.

First, the reception unit 110 of the control device 100 receives the input of the use time zone T and the desired temperature C1 desired by the user in controlling the air conditioner 300 (step S11). In the case of cooling by the air conditioner 300, for example, the input use time period T is 14 o'clock to 17 o'clock, and the desired temperature C1 is 27 degrees Celsius.

Next, for example, immediately before the start of the use time zone T, the weather information acquisition unit 120 of the control device 100 acquires the weather information 32 (see FIG. 4) from the server 30 by receiving it (step S12). The weather information 32 received by the weather information acquisition unit 120 is transmitted to the identification unit 140 and the determination unit 150. It should be noted that if the weather information 32 is received in step S12 when the beginning of the use time zone T approaches, it is assumed that the accuracy of specifying the amount of power in the following step S14 can be increased. It is also possible to carry out when the beginning of is not yet approaching.

Further, the specifying unit 140 of the control device 100 acquires battery information indicating the remaining battery capacity from the storage battery 200 (step S13). If acquisition of this battery information is performed when the start of the use time slot T approaches, it is assumed that the specific accuracy of the power amount in the following step S14 may be increased, but the start of the use time slot T is still approaching It is also possible to execute when not running.

Subsequently, the identifying unit 140 identifies the amount of power that can be used by the air conditioner 300 from the storage battery 200 in the use time zone T (step S14). Based on the power information stored in power information storage unit 130, the battery information received from storage battery 200, and weather information 32 (current cloud amount information and expected cloud amount information), identification unit 140 determines, for example, By performing the calculation shown in, the amount of electric power P1 that can be used by the air conditioner is specified. The identifying unit 140 also transmits the identified power amount P1 (hereinafter, referred to as “specified power amount P1”) to the determining unit 150.

[Equation 1] Specific power amount P1 (Wh) = remaining battery power PR (Wh) + power generation amount PS1 (Wh) -expected power usage amount PW1 (Wh) (Equation 1)

Here, the remaining battery charge PR is indicated in the battery information. In addition, the power generation amount PS1 is calculated based on a weather information 32 and is calculated using a mathematical formula (a mathematical formula predetermined based on experiment, simulation, etc.) for specifying the power generation of the solar cell 210 using the cloud amount as a parameter. It is the amount of power generation until the end of T. Further, the expected power consumption PW1 is a power amount estimated to be used (consumed) by the end of the use time period T by the device 310a and the device 310b based on the power information. For example, the average amount of used power in a time zone (for example, 14 o'clock to 17 o'clock) in the latest one month corresponding to the current period to the end of the use time zone T is the power amount as the estimation result.

The determination unit 150 to which the specific power amount P1 has been transmitted performs a target temperature determination process for determining the target temperature C2 designated to the air conditioner 300 (step S15).

When the target temperature C2 is determined by the target temperature determination process, the control unit 160 of the control device 100 designates the target temperature C2 and operates the air conditioner 300 in the designated time zone T (step S16). That is, when the start of the designated time zone T arrives, the control unit 160 designates the target temperature C2 as the set temperature of the air conditioner 300, and transmits a control signal for causing the air conditioner 300 to start operation. Thereafter, when the end of the designated time zone T comes, the control unit 160 transmits a control signal for stopping the operation of the air conditioner 300.

Hereinafter, the target temperature determination process (step S15) by the determination unit 150 described above will be described.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the target temperature determination process performed by the determination unit 150 of the control device 100.

The determination unit 150 specifies the outside temperature C0 in the use time zone T based on the weather information 32 (current temperature information or predicted temperature information) (step S21).

Subsequently, the determination unit 150 calculates the ideal temperature CX in a range covered by the specific power amount P1 (step S22). The rated energy consumption efficiency (COP: Coefficient Of Performance) of the air conditioner 300 under a constant temperature environment changes depending on the difference between the set temperature and the outside air temperature. If COP is previously determined based on experiment, simulation, etc. for every difference, the power consumption PX of the air conditioner 300 can be calculated by the following equation 2. That is, the power consumption PX of the air conditioner 300 can be calculated from Expression 2 using the corresponding COP from the difference between the set temperature and the outside air temperature C0.

[Equation 2] Power consumption PX (Wh) = (rated power consumption P0 (W) × COP) × time T0 (hour) (Equation 2)

Here, time T0 is a time length of the use time zone T. The rated power consumption P0 is a rated power consumption of the air conditioner 300, and uses a rated power consumption at the time of cooling or a rated power consumption at the time of heating depending on whether it is used for cooling or heating. In addition, COP is also used depending on whether it is for cooling or heating. In the case of cooling, if the power consumption PX is equal to or less than the specified power P1 when the set temperature is changed, the minimum set temperature in the range covered by the specified power P1 and the case of heating In the above, the maximum set temperature in the range covered by the specific power amount P1 can be calculated. The lowest set temperature or the highest set temperature is calculated as the ideal temperature CX. If the air conditioner 300 is operated at the usage time zone T at the ideal temperature CX, it can be expected that the air conditioning can be performed without using the power from the electric power system.

The determination unit 150 that has calculated the ideal temperature CX determines whether the difference between the ideal temperature CX and the desired temperature C1 is less than a predetermined value S0 (step S23). If it is less than the predetermined value S0, the determination unit 150 determines the ideal temperature CX as the target temperature C2 (step S24), and if it is not less than the predetermined value S0, the determination unit 150 determines the desired temperature C1 as the target temperature C2. (Step S25), and the target temperature determination process is finished. The predetermined value S0 is a threshold value predetermined in order to distinguish whether it is a temperature that can be considered to meet the user's request to a certain extent (a temperature close to the desired temperature to some extent), and is 5 degrees, for example.

The control unit 160 operates the air conditioner 300 in step S16 described above by specifying the target temperature C2 determined by the determination unit 150 as the set temperature. Therefore, the control unit 160 operates the air conditioner 300 in this way as long as the air conditioner 300 can operate at the set temperature (temperature difference less than the predetermined value S0) close to the user's desired temperature using power supplied by the storage battery 200. Do. In addition, when it is impossible (when operating with power that can be supplied by the storage battery 200, the control unit 160 separates the user's desired temperature from the predetermined value S0 or more), the control unit 160 controls the air conditioner 300 at the user's desired temperature. Drive. Note that the air conditioner 300 operates by receiving supply from the power system for the power that can not be supplied by the storage battery 200.

Although the target temperature determination process (FIG. 6) described above determines the target temperature C2 according to the difference between the ideal temperature CX and the desired temperature C1, the target temperature is determined as in the following modification without using this difference. It is good to decide.

Hereinafter, a modification of the target temperature determination process (step S15) described above will be described.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a target temperature determination process performed by the determination unit 150 of the control device 100 according to the modification.

The determination unit 150 specifies the outside temperature C0 in the use time zone T based on the weather information 32 (current temperature information or predicted temperature information) (step S31).

Subsequently, the determination unit 150 determines whether the outside air temperature C0 is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, 25 degrees Celsius) for distinguishing between cooling and heating (step S32). When it is known in advance whether cooling or heating is to be performed because the air conditioner 300 is exclusively used for cooling or heating, or the user has received a designation of cooling or heating from the user, the determination in step S32 can be omitted. .

When it is determined in step S32 that the outside air temperature C0 is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature (that is, when it is determined that cooling should be performed), the determination unit 150 sets the desired temperature C1 as the lower limit, and the target in the range covered by the specific power amount P1. The temperature C2 is calculated (step S33). This calculation is the same as the method of calculating the ideal temperature CX using the above-mentioned equation 2, except that the desired temperature C1 is the lower limit.

Further, when it is determined in step S32 that the outside air temperature C0 is less than the predetermined temperature (that is, when it is determined that heating should be performed), the determination unit 150 sets the desired temperature C1 as an upper limit, and the range covered by the specific power amount P1. The target temperature C2 is calculated at step S34. This calculation is the same as the method of calculating the ideal temperature CX using the above-mentioned equation 2, except that the desired temperature C1 is the upper limit.

By executing step S33 or step S34, the target temperature determination process according to the modification ends.

That is, in the target temperature determination process according to this modification, the air temperature (outside air temperature) at the start of the use time zone T is specified based on the weather information 32. And if the said air temperature is more than predetermined temperature, it determines so that the target temperature C2 does not become lower than the desired temperature C1, and if the air temperature is less than predetermined temperature, it determines so that the target temperature C2 does not become higher than the desired temperature C1. . Therefore, the power consumption can be suppressed by the air conditioning equipment 300 not performing cooling or heating exceeding the user's request, and the remaining battery capacity remaining in the storage battery 200 after the operation of the air conditioning equipment 300 is used for the electrical equipment in the house 11 thereafter. obtain.

Further, in step S33 or step S34, the determination unit 150 sets the target temperature C2 to the desired temperature C1 under the condition of operating the air conditioner 300 in the use time zone T with the power covered by the power amount specified by the specification unit 140. The decision is made to be the closest. This makes it possible to meet the user's wishes to some extent.

As another modification, the process of calculating the target temperature C2 in step S33 and step S34 shown in FIG. 7 may be used to calculate the ideal temperature CX in step S22 (FIG. 6) described above. That is, after the ideal temperature CX is calculated in step S22, if the ideal temperature CX is lower than the desired temperature C1 in the case of cooling, or if the ideal temperature CX is higher than the desired temperature C1 in the case of heating, The desired temperature C1 may be newly set as the ideal temperature CX.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, a control device 100a according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Constitution)
Control device 100a is a partial modification of control device 100 shown in the first embodiment, and devices related to control device 100a are the same as devices related to control device 100 (see FIG. 1). ). Control device 100a is economical in accordance with the balance between the sale of electricity based on a power sale contract that provides the electric power company etc. with the electric power stored in storage battery 200 for a fee, and the purchase of electric power supplied from the electric power system. Have a function to control the air conditioning equipment. In addition, the surplus power accumulated in storage battery 200 and remaining power consumption of the electric equipment of house 11 is supplied to the electric power company.

Like the control device 100, the control device 100a functions as a HEMS controller in HEMS that manages energy of the house 11, and is a computer including a memory, a CPU, an input device, a display device, a communication circuit, and the like. Hereinafter, the control device 100 a is the same as the control device 100 in the points not particularly shown.

Hereinafter, it demonstrates paying attention to the control function of the air conditioner 300 in the control apparatus 100a.

The control device 100a has a function of economically controlling the air conditioner 300 based on the purchase and sale charges and operating the air conditioner based on the temperature and use time desired by the user.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the control device 100a. In the figure, in addition to the control device 100a, devices installed inside and outside the house 11 are additionally described.

In order to realize the function of controlling the air conditioning equipment, the control device 100a is functionally equivalent to the reception unit 110a, the weather information acquisition unit 120, the power information storage unit 130, the identification unit 140, the determination unit 150a, and control as shown in FIG. A unit 160 and an estimation unit 170 are provided. Among the functional components shown in FIG. 8, the same components as those shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 2) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.

The receiving unit 110a is a partial modification of the receiving unit 110 described in the first embodiment, and is realized by a CPU that executes a control program, an input device, a display device, and the like. The receiving unit 110a has a function of receiving the input of the use time zone T of the air conditioner and the desired temperature C1 input by the user and transmitting the input to the determining unit 150a and the estimating unit 170.

The weather information acquisition unit 120a is a partial modification of the weather information acquisition unit 120 described in the first embodiment. The weather information acquisition unit 120a is realized by a CPU that executes a control program, a communication circuit, and the like, receives weather information 32 (see FIG. 4) from the server 30, and transmits it to the identification unit 140, the determination unit 150a, and the estimation unit 170. Have a function to

The estimation unit 170 is realized by a CPU that executes a control program, a communication circuit, and the like. Estimating unit 170 determines the amount of electric power P2 (hereinafter referred to as “estimated electric energy P2”) that can be used from storage battery 200 after a predetermined time H (for example, 24 hours, 48 hours, etc.) has elapsed “I have a function to estimate This estimation is made based on the weather information 32 transmitted from the weather information acquisition unit 120 a and the power information acquired from the power information storage unit 130.

The determination unit 150a is a partial modification of the determination unit 150 described in the first embodiment, and is implemented by a CPU that executes a control program. The determination unit 150a causes the estimation unit 170 to calculate the estimated power amount P2 to obtain the estimated power amount P2 of the calculation result, the estimated power amount P2, the specific power amount P1 transmitted from the specifying unit 140, and the reception unit A function of determining a target temperature C2 for designation (setting) to the air conditioner 300 based on the use time zone T and the desired temperature C1 transmitted from 110 and the weather information 32 transmitted from the meteorological information acquisition unit 120a Have.

The determination unit 150a transmits the determined target temperature C2 and the transmitted use time period T to the control unit 160.

The control unit 160 has a function of operating the air conditioner 300 in the use time period T by specifying the target temperature C2 transmitted by the determination unit 150a.

(Operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the control device 100a having the above-described configuration will be described.

The control device 100a executes the control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 in the same manner as the control device 100 described in the first embodiment. However, after the calculation of the specific power amount P1 (step S14), instead of the target temperature determination process in step S15, a power purchase target temperature determination process shown in FIG. 9 is performed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the purchase target temperature determination process performed by the determination unit 150a of the control device 100a. The target temperature determination process for purchase differs from the target temperature determination process described in the first embodiment in that the surplus power amount of the storage battery 200 at the time when the predetermined time H has elapsed from the end of the predetermined time zone T estimated by the estimation unit 170 This is a process of determining the target temperature C2 in consideration of a certain estimated amount of power P2.

First, the determination unit 150a specifies the outside air temperature C0 in the use time zone T based on the weather information 32 (current temperature information or predicted temperature information) (step S41).

Subsequently, the determination unit 150a causes the estimation unit 170 to estimate the estimated power amount P2, which is the amount of power available from the storage battery 200 at the time when a predetermined time H has elapsed from the end of the use time zone T (step S42).

At this time, the estimation unit 170 calculates the estimated power amount P2 by performing the calculation shown in the following Equation 3.

[Equation 3] Estimated power amount P2 (Wh) = power generation amount PS2 (Wh) -expected power consumption amount PW2 (Wh) (Equation 3)

Here, the power generation amount PS2 is calculated by a formula (predetermined formula based on experiments etc.) for specifying the power generation amount of the solar cell 210 using the cloud amount as a parameter based on the predicted cloudiness information of the weather information 32 The amount of power generation from the end of the use time zone T to the point when the predetermined time H has elapsed. Further, the expected power consumption PW2 is an amount of power estimated to be used (consumed) by the device 310a and the device 310b from the end of the use time period T to the lapse of the predetermined time H based on the power information.

Next, the determination unit 150a calculates the target temperature C2 within the range covered by the total amount of the purchased power amount P3 corresponding to the sale of the estimated power amount P2 and the specific power amount P1 (step S43). The amount of purchased power P3 is obtained as follows. That is, based on the power sales unit price of power, the power sale fee obtained by the power sale in the case of selling the power of the estimated power amount P2 is calculated. When the amount of power that can be purchased from the electric power company by the power purchase fee is calculated based on the purchase price of power, the calculated amount of power is the purchased power P3.

That is, under the condition that the air conditioner 300 is operated in the use time zone T with the electric power which can be covered by the sum of the specific power amount P1 and the purchased power amount P3 calculated by the predetermined calculation from the estimated power amount P2. The determination is made so that the target temperature C2 comes closest to the desired temperature C1. The method of calculating the target temperature C2 within the range covered by the total of the purchased power amount P3 and the specific power amount P1 is any of the methods described in the first embodiment (for example, the ideal temperature CX within the range covered by the specific power amount P1). The same method as calculated) may be used.

When the target temperature C2 is calculated by the purchase target temperature determination process described above, the control unit 160 of the control device 100a specifies the target temperature C2 and operates the air conditioner 300 for the specified time period T (FIG. 5). , Step S16).

Thus, even if the target temperature C2 deviates from the desired temperature C1 desired by the user if the power consumption of the air conditioner 300 operating in the predetermined time period T is to be covered only by the specific power amount P1, the purchased power amount P3 is used. Thus, the target temperature C2 can be made closer to the desired temperature C1. In addition, it is expected that the charge required for the purchase of the purchased power amount P3 will be covered in the future by the power sale fee by the sale of the estimated power amount P2. In this purchase target temperature determination process, it is useful to define, as the predetermined time period H, a period in which the prediction accuracy of the power generation amount (that is, the prediction accuracy in the weather information 32) is expected to be high to some extent. Further, it is useful to execute the target temperature determination process described in the first embodiment except when the estimated power amount P2 becomes a positive value.

(Other embodiments etc.)
As mentioned above, although control device 100, 100a was explained by Embodiment 1, 2, it can not be overemphasized that the above-mentioned embodiment is only an example, and various change, addition, omission, etc. are possible.

Although the air conditioner 300 has the air conditioning function in the above embodiment, the air conditioner 300 may have only the air cooling function or the heating function.

In addition to receiving and acquiring the weather information 32 from the server 30, the above-described weather information acquisition units 120 and 120a also obtain a part of the weather information 32 based on a sensor (temperature sensor etc.) provided in the control device 100. Information (temperature, etc.) corresponding to the item may be acquired.

Further, the control unit 160 described above operates the air conditioner 300 for the use time period T by designating the target temperature C2. In addition to specifying this target temperature C2 once, it is also possible to repeat the temperature specification to the air conditioner repeatedly, sequentially from the temperature close to the outside temperature to the target temperature C2 sequentially from the outside temperature to the target temperature C2. .

Further, the above-mentioned use time zone T may be a specific time zone of one day, or may be a time zone in which a date and the like are specified. Further, when the use time zone T of the air conditioner 300 designated by the user is a time zone in which the operation of the air conditioner 300 is repeated every day (a time zone of one day), the estimated use electric energy PW2 is used for the next air conditioning The estimated value of the power consumption in the use time zone T of the device 300 may be included. This is useful when the predetermined time H described above is, for example, 24 hours, and the operation of the air conditioner 300 is repeated every day in a fixed time zone. The power consumption of the air conditioner 300 next time can be estimated on the basis of predicted air temperature information, assuming that the set temperature is the desired temperature C1 or the ideal temperature CX or the like.

In addition to receiving the battery information from storage battery 200, control devices 100 and 100a described above may have a configuration in which control device 100 measures the remaining battery capacity of storage battery 200.

Further, the order of execution of the processing procedures (procedures shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and 9 and the like) in the above-described control devices 100 and 100a is not necessarily limited to the above-described order, and does not deviate from the scope of the invention. Then, it is possible to change the execution order or omit some of them. Further, all or part of the processing procedure (the procedures shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and FIG. 9, etc.) may be realized by hardware or may be realized using software. The process by software is realized by the CPU included in the control device 100, 100a (computer) executing a control program stored in the memory. Alternatively, the program may be recorded on a recording medium and distributed or distributed. For example, by installing the distributed control program in a computer and causing the CPU to execute it, it is possible to cause the computer to execute all or part of the processing procedure shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 and 9.

Further, an embodiment realized by arbitrarily combining the components and the functions shown in the above-described embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Note that various aspects of the present invention include one or more combinations of an apparatus, a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a computer readable recording medium, and the like.

Hereinafter, configurations, modifications, effects, and the like of the control device according to an aspect of the present invention and a control method related to the control device will be described.

(1) The control device 100, 100a according to one aspect of the present invention is a control device that controls the air conditioner 300 having a function of adjusting the temperature to a designated target temperature and receiving power supply from the storage battery 200, Reception units 110 and 110a for receiving inputs indicating a use time zone and a desired temperature, weather information acquisition units 120 and 120a for acquiring weather information, and a specification unit 140 for specifying the amount of power available from the storage battery 200 in the use time zone And the determining unit 150, 150a that determines the target temperature based on the power amount specified by the identifying unit 140, the desired temperature, the operating time zone, and the weather information, and the target temperature determined by the determining unit 150, 150a And a control unit 160 for operating the air conditioner 300 in the use time zone.

As a result, it is possible to economically operate the air conditioner reflecting the temperature (desired temperature) desired by the user and the use time zone.

(2) For example, the identifying unit 140 may identify the amount of power by acquiring the remaining battery level of the storage battery 200.

As a result, even if the control device 100, 100a does not measure the remaining battery level of the storage battery 200, it is possible to appropriately identify the amount of power available from the storage battery 200 in the use time zone.

(3) For example, the control device 100, 100a controls one or more devices (device 310a, device 310b, etc.) that receive power supply from the storage battery 200, and the control device 100, 100a uses the amount of power used by the device. A power information storage unit 130 may be provided that acquires and stores power information to be shown, and the specifying unit 140 may specify the amount of power based on the power information.

Accordingly, the control devices 100 and 100a can appropriately specify the set temperature and the like of the air conditioner 300 based on the power consumption of each device.

(4) For example, the storage battery 200 may accumulate the electric power generated by the solar cell 210, and the specifying unit 140 may specify the amount of electric power based on the weather information.

This makes it possible to cope with the case where the storage battery 200 is connected to the solar cell 210, to predict the amount of power generation from the weather information, and to appropriately calculate the amount of power that the air conditioner 300 can use.

(5) For example, based on the weather information, the determination unit 150 calculates an ideal temperature at which the air conditioner 300 can operate in the use time zone with the power covered by the power amount specified by the identification unit 140, and If the difference between the desired temperature and the desired temperature is less than the predetermined threshold, the determination is made so that the ideal temperature and the target temperature have the same value. If the difference is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold, the desired temperature and the target temperature have the same value. You may decide to make a decision.

As a result, the air conditioner 300 can be controlled to be close to a desired temperature desired by the user.

(6) For example, the determination unit 150 determines the target temperature so that the target temperature does not become lower than the desired temperature when the air conditioner 300 cools, and when the air conditioner heats, the target temperature is higher than the desired temperature The target temperature may be determined not to be high. Note that, as an example of the determination as to the case of cooling or heating, a method or the like of determining based on weather information whether the air temperature at the beginning of the operating time zone is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature (for example, 25 degrees Celsius) Can be mentioned.

Thereby, unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed and the air conditioner 300 can be controlled economically.

(7) For example, the determination unit 150 performs determination such that the target temperature is closest to the desired temperature under the condition of operating the air conditioner 300 in the use time zone with the power covered by the power amount specified by the identification unit 140 It is good as well.

As a result, it is possible to control the air conditioner 300 so as to reduce the possibility of power purchase and to approach the desired temperature desired by the user economically to a certain extent.

(8) For example, when the air conditioner 300 is not supplied with electric power from the storage battery 200, the control device 100a receives the supplied electric power from the electric power system, and the control device 100a uses the amount of electric power available from the storage battery 200 after the use time The determination unit 150a is configured to calculate the total of the power amount specified by the specification unit 140 and the constant power amount calculated by the predetermined calculation from the power amount estimated by the estimation unit 170. The determination may be made so that the target temperature is closest to the desired temperature under the conditions for operating the air conditioner 300 in the use time zone.

As a result, the target temperature is determined to be close to the desired temperature within the range where the trading balance does not become negative by purchasing power corresponding to the charge expected to be obtained in future power sales, and the air conditioner 300 Can be controlled.

(9) A control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a control method for controlling an air conditioner 300 which has a function of adjusting the temperature to a designated target temperature and receives power supply from the storage battery 200. And reception step S11 for receiving an input indicating a desired temperature, weather information acquisition step S12 for acquiring weather information, identification step S14 for identifying the amount of power available from storage battery 200 in a use time zone, identification in identification step S14 The air conditioner 300 is operated in the use time zone by specifying the target temperature determined in the determination step S15, which determines the target temperature based on the electric energy, the desired temperature, the use time zone, and the weather information And control step S16.

As a result, it is possible to economically operate the air conditioner reflecting the desired temperature and the use time zone desired by the user.

100, 100a Control device 110, 110a Reception unit 120, 120a Weather information acquisition unit 130 Power information storage unit 140 Identification unit 150, 150a Determination unit 160 Control unit 170 Estimation unit 200 Storage battery 210 Solar battery 300

Air conditioner

310a, 310b Equipment

Claims

A control device that controls an air conditioner that has a function of adjusting the temperature to a designated target temperature and receives power supply from a storage battery,
A reception unit that receives an input indicating a use time zone and a desired temperature;
A weather information acquisition unit that acquires weather information;
An identifying unit that identifies an amount of power available from the storage battery in the use time zone;
A determination unit that determines a target temperature based on the amount of power specified by the specification unit, the desired temperature, the use time zone, and the weather information;
A control unit comprising: a control unit that operates the air conditioner in the use time zone by specifying the target temperature determined by the determination unit.
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the power amount by acquiring a battery remaining amount of the storage battery.
The control device controls one or more devices that receive power supply from the storage battery,
The control device includes a power information storage unit that acquires and stores power information indicating an amount of used power of the device.
The control device according to claim 1, wherein the identification unit identifies the amount of power based on the power information.
The storage battery stores power generated by a solar cell,
The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification unit identifies the power amount based on the weather information.
The determination unit calculates, based on the weather information, an ideal temperature at which the air conditioner can operate in the use time zone with the power covered by the amount of power specified by the identification unit, and the ideal temperature and the desired temperature The above determination is performed so that the ideal temperature and the target temperature have the same value if the difference between them and the target temperature is less than the predetermined threshold, and the desired temperature and the target temperature are the same if the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination is performed so as to be a value.
The determination unit performs the determination so that the target temperature does not become lower than the desired temperature when the air conditioner performs cooling, and the target temperature does not become higher than the desired temperature when the air conditioner performs heating The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination is performed as described above.
The determination unit performs the determination such that the target temperature is closest to the desired temperature under the condition of operating the air conditioner in the use time zone with the power covered by the power amount specified by the identification unit. The control device according to any one of Items 1 to 4.
The air conditioner receives power supply from a power system when power is not supplied from the storage battery,
The control device includes an estimation unit that estimates an amount of power available from the storage battery after the use time zone based on the weather information;
The determination unit is the air conditioner in the use time zone with electric power that is totaled by the electric energy specified by the identification unit and a constant electric energy calculated by a predetermined calculation from the electric energy estimated by the estimation unit. The control device according to claim 4, wherein the determination is performed such that the target temperature is closest to the desired temperature under the condition of operating.
A control method for controlling an air conditioner that has a function of adjusting the temperature to a designated target temperature and receives power supply from a storage battery,
A reception step of receiving an input indicating a use time zone and a desired temperature;
A weather information acquisition step for acquiring weather information;
A specifying step of specifying an amount of power available from the storage battery in the use time zone;
A determination step of determining a target temperature based on the amount of power specified in the specific step, the desired temperature, the use time zone, and the weather information;
A control step of specifying the target temperature determined in the determination step and operating the air conditioner in the use time zone.