AU2016241265B2

AU2016241265B2 - Gateway device, demand response system, and program for gateway device

Info

Publication number: AU2016241265B2
Application number: AU2016241265A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Naohiro Fukuda; Yoshiaki Matsumoto; Norio Miyazaki
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-03-31
Filing date: 2016-01-27
Publication date: 2019-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-27
Also published as: JP2016192872A; AU2016241265A1; WO2016157673A1; NZ735120A

Abstract

A gateway device (2) is provided with: a storage unit (24) in which is stored a strategy table (243) in which are recorded in advance for each prescribed priority order a plurality of request patterns, each of the patterns having associated therewith a request candidate of interest, a request adjustment power amount, and at least one type of request information including a request of interest, which is a device group, among a plurality of device groups, that is subject to a control request, and a control command to the request of interest; and a conversion process unit (231) for specifying the request pattern in the strategy table (243) having the highest priority ranking among request patterns matching the request adjustment power amount and request candidate of interest specified in a demand response request, and generating a control request including request information for each type of request information extracted from the specified request pattern.

Description

GATEWAY DEVICE, DEMAND RESPONSE SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM FOR

GATEWAY DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001]

The present invention relates to a gateway device, a demand response system, and a program for the gateway device.

BACKGROUND ART [0002]

There has been known what is called demand response (DR) for stably supplying power by way of a consumer adjusting a power use amount or a power generation amount according to a request from a power supplier. In DR in general, a gateway device which relays communication between a power 15 company or an aggregator and a consumer is present between them (see PTL 1).

Such a gateway device transmits a control request to a predetermined consumer in accordance with a communication protocol different from that for a DR request transmitted from a supplier in response to the DR request.

Citation List

Patent Literature [0003]

PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.

2002-10532 [0004]

However, the technique described in PTL 1 may deteriorate a

DR-request satisfied rate due to direct increase in processing load for protocol conversion and in communication traffic in networks, accompanied by increase

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 in the number of consumers which are destinations for transmitting control requests.

[0005]

A gateway device, a demand response system, and a program for the gateway device which may increase a DR-request satisfied rate is disclosed.

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEM [0006]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gateway device which transmits a control request for control of devices to at 10 least one of a plurality of device groups, in response to a demand response request for adjustment of a power amount, the demand response request being transmitted from an aggregator, the gateway device including: a first communication circuit which receives the demand response request from the aggregator in accordance with a first protocol, the demand response request 15 specifying a requested adjustment power amount indicating a power amount by which a current power amount is to be adjusted and a request target candidate which is a device group included in the plurality of device groups and can be a target for the control request; a storage which stores, in advance, a strategy table which stores a plurality of request patterns in which the following are 20 associated with one another for each of predetermined priority ranks^: the request target candidate, the requested adjustment power amount, at least one request information item including a request target and a control command to the request target, the request target being a device group which is included in the plurality of device groups and is a target for the control request; a 25 conversion processor which identifies a request pattern having a highest priority rank in the strategy table from among request patterns which match the requested adjustment power amount and the request target candidate

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 specified by the demand response request received by the first communication circuit, and generates, for each of the at least one request information item extracted from the identified request pattern, the control request which includes the request information item; a second communication circuit which 5 transmits the control request generated by the conversion processor to the request target indicated by the request information item included in the control request in accordance with a second protocol different from the first protocol, and receives a control response to the control request from the request target; and a learning processor configured to selectively change a priority rank of the 10 request pattern included in the strategy table and identified by the conversion processor, based on the received control response associated with the request pattern.

[0007]

In addition, a demand response system according to an aspect of the 15 present invention includes the gateway device, the aggregator, and the plurality of device groups.

[0008]

Furthermore, a program for a gateway device according to an aspect of the present invention is a program for a gateway device including a computer 20 which transmits a control request for control of devices to at least one of a plurality of device groups, in response to a demand response request for adjustment of a power amount, the demand response request being transmitted from an aggregator, the program causing the computer to function as the following: a first communication circuit which receives the demand response 25 request from the aggregator in accordance with a first protocol, the demand response request specifying a requested adjustment power amount indicating a power amount by which a current power amount is to be adjusted and a request

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 target candidate which is a device group included in the plurality of device groups and can be a target for the control request; a storage which stores, in advance, a strategy table which stores a plurality of request patterns in which the following are associated with one another for each of predetermined priority 5 ranks^: the request target candidate, the requested adjustment power amount, at least one request information item including a request target and a control command to the request target, the request target being a device group which is included in the plurality of device groups and is a target for the control request; a conversion processor which identifies a request pattern having a highest 10 priority rank in the strategy table from among request patterns which match the requested adjustment power amount and the request target candidate specified by the demand response request received by the first communication circuit, and generates, for each of the at least one request information item extracted from the identified request pattern, the control request which 15 includes the request information item; a second communication circuit which transmits the control request generated by the conversion processor to the request target indicated by the request information item included in the control request in accordance with a second protocol different from the first protocol, and receives a control response to the control request from the request target; 20 and a learning processor configured to selectively change a priority rank of the request pattern included in the strategy table and identified by the conversion processor, based on the received control response associated with the request pattern.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF INVENTION [0009]

According to the present invention, it may be possible to provide the gateway device, the demand response system, and the program for the gateway

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 device which can increase a DR-request satisfied rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0010]

An embodiment, incorporating all aspects of the invention, will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating a basic configuration of a demand response system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a message table for use in the demand response system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a task table for use in the demand response system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a strategy table for use in the demand response system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for illustrating operations in the demand response system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for illustrating operations in the demand response system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a configuration of a device group included in the demand response system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a strategy table for use in the demand response system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a strategy table for use in the demand response system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a strategy table for use in the demand response system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

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DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0011]

Hereinafter, a gateway device etc. according to this embodiment is described with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that each of the exemplary embodiments described below illustrates a preferred specific example. Accordingly, the numerical values, shapes, materials, constituent elements, the arrangement and connection of the constituent elements, 10 processes (steps), the processing order of the processes etc. shown in the following exemplary embodiments are mere examples, and therefore do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, among the constituent elements in the following exemplary embodiments, constituent elements not recited in any one of the independent claims that define the most generic 15 concept of the present invention are described as arbitrary constituent elements. It is to be noted that each of the drawings is a schematic diagram, and is not necessarily illustrated precisely.

[0012]

EMBODIMENT 1

This embodiment describes a gateway device, a demand response system, and a program for the gateway device which enable increase in a DR-request satisfied rate by introducing a strategy to reduce processing load and communication traffic.

[0013] (Demand response system)

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the demand response system according to this embodiment includes: aggregator 1; gateway device 2; a plurality of device

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 groups 3 each of which is a power consumer; and a power company which is a power supplier. Each of device groups 3 is supplied with power from power company 4 through a not’shown power system.

[0014]

Power company 4 includes management device 41. Management device 41 monitors balance between the amount of power supply from power company 4 and the amount of power consumed by the power consumer. When the power consumption amount increases relatively and the balance with the power supply amount is unlikely to be maintained, management device 41 10 transmits, to aggregator 1, a power amount adjustment request including a requested power amount by which a current power amount is to be adjusted and a requested period for the adjustment. Management device 41 is connected communicatively to aggregator 1 in accordance with a communication protocol such as automated demand response (OpenADR).

[0015]

Here, requested power amounts include a power use amount and a power generation amount. Adjustment of a power use amount includes reduction and increase of the power use amount. To adjust a power generation amount includes to reduce and increase the power generation amount. In 20 other words, in this embodiment, “to adjust a power amount” is at least one of to reduce a power use amount, to increase a power use amount, to reduce a power generation amount, and to increase a power generation amount.

[0016]

Aggregator 1 is a computer including communication circuit 11 which communicates with an external device, processor 12, and storage 13. Aggregator 1 is located between power company 4 and gateway device 2. Communication circuit 11 communicates with management device 41 and

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 gateway device 2. When communication circuit 11 receives a power amount adjustment request from management device 41, processor 12 generates a demand response (DR) request for adjustment of a power amount to gateway device 2 to which a power consumer is connected, and transmits the DR request 5 to gateway device 2 through communication circuit 11. Communication circuit is connected communicatively to gateway device 2.

[0017]

Storage 13 stores in advance information such as identifiers Bi, B2, . . .

B_n of the plurality of device groups 3 and power use amounts. Processor 12 generates a DR request in response to a power amount adjustment request from power company 4. The DR request specifies: a requested adjustment power amount indicating a requested power amount by which a current power amount is to be adjusted; a request target candidate which is device group 3 that is included in the plurality of device groups 3 and can be a target for a control request; and a requested period (temporal condition). Communication circuit 11 transmits the DR request generated by processor 12 to gateway device 2 in accordance with a first protocol. The first protocol is a communication protocol such as OpenADR.

[0018]

Gateway device 2 is a computer including first communication circuit

21, second communication circuit 22, processor 23, and storage 24. First communication circuit 21 receives the DR request specifying the requested adjustment power amount, the request target candidate, the requested period, etc. from aggregator 1 in accordance with the first protocol. First communication circuit 21 is connected communicatively to aggregator 1.

[0019]

Processor 23 includes conversion processor 231, learning processor 232,

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 and condition determiner 233. Processor 23 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU). The respective elements of processor 23 are indicated as logical structures, and each of the elements may be configured with a separate hardware item or all of them may be configured with an integrated 5 hardware item.

[0020]

Conversion processor 231 generates a control request in accordance with a second protocol to the plurality of device groups 3, based on the DR request in accordance with the first protocol received by first communication 10 circuit 21, and thereby converts the communication in accordance with the first protocol to communication in accordance with the second protocol. Examples of protocols which can be employed as the second protocol include: Smart Energy Profile (SEP), ECHONETLite, BACnet, IEEE1888/FIAP (Facility Information Access Protocol). Other communication protocols having unique 15 command systems can also be employed as the second protocol.

[0021]

Learning processor 232 performs processing for learning a strategy relating to a control request generated by conversion processor 231 according to a response from the plurality of device groups 3 made in response to the control 20 request. Condition determiner 233 determines each condition in the generation of the control request by conversion processor 231.

[0022]

Storage 24 stores message table 241, task table 242, strategy table 243, and register 244. Storage 24 is a storage device such as an auxiliary storage 25 and a main storage. Each of the information items may be stored in a separate hardware item, or all of the information items may be stored in an integrated hardware item.

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 [0023]

Message table 241 is a record of each of DR requests received by first communication circuit 21 in accordance with the first protocol. As illustrated in FIG. 2 for example, message table 241 includes information items which are sources, destinations, requested adjustment power amounts, request target candidates, etc. Here, “A” as a source means the identifier of aggregator 1 and “G” as a destination means the identifier of gateway device 2. Requested adjustment power amount means a requested power amount by which a current power amount is to be adjusted. A request target candidate means 10 device group 3 which is included in the plurality of device groups 3 and can be a request target.

[0024]

For example, in an example illustrated in the first row of FIG. 2, the DR request transmitted from aggregator 1 means a message for requesting 15 adjustment of a power use amount of 10 kW under control of at least one of six device groups 3 indicated by Bi 6.

[0025]

As illustrated in FIG. 3, task table 242 stores tasks that are currently being executed by processor 23 of gateway device 2. FIG. 3 corresponds to FIG.

2, and shows that each task according to a DR request transmitted from aggregator 1 is currently being executed.

[0026]

As illustrated in FIG. 4, strategy table 243 stores in advance a plurality of request patterns for respective predetermined priority ranks. In each 25 request pattern, the following are associated with one another a request target candidate, a requested adjustment power amount, at least one request information item including a request target and a control command to the

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 request target. The request target is device group 3 which is included in the plurality of device groups 3 and is a target for the control request.

[0027]

Register 244 is a processor register for storing information transmitted or received by gateway device 2. Register 244 may be also used as a temporary storage necessary for operation performed by processor 23.

[0028]

When first communication circuit 21 receives the DR request, conversion processor 231 searches strategy table 243 for request patterns that 10 match the requested adjustment power amount and the request target candidate received by first communication circuit 21. Conversion processor 231 identifies the request pattern which has the highest priority rank in the searched-out request patterns, and extracts a request information item from the identified request pattern. Conversion processor 231 generates, for each 15 request information item extracted from the request pattern, a control request including the request information item.

[0029]

Second communication circuit 22 transmits a control request generated by conversion processor 231 to device group 3 which is a request target 20 indicated by the request information item included in the control request in accordance with the second protocol. In addition, second communication circuit 22 receives a response to the transmitted control request from device group 3 which is the request target. Second communication circuit 22 is connected communicatively to each of the plurality of devices 3.

[0030]

Learning processor 232 changes the priority rank of the request pattern included in strategy table 243 and identified by conversion processor 231, based

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 on the response from device group 3 made in response to the control request received by second communication circuit 22.

[0031]

Each of the plurality of device groups 3 includes controller 31 and a plurality of devices 32. Device group 3 is an energy management system (EMS) which manages power use amounts, power generation amounts, etc. of devices 32 using controller 31. Devices 32 include load devices such as a cooler and heater, a luminaire, a hot water supplier, etc. power sources such as a solar battery and an accumulator battery, and a smart meter, or the like.

[0032]

Each controller 31 receives a control request transmitted from gateway device 2. According to the received control request, controller 31 adjusts a power amount by controlling device 32 that controller 31 manages in a period indicated by a requested period. Each controller 31 transmits, to gateway 15 device 2, a control response including a scheduled adjustment power amount which is a power amount by which a current power amount is to be adjusted as a response to the control request.

[0033] (Operations in demand response system)

Hereinafter, descriptions are given of examples of operations in the demand response system according to this embodiment, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the sequence diagram of FIG. 6.

[0034]

First, processor 12 of aggregator 1 starts processing regarding setting of a DR request in Step Sil upon receiving a power amount adjustment request from management device 41 of power company 4. In Step S12, processor 12 activates a task relating to a demand response. Processor 12 generates a DR

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 request specifying a requested adjustment power amount, a request target candidate, a requested period, etc., in response to the power amount adjustment request from management device 41. In Step S13, communication circuit 11 transmits the DR request generated by processor 12 to gateway 5 device 2 in accordance with a first protocol.

[0035]

In Step S201 in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, aggregator 1 transmits, to gateway device 2, the DR request which specifies identifier Al of aggregator 1 itself, identifiers Bi 3 of request target candidates, and a requested 10 adjustment power amount of Δ2.

[0036]

In Step S201, first communication circuit 21 of gateway device 2 receives the DR request transmitted from aggregator 1 in accordance with the first protocol. In Step S202, processor 23 activates task GtoBi-3 relating to the 15 demand response when first communication circuit 21 receives the DR request from aggregator 1.

[0037]

In Step S203, processor 23 identifies tasks which are currently being executed with reference to task table 242. In Step S204, conversion processor 20 231 searches for the request patterns corresponding to the task identified in

Step S203 with reference to strategy table 243. In other words, conversion processor 231 searches for the request patterns which match the requested adjustment power amount and the request target candidate specified in the DR request received by first communication circuit 21 in Step S201.

[0038]

In Step S205, conversion processor 231 identifies the request pattern which has the highest priority rank in the request patterns searched out in

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019

Step S204, and extracts the request information item from the identified request pattern. Conversion processor 231 generates, for each request information item extracted from the request pattern, a control request including the request information item.

[0039]

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, conversion processor 231 searches for the request pattern which matches the requested adjustment power amount of Δ2 and request target candidate Bi 3 specified in the DR request received by first communication circuit 21 in Step S201. In the case of strategy table 243 10 as illustrated in FIG. 8, in Step S205, conversion processor 231 obtains the request patterns in the second and third rows as matching request patterns obtained as a result of the search, and identifies the second-row request pattern with the priority rank higher than the priority rank of the third-row request pattern. Conversion processor 231 generates, for each of request information 15 items {Bi, comi} and {B2, coms} extracted from the identified request pattern, a control request including the request information items {Bi, coms} and {B2, coms}.

[0040]

In Step S206, second communication circuit 22 transmits, in accordance with the second protocol, a control request generated by conversion processor 231 to device group 3 which is a request target indicated by the request information item included in the control request. Conversion processor 231 causes register 244 to store the control request which is transmitted by second communication circuit 22.

[0041]

For example, in Step S206 in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, second communication circuit 22 transmits, in accordance with second protocol P2, the 14

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 control request including request information items {Bi, C01112} and {B2, coms} to device groups 3 each having identifier Bi or B2. It is to be noted that the control request includes an identifier (indicated as Bi 3 in Step S206 in FIG. 6) indicating by which task the control request was made.

[0042]

In Step S31, controller 31 of device group 3 receives the control request transmitted from gateway device 2. In Step S32, controller 31 automatically calculates a scheduled adjustment power amount in response to the received control request, and generates a control response including the scheduled 10 adjustment power amount. In Step S33, controller 31 transmits the control response generated in Step S32 as a response to the control request to gateway device 2 in accordance with the second protocol. It is to be noted that the control response includes the identifier of the task included in the control request.

[0043]

In Step S207, second communication circuit 22 of gateway device 2 receives the control response to the transmitted control request from device group 3 which is the request target. In Step S208, conversion processor 231 identifies the task including the control request in response to which the 20 control response received by second communication circuit 22 in Step S207 is made [0044]

In Step S209, learning processor 232 changes the priority rank of the request pattern included in strategy table 243 and identified in Step S205, 25 based on the control response received in Step S207.

[0045]

In Step S210, processor 23 identifies whether or not to perform a

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 process for re-transmitting the control request. For example, processor 23 determines that the re-transmission process is performed when a total scheduled adjustment power amount indicated by the control response received in Step S207 is smaller than the requested adjustment power amount indicated 5 by the control request. Processor 23 returns back to the process in Step S203 when determining that the re-transmission process is performed, and transitions to the process in Step S211 when determining that no re-transmission process is performed.

[0046]

In Step S211, first communication circuit 21 transmits a DR response which is a response to the DR request to aggregator 1 in accordance with the first protocol. The DR response includes information indicating the request target candidate and the total scheduled adjustment power amount included in the control response received in Step S207.

[0047]

In Step S14, communication circuit 11 of aggregator 1 receives the DR response to the transmitted DR request from gateway device 2 in accordance with the first protocol. In response to the received DR response, aggregator 1 transmits, to management device 41, a power amount adjustment response to 20 the power amount adjustment request received from management device 41.

[0048]

For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, device groups 3 each having identifier Bi or Ba transmits a control response including scheduled adjustment power amount W in Step S33 to gateway device 2. Each device 25 group 3 assigns scheduled adjustment power amount W with resource names

Res 1 and Res 2, and transmits the scheduled adjustment power amount W with resource names Res 1 and Res 2 to gateway device 2. In Step S211, first

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 communication circuit 21 transmits a DR response including the total scheduled adjustment power amount W with resource names Res 1 and 2 (Res 1 and Res 2) to aggregator 1 in accordance with the first protocol.

[0049]

The resource names and the scheduled adjustment power amounts are described taking the block diagram of FIG. 7 as an example. As illustrated in FIG. 7, given device group 3 includes input and output (I/O) controller 32-1, power meter 32-2, load 32-3, and power conditioner 32-4 as devices 32. Each of input and output controller 32-1, power meter 32-2, load 32-3, and power 10 conditioner 32-4 may be a single device or may comprise a plurality of devices.

Load 32-3 is, for example, a device which includes a cooler and heater, a luminaire, a hot water supplier, etc., and consumes power supplied from a system power source. Power conditioner 32-4 is connected to a solar power generator etc., converts direct-current power input from a power generator to 15 alternating-current power, and outputs the alternating-current power to the power system.

[0050]

Input and output controller 32-1 controls, for example, a switch connected between the power system and load 32-3 and a switch connected 20 between the power system and power conditioner 32-4, under timer control by controller 31. In this way, input and output controller 32-1 adjusts the amount of power used by load 32-3 and the amount of power generated by power conditioner 32-4. Alternatively, input and output controller 32-1 may directly control driving of load 32-3 and power conditioner 32-4. Power meter 25 32-2 detects power use amount W of load 32-3 and power generation amount W of power conditioner 32-4, and outputs them to controller 31.

[0051]

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Controller 31 calculates scheduled adjustment power amounts corresponding to power use amount W1 of load 32-3 and power generation amount W2 of power conditioner 32-4, and assign them with corresponding resource names Res 1 and Res 2 stored in advance. Controller 31 transmits 5 the control response with resource names Res 1 and Res 2 to gateway device 2.

Gateway device 2 assigns total scheduled adjustment power amount W3 = W1 + (-W2) with resource names Res 1 and Res 2, and transmits the DR response with resource names Res 1 and Res 2 to aggregator 1.

[0052] (Regarding learning process)

Hereinafter, a description is given of an example of an operation by learning processor 232 in Step S209.

[0053]

For example, when total scheduled adjustment power amount W3 included in the control response received in Step S207 in the example illustrated in FIG. 6 is smaller than the requested adjustment power amount of Δ2, learning processor 232 lowers the priority rank of the request pattern identified by conversion processor 231 as illustrated in FIG. 9. In contrast, when total scheduled adjustment power amount W3 is larger than or equal to the requested adjustment power amount of Δ2, learning processor 232 updates strategy table 243 to raise the priority rank of the request pattern.

[0054]

In this way, learning processor 232 changes the priority rank of the request pattern included in strategy table 243 and identified by conversion 25 processor 231, based on the control response to the control request. In this way, gateway device 2 can improve the strategy in transmitting the control request, and can reduce processing load for protocol conversion and

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 communication traffic in a network.

[0055]

In addition, leaning processor 232 may change priority ranks in strategy table 243 for each control response received in Step S207. For 5 example, learning processor 232 calculates expected value E (ΔΒ) with respect to the scheduled adjustment power amount of each request target, compares calculated expected value E (ΔΒ) with the scheduled adjustment power amount, and changes priority ranks based on the comparison result. Expected value E (ΔΒ) can be, for example, a proportional division of scheduled adjustment power 10 amount Δ.

[0056]

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 10, learning processor 232 may calculate a control-request satisfied rate for each kind of control responses received in the past, and change priority ranks in strategy table 243, based on 15 the calculated control-request satisfied rates. Each control-request satisfied rate can be calculated based on the number of satisfied control requests with respect to the number of transmissions of the control requests, and is calculated for each kind of control requests. For example, learning processor 232 updates strategy table 243 in such a manner that higher priority ranks are given in 20 descending order of request-satisfied rates corresponding to request information items associated respectively with requested adjustment power amounts A.

[0057]

Learning processor 232 may delete a request pattern from strategy table 243, based on the calculated request-satisfied rates. For example, learning processor 232 updates strategy table 243 to delete a request pattern whose calculated request-satisfied rate is smaller than or equal to a

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 predetermined threshold value. In this way, in addition to the reduction in occupied capacity of storage 24, processing load of conversion processor 231 is reduced.

[0058]

The demand response system according to this embodiment introduces a control strategy in gateway device 2, thereby enabling reduction in processing load for protocol conversion and in communication traffic in a network, and increase in a DR-request satisfied rate.

[0059]

In addition, the demand response system according to this embodiment changes priority ranks in strategy table 243, based on a control response from device group 3. In this way, gateway device 2 can improve the strategy in transmitting the control request, and can further increase the DR-request satisfied rate.

[0060] (OTHER EMBODIMENTS)

While this embodiment has been described above, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0061]

For example, in the above embodiment, storage 24 may store in advance a plurality of strategy tables 243 each defining power use conditions for the plurality of device groups 3. The power use conditions are, for example, temporal conditions such as a season, a day of a week, a time period, a weather 25 forecast. In this case, when first communication circuit 21 receives a DR request which has been transmitted from aggregator 1 and in which power use conditions are specified, conversion processor 231 identifies strategy table 243

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019 which defines matching power use conditions specified by the DR request. It is only necessary for conversion processor 231 to identify the request pattern based on the identified strategy table 243.

[0062]

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, aggregator 1 may be included in power company 4 or may function as gateway device 2.

[0063]

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, each of the functions of gateway device 2 may be implemented as a program for causing a computer to 10 perform the functions. In other words, the present disclosure covers the program for causing a computer to perform the functions of the demand response system according to this embodiment. The program may be read from a storage medium and installed in a computer, or may be transmitted through a network and installed in a computer.

[0064]

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the 20 stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0065]

Reference herein to background art does not constitute an admission that the art forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in 25 Australia or any other country.

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REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS [0064] aggregator gateway device device group first communication circuit second communication circuit storage device management device

231 conversion processor

232 learning processor

233 condition determiner

243 strategy table

Claims

2016241265 12 Mar 2019

1. A gateway device which transmits a control request for control of devices to at least one of a plurality of device groups, in response to a demand response request for adjustment of a power amount, the demand response

5 request being transmitted from an aggregator, the gateway device comprising:

a first communication circuit which receives the demand response request from the aggregator in accordance with a first protocol, the demand response request specifying a requested adjustment power amount indicating a power amount by which a current power amount is to be adjusted and a request 10 target candidate which is a device group included in the plurality of device groups and can be a target for the control request;

a storage which stores, in advance, a strategy table which stores a plurality of request patterns in which the following are associated with one another for each of predetermined priority ranks^: the request target candidate, 15 the requested adjustment power amount, at least one request information item including a request target and a control command to the request target, the request target being a device group which is included in the plurality of device groups and is a target for the control request;

a conversion processor which identifies a request pattern having a

20 highest priority rank in the strategy table from among request patterns which match the requested adjustment power amount and the request target candidate specified by the demand response request received by the first communication circuit, and generates, for each of the at least one request information item extracted from the identified request pattern, the control 25 request which includes the request information item;

a second communication circuit which transmits the control request generated by the conversion processor to the request target indicated by the

11150596_1 (GHMatters) P106792.AU

2016241265 12 Mar 2019 request information item included in the control request in accordance with a second protocol different from the first protocol, and receives a control response to the control request from the request target; and a learning processor configured to selectively change a priority rank of

5 the request pattern included in the strategy table and identified by the conversion processor, based on the received control response associated with the request pattern.
2. The gateway device according to claim 1,

10 wherein the learning processor calculates a control-request satisfied rate based on a response from the request target in the past, and changes priority ranks in the strategy table based on the control-request satisfied rate.
3. The gateway device according to claim 2,

15 wherein the learning processor selectively deletes the request pattern from the strategy table based on the control-request satisfied rate.
4. The gateway device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first communication circuit receives the demand response

20 request in which a temporal condition is specified, the storage stores a plurality of strategy tables each defining temporal conditions, and the conversion processor identifies the request pattern based on a strategy table which is included in a plurality of strategy tables stored in the 25 storage and which matches the temporal condition specified in the demand response request.

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2016241265 12 Mar 2019
5. A demand response system, comprising:

the gateway device according to any one of claims 1 to 4;

an aggregator; and a plurality of device groups.
6. A program for a gateway device including a computer which transmits a control request for control of devices to at least one of a plurality of device groups, in response to a demand response request for adjustment of a power amount, the demand response request being transmitted from an
10 aggregator, the program causing the computer to function as the following:

a first communication circuit which receives the demand response request from the aggregator in accordance with a first protocol, the demand response request specifying a requested adjustment power amount indicating a power amount by which a current power amount is to be adjusted and a request 15 target candidate which is a device group included in the plurality of device groups and can be a target for the control request;

a storage which stores, in advance, a strategy table which stores a plurality of request patterns in which the following are associated with one another for each of predetermined priority ranks: the request target candidate, 20 the requested adjustment power amount, at least one request information item including a request target and a control command to the request target, the request target being a device group which is included in the plurality of device groups and is a target for the control request;

a conversion processor which identifies a request pattern having a

25 highest priority rank in the strategy table from among request patterns which match the requested adjustment power amount and the request target candidate specified by the demand response request received by the first

11150596_1 (GHMatters) P106792.AU

2016241265 12 Mar 2019 communication circuit, and generates, for each of the at least one request information item extracted from the identified request pattern, the control request which includes the request information item;

a second communication circuit which transmits the control request

5 generated by the conversion processor to the request target indicated by the request information item included in the control request in accordance with a second protocol different from the first protocol, and receives a control response to the control request from the request target; and a learning processor configured to selectively change a priority rank of

10 the request pattern included in the strategy table and identified by the conversion processor, based on the received control response associated with the request pattern.