JP7590262B2 - Power management device, power management system, and power management method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power management device, a power management system, and a power management method.

Electricity retailers are known that purchase electricity from power generation companies and sell the purchased electricity to facilities. Electricity retailers manage the power thresholds of each facility managed by the electricity retailer, and calculate an excess charge for electricity demand that exceeds the power threshold for each facility managed by the electricity retailer (for example, Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2017/126435

However, from the perspective of stabilizing the power system in a specified area, it is preferable to suppress the maximum demand power for the entire specified area.

However, while the above-mentioned technology may be able to suppress the maximum power demand for a facility managed by an electricity retailer, it may not be possible to suppress the maximum power demand for the entire specified area, and therefore it may not be possible to adequately stabilize the power system in the specified area.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a power management device, a power management system, and a power management method that can appropriately stabilize the power grid in a specified area.

The disclosed power management device includes a management unit that manages one or more target facilities, an acquisition unit that acquires a predicted power demand for a specified area in which the target facilities and facilities other than the target facilities are located for an observation period including two or more unit times, a determination unit that determines a specific unit time from the two or more unit times in which the predicted power demand is expected to be maximized, and a control unit that executes specific control to suppress the power demand of the target facilities during the specific unit time.

The disclosed power management system includes a management unit that manages one or more target facilities, an acquisition unit that acquires a predicted power demand for a specified area in which the target facilities and facilities other than the target facilities are located for an observation period including two or more unit times, a determination unit that determines a specific unit time from the two or more unit times in which the predicted power demand is expected to be maximized, and a control unit that executes specific control to suppress the power demand of the target facilities during the specific unit time.

The disclosed power management method includes the steps of managing one or more target facilities, acquiring a predicted power demand for a specified area in which the target facilities and facilities other than the target facilities are present for an observation period including two or more unit times, identifying a specific unit time from the two or more unit times in which the predicted power demand is expected to be maximized, and executing specific control to suppress the power demand of the target facilities during the specific unit time.

The present invention provides a power management device, a power management system, and a power management method that can appropriately stabilize the power grid in a specified area.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a power management system 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a facility 300 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a power management device 200 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an application scene according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an application scene according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an application scene according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a power management method according to an embodiment.

The following describes the embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic.

[Embodiment]
(Power Management System)
A power management system according to an embodiment will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the power management system 100 includes a power management device 200, a facility 300, and a third-party server 400. In FIG. 1, facilities 300A to 300F are illustrated as examples of the facility 300.

The power management device 200, the facility 300, and the third-party server 400 are connected to a network 120. The network 120 may provide a line between the power management device 200 and the facility 300, and a line between the power management device 200 and the third-party server 400. For example, the network 120 may include the Internet. The network 120 may include a dedicated line such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

Each facility 300 is connected to the power system 110. Hereinafter, the flow of power from the power system 110 to the facility 300 is referred to as forward flow, and the flow of power from the facility 300 to the power system 110 is referred to as reverse flow. The forward flow power from the power system 110 to the facility 300 may be referred to as demand power. The demand power may be a concept that includes reverse flow power from the facility 300 to the power system 110. In such a case, the forward flow power may be represented by a positive value, and the reverse flow power may be represented by a negative value. The forward flow power may be interpreted as purchased power purchased by the facility 300, and the reverse flow power may be interpreted as sold power sold by the facility 300.

In the embodiment, facilities 300A to 300F are examples of facilities connected to the power grid 110 installed in a specified area. The specified area may be considered to be an area under the jurisdiction of an entity (e.g., a power generation company or a power transmission and distribution company) that provides infrastructure such as the power grid 110. The specified area may also be an area divided by other criteria. Under such a premise, facilities 300A to 300C may be examples of target facilities managed by the power management device 200. Facilities 300D to 300F may be examples of facilities other than the target facilities managed by the power management device 200.

The power management device 200 is an example of a power management device that adjusts the supply and demand balance of the power system 110. The power management device 200 is a server managed by a business operator such as a power generation business operator, a power transmission and distribution business operator, a retail business operator, or a resource aggregator. The resource aggregator may be a power business operator that provides reverse flow power to a power generation business operator, a power transmission and distribution business operator, a retail business operator, etc. in a VPP (Virtual Power Plant). The resource aggregator may be a power business operator that generates reduced power of the forward flow power (power consumption) of the facility 300 managed by the resource aggregator.

The power management device 200 transmits a control message to the local control device 360 installed in the facility 300 to instruct the control of the distributed power source (e.g., the solar cell device 310, the power storage device 320, or the fuel cell device 330) installed in the facility 300. For example, the power management device 200 may transmit a power flow control message requesting control of a power flow, or may transmit a reverse flow control message requesting control of a reverse flow. Furthermore, the power management device 200 may transmit a power source control message to control the operating state of the distributed power source. The degree of control of the power flow or reverse flow may be expressed as an absolute value (e.g., XX kW) or a relative value (e.g., XX%). Alternatively, the degree of control of the power flow or reverse flow may be expressed at two or more levels. The degree of control of the power flow or reverse flow may be expressed by a power price (RTP; Real Time Pricing) determined by the current power supply and demand balance, or by a power price (TOU; Time Of Use) determined by the past power supply and demand balance.

The third-party server 400 is a server managed by an entity different from the entity that manages the power management device 200. The third-party server 400 may be a server managed by an entity that provides infrastructure such as the power system 110. The third-party server 400 may be a server managed by a wide-area organization that strives to ensure a stable supply of power in a wide area that includes at least a specified area. In an embodiment, the third-party server 400 may manage information indicating at least the predicted power demand of the specified area (hereinafter, power demand prediction information). The third-party server 400 may manage information indicating at least the actual power demand of the specified area (hereinafter, actual power demand information).

Although not particularly limited, the third-party server 400 may manage the power demand forecast information or actual power demand information of a specified area by acquiring the power demand forecast information or actual power demand information of each facility 300 from the facilities 300 located in the specified area. The third-party server 400 may manage the power demand forecast information or actual power demand information of a specified area by acquiring the power demand forecast information or actual power demand information of each business operator from each business operator that manages the facilities 300 located in the specified area.

The third-party server 400 may transmit an adjustment message to the power management device 200 requesting an adjustment of the supply and demand balance of the power grid 110. The adjustment message may include a message requesting a reduction in the power demand of the power grid (a DR (Demand Response) message). The adjustment message may include a message requesting a reduction in the power supply of the power grid (an output curtailment message).

In the embodiment, communication between the power management device 200 and the local control device 360 is performed according to a first protocol. On the other hand, communication between the local control device 360 and the distributed power source (the solar cell device 310, the power storage device 320, or the fuel cell device 330) is performed according to a second protocol. For example, the first protocol may be a protocol conforming to Open ADR (Automated Demand Response) or a unique dedicated protocol. For example, the second protocol may be a protocol conforming to ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), SEP (Smart Energy Profile) 2.0, KNX, or a unique dedicated protocol. For example, both the first protocol and the second protocol may be unique dedicated protocols, as long as they are protocols created according to different rules. However, the first protocol and the second protocol may be protocols created according to the same rules.

(facility)
The facility according to the embodiment will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facility 300 has a solar cell device 310, a power storage device 320, a fuel cell device 330, a load device 340, a local control device 360, and a measurement device 390.

The solar cell device 310 is a distributed power source that generates power in response to light such as sunlight. The solar cell device 310 may be an example of a distributed power source used in a VPP. For example, the solar cell device 310 is composed of a PCS (Power Conditioning System) and solar panels.

The power storage device 320 is a distributed power source that charges and discharges power. The power storage device 320 may be an example of a distributed power source used in a VPP. For example, the power storage device 320 is composed of a PCS and a storage battery cell. The charging power of the power storage device 320 may contribute to an increase in the power demand of the facility 300, similar to the power consumption of the load device 340. The discharged power of the power storage device 320 may be consumed by the load device 340. When reverse power flow using the output power of the power storage device 320 is permitted, the discharged power of the power storage device 320 may contribute to an increase in the reverse power flow power of the facility 300.

The fuel cell device 330 is a distributed power source that generates power using fuel. The fuel cell device 330 may be an example of a distributed power source used in a VPP. For example, the fuel cell device 330 is composed of a PCS and a fuel cell.

For example, the fuel cell device 330 may be a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell), a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC: Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC: Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell), or a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC: Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell).

Load devices 340 are devices that consume power. For example, load devices 340 are air conditioners, lighting devices, AV (audio-visual) devices, etc.

The local control device 360 is a device (EMS; Energy Management System) that manages the power of the facility 300. The local control device 360 may control the operating state of the solar cell device 310, may control the operating state of the power storage device 320, or may control the operating state of the fuel cell device 330. The local control device 360 may also control the operating state of the load device 340.

The measuring device 390 measures the power related to the facility 300. The measuring device 390 may measure the forward flow power from the power system 110 to the facility 300 as the power related to the facility 300. The measuring device 390 may measure the reverse flow power from the facility 300 to the power system 110 as the power related to the facility 300. The measuring device 390 may transmit a message including an information element indicating the power related to the facility 300 at a first period (e.g., 1 minute). The measuring device 390 may transmit the message to the local control device 360 or to the power management device 200. The measuring device 390 may transmit the message autonomously or in response to a request from the transmission destination. For example, the measuring device 390 may be a Smart Meter belonging to an entity that provides the power system 110.

(Power Management Device)
A power management device according to an embodiment will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the power management device 200 has a management unit 210, a communication unit 220, and a control unit 230. The power management device 200 may be an example of a VTN (Virtual Top Node).

The management unit 210 is composed of a storage medium such as a non-volatile memory and/or a hard disk drive (HDD).

For example, the management unit 210 manages data related to the facility 300 managed by the power management device 200. The facility 300 managed by the power management device 200 may be a facility 300 that has a contract with the entity that manages the power management device 200. As described above, facilities 300A to 300C are examples of target facilities managed by the power management device 200. Facilities 300D to 300F are examples of facilities other than the target facilities managed by the power management device 200.

For example, the data on the facility 300 may be the demand power supplied to the facility 300 from the power system 110, or may be the power reduced at each facility 300 in response to a reduction request (DR) for the demand power of the entire power system 110. The data on the facility 300 may be the type of distributed power source (solar cell device 310, power storage device 320, or fuel cell device 330) installed in the facility 300, the specifications of the distributed power source (solar cell device 310, power storage device 320, or fuel cell device 330) installed in the facility 300, etc. The specifications may be the rated power generation (W) of the solar cell device 310, the maximum output power (W) of the power storage device 320, and the maximum output power (W) of the fuel cell device 330. Furthermore, the data on the facility 300 may be the output power instructed to the distributed power source in the past. For example, when the distributed power source is the power storage device 320, the data on the facility 300 may be the discharge power instructed to the power storage device 320. The data on the facility 300 may be the degree of deterioration of the distributed power source. For example, if the distributed power source is a power storage device 320, the data related to the facility 300 may be the SOH (State of Health) of the power storage device 320.

The communication unit 220 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module that complies with standards such as IEEE802.11a/b/g/n, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, LTE, and 5G, or may be a wired communication module that complies with standards such as IEEE802.3.

The communication unit 220 communicates with the local control device 360 via the network 120. As described above, the communication unit 220 communicates according to the first protocol. For example, the communication unit 220 transmits a first message to the local control device 360 according to the first protocol. The communication unit 220 receives a first message response from the local control device 360 according to the first protocol.

For example, the communication unit 220 receives a message from the facility 300 (e.g., the local control device 360, the measurement device 390) including an information element indicating the demand power supplied from the power system 110 to the facility 300. The demand power may be a value measured by the measurement device 390 described above. The demand power may be a value obtained by subtracting the output power of the distributed power sources (the solar cell device 310, the power storage device 320, and the fuel cell device 330) from the power consumption of the load device 340. Note that, when the power storage device 320 is performing a charging operation, the demand power may be a value obtained by subtracting the output power of the distributed power source from the sum of the charging power of the power storage device 320 and the power consumption of the load device 340.

In an embodiment, the communication unit 220 may communicate with the third-party server 400 via the network 120. The communication unit 220 may receive power demand forecast information indicating the predicted power demand in a specified area from the third-party server 400. The communication unit 220 may be an example of an acquisition unit that acquires the predicted power demand in a specified area in which a target facility and facilities other than the target facility exist for an observation period including two or more unit times. The communication unit 220 may receive actual power demand information indicating the actual power demand in the specified area from the third-party server 400.

The control unit 230 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured by a single integrated circuit, or may be configured by multiple circuits (such as integrated circuits and/or discrete circuits) communicatively connected.

For example, the control unit 230 controls each component of the power management device 200. Specifically, the control unit 230 instructs the local control device 360 installed in the facility 300 to control the distributed power sources (solar cell device 310, power storage device 320, or fuel cell device 330) installed in the facility 300 by transmitting a control message. The control message may be a power flow control message, a reverse power flow control message, or a power source control message, as described above.

In an embodiment, the control unit 230 may be an example of a determination unit that determines a specific unit time in which the predicted power demand is expected to be maximized from two or more unit times. The control unit 230 may be an example of a control unit that executes specific control to suppress the power demand of the target facility in the specific unit time.

(Applicable scenes)
Application scenes according to the embodiment will be described below.

First, the premise of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates the power demand in a specified area (e.g., the power demand of facility 300 connected to the above-mentioned power system 110). The power demand in the specified area is the sum of the power demand of the target facilities (e.g., facilities 300A to 300C) managed by the power management device 200 and the power demand of facilities other than the target facilities (e.g., facilities 300D to 300F) managed by the power management device 200. Here, business operator A is an example of an entity that manages the power management device 200. Business operators B and C are examples of entities other than the entity that manages the power management device 200.

As shown in FIG. 4, in an observation period including two or more unit times, the power demand in a given area is the sum of the power demands for operators A to C. For example, the unit time may be 30 minutes or 1 hour. The observation period may be one week or one month. The power demand of an operator in a unit time may be expressed as the average value of the power demand (purchased power) of the facilities 300 managed by the operator.

The observation period may be a period during which the power demand in a specified area is expected to be high. Two or more observation periods may be selected. In FIG. 4, observation period #1 to observation period #3 are shown as examples of the observation period. For example, if the observation period is one month, observation period #1 to observation period #3 may each be one month in the summer (July, August, September) or one month in the winter (December, January, February).

In such a case, from the viewpoint of stabilizing the power system 110, it is preferable to suppress the peak of power demand in a specified area. A peak is the maximum value of power demand per unit time. For example, it is preferable to suppress peak #1 in observation period #1, peak #2 in observation period #2, and peak #3 in observation period #3.

However, the unit time when the peak power demand in a specified area is predicted to occur is affected by the power demand of facilities other than the target facility managed by the power management device 200, and therefore may not match the unit time when the peak power demand in the target facility managed by the power management device 200 is predicted to occur. Therefore, the power management device 200 may not be able to suppress the peak power demand in the specified area simply by suppressing the peak power demand in the target facility.

Secondly, the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Figs. 5 and 6 mainly describe the unit time (peak #1 to peak #3) during which peak power demand in a specified area is predicted to occur.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, at peak #1, the forecasted power demand in the specified area is 9 million kW, the forecasted power demand of operator A is 3.6 million kW, the forecasted power demand of operator B is 3 million kW, and the forecasted power demand of operator C is 2.4 million kW. At peak #2, the forecasted power demand in the specified area is 12.6 million kW, the forecasted power demand of operator A is 6 million kW, the forecasted power demand of operator B is 3 million kW, and the forecasted power demand of operator C is 3.6 million kW. At peak #3, the forecasted power demand in the specified area is 8.4 million kW, the forecasted power demand of operator A is 3 million kW, the forecasted power demand of operator B is 2.4 million kW, and the forecasted power demand of operator C is 3 million kW.

For example, for the sake of simplicity, let us assume that power demand changes as predicted. Considering the total of Peak #1 to Peak #3, the ratio of power demand of operator A to the power demand in the specified area is 42% (12.6 million kW/30 million kW), the ratio of power demand of operator B to the power demand in the specified area is 28% (8.4 million kW/30 million kW), and the ratio of power demand of operator A to the power demand in the specified area is 30% (9 million kW/30 million kW).

In such a case, as described above, the embodiment focuses on the possibility that the unit time when the peak power demand in a specified area is predicted to occur does not match the unit time when the peak power demand in the target facility is predicted to occur. In light of this new issue, the power management device 200 performs the following operations.

First, the power management device 200 may obtain a predicted power demand for a specified area by receiving power demand forecast information from the third-party server 400 for an observation period. The power management device 200 may obtain an actual power demand for a specified area by receiving actual power demand information from the third-party server 400 for an observation period. The power management device 200 may manage the predicted power demand and actual power demand for a specified area for each unit time.

Secondly, the power management device 200 identifies a specific unit time in which the predicted power demand is expected to be maximized from among two or more unit times included in the observation period. For example, the power management device 200 identifies the unit time in which the predicted power demand is maximum as the specific unit time by comparing the predicted power demand for each unit time. The power management device 200 may also identify a unit time in which the predicted power demand is expected to be greater than the actual power demand as the specific unit time. The specific unit time is synonymous with the unit time in which a peak in power demand in a specified area is expected to occur.

Thirdly, the power management device 200 executes specific control to suppress the power demand of the target facility in a specific unit time. The specific control executed in the specific unit time may be referred to as a first specific control. In the specific control, the power management device 200 may transmit a control command to the target facility to instruct the target facility to suppress the power consumption of the load devices 340 in the target facility. In the specific control, the power management device 200 may transmit a control command to the target facility to instruct the target facility to increase the discharge power of the power storage device 320 in the target facility.

Here, the specific control may include discharge control of a target storage device (storage device 320) installed in the target facility, without including discharge control of a storage device installed in a facility other than the target facility. The storage device installed in the facility other than the target facility may include a storage device owned by an entity that manages the power management device 200 and capable of supplying power to the power grid 110. The storage device installed in the facility other than the target facility may include a storage device (hereinafter, a third-party storage device) that is installed in the target facility but owned by a third party other than the owner of the target facility. However, the third-party storage device may be considered to be a target storage device installed in the target facility.

For example, assuming for the sake of simplicity that the power demand changes as predicted, as a result of such specific control, as shown in FIG. 6, in a specific unit time in which peak #1 is predicted to occur, the power demand of operator A may be suppressed from 3.6 million kW to 2.6 million kW. In a specific unit time in which peak #2 is predicted to occur, the power demand of operator A may be suppressed from 6 million kW to 5.2 million kW. In a specific unit time in which peak #3 is predicted to occur, the power demand of operator A may be suppressed from 3 million kW to 2.8 million kW.

For example, considering the total of peaks #1 to #3 after specific control, the ratio of operator A's power demand to the power demand in the specified area is 38% (10.6 million kW/28 million kW), the ratio of operator B's power demand to the power demand in the specified area is 30% (8.4 million kW/28 million kW), and the ratio of operator A's power demand to the power demand in the specified area is 32% (9 million kW/28 million kW).

(Power Management Method)
A power management method according to an embodiment will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 7, in step S10, the power management device 200 receives power demand forecast information for a specified area from the third-party server 400. The power management device 200 may also receive actual power demand information for a specified area from the third-party server 400.

In step S11, the power management device 200 may receive power demand forecast information for the target facility from each target facility. The power management device 200 may receive actual power demand information for the target facility from each target facility. However, the processing of step S11 may be omitted.

In step S12, the power management device 200 identifies a specific unit time in which the predicted power demand is expected to be maximized from among two or more unit times included in the observation period. The power management device 200 may identify as the specific unit time a unit time in which the predicted power demand is expected to be greater than the actual power demand.

In step S13, the power management device 200 executes specific control to suppress the power demand of the target facility during a specific unit time. In the specific control, the power management device 200 transmits various control commands to the target facility. The control commands may include a control command to suppress the power consumption of the load devices 340 in the target facility, and may include a control command to increase the discharge power of the power storage devices 320 in the target facility.

In step S14, each target facility reduces its power demand during a specific unit time.

(Action and Effects)
In the embodiment, the power management device 200 identifies a specific unit time in which the predicted power demand in a specified area is expected to be maximized from two or more unit times included in the observation period, and executes specific control to suppress the power demand of the target facility in the specific unit time. With this configuration, it is possible to suppress the peak power demand in the specified area, rather than the peak power demand in the target facility managed by the power management device 200, and it is possible to appropriately stabilize the power system 110 in the specified area.

[Modification 1]
Modification 1 of the embodiment will be described below. Differences from the embodiment will be mainly described below.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, in modification example 1, the power management device 200 may perform specific control during the observation period without performing specific control during periods other than the observation period.

As described above, the observation period may be a period during which the power demand in a specified area is expected to be high. Therefore, even if specific control is not performed during periods other than the observation period, the stabilization of the power system 110 is unlikely to be hindered, so the operational policy of the power management device 200 or the facility 300 may be prioritized during periods other than the observation period.

[Modification 2]
The second modification of the embodiment will be described below, focusing mainly on the differences from the embodiment.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, in modified example 2, the power management device 200 may execute specific control so that the power demand of the target facility does not fall below a first threshold in a specific unit time. The first threshold may be determined based on the maximum value of the predicted power demand in a unit time other than the specific unit time, or may be determined based on the maximum value of the actual power demand in a unit time other than the specific unit time.

With this configuration, the power management apparatus 200 can prevent a situation in which the unit time at which a peak in power demand in a predetermined area occurs shifts to a unit time other than the specific unit time as a result of specific control.
[Modification 3]
The third modification of the embodiment will be described below, focusing mainly on the differences from the embodiment.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above-described embodiment, in modification example 3, the power management device 200 may execute specific control during a control target time that includes a specific unit time. The control target time is a time longer than the specific unit time, and may include the time before the specific unit time, may include the time after the specific unit time, or may include the time before and after the specific unit time.

Under such a premise, the power management device 200 may execute specific control so that the power demand of the target facility does not exceed the second threshold during times other than the specific unit time of the control target time. The second threshold may be determined based on the power demand of a specified area during the specific unit time to which the specific control is applied. The specific control executed during times other than the specific unit time of the control target time may be referred to as the second specific control.

With this configuration, the power management device 200 can suppress the increase in power demand associated with the application of specific control before and after the specific unit time when the specific control is applied, thereby suppressing a situation in which the unit time during which the peak of power demand in a specified area occurs shifts to a unit time before or after the specific unit time.

[Modification 4]
The fourth modification of the embodiment will be described below, focusing mainly on the differences from the embodiment.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, the specific control may include control to ensure the discharge power of the target power storage device in the specific unit time. That is, when the specific unit time is specified, the power management device 200 may assume discharge control of the target power storage device in the specific unit time. The power management device 200 controls charging or discharging of the target power storage device before the start of the specific unit time so that the remaining amount of storage of the target power storage device becomes the desired amount at the start of the specific unit time. For example, the power management device 200 may increase the charging power of the target power storage device or suppress the discharging power of the target power storage device before the start of the specific unit time.

[Other embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described by the above-mentioned embodiment, the description and drawings forming a part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

In the above disclosure, the specific control has been described as including discharge control of the target power storage device (power storage device 320) installed in the target facility. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The specific control may include control to increase the output of the target distributed power source installed in the target facility. The target distributed power source may include a fuel cell device 330. The target distributed power source may include an electric vehicle that may be installed (connected) in the target facility, and a fuel cell vehicle that may be installed (connected) in the target facility. The target distributed power source may include a biomass power generation device, a tidal power generation device, a wind power generation device, and a private generator installed in the target facility. In such a case, the specific control may include control to ensure room for increasing the output power of the target distributed power source in a specific unit time. The room for increasing the output power of the target distributed power source may be considered to be the difference with respect to the rated output power of the target distributed power source. For example, the power management device 200 may control the output power of the target distributed power source to a first power that is smaller than the rated output power before the start of a specific unit time, and control the output power of the target distributed power source to a second power that is larger than the first power during the specific unit time.

In the above disclosure, a case has been described in which the specific control includes discharge control of the target power storage device (power storage device 320) installed in the target facility. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The specific control may also include control to suppress power consumption of the load device 340 installed in the target facility.

In the above disclosure, the power management device 200 receives power demand forecast information for a specified area from the third-party server 400. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when the power management device 200 is managed by business operator A, power demand forecast information for facilities managed by businesses other than business operator A (e.g., business operators B and C) may be obtained from businesses other than business operator A.

In the above disclosure, the power management device 200 receives actual power demand information for a specified area from the third-party server 400. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when the power management device 200 is managed by business operator A, actual power demand information regarding facilities managed by businesses other than business operator A (e.g., business operators B and C) may be obtained from businesses other than business operator A.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, when the power management device 200 is managed by business operator A, a business operator other than business operator A (e.g., business operator B and business operator C) may execute the above-mentioned specific control. In such a case, the power management device 200 managed by business operator A may estimate the predicted demand power for each unit time, assuming that the other business operator executes the specific control, and may determine the specific unit time based on the estimated predicted demand power.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, the power demand of each facility 300 may be individually controlled so that the power demand for a certain period of time (e.g., 30 minutes) does not exceed the target power. Such control may be referred to as individual peak cut control of each facility 300. In such a case, specific control for suppressing the peak of power demand in a specified area may be considered to be control different from the individual peak cut control of each facility 300. The power management device 200 may estimate the predicted power demand for each unit time, assuming that individual peak cut control of each facility 300 is executed, and may identify the specific unit time based on the estimated predicted power demand.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, the power management device 200 may receive power demand forecast information for a specified area, which is updated in a first cycle (e.g., half a day, one day, one week, one month, one year), from the third-party server 400. The power management device 200 may receive actual power demand information for a specified area, which is updated in a second cycle (e.g., one minute, 30 minutes, one hour), from the third-party server 400. The second cycle may be shorter than the first cycle.

Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, the above disclosure may contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy), Goal 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), and Goal 13 (Climate action).

100...Power management system, 110...Power system, 120...Network, 200...Power management device, 210...Management unit, 220...Communication unit, 230...Control unit, 300...Facility, 310...Solar cell device, 320...Storage device, 330...Fuel cell device, 340...Load device, 360...Local control device, 390...Measuring device, 400...Third-party server

Claims (12)

A management department that manages one or more target facilities;
an acquisition unit that acquires a predicted power demand for a predetermined area in which the target facility and facilities other than the target facility are present, for an observation period including two or more unit times;
an identification unit that identifies a specific unit time in which the predicted power demand is expected to be maximized from the two or more unit times;
a control unit that executes specific control to suppress power demand at the target facility during the specific unit time. The power management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit identifies the specific unit time by comparing the predicted power demand for each of the two or more unit times. The management unit manages actual power demand in the predetermined area for each unit time during the observation period,
The power management device according to claim 1 , wherein the specifying unit specifies, as the specific unit time, a unit time during which the predicted power demand is expected to be greater than the actual power demand. The power management device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to execute the specific control during the observation period without executing the specific control during a period other than the observation period. The power management device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit executes the specific control so that the power demand of the target facility does not fall below a first threshold during the specific unit time. The power management device of claim 5, wherein the first threshold is determined based on a maximum value of predicted demand power in the specified area for a unit time other than the specific unit time or a maximum value of actual demand power in the specified area for a unit time other than the specific unit time. The control unit executes the specific control during a control target time that includes the specific unit time,
7. The power management device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the specific control so that the demand for power of the target facility does not exceed a second threshold during times other than the specific unit time of the control target time. The power management device according to claim 7 , wherein the second threshold is determined based on a power demand in the predetermined area during the specific unit time when the specific control is applied. 9. The power management device according to claim 1, wherein the specific control includes control to increase the output power of a target distributed power source installed in the target facility, without including control of distributed power sources installed other than the target facility. The power management apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the specific control includes control for ensuring a margin for increasing the output power of the target distributed power source in the specific unit time. A management department that manages one or more target facilities;
an acquisition unit that acquires a predicted power demand for a predetermined area in which the target facility and facilities other than the target facility are present, for an observation period including two or more unit times;
an identification unit that identifies a specific unit time in which the predicted power demand is expected to be maximized from the two or more unit times;
a control unit that executes specific control to suppress the power demand of the target facility during the specific unit time. Managing one or more target facilities;
acquiring a predicted power demand for a predetermined area in which the target facility and facilities other than the target facility are present for an observation period including two or more unit times;
Identifying a specific unit time in which the predicted power demand is expected to be maximized from among the two or more unit times;
and executing a specific control for suppressing the power demand of the target facility during the specific unit time.