1. A demand regulating system, comprising: a storage unit that stores priority information indicating a priority for each of a plurality of consumption devices that consume a resource supplied from a supply facility; an operation unit that receives measurement information indicating a measurement result for consumption of the resource by the plurality of consumption devices, calculating a regulating quantity of demand for the resource on the basis of the measurement information, selecting from among the plurality of consumption devices, on the basis of the priority information and the regulating quantity, a plurality of control-target devices, which are targeted for demand regulating control reducing consumption of the resource, transmitting a first control instruction instructing the demand regulating control to demand side equipment that includes the plurality of control-target devices, and storing result information indicating the first control instruction in the storage unit; a control unit that is provided in the demand side equipment, receives the first control instruction, and executes the demand regulating control on the basis of the first control instruction; and an input unit that is provided in the demand side equipment, receives a first operation by a consumer, and 41 transmits first request information requesting a change in the priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices, to the operation unit in accordance with the first operation, wherein the operation unit, upon receiving the first request information, specifies the plurality of control-target devices on the basis of the result information and the first request information, and changes the priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices in the priority information.

2. A demand regulating system according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit selects the plurality of controltarget devices from among the plurality of consumption devices in descending order of the priority, and upon receiving the first request information, reduces the priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices in the priority information.

3. A demand regulating system according to claim 2, wherein the input unit receives a second operation by the consumer, and transmits second request information requesting cancellation of the demand regulating control, to the operation unit in accordance with the second operation, the operation unit, upon receiving the second request information, specifies the plurality of control-target devices on the basis of the results information and the second request information, and transmits a second control instruction 42 indicating cancellation of the demand regulating control to the control unit, and the control unit receives the second control instruction, and cancels the demand regulating control on the basis of the second control instruction.

4. A demand regulating system according to claim 3, wherein the input unit displays the fact that the first operation is received, and transmits the first request information to the operation unit in accordance with the first operation, the control unit notifies the input unit of the execution of the demand regulating control, and while the demand regulating control is being executed, the input unit displays the fact that the second operation is received, and transmits the second request information to the operation unit in accordance with the second operation.

5. A demand regulating system according to claim 4, wherein the operation unit increases the priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices in the priority information when a prescribed period of time has elapsed following the reducing of the priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices in the priority information.

6. A demand regulating system according to claim 5, wherein the priority information includes associations among identification information of the consumer, identification 43 information of each of the plurality of control-target devices, and the priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices, the results information includes associations among the consumer identification information, the identification information of the plurality of control-target devices, and the first control instruction, the first request information includes the consumer identification information, and the operation unit specifies the plurality of controltarget devices on the basis of the results information and the first request information, and changes the priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices in the priority information.

7. A demand regulating system according to claim 6, wherein the priority information includes a priority for each time period, the results information includes information indicating a time for the first control instruction, and the operation unit specifies the plurality of controltarget devices and the time period of the first control instruction on the basis of the results information and the first request information, and changes the priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices in the specified time period in the priority information. 44

8. A demand regulating system according to claim 7, wherein the operation unit specifies the consumer on the basis of the first request information, selects a latest control instruction for the consumer on the basis of the results information, recognizes the consumption device that is the target of the selected control instruction and the time period of the selected control instruction, and changes the priority of the recognized consumption device in the recognized time period in the priority information.

9. A demand regulating system according to claim 8, further comprising: a specific device input unit that is provided in the demand side equipment and is associated beforehand with a specific device, which is one of the plurality of controltarget devices, receives a third operation by the consumer, and transmits third request information requesting a change of the priority of the specific device, to the operation unit in accordance with the third operation, wherein the operation unit, upon receiving the third request information, specifies the specific device on the basis of the results information and the third request information, and changes the priority of the specific device in the priority information.

10. A demand regulating system according to claim 9, wherein the specific device input unit receives a fourth operation by the consumer, and transmits fourth request 45 information requesting the cancellation of the demand regulating control for the specific device, to the operation unit in accordance with the fourth operation, the operation unit, upon receiving the fourth request information, specifies the specific device on the basis of the results information and the fourth request information, and transmits, to the control unit, a third control instruction indicating the cancellation of the demand regulating control for the specific device, and the control unit receives the third control instruction, and cancels the demand regulating control for the specific device on the basis of the third control instruction.

11. A demand regulating system according to claims 1, wherein the resource is electric power.

12. A demand regulating apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that stores priority information indicating a priority of each of a plurality of consumption devices that consume a resource supplied from a supply facility; and an operation unit that receives measurement information indicating a measurement result for consumption of the resource by the plurality of consumption devices, calculating a regulating quantity of demand for the resource on the basis of the measurement information, selecting from among the plurality of consumption devices, on the basis of the priority information and the regulating quantity, a plurality of 46 control-target devices, which are targeted for demand regulating control reducing consumption of the resource, transmitting a first control instruction instructing the demand regulating control to demand side equipment that includes the plurality of control-target devices, and storing results information indicating the first control instruction in the storage unit, wherein the operation unit, upon receiving from the demand side equipment first request information requesting a change of the priority of each of the plurality of controltarget devices, specifies the plurality of control-target devices on the basis of the results information and the first request information, and changes the priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices in the priority information.

13. A consumption device management apparatus comprising: a control unit that stores priority information indicating a priority of each of a plurality of consumption devices that consume a resource supplied from a supply facility, receiving measurement information indicating a measurement result for consumption of the resource by the plurality of consumption devices, calculating a regulating quantity of demand for the resource on the basis of the measurement information, selecting from among the plurality of consumption devices, on the basis of the priority information 47 and the regulating quantity, a plurality of control-target devices, which are targeted for demand regulating control reducing consumption of the resource, transmitting a first control instruction instructing the demand regulating control to demand side equipment that includes the plurality of control-target devices, receiving the first control instruction from an operation apparatus that stores results information indicating the first control instruction, and executing the demand regulating control for the plurality of control-target devices on the basis of the first control instruction; and an input unit that receives a first operation by a consumer, and transmitting first request information requesting a change in the priorities of the plurality of control-target devices, to the operation apparatus in accordance with the first operation, wherein the operation apparatus, upon receiving the first request information, specifies the plurality of control-target devices on the basis of the results information and the first request information, and changes the priorities of the plurality of control-target devices in the priority information.

Demand Regulating System, Demand Regulating Apparatus, and
Consumption Device Management Apparatus
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001]
The present invention relates to technology for
regulating demand for a resource.
Description of the Related Art
[0002]
Demand side management (DSM) for managing electric power
demand is known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses
the technology in which, in demand side equipment having a
plurality of loads, when the electric power demand of
operating loads exceeds available electric power, the
operating loads are selected and interrupted in order starting
with the lowest-priority load until the electric power demand
for the loads drops below the available electric power, and,
in addition, the interrupted loads are selected and recovered
in order starting from the highest-priority load such that the
electric power demand from the loads does not exceed the
available electric power.
[0003]
PTL 1
Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-125295
[0004]
2
When the priority order of a plurality of devices in the
demand side equipment becomes inappropriate, the consumer must
change the priority order by specifying each of the plurality
of devices, thereby increasing the load on the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005]
To solve for the above-described problem, a demand
regulating system, which is one aspect of the present
invention, includes: a storage unit that stores priority
information indicating the priority of each of a plurality of
consumption devices that consume a resource supplied from a
supply facility; an operation unit that receives measurement
information indicating a measurement result for consumption of
the resource by the plurality of consumption devices,
calculating a regulating quantity of demand for the resource
on the basis of the measurement information, selecting from
among the plurality of consumption devices on the basis of the
priority information and the regulating quantity a plurality
of control-target devices, which are targeted for demand
regulating control reducing consumption of the resource,
transmitting a first control instruction instructing the
demand regulating control to demand side equipment that
includes the plurality of control-target devices, and storing
results information indicating the first control instruction
in the storage unit; a control unit that is provided in the
3
demand side equipment and executes demand regulating control
on the basis of the first control instruction; and an input
unit that is provided in the demand side equipment, receives a
first operation by the consumer, and transmits first request
information requesting a change in the priorities of the
plurality of control-target devices, to the operation unit in
accordance with the first operation, wherein the operation
unit, upon having received the first request information,
specifies the plurality of control-target devices on the basis
of the results information and the first request information,
and changes the priorities of the plurality of control-target
devices in the priority information.
[0006]
According to the aspect of the present invention, the
consumer is able to easily change the priority of demandregulating-
control of the device using a simple operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007]
Fig. 1 illustrates the configuration of an electric
demand regulating system of an embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 2 illustrates an example of a priority database
0104;
Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a results database 0106;
4
Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a display by a master
unit;
Fig. 5 illustrates an example of a display by a slave
unit;
Fig. 6 is an example of request information; and
Fig. 7 illustrates a priority change process.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0008]
An embodiment of the present invention will be explained
below by using the drawings.
[0009]
Fig. 1 shows the configuration of an electric demand
regulating system of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0010]
In this embodiment, an electric demand regulation system
that applies the present invention will be explained. The
present invention may be applied to a system for regulating
demand for not only electric power, but also gas, water and
other such resources supplied from a supply facility to demand
side equipment. The electric demand regulating system of this
embodiment includes an operation apparatus 0100 and demand
side equipment 0120.
[0011]
The operation apparatus 0100, for example, is realized
using a computer. The computer, for example, includes a
5
central processing unit (CPU), a memory, a bus, and a hard
disk. A program executed by the CPU may be stored in a
computer-readable medium and installed in the computer from
the medium. The operation apparatus 0100 includes an
activation determination unit 0101, a regulating quantity
calculation unit 0102, a device selection unit 0103, a
priority database 0104, an instruction output unit 0105, a
results database 0106, and a timer unit 0114. The operation
apparatus 0100 is not limited to a single computer, and may be
a plurality of computers. Each part of the operation
apparatus 0100 may be provided in any of the plurality of
computers at this time.
[0012]
The demand side equipment 0120 is a facility owned by the
consumer. The demand side equipment 0120 includes a control
unit 0107, an input unit 0112, an equipment device 0108, an
electric power line 0109, an electric power facility 0110, and
a measurement apparatus 0111. The demand side equipment 0120
is a home, a building, a factory, a region, and so forth.
[0013]
Each of the equipment devices 0108(a), 0108(b), and
0108(c) are an electric water heater, an air conditioner, and
other such electrical appliances in an ordinary home, a
package air conditioner in an office building, machine tools
in a factory, and other such device that operates on electric
power. In the following explanation, when there is no need to
6
distinguish between elements by using a letter of the alphabet
following a numeral as in the equipment devices 0108(a),
0108(b), and 0108(c), the letter of the alphabet will be
omitted. The equipment device 0108 operates by receiving
electric power from the electric power line 0109. In this
embodiment, an example in which three equipment devices 0108
exist is described, but the number of units is not limited to
three. Furthermore, when the present invention is applied to
a demand regulating system for another resource, the equipment
device 0108 is device that operates using the other resource.
[0014]
The electric power line 0109 is for supplying electric
power to the equipment device 0108, and, for example,
corresponds to all facilities for delivering electric power,
such as the distribution lines of an electric power system,
the electrical wiring inside a home, the electrical wiring
inside a building, and the electrical wiring inside a factory.
When the present invention is applied to a demand regulating
system for another resource, a delivery facility for
delivering the resource is used in place of the electric power
line 0109.
[0015]
The electric power facility 0110, for example, is a
facility that is incidental to the electric power line 0109,
such as a distribution substation of an electric power system,
a home panel board, a building panel board, or a factory panel
7
board. The electric power facility 0110 is connected to the
electric power system, and is supplied with electric power
from the electric power system. When the present invention is
applied to a demand regulating system for another resource,
the facility is incidental to the delivery facility.
Furthermore, a plurality of pieces of demand side equipment
0120 may be connected to a single electric power facility 0110
via the electric power line 0109.
[0016]
The measurement apparatus 0111 is connected to the
operation apparatus 0100 via a network. The network, for
example, is an automatic metering network. The measurement
apparatus 0111 measures the size of an electric load by the
electric power facility 0110, and transmits a measurement
result (measurement information) to the operation apparatus
0100. The measurement apparatus 0111, for example, is a
wattmeter. When the present invention is applied to a demand
regulating system for another resource, the measurement
apparatus 0111 is a facility for measuring a value related to
usage, such as the flow rate or pressure of the resource.
[0017]
Each part of the operation apparatus 0100 will be
explained in detail hereinafter.
[0018]
The activation determination unit 0101 receives a
measurement value of the measurement apparatus 0111 via the
8
network, and determines whether or not to suppress the
electric demand of the electric power facility 0110. In the
determination, the activation determination unit 0101, for
example, compares the measurement value from the measurement
apparatus 0111 to a predetermined measurement threshold. Then,
when the measurement value exceeds the measurement threshold,
the activation determination unit 0101 outputs to the
regulating quantity calculation unit 0102 the measurement
value and identification information of the measurement
apparatus 0111, day-of-week information indicating the current
day of the week, and time information indicating the current
time.
[0019]
The regulating quantity calculation unit 0102 acquires
the measurement value and identification information of the
measurement apparatus 0111, the day-of-week information, and
the time information from the activation determination unit
0101. The regulating quantity calculation unit 0102 stores a
preconfigured facility capacity of the electric power facility
0110. The facility capacity of the electric power facility
0110 may be stored in an external storage apparatus. The
regulating quantity calculation unit 0102 calculates an
electric demand regulating quantity based on the measurement
value of the measurement apparatus 0111 and the facility
capacity value of the electric power facility 0110. For
example, the regulating quantity calculation unit 0102
9
calculates the difference between the measurement value of the
measurement apparatus 0111 and the facility capacity value of
the electric power facility 0110 as the electric demand
regulating quantity. Then, the regulating quantity
calculation unit 0102 outputs the electric demand regulating
quantity, the day-of-week information, and the time
information acquired from the activation determination unit
0101 to the device selection unit 0103.
[0020]
The device selection unit 0103 acquires the electric
demand regulating quantity, the day-of-week information, and
the time information from the regulating quantity calculation
unit 0102. Then, the device selection unit 0103 selects an
equipment device 0108 to become the target for a setting
change based on the electric demand regulating quantity and
the priority database 0104.
[0021]
Fig. 2 shows an example of the priority database 0104.
[0022]
The priority database 0104 includes as items a number
0201, a consumer ID 0202, a device ID 0203, power consumption
0204, a day-of-week 0205, a time period 0206, and a priority
0207. The number 0201 is the number of a priority setting
record, and is serial numbers starting from 1. The consumer
ID 0202 is a number assigned to a consumer that is to become
the target of the priority setting, and is a unique number in
10
the electric demand regulating system. The device ID 0203 is
a number assigned to an equipment device 0108 that is to
become the target of the priority setting, and is a unique
number in the demand side equipment 0120. That is, the
equipment device 0108 is specified using a combination of the
consumer ID 0202 and the device ID 0203. The power
consumption 0204 is a representative value of power
consumption (kW) of the target equipment device 0108 specified
by the consumer ID 0202 and the device ID 0203. The day-ofweek
0205 is the day of the week targeted for the priority
setting, and indicates any of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The day-of-week 0205
may be another mode, such as weekday or holiday. The time
period 0206 is the time period targeted for the priority
setting, and includes a duration calibrated in one hour
intervals. The time period 0206 may include another duration,
such as 30 minute intervals. That is, the power consumption
0204 indicates the typical power consumption of an equipment
device 0108 specified using a combination of the consumer ID
0202 and the device ID 0203 for a time specified using a
combination of the day-of-week 0205 and the time period 0206.
[0023]
The priority 0207 is used when the device selection unit
0103 selects an equipment device 0108 for which power
consumption is to be reduced in order to alleviate an electric
power facility 0110 overload state. The priority 0207 can be
11
configured by the consumer on the basis of the impact on the
comfortability when the power consumption of the equipment
device 0108 has been controlled by the operation apparatus
0100. For example, when the impact on the comfortability is
small even though the equipment device 0108 is being
controlled by the operation apparatus 0100, the priority 0207
is configured to a higher value, and when the impact on the
comfortability is great, the priority 0207 is configured to a
smaller value. The priority 0207 in this embodiment is
indicated in five stages (5, 4, 3, 2, 1). An equipment device
0108 is selected on a priority basis the larger the value of
the priority 0207 is for the equipment device 0108. The
priority is not necessarily limited to five stages.
[0024]
The device selection unit 0103 extracts from the priority
database 0104 records that match the day-of-week information
and the time information acquired from the regulating quantity
calculation unit 0102. Then, the device selection unit 0103
sorts the extracted records in descending order from the
highest priority 0207 value. Then, the device selection unit
0103 calculates a power consumption sum by adding the power
consumption 0204 of the records in the order in which the
records were sorted, selects records up to the record for
which the power consumption sum initially exceeds the size of
the electric demand regulating quantity, and stores the
consumer ID 0202 and the device ID 0203 recorded in the
12
selected records. Then, the device selection unit 0103
outputs the stored consumer IDs and the device IDs to the
instruction output unit 0105.
[0025]
The instruction output unit 0105 specifies an equipment
device 0108 using the consumer ID and the device ID acquired
from the device selection unit 0103, creates a control
instruction for the equipment device 0108, and outputs the
control instruction to the control unit 0107. Then, the
instruction output unit 0105 records the contents of the
control instruction outputted to the control unit 0107 in the
results database 0106.
[0026]
Fig. 3 shows an example of the results database 0106.
[0027]
The results database 0106 has as items a number 0301, a
date 0302, a day-of-week 0303, a time period 0304, a consumer
ID 0305, a device ID 0306, and control content 0307. The
number 0301 is the number of a control instruction results
record, and is serial numbers starting from 1. The date 0302,
the day-of-week 0303, and the time period 0304 respectively
store the date, the day of the week, and time period of the
control instruction outputted to the control unit 0107 by the
instruction output unit 0105. The consumer ID 0305 and the
device ID 0306 are values for specifying an equipment device
0108 targeted for control by the control instruction. The
13
control content 0307 is the control content of the control
instruction, and stop (OFF) is recorded here as an example.
The control content 0307 may be other content for reducing the
power consumption of the control-target equipment device 0108.
For example, when the control-target equipment device 0108 is
an air conditioner, the control content 0307 may be a
temperature setting for either raising the cooling temperature
or lowering the heating temperature. Also when the controltarget
equipment device 0108 is a lighting device, the control
content 0307 may indicate a luminous intensity for lowering
the degree of brightness. The results database 0106 is
recorded in the order in which records for each control
instruction outputted by the instruction output unit 0105 to
the control unit 0107 are outputted for these items.
[0028]
Each part of the demand side equipment 0120 will be
explained here.
[0029]
The control unit 0107 is connected to the instruction
output unit 0105 via a network, and receives a control
instruction from the instruction output unit 0105. This
network, for example, is the Internet. The control unit 0107
stores in advance information linking a combination of a
consumer ID and a device ID with an equipment device 0108.
The control unit 0107 specifies a control-target equipment
device 0108 using the consumer ID and device ID combination
14
specified by the control instruction and the linking
information. Then the control unit 0107 controls the controltarget
equipment device 0108 in accordance with the control
content specified by the control instruction. For example,
when the control content is stop (OFF), the control unit 0107
stops (turns OFF) the control-target equipment device 0108.
[0030]
In accordance with the processing of the control unit
0107, the power consumption of the equipment device 0108 is
reduced, the amount of power transmitted over the electric
power line 0109 is reduced, and the load placed on the
electric power facility 0110 is alleviated. Also, the
operation apparatus 0100 prioritizes control beginning with
equipment device 0108 having the highest priority, thereby
reducing the impact on the comfortability provided to the
consumer.
[0031]
However, the size of the impact on the comfortablility
experienced by the consumer in accordance with controlling the
equipment device 0108 will vary greatly in accordance with the
time and situation in which the consumer has been placed, and
there may be cases in which the priority value recorded in the
priority database 0104 does not conform with the actual
circumstances. In such a case, the input unit 0112 described
hereinbelow can change the control with respect to the
equipment device 0108.
15
[0032]
The input unit 0112 is an input terminal for the consumer
to update the priority value recorded in the priority database
0104 in a case where the comfortablility of the consumer is
being impaired by the control of the equipment device 0108.
The input unit 0112, upon receiving an input operation by the
consumer, transmits request information based on the input
operation to a priority changing unit 0113 via a network. A
plurality of input units 0112 may be provided for a single
piece of demand side equipment 0120. In this embodiment, an
input unit 0112(a), which is one of the plurality of input
units 0112 in a single piece of demand side equipment 0120, is
regarded as a master unit, and another input unit 0112(b) is
regarded as a slave unit. The input unit 0112(a) alone may be
provided in a single piece of demand side equipment 0120.
[0033]
In this embodiment, the input unit 0112(a) is provided
together with the control unit 0107, and the input unit
0112(b) is provided together with an equipment device 0108(a).
The input unit 0112(a) may be included in the control unit
0107, and the input unit 0112(b) may be included in the
equipment device 0108(a). The control unit 0107 and the input
unit 0112(a) may be realized in accordance with an energy
management system, such as a home energy management system
(HEMS) or a factory energy management system (FEMS). The
input unit 0112(b) may perform an input to the equipment
16
device 0108(a) and may display the status of the equipment
device 0108(a).
[0034]
Fig. 4 shows an example of a display by the master unit.
[0035]
The input unit 0112 of this embodiment includes a touch
panel for input and display. The input unit 0112 may include
a human machine interface (HMI) other than a touch panel, such
as a keyboard and display. The input unit 0112(a) displays a
master unit monitoring screen 0401. The master unit
monitoring screen 0401 includes a cancel all controls button
0402 and a change all priorities button 0403. The cancel all
controls button 0402 indicates that the cancellation of all
controls being executed with respect to the equipment device
0108 in the demand side equipment 0120 is accepted for the
equipment device 0108 of the consumer, and is touched by the
consumer to effect the cancellation. For example, when the
input unit 0112(a) transmits to the operation apparatus 0100
request information (second request information) in accordance
with the touching (second operation) of the cancel all
controls button 0402 by the consumer, the operation apparatus
0100 suspends all controls that are being executed with
respect to the equipment device 0108 in the demand side
equipment 0120. A control change process included in this
processing will be explained below. This makes it possible to
cancel all controls for the equipment device 0108 in the
17
demand side equipment 0120. The change all priorities button
0403 indicates that the reducing of the priorities of the
equipment device 0108 in the demand side equipment 0120 is
accepted in the selection of a control target in the
subsequent electric demand regulating control by the operation
apparatus 0100, and is touched by the consumer to effect the
change. For example, when the input unit 0112(a) transmits to
the operation apparatus 0100 request information (first
request information) in accordance with the touching (first
operation) of the change all priorities button 0403 by the
consumer, the operation apparatus 0100 reduces the priorities
of all the equipment device 0108 that was targeted for control
in the previous electric demand regulating control in the
demand side equipment 0120. A control change process included
in this processing will be explained below. This makes it
difficult for all of the control-targetable equipment device
0108 in the demand side equipment 0120 to be selected as
control targets in the subsequent electric demand regulating
control by the operation apparatus 0100.
[0036]
The input unit 0112(a) displays the change all priorities
button 0403 in the master unit monitoring screen 0401 at all
times, and receives the input of the change all priorities
button 0403. The control unit 0107 notifies the input unit
0112(a) of the execution of the electric demand regulating
control. The input unit 0112(a) displays the cancel all
18
controls button 0402 on the master unit monitoring screen 0401
during the execution of electric demand regulating control,
and receives the input of the cancel all controls button 0402.
The input unit 0112(a) may display the change all priorities
button 0403 in the master unit monitoring screen 0401 from the
start of electric demand regulating control until a fixed
period of time has elapsed following the end of the electric
demand regulating control.
[0037]
Fig. 5 shows an example of a display by the slave unit.
[0038]
A case in which the input unit 0112(b) is incorporated in
a washing machine will be explained here. The input unit
0112(b) displays a slave unit monitoring screen 0404. The
slave unit monitoring screen 0404 includes a cancel individual
control button 0405 and a change individual priority button
0406. The cancel individual control button 0405 indicates
that the cancellation of a control that is being executed with
respect to the equipment device 0108 is accepted, and is
touched by the consumer to cancel the control. For example,
when the washing machine is stopped by an electric demand
regulating control and the input unit 0112(b) transmits to the
operation apparatus 0100 request information (fourth request
information) in accordance with the touching (fourth
operation) of the cancel individual control button 0405 by the
consumer, the operation apparatus 0100 cancels the stop
19
control to the washing machine. A control change process
included in this processing will be explained below. This
makes it possible for the washing machine to resume washing
machine functions. The change individual priority button 0406
indicates that the reducing of the priority of the equipment
device 0108 is accepted in the selection of a control target
in the subsequent electric demand regulating control by the
operation apparatus 0100, and is touched by the consumer to
effect the change. For example, when the input unit 0112(b)
transmits to the operation apparatus 0100 request information
(third request information) in accordance with the touching
(third operation) of the change individual priority button
0406 by the consumer either when the washing machine has been
stopped by the electric demand regulating control or the
electric demand regulating control has ended, the operation
apparatus 0100 reduces the priority of the equipment device
0108 that was targeted for control in the previous electric
demand regulating control. A control change process included
in this processing will be explained below. This makes it
difficult for the washing machine to be selected as a control
target in the subsequent electric demand regulating control by
the operation apparatus 0100.
[0039]
The input unit 0112(b) displays the change individual
priority button 0406 on the slave unit monitoring screen 0404
at all times, and receives the input of the change individual
20
priority button 0406. The equipment device 0108(a) notifies
the input unit 0112(b) of the execution of the electric demand
regulating control for the equipment device 0108(a). The
input unit 0112(b) displays the cancel individual control
button 0405 on the slave unit monitoring screen 0404 during
the execution of an electric demand regulating control, and
receives the input of the cancel individual control button
0405. The input unit 0112(b) may display the change
individual priority button 0406 on the slave unit monitoring
screen 0404 from the start of electric demand regulating
control in the equipment device 0108(a) until a fixed period
of time has elapsed following the end of the electric demand
regulating control.
[0040]
According to the input unit 0112, it is possible to
transmit at any time in accordance with a consumer operation a
request for reducing the priority for an equipment device 0108
that has become the target of control of the latest electric
demand regulating control. In addition, it is possible to
transmit, in accordance with a consumer operation, a request
for cancelling a running electric demand regulating control
while the electric demand regulating control is being executed.
In accordance with the consumer operating the input unit
0112(a), it is possible to transmit requests for a plurality
of equipment devices 0108 that are being targeted for control
by an electric demand regulating control, and in accordance
21
with operating the input unit 0112(b), it is possible to
transmit a request with respect to an equipment device 0108
corresponding to the input unit 0112(b).
[0041]
Fig. 6 is an example of request information.
[0042]
The request information includes as items a number 0501,
a date 0502, a day-of-week 0503, a time period 0504, a
consumer ID 0505, a device ID 0506, and a request type 0507.
The number 0501 is the number of records in the request
information, and is serial numbers starting from 1. The date
0502, the day-of-week 0503, and the time period 0504 are the
time at which the input unit 0112 received an input by the
consumer. The consumer ID 0505 is the ID of the consumer for
the demand side equipment 0120 in which the input unit 0112 is
installed.
[0043]
The device ID 0506 is the ID of the equipment device 0108
that is the target of a request to cancel a running control or
change a priority. When the request target is a plurality of
equipment devices 0108 in the demand side equipment 0120 such
as all of the equipment device 0108 for which controls are
being executed, or all control-targetable equipment device
0108, the device ID 0506 is blank. That is, it is a case in
which the consumer has touched a button in the master unit
monitoring screen 0401.
22
[0044]
The request type 0507 is a value indicating the function
of the button that was selected by the consumer on the input
unit 0112. In this embodiment, in the case of a cancel
request for cancelling a control that is being executed on the
equipment device 0108, the value of the request type 0507 is
“1”. In the case of a priority change request for changing a
priority in a control-target selection for a next electric
demand regulating control, the value of the request type 0507
is “2”. That is, in request information in a case where the
cancel all controls button 0402 has been touched, the device
ID 0506 is blank and the value of the request type 0507 is 1.
In request information in a case where the change all
priorities button 0403 has been touched, the device ID 0506 is
blank and the value of the request type 0507 is 2. In request
information in a case where the cancel individual control
button 0405 has been touched, the device ID 0506 is set and
the value of the request type 0507 is 1. In request
information in a case where the change individual priority
button 0406 has been touched, the device ID 0506 is set and
the value of the request type 0507 is 2.
[0045]
The request information need not include any items. For
example, the request information may include only the consumer
ID.
[0046]
23
The priority changing unit 0113 in the operation
apparatus 0100 will be explained here.
[0047]
The priority changing unit 0113 specifies a record in the
priority database 0104 corresponding to the request
information from the demand side equipment 0120, and reduces
the priority 0207 of the record. A priority change process by
the priority changing unit 0113 will be explained hereinbelow.
[0048]
Fig. 7 shows a priority change process.
[0049]
The priority changing unit 0113 repeatedly executes a
priority change process.
[0050]
In S0601, the priority changing unit 0113 checks for the
receipt of request information from the input unit 0112.
[0051]
In S0602, the priority changing unit 0113 determines
whether or not request information has been received. When it
is determined that request information has not been received,
the priority changing unit 0113 returns the processing to
S0601. Alternatively, when it is determined that request
information has been received, the priority changing unit 0113
advances the processing to S0603.
[0052]
24
In S0603, the priority changing unit 0113 recognizes the
contents of the received request information. That is, the
priority changing unit 0113 recognizes the contents of the
date 0502, the day-of-week 0503, the time period 0504, the
consumer ID 0505, the device ID 0506, and the request type
0507 in the received request information.
[0053]
In S0604, the priority changing unit 0113 specifies a
record of the results database 0106 corresponding to the
received request information as the results record. At this
point, the priority changing unit 0113 collates the items
specified in the recognized request information with items
specified in the results database 0106. For example, when the
request information indicates the input of the cancel all
controls button 0402, the priority changing unit 0113
specifies as the results record all of the records in which
the date 0302, the day-of-week 0303, the time period 0304, and
the consumer ID 0305 of the record in the results database
0106 match the contents of the request information. When the
request information indicates the input of the change all
priorities button 0403, the priority changing unit 0113
extracts all records in which the consumer ID 0305 of the
record in the results database 0106 matches the contents of
the request information, and specifies the record with the
most recent date 0302 among the extracted records as the
results record. In this case, the priority changing unit 0113
25
may extract all records in which the day-of-week 0303, the
time period 0304, and the consumer ID 0305 of the record in
the results database 0106 match the contents of the request
information, and may specify as the results record the record
having the most recent date 0302 from among the extracted
records. When the request information indicates the input of
the cancel individual control button 0405, the priority
changing unit 0113 specifies as the results record all records
in which the date 0302, the day-of-week 0303, the time period
0304, the consumer ID 0305, and the device ID 0306 from the
results database 0106 match the contents of the request
information. When the request information indicates the input
of the change individual priority button 0406, the priority
changing unit 0113 extracts all records in which the consumer
ID 0305 and the device ID 0306 from the results database 0106
match the contents of the request information, and specifies
as the results record the record having the most recent date
0302 from among the extracted records. In this case, the
priority changing unit 0113 may extract all records in which
the day-of-week 0303, the time period 0304, the consumer ID
0305, and the device ID 0306 from the results database 0106
match the contents of the request information, and may specify
as the results record the record having the most recent date
0302 from among the extracted records.
[0054]
26
In S0605, the priority changing unit 0113 specifies a
record in which the consumer ID 0202, the device ID 0203, the
day-of-week 0205, and the time period 0206 from within the
priority database 0104 match the consumer ID 0305, the device
ID 0306, the day-of-week 0303, and the time period 0304 of the
results record. Thereafter, the priority changing unit 0113
reduces the priority 0207 of the specified priority database
0104 record. For example, the priority changing unit 0113
changes the priority 0207 of the specified priority database
0104 record to 1. The priority changing unit 0113 may
subtract a prescribed value, within a range of priority values,
from the priority 0207 of the specified priority database 0104
record.
[0055]
In S0606, the priority changing unit 0113 determines
whether or not the received request information indicates a
cancellation request. That is, when the request information
indicates the input of either the cancel all controls button
0402 or the cancel individual control button 0405, the
priority changing unit 0113 determines that the request
information indicates a cancellation request (S0606: Y), and
advances the processing to S0607. Alternatively, when the
request information indicates the input of either the change
all priorities button 0403 or the change individual priority
button 0406, the priority changing unit 0113 determines that
27
the request information does not indicate a cancellation
request (S0606: N), and ends the flow.
[0056]
In S0607, the priority changing unit 0113 notifies the
instruction output unit 0105 of the information in the date
0302, the day-of-week 0303, the time period 0304, the consumer
ID 0305, the device ID 0306, and the control content 0307 of
the results records, and ends the flow. At this time, the
instruction output unit 0105 specifies an equipment device
0108 using the consumer ID and the device ID from the priority
changing unit 0113, and transmits a control instruction for
cancelling the control for the specified equipment device 0108
to the control unit 0107 via the network. The control unit
0107, upon receiving the control instruction, cancels the
control for the equipment device 0108.
[0057]
The preceding is the priority change process. In the
priority change process, instead of executing S0605 after
S0604, the priority changing unit 0113 may execute the
processing of S0605 when it has been determined that S0606 is
negative (S0606: N). The priority changing unit 0113 may
determine that the request information indicates a
cancellation request when the received request information
includes a consumer ID, and demand regulation control is being
executed with respect to the consumer.
[0058]
28
The priority changing unit 0113 is able to specify the
priority of the control-target equipment device 0108 by virtue
of the fact that the priority database 0104 stores in an
associated manner a consumer ID, a device ID, and a priority,
the results database 0106 stores the consumer ID and the
device ID of a control target, and the request information
includes the consumer ID. The priority changing unit 0113 is
able to specify the priority of a time period in a control
instruction for the control-target equipment device 0108 by
virtue of the fact that the priority database 0104 stores in
an associated manner a demand-side ID, a device ID, and a time
period, and the results database 0106 stores in an associated
manner the time period of the control instruction and the
consumer ID and the device ID of the control target. The
priority changing unit 0113, by selecting the latest control
instruction of a control target from among the control
instructions stored in the results database 0106, is able to
reduce the priority for the timer period of the latest control
instruction using a simple operation without the consumer
specifying a time period.
[0059]
According to the priority change process, it is possible
to specify an equipment device 0108 in accordance with a
consumer operation, and to reduce the priority of the
specified equipment device 0108. When the consumer operation
indicates a cancel request, it is possible to specify an
29
equipment device 0108 in accordance with this operation, and
to cancel the demand regulating control for the specified
equipment device 0108.
[0060]
The timer unit 0114 in the operation apparatus 0100 will
be explained here.
[0061]
The timer unit 0114, when the priority 0207 of the
priority database 0104 has been reduced, either increases the
value of the priority after a fixed period of time has elapsed
and returns the priority to the original value, or brings the
priority closer to the original value by a prescribed number.
The timer unit 0114 makes it possible to prevent the priority
from remaining reduced. It is possible to make the priority
value correspond to changes in the lifestyle of the consumer.
[0062]
According to this embodiment, when the consumer feels
uncomfortable due to an electric demand regulating control, it
is possible to change the priorities of a plurality of
equipment devices 0108 in the demand side equipment 0120 with
a one-time operation, and to reduce the labor of changing a
priority for the consumer.
[0063]
The present invention is not limited to the embodiment
described above, and includes many variations. The abovedescribed
embodiment was explained in detail in order to
30
illustrate the present invention in an easy-to-understand
manner, and the present invention is not necessarily limited
to an embodiment that includes all of the configurations
explained.
[0064]
The technique explained above using the example can also
be expressed as follows.
(Wording 1)
A demand regulating system, comprising:
a storage unit that stores priority information
indicating a priority of each of a plurality of consumption
devices that consume a resource supplied from a supply
facility;
an operation unit that receives measurement information
indicating a measurement result for consumption of the
resource by the plurality of consumption devices, calculating
a regulating quantity of demand for the resource on the basis
of the measurement information, selecting from among the
plurality of consumption devices on the basis of the priority
information and the regulating quantity a plurality of
control-target devices, which are targeted for demand
regulating control reducing consumption of the resource,
transmitting a first control instruction instructing the
demand regulating control to demand side equipment that
includes the plurality of control-target devices, and storing
31
results information indicating the first control instruction
in the storage unit;
a control unit that is provided in the demand side
equipment, receives the first control instruction, and
executes the demand regulating control on the basis of the
first control instruction; and
an input unit that is provided in the demand side
equipment, receives a first operation by a consumer, and
transmits first request information requesting a change in the
priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices,
to the operation unit in accordance with the first operation,
wherein the operation unit, upon receiving the first
request information, specifies the plurality of control-target
devices on the basis of the results information and the first
request information, and changes the priority of each of the
plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
(Wording 2)
A demand regulating system according to wording 1,
wherein the operation unit selects the plurality of controltarget
devices from among the plurality of consumption devices
in descending order of the priority, and upon receiving the
first request information, reduces the priority of each of the
plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
(Wording 3)
32
A demand regulating system according to wording 2,
wherein the input unit receives a second operation by the
consumer, and transmits second request information requesting
cancellation of the demand regulating control, to the
operation unit in accordance with the second operation,
the operation unit, upon receiving the second request
information, specifies the plurality of control-target devices
on the basis of the results information and the second request
information, and transmits a second control instruction
indicating cancellation of the demand regulating control to
the control unit, and
the control unit receives the second control instruction,
and cancels the demand regulating control on the basis of the
second control instruction.
(Wording 4)
A demand regulating system according to wording 3,
wherein the input unit displays the fact that the first
operation is received, and transmits the first request
information to the operation unit in accordance with the first
operation ,
the control unit notifies the input unit of the execution
of the demand regulating control, and
while the demand regulating control is being executed,
the input unit displays the fact that the second operation is
received, and transmits the second request information to the
operation unit in accordance with the second operation.
33
(Wording 5)
A demand regulating system according to wording 4,
wherein the operation unit increases the priority of each of
the plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information when a prescribed period of time has elapsed
following the reducing of the priority of each of the
plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
(Wording 6)
A demand regulating system according to wording 5,
wherein the priority information includes associations among
identification information of the consumer, identification
information of each of the plurality of control-target devices,
and the priority of each of the plurality of control-target
devices,
the results information includes associations among the
demand side equipment identification information, the
identification information of the plurality of control-target
devices, and the first control instruction,
the first request information includes the consumer
identification information, and
the operation unit specifies the plurality of controltarget
devices on the basis of the results information and the
first request information, and changes the priority of each of
the plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
34
(Wording 7)
A demand regulating system according to wording 6,
wherein the priority information includes a priority for each
time period,
the results information includes information indicating a
time for the first control instruction, and
the operation unit specifies the plurality of controltarget
devices and the time period of the first control
instruction on the basis of the results information and the
first request information, and changes the priority of each of
the plurality of control-target devices in the specified time
period in the priority information.
(Wording 8)
A demand regulating system according to wording 7,
wherein the operation unit specifies the consumer on the basis
of the first request information, selects a latest control
instruction for the consumer on the basis of the results
information, recognizes a consumption device that is the
target of the selected control instruction and the time period
of the selected control instruction, and changes the priority
of the recognized consumption device in the recognized time
period in the priority information.
(Wording 9)
A demand regulating system according to wording 8,
further comprising:
35
a specific device input unit that is provided in the
demand side equipment and is associated beforehand with a
specific device, which is one of the plurality of controltarget
devices, and receives a third operation by the consumer
and transmits third request information requesting a change of
the priority of the specific device to the operation unit in
accordance with the third operation,
wherein the operation unit, upon receiving the third
request information, specifies the specific device on the
basis of the results information and the third request
information, and changes the priority of the specific device
in the priority information.
(Wording 10)
A demand regulating system according to wording 9,
wherein the specific device input unit receives a fourth
operation by the consumer, and transmits fourth request
information requesting the cancellation of the demand
regulating control for the specific device, to the operation
unit in accordance with the fourth operation,
the operation unit, upon receiving the fourth request
information, specifies the specific device on the basis of the
results information and the fourth request information, and
transmits, to the control unit, a third control instruction
indicating the cancellation of the demand regulating control
for the specific device, and
36
the control unit receives the third control instruction,
and cancels the demand regulating control for the specific
device on the basis of the third control instruction.
(Wording 11)
A demand regulating system according to any one of
wordings 1 through 10, wherein the resource is electric power.
(Wording 12)
A demand regulating apparatus, comprising:
a storage unit that stores priority information
indicating a priority of each of a plurality of consumption
devices that consume a resource supplied from a supply
facility; and
an operation unit that receives measurement information
indicating a measurement result for consumption of the
resource by the plurality of consumption devices, calculating
a regulating quantity of demand for the resource on the basis
of the measurement information, selecting from among the
plurality of consumption devices on the basis of the priority
information and the regulating quantity a plurality of
control-target devices, which are targeted for demand
regulating control reducing consumption of the resource,
transmitting a first control instruction instructing the
demand regulating control to demand side equipment that
includes the plurality of control-target devices, and storing
results information indicating the first control instruction
in the storage unit,
37
wherein the operation unit, upon receiving from the
demand side equipment first request information requesting a
change of the priority of each of the plurality of controltarget
devices, specifies the plurality of control-target
devices on the basis of the results information and the first
request information, and changes the priority of each of the
plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
(Wording 13)
A consumption device management apparatus comprising:
a control unit that stores priority information
indicating a priority of each of a plurality of consumption
devices that consume a resource supplied from a supply
facility, receiving measurement information indicating
consumption of the resource of the resource consumed by the
plurality of consumption devices, calculating a regulating
quantity of demand for the resource on the basis of the
measurement information, selecting from among the plurality of
consumption devices on the basis of the priority information
and the regulating quantity a plurality of control-target
devices, which are targeted for demand regulating control
reducing consumption of the resource, transmitting a first
control instruction instructing the demand regulating control
to demand side equipment that includes the plurality of
control-target devices, receiving the first control
instruction from an operation apparatus that stores results
38
information indicating the first control instruction, and
executing the demand regulating control for the plurality of
control-target devices on the basis of the first control
instruction; and
an input unit that receives a first operation by a
consumer, and transmitting first request information
requesting a change in the priority of each of the plurality
of control-target devices, to the operation apparatus in
accordance with the first operation,
wherein the operation apparatus, upon receiving the first
request information, specifies the plurality of control-target
devices on the basis of the results information and the first
request information, and changes the priority of each of the
plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
[0065]
The terminology in the above wordings will be explained.
The supply facility corresponds to the electric power system,
the electric power facility 0110, and the electric power line
0109. The resource corresponds to electric power, gas, water,
and so forth. The consumption device corresponds to the
equipment device 0108. The storage unit corresponds to the
priority database 0104 and the results database 0106. The
priority information corresponds to the priority database 0104.
The results information corresponds to the results database
0106. The operation unit corresponds to the activation
39
determination unit 0101, the regulating quantity calculation
unit 0102, the device selection unit 0103, the instruction
output unit 0105, and the timer unit 0114. The input unit
corresponds to the input unit 0112(a). The specific device
input unit corresponds to the input unit 0112(b). The
specific device corresponds to the equipment device 0108(a).
The consumer identification information corresponds to the
consumer ID. The identification information of each of the
plurality of control-target devices corresponds to the device
ID. The demand regulating apparatus corresponds to the
operation apparatus 0100. The consumption device management
apparatus corresponds to the control unit 0107 and the input
unit 0112(a).
40
We Claim:
1. A demand regulating system, comprising:
a storage unit that stores priority information
indicating a priority for each of a plurality of consumption
devices that consume a resource supplied from a supply
facility;
an operation unit that receives measurement information
indicating a measurement result for consumption of the
resource by the plurality of consumption devices, calculating
a regulating quantity of demand for the resource on the basis
of the measurement information, selecting from among the
plurality of consumption devices, on the basis of the priority
information and the regulating quantity, a plurality of
control-target devices, which are targeted for demand
regulating control reducing consumption of the resource,
transmitting a first control instruction instructing the
demand regulating control to demand side equipment that
includes the plurality of control-target devices, and storing
result information indicating the first control instruction in
the storage unit;
a control unit that is provided in the demand side
equipment, receives the first control instruction, and
executes the demand regulating control on the basis of the
first control instruction; and
an input unit that is provided in the demand side
equipment, receives a first operation by a consumer, and
41
transmits first request information requesting a change in the
priority of each of the plurality of control-target devices,
to the operation unit in accordance with the first operation,
wherein the operation unit, upon receiving the first
request information, specifies the plurality of control-target
devices on the basis of the result information and the first
request information, and changes the priority of each of the
plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
2. A demand regulating system according to claim 1,
wherein the operation unit selects the plurality of controltarget
devices from among the plurality of consumption devices
in descending order of the priority, and upon receiving the
first request information, reduces the priority of each of the
plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
3. A demand regulating system according to claim 2,
wherein the input unit receives a second operation by the
consumer, and transmits second request information requesting
cancellation of the demand regulating control, to the
operation unit in accordance with the second operation,
the operation unit, upon receiving the second request
information, specifies the plurality of control-target devices
on the basis of the results information and the second request
information, and transmits a second control instruction
42
indicating cancellation of the demand regulating control to
the control unit, and
the control unit receives the second control instruction,
and cancels the demand regulating control on the basis of the
second control instruction.
4. A demand regulating system according to claim 3,
wherein the input unit displays the fact that the first
operation is received, and transmits the first request
information to the operation unit in accordance with the first
operation,
the control unit notifies the input unit of the execution
of the demand regulating control, and
while the demand regulating control is being executed,
the input unit displays the fact that the second operation is
received, and transmits the second request information to the
operation unit in accordance with the second operation.
5. A demand regulating system according to claim 4,
wherein the operation unit increases the priority of each of
the plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information when a prescribed period of time has elapsed
following the reducing of the priority of each of the
plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
6. A demand regulating system according to claim 5,
wherein the priority information includes associations among
identification information of the consumer, identification
43
information of each of the plurality of control-target devices,
and the priority of each of the plurality of control-target
devices,
the results information includes associations among the
consumer identification information, the identification
information of the plurality of control-target devices, and
the first control instruction,
the first request information includes the consumer
identification information, and
the operation unit specifies the plurality of controltarget
devices on the basis of the results information and the
first request information, and changes the priority of each of
the plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
7. A demand regulating system according to claim 6,
wherein the priority information includes a priority for each
time period,
the results information includes information indicating a
time for the first control instruction, and
the operation unit specifies the plurality of controltarget
devices and the time period of the first control
instruction on the basis of the results information and the
first request information, and changes the priority of each of
the plurality of control-target devices in the specified time
period in the priority information.
44
8. A demand regulating system according to claim 7,
wherein the operation unit specifies the consumer on the basis
of the first request information, selects a latest control
instruction for the consumer on the basis of the results
information, recognizes the consumption device that is the
target of the selected control instruction and the time period
of the selected control instruction, and changes the priority
of the recognized consumption device in the recognized time
period in the priority information.
9. A demand regulating system according to claim 8,
further comprising:
a specific device input unit that is provided in the
demand side equipment and is associated beforehand with a
specific device, which is one of the plurality of controltarget
devices, receives a third operation by the consumer,
and transmits third request information requesting a change of
the priority of the specific device, to the operation unit in
accordance with the third operation,
wherein the operation unit, upon receiving the third
request information, specifies the specific device on the
basis of the results information and the third request
information, and changes the priority of the specific device
in the priority information.
10. A demand regulating system according to claim 9,
wherein the specific device input unit receives a fourth
operation by the consumer, and transmits fourth request
45
information requesting the cancellation of the demand
regulating control for the specific device, to the operation
unit in accordance with the fourth operation,
the operation unit, upon receiving the fourth request
information, specifies the specific device on the basis of the
results information and the fourth request information, and
transmits, to the control unit, a third control instruction
indicating the cancellation of the demand regulating control
for the specific device, and
the control unit receives the third control instruction,
and cancels the demand regulating control for the specific
device on the basis of the third control instruction.
11. A demand regulating system according to claims 1,
wherein the resource is electric power.
12. A demand regulating apparatus, comprising:
a storage unit that stores priority information
indicating a priority of each of a plurality of consumption
devices that consume a resource supplied from a supply
facility; and
an operation unit that receives measurement information
indicating a measurement result for consumption of the
resource by the plurality of consumption devices, calculating
a regulating quantity of demand for the resource on the basis
of the measurement information, selecting from among the
plurality of consumption devices, on the basis of the priority
information and the regulating quantity, a plurality of
46
control-target devices, which are targeted for demand
regulating control reducing consumption of the resource,
transmitting a first control instruction instructing the
demand regulating control to demand side equipment that
includes the plurality of control-target devices, and storing
results information indicating the first control instruction
in the storage unit,
wherein the operation unit, upon receiving from the
demand side equipment first request information requesting a
change of the priority of each of the plurality of controltarget
devices, specifies the plurality of control-target
devices on the basis of the results information and the first
request information, and changes the priority of each of the
plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.
13. A consumption device management apparatus
comprising:
a control unit that stores priority information
indicating a priority of each of a plurality of consumption
devices that consume a resource supplied from a supply
facility, receiving measurement information indicating a
measurement result for consumption of the resource by the
plurality of consumption devices, calculating a regulating
quantity of demand for the resource on the basis of the
measurement information, selecting from among the plurality of
consumption devices, on the basis of the priority information
47
and the regulating quantity, a plurality of control-target
devices, which are targeted for demand regulating control
reducing consumption of the resource, transmitting a first
control instruction instructing the demand regulating control
to demand side equipment that includes the plurality of
control-target devices, receiving the first control
instruction from an operation apparatus that stores results
information indicating the first control instruction, and
executing the demand regulating control for the plurality of
control-target devices on the basis of the first control
instruction; and
an input unit that receives a first operation by a
consumer, and transmitting first request information
requesting a change in the priorities of the plurality of
control-target devices, to the operation apparatus in
accordance with the first operation,
wherein the operation apparatus, upon receiving the first
request information, specifies the plurality of control-target
devices on the basis of the results information and the first
request information, and changes the priorities of the
plurality of control-target devices in the priority
information.