FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]
ENERGY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT DEVICE, ENERGY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
SYSTEM, ENERGY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT METHOD, AND ENERGY
MANAGEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAM
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION ORGANISED
AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF JAPAN, WHOSE ADDRESS IS 7-3,
MARUNOUCHI 2-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-8310, JAPAN
THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE
INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.
2
DESCRIPTION
ENERGY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT DEVICE, ENERGY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT
SYSTEM, ENERGY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT METHOD, AND ENERGY
MANAGEMENT 5 SUPPORT PROGRAM
Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an energy
management support device, an energy management support
10 system, an energy management support method, and an energy
management support program for supporting energy management.
Background
[0002] Conventionally, techniques for reducing waste of
15 energy consumption in factories and the like have been
known. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a
technique for finding energy consumption rates for each
product type, each process, and each facility, and
generating a schedule that minimizes energy in
20 consideration of production conditions such as delivery
date.
Citation List
Patent Literature
25 [0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application
Laid-open No. 2005-92827
Summary
Technical Problem
30 [0004] However, the technique described in Patent
Literature 1 is a technique that is applied to automated
production facilities, and is difficult to apply to
production facilities such as non-automated production
3
facilities in which different workers or different tasks
affect the operating status differently, which is
problematic.
[0005] The present invention has been made in view of
the above, and an object thereof is to 5 obtain an energy
management support device capable of supporting effective
energy management in non-automated production facilities or
the like.
10 Solution to Problem
[0006] To solve the above problem and achieve an object,
the energy management support device according to the
present invention includes: an energy information
acquisition unit, a subject information acquisition unit
15 and a map information generation unit. The energy
information acquisition unit acquires energy information
indicating an amount of energy use in each of a plurality
of electrical facilities arranged in a management range.
The subject information acquisition unit acquires subject
20 information including position information indicating a
position of each of a plurality of subjects that move
within the management range. The map information
generation unit generates energy map information and stay
time map information based on the energy information and
25 the subject information, the energy map information
indicating an amount of energy use in each of a plurality
of areas obtained by dividing the management range, the
stay time map information indicating a time of stay of each
of the subjects in each of the plurality of areas.
30
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] The present invention can achieve the effect of
supporting effective energy management in non-automated
4
production facilities or the like.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary
configuration of an energy management 5 support system
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an
energy information table including energy information
according to the first embodiment.
10 FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
position information table including position information
that constitutes subject information according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a work
15 information table including work information that
constitutes subject information according to the first
embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
plurality of areas obtained by dividing a management range
20 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the
positional relationship between a plurality of areas
obtained by dividing the management range and a plurality
of electrical facilities according to the first embodiment.
25 FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining energy map
information that is generated by an energy map generation
unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining stay time map
information of a subject that is generated by a stay time
30 map generation unit according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first example of
support information that is displayed on a display unit by
an energy management support device according to the first
5
embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining work areas
according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of
support information that is displayed on 5 the display unit
by the energy management support device according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third example of
support information that is displayed on the display unit
10 by the energy management support device according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fourth example of
support information that is displayed on the display unit
by the energy management support device according to the
15 first embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a method of
calculating the amount of energy use by each subject
according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a fifth example of
20 support information that is displayed on the display unit
by the energy management support device according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a sixth example of
support information that is displayed on the display unit
25 by the energy management support device according to the
first embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a seventh example of
support information that is displayed on the display unit
by the energy management support device according to the
30 first embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an eighth example of
support information that is displayed on the display unit
by the energy management support device according to the
6
first embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary
procedure that is performed by the energy management
support device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating 5 an exemplary
hardware configuration of the energy management support
device according to the first embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
10 [0009] Hereinafter, an energy management support device,
an energy management support system, an energy management
support method, and an energy management support program
according to an embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the drawings. The
15 present invention is not limited to the embodiment.
[0010] First Embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary
configuration of an energy management support system
according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
20 As illustrated in FIG. 1, the energy management support
system 100 according to the first embodiment supports
analysis for energy saving in a management range MR based
on the state of energy use by electrical facilities 11, 12,
13, ..., and 1n arranged in the management range MR and the
25 state of movement of subjects 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, ...,
and 2m in the management range MR. Here, reference
characters “n” and “m” are integers greater than or equal
to four.
[0011] Hereinafter, the electrical facilities 11, 12,
30 13, ..., and 1n may be collectively referred to as the
electrical facility (facilities) 1, and the subjects 21, 22,
23, 24, 25, 26, ..., and 2m may be collectively referred to
as the subject(s) 2. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1,
7
the subjects 21, 22, 23, and 24 are workers who perform work
using the electrical facilities 1, and the subjects 25,
26, ..., and 2m are dollies that are used by workers. Note
that the subjects 2 are not limited to workers and dollies,
and may be, for example, production 5 materials such as
materials, work-in-process, or finished products. The
number of subjects 2 is not limited to the example
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0012] The management range MR illustrated in FIG. 1 is
10 a non-automated factory workplace, e.g. a factory workplace
where workers move along with products being produced to
manufacture products. In the management range MR, a
plurality of electrical facilities 1 are arranged to be
used by workers to manufacture products. In the following
15 example, each worker performs a plurality of work processes
using the plurality of electrical facilities 1 in a factory
workplace so that each worker produces products. Note that
each product may be produced by a plurality of workers.
The management range MR is not limited to a factory
20 workplace.
[0013] The electrical facilities 1 are, for example,
production facilities, air conditioning facilities,
lighting facilities, or the like. Production facilities
are, for example, pressers, panel saws, presses, lathes, or
25 the like. The electrical facilities 1 are not limited to
production facilities, air conditioning facilities, and
lighting facilities, and may be any facilities that consume
energy in the management range MR, for example.
[0014] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the energy management
30 support system 100 includes measuring instruments 31, 32,
33, ..., and 3n, communication instruments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,
46, ..., and 4m, communication instruments 51, 52, 53, ...,
and 5k, information collection devices 10 and 20, and an
8
energy management support device 30. Note that reference
character “k” is an integer greater than or equal to four.
The information collection devices 10 and 20 and the energy
management support device 30 are connected via a wired
network or a wireless network. The 5 energy management
support device 30 is, for example, a server of a cloud
computing system or an on-premise server.
[0015] Hereinafter, the measuring instruments 31, 32,
33, ..., and 3n may be collectively referred to as the
10 measuring instrument(s) 3, and the communication
instruments 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, ..., and 4m may be
collectively referred to as the communication instrument(s)
4. The communication instruments 51, 52, 53, ..., and 5k
may be collectively referred to as the communication
15 instrument(s) 5. The measuring instruments 3, the
communication instruments 4, the information collection
devices 10 and 20, and the energy management support device
30 are connected in a hierarchical connection form such as
a field network, but may be connected in other connection
20 forms.
[0016] The measuring instruments 3 each include a sensor
that detects the electrophysical quantity supplied to the
electrical facility 1 so as to measure the electrophysical
quantity supplied to the electrical facility 1. The
25 electrophysical quantity is current, voltage, electric
power, electric energy, or the like. For example, the
measuring instrument 31 measures the electrophysical
quantity supplied to the electrical facility 11, and the
measuring instrument 32 measures the electrophysical
30 quantity supplied to the electrical facility 12. Each
measuring instrument 3 transmits measurement information,
i.e. information including the measured electrophysical
quantity, to the information collection device 10 by means
9
of wireless communication or wired communication.
[0017] The communication instruments 4 are attached to
the subjects 2. For example, the communication instrument
41 is attached to the subject 21, and the communication
instrument 42 is attached to the 5 subject 22. Each
communication instrument 4 repeatedly transmits a wireless
signal including a first communication instrument
identifier (ID).
[0018] The communication instruments 5 receive wireless
10 signals transmitted from the communication instruments 4.
Each communication instrument 5 stores a second
communication instrument ID, and in response to receiving a
wireless signal from the communication instrument 4, can
transmit, to the information collection device 20 by means
15 of wireless communication or wired communication, detection
information including the radio wave strength of the
received wireless signal, the first communication
instrument ID included in the received wireless signal, and
the second communication instrument ID.
20 [0019] Note that the communication instrument 5 may be
configured to repeatedly transmit a wireless signal
including the second communication instrument ID to the
communication instrument 4, instead of being configured to
receive a wireless signal from the communication instrument
25 4. In this case, the communication instrument 4 receives a
wireless signal from the communication instrument 5, and
can transmit, to the information collection device 20 by
means of wireless communication, detection information
including the radio wave strength of the received wireless
30 signal, the second communication instrument ID included in
the received wireless signal, and the first communication
instrument ID.
[0020] The energy management support system 100 may be
10
configured without the communication instruments 5. In
this case, each communication instrument 4 includes a
position detection unit that detects the position of the
subject 2, and each communication instrument 4 can transmit,
to the information collection device 5 20 by means of
wireless communication, position information including
information indicating the position of the subject 2
detected by the position detection unit.
[0021] The information collection device 10 generates
10 energy information based on pieces of the measurement
information received from the plurality of measuring
instruments 3. The energy information includes information
indicating the amount of energy use by each electrical
facility 1 and time stamp information. Such a time stamp
15 is information indicating the time of energy use. The
information collection device 10 transmits the generated
energy information to the energy management support device
30.
[0022] The information collection device 10 includes an
20 energy information collection unit 11 and an information
transmission unit 12. The energy information collection
unit 11 acquires measurement information transmitted from
each measuring instrument 3 via a wired network or a
wireless network to find the amount of energy use per unit
25 time by each electrical facility 1 from the acquired
measurement information. In a case where information
indicating the amount of energy use per unit time by the
electrical facility 1 is transmitted from the measuring
instrument 3, the energy information collection unit 11 can
30 also obtain, from the measuring instrument 3, information
indicating the amount of energy use per unit time by the
electrical facility 1. The information transmission unit
12 transmits, to the energy management support device 30,
11
energy information including information indicating the
amount of energy use by each electrical facility 1 and time
stamp information. Note that the energy that is used by
the electrical facilities 1 is electric power, but may be
primary energy such as petroleum, coal, 5 gas, or hydrogen.
[0023] The information collection device 20 generates
position information based on the detection information
received from the communication instruments 5 or the like,
and generates work information based on a worker’s
10 operation on an operation unit 24. The operation unit 24
is, for example, a touch panel, a button, or the like. The
position information includes information indicating the
position of each subject 2 and time stamp information.
Such a time stamp is information indicating the detection
15 time of the position of the subject 2. The work
information includes information indicating the type of
work process performed by the worker, information
indicating the start or end of the work process by the
worker, information indicating the worker ID, and time
20 stamp information. The information collection device 20
transmits, to the energy management support device 30,
subject information including the generated position
information and work information.
[0024] The information collection device 20 includes a
25 position information collection unit 21, a work information
collection unit 22, and an information transmission unit 23.
The position information collection unit 21 acquires
detection information from the plurality of communication
instruments 5 or the plurality of communication instruments
30 4 by means of wireless communication. Based on the pieces
of detection information acquired from the plurality of
communication instruments 5 or the pieces of detection
information acquired from the plurality of communication
12
instruments 4, the position information collection unit 21
can find the position of each subject 2 using a known
three-point measurement technique, for example. In a case
where position information is transmitted from each
communication instrument 4, the position 5 information
collection unit 21 can also obtain information indicating
the position of the subject 2 from the communication
instrument 4. The position information collection unit 21
generates position information including information
10 indicating the position of each subject 2 and time stamp
information.
[0025] The work information collection unit 22 acquires,
based on a worker’s operation on the operation unit 24,
information indicating the type of work process,
15 information indicating the start or end of the work process,
and information indicating the worker ID. The operation
unit 24 is a touch panel, for example, and the worker can
operate the touch panel to input, to the information
collection device 20, information indicating the type of
20 work process, information indicating the start or end of
the work process, and information indicating the worker ID.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the work information
collection unit 22 is included in the information
collection device 20, but the work information collection
25 unit 22 may be provided in an information collection device
different from the information collection device 20.
[0026] The work information collection unit 22 generates
work information including the acquired information
indicating the type of work process, information indicating
30 the start or end of the work process, information
indicating the worker ID, and time stamp information. The
information transmission unit 23 transmits, to the energy
management support device 30, subject information including
13
the position information generated by the position
information collection unit 21 and the work information
generated by the work information collection unit 22.
[0027] The energy management support device 30 acquires
energy information from the information 5 collection device
10, and acquires subject information from the information
collection device 20. Based on the acquired energy
information and subject information, the energy management
support device 30 generates energy map information and stay
10 time map information. The energy map information indicates
the amount of energy use in each of a plurality of areas
obtained by dividing the management range MR. The stay
time map information indicates the time of stay of each
subject 2 in each of the plurality of areas. Based on the
15 generated energy map information and stay time map
information, the energy management support device 30
generates support information for supporting analysis of
the relationship between energy use and the subjects 2 in
the management range MR.
20 [0028] The energy management support device 30 includes
an energy information acquisition unit 31, a subject
information acquisition unit 32, a storage unit 33, a map
information generation unit 34, a support information
generation unit 35, and a display processing unit 36. The
25 energy information acquisition unit 31 acquires energy
information from the information collection device 10 via a
wireless network or a wired network, and stores the
acquired energy information in the storage unit 33. The
subject information acquisition unit 32 acquires subject
30 information from the information collection device 20 via a
wireless network or a wired network, and stores the
acquired subject information in the storage unit 33.
[0029] The storage unit 33 stores energy information,
14
subject information, electrical facility arrangement
information, and the like. FIG. 2 is a diagram
illustrating an example of an energy information table
including energy information according to the first
embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating 5 an example of
a position information table including position information
that constitutes subject information according to the first
embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of
a work information table including work information that
10 constitutes subject information according to the first
embodiment.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the energy information
table includes energy information in which “facility ID”,
“amount of energy use”, and “measurement date and time” are
15 associated with each other. The “facility ID” is
identification information unique to each electrical
facility 1. The “amount of energy use” is information
indicating the amount of energy use per unit time by the
electrical facility 1: in the example illustrated in FIG. 2,
20 the amount of energy use per minute. In a case where the
energy is electric power, the amount of energy use is the
amount of electric power use. The “measurement date and
time” is information indicating the date and time of the
measurement of the “amount of energy use”.
25 [0031] The example illustrated in FIG. 2 indicates that
in the electrical facility 11 having the facility ID “F001”,
the amount of energy use during one minute from 9:00 on
December 1, 2018 is “P1”, the amount of energy use during
one minute from 9:01 is “P2”, and the amount of energy use
30 during one minute from 9:02 is “P3”. The example
illustrated in FIG. 2 also indicates that the amount of
energy use during one minute from 9:00 on December 1, 2018
is “P11” in the electrical facility 12 having the facility
15
ID “F002”.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the position
information table includes position information in which
“subject ID”, “position”, and “measurement date and time”
are associated with each other. The 5 “subject ID” is
identification information unique to each subject 2. The
“position” indicates the position of the subject 2. In the
example illustrated in FIG. 3, the “position” includes
information indicating coordinate positions in an XY
10 coordinate system composed of orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis.
The “measurement date and time” is information indicating
the date and time when the position of the subject 2 is
measured.
[0033] The example illustrated in FIG. 3 indicates that
15 the subject 21 having the subject ID “O001” existed at the
coordinate position “x1, y1” at 9:00:00 and 9:00:01 on
December 1, 2018, and existed at the coordinate position
“x1, y2” at 9:00:02 on December 1, 2018. The example
illustrated in FIG. 3 also indicates that the subject 22
20 having the subject ID “O002” existed at the coordinate
position “x11, y11” at 9:00:00 on December 1, 2018. In
this way, the position information in the position
information table indicates changes in the position where
each subject 2 exists, and can also be called movement
25 history information.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the work information
table includes work information in which “subject ID”,
“task”, and “date and time” are associated with each other.
The “subject ID” is identification information unique to
30 each subject 2. The “task” includes information indicating
the type of work process performed by the subject 2 as a
worker, and information indicating the start or end of the
work process.
16
[0035] The example illustrated in FIG. 4 indicates that
the subject 21 having the subject ID “O001” started the
first work process at 9:05 on December 1, 2018, finished
the first work process at 9:23, and started the second work
process at 9:25. The example illustrated 5 in FIG. 4 also
indicates that the subject 22 having the subject ID “O002”
started the second work process at 9:01 on December 1, 2018.
[0036] Returning to FIG. 1, the map information
generation unit 34 will be described. The map information
10 generation unit 34 generates energy map information and
stay time map information based on the energy information,
subject information, and electrical facility arrangement
information stored in the storage unit 33. The energy map
information indicates the amount of energy use in each of a
15 plurality of areas obtained by dividing the management
range MR. The stay time map information indicates the time
of stay of each subject 2 in each of the plurality of areas.
The map information generation unit 34 includes an energy
map generation unit 41 and a stay time map generation unit
20 42. The energy map generation unit 41 generates energy map
information based on energy information and electrical
facility arrangement information. The stay time map
generation unit 42 generates stay time map information
based on subject information.
25 [0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
plurality of areas obtained by dividing the management
range according to the first embodiment. The management
range MR is assigned to an XY-axis coordinate system. In
the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the management range MR
30 is divided into six in the X-axis direction and divided
into seven in the Y-axis direction: a total of 42 areas AR1
to AR42. Hereinafter, the areas AR1 to AR42 may be
collectively referred to as the area(s) AR.
17
[0038] In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the
management range MR is divided in a mesh shape into a
plurality of areas AR having the same size, but the
management range MR may be divided into a plurality of
areas AR having different sizes. The number 5 of areas AR is
not limited to the example illustrated in FIG. 5. For
example, the number and size of areas AR can be freely set
in accordance with the arrangement of the communication
instruments 51, 52, 53, ..., and 5k or the like. In
10 addition, the number and size of areas AR can be freely set
through an operation on the operation unit 24 or the like.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of
the positional relationship between a plurality of areas
obtained by dividing the management range and a plurality
15 of electrical facilities according to the first embodiment.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the electrical
facility 11 is arranged in the area AR2, the electrical
facility 12 is arranged across the areas AR15, AR16, and AR17,
and the electrical facility 13 is arranged in the area AR30.
20 [0040] In addition, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6,
the electrical facility 14 is arranged across the areas AR32
and AR39, the electrical facility 15 is arranged in the area
AR34, and the electrical facility 1n is arranged across AR19,
AR20, and AR21. Information indicating the positional
25 relationship between the plurality of areas AR1 to AR42
obtained by dividing the management range MR and the
plurality of electrical facilities 11 to 1n is stored in
the storage unit 33 as electrical facility arrangement
information.
30 [0041] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining energy map
information that is generated by the energy map generation
unit according to the first embodiment. For convenience of
explanation, the example illustrated in FIG. 7 indicates an
18
energy map using the amount of energy use in the electrical
facilities 11 to 14 out of the electrical facilities 11 to
1n. Such an energy map is information in which each area
AR is associated with information indicating the amount of
energy use, and is generated every unit 5 time. The unit
time is, for example, one hour. Note that the unit time
can be changed based on an operation on an operation unit
38. The operation unit 38 is, for example, a touch panel,
a button, or the like.
10 [0042] In the energy map illustrated in FIG. 7, the area
AR2 where the electrical facility 11 is arranged, the areas
AR15, AR16, and AR17 where the electrical facility 12 is
arranged, the area AR30 where the electrical facility 13 is
arranged, and the areas AR32 and AR39 where the electrical
15 facility 14 is arranged are assigned information indicating
the amount of energy use per unit time. For convenience of
explanation, in the energy map illustrated in FIG. 7, the
areas AR where the electrical facilities 1 are arranged are
hatched in a manner that depends on the amount of energy
20 use in the electrical facilities 1.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining stay time map
information of a subject that is generated by the stay time
map generation unit according to the first embodiment. The
stay time map information is information of a stay time map
25 indicating the time of stay of the subject 2 in each of the
plurality of areas AR, and is generated for each subject 2.
The stay time map is information in which each area AR is
associated with information indicating the time of stay of
the subject 2 per unit time, and is generated every unit
30 time.
[0044] In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the stay
time map generation unit 42 generates the stay time map
information of the subject 21 based on the position history
19
of the subject 21 per unit time. In addition, the stay
time map generation unit 42 can calculate the time of stay
of all the subjects 2 for each area AR to generate the stay
time map information of all the subjects 2 (not
5 illustrated).
[0045] Returning to FIG. 1, the support information
generation unit 35 will be described. The support
information generation unit 35 generates support
information for supporting analysis of the relationship
10 between energy use and the subjects 2 in the management
range MR based on energy map information and stay time map
information. The support information generated by the
support information generation unit 35 is displayed on a
display unit 37 by the display processing unit 36.
15 [0046] The support information generation unit 35 can
generate support information according to an operation on
the operation unit 38 by a manager who is in charge of
energy management in the management range MR. For example,
the support information generation unit 35 can generate, as
20 support information, display information including energy
map information and stay time map information. FIG. 9 is a
diagram illustrating a first example of support information
that is displayed on the display unit by the energy
management support device according to the first embodiment.
25 As illustrated in FIG. 9, a display screen 60 of the
display unit 37 displays an energy map 61 indicating energy
map information and a stay time map 62 indicating stay time
map information.
[0047] The darker the areas AR of the energy map 61
30 illustrated in FIG. 9, the larger the amount of energy use
in the electrical facilities 1. This enables the manager
to easily grasp the amount of energy use in each area AR of
the management range MR. Note that the support information
20
generation unit 35 can also generate support information
that indicates the amount of energy use in each area AR
using color types, numerical values, or the like instead of
the shading of color.
[0048] In addition, the darker the areas 5 AR of the stay
time map 62 illustrated in FIG. 9, the longer the time of
stay of the subjects 2. This enables the manager to easily
grasp the time of stay of the subjects 2 in each area AR of
the management range MR. Note that the support information
10 generation unit 35 can also generate support information
that indicates the time of stay of the subjects 2 in each
area AR using color types, numerical values, or the like
instead of the shading of color.
[0049] The manager can analyze the relationship between
15 energy use and the subjects 2 in the management range MR
from the relationship between the energy map 61 and the
stay time map 62. That is, because the manager can analyze
the relationship between energy use and the subjects 2 in
the management range MR area AR by units of areas AR, the
20 manager can perform an effective analysis for energy saving
and work improvement.
[0050] For example, in a case where a production system
including a plurality of electrical facilities 1 is not
automated, energy consumption is often linked to the stay
25 position of the subjects 2 such as workers, dollies,
materials, or products. In such a case, a large difference
in magnitude in the same area AR is highly likely to
indicate a waste of energy, so it is possible to analyze or
visualize the correlation between the stay position of the
30 subjects 2 and energy.
[0051] The energy map 61 and the stay time map 62 are
generated every unit time by the map information generation
unit 34. The support information generation unit 35 can
21
also switch the energy map 61 and the stay time map 62 in
chronological order based on an operation on the operation
unit 38. This enables the manager to efficiently analyze
the relationship between energy use and the subjects 2 in
the management 5 range MR.
[0052] In addition, the support information generation
unit 35 can calculate the amount of energy use in each work
area and the average number of workers in each work area.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining work areas according to
10 the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a
second example of support information that is displayed on
the display unit by the energy management support device
according to the first embodiment.
[0053] In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, four work
15 areas AG1, AG2, AG3, and AG4 are formed in the management
range MR. Each of the work areas AG1, AG2, AG3, and AG4 is
composed of a plurality of areas AR. For example, the work
area AG1 is composed of the areas AR1, AR2, AR3, AR4, AR8,
AR9, AR10, AR11, AR15, AR16, AR17, and AR18. Hereinafter, the
20 work areas AG1, AG2, AG3, and AG4 may be collectively
referred to as the work area(s) AG when they are not
discriminated with each other.
[0054] The support information generation unit 35 can
generate the support information illustrated in FIG. 11
25 based on energy map information. The support information
illustrated in FIG. 11 is information indicating the amount
of energy use per unit time in each work area AG. With the
support information illustrated in FIG. 11, the manager can
easily analyze the amount of energy use in each work area
30 AG, and can take measures for energy saving, improvement of
work efficiency, or the like.
[0055] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a third example
of support information that is displayed on the display
22
unit by the energy management support device according to
the first embodiment. The support information generation
unit 35 can generate the support information illustrated in
FIG. 12 based on energy map information and stay time maps.
The support information illustrated 5 in FIG. 12 is
consumption rate information for each work area, i.e.
information indicating the amount of energy use per worker
for each time slot in each work area AG. With the support
information illustrated in FIG. 12, the manager can easily
10 analyze the amount of energy use in each work area AG on a
per-worker basis, and can take measures for energy saving,
improvement of work efficiency, or the like.
[0056] In addition, to the support information
illustrated in FIG. 12, the support information generation
15 unit 35 can add information indicating the average number
of workers in each work area AG for each time slot. This
enables the manager to identify, from the support
information illustrated in FIG. 12, the work area AG that
has a small number of workers but consumes a large amount
20 of energy, for example. Therefore, the manager can analyze
the correlation between the density of workers and the
amount of energy use, for example. Note that the support
information generation unit 35 can also generate, as
support information, information indicating the continuous
25 stay duration of workers in each work area AG based on stay
time maps.
[0057] Here, an example of a method of generating the
support information illustrated in FIG. 12 will be
described. The support information generation unit 35
30 calculates the total time of stay of all the subjects 2 in
each time slot for each work area AG based on stay time map
information. For example, in a case where the subjects 2
are only the subjects 21, 22, and 23, the support
23
information generation unit 35 calculates the total time of
stay of the subjects 21, 22, and 23 in each time slot for
each work area AG based on stay time map information. As a
result, the average number of workers in each time slot is
calculated for each work area AG. A 5 time slot is, for
example, a period per unit time, and can be changed through
an operation on the operation unit 38.
[0058] In addition, the support information generation
unit 35 can calculate the amount of energy use per worker
10 for each time slot in each work area AG based on energy map
information. The support information generation unit 35
can calculate the amount of energy use per worker for each
time slot in each work area AG based on the average number
of workers for each time slot in each work area AG and the
15 amount of energy use for each time slot in each work area
AG.
[0059] In addition, the support information generation
unit 35 can generate support information for supporting
analysis of the relationship between energy use, the
20 subjects 2, and work processes in the management range MR
based on work information in addition to energy map
information and stay time map information.
[0060] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fourth
example of support information that is displayed on the
25 display unit by the energy management support device
according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG.
13, the support information generation unit 35 can generate
support information indicating the work time of each worker
and each work process and the amount of energy use by each
30 worker. In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the worker
A is the subject 21, the worker B is the subject 22, the
worker C is the subject 23, and the subjects 21 to 23 all
perform the first, second, and third work processes.
24
[0061] In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the amount
of energy use in each of the first, second, and third
processes by each of the workers A, B, and C and the amount
of energy use by each of the workers A, B, and C are
displayed on the display screen 60 of the 5 display unit 37.
This enables the manager to grasp the amount of energy use
by each subject 2 for each work process, and to take
measures for energy saving, work efficiency, or the like.
[0062] Here, a method of calculating the amount of
10 energy use by each of the subjects 21 to 23 will be
described. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a method of
calculating the amount of energy use by each subject
according to the first embodiment. In the example
illustrated in FIG. 14, only four areas AR1, AR2, AR8, and
15 AR9 out of the areas AR1 to AR42 are illustrated for ease of
explanation.
[0063] The support information generation unit 35 first
generates a stay time map 74 for all the subjects 21, 22,
and 23 from stay time maps 71, 72, and 73 for the
20 respective subjects 21, 22, and 23. For example, the
support information generation unit 35 sums up the times of
stay “50”, “5”, and “10” in the area AR1 of the stay time
maps 71, 72, and 73, and sets the time of stay in the area
AR1 of the stay time map 74 to “65”. In addition, the
25 support information generation unit 35 performs similar
processing to set the times of stay in the areas AR2, AR8,
and AR9 of the stay time map 74 to “35”, “25”, and “55”
from the times of stay in the areas AR2, AR8, and AR9 of the
stay time maps 71, 72, and 73. Note that the stay time map
30 74 may be generated by the map information generation unit
34 from the subject information of all the subjects 21, 22,
and 23.
[0064] Next, the support information generation unit 35
25
multiplies an energy map 70 by each of the stay time maps
71, 72, and 73, and divides the multiplication results by
the stay time map 74 to generate energy maps 75, 76, and 77
for the respective subjects 21, 22, and 23.
[0065] For example, the support information 5 generation
unit 35 multiplies the amount of energy use “100” in the
area AR1 of the energy map 70 by the time of stay “50” in
the area AR1 of the stay time map 71, and divides the
multiplication result by the time of stay “65” in the area
10 AR1 of the stay time map 74 to find the amount of energy
use “77” in the area AR1 of the energy map 75 for the
subject 21. In addition, the support information
generation unit 35 can perform similar processing to find
the amount of energy use in the areas AR2, AR8, and AR9 of
15 the energy map 75. The same applies to the energy maps 76
and 77.
[0066] The support information generation unit 35 can
calculate the amount of energy use by each of the subjects
21, 22, and 23 from the energy maps 75, 76, and 77 for the
20 respective subjects 21, 22, and 23. For example, the
support information generation unit 35 can find the amount
of energy use by the subject 21 by summing up the amount of
energy use in all the areas AR1 to AR42 of the energy map 75.
Similarly, the support information generation unit 35 can
25 find the amount of energy use by each of the subjects 22
and 23 by summing up the amount of energy use in all the
areas AR1 to AR42 of each of the energy maps 76 and 77.
[0067] In addition, the support information generation
unit 35 can calculate, for each work process, the amount of
30 energy use by each of the subjects 21, 22, and 23 based on
the energy maps 75, 76, and 77 for the respective subjects
21, 22, and 23 and the work information stored in the
storage unit 33. For example, in a case where the work
26
information table is in the state illustrated in FIG. 4,
the support information generation unit 35 can calculate
the amount of energy use in the first work process by the
subject 21 from a plurality of energy maps 75 related to
the period from 9:05 to 9:23 on 5 December 1, 2018.
[0068] Note that the storage unit 33 can store area
information in which each work process is associated with
one or more areas AR. For example, the storage unit 33 can
store area information in which the first work process is
10 associated with one or more areas AR. In this case, the
support information generation unit 35 can find the amount
of energy use in the first work process by the subject 21
by summing up the amount of energy use in one or more areas
AR associated with the first work process among a plurality
15 of stay time maps 71 related to the period from the start
to the end of the first process.
[0069] FIGS. 15, 16, 17, and 18 are diagrams
illustrating a fifth example, a sixth example, a seventh
example, and an eighth example of support information that
20 is displayed on the display unit by the energy management
support device according to the first embodiment. In the
examples illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 18, the worker A is the
subject 21, the worker B is the subject 22, and the worker
C is the subject 23.
25 [0070] The support information generation unit 35 can
generate the support information illustrated in FIG. 15 as
support information that is displayed on the display screen
60 based on energy map information, stay time map
information, and work information. The support information
30 illustrated in FIG. 15 is information indicating the
transition of the amount of energy use per unit time by
each worker and the transition of the total value of the
amount of energy use by each worker. In addition, the
27
support information illustrated in FIG. 15 includes the
amount of energy use during the time when the management
range MR is unmanned. The amount of energy use during the
time when the management range MR is unmanned is the amount
of energy that is used when the workers A, 5 B, and C are not
present in any of the areas AR, and is generated based on
energy map information and stay time map information.
[0071] With the support information illustrated in FIG.
15, the manager can easily analyze the amount of energy use
10 by each worker, and can take measures for energy saving,
improvement of work efficiency, or the like.
[0072] While the display screen 60 is in the state
illustrated in FIG. 15, the worker A can be selected
through an operation on the operation unit 38, in response
15 to which the support information generation unit 35 can
generate the support information illustrated in FIG. 16
based on energy map information, stay time map information,
and work information. In the support information
illustrated in FIG. 16, information indicating the work
20 performance of the worker A is additionally illustrated,
and the information indicating the amount of energy use by
the worker A is emphasized relative to the information
indicating the amount of energy use by the workers B and C.
[0073] With the support information illustrated in FIG.
25 16, the manager can compare the tendency of the amount of
energy use by each worker between different work processes.
As a result, the relationship between the amount of energy
use and work processes can be easily analyzed for each
worker, and measures can be taken for energy saving,
30 improvement of work efficiency, or the like.
[0074] In addition, the support information generation
unit 35 can generate the support information illustrated in
FIG. 17 as support information that is displayed on the
28
display screen 60 based on energy map information, stay
time map information, and work information. The support
information illustrated in FIG. 17 includes information
indicating the transition of the total amount of energy use
and the work performance of each of the workers 5 A, B, and C.
[0075] While the display screen 60 is in the state
illustrated in FIG. 17, the third process can be selected
through an operation on the operation unit 38, in response
to which the support information generation unit 35 can
10 generate the support information illustrated in FIG. 18
based on energy map information, stay time map information,
and work information.
[0076] The support information illustrated in FIG. 18 is
displayed on the display screen 60 with the work
15 performance of each of the workers A, B, and C illustrated
in FIG. 17 so that the work performance is masked except
that in the third work process, and the proportion of the
amount of energy use in the third process, which is the
work process designated through the operation on the
20 operation unit 38, to the total amount of energy use is
displayed on the display screen 60. This makes it possible
to check whether the actual work status of the workers and
the amount of energy use in the electrical facilities 1 are
linked, and to analyze whether the electrical facilities 1
25 are operated only when necessary for work.
[0077] In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, if the
amount of energy use in the third process is large during
the time when none of the workers A, B, and C is performing
the third work process, it can be considered as a waste of
30 energy consumption in the electrical facilities 1 used in
the third process. For example, the amount of energy use
in the third process is large during the period from the
start of work to the very beginning of the third process,
29
from which it can be understood that the electrical
facilities 1 used in the third process are started up too
early. In addition, the amount of energy use in the third
process is large during the period from when the worker B
performs the third work process to 5 when the worker C
performs the third work process, which can be considered as
a waste of energy consumption and should be resolved for
energy saving.
[0078] Next, the operation of the energy management
10 support device 30 will be described using a flowchart. FIG.
19 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary procedure that
is performed by the energy management support device
according to the first embodiment.
[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 19, the energy information
15 acquisition unit 31 of the energy management support device
30 performs the energy information acquisition process of
acquiring energy information from the information
collection device 10 and storing the acquired energy
information in the storage unit 33 (step S10). The subject
20 information acquisition unit 32 of the energy management
support device 30 performs the subject information
acquisition process of acquiring subject information from
the information collection device 20 and storing the
acquired subject information in the storage unit 33 (step
25 S11).
[0080] Next, the map information generation unit 34 of
the energy management support device 30 performs the map
information generation process of generating energy map
information and stay time map information based on the
30 energy information and subject information stored in the
storage unit 33 (step S12).
[0081] Next, the support information generation unit 35
of the energy management support device 30 performs the
30
support information generation process of generating
support information based on the energy map information and
the stay time map information in response to a specific
operation on the operation unit 38 (step S13). Then, the
display processing unit 36 of the energy 5 management support
device 30 performs the support information display process
of displaying the support information generated by the
support information generation unit 35 on the display unit
37 (step S14), and the energy management support device 30
10 ends the procedure illustrated in FIG. 19.
[0082] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary
hardware configuration of the energy management support
device according to the first embodiment. As illustrated
in FIG. 20, the energy management support device 30
15 includes a computer including a processor 101, a memory 102,
and an interface circuit 103.
[0083] The processor 101, the memory 102, and the
interface circuit 103 can exchange data with one another
via a bus 104. The storage unit 33 is implemented by the
20 memory 102. The processor 101 reads and executes a program
stored in the memory 102, thereby executing the functions
of the energy information acquisition unit 31, the subject
information acquisition unit 32, the map information
generation unit 34, the support information generation unit
25 35, and the display processing unit 36. The processor 101
is an example of processing circuitry, and includes one or
more of a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal
processer (DSP), and a system large scale integration (LSI).
[0084] The memory 102 includes one or more of a random
30 access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a flash
memory, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM),
and an electrically erasable programmable read only memory
(EEPROM, registered trademark). The memory 102 also
31
includes a recording medium on which a computer-readable
program is recorded. Such a recording medium includes one
or more of a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory,
a magnetic disk, a flexible memory, an optical disk, a
compact disk, and a digital versatile 5 disc (DVD). Note
that the energy management support device 30 may include an
integrated circuit such as an application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC) and a field programmable gate
array (FPGA).
10 [0085] Note that the map information generation unit 34
can also generate energy map information and stay time map
information for each type of weather, each day of the week,
each number of workers, or each product to be produced. In
this case, the storage unit 33 stores weather, days of the
15 week, the number of workers, or product types in
association with date and time. The map information
generation unit 34 can generate energy map information and
stay time map information based on weather, days of the
week, the number of workers, or product types in addition
20 to energy information and subject information. Note that
weather types include sunny, cloudy, rainy, and typhoon.
The number of workers is the number of workers present in
the management range MR.
[0086] In addition, the energy management support device
25 30 may include a map information transmission unit that
transmits the energy map information and stay time map
information generated by the map information generation
unit 34 to an external device via a network. The energy
management support device 30 may include some or all of the
30 functions of the information collection devices 10 and 20.
[0087] As described above, the energy management support
device 30 according to the first embodiment includes the
energy information acquisition unit 31, the subject
32
information acquisition unit 32, and the map information
generation unit 34. The energy information acquisition
unit 31 acquires energy information indicating the amount
of energy use in each of the plurality of electrical
facilities 1 arranged in the management 5 range MR. The
subject information acquisition unit 32 acquires subject
information that includes position information indicating
the position of each of the plurality of subjects 2 that
move within the management range MR. The map information
10 generation unit 34 generates energy map information and
stay time map information based on the energy information
and the subject information, the energy map information
indicating the amount of energy use in each of the
plurality of areas AR obtained by dividing the management
15 range MR, the stay time map information indicating the time
of stay of each of the subjects 2 in each of the plurality
of areas AR. With the energy map information and the stay
time map information, it is possible to analyze the
correlation between the stay position of the subjects 2 and
20 energy, and to support effective energy management in nonautomated
production facilities, for example.
[0088] In addition, the energy management support device
30 includes the support information generation unit 35 that
generates support information based on the energy map
25 information and the stay time map information, the support
information being for supporting analysis of a relationship
between energy use and the subjects 2 in the management
range MR. With the support information, it is possible to
easily support effective energy management.
30 [0089] In addition, the support information generation
unit 35 generates, as the support information, display
information including the energy map information and the
stay time map information. This makes it possible to
33
visualize the correlation between the stay position of the
subjects 2 and energy.
[0090] In addition, the support information generation
unit 35 determines, based on the energy map information and
the stay time map information, the amount 5 of energy use
corresponding to each of the plurality of subjects 2, and
generates, as the support information, display information
including a determination result. This makes it possible
to grasp the amount of energy use by each subject 2, and to
10 take measures for energy saving, improvement of work
efficiency, or the like.
[0091] In addition, the management range MR is a work
region in which a plurality of work processes are executed,
and the subject information includes information indicating
15 a relationship between each of the plurality of subjects 2
and the plurality of work processes. The support
information generation unit 35 determines, based on the
energy map information and the stay time map information,
the amount of energy use in each work process, and
20 generates, as the support information, display information
including a determination result. This makes it possible
to grasp the amount of energy use by each subject 2 for
each work process, and to take measures for energy saving,
improvement of work efficiency, or the like.
25 [0092] In addition, the support information generation
unit 35 determines, based on the energy map information and
the stay time map information, the amount of energy use in
each work process for each of the plurality of subjects 2,
and generates, as the support information, display
30 information including a determination result. This makes
it possible to grasp the amount of energy use in each work
process and by each subject 2, and to take measures for
energy saving, improvement of work efficiency, or the like.
34
[0093] The energy management support system 100
according to the first embodiment includes the information
collection device 10, the information collection device 20,
and the energy management support device 30. The
information collection device 10 is an 5 example of a first
information collection device, and the information
collection device 20 is an example of a second information
collection device. The information collection device 10
collects the energy information based on measurement
10 information, and transmits the energy information collected
to the energy management support device 30. The
measurement information is obtained from the plurality of
measuring instruments 3 that each measure information on
the amount of energy use in a corresponding one of the
15 plurality of electrical facilities 1. The information
collection device 20 collects position information
indicating the positions of the plurality of subjects 2,
and transmits subject information including the position
information collected to the energy management support
20 device 30. The position information is obtained based on
radio waves transmitted from the communication instrument 4
attached to each of the plurality of subjects 2.
[0094] The configurations described in the abovementioned
embodiment indicate examples of the contents of
25 the present invention. The configurations can be combined
with another well-known technique, and some of the
configurations can be omitted or changed in a range not
departing from the gist of the present invention.
30 Reference Signs List
[0095] 1, 11, 12, 13, ..., 1n electrical facility; 2, 21,
22, 23, 24, 25, 26, ..., 2m subject; 3, 31, 32, 33, ..., 3n
measuring instrument; 4, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, ..., 4m, 5,
35
51, 52, 53, ..., 5k communication instrument; 10, 20
information collection device; 11 energy information
collection unit; 12, 23 information transmission unit; 21
position information collection unit; 22 work information
collection unit; 24, 38 operation 5 unit; 30 energy
management support device; 31 energy information
acquisition unit; 32 subject information acquisition unit;
33 storage unit; 34 map information generation unit; 35
support information generation unit; 36 display processing
10 unit; 37 display unit; 41 energy map generation unit; 42
stay time map generation unit; 60 display screen; 61, 70,
75, 76, 77 energy map; 62, 71, 72, 73, 74 stay time map;
100 energy management support system; AG, AG1, AG2, AG3,
AG4 work area; AR, AR1 to AR42 area; MR management range.
36
We Claim :
1. An energy management support device comprising:
an energy information acquisition unit to acquire
energy information indicating an amount of energy use in
each of a plurality of electrical facilities 5 arranged in a
management range;
a subject information acquisition unit to acquire
subject information including position information
indicating a position of each of a plurality of subjects
10 that move within the management range; and
a map information generation unit to generate energy
map information and stay time map information based on the
energy information and the subject information, the energy
map information indicating an amount of energy use in each
15 of a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the management
range, the stay time map information indicating a time of
stay of each of the subjects in each of the plurality of
areas.
20 2. The energy management support device according to
claim 1, comprising
a support information generation unit to generate
support information based on the energy map information and
the stay time map information, the support information
25 being for supporting analysis of a relationship between
energy use and the subjects in the management range.
3. The energy management support device according to
claim 2, wherein
30 the support information generation unit
generates, as the support information, display
information including the energy map information and the
stay time map information.
37
4. The energy management support device according to
claim 2 or 3, wherein
the support information generation unit
determines, based on the energy map 5 information and
the stay time map information, an amount of energy use
corresponding to each of the plurality of subjects, and
generates, as the support information, display information
including a determination result.
10
5. The energy management support device according to any
one of claims 2 to 4, wherein
the management range is a work region in which a
plurality of work processes are executed,
15 the subject information
includes information indicating a relationship between
each of the plurality of subjects and the plurality of work
processes, and
the support information generation unit
20 determines, based on the energy map information and
the stay time map information, an amount of energy use in
each of the plurality of work processes, and generates, as
the support information, display information including a
determination result.
25
6. The energy management support device according to
claim 5, wherein
the support information generation unit
determines, based on the energy map information and
30 the stay time map information, an amount of energy use in
each of the plurality of work processes for each of the
plurality of subjects, and generates, as the support
information, display information including a determination
38
result.
7. The energy management support device according to any
one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
each of the plurality 5 of subjects is
a worker, a dolly, a material, or a product.
8. An energy management support system comprising:
the energy management support device according to any
10 one of claims 1 to 7;
a first information collection device to collect the
energy information based on measurement information, and
transmit the energy information collected to the energy
management support device, the measurement information
15 being obtained from a plurality of measuring instruments
that each measure information on an amount of energy use in
a corresponding one of the plurality of electrical
facilities; and
a second information collection device to collect
20 position information indicating a position of the plurality
of subjects, and transmit subject information including the
position information collected to the energy management
support device, the position information being obtained
based on radio waves transmitted from a communication
25 instrument attached to each of the plurality of subjects.
9. An energy management support method that is executed
by a computer, the energy management support method
comprising:
30 an energy information acquisition step of acquiring
energy information indicating an amount of energy use in
each of a plurality of electrical facilities arranged in a
management range;
39
a subject information acquisition step of acquiring
subject information including position information
indicating a position of each of a plurality of subjects
that move within the management range; and
a map information generation step of 5 generating energy
map information and stay time map information based on the
energy information and the subject information, the energy
map information indicating an amount of energy use in each
of a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the management
10 range, the stay time map information indicating a time of
stay of each of the subjects in each of the plurality of
areas.
10. An energy management support program that causes a
15 computer to execute:
an energy information acquisition step of acquiring
energy information indicating an amount of energy use in
each of a plurality of electrical facilities arranged in a
management range;
20 a subject information acquisition step of acquiring
subject information including position information
indicating a position of each of a plurality of subjects
that move within the management range; and
a map information generation step of generating energy
25 map information and stay time map information based on the
energy information and the subject information, the energy
map information indicating an amount of energy use in each
of a plurality of areas obtained by dividing the management
range, the stay time map information indicating a time of
30
40
stay of each of the subjects in each of the plurality of
areas.