Method, system and computer program for managing energy consumption

• US 7,216,021 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Sato, Yasuo, Yamada, Junichi, Matsubara, Masahiro, Harada, Yasushi, Kobayashi, Nobuhisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard; Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): KASENGE, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US10/902,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20050096797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 700/286, 700/291, 700/295, 700/22, 700/276, 700/277, 700/278, 315/294, 236/47, 236/91.D, 705/412
• US Class Current: 700/295
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2203/20 Simulating, e g planning, reliability check, modelling or computer assisted design [CAD]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

A system for managing energy consumption has a data storage module, a calculation module and an operation planning module. The data storage module stores an operational past record of a unit belonging to a facility to be managed by the system. The calculation module calculates wasteful energy consumption for the unit based on the operational past record stored in the data storage module. The operation planning module generates an operational plan for the unit belonging to the facility based on the wasteful energy consumption calculated by the calculation module.

Claims

1. A system for managing energy consumption comprising:

a data storage module for storing an operational past record of a unit belonging to a facility to be managed by the system;

a first calculation module calculating wasteful energy consumption for the unit based on the operational past record stored in the data storage module; and

an operation planning module for generating an operational plan for the unit belonging to the facility based on the wasteful energy consumption calculated by the first calculation module; and

a determination module for determining a level classifying the wasteful energy consumption, wherein the operation planning module generates the operational plan based on the level.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the operation planning module generates the operational plan based on predetermined prioritized ranks which are defined for an area of the facility according to daily time zones.

3. A system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second calculation module for calculating energy consumption for the facility when the unit is operated according to the operational plan generated by the operation planning module; and

a display module for displaying the energy consumption.

4. A system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a second calculation module for calculating energy consumption for the facility when the unit is operated according to the operational plan generated by the operation planning module; and

a display module for displaying the energy consumption.

5. A system for managing energy consumption comprising:

a data storage module for storing an operational past record of a unit belonging to a facility to be managed by the system;

a first calculation module calculating wasteful energy consumption for the unit based on the operational past record stored in the data storage module; and

an operation planning module for generating an operational plan for the unit belonging to the facility based on the wasteful energy consumption calculated by the first calculation module; and

a receiver module for receiving a signal indicative of operation of information equipment belonging to the facility; and

a prediction module for providing a predicted operational past record of the unit belonging to the facility based on the operation of the information equipment,

wherein the first calculation module calculates wasteful energy consumption for the facility based on the predicted operational past record.

6. A system according to claim 5, further comprising:

a second calculation module for calculating energy consumption for the facility when the unit is operated according to the operational plan generated by the operation planning module; and

a display module for displaying the energy consumption.

7. A system for managing energy consumption comprising:

a receiver module for receiving a signal indicative of one of a lower limit for a comfort index and an upper limit for a discomfort index, which a user sets with means for entering data for a facility to be managed by the system;

a data storage module for storing the signal received by the receiver module; and

an operation planning module for generating an operational plan for a unit belonging to the facility based on the signal stored by the data storage module, wherein the operational plan includes a calculation of wasteful energy consumption for the unit based on an operational past record of the unit.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the signal is indicative of an upper limit for energy cost.

9. A system according to claim 7, further comprising a display module for displaying a relationship between energy cost and comfort index for one of the lower limit and the upper limit.

10. A system according to claim 8, further comprising a display module for indicating that the upper limit for energy cost or a target reduction in energy cost is not likely to be met.

11. A system for managing energy consumption, comprising:

a receiver module for receiving a signal indicative of one of a lower limit for a comfort index and an upper limit for a discomfort index set by a user for a faculty to be managed by the system,

a data storage module for storing the signal received by the signal module; and

an operation planning module for generating an operational plan for the unit belonging to the facility based on the signal stored by the data storage module,

wherein the signal is indicative of the upper limit for an amount of discharged greenhouse gasses.

12. A system for managing energy consumption, comprising:

a receiver module for receiving a signal indicative of one of a lower limit for a comfort index and an upper limit for a discomfort index set by a user for a faculty to be managed by the system;

a data storage module for storing the signal received by the receiver module; and

an operation planning module for generating an operational plan for a unit belonging to the facility based on the signal stored by the data storage module;

a candidate generation module for generating a plurality of candidates for the operation plan; and

a third calculation module for calculating the lower limit for the comfort index and the upper limit for the discomfort index required for the candidates generated by the candidate generation module,

wherein the operation planning module selects one of the candidates which satisfies one of the lower limit for the comfort index and the upper limit for the discomfort index calculated by the third calculation module, thereby generating the operational plan.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the third calculation module calculates the lower limit for the comfort index and the upper limit for the discomfort index, taking into account an environment report.

14. A computer program for a computer of a system for managing energy consumption, wherein the computer program is executed in the computer in a process comprising:

storing an operational record of a unit belonging to a facility to be managed by the system,

calculating wasteful energy consumption for the unit based on the operational record;

determining a level classifying the wasteful energy consumption; and

generating an operational plan for the unit belonging to the facility based on the wasteful energy consumption.

15. A method for managing energy consumption comprising:

storing an operational record of a unit belonging to a facility to be managed by the method;

calculating wasteful energy consumption for the unit based on the operational record;

determining a level classifying the wasteful energy consumption; and

generating an operational plan for the unit belonging to the facility based on the wasteful energy consumption.

16. A system for managing energy consumption comprising:

a data storage module for storing an operational past record of a unit belonging to a facility to be managed by the system;

a first calculation module calculating wasteful energy consumption for the unit based on the operational past record stored in the data storage module;

an operation planning module for generating an operational plan for the unit belonging to the facility based on the wasteful energy consumption calculated by the first calculation module;

means for obtaining data of a ratio of occupants in an area or the number of people in a room;

a receiver module for receiving the data of the ratio of occupants or the number of people; and

a prediction module for providing a predicted operational past record of the unit belonging to the facility based on the data of the ratio of occupants or the number of people,

wherein the first calculation module calculates wasteful energy consumption for the facility based on the predicted operational past record.