Monitoring device, monitoring method, and computer program
Patent Information
- Application Number
- AE202602443
- Authority / Receiving Office
- AE · AE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-26
Smart Images
Figure ABST_ABST
Abstract
Description
DescriptionTitle of Invention: MONITORING DEVICE, MONITORING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus, a monitoring method, and a computer program. Background Art
[0002] In order to achieve a carbon-neutral and decarbonized society, the use of variable renewable energy (VRE) such as solar and wind power, for which output is dependent on the weather, is expected to become increasingly widespread in the future. As a form of a method of using the variable renewable energy, it is conceivable that hydrogen is manufactured by using the variable renewable energy and the manufactured hydrogen is at least temporarily accumulated to be used in a post-process.
[0003] An electrolysis system is described in Patent Literature 1. The electrolysis system has a power generation device, a power distribution device, an electrolysis device, and a pressure raising device. The power generation device generates electric power by using the variable renewable energy. The power distribution device distributes the generated electric power. The electrolysis device executes electrolysis of water by using the distributed electric power. The pressure raising device raises the pressure of hydrogen and oxygen generated by the electrolysis device by using the distributed electric power (surplus electric power exceeding power consumption of the electrolysis device).
[0004] In Non Patent Literature 1, recommended work guidelines for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon intensity (CI) for liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, and ammonia are described.In Non Patent Literature 2, a proposed definition of clean ammonia is described. Citation ListPatent Literature
[0005] [PTL 1] JP 2019-026858 ANon Patent Literature
[0006] [NPL 1] "Recommended Working Guidelines for Calculating Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Carbon Intensity of LNG, Hydrogen, and Ammonia (GHG-CI Guidelines)," Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), First Edition, May 2022[NPL 2] "Proposed Definition of Clean Ammonia (Interim Summary)," Clean Fuel Ammonia Association (CFAA), July 2022, <URL: https: / / greenammonia.org / wp / wp-content / uploads / 2022 / 07 / 4ce6ca3ea2ac50e43d916b51b5cf6682.pdf> Summary of InventionTechnical Problem
[0007] To achieve carbon neutrality, that is, to achieve virtually zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, it is required to consider the amount of GHG emitted during the process of producing materials by using variable renewable energy. For example, a carbon intensity (CI) is derived based on GHG emissions, and the derived carbon intensity is adjusted. The carbon intensity indicates the amount of carbon dioxide emitted per unit of energy, that is, the carbon dioxide emission intensity.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring apparatus, a monitoring method, and a program with which a carbon intensity can be monitored during a process of producing a material by using renewable energy. Solution to Problem
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitoring apparatus including: a carbon intensity calculation module configured to calculate a carbon intensity of a material that is derived from renewable energy, the material being produced in a material production process for producing the material and stored in a tank; and an alarm issuance module configured to issue an alarm based on a calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material, wherein the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to calculate the carbon intensity based on the material newly produced within a shipping time interval in which the material is shipped from the tank.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to calculate at least one of a first carbon intensity calculated for the material newly produced within the shipping time interval, or a second carbon intensity calculated for the material stored in the tank within the shipping time interval.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to: calculate, as the first carbon intensity, the carbon intensity calculated for the material that has been newly produced within the shipping time interval; and calculate, as the second carbon intensity, the carbon intensity calculated for the material that has been stored in the tank within the shipping time interval.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to calculate the carbon intensity based on a prediction of the material to be newly produced within the shipping time interval.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to: calculate, as the first carbon intensity, the carbon intensity calculated for the material that has been newly produced within the shipping time interval up to a time of calculation, and the carbon intensity calculated for the material that has been predicted to be newly produced within the shipping time interval from the time of calculation until an end of the shipping interval; and calculate, as the second carbon intensity, the carbon intensity calculated for the material predicted to be stored in the tank at the end of the shipping time interval.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to calculate a third carbon intensity calculated for the material stored in the tank at the time when the material is shipped from the tank.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to calculate the carbon intensity at each of a plurality of a calculation sections that form the shipping time interval.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the shipping time interval includes a plurality of production terms, and the calculation sections is a section corresponding to one or a plurality of the production terms.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to combine the carbon intensity calculated for the material already stored in the tank at a start of the shipping time interval and the carbon intensity calculated for the material newly produced within the shipping time interval.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the alarm issuance module is configured to issue the alarm when the calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material exceeds a predetermined threshold value.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the alarm issuance module is configured to: issue a preliminary alarm expressing a preliminary warning when a calculated value of the first carbon intensity exceeds a predetermined first threshold value; and issue a main alarm urging that a measure be taken when a calculated value of the second carbon intensity exceeds a predetermined second threshold value.According to one aspect of the present invention, the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus further includes an advice output module configured to output advice information indicating a predetermined piece of advice based on a result of comparing the calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material with a predetermined threshold value.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the advice information is information indicating advice for preventing the carbon intensity of the material from exceeding the predetermined threshold value.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the advice information is information indicating at least one of a first piece of advice indicating to reduce a purchased power amount, a second piece of advice indicating to purchase a carbon credit, a third piece of advice indicating to reduce a production amount of the material, or a fourth piece of advice indicating to use an accumulated carbon credit.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the advice output module is configured to determine a priority order of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice based on a cost of executing each of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice, and to include the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice together with the determined priority order in the advice information.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the advice output module is configured to determine an impact of the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice on a production plan of the material, and to include the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice together with a determination result of the impact in the advice information.According to one aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned monitoring apparatus, the advice output module is configured to: determine a priority order of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice based on a cost of executing each of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice; determine an impact of the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice on a production plan of the material; and determine, among the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice, a piece of advice to be included in the advice information based on the determined priority order and a determination result of the impact.
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitoring method to be executed by a monitoring apparatus, the monitoring method including: a carbon intensity calculation step of calculating a carbon intensity of a material that is derived from renewable energy, the material being produced in a material production process for producing the material and stored in a tank; and an alarm issuance step of issuing an alarm based on a calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material, wherein the carbon intensity calculation step includes calculating the carbon intensity based on the material newly produced within a shipping time interval in which the material is shipped from the tank.
[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for causing a computer to execute: a carbon intensity calculation step of calculating a carbon intensity of a material that is derived from renewable energy, the material being produced in a material production process for producing the material and stored in a tank; and an alarm issuance step of issuing an alarm based on a calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material, wherein the carbon intensity calculation step includes calculating the carbon intensity based on the material newly produced within a shipping time interval in which the material is shipped from the tank. Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect of being able to monitor the carbon intensity during the process of producing the material by using the renewable energy. Brief Description of Drawings
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram for illustrating a schematic configuration example of a monitoring system in an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 is a diagram for illustrating a schematic configuration example of a monitoring apparatus according to the embodiment.FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating an example of processing of a carbon intensity calculation module of the monitoring apparatus according to the embodiment.FIG. 4 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of a procedure of a monitoring method according to the embodiment.FIG. 5 is an explanatory graph for showing an alarm issuance method in the embodiment.FIG. 6 is an explanatory graph for showing an alarm issuance method in the embodiment. Description of Embodiments
[0014] Next, a monitoring apparatus, a monitoring method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention are described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiment described below is described merely as an example, and the present invention can be applied to any embodiment without being limited to the following embodiment. Throughout the drawings for illustrating the embodiment, components having the same function are denoted by identical reference symbols, and a duplicate description thereof is omitted.Further, "based on XX" as used herein means "based on at least XX," including a case which is based on another element in addition to XX. Further, "based on XX" is not limited to a case in which XX is directly used, and a case which is based on an object obtained by performing calculation or processing on XX is also included. "XX" is any element (for example, any information).
[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram for illustrating a schematic configuration example of a monitoring system 1 in this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the monitoring system 1 includes a monitoring apparatus 10 and a terminal apparatus 20. The monitoring apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 20 are communicatively connected so that the monitoring apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 20 can communicate to and from each other. For example, the monitoring apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 20 may be communicatively connected through use of a communication line or by a communication cable. The terminal apparatus 20 may be, for example, a mobile communication terminal apparatus such as a smartphone or a tablet computer (tablet PC), or may be a stationary communication terminal apparatus (for example, a stationary personal computer). For example, the terminal apparatus 20 may be a mobile communication terminal apparatus such as a smartphone, and may be communicatively connected to the monitoring apparatus 10 through use of a wireless communication line.
[0016] The monitoring apparatus 10 is communicatively connected to a plant 30 through use of a communication line so that the monitoring apparatus 10 can communicate to and from the plant 30. For example, the monitoring apparatus 10 may be communicatively connected to the plant 30 through use of a communication network such as a local area network (LAN) or the Internet.
[0017] The plant 30 is a plant (production facility) which produces a renewable energy-derived material. As an example in this embodiment, the plant 30 may be a plant which produces renewable energy-derived hydrogen. The term "renewable energy-derived hydrogen" refers to hydrogen produced by using renewable energy. As another example in this embodiment, the plant 30 may be a plant which produces a chemical material (chemical product) by using renewable energy-derived hydrogen as a raw material. Examples of the chemical product include ammonia, methanol, an organic hydride, methane, carbon monoxide, diesel fuel, and hydrogen peroxide.
[0018] The plant 30 includes a material production apparatus 31, a tank 32, and a shipping apparatus 33. The material production apparatus 31 is an apparatus which produces the renewable energy-derived material. The tank 32 is a tank which temporarily stores the material produced by the material production apparatus 31. The shipping apparatus 33 is an apparatus which removes and ships the material from the tank 32. A material Mi is input (supplied) to the tank 32 from the material production apparatus 31. A material Mo is removed from the tank 32 and input (supplied) to the shipping apparatus 33.
[0019] Power POWa and power POWb to be used in the plant 30 are supplied to the plant 30. The power POWa is electric power from the plant 30 itself, and is generated solely from renewable energy sources. The power POWb is purchased electric power, and is generated from energy sources which may include non-renewable energy sources. The power POWa is hereinafter referred to as "own power POWa," and the power POWb is hereinafter referred to as "purchased power POWb."
[0020] In this embodiment, the own power POWa is electric power generated by using variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, as examples of the renewable energy. Accordingly, the own power POWa may be affected by weather.
[0021] The monitoring apparatus 10 monitors a material production process for producing the renewable energy-derived material in the plant 30. As an example of the monitoring in this embodiment, the monitoring apparatus 10 monitors a carbon intensity (CI) of a renewable energy-derived material produced by the material production apparatus 31 (produced in the material production process) for producing the material and stored in the tank 32.
[0022] For example, the monitoring apparatus 10 may monitor the CI of renewable energy-derived hydrogen, which is produced by the material production apparatus 31 for producing the hydrogen from renewable energy and stored in the tank 32. For example, the monitoring apparatus 10 may monitor the CI of a chemical product (for example, ammonia), which has been produced by the material production apparatus 31 by using renewable energy-derived hydrogen as a raw material and stored in the tank 32.
[0023] The monitoring apparatus 10 is communicatively connected to a weather information providing apparatus 50 through use of a communication line so that the monitoring apparatus 10 can communicate to and from the weather information providing apparatus 50. For example, the monitoring apparatus 10 may be communicatively connected to the weather information providing apparatus 50 through use of a communication network such as the Internet.
[0024] The weather information providing apparatus 50 is an apparatus which provides weather forecast information indicating a weather forecast predicting future weather conditions. The monitoring apparatus 10 acquires the weather forecast information from the weather information providing apparatus 50. The monitoring apparatus 10 uses the weather forecast information to predict the own power POWa, which may fluctuate depending on weather conditions.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a diagram for illustrating a schematic configuration example of the monitoring apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 2, the monitoring apparatus 10 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a communication unit 130.
[0026] The control unit 110 is a central processing unit (CPU) which implements various functions by calling and executing programs stored in the storage unit 120.
[0027] The control unit 110 includes, as functions thereof, a carbon intensity calculation module 1101, an alarm issuance module 1102, and an advice output module 1103. Each of those functions is implemented by the CPU executing a monitoring program 1201 stored in the storage unit 120.
[0028] The storage unit 120 is configured by a storage medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access read / write memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), or any combination of those storage media. The storage unit 120 stores various programs, such as the monitoring program 1201, executed by the control unit 110 (CPU), as well as various types of data.
[0029] The communication unit 130 communicates to and from external apparatus of the monitoring apparatus 10.
[0030] The monitoring apparatus 10 may be configured by using a general-purpose computer apparatus, or configured as a dedicated hardware apparatus. For example, the monitoring apparatus 10 may be configured by using a server computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet. Further, each of the functions of the monitoring apparatus 10 may be implemented by using cloud computing. The monitoring apparatus 10 may be implemented by a single computer, or the functions of the monitoring apparatus 10 may be distributed to be implemented among a plurality of computers. The monitoring apparatus 10 may also be configured to open a website by using, for example, a WWW system.
[0031] The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates the CI of a renewable energy-derived material which is produced in a material production process for producing the material and stored in a tank. The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 acquires information required to calculate the CI of the material from the plant 30.
[0032] The alarm issuance module 1102 issues an alarm based on the calculated value of the CI of the material. The advice output module 1103 outputs advice information indicating a predetermined piece of advice based on a result of comparing the calculated value of the CI of the material with a predetermined threshold value.
[0033] The renewable energy-derived material may be hereinafter referred to simply as "material."
[0034] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating an example of processing of the carbon intensity calculation module 1101 of the monitoring apparatus 10 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 3, an (n-1)-th ("n" is an integer of 2 or more) transaction term, an n-th transaction term, and an (n+1)-th transaction term are illustrated. There is no 0th transaction term. The first transaction term is the initial transaction term.
[0035] A transaction term is a shipping time interval during which the material is shipped (released) from the tank 32. For the n-th transaction term, the shipping timing is the end of the n-th transaction term. Accordingly, for the n-th transaction term, the shipment amount of material of the n-th transaction term is released from the tank 32 at the end of the n-th transaction term.
[0036] A single transaction term is divided into a plurality of CI calculation sections M. The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates the CI for each of the plurality of CI calculation sections M in a single transaction term. The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates the CI based on the material newly produced within a single transaction term.
[0037] A single transaction term includes a plurality of production terms. For example, when a single transaction term is one week, a production term may be 30 minutes. A production term may be, for example, a power transaction period. Each CI calculation section M is a section corresponding to one or a plurality of production terms. The CI calculation sections M are set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.
[0038] An initial CI value CIa of the material at the start of the n-th transaction term is calculated based on the residual material remaining in the tank 32 after the shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term. The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 sets the CI value calculated for the residual material remaining in the tank 32 after the shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term as the initial CI value CIa of the material at the start of the n-th transaction term. The initial CI value CIa of the material at the start of the first transaction term is set to a predetermined value (for example, 0).
[0039] The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates at least one of a first CI which is calculated for the material newly produced within the n-th transaction term, or a second CI which is calculated for the material stored in the tank 32 within the n-th transaction term.
[0040] In FIG. 3, the carbon intensity calculation module 1101 may calculate, as the first CI, a CI value CIb′ which is calculated for the material newly produced within the n-th transaction term. Further, the carbon intensity calculation module 1101 may calculate, as the second CI, a CI value CIc′ which is calculated for the material stored in the tank 32 within the n-th transaction term.
[0041] The CI value CIc′ for the n-th transaction term is a value obtained by combining the initial CI value CIa for the n-th transaction term and the CI value CIb′ for the n-th transaction term. An expression for calculating the CI value CIc′ is shown in the following Expression (1).CIc′=(CIa×Va+CIb′×Vb′) / (Va+Vb′) (1)
[0042] In Expression (1), Va is the residual material amount remaining in the tank 32 at the start of the n-th transaction term. Vb′ is the amount of material newly produced up to the CI calculation section M of the relevant CIc′ in the n-th transaction term, that is, the amount of material Mi that has flowed into the tank 32 up to the CI calculation section M of the relevant CIc′ in the n-th transaction term. Va and Vb′ are acquired from the plant 30.
[0043] An example of an expression for calculating the CI value CIb′ of the material for the n-th transaction term is given below.
[0044] (Expression for Calculating Hydrogen CI Value CIb′)The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates a hydrogen CI value CIb′ (H2 CI value CIb′) for the n-th transaction term by using the following Expression (2).H2 CI value CIb′ [t-CO2e / t-H2]=(H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh]×CO2 emission coefficient [t-CO2e / kWh]-emission deduction amount [t-CO2e]) / H2 weight [t] or H2 calorific value [MJ] (2)
[0045] In Expression (2), the H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is the power amount of the purchased power POWb purchased in order to produce hydrogen up to the CI calculation section M at the time of calculation in the n-th transaction term of a plant producing hydrogen (hydrogen plant). The H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is acquired from the plant 30.The CO2 emission coefficient is an index indicating how much CO2 is emitted in order to supply 1 kWh of electricity. The CO2 emission coefficient is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The emission deduction amount [t-CO2e] is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The H2 weight [t] or H2 calorific value [MJ] is the weight or calorific value of the hydrogen newly produced up to the CI calculation section M at the time of calculation in the n-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant. The H2 weight [t] or H2 calorific value [MJ] is acquired from the plant 30.
[0046] (Expression for Calculating Ammonia CI Value CIb′)The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates an ammonia CI value CIb′ (NH3 CI value CIb′) for the n-th transaction term by using the following Expression (3).NH3 CI value CIb′ [t-CO2e / t-NH3]=(H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh]+NH3 plant-purchased power amount [kWh])×CO2 emission coefficient [t-CO2e / kWh]-emission deduction amount [t-CO2e]) / NH3 weight [t] or NH3 calorific value [MJ] (3)
[0047] In Expression (3), the H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is the power amount of the purchased power POWb purchased in order to produce the raw material hydrogen used for ammonia newly produced up to the CI calculation section M at the time of calculation in the n-th transaction term of a plant producing ammonia (ammonia plant). The H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is acquired from the plant 30.The NH3 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is the power amount of the purchased power POWb purchased in order to produce ammonia up to the CI calculation section M at the time of calculation in the n-th transaction term of the ammonia plant. The NH3 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is acquired from the plant 30.The CO2 emission coefficient is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The emission deduction amount [t-CO2e] is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The NH3 weight [t] or NH3 calorific value [MJ] is the weight or calorific value of the ammonia newly produced up to the CI calculation section M at the time of calculation in the n-th transaction term of the ammonia plant. The NH3 weight [t] or NH3 calorific value [MJ] is acquired from the plant 30.
[0048] In FIG. 3, the carbon intensity calculation module 1101 may calculate, as the first CI, a predicted CI value CIb which is calculated for the material newly produced within the n-th transaction term up to the time of calculation, and the material predicted to be newly produced within the n-th transaction term from the time of calculation until the end of the n-th transaction term.For example, the predicted CI value CIb may be the sum of a CI value calculated based on the material newly produced within the n-th transaction term up to the time of calculation, and a CI value calculated based on the material predicted to be newly produced within the n-th transaction term from the time of calculation until the end of the n-th transaction term.The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 may also calculate, as the second CI, a predicted CI value CIc, which is calculated for the material predicted to be stored in the tank 32 at the end of the n-th transaction term.
[0049] The predicted CI value CIc for the n-th transaction term is a value obtained by combining the initial CI value CIa for the n-th transaction term and the predicted CI value CIb for the n-th transaction term. An expression for calculating the predicted CI value CIc is shown in the following Expression (4).CIc=(CIa×Va+CIb×Vb) / (Va+Vb) (4)
[0050] In Expression (4), Va is the residual material amount remaining in the tank 32 at the start of the n-th transaction term. Vb is the sum of the amount of material newly produced up to the CI calculation section M of the CIc in the n-th transaction term (actual material amount) and the amount of material predicted to be newly produced from the CI calculation section M to the end of the n-th transaction term (predicted material amount). Va and Vb are acquired from the plant 30.
[0051] An example of an expression for calculating the predicted CI value CIb of the material for the n-th transaction term is given below.
[0052] (Expression for Calculating Predicted Hydrogen CI Value CIb)The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates a predicted hydrogen CI value CIb (predicted H2 CI value CIb) for the n-th transaction term by using the following Expression (5).Predicted H2 CI value CIb [t-CO2e / t-H2]=(predicted H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh]×CO2 emission coefficient [t-CO2e / kWh]-emission deduction amount [t-CO2e]) / predicted H2 weight [t] or predicted H2 calorific value [MJ] (5)
[0053] In Expression (5), the predicted H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is the sum of the power amount (actual amount of purchased power) of the purchased power POWb purchased in order to produce hydrogen up to the CI calculation section M at the time of calculation in the n-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant and the power amount (predicted amount of purchased power) of the purchased power POWb predicted to be newly purchased in order to produce hydrogen from the CI calculation section M to the end of the n-th transaction term. The actual amount of purchased power is acquired from the plant 30.
[0054] Meanwhile, the purchased power prediction amount is estimated by the carbon intensity calculation module 1101. Specifically, the carbon intensity calculation module 1101 predicts fluctuations in the own power POWa based on the weather forecast information acquired from the weather information providing apparatus 50, compares the prediction result with the required power amount of the hydrogen plant for the n-th transaction term, and estimates a shortfall in the own power POWa based on the comparison result. The required power amount of the hydrogen plant for the n-th transaction term is acquired from the plant 30. The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 sets the shortfall in the own power POWa of the estimation result as the purchased power prediction amount such that the shortfall in the own power POWa is compensated for by the purchased power POWb.
[0055] The CO2 emission coefficient is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The emission deduction amount [t-CO2e] is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The predicted H2 weight [t] or predicted H2 calorific value [MJ] is the sum of the weight (actual weight) or the calorific value (actual calorific value) of hydrogen newly produced up to the CI calculation section M at the time of calculation in the n-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant, and the weight (predicted weight) or the calorific value (predicted calorific value) of hydrogen predicted to be newly produced from the CI calculation section M to the end of the n-th transaction term. The predicted H2 weight [t] or the predicted H2 calorific value [MJ] is acquired from the plant 30.
[0056] (Expression for Calculating Ammonia CI Value CIb)The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates a predicted ammonia CI value CIb (predicted NH3 CI value CIb) for the n-th transaction term by using the following Expression (6).Predicted NH3 CI value CIb [t-CO2e / t-NH3]=(predicted H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh]+predicted NH3 plant-purchased power amount [kWh])×CO2 emission coefficient [t-CO2e / kWh]-emission deduction amount [t-CO2e]) / predicted NH3 weight [t] or predicted NH3 calorific value [MJ] (6)
[0057] In Expression (6), the predicted H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is the sum of the power amount (actual amount of purchased power) of the purchased power POWb purchased in order to produce the raw material hydrogen used for ammonia newly produced up to the CI calculation section M at the time of calculation in the n-th transaction term of the ammonia plant, and the power amount (predicted amount of purchased power) of the purchased power POWb predicted to be purchased in order to produce the raw material hydrogen used for the ammonia that is predicted to be newly produced from the CI calculation section M to the end of the n-th transaction term. The actual amount of purchased power is acquired from the plant 30.
[0058] Meanwhile, the purchased power prediction amount is estimated by the carbon intensity calculation module 1101. Specifically, the carbon intensity calculation module 1101 predicts fluctuations in the own power POWa based on the weather forecast information acquired from the weather information providing apparatus 50, compares the prediction result with the required power amount of the ammonia plant in order to produce the raw material hydrogen in the n-th transaction term, and estimates a shortfall in the own power POWa based on the comparison result. The required power amount of the ammonia plant in order to produce the raw material hydrogen in the n-th transaction term is acquired from the plant 30. The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 sets the shortfall in the own power POWa of the estimation result as the purchased power prediction amount such that the shortfall in the own power POWa is compensated for by the purchased power POWb.
[0059] The predicted NH3 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is the sum of the power amount (actual amount of purchased power) of the purchased power POWb purchased in order to produce ammonia up to the CI calculation section M at the time of calculation in the n-th transaction term of the ammonia plant, and the power amount (predicted amount of purchased power) of the purchased power POWb predicted to be newly purchased in order to produce ammonia from the CI calculation section M to the end of the n-th transaction term. The actual amount of purchased power is acquired from the plant 30.
[0060] Meanwhile, the purchased power prediction amount is estimated by the carbon intensity calculation module 1101. Specifically, the carbon intensity calculation module 1101 predicts fluctuations in the own power POWa based on the weather forecast information acquired from the weather information providing apparatus 50, compares the prediction result with the required power amount of the ammonia plant for the n-th transaction term, and estimates a shortfall in the own power POWa based on the comparison result. The required power amount of the ammonia plant for the n-th transaction term is acquired from the plant 30. The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 sets the shortfall in the own power POWa of the estimation result as the purchased power prediction amount such that the shortfall in the own power POWa is compensated for by the purchased power POWb.
[0061] The CO2 emission coefficient is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The emission deduction amount [t-CO2e] is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The predicted NH3 weight [t] or predicted NH3 calorific value [MJ] is the sum of the weight (actual weight) or the calorific value (actual calorific value) of ammonia newly produced up to the CI calculation section M at the time of calculation in the n-th transaction term of the ammonia plant, and the weight (predicted weight) or the calorific value (predicted calorific value) of ammonia predicted to be newly produced from the CI calculation section M to the end of the n-th transaction term. The predicted NH3 weight [t] or the predicted NH3 calorific value [MJ] is acquired from the plant 30.
[0062] In FIG. 3, the carbon intensity calculation module 1101 may calculate a third CI, which is calculated for the material stored in the tank 32 at the time when the material is shipped from the tank 32. The third CI is the actual CI at the time of shipping the material (actual CI value CIc).
[0063] The actual CI value CIc for the n-th transaction term is a value obtained by combining the initial CI value CIa for the n-th transaction term and the actual CI value CIb for the n-th transaction term. An expression for calculating the actual CI value CIc is shown in the following Expression (7).Actual CI value CIc=(CIa×Va+actual CI value CIb×Vb) / (Va+Vb) (7)
[0064] In Expression (7), Va is the residual material amount remaining in the tank 32 at the start of the n-th transaction term. Vb is the total amount of the material newly produced within the n-th transaction term. Va and Vb are acquired from the plant 30.
[0065] An example of an expression for calculating the actual CI value CIb of the material for the n-th transaction term is given below.
[0066] (Expression for Calculating Actual Hydrogen CI Value CIb)The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates an actual hydrogen CI value CIb (actual H2 CI value CIb) for the n-th transaction term by using the following Expression (8).Actual H2 CI value CIb [t-CO2e / t-H2]=(actual H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh]×CO2 emission coefficient [t-CO2e / kWh]-emission deduction amount [t-CO2e]) / actual H2 weight [t] or actual H2 calorific value [MJ] (8)
[0067] In Expression (8), the actual H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is the total power amount of the purchased power POWb purchased in order to produce hydrogen within the n-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant. The actual H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is acquired from the plant 30.The CO2 emission coefficient is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The emission deduction amount [t-CO2e] is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The actual H2 weight [t] or actual H2 calorific value [MJ] is the total weight or total calorific value of the hydrogen newly produced within the n-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant. The actual H2 weight [t] or actual H2 calorific value [MJ] is acquired from the plant 30.
[0068] (Expression for Calculating Actual Ammonia CI Value CIb)The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates an actual ammonia CI value CIb (actual NH3 CI value CIb) for the n-th transaction term by using the following Expression (9).Actual NH3 CI value CIb [t-CO2e / t-NH3]=(actual H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh]+actual NH3 plant-purchased power amount [kWh])×CO2 emission coefficient [t-CO2e / kWh]-emission deduction amount [t-CO2e]) / actual NH3 weight [t] or actual NH3 calorific value [MJ] (9)
[0069] In Expression (9), the actual H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is the total power amount of the purchased power POWb purchased in order to produce the raw material hydrogen used for ammonia newly produced within the n-th transaction term of the ammonia plant. The actual H2 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is acquired from the plant 30.The actual NH3 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is the total power amount of the purchased power POWb purchased in order to produce ammonia within the n-th transaction term of the ammonia plant. The actual NH3 plant-purchased power amount [kWh] is acquired from the plant 30.The CO2 emission coefficient is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The emission deduction amount [t-CO2e] is set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.The actual NH3 weight [t] or actual NH3 calorific value [MJ] is the total weight or total calorific value of the ammonia newly produced within the n-th transaction term of the ammonia plant. The actual NH3 weight [t] or actual NH3 calorific value [MJ] is acquired from the plant 30.
[0070] An example of an expression for calculating the initial CI value CIa of the material at the start of the n-th transaction term is given below.
[0071] (Expression for Calculating Hydrogen Initial CI Value CIa)The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates a hydrogen initial CI value CIa (H2 initial CI value CIa) at the start of the n-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant by using the following Expression (10).H2 initial CI value CIa=[(H2 product tank remaining amount [t] at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term)-(shipment amount [t] from the H2 product tank of the (n-1)-th transaction term)]×(actual CI value CIc of the (n-1)-th transaction term) / [(H2 product tank remaining amount [t] at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term)-(shipment amount [t] from the H2 product tank of the (n-1)-th transaction term)] (10)
[0072] In Expression (10), the H2 product tank remaining amount [t] at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term is the amount of hydrogen stored in the tank 32 of the hydrogen plant at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant (immediately before shipment). The H2 product tank remaining amount [t] at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant is acquired from the plant 30.The shipment amount [t] from the H2 product tank of the (n-1)-th transaction term is the shipment amount of hydrogen in the (n-1)-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant, that is, the amount of material (hydrogen) Mo released from the tank 32 of the hydrogen plant at the end of the (n-1)-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant. The shipment amount [t] from the H2 product tank of the (n-1)-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant is acquired from the plant 30.The [(H2 product tank remaining amount [t] at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term)-(shipment amount [t] from the H2 product tank of the (n-1)-th transaction term)] is the residual hydrogen amount remaining in the tank 32 of the hydrogen plant after shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant, that is, the residual hydrogen amount remaining in the tank 32 of the hydrogen plant at the start of the n-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant.The actual CI value CIc of the (n-1)-th transaction term is the actual CI value CIc of hydrogen calculated by using the above-mentioned Expression (7) in the (n-1)-th transaction term of the hydrogen plant.
[0073] (Expression for Calculating Ammonia Initial CI Value CIa)The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates an ammonia initial CI value CIa (NH3 initial CI value CIa) at the start of the n-th transaction term of the ammonia plant by using the following Expression (11).NH3 initial CI value CIa=[(NH3 product tank remaining amount [t] at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term)-(shipment amount [t] from the NH3 product tank of the (n-1)-th transaction term)]×(actual CI value CIc of the (n-1)-th transaction term) / [(NH3 product tank remaining amount [t] at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term)-(shipment amount [t] from the NH3 product tank of the (n-1)-th transaction term)] (11)
[0074] In Expression (11), the NH3 product tank remaining amount [t] at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term is the amount of hydrogen stored in the tank 32 of the ammonia plant at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term of the ammonia plant (immediately before shipment). The NH3 product tank remaining amount [t] at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term of the ammonia plant is acquired from the plant 30.The shipment amount [t] from the NH3 product tank of the (n-1)-th transaction term is the shipment amount of ammonia in the (n-1)-th transaction term of the ammonia plant, that is, the amount of material (hydrogen) Mo released from the tank 32 of the hydrogen plant at the end of the (n-1)-th transaction term of the ammonia plant. The shipment amount [t] from the NH3 product tank of the (n-1)-th transaction term of the ammonia plant is acquired from the plant 30.The [(NH3 product tank remaining amount [t] at the time of shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term)-(shipment amount [t] from the NH3 product tank of the (n-1)-th transaction term)] is the residual hydrogen amount remaining in the tank 32 of the ammonia plant after shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term of the ammonia plant, that is, the residual hydrogen amount remaining in the tank 32 of the ammonia plant at the start of the n-th transaction term of the ammonia plant.The actual CI value CIc of the (n-1)-th transaction term is the actual CI value CIc of hydrogen calculated by using the above-mentioned Expression (7) in the (n-1)-th transaction term of the ammonia plant.
[0075] The above-mentioned expression for calculating the CI for hydrogen is a calculation expression devised by the inventors of the present invention based on Non Patent Literature 1. The above-mentioned expression for calculating the CI for ammonia is a calculation expression devised by the inventors of the present invention based on Non Patent Literature 1 and Non Patent Literature 2.
[0076] Next, an overall operation flow of the monitoring apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for illustrating an example of a procedure of a monitoring method according to this embodiment.
[0077] The monitoring apparatus 10 executes the processing of FIG. 4 for each transaction term.
[0078] (Step S1) The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 acquires the initial CI value CIa of the material at the start of the current (n-th) transaction term.
[0079] (Step S2) The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates a CI value, for example, the CI value CIb′, the CI value CIc′, the predicted CI value CIb, or the predicted CI value CIc, for each CI calculation section M.
[0080] (Step S3) The alarm issuance module 1102 determines whether or not the CI value calculated in Step S2 satisfies a predetermined alarm issuance condition (whether or not an alarm is required). When it is determined that the alarm issuance condition is satisfied (YES in Step S3), the process advances to Step S4. When it is determined that the alarm issuance condition is not satisfied (NO in Step S3), the process advances to Step S6.
[0081] (Step S4) The alarm issuance module 1102 issues an alarm based on the predetermined alarm issuance condition.
[0082] (Step S5) The advice output module 1103 outputs advice information based on a predetermined advice output condition.
[0083] (Step S6) The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 determines whether or not the n-th transaction term has ended. When it is determined that the n-th transaction term has ended (YES in Step S6), the process advances to Step S7. When it is determined that the n-th transaction term has not ended (NO in Step S6), the process returns to Step S2.
[0084] (Step S7) The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 calculates the actual CI value CIb and the actual CI value CIc for the n-th transaction term.
[0085] (Step S8) The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 outputs a CI report for the current (n-th) transaction term. The CI report is a report that includes the CI values calculated for the n-th transaction term.
[0086] Next, an alarm issuance method in this embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are explanatory graphs for showing the alarm issuance method in this embodiment.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, four types of alarms (HH1 alarm, HH2 alarm, H1 alarm, H2 alarm) are provided as examples of alarms in this embodiment.
[0088] (1) HH1 Alarm (see FIG. 5)The HH1 alarm is issued immediately when the CI value CIc′ exceeds a predetermined threshold value (HH1 alarm issuance condition).
[0089] (2) HH2 Alarm (see FIG. 5)The HH2 alarm is issued immediately when the predicted CI value CIc exceeds a predetermined threshold value (HH2 alarm issuance condition).
[0090] (3) H1 Alarm (see FIG. 6)The H1 alarm is issued immediately when the CI value CIb′ exceeds a predetermined threshold value (H1 alarm issuance condition).
[0091] (4) H2 Alarm (see FIG. 6)The H2 alarm is issued immediately when the predicted CI value CIb exceeds a predetermined threshold value (H2 alarm issuance condition).
[0092] One of the purposes of the monitoring in this embodiment is to ensure that a CI value of the material shipped in each transaction term remains equal to or less than a required value (Requirement). For this reason, the HH1 alarm and the HH2 alarm are provided as main alarms urging that a measure be taken when it is predicted that the required value is not going to be met under current conditions. The H1 alarm and the H2 alarm are further provided as preliminary alarms to express a preliminary warning. An example of the required value is the upper limit of the CI value required by the customer. For example, the upper limit of the CI value is specified in the contract with the customer.
[0093] Which of the HH1 alarm, the HH2 alarm, the H1 alarm, or the H2 alarm is actually to be used may be set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10, or may be freely set by the monitoring person by using the terminal apparatus 20.
[0094] The threshold value for each alarm issuance condition may be set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10, or may be freely set by the monitoring person by using the terminal apparatus 20. However, the threshold value for each alarm issuance condition is a value equal to or less than the required value, and it is preferred that the threshold value be a smaller value which has a certain margin below the required value.
[0095] The alarm issuance module 1102 issues each alarm based on the above-mentioned alarm issuance condition for each alarm. The alarm is notified to the terminal apparatus 20, and the terminal apparatus 20 informs the monitoring person through, for example, screen display or audio output.
[0096] The carbon intensity calculation module 1101 may output the CI report in a graphical format, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.
[0097] Next, an advice output method in this embodiment is described.
[0098] The advice output module 1103 outputs advice information indicating a predetermined piece of advice when the result of comparing a CI value, for example, the CI value CIb′, the CI value CIc′, the predicted CI value CIb, or the predicted CI value CIc, with a predetermined threshold value satisfies a predetermined advice output condition. The advice information is information indicating a piece of advice for preventing the CI value of the material shipped in each transaction term from exceeding a predetermined threshold value (for example, the required value or a smaller value which has a certain margin below the required value). The advice output condition is a relationship between a CI value, for example, the CI value CIb′, the CI value CIc′, the predicted CI value CIb, or the predicted CI value CIc, and the predetermined threshold value, and is a relationship with which it is considered that the required value cannot be met under current conditions.
[0099] Examples of the advice information output timing at which the advice information is output include a timing in the middle of the transaction term and a timing immediately before shipment during the transaction term. Further, the advice information may be output at a timing at which the alarm issuance module 1102 issues an alarm. The advice information output timing may be set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10, or may be freely set by the monitoring person by using the terminal apparatus 20.
[0100] Four types of advice (first piece of advice, second piece of advice, third piece of advice, and fourth piece of advice) are provided as examples of the advice in this embodiment.
[0101] (First Piece of Advice)The first piece of advice is to "reduce a purchased power amount." The CI value of the material can be reduced by reducing the purchased power amount. However, reducing the purchased power amount also decreases plant operating time, which may prevent the material from being produced as planned. Accordingly, in a case of adopting the first piece of advice, it is preferred that the impact of reducing the purchased power amount on the production plan of the material (in particular, whether or not the required shipment amount can be secured) be determined, and the determination result of the impact together with the first piece of advice be included in the advice information.
[0102] (Second Piece of Advice)The second piece of advice is to "purchase a carbon credit." The CI value of the material can be reduced by purchasing a carbon credit.
[0103] (Third Piece of Advice)The third piece of advice is to "reduce a production amount of the material." The CI value of the material can be reduced by reducing the production amount of the material. However, reducing the production amount of the material prevents the material from being produced as planned. Accordingly, in a case of adopting the third piece of advice, it is preferred that the impact of reducing the production amount of the material on the production plan of the material (in particular, whether or not the required shipment amount can be secured) be determined, and the determination result of the impact together with the third piece of advice be included in the advice information.
[0104] (Fourth Piece of Advice)The fourth piece of advice is to "use an accumulated carbon credit." The CI value of the material can be reduced by using an accumulated carbon credit.
[0105] Accumulation of carbon credits is now described. For ease of description, it is assumed that a required value of the customer is "10." Even when the actual CI value of the material shipped to the customer is lower than the required value of "10," for example, when the CI value is "7," with the material being shipped as if the CI value were "10," a difference of "3" between the actual CI value and the required value of "10" is accumulated as carbon credits. The accumulated "3" is recorded, and when the actual CI value of the material in a subsequent transaction term is higher than the required value of "10," for example, when the CI value is "11," "1" of the accumulated "3" can be used to reduce the CI value of the material shipped to the customer to "10," which is equal to or less than the required value of "10."
[0106] The advice output module 1103 includes at least one of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice described above in the advice information. The advice information is notified to the terminal apparatus 20, and the terminal apparatus 20 informs the monitoring person through, for example, screen display or audio output.
[0107] Which of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice is / are to be included in the advice information may be set in advance in the monitoring apparatus 10.
[0108] The advice output module 1103 may determine a priority order of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice based on a cost of executing each of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice, and include the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice together with the determined priority order in the advice information.
[0109] The cost of executing the first piece of advice is the cost required to purchase the purchased power POWb. The cost of executing the second piece of advice is the cost required to purchase a carbon credit. The cost of executing the third piece of advice is the decrease in sales revenue of the material, which decreases in accordance with a trading price of the material, due to reducing the production amount of the material. The cost of executing the fourth piece of advice is the price of the accumulated carbon credit, which decreases in accordance with the carbon credit trading price, due to using the accumulated carbon credit. The advice output module 1103 compares the respective costs of executing the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice, and sets a higher priority order to pieces of advice having a lower cost.
[0110] The advice output module 1103 may determine which of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice is / are to be included in the advice information based on the priority order of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice. For example, the advice output module 1103 may include a predetermined number of pieces (for example, two pieces) of advice having the highest priority order in the advice information.
[0111] The advice output module 1103 may determine which of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice is / are to be included in the advice information based on the priority order of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice and the result of determination of the impact that the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice has on the production plan of the material.
[0112] According to this embodiment, the carbon intensity (CI) of the renewable energy-derived material produced by the material production apparatus 31 (produced in the material production process) for producing the material from renewable energy and stored in the tank 32 is calculated based on the material newly produced within a transaction term (shipping interval), and an alarm is issued based on the calculated value of the CI of the material. As a result, the CI can be monitored during the process of producing the material by using renewable energy.
[0113] According to this embodiment, monitoring the CI during the material production process at a plant for producing a material such as hydrogen and ammonia can contribute to producing a material having a CI value that meets the required value from a customer or the like.
[0114] According to this embodiment, at least one of the first CI (first carbon intensity) calculated for the material newly produced within a transaction term (shipping interval) or the second CI (second carbon intensity) calculated for the material stored in the tank 32 within the transaction term is calculated. As a result, the CI can be monitored by using any one of the first CI or the second CI, or by using both the first CI and the second CI, during the process of producing the material by using renewable energy.
[0115] According to this embodiment, the carbon intensity (CI value CIb′) calculated for the material that has been newly produced within the transaction term is calculated as the first CI, and the carbon intensity (CI value CIc′) calculated for the material that has been stored in the tank 32 within the transaction term is calculated as the second CI. As a result, the CI can be monitored from multiple angles by using the CI value CIb′ and the CI value CIc′ during the process of producing the material by using renewable energy.
[0116] According to this embodiment, the carbon intensity is calculated based on the prediction of the material to be newly produced within the transaction term. As a result, it is possible to predict the CI of the material at the time of a future shipment, and hence measures can be taken in advance in order to prevent the CI value of the material at the time of shipment from failing to meet the required value.
[0117] According to this embodiment, the carbon intensity (predicted CI value CIb) calculated for the material that has been newly produced within the transaction term up to the time of calculation, and the carbon intensity (predicted CI value CIb) calculated for the material that has been predicted to be newly produced within the transaction term from the time of calculation until the end of the transaction term are calculated as the first CI, and the carbon intensity (predicted CI value CIc) calculated for the material predicted to be stored in the tank 32 at the end of the transaction term is calculated as the second CI. As a result, the CI of the material at the time of a future shipment can be predicted from multiple angles.
[0118] According to this embodiment, a third carbon intensity (actual CI value CIc) calculated for the material stored in the tank 32 at the time when the material is shipped from the tank 32 is calculated. As a result, the actual CI (actual CI value CIc) at the time of shipment of the material can be acquired.
[0119] According to this embodiment, the carbon intensity is calculated at each of the plurality of calculation sections that form the transaction term. As a result, the CI of the material, which changes from moment to moment in the transaction term, can be monitored in detail in calculation section units.
[0120] According to this embodiment, the transaction term includes the plurality of production terms, and each calculation section is a section corresponding to one or a plurality of production terms. As a result, the CI of the material can be monitored to match the production term.
[0121] According to this embodiment, the carbon intensity (initial CI value CIa), which is calculated for the material already stored in the tank 32 at the start of the transaction term, is combined with the carbon intensity (CI value CIb′ or predicted CI value CIb), which is calculated for the material newly produced within the transaction term. As a result, for the n-th transaction term, the CI value can be calculated also for the remaining material in the tank 32 after the shipment of the (n-1)-th transaction term.
[0122] According to this embodiment, an alarm is issued when the calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material exceeds a predetermined threshold value. As a result, the CI of the material can be monitored with a margin by setting the threshold value to a value smaller by a certain margin than the required value.
[0123] According to this embodiment, a preliminary alarm (H1 alarm or H2 alarm) expressing a preliminary warning is issued when the calculated value of the first CI (CI value CIb′ or predicted CI value CIb) exceeds a predetermined first threshold value. Further, a main alarm (HH1 alarm or HH2 alarm) urging that a measure be taken is issued when the calculated value of the second CI (CI value CIc′ or predicted CI value CIc) exceeds a predetermined second threshold value. As a result, tiered alarms including a preliminary alarm and a main alarm can be employed.
[0124] According to this embodiment, advice information indicating a predetermined piece of advice is output based on a result of comparing the calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material with a predetermined threshold value. As a result, the monitoring person can receive advice in accordance with the current state of the carbon intensity of the material.
[0125] According to this embodiment, the advice information is information indicating advice for preventing the carbon intensity of the material from exceeding the predetermined threshold value. As a result, the monitoring person can receive advice in accordance with the current state of the carbon intensity of the material so that the carbon intensity of the material does not exceed the predetermined threshold value.
[0126] According to this embodiment, the advice information is information indicating at least one of the first piece of advice indicating to reduce the purchased power amount, the second piece of advice indicating to purchase the carbon credit, the third piece of advice indicating to reduce the production amount of the material, or the fourth piece of advice indicating to use the accumulated carbon credit. As a result, at least one of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice can be given to the monitoring person in accordance with the current state of the carbon intensity of the material.
[0127] According to this embodiment, the priority order of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice is determined based on the cost of executing each of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice, and the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice together with the determined priority order are included in the advice information. As a result, the monitoring person can decide which of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice to adopt by referring to the priority order based on the costs of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice.
[0128] According to this embodiment, the impact of the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice on the production plan of the material is determined, and the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice together with the determination result of the impact are included in the advice information. As a result, the monitoring person can decide whether to adopt the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice by taking into consideration the impact of the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice on the production plan of the material.
[0129] According to this embodiment, the priority order of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice is determined based on the cost of executing each of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice, the impact of the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice on the production plan of the material is determined, and the piece of advice to be included in the advice information is determined among the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice based on the determined priority order and the determination result of the impact. As a result, the monitoring person can decide whether to adopt the advice included in the advice information in accordance with advice information that is based on the priority order based on the costs of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice and the impact of the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice on the production plan of the material.
[0130] According to this embodiment, the monitoring apparatus 10 can monitor the CI in real time during the process of producing the material by using renewable energy by acquiring information required to calculate the CI of the material online from the plant 30.
[0131] In addition, the monitoring apparatus 10 may acquire the information required to calculate the CI of the material offline from the plant 30. In this case, the CI during the process of producing the material by using renewable energy can be verified offline.
[0132] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, specific configurations are not limited to this embodiment and design changes and the like within such a range as not to depart from the gist of the present invention are also included.
[0133] Further, a computer program for implementing functions of the above-mentioned respective apparatus may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in this recording medium may be read and executed by a computer system. The "computer system" used herein may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral equipment.Further, when the "computer system" uses a WWW system, it is assumed that the "computer system" also includes a website provision environment (or display environment).Further, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a writable non-volatile memory such as a flexible disc, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, or a flash memory, a portable medium such as a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), or a memory device such as a hard disk incorporated in the computer system.
[0134] Moreover, the "computer-readable recording medium" includes also a recording medium that retains a program for a certain time like a volatile memory (for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM)) inside the computer system that serves as a server or a client in a case in which the program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.Further, the above-mentioned program may be transmitted from the computer system that stores this program in a memory device or the like to another computer system through a transmission medium or by a transmitted wave in the transmission medium. The "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information like a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication wire) such as a telephone line.Moreover, the above-mentioned program may be a program for implementing part of the above-mentioned functions. In addition, the above-mentioned program may be a program that can implement the above-mentioned functions by a combination with a program already recorded in the computer system, that is, a so-called differential file (differential program). Reference Signs List
[0135] 1 monitoring system, 10 monitoring apparatus, 110 control unit, 120 storage unit, 130 communication unit, 1101 carbon intensity calculation module, 1102 alarm issuance module, 1103 advice output module, 1201 monitoring program, 20 terminal apparatus, 30 plant, 31 material production apparatus, 32 tank, 33 shipping apparatus, 50 weather information providing apparatus
Claims
1. A monitoring apparatus, comprising: a carbon intensity calculation module configured to calculate a carbon intensity of a material that is derived from renewable energy, the material being produced in a material production process for producing the material and stored in a tank; and an alarm issuance module configured to issue an alarm based on a calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material, wherein the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to calculate the carbon intensity based on the material newly produced within a shipping time interval in which the material is shipped from the tank.
2. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to calculate at least one of a first carbon intensity calculated for the material newly produced within the shipping time interval, or a second carbon intensity calculated for the material stored in the tank within the shipping time interval.
3. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to: calculate, as the first carbon intensity, the carbon intensity calculated for the material that has been newly produced within the shipping time interval; and calculate, as the second carbon intensity, the carbon intensity calculated for the material that has been stored in the tank within the shipping time interval.
4. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to calculate the carbon intensity based on a prediction of the material to be newly produced within the shipping time interval.
5. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to: calculate, as the first carbon intensity, the carbon intensity calculated for the material that has been newly produced within the shipping time interval up to a time of calculation, and the carbon intensity calculated for the material that has been predicted to be newly produced within the shipping time interval from the time of calculation until an end of the shipping time interval; and calculate, as the second carbon intensity, the carbon intensity calculated for the material predicted to be stored in the tank at the end of the shipping time interval.
6. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to calculate a third carbon intensity calculated for the material stored in the tank at the time when the material is shipped from the tank.
7. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to calculate the carbon intensity at each of a plurality of calculation sections that form the shipping time interval.
8. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the shipping time interval includes a plurality of production terms, and wherein the calculation sections is a section corresponding to one or a plurality of the production terms.
9. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the carbon intensity calculation module is configured to combine the carbon intensity calculated for the material already stored in the tank at a start of the shipping time interval, and the carbon intensity calculated for the material newly produced within the shipping time interval.
10. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the alarm issuance module is configured to issue the alarm when the calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
11. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the alarm issuance module is configured to: issue a preliminary alarm expressing a preliminary warning when a calculated value of the first carbon intensity exceeds a predetermined first threshold value; and issue a main alarm urging that a measure be taken when a calculated value of the second carbon intensity exceeds a predetermined second threshold value.
12. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an advice output module configured to output advice information indicating a predetermined piece of advice based on a result of comparing the calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material with a predetermined threshold value.
13. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the advice information is information indicating advice for preventing the carbon intensity of the material from exceeding the predetermined threshold value.
14. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the advice information is information indicating at least one of a first piece of advice indicating to reduce a purchased power amount, a second piece of advice indicating to purchase a carbon credit, a third piece of advice indicating to reduce a production amount of the material, or a fourth piece of advice indicating to use an accumulated carbon credit.
15. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the advice output module is configured to determine a priority order of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice based on a cost of executing each of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice, and to include the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice together with the determined priority order in the advice information.
16. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the advice output module is configured to determine an impact of the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice on a production plan of the material, and to include the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice together with a determination result of the impact in the advice information.
17. The monitoring apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the advice output module is configured to: determine a priority order of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice based on a cost of executing each of the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice; determine an impact of the first piece of advice or the third piece of advice on a production plan of the material; and determine, among the first piece of advice to the fourth piece of advice, a piece of advice to be included in the advice information based on the determined priority order and a determination result of the impact.
18. A monitoring method to be executed by a monitoring apparatus, the monitoring method comprising: a carbon intensity calculation step of calculating a carbon intensity of a material that is derived from renewable energy, the material being produced in a material production process for producing the material and stored in a tank; and an alarm issuance step of issuing an alarm based on a calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material, wherein the carbon intensity calculation step includes calculating the carbon intensity based on the material newly produced within a shipping time interval in which the material is shipped from the tank.
19. A computer program for causing a computer to execute: a carbon intensity calculation step of calculating a carbon intensity of a material that is derived from renewable energy, the material being produced in a material production process for producing the material and stored in a tank; and an alarm issuance step of issuing an alarm based on a calculated value of the carbon intensity of the material, wherein the carbon intensity calculation step includes calculating the carbon intensity based on the material newly produced within a shipping time interval in which the material is shipped from the tank.