Management system, block chain network system, management method and program

Abstract

To manage contract of a consumer's right to use of electric power generated by a power plant and traceability of electric power demand while guaranteeing authenticity.SOLUTION: An electric power transaction management system for managing a power plant account of a power plant and a consumer's consumer account by using a block chain network 40 includes: the right to use issuing means for issuing a right to use token of electric power supplied by the power plant for the power plant account; request acquisition means for acquiring request information of use of the consumer with respect to the electric power to be supplied; right-to-use transfer means transferring the right-to-use token to the consumer account on the basis of the request information; power-generation-achievement issuing means for issuing a power-generation-achievement token about the power generation achievement to the power plant account; use-achievement acquisition means for acquiring use-achievement information of electric power of the consumer; and power-generation-achievement transfer means for transferring the power-generation-achievement token to the consumer account on the basis of the use-achievement information and the right-to-use token of the consumer account.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system, a block chain network system, a management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system that supports electricity trading between multiple power plants and multiple consumers, the system including: a supply amount acquisition unit that acquires, for each power plant, the amount of electricity generated at the power plant that has been transmitted to a specified electricity network; a token issuing unit that issues tokens corresponding to the supply amount to a first account of the power plant in the blockchain; a demand amount acquisition unit that acquires, for each consumer, the amount of electricity demand received from the electricity network; a transmission amount determination unit that determines the amount of electricity transmission that is deemed to have been sent from the power plant to the consumer for each pair of power plant and consumer; and a transaction issuing unit that issues, for each power plant, a transaction to transfer an amount of tokens corresponding to the amount of electricity transmission for each consumer, with each of the second accounts of the multiple consumers paired with the power plant as the destination and the first account as the source. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-190005 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Electricity consumers may wish to actively use, for example, renewable energy electricity. In such cases, the consumer may enter into a contract for the use of electricity with a power plant that generates renewable energy electricity. However, electricity generated at the power plant, including renewable energy electricity, is assimilated with other electricity in the electricity network. For this reason, even if the consumer wishes to use, for example, renewable energy electricity, it is not easy to demonstrate the actual use of renewable energy electricity.

[0005] The present invention aims to manage contracts for consumers' usage rights for electricity generated by power plants and traceability of electricity supply and demand while ensuring authenticity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] With this objective in mind, the technology disclosed in this specification is a management system that uses a blockchain network to manage the power plant account of a power plant that generates electricity using a power generation device and the consumer accounts of consumers who use electricity, and is characterized in that it comprises: a usage rights issuing means for issuing a usage rights token related to the right to use electricity supplied from the power plant to the power plant account; an application acquiring means for acquiring application information related to the consumer's application to use electricity supplied from the power plant; a usage rights transfer means for transferring the usage rights token to the consumer account based on the application information; a power generation record issuing means for issuing a power generation record token related to the power generation record at the power plant to the power plant account; a usage record acquiring means for acquiring usage record information related to the consumer's electricity usage record; and a power generation record transfer means for transferring the power generation record token to the consumer account based on the usage record information and the usage rights token of the consumer account.

[0007] Here, the application information may be sent to the blockchain network, and the transfer of the usage rights token may be processed by a smart contract. The system may also include a transfer means for transferring the usage right token from the consumer account to another account. In addition, the usage history information may be sent to the block chain network which processes the transfer of the usage right token, and the transfer of the power generation history token may be processed by a smart contract. In addition, the power generation record transfer means may transfer the power generation record token to a predetermined account based on the power generation record at the power plant and the power usage record of the consumer. In addition, the usage right token of the power plant account may be associated with handling information regarding the handling of the power generation record token in a case where the power generation record is greater than the power usage record. In addition, the usage right token of the consumer account may be associated with handling information regarding the handling of the power generation record token in a case where the power generation record is small compared to the power usage record.

[0008] Furthermore, with this objective in mind, the technology disclosed in this specification is a blockchain network system comprising: a management means for managing, on a blockchain network, a power plant account of a power plant that generates electricity using a power generation device and a consumer account of a consumer who uses electricity; a usage rights issuing means for issuing a usage rights token regarding the right to use electricity supplied from the power plant to the power plant account; a usage rights transfer means for transferring the usage rights token to the consumer account by a smart contract based on application information regarding the consumer's offer to use electricity supplied from the power plant; a power generation record issuing means for issuing a power generation record token regarding the power generation record at the power plant to the power plant account; and a power generation record transfer means for transferring the power generation record token to the consumer account by a smart contract based on usage record information regarding the consumer's electricity usage record and the usage rights token of the consumer account.

[0009] Furthermore, with this objective in mind, the technology disclosed in this specification is a management method characterized by comprising the steps of managing, on a blockchain network, a power plant account of a power plant that generates electricity using a power generation device and a consumer account of a consumer that uses the electricity; issuing a usage rights token regarding the right to use the electricity supplied from the power plant to the power plant account; transferring the usage rights token to the consumer account based on application information regarding the consumer's offer to use the electricity supplied from the power plant; issuing a power generation record token regarding the power generation record at the power plant to the power plant account; and transferring the power generation record token to the consumer account based on usage record information regarding the consumer's electricity usage record and the usage rights token of the consumer account.

[0010] Furthermore, for this purpose, the technology disclosed in this specification is a program for enabling a computer to realize the following functions: managing, on a blockchain network, a power plant account of a power plant that generates electricity using a power generation device and a consumer account of a consumer who uses the electricity; issuing a usage rights token regarding the right to use the electricity supplied from the power plant to the power plant account; transferring the usage rights token to the consumer account based on application information regarding the consumer's offer to use the electricity supplied from the power plant; issuing a power generation record token regarding the power generation record at the power plant to the power plant account; and transferring the power generation record token to the consumer account based on usage record information regarding the consumer's electricity usage record and the usage rights token of the consumer account. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to manage contracts for consumers' usage rights for electricity generated by a power plant and traceability of electricity supply and demand while ensuring authenticity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is an example of a power network according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing one-to-one electricity trading between a power plant and a consumer and the movement of tokens. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an energy trading management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a power station terminal according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a consumer terminal of the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 2 is a functional block diagram of the transaction management device of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an offer information table and a premium information table according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a functional block diagram of a power information management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a blockchain network of this embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 is a conceptual diagram of an energy trading management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is an operational flow of the blockchain network of this embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of matching of power supply and demand in the present embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a power station terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Electricity network> FIG. 1 is an example of a power network according to the present embodiment.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the power network of this embodiment includes a plurality of power plants 10 that generate electricity, a plurality of consumers 20 that use (consume) the electricity generated by the power plants 10, and a power transmission network 30 that transmits electricity from the power plants 10 to the consumers 20.

[0015] The power plant 10 of this embodiment is a party that generates electricity using a power generation device. For example, the power plant 10 can be regarded as a party that generates electricity for use in a retail electricity business or the like using a power generation device that it maintains and operates. As a specific example, the power plant 10 includes a party that generates renewable energy electricity, such as a solar power generation plant or a wind power plant. The power plant 10 includes a party that uses a total electricity sales system to sell electricity generated as a business. The power plant 10 also includes an ordinary household that uses a self-consumption system to sell surplus electricity that is generated by a power generation panel installed in a house and used for household consumption. The power plant 10 that generates electricity in the electricity transmission network 30 of this embodiment is a user of the electricity trading management system 1, which will be described later. For example, when one power plant 10 includes multiple power generation facilities, the multiple power generation facilities may be regarded as a single power plant 10, or each individual power generation facility may be regarded as a power plant 10.

[0016] The consumers 20 are those who use electricity, such as companies, general households, etc. The consumers 20 who use electricity in the electricity transmission network 30 of this embodiment become users of the electricity trading management system 1, which will be described later. For example, when a single company has multiple business locations, the multiple business locations may be regarded as a consumer 20 collectively, or each individual business location may be regarded as a consumer 20 .

[0017] The power transmission network 30 is managed by a power transmission and distribution company 4. That is, the power transmission and distribution company 4 performs power transmission in the power transmission network 30, monitoring, maintenance, and the like.

[0018] Incidentally, in the power network shown in Fig. 1, it is theoretically possible to sell power to multiple consumers 20. That is, it is also possible for the power plant 10 and the consumers 20, or an intervening retail electricity supplier, to conclude a power purchase agreement (PPA). However, once the power generated by each power plant 10 enters the power transmission network, it is currently difficult to trace each individual power plant 10. Therefore, it is difficult to realize a PPA when a power transmission network is used.

[0019] In contrast, the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment realizes energy trading with traceability, i.e., a virtual PPA, between a plurality of power plants 10 and a plurality of power consumers 20. Some power consumers 20 have a need to procure electricity from a specific power plant 10, such as a power plant in a different region or a power plant of a company. The energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment virtually realizes electricity procurement from such a specific power plant 10 to a specific power consumer 20.

[0020] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing one-to-one electricity trading between a power plant 10 and a consumer 20 and the movement of tokens.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2(A), electricity generated by a power plant 10 is transmitted to a power transmission network 30 via utility poles and the like. When a consumer 20 uses electricity during the same time period, electricity including electricity generated by the power plant 10 is actually supplied from the power transmission network 30. The energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment realizes pseudo-tracing of the supply and demand of electricity between the power plant 10 and the consumer 20 using a power generation record token (described later) in a blockchain network 40 described later.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2(B), on the blockchain network 40, power generation record tokens equivalent to the transmitted power are transferred from a wallet 117 (described later) corresponding to the account of the power plant 10 to a wallet 217 (described later) corresponding to the account of the consumer 20. Here, the power to be traded is, for example, 100 kWh. In addition, in this embodiment, for example, 1 kWh is 1 token (1 kWh = 1 token). Therefore, in the case of 100 kWh, it can be 100 tokens. Note that the number of tokens per kWh can be set arbitrarily. In addition, the accounts of the power plant 10 and the consumer 20 can be identified, for example, by the wallets that each of them has.

[0023] In this case, if the "in" and "out" of electricity during a certain time period (for example, the amount of electricity generated and consumed every 30 minutes) are grasped in advance and then the tokens are traded, it becomes possible to virtually trace the electricity trade. Therefore, it is possible to grasp that the electricity provided by a specific power plant 10 has been virtually sold directly to a specific consumer. This realizes a virtual power purchase agreement (PPA).

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2(C), the consumer 20 can pay a premium to the power plant 10 for purchasing the power generation record token. The consumer 20 can pay the power consumption record token in addition to the electricity fee 21 (e.g., 2500 yen) for the electricity used (100 kWh in this example), plus a premium 22 (e.g., 50 yen) for purchasing the electricity from the specific power plant 10. As a result, the power plant 10 receives the total amount (e.g., 2450 yen) of the fee for power generation 24 (e.g., 2400 yen) and the premium 22 (e.g., 50 yen). The electricity transmission and distribution company 4 is paid a fee for using the electricity transmission network 30 (wheeling fee 25 (e.g., 100 yen)). The consumer 20 also pays the premium 22 plus the manager 3's commission as the electricity fee.

[0025] In this embodiment, the price 24 for power generation can be a fixed amount in advance in the case of a feed-in tariff (FIT). In the case of trading of renewable energy power not subject to a feed-in tariff (non-FIT), the price can be an amount determined by a contract between the power plant 10 and the consumer 20.

[0026] Furthermore, in the electricity trading management system 1 of this embodiment, the above-mentioned premium 22 can be paid by the consumer 20 to the power plant 10, regardless of whether the system is based on a feed-in tariff (FIT) or not based on a feed-in tariff (non-FIT). This allows, for example, the consumer 20 to secure electricity from a specific power plant 10 by paying the premium 22, or to support a specific power plant 10. On the other hand, the power plant 10 is expected to increase its income through the premium 22 in addition to the electricity fee 21.

[0027] <System terminal configuration> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the energy trading management system 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0028] 3, the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment includes a power plant terminal 100 used by the power plant 10, and a consumer terminal 200 used by the consumer 20. The energy trading management system 1 also includes a trading management device 31 that manages information related to electricity trading, an electricity information management device 32 that manages electricity information related to electricity flowing through the electricity transmission network 30, and a blockchain network 40.

[0029] The power plant terminal 100 is a computer operated in the power plant 10. For example, a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet computer can be used as the power plant terminal 100. The power plant terminal 100 can use the consumer terminal 200 to transmit power generation information (described later) and receive electricity charges.

[0030] The consumer terminal 200 is a computer operated by the consumer 20. For example, a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet computer can be used as the consumer terminal 200. The consumer 20 can use the consumer terminal 200 to make an offer to a supplier of power and to pay for power.

[0031] The transaction management device 31 is a computer that manages the history of transactions related to the virtual PPA. The transaction management device 31 can be realized by, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, or a virtual computer by cloud computing. The transaction management device 31 is communicably connected to each of the power plant terminal 100 of the power plant 10, the consumer terminal 200 of the consumer 20, and the power information management device 32 of the power transmission and distribution company 4, which is the operator of the power transmission network 30, via a communication network. In addition, the transaction management device 31 of this embodiment is capable of communicating with the blockchain network 40.

[0032] The power information management device 32 is a computer that manages power information related to the power flowing through the power transmission network 30. The power information management device 32 can be realized by, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, or a virtual computer using cloud computing. The power information management device 32 of this embodiment manages information on the amount of power generated from the power plant 10 and information on the amount of power used by the consumer 20. The power information management device 32 transmits this information to the transaction management device 31.

[0033] Here, for example, the power plant 10 and the consumer 20 are each provided with a smart meter (not shown). The smart meter of the power plant 10 acquires information on the power generated from a power generation device such as a solar power generation device. The smart meter of the power plant 10 can measure the amount of power generated, for example, every 30 minutes. The smart meter of the power plant 10 then transmits the acquired amount of power sent to the power transmission network 30 to the power information management device 32. Here, the smart meter of the power plant 10 communicates using, for example, a wireless network, a mobile phone network, or power line communication. Note that in the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment, information on the amount of power generated by the power plant 10 is not limited to the smart meter, and may be acquired based on, for example, visual reading of the power meter.

[0034] Moreover, the power generated by the power plant 10 is supplied to the power consumption devices of the consumer 20 via the power transmission network 30. The smart meter of the consumer 20 measures and records this amount of power. The smart meter of the consumer 20 in this embodiment can measure the amount of power consumption every 30 minutes, for example. The smart meter of the consumer 20 transmits the acquired amount of power consumption to the power information management device 32. Here, the smart meter of the consumer 20 communicates using, for example, a wireless network, a mobile phone network, or power line communication. Note that in the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment, information regarding the amount of power consumption of the consumer 20 is not limited to the smart meter, and may be acquired based on, for example, visual reading of the power meter.

[0035] As described above, the power transmission and distribution company 4 is aware of the amount of power transmitted by the power plant 10 to the power transmission network 30 via, for example, a smart meter on the side of the power plant 10. The power transmission and distribution company 4 is also aware of the amount of power used by the consumer 20 via, for example, a smart meter on the side of the consumer 20. The power information management device 32 acquires information on the amount of power generated by each power plant 10 and information on the amount of power used by each consumer 20, which are specified based on the understanding of the power transmission and distribution company 4. The power information management device 32 then notifies the transaction management device 31 of the amount of power generated and the amount used.

[0036] The blockchain network 40 is composed of multiple computers connected to each other via P2P (Peer to Peer) communication. The blockchain network 40 manages a blockchain that records token transactions as transactions. The configuration of the blockchain network 40 is assumed to be a system configuration used for general blockchains. The transaction management device 31 manages information related to transactions related to the virtual PPA by registering transactions in the blockchain.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the power station terminal 100 of this embodiment.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the power plant terminal 100 includes a communication unit 111 for communicating with the outside, a power generation information management unit 113, a payment receiving unit 115, and a wallet 117.

[0039] The communication unit 111 communicates with the outside of the power station terminal 100. The communication unit 111 is capable of communicating with the outside via a predetermined network.

[0040] The power generation information management unit 113 manages power generation information for issuing usage right tokens (described later) to the power plants 10. The power generation information includes specific information for identifying the power plant 10, time zone information regarding the time zone during which power is generated, and planned power generation amount information, which is the planned amount of power generation. Examples of the specific information include the name of the power plant 10, such as "AAA Power," and a code such as a number or character string indicating the power plant 10. Examples of the time zone information include 48 time zones divided into 30-minute intervals per day. Examples of the planned power generation amount information include a numerical value for the planned amount of power generation, such as "200 kWh."

[0041] The power generation information management unit 113 accepts the creation of power generation information from the power plant terminal 100. Then, the power generation information management unit 113 transmits the created usage right information to the blockchain network 40 via the communication unit 111. As will be described later, in the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment, a usage right token is issued based on the power generation information, and a consumer 20 makes an offer to acquire the usage right token. Therefore, the power generation information can also be regarded as an indication of the participation of the power plant 10 in the virtual PPA of this embodiment.

[0042] The payment receiving unit 115 receives the price for the electricity usage managed by the consumer terminal 200. The payment receiving unit 115 receives the electricity fee including the premium 22, the wheeling charge 25, and the like.

[0043] The wallet 117 manages private keys related to the account of the power plant 10. The power plant 10 can deposit and withdraw tokens from the account by using the wallet 117. The wallet 117 of this embodiment handles two types of tokens. Specifically, the wallet 117 handles usage right tokens related to the right to use electricity and power generation record tokens for matching the supply and demand of electricity.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the consumer terminal 200 of this embodiment.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the demander terminal 200 includes a communication unit 211, an offer information management unit 213, a payment processing unit 215, and a wallet 217.

[0046] The communication unit 211 communicates with the outside of the demander terminal 200. The communication unit 211 is capable of communicating with the outside via a predetermined network.

[0047] The offer information management unit 213 receives offer information (request information) related to the power procurement source from the consumer 20. The offer information is information related to the consumer 20's request to use the power generated by the power plant 10.

[0048] The offer information in this embodiment includes business operator information of the power plant 10 desired by the consumer 20 as a supplier of power, priority information indicating the order of priority of the multiple power plants 10, and ratio information indicating the ratio of the power generation amount of the desired power plant 10. The business operator information can be, for example, the name of the power plant 10 such as "AAA Power". The ratio information can be, for example, a specific numerical value such as "1 / 25". The priority information can be, for example, the number of the order indicating the priority order of each of the multiple desired power plants 10. The consumer 20 can refer to the planned power generation amount information included in the power generation information created by each power plant 10. Therefore, the consumer 20 can create the offer information after predicting and estimating the power generation performance of the power plant 10. Then, the offer information management unit 213 transmits the offer information received from the demander 20 to the transaction management device 31 via the communication unit 211.

[0049] The payment processing unit 215 performs processing related to the payment of the token value. In this embodiment, the token value includes the electricity fee, as well as the premium 22 to the power plant 10 and the wheeling fee 25. The payment processing can be performed by any method, such as credit card payment, bank transfer, or transfer of virtual currency. In this embodiment, the premium 22 is calculated by a predetermined formula according to the amount of transmitted power.

[0050] The wallet 217 manages private keys related to the accounts of the consumers 20. The wallet 217 of this embodiment handles two types of tokens, similar to the wallet 117 of the power plant 10. The consumer 20 can use the wallet 217 to check the balance of the account and deposit and withdraw tokens from the account. In this embodiment, when the consumer 20 uses up the electricity bill equivalent to the tokens, the tokens are sent to the account of the administrator 3.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the transaction management device 31 of this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the offer information table 310 and the premium information table 312 of this embodiment.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, the transaction management device 31 includes a communication unit 311 for communicating with the outside, an energy amount acquisition unit 313, an offer information management unit 315, and a premium management unit 317.

[0053] The communication unit 311 communicates with external devices such as the power information management device 32 and the consumer terminal 200. Furthermore, the communication unit 311 communicates with the block chain network 40.

[0054] The power amount acquiring unit 313 receives power amount information from the power information management device 32 via the communication unit 311. Then, the power amount acquiring unit 313 transmits the power amount information to the blockchain network 40. Specifically, the power amount acquiring unit 313 transmits the power generation amount for each power plant 10 and the usage amount for each consumer 20 to the blockchain network 40.

[0055] The offer information management unit 315 acquires offer information related to the source of electricity procurement offered by the consumer 20 from the consumer terminal 200 via the communication unit 311. The offer information management unit 315 of this embodiment manages the offer information using an offer information table 310 (see FIG. 7(A)). The offer information table 310 includes business operator information of the power plant 10, priority information indicating the order of priority, and percentage information indicating the percentage of the power generation amount. Then, the offer information management unit 315 transmits the offer information managed in the offer information table 310 to the blockchain network 40.

[0056] The premium management unit 317 stores premium determination information for calculating a premium for procuring electricity from each power plant 10. The premium management unit 317 of this embodiment manages the premium determination information using a premium information table 312 (see FIG. 7(B)). The premium information table 312 includes information indicating the amount of premium for each power plant 10. In addition, the premium management unit 317 may, for example, accept and store input of the power plant 10 and premium determination information from a user, or may receive the premium determination information from the power plant terminal 100 of the power plant 10.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the power information management device 32 of the present embodiment.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 8, the power information management device 32 includes a communication unit 321, a power generation amount management unit 322, a usage amount management unit 323, and a power amount transmission unit 324. The communication unit 321 communicates with external devices such as the transaction management device 31. The power generation amount management unit 322 receives the amount of power generation based on a smart meter or the like of the power plant 10, and records and manages the amount of power generation in association with information that identifies the power plant 10. The usage management unit 323 receives the amount of power usage based on the smart meter or the like of the consumer 20, and records and manages the amount of usage in association with information identifying the consumer 20. The power amount transmission unit 324 transmits power amount information including the amount of power generated by each power plant 10 and the amount of power used by each consumer 20 to the transaction management device 31 via the communication unit 321.

[0059] Next, the functions realized by the blockchain network 40 will be described. In the blockchain network 40 of this embodiment, the tokens relating to the above-mentioned usage rights and tokens relating to the supply and demand of electricity are managed using a distributed ledger system.

[0060] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the blockchain network 40 of this embodiment.

[0061] The blockchain network 40 of this embodiment is capable of executing smart contracts. A smart contract is a mechanism for automatically executing contracts such as transactions in a blockchain. A smart contract includes a program used for contract execution, and is executed by recording a block that stores the smart contract in a distributed ledger commonly stored by multiple node computers. The smart contract of the blockchain network 40 of this embodiment performs a contract for the right to use electricity between the power plant 10 and the consumer 20, and matches the supply and demand of electricity between the power plant 10 and the consumer 20.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9, the blockchain network 40 has a usage right processing unit 41 that performs processing related to the right to use electricity, and a supply and demand processing unit 43 that performs processing related to the supply and demand of electricity.

[0063] The usage right processing unit 41 allocates usage rights for electricity generated by the power plant 10 to the consumer 20. The usage right processing unit 41 issues a usage right token to the power plant 10 in accordance with the power generation information acquired from the transaction management device 31. Then, the usage right processing unit 41 of this embodiment distributes the electricity usage right to the consumer 20 by transferring the usage right token to the consumer 20.

[0064] The usage right processing unit 41 in this embodiment takes the total amount of electricity generated by the power plant 10 as "1" and issues a unit obtained by dividing the total amount of electricity generated at a predetermined rate as one token. For example, if the amount of electricity generated by the power plant 10 is divided into 100, one token is "1 / 100" of the amount of electricity generated. In this embodiment, a contract is made for usage rights for every 30 minutes in a day, for example. Therefore, the amount of electricity generated is in 30-minute units. Here, the amount of power generated by the power plant 10 is not determined until power generation is actually performed. Therefore, the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment distributes the usage rights using a ratio to the amount of power generated by the power plant 10.

[0065] Furthermore, the usage right processing unit 41 acquires offer information regarding an offer to acquire the right to use electricity from the consumer 20 via the transaction management device 31. Then, based on the offer information, the usage right processing unit 41 performs matching to allocate the right to use electricity from the power plant 10 to the consumer 20. Specifically, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the usage right processing unit 41 transfers the usage right token issued by the power plant 10 to the consumer 20.

[0066] The usage right processing unit 41 distributes the usage right tokens of the power plant 10 according to a predetermined ranking set for the consumers 20. In this embodiment, the usage right processing unit 41 uses the first-come, first-served information of the offer information as the predetermined ranking. In other words, the usage right processing unit 41 sets the ranking of the consumer 20 in order of the earliest timing of the consumer 20's offer to acquire the usage right for the power plant 10. For example, when multiple consumers 20 offer to acquire usage rights for one power plant 10, the usage right processing unit 41 transfers usage right tokens corresponding to the amount offered by the consumer 20 to the wallet 217 of the consumer 20 who acquired the offer information earlier. Then, the usage right processing unit 41 distributes the usage right tokens to the other consumers 20 in the order of arrival until the usage right tokens issued to the one power plant 10 are used up. Similarly, the usage right processing unit 41 distributes the usage right tokens issued to the other power plants 10 according to the order of arrival of the consumer 20. Furthermore, when distributing the usage right tokens, the usage right processing unit 41 also takes into consideration priority information on the priority order for the power plants 10 that the consumer 20 desires as a procurement source.

[0067] The distribution of the right of use tokens by the right of use processing unit 41 in this embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned examples using the first-come-first-served order or priority order. The right of use processing unit 41 only needs to be able to distribute all of the right of use tokens issued to the power plant 10 to each consumer 20 using the offer information of the consumer 20.

[0068] Furthermore, the usage right processing unit 41 of this embodiment can transfer the usage right token in the wallet 217 of the consumer 20 to another account. For example, due to a contract between multiple consumers 20, the usage right of electricity from the power plant 10 acquired by one consumer 20 may be transferred to another consumer 20. In such a case, the usage right processing unit 41 transfers the usage right token in accordance with the transfer of the usage right of electricity between the consumers 20.

[0069] Next, the supply and demand processing unit 43 will be described. The supply and demand processing unit 43 matches the amount of electricity generated by the power plant 10 with the amount of electricity used by the consumer 20. Here, the supply and demand processing unit 43 acquires information on the amount of electricity used by the consumer 20 and the amount of electricity generated by the power plant 10 from the electricity information management device 32 via the transaction management device 31. Furthermore, the supply and demand processing unit 43 refers to the usage right token related to the electricity generated by the power plant 10 and owned by the consumer 20. Then, the supply and demand processing unit 43 calculates the amount of electricity that can be used by the consumer 20 from the amount of electricity generated by the power plant 10 according to the number of usage right tokens. Then, the supply and demand processing unit 43 matches the amount of power generated by the power plant 10 that can be used by the consumer 20 with the actual amount of power used by the consumer 20. In this manner, the supply and demand processing unit 43 specifies the flow of power from the power plant 10 to the consumer 20.

[0070] In the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment, the flow of electricity from the power plant 10 to the consumer 20 is managed by the transfer of power generation record tokens. First, the supply and demand processing unit 43 of this embodiment issues a power generation record token to the account of the power plant 10 based on the power generation record information. The power generation record token is issued according to the actual amount of power generation of the power plant 10. Then, based on the usage right token described above, the supply and demand processing unit 43 transfers the power generation record token from the account of the power plant 10 to the account of the power consumer 20 so as to correspond to the actual usage amount of the power consumer 20. In this way, the power generation record token according to the usage amount is transferred from the power plant 10 to the power consumer 20.

[0071] In this embodiment, when the consumer 20 acquires information on the payment of the fee including the premium, the supply and demand processing unit 43 transfers the power generation record token from the account of the consumer 20 to the account of the manager 3. From this perspective, the power generation record token can be regarded as a claim for the electricity generated by the power plant 10.

[0072] In the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment, information such as the number of tokens issued and how many have been allocated to which power plant 10 and which consumer 20, is managed by the blockchain network 40. Therefore, anyone who can access the blockchain network 40 can check the contents of the transaction.

[0073] Also, there may be a difference between the amount of power allocated to the consumer 20 out of the amount of power generated by the power plant 10 (power generation record) and the amount of power actually used by the consumer 20 (usage record). An excess of power generation is assumed in which the actual amount of power used by the consumer 20 is less than the amount of power allocated to the consumer 20 out of the actual amount of power generated by the power plant 10. Also, a shortage of power generation is assumed in which the actual amount of power used by the consumer 20 is greater than the amount of power allocated to the consumer 20 out of the actual amount of power generated by the power plant 10. In this embodiment, it is possible to have this handling information in advance as additional information for the usage right token related to the usage right. The handling information may be included as information in the usage right token, or may be included as information in another token linked to the usage right token on the blockchain network.

[0074] In this embodiment, as the handling information, in the event of an excess amount of power generation, it is possible to make an arrangement such as (1) selling to the wholesale electricity market, (2) matching with other consumers 20 who wish to be matched, (3) matching with other consumers 20 who have not wished to be matched in advance in the electricity trading management system 1 of this embodiment, (4) lending electricity to other power plants 10 and matching with other consumers 20, or (5) lending electricity to other power plants 10 and not matching with other consumers 20. These arrangements are managed as handling information in association with the usage rights token issued by the power plant 10.

[0075] In this embodiment, when there is a power generation shortage, the following arrangements can be made as handling information: (1) purchase from the electricity wholesale market, (2) match with other power plants 10 that wish to be matched, (3) match with other power plants 10 that have not wished to be matched in advance in the electricity trading management system 1 of this embodiment, (4) borrow power from other power plants 10 and match with the consumer 20, (5) borrow power from other power plants 10 and do not match with the consumer 20. These arrangements are managed as handling information in association with the usage right token transferred from the power plant 10 to the consumer 20.

[0076] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram of the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment.

[0077] The transfer of usage rights and the supply and demand of electricity in the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in Fig. 10, in the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment, various information on power plants 10 that generate electricity, such as power plants, power transmission and distribution companies 4 that transmit and distribute the electricity, and consumers 20 that use the electricity is transmitted to a blockchain network 40. In the blockchain network 40, the allocation of usage rights and matching of the supply and demand of electricity are performed using a smart contract function.

[0078] Specifically, a usage right token is issued to the account of the power plant 10 based on the power generation information acquired from the power plant 10. Furthermore, the issued usage right token is transferred to the account of the consumer 20 based on the offer information from the consumer 20. On the other hand, the power plant 10 generates electricity. The amount of electricity generated by the power plant 10 (power generation record) can be identified from information on the amount of electricity generated that the power transmission and distribution company 4 knows. In this embodiment, a power generation record token for the electricity generated is issued. On the other hand, the consumer 20 uses electricity. The amount of electricity used by the consumer 20 can be identified from information on the amount of electricity used that the power transmission and distribution company 4 knows. The power generation record token is then transferred to the consumer 20. At this time, the transfer of the power generation record token is performed based on the usage right token transferred to the consumer 20.

[0079] Furthermore, when a difference occurs between the amount of power generated by the power plant 10 and the amount used by the consumer 20, the power generation record token corresponding to the difference in the amount of power is transferred. For example, when the amount of power generated by the power plant 10 is in excess of the amount of power used by the consumer 20, the power generation record token corresponding to the excess amount of power is transferred from the account of the power plant 10 to, for example, an account corresponding to the wholesale electricity market. When the amount of power generated by the power plant 10 is insufficient for the amount of power used by the consumer 20, the power generation record token corresponding to the amount of power that is insufficient is transferred, for example, from an account corresponding to another power plant 10 to the account of the consumer 20.

[0080] FIG. 11 shows the operation flow of the blockchain network 40 of this embodiment.

[0081] The usage right processing unit 41 and the supply and demand processing unit 43 operate as follows to make a contract for the right to use electricity between the power plant 10 and the consumer 20, and to match the supply and demand of electricity between the power plant 10 and the consumer 20. The usage right processing unit 41 and the supply and demand processing unit 43 of this embodiment are realized by a smart contract in the blockchain network 40.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 11, the usage right processing unit 41 determines whether to acquire power generation information of the power plant 10 (S1101). Then, when the usage right processing unit 41 acquires the power generation information (YES in S1101), it issues a usage right token (S1102). In this case, the usage right processing unit 41 issues a number of usage right tokens corresponding to the power plant 10 included in the power generation information and according to a predetermined division number. For example, when power generation information is acquired from AAA power for the power plant 10 and the amount of power is divided into 100, 100 usage right tokens for the power plant 10 are issued. Then, the usage right tokens are issued to the wallet 117 of the power plant 10.

[0083] Next, the usage right processing unit 41 judges whether offer information has been acquired (S1103). If the usage right processing unit 41 acquires offer information (YES in S1103), it transfers the issued usage right token to the wallet 217 of the consumer 20 based on the contents of the offer information (S1104). As a result, the usage right of the electricity generated by the power plant 10 is allocated to the consumer 20.

[0084] Then, the supply and demand processing unit 43 determines whether the power generation record information has been acquired (S1105). If the power generation record information has been acquired (YES in S1105), the supply and demand processing unit 43 issues a power generation record token (S1106). The power generation record information includes information on the power plant 10 that generated the power and information on the amount of power generated. The supply and demand processing unit 43 issues a power generation record token according to the amount of power generated by the power plant 10. For example, if the power plant 10 generates 100 kWh of AAA power, 100 tokens are issued as the power generation record token.

[0085] Next, the supply and demand processing unit 43 judges whether the usage history information has been acquired (S1107). If the usage history information has been acquired (YES in S1107), the supply and demand processing unit 43 transfers the power generation history tokens to the wallet 217 of the consumer 20 according to the amount of usage right tokens owned by the consumer 20 (S1108).

[0086] Next, the demand and supply processing unit 43 compares the amount of power generated by one power plant 10 that is allocated to one consumer 20 with the amount of power used by that consumer 20 (S1109). If there is no difference between the amount of power generated and the amount of power used, and the amount of power generated and the amount of power used match ("match" in S1109), the demand and supply processing unit 43 ends the series of processes.

[0087] On the other hand, if the amount of usage is large compared to the amount of power generated ("large" in S1109), that is, the amount of power generated is insufficient compared to the amount of power used, resulting in a power shortage. In this case, the shortfall in power is treated as being purchased, for example, from another power plant 10, and the power generation record token corresponding to the power from the other power plant 10 is transferred to the wallet 217 of the consumer 20 (S1110). At this time, in this embodiment, the power generation record token corresponding to the power borrowed from the other power plant 10 is transferred to the consumer 20 by referring to handling information associated with the power generation record token held by the consumer 20.

[0088] On the other hand, if the usage is small compared to the amount of power generated (S1109: "small"). In other words, the amount of power generated exceeds the amount of power used, resulting in excess power generation. In this case, the surplus electricity is treated as having been sold, for example, to the wholesale electricity market, and the power generation record token issued by the power plant 10 is transferred to a wallet corresponding to the market (S1111). At this time, in this embodiment, the power generation record token is transferred to the wallet corresponding to the market by referring to the handling information stored in the power generation record token of the power plant 10.

[0089] If power generation information has not been acquired in S1101 (NO in S1101), the determination as to whether or not power generation information has been acquired is continued. If offer information has not been acquired in S1103 (NO in S1103), the determination as to whether or not offer information has been acquired is continued. If power generation record information has not been acquired in S1105 (NO in S1105), the determination as to whether or not power generation record information has been acquired is continued. If usage record information has not been acquired in S1107 (NO in S1107), the determination as to whether or not usage record information has been acquired is continued.

[0090] As described above, the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment uses the blockchain network 40 to manage the contracts for the consumer's 20 usage rights for the electricity generated by the power plant 10 and the traceability of the supply and demand of electricity while ensuring authenticity. Furthermore, the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment manages both contracts regarding the right to use electricity and matching between the amount of electricity generated by the power plant 10 and the amount of electricity used by the consumer 20 on a single blockchain network 40. In this way, the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment has a simplified system configuration compared to, for example, a case in which a different system is used.

[0091] Furthermore, in the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment, the usage right token can be arbitrarily transferred. In other words, the usage right of the electricity generated by the power plant 10 can be transferred to another consumer 20. The transfer of the usage right token is managed on the blockchain network 40. Therefore, it is possible to reliably track the transition of the transfer of the usage right token.

[0092] Next, a specific example of the flow of tokens in the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of matching of power supply and demand in this embodiment.

[0093] 12(A), for example, assume that the actual power usage of “consumer A” as consumer 20 is 100 kWh. Information on this actual power usage can be obtained via the power information management device 32 and the transaction management device 31. 12(B), it is assumed that the power generation records of "AAA power", "BBB power generation", and "CCC power generation" as the power plant 10 are 200 kWh, 100 kWh, and 100 kWh, respectively. Information on the actual power usage records of these power sources can be obtained via the power information management device 32 and the transaction management device 31.

[0094] Furthermore, "Consumer A" as a consumer 20 owns 25 usage right tokens for "AAA Electric Power", which is the power plant 10. "Consumer A" also owns 30 usage right tokens for "BBB Power Generation", which is the power plant 10. "Consumer A" also owns 20 usage right tokens for "CCC Electric Power", which is the power plant 10. In this case, the consumer 20 is allocated an amount of power generation according to the number of usage right tokens for the actual amount of power generation of the power plant 10. Specifically, in the case of 25 tokens, a usage right ratio of 25 / 100 is applied to the amount of power generation of 200 kWh. That is, 50 kWh of power is allocated from AAA electricity. Similarly, 30 kWh of power is allocated from BBB electricity. Similarly, 20 kWh of power is allocated from CCC electricity. In this way, in the energy trading management system 1 of this embodiment, the amount of power generation of 100 kWh, which is the actual amount of power generation of the power plant 10, is matched with the amount of usage of 100 kWh, which is the actual amount of power generation of the consumer 20.

[0095] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the power station terminal 100. As shown in FIG.

[0096] 13, the power plant terminal 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, a storage unit 104, and a display 105. The power plant terminal 100 further includes an input device 106 and a communication I / F (interface) 107.

[0097] The CPU 101 realizes each function of the power plant terminal 100 by loading various programs stored in the ROM 103 or the like into the RAM 102 and executing them. The RAM 102 is a memory used as a working memory for the CPU 101, etc. The ROM 103 is a memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 101. The storage unit 104 is, for example, a flash memory that stores various application programs and various data used by the programs. The display 105 is, for example, a touch panel that displays various information to the user and accepts operational inputs from the user. The input device 106 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse that a user uses to input information. The communication I / F 107 transmits and receives various types of information to and from external devices such as various terminal devices and server devices via a network communication line.

[0098] The above hardware configuration also applies to the consumer terminal 200, the transaction management device 31, the electricity information management device 32, and the nodes that constitute the blockchain network 40.

[0099] In the energy trading management system 1 of the embodiment described above, the smart contract function of the blockchain network 40 is used to make contracts for usage rights and match electricity supply and demand, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the transaction management device 31 may perform contracts for usage rights and matching of power supply and demand. In this case, the contract established for the usage rights may be registered as a transaction on the blockchain network 40, and the transfer of the power generation record token in response to the establishment of matching of supply and demand may be executed on the blockchain network 40. Even in this case, both the transfer of the power generation record token and the transfer of the usage right token can be managed by the blockchain network 40.

[0100] Furthermore, although various embodiments and modifications have been described above, these embodiments and modifications may be combined together to form a configuration. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1...Electricity trading management system, 10...Power plant, 20...Consumer, 30...Electricity transmission network, 31...Trading management device, 32...Electricity information management device, 40...Blockchain network, 41...Right of use processing unit, 43...Supply and demand processing unit, 100...Power plant terminal, 200...Consumer terminal

Claims

1. A management system that uses a blockchain network to manage a power plant account of a power plant that generates power using a power generation device and a consumer account of a consumer that uses electricity, a right of use issuing means for issuing a right of use token relating to a right of use of electricity supplied from the power plant to the power plant account; An application acquisition means for acquiring application information regarding an application from the consumer for use of the electric power supplied from the power plant; a right transfer means for transferring the right token to the consumer account based on the offer information; a power generation record issuing means for issuing a power generation record token relating to the power generation record of the power plant to the power plant account; A usage record acquiring means for acquiring usage record information regarding the electricity usage record of the consumer; a power generation record transfer means for transferring the power generation record token to the consumer account based on the usage record information and the usage right token of the consumer account; A management system comprising:

2. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the application information is sent to the blockchain network, and the transfer of the usage right token is processed by a smart contract.

3. 3. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer means for transferring the right-of-use token of the consumer account to another account.

4. The management system according to claim 2, characterized in that the transfer of the power generation record token is processed by a smart contract by transmitting the usage record information to the block chain network which processes the transfer of the usage right token.

5. 2. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the power generation record transfer means transfers the power generation record token to a predetermined account based on the power generation record at the power plant and the power usage record of the consumer.

6. 6. The management system according to claim 5, wherein the usage right token of the power plant account is associated with handling information regarding the handling of the power generation record token when the power generation record is greater than the power usage record.

7. The management system according to claim 5, characterized in that the usage rights token of the consumer account is associated with handling information regarding the handling of the power generation record token when the power generation record is small compared to the power usage record.

8. A management means for managing, on a blockchain network, the power plant accounts of power plants that generate electricity using power generation equipment and the consumer accounts of consumers that use electricity; a right of use issuing means for issuing a right of use token relating to a right of use of electricity supplied from the power plant to the power plant account; A right-of-use transfer means for transferring the right-of-use token to the consumer account by a smart contract based on application information regarding the consumer's application for use of the electricity supplied from the power plant; a power generation record issuing means for issuing a power generation record token relating to the power generation record of the power plant to the power plant account; A power generation record transfer means for transferring the power generation record token to the consumer account by a smart contract based on usage record information regarding the consumer's power usage record and the usage right token of the consumer account; A blockchain network system comprising:

9. Managing, on a blockchain network, a power plant account of a power plant that generates power using a power generation device and a consumer account of a consumer that uses the power; issuing a usage right token relating to a usage right of the electricity supplied from the power plant to the power plant account; transferring the right-of-use token to the consumer account based on offer information regarding the consumer's offer to use the electricity provided by the power plant; issuing a power generation result token relating to the power generation result of the power plant to the power plant account; A step of transferring the power generation record token to the consumer account based on usage record information regarding the consumer's power usage record and the usage right token of the consumer account; A management method comprising:

10. On the computer, A function to manage, on a blockchain network, the power plant accounts of power plants that generate electricity using power generation equipment and the consumer accounts of consumers that use electricity; A function of issuing a usage right token relating to a right to use electricity supplied from the power plant to the power plant account; A function of transferring the right-of-use token to the consumer account based on application information regarding the consumer's application for use of the electricity supplied from the power plant; A function of issuing a power generation result token related to the power generation result of the power plant to the power plant account; A function of transferring the power generation record token to the consumer account based on usage record information regarding the consumer's power usage record and the usage right token of the consumer account; A program to achieve this.

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