Information processing system and program

Abstract

To enable a producer, who is a user of electricity, to learn production plans that adjust electricity demand before a demand response is issued.SOLUTION: In a control unit 11 of a management server 10 constituting an information processing system, an acquisition unit 101 acquires, prior to a production period in which production is performed by production equipment that consumes electricity during its operation, information about production that can be changed in preparation for the issuance of a demand response for the production period and information about power consumption of the production equipment, a generation unit 103 generates one or more production plans for the production period based on the acquired production information and power consumption information, and a transmission control unit 105 controls transmission of the generated one or more production plans to the producer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Demand response (DR) is being introduced from the viewpoint of reducing power generation costs, realizing a low-carbon society, and avoiding power shortages due to demand concentration. Demand response is a system in which an aggregator such as an electricity retailer requests cooperation from electricity consumers who have factories and the like in adjusting electricity demand during a target period according to the electricity supply and demand situation, and related technologies are also known (for example, Patent Document 1). With such technology, changes to production plans are made based on the electricity used by equipment for manufacturing products and conditions for responding to demand response. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-081074 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventionally, software such as a production scheduler that allows the setting of the sequence and date and time of a product's production process has been used to create a production plan, but conventional production schedulers create a production plan according to the contents of a demand response after it is issued. For this reason, product manufacturers, who are electricity consumers, cannot know the production plan that has adjusted the electricity demand until a demand response is actually issued.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable a producer, who is a consumer of electricity, to know a production plan that adjusts electricity demand before a demand response is issued. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is an information processing system comprising one or more processors, which acquire, prior to a production period in which production is carried out using production equipment that consumes electricity during its operation, information related to the production that can be changed in preparation for the issuance of a demand response for that production period and information related to the power consumption of the production equipment, and based on the acquired information on production and information related to the power consumption, generate one or more production plans for the production period and present them to a producer who produces using the production equipment. The invention described in claim 2 is the information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the one or more processors acquire, as information regarding the production, at least one of information regarding the operating hours of the production equipment and information regarding the planned production volume by the production equipment. The invention described in claim 3 is the information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the one or more processors calculate a CO2 emission coefficient indicating the amount of CO2 emissions per unit of power generation by time period, and generate the production plan that reduces CO2 emissions based on the CO2 emission coefficient. The invention described in claim 4 is the information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the one or more processors obtain information regarding fluctuations in electricity rates by time period, and generate the production plan that reduces electricity rates based on the information about the fluctuations. The invention described in claim 5 is the information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that, when the producer approves the production plan, the one or more processors present to the aggregator the amount of adjustment of electricity demand identified from the production plan as an expected adjustment amount. The invention described in claim 6 is the information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that, when a demand response is issued during the production period, the one or more processors extract a production plan that satisfies the contents of the demand response from the one or more production plans and present it to the producer. The invention described in claim 7 is the information processing system described in claim 6, characterized in that the one or more processors generate information regarding production instructions for the production equipment based on the contents of the demand response and the extracted production plan, and present the information to the producer. The invention described in claim 8 is the information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the one or more processors generate a revised production plan for each of the one or more production plans, in which the amount of power demand adjustment is revised based on the amount of power demand adjustment calculated in each of the one or more production plans and a target value for the amount of power demand adjustment identified from the content of the issuance. The invention described in claim 9 is the information processing system described in claim 8, characterized in that, when the adjustment amount of the power demand is smaller than the target value, the one or more processors generate and present the revised production plan for making the adjustment amount of the power demand equal to or greater than the target value. The invention described in claim 10 is the information processing system described in claim 8, characterized in that the one or more processors present a proposal for revising the production plan to the producer, and generate the revised production plan and present it to the producer in response to instructions from the producer. The invention described in claim 11 is the information processing system described in claim 8, characterized in that, when the producer approves the revised production plan, the one or more processors present the adjustment amount of the electricity demand identified from the revised production plan to the aggregator as an expected adjustment amount. The invention described in claim 12 is a program for causing a computer to realize the following functions: prior to a production period in which production is performed using production equipment that consumes electricity during its operation, information regarding the production that can be changed in preparation for the issuance of a demand response for that production period, and information regarding the power consumption of the production equipment; and based on the acquired information regarding production and information regarding the power consumption, generate one or more production plans for the production period and present them to a producer who produces using the production equipment. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention of claim 1, prior to a production period in which production is carried out by production equipment that consumes electricity during its operation, one or more production plans for that production period are generated based on information on production that can be changed in preparation for the issuance of a demand response for that production period and information on the power consumption of the production equipment, and are presented to a producer who produces using that production equipment. This allows a producer, who is a consumer of electricity, to know the production plan with adjusted electricity demand before the issuance of a demand response. As a result, the producer can know in advance the electricity demand that can be adjusted when a demand response is issued. According to the present invention of claim 2, at least one of information on the operation time period of the production equipment and information on the planned production volume by the production equipment is acquired as the information on production. This allows the producer to know the production plan that has been adjusted based on the information on production that can be changed in preparation for the issuance of a demand response targeting the production period, the information on the operation time period of the production equipment, and the information on the planned production volume by the production equipment, prior to the issuance of the demand response. According to the present invention of claim 3, the producer can know the production plan for reducing CO2 emissions before the demand response is issued. According to the present invention of claim 4, producers can know the production plan that reduces electricity charges before a demand response is issued. According to the present invention of claim 5, when a producer approves a production plan, the amount of adjustment of power demand specified from the production plan is presented to the aggregator as a forecast adjustment amount. This allows the producer to check the content of the forecast adjustment amount presented to the aggregator, and also facilitates management by the aggregator. According to the present invention of claim 6, when a demand response is issued during a production period, a production plan that satisfies the contents of the demand response is extracted from one or more production plans and presented to the producer, which makes it easier for the producer to select a production plan. According to the present invention of claim 7, information regarding instructions for production at production facilities is generated and presented to the producer based on the contents of the demand response and the extracted production plan, which makes it easier for the producer to give instructions for production at the production facilities. According to the present invention of claim 8, a revised production plan in which the amount of adjustment of power demand is revised based on the amount of adjustment of power demand calculated in the production plan and the target value of the amount of adjustment of power demand specified from the content of the demand response issuance is generated and presented to the producer. This allows the producer to realize production based on a more precise production plan. According to the present invention of claim 9, when the amount of adjustment of the power demand is smaller than the target value, a revised production plan is generated to make the amount of adjustment of the power demand equal to or greater than the target value and is presented to the producer. This enables the producer to realize production based on a more precise production plan. According to the present invention of claim 10, a revised production plan is presented to the producer, and a revised production plan is generated and presented to the producer in response to instructions from the producer. This allows the producer to check the contents of the revised production plan in advance. According to the present invention of claim 11, when the producer approves the revised production plan, the adjustment amount of the power demand specified from the revised production plan is presented to the aggregator as a forecast adjustment amount. This allows the producer to check the contents of the forecast adjustment amount presented to the aggregator, and also facilitates management by the aggregator. According to the present invention of claim 12, prior to a production period in which production is carried out by production equipment that consumes electricity during its operation, one or more production plans for that production period are generated based on information on production that can be changed in preparation for the issuance of a demand response for that production period and information on the power consumption of the production equipment, and are presented to a producer who produces using that production equipment. This allows a producer, who is a consumer of electricity, to know a production plan with adjusted electricity demand before the issuance of a demand response. As a result, the producer can know in advance the electricity demand that can be adjusted when a demand response is issued. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an information processing system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a management server. [Diagram 3] 2 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of a control unit of the management server; FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control unit of the producer terminal. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed before a demand response is issued among processing performed by a management server. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing performed by a management server after a demand response is issued. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a market to which the service provided by the information processing system of FIG. 1 is applied. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a conventional production scheduler. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a market to which the service provided by the information processing system of FIG. 1 is applied. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a market to which the service provided by the information processing system of FIG. 1 is applied. [Figure 11]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a market to which the service provided by the information processing system of FIG. 1 is applied. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a market to which the service provided by the information processing system of FIG. 1 is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Configuration of information processing system> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 to which the present embodiment is applied. The information processing system 1 is configured by connecting a management server 10, an aggregator terminal 30, and producer terminals 50-1 to 50-n (n is an integer value equal to or greater than 1) via a network 90. ​​The network 90 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. When it is not necessary to explain each of the producer terminals 50-1 to 50-n individually, they are collectively referred to as producer terminals 50.

[0010] (Management Server) The management server 10 constituting the information processing system 1 is an information processing device that serves as a server that manages the entire information processing system 1. The management server 10 acquires various pieces of information transmitted from each of the aggregator terminal 30 and the producer terminal 50, and is capable of performing various processes. The management server 10 also transmits various pieces of information to each of the aggregator terminal 30 and the producer terminal 50, and is capable of executing various processes.

[0011] For example, the management server 10 presents a production plan to a producer having production equipment that consumes power during its operation, assuming that a demand response is issued during the period during which production is performed by the production equipment (hereinafter referred to as the "production period"). Specifically, prior to the production period, the management server 10 generates one or more production plans for the production period based on information on production that can be changed in preparation for the issuance of a demand response for the production period (hereinafter referred to as the "changeable information") and information on the power consumption of the production equipment (hereinafter referred to as the "power consumption information"). Then, the management server 10 presents the generated one or more production plans to the producer terminal 50. The changeable information includes, for example, information such as the operating time period of the production equipment and the planned production volume of the production equipment. The power consumption information includes, for example, information such as the amount of power consumed by the operation of the production equipment.

[0012] When generating one or more production plans, the management server 10 can generate a production plan that reduces CO2 emissions. In this case, the management server 10 calculates the amount of CO2 emissions per unit of generated power for each time period (hereinafter referred to as the "CO2 emission coefficient"). Then, the management server 10 generates a production plan that reduces CO2 emissions based on the calculated CO2 emission coefficient.

[0013] Furthermore, the management server 10 acquires information on fluctuations in electricity rates for each time period (hereinafter referred to as "electricity rate fluctuation information"), and generates a production plan to reduce electricity rates based on the electricity rate fluctuation information. Specifically, for example, the management server 10 generates a production plan corresponding to peak cutting, which reduces the amount of electricity usage by cutting the electricity usage during peak hours when electricity usage is the highest, as a production plan to reduce electricity rates. The electricity rate fluctuation information is provided, for example, from the aggregator terminal 30. Furthermore, for example, the management server 10 generates a production plan corresponding to dynamic pricing, which fluctuates electricity rates in consideration of electricity demand and supply, as a production plan to reduce electricity rates.

[0014] The "production period" may be a period defined in units of days, for example, or may be a period defined in units of hours, minutes, and seconds. Furthermore, "prior to" indicates a timing prior to the timing at which production starts. For example, if the production period is defined in units of days, a day prior to the day production starts (e.g., the day before, two days before, etc.) is a day prior to the production period. Furthermore, if the production period is defined in units of hours, minutes, and seconds, a time prior to the time production starts (e.g., 1 hour and 30 minutes before, 3 hours before, etc.) is a time prior to the production period.

[0015] When a demand response is issued during a production period after the producer starts operating the production equipment, the management server 10 extracts a production plan that satisfies the contents of the demand response from one or more generated production plans and presents it to the producer. Specifically, the management server 10 obtains information indicating that a demand response has been issued (hereinafter referred to as "DR issuance information") from the aggregator terminal 30 described later. The DR issuance information includes the contents of the demand response. The management server 10 extracts a production plan that satisfies the contents of the demand response from one or more generated production plans and presents it to the producer.

[0016] Furthermore, the management server 10 generates information on production instructions for the production equipment during the production period (hereinafter referred to as "production instruction information") based on the contents of the demand response and the extracted production plan, and presents it to the producer. The contents of the demand response include, for example, the contents of instructions regarding the adjustment of power demand. The contents of instructions regarding the adjustment of power demand include, for example, the date and time for the demand response, the amount of adjustment of power demand, etc.

[0017] The management server 10 specifies the amount of adjustment of the power demand of the production equipment for each production plan. "Amount of adjustment of power demand" refers to the amount of power demand that is increased or decreased to accommodate demand response. For example, when the amount of power supply becomes excessive, a demand response for increasing the amount of power demand (hereinafter referred to as "upward DR") is issued. In this case, the management server 10 calculates the amount of power demand to be increased for each production plan. Also, when the amount of power demand becomes excessive, a demand response for decreasing the amount of power demand (hereinafter referred to as "downward DR") is issued. In this case, the management server 10 calculates the amount of power demand to be decreased for each production plan.

[0018] In addition, the management server 10 specifies a target value for the adjustment amount of the power demand from the content of the demand response issuance. For example, the amount of power demand to be increased by an upward DR and the amount of power demand to be decreased by a downward DR are both "target values ​​for the adjustment amount of the power demand."

[0019] The management server 10 generates a revised production plan in which the amount of adjustment of power demand is revised for each production plan based on the amount of adjustment of power demand calculated for each production plan and the target value of the amount of adjustment of power demand identified from the content of the demand response issuance, and presents the revised production plan to the producer. For example, if the amount of adjustment of power demand in the production plan before the revision is less than the target value identified from the content of the demand response issuance, the management server 10 generates a revised production plan to increase the amount of adjustment of power demand to make it equal to or greater than the target value.

[0020] Furthermore, if the amount of adjustment of power demand in the production plan before revision exceeds the target value specified from the contents of the demand response issuance (if the response is more excessive than the response required by the demand response), the management server 10 generates a revised production plan to reduce the amount of adjustment of power demand according to the amount of excess and bring it closer to the target value. In this case, the management server 10 may generate a revised production plan to reduce the amount of adjustment of power demand and bring it closer to the target value only when a predetermined amount of excess is exceeded, for example.

[0021] The management server 10 may generate a revised production plan only when an instruction to revise the production plan is received from the producer, and may not generate a revised production plan when an instruction to revise the production plan is not received from the producer. In this case, when an instruction to revise the production plan is not received from the producer, the management server 10 presents the adjustment amount of the power demand identified from the production plan as the expected adjustment amount to the aggregator.

[0022] On the other hand, when an instruction to revise the production plan is given by the producer, the management server 10 generates a revised production plan and presents it to the producer. If an instruction to further revise the revised production plan is given thereafter by the producer, the management server 10 generates a revised production plan again and presents it to the producer. On the other hand, if there is no instruction to further revise, the management server 10 presents the adjustment amount of power demand identified from the revised production plan as a projected adjustment amount to the aggregator. The specific configuration and processing details of the management server 10 will be described later.

[0023] (Aggregator terminal) The aggregator terminal 30 constituting the information processing system 1 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone managed by the aggregator. The aggregator terminal 30 transmits the contents of the issued demand response to the management server 10. The contents of the demand response transmitted to the management server 10 include, for example, a target value of the adjustment amount of the power demand by an upward DR and a target value of the adjustment amount of the power demand by a downward DR. In addition, the aggregator terminal 30 acquires the expected adjustment amount for each producer transmitted from the management server 10.

[0024] (Producer terminal) The producer terminal 50 constituting the information processing system 1 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, tablet terminal, or smartphone operated by a producer who is a user of the service (hereinafter referred to as "this service") provided by the information processing system 1. The producer terminal 50 executes an application program that enables the information processing system 1 to be used.

[0025] The producer terminal 50 is capable of performing various processes based on various information transmitted from the management server 10 and various information input by the producer. The producer terminal 50 is also capable of transmitting various information to the management server 10. The producer terminal 50 may or may not be connected to production equipment (not shown) via wire or wirelessly.

[0026] For example, the producer terminal 50 transmits changeable information to the management server 10. Specifically, for example, the producer terminal 50 transmits information such as the operating time period of the production equipment and the planned production volume of the production equipment to the management server 10 as the changeable information.

[0027] Furthermore, the producer terminal 50 acquires and displays the production plan presented by the management server 10 prior to the production period. Furthermore, the producer terminal 50 acquires and displays production instruction information for the production equipment during the production period presented by the management server 10 during the production period. Specifically, for example, the producer terminal 50 acquires and displays information such as the production equipment to be operated, the operating time and time period for each production equipment, and the production volume for each production equipment as production instruction information.

[0028] Furthermore, the producer terminal 50 accepts an input operation for instructing a review of the production plan presented by the management server 10, and transmits the input information to the management server 10. The producer terminal 50 acquires and displays the revised production plan presented by the management server 10. The producer terminal 50 also transmits the amount of adjustment of power demand identified from the production plan or the revised production plan as an expected adjustment amount to the management server 10. The specific configuration and processing details of the producer terminal 50 will be described later.

[0029] The configuration of the information processing system 1 described above is an example, and the information processing system 1 as a whole may have the function of realizing the above-mentioned processing. Therefore, some or all of the functions of the above-mentioned processing may be shared or cooperated among the information processing devices in the information processing system 1. That is, some or all of the functions of the management server 10 may be functions of the aggregator terminal 30 or the producer terminal 50, and some or all of the functions of the aggregator terminal 30 may be functions of the management server 10 or the producer terminal 50. Also, some or all of the functions of the producer terminal 50 may be functions of the management server 10 or the aggregator terminal 30. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each information processing device constituting the information processing system 1 may be transferred to another server (not shown) or the like. This promotes processing in the information processing system 1 as a whole, and also allows the processes to be complemented.

[0030] <Hardware configuration> (Management Server Hardware Configuration) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the management server 10. As shown in FIG. The management server 10 has a control unit 11, a memory 12, a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a display unit 16. These units are connected to each other via a data bus, an address bus, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, etc.

[0031] The control unit 11 is a processor that controls the functions of the management server 10 through the execution of various software such as an OS (operating system) and application software. The control unit 11 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 12 is a storage area that stores various software and data used for executing the software, and is used as a working area for calculations. The memory 12 is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0032] The storage unit 13 is a storage area for storing input data for various software and output data from various software. The storage unit 13 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a semiconductor memory, etc., used for storing programs and various setting data. The storage unit 13 stores databases for storing various information. Examples of the databases stored in the storage unit 13 include a database storing information on producers, a database storing changeable information, a database storing power consumption information, a database storing CO2 emission coefficients, a database storing electricity rate fluctuation information, a database storing generated production plans and revised production plans, and a database storing the contents of issued demand responses.

[0033] The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data between the management server 10 and the outside via the network 90. ​​The operation unit 15 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, mechanical buttons, and switches, and accepts input operations. The operation unit 15 also includes a touch sensor that constitutes a touch panel integrally with the display unit 16. The display unit 16 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display used to display information, and displays image and text data, etc. A user interface, etc. are displayed on the display unit 16.

[0034] (Producer terminal hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the producer terminal 50 is similar to the hardware configuration of the management server 10 shown in Fig. 2. That is, the producer terminal 50 is equipped with a control unit, memory, storage unit, communication unit, operation unit, and display unit that have the same functions as the control unit 11, memory 12, storage unit 13, communication unit 14, operation unit 15, and display unit 16 shown in Fig. 2. For this reason, illustration and description of the hardware configuration of the producer terminal 50 will be omitted.

[0035] <Functional configuration> (Functional configuration of the control unit of the management server) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the management server 10. As shown in FIG. In the control unit 11 of the management server 10, an acquisition unit 101, a management unit 102, a generation unit 103, an extraction unit 104, and a transmission control unit 105 function.

[0036] The acquisition unit 101 acquires various information via the communication unit 14 (see FIG. 2). For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires various information transmitted from each of the aggregator terminal 30 and the producer terminal 50. Among the various information acquired by the acquisition unit 101, information transmitted from the aggregator terminal 30 includes, for example, DR issuance information. In addition, among the various information acquired by the acquisition unit 101, information transmitted from the producer terminal 50 includes, for example, changeable information, input information input to instruct a review of the production plan, expected adjustment amount, and the like.

[0037] The management unit 102 stores and manages the various information acquired by the acquisition unit 101 in a database in the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2). For example, the management unit 102 stores and manages information such as information on producers, changeable information, power consumption information, CO2 emission coefficients, electricity rate fluctuation information, production plans, revised production plans, and details of issued demand responses in the database.

[0038] The generating unit 103 generates a production plan. Specifically, prior to a production period, the generating unit 103 generates one or more production plans for the production period based on changeable information for the production period and power consumption information. For example, the generating unit 103 calculates a CO2 emission coefficient, and generates a production plan for reducing CO2 emissions based on the calculated CO2 emission coefficient. Also, for example, the generating unit 103 generates a production plan for reducing electricity charges based on electricity charge fluctuation information.

[0039] In addition, the generation unit 103 generates a revised production plan in which the amount of adjustment of power demand is revised for each production plan based on the amount of adjustment of power demand calculated for each production plan and the target value of the amount of adjustment of power demand identified from the content of the demand response issuance.

[0040] When a demand response is issued during a production period after the producer starts operating the production facilities, the extraction unit 104 extracts a production plan that satisfies the contents of the demand response from one or more production plans generated by the generation unit 103.

[0041] The transmission control unit 105 performs control for transmitting various information via the communication unit 14. For example, the transmission control unit 105 performs control for transmitting an expected adjustment amount toward the aggregator terminal 30. Also, for example, the transmission control unit 105 performs control for transmitting a production plan, a revised production plan, production instruction information, and the like toward the producer terminal 50.

[0042] (Functional configuration of the control unit of the producer terminal) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit of the producer terminal 50. As shown in FIG. In the control section of the producer terminal 50, an acquisition section 501, a display control section 502, and a transmission control section 503 function.

[0043] The acquisition unit 501 acquires various information via the communication unit. Examples of the information acquired by the acquisition unit 501 include a production plan, a revised production plan, and production instruction information transmitted from the management server 10.

[0044] The display control unit 502 performs control for displaying various information on the display unit. For example, the display control unit 502 performs control for displaying a production plan, a revised production plan, production instruction information, and the like on the display unit.

[0045] The transmission control unit 503 controls the transmission of various information via the communication unit. Examples of information whose transmission is controlled by the transmission control unit 503 include changeable information, input information input to instruct a review of the production plan, and expected adjustment amounts.

[0046] <Management server processing flow> FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the management server 10 before a demand response is issued. When the management server 10 receives the changeable information of the production equipment from the producer terminal 50 (YES in step 501), it acquires the transmitted changeable information (step 502). On the other hand, when the changeable information has not been transmitted (NO in step 501), the management server 10 repeats the determination process in step 501 until the changeable information is transmitted.

[0047] When the management server 10 receives power consumption information of the production equipment from the producer terminal 50 (YES in step 503), it acquires the transmitted power consumption information (step 504). On the other hand, if the power consumption information has not been transmitted (NO in step 503), the management server 10 repeats the determination process in step 503 until the power consumption information is transmitted.

[0048] The management server 10 calculates the CO2 emission coefficient based on the power consumption information acquired in step 504 (step 505). When the electricity rate fluctuation information is transmitted from the aggregator terminal 30 (YES in step 506), the management server 10 acquires the transmitted electricity rate fluctuation information (step 507). On the other hand, when the electricity rate fluctuation information has not been transmitted (NO in step 506), the management server 10 repeats the determination process in step 506 until the electricity rate fluctuation information is transmitted.

[0049] The management server 10 generates one or more production plans assuming a case where a demand response is issued during the production period based on the acquired changeable information, power consumption information, CO2 emission coefficient, and electricity rate fluctuation information, and presents the plans to the producer terminal 50 (step 508). Then, the management server 10 presents to the aggregator terminal 30 an expected adjustment amount identified from each of the one or more production plans presented to the producer terminal 50 in step 508 (step 509). The expected adjustment amount presented to the aggregator terminal 30 in step 509 is used, for example, as a factor for determining whether to issue a demand response for the next day.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the management server 10 after a demand response is issued. When the management server 10 receives DR issuance information indicating that a demand response has been issued from the aggregator terminal 30 (YES in step 601), the management server 10 acquires the transmitted DR issuance information (step 602). On the other hand, when the DR issuance information has not been transmitted (NO in step 601), the management server 10 repeats the determination process in step 601 until the DR issuance information is transmitted. Then, the management server 10 extracts a production plan that satisfies the contents of the demand response from one or more production plans presented to the producer terminal 50 in step 508 of Fig. 5 described above, and presents the production plan to the producer terminal 50 (step 603).

[0051] When the production plan presented to the producer is approved (YES in step 604), the management server 10 presents the expected adjustment amount identified from the production plan to the aggregator terminal 30 (step 606). On the other hand, when the production plan is not approved (NO in step 604), the management server 10 extracts another production plan that is different from the production plan extracted and presented to the producer in step 603 and satisfies the contents of the demand response, presents it to the producer terminal 50 (step 605), and returns to the decision processing in step 604.

[0052] The management server 10 generates production instruction information based on the contents of the issued demand response and the production plan approved by the producer, and presents it to the producer terminal 50 (step 607). Thereafter, when review instruction information is sent from the producer terminal 50 (YES in step 608), the management server 10 generates a revised production plan and presents it to the producer terminal 50 (step 609), and proceeds to the decision processing of step 610. On the other hand, if there is no instruction from the producer to review the production plan (NO in step 608), the processing of the management server 10 ends (END).

[0053] When the revised production plan presented to the producer terminal 50 is approved (YES in step 610), the management server 10 presents the estimated adjustment amount identified from the revised production plan to the aggregator terminal 30 (step 611), and returns to the decision processing of step 608. On the other hand, when the revised production plan is not approved by the producer (NO in step 610), the processing of the management server 10 returns to step 609.

[0054] <Example> 7, 9 to 12 are diagrams showing specific examples of markets to which the present service provided by the information processing system 1 of FIG. 1 is applied. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an overview of a conventional production scheduler. Figures 7, 9 to 12 show examples of this service being applied to a capacity market. A capacity market is a market in which future power supply capacity (kW) is traded, rather than the amount of power (kWh) traded in the wholesale power market. The capacity market is operated by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators, which has as its members all electric power suppliers in Japan. Demand response is issued by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators, Japan.

[0055] As shown in Fig. 7, in this service, a production scheduler is provided to the producer terminal 50 (see Fig. 1) of the producer (demand user). The production scheduler is software that enables the generation of an optimal production plan based on information such as the producer's (demand user's) production resources (e.g., product materials, production equipment, workers, etc.) and production targets. In preparation for the issuance of a demand response, the production scheduler has a function of generating a production plan for the production period and presenting it to the producer (demand user) before the demand response is issued.

[0056] The production scheduler of this service, once the producer (consumer) has approved the production plan presented to the producer (consumer), presents the estimated adjustment amount determined from the production plan to the aggregator. When a demand response is issued by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (Overseas Coordination of Transmission Operators) (DR issuance), the aggregator communicates the contents of the demand response to the producer (consumer) via this service.

[0057] When a producer (consumer) instructs the production scheduler of this service to revise the production plan after a demand response is issued (after a DR issuance), the production scheduler generates a revised production plan and presents it to the producer (consumer). Then, when the revised production plan presented to the producer (consumer) is approved by the producer (consumer), the production scheduler of this service presents the estimated adjustment amount identified from the revised production plan to the aggregator.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 8, conventional production schedulers only generate production plans according to conditions specified by producers (demand parties), such as production resources. In contrast, with the production scheduler of this service, shown in Fig. 7, a production plan in preparation for the issuance of a demand response is presented to the producer (demand party) before the demand response is issued.

[0059] Figure 9 shows the capacity market scheme. In the capacity market, when electricity supply and demand becomes tight, the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators in Japan issues a demand response order (DR order), and communicates this to producers (consumers) through an aggregator. When the producers (consumers) then implement a demand response (DR implementation), the aggregator bundles the electricity controlled by the implementation of the demand response and provides it to the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators in Japan. The Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators in Japan then pays a remuneration to the producers (consumers) through the aggregator as compensation for implementing the demand response.

[0060] Fig. 10 shows the flow of responses by aggregators and producers (consumers) when a demand response is ordered by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators in Japan. There is a predefined upper limit on the number of times a demand response can be ordered in a year (for example, a maximum of 12 times per year). A demand response is ordered three hours before the start time of the operation. Then, the aggregator notifies the producers (consumers) that a demand response has been ordered at least two hours and 45 minutes before the start time of the operation.

[0061] The producer (consumer) carries out demand response for three consecutive hours. For example, the producer (consumer) controls production equipment at a factory (e.g., by shutting down operations) and takes measures such as operating surplus private power generation, so that actual power usage is lower than the expected power usage (hereinafter referred to as the "baseline") if the producer (consumer) does not carry out demand response. The baseline is calculated, for example, by adding a correction for the day on which demand response is carried out to the average value for the four days with the highest power demand out of the most recent five days.

[0062] Fig. 11 shows a specific example of a method for evaluating demand response. Demand response is evaluated based on the amount of adjustment of power demand (adjusted power amount), which is the amount of power load reduction due to demand response (load reduction due to DR). The amount of adjustment of power demand (adjusted power amount) is the difference between the baseline and the actual amount of power usage (actual load). For example, in the example of Fig. 11, demand response is evaluated based on the amount of adjustment of power demand (adjusted power amount) for the time period requested by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators as the time period during which demand response should be implemented (DR request time).

[0063] Figure 12 shows three specific cases of remuneration paid to producers (consumers) who have implemented demand response. The total remuneration paid to producers (consumers) who have implemented demand response consists of a basic remuneration and a pay-per-use remuneration. The basic remuneration is a fixed remuneration paid according to the capacity (kW) of the production equipment of the producer (consumer) regardless of whether demand response is implemented or not. However, if the producer (consumer) fails to implement a demand response in response to an issuance of the demand response, the basic remuneration is reduced, so that the basic remuneration may become 0 yen if there are repeated failures (note that there is no negative remuneration). The pay-per-use remuneration is a remuneration paid according to the amount of power (kWh) controlled by the production equipment of the producer (consumer) who implemented demand response.

[0064] The three cases shown in Figure 12 are based on the assumption that the unit price of the basic remuneration is 4,000 yen / kW, the unit price of the pay-per-use remuneration is 10 yen / kWh, and the demand response capacity is 1,000kW. For example, the top part of Figure 12 shows a case where the number of demand response commands issued is 0 (zero). In this case, the basic remuneration is 4 million yen (4,000 yen / kW x 1,000kW), the pay-per-use remuneration is 0 yen, and the total remuneration is 4 million yen.

[0065] The middle section of Figure 12 shows a case where demand response was issued five times and the number of times demand response was unsuccessful (number of response failures) was zero. In this case, the basic remuneration is 4 million yen (4,000 yen / kW x 1,000kW), the pay-per-use remuneration is 150,000 yen (10 yen x 1,000kWh x 5 times x 3), and the total remuneration is 4.15 million yen. The lower section of Figure 12 shows a case where demand response was issued five times and the number of times demand response was unsuccessful (number of response failures) was one. In this case, the basic remuneration is approximately 3.79 million yen (4,000 yen / kW x 1,000kW - (penalty)), the pay-per-use remuneration is 120,000 yen (10 yen x 1,000kWh x 4 times x 3), and the total remuneration is 3.91 million yen.

[0066] <Other embodiments> Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described present embodiment. Furthermore, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the above-described present embodiment. For example, the configuration of the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the hardware configuration of the management server 10 shown in FIG. 2, the functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the management server 10 in FIG. 3, and the functional configuration of the control unit of the producer terminal 50 in FIG. 4 are all merely examples for achieving the object of the present invention, and are not particularly limited. In other words, it is sufficient that the information processing system 1 in FIG. 1 has a function capable of executing the above-described processing as a whole, and the hardware configuration and functional configuration used to realize this function are not limited to the above-described examples.

[0067] In addition, the order of the steps of the processing of the management server 10 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. The processing is not limited to the chronological processing according to the illustrated order of steps, but may be performed in parallel or individually without necessarily being chronological. In addition, the specific examples shown in Figures 7, 9 to 12 are also merely examples and are not particularly limited.

[0068] For example, in the above specific example, the service is applied to the capacity market, but the service can also be applied to "Economic DR." Economic DR is a demand response for electricity retailers, and a part of the procurement cost reduction caused by the demand response when the wholesale electricity market rises is returned to the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1...information processing system, 10...management server, 30...aggregator terminal, 50...producer terminal, 11...control unit, 12...memory, 13...storage unit, 14...communication unit, 15...operation unit, 16...display unit, 101...acquisition unit, 102...management unit, 103...generation unit, 104...extraction unit, 105...transmission control unit, 501...acquisition unit, 502...display control unit, 503...transmission control unit, 90...network

Claims

1. One or more processors; The one or more processors: Prior to a production period in which production is performed by production equipment that consumes electricity as a result of its operation, information regarding the production that can be changed in preparation for the issuance of a demand response for the production period and information regarding the power consumption of the production equipment are obtained; generating one or more production plans for the production period based on the acquired information on production and the information on power consumption, and presenting the plans to a producer who produces using the production facility; An information processing system comprising:

2. The one or more processors are characterized in that they acquire, as the information related to the production, at least one of information related to an operating time period of the production equipment and information related to a planned production volume by the production equipment. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The one or more processors: CO per unit of generated electricity by time period ２ CO emissions ２ Calculate the emission factor, The CO ２ Based on the emission factor, ２ generating the production plan that reduces emissions; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

4. The one or more processors: Obtain information on fluctuations in electricity rates by time of day, The production plan is generated based on information about the fluctuation, so as to reduce electricity charges. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The one or more processors are characterized in that, when the producer approves the production plan, the one or more processors present to the aggregator an adjustment amount of the power demand identified from the production plan as an expected adjustment amount. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

6. When a demand response is issued during the production period, the one or more processors extract a production plan that satisfies the content of the demand response from the one or more production plans and present the production plan to the producer. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

7. The one or more processors generate information regarding production instructions for the production facility based on the content of the demand response and the extracted production plan, and present the information to the producer.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6.

8. the one or more processors generate a revised production plan for each of the one or more production plans in which the amount of adjustment of power demand is revised based on an amount of adjustment of power demand calculated in each of the one or more production plans and a target value of the amount of adjustment of power demand specified from the content of the issuance, The information processing system according to claim 1 .

9. When the adjustment amount of the power demand is smaller than the target value, the one or more processors generate and present the revised production plan for making the adjustment amount of the power demand equal to or greater than the target value. The information processing system according to claim 8.

10. The one or more processors present a proposal for reviewing the production plan to the producer, and generate the revised production plan in response to an instruction from the producer and present it to the producer. The information processing system according to claim 8.

11. The one or more processors are characterized in that, when the producer approves the revised production plan, the adjustment amount of the power demand identified from the revised production plan is presented to the aggregator as an expected adjustment amount. The information processing system according to claim 8.

12. On the computer, A function of acquiring, prior to a production period in which production is performed by production equipment that consumes electricity as a result of its operation, information about the production that can be changed in preparation for the issuance of a demand response for the production period, and information about the power consumption of the production equipment; a function of generating one or more production plans for the production period based on the acquired information on the production and the information on the power consumption, and presenting the plans to a producer who produces using the production facility; A program to achieve this.

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