Emissions credit management system, and emissions credit management method

Abstract

To provide an emissions credit management system capable of managing the amount of emission of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the use of electrical equipment.SOLUTION: An emissions credit management system 10 includes: a storage unit 63 that stores emissions credit management information representing relations between identification information of multiple pieces of electrical equipment and a remaining value of a greenhouse gas emissions allowance allocated to each of the multiple pieces of electrical equipment; an acquisition unit 64 that acquires a piece of electricity usage amount information including a piece of identification information for identifying identification information of the target electrical equipment, which is electricity usage amount information representing the electricity usage amount of the target electrical equipment and a piece of regional information indicating an electric power company that supplies power to multiple pieces of electrical equipment; and a management unit 65 that reduces the remaining value associated to the identification information of the target electrical equipment in the emissions credit management information based on the acquired electricity usage amount information and regional information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an emission right management system and an emission right management method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information system for supporting the continuation of daily energy-saving actions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, since greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide cause global warming, businesses need to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

[0005] The present invention provides an emission right management system and an emission right management method capable of managing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the use of electrical equipment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The emission right management system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit storing emission right management information indicating the relationship between the identification information of a plurality of electric device light sources and the remaining value of the greenhouse gas emission quota assigned to each of the plurality of light sources, power consumption information indicating the power consumption of a target electric device and including specific information for specifying the identification information of the target electric device, and an acquisition unit that acquires regional information indicating the power company that supplies power to the plurality of electric devices, and a management unit that reduces the remaining value associated with the identification information of the target electric device in the emission right management information based on the acquired power consumption information and the regional information.

[0007] The emission right management method according to one aspect of the present invention is an emission right management method executed by a computer capable of accessing a storage device storing emission right management information indicating the relationship between the identification information of a plurality of electric devices and the remaining value of the greenhouse gas emission quota assigned to each of the plurality of electric devices, the method including an acquisition step of acquiring power consumption information indicating the power consumption of a target electric device and including specific information for specifying the identification information of the target electric device, and regional information indicating the power company that supplies power to the plurality of electric devices, and a management step of reducing the remaining value associated with the identification information of the target electric device in the emission right management information based on the acquired power consumption information and the regional information.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the emission right management method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] The emission right management system and the emission right management method according to one aspect of the present invention can manage the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the use of electric devices.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows general or specific examples. Numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in the independent claims are described as optional components.

[0012] Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely. Also, in each figure, substantially the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0013] (Embodiment) [Knowledge underlying the invention] Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide cause global warming. As a measure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, a mechanism has been proposed to allocate carbon dioxide emission limits to businesses. Under such a mechanism, businesses need to conduct their business activities so that the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated by their business activities does not exceed the emission limit.

[0014] A business operator needs to suppress the total supply chain emissions, which is the sum of all greenhouse gas emissions related to its business activities, not just its own greenhouse gas emissions.

[0015] Here, the supply chain emissions are composed of three categories: Scope 1 to Scope 3. Scope 1 corresponds to the direct greenhouse gas emissions by the business operator itself, and more specifically, corresponds to the emissions generated by fuel combustion and industrial processes. Scope 2 corresponds to the direct greenhouse gas emissions associated with the use of electricity, heat, steam, etc. supplied by other business operators.

[0016] Scope 3 corresponds to the indirect greenhouse gas emissions other than Scope 1 and Scope 2. Scope 3 is further subdivided into categories 1 to 15. Among them, there is room for consideration regarding the method of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the use of the sold products corresponding to category 11. In the following embodiments, an emission right management system that can manage the carbon dioxide emissions caused by the use of sold products (light source bodies) will be described.

[0017] [Configuration] First, the configuration of the emission right management system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the emission right management system according to the embodiment.

[0018] The emission right management system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for managing the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the use of the light source bodies 21 provided in each of the plurality of facilities 100. Here, the light source body 21 is a lighting light source body that has an attachment structure such as a base and is detachably attached to the fixture body of the lighting fixture 20. Specifically, it is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulb, a straight tube LED lamp, and the like.

[0019] The facility 100 is, for example, a house (detached house or apartment building), but may also be an office building, factory, commercial facility, accommodation facility, or public facility, etc. Each of the plurality of facilities 100 is provided with a plurality of lighting fixtures 20, a lighting controller 30, a distribution board 40, and an electric power measuring device 50. The emission right management system 10 includes a plurality of lighting fixtures 20, a lighting controller 30, a distribution board 40, and an electric power measuring device 50.

[0020] Also, outside the facility 100, a server device 60 and an information terminal 70 are located. The emission right management system 10 includes the server device 60 and the information terminal 70. Note that the information terminal 70 may also be located inside the facility 100. Hereinafter, each device included in such an emission right management system 10 will be described in detail.

[0021] The lighting fixture 20 is provided inside the facility 100 and illuminates the inside (indoors) of the facility 100 by emitting light (for example, white light). The lighting fixture 20 may be a lighting fixture provided outdoors around the facility 100 and illuminating the outdoors by emitting light (for example, white light). More specifically, the lighting fixture 20 includes a fixture body (not shown) and a light source body 21.

[0022] The light source body 21 is a lighting light source device that is detachably attached to the fixture body. As described above, specifically, the light source body 21 is an LED bulb, a straight tube LED lamp, and the like. It is not essential that the light source body 21 be realized by an LED element, and it may be realized by other light emitting elements such as organic EL (Electro-Luminescence).

[0023] In the example of FIG. 1, one light source body 21 is attached to one lighting fixture 20, but there may be a case where a plurality of light source bodies 21 are attached to one lighting fixture 20.

[0024] The lighting controller 30 is provided in the facility 100 and controls the lighting fixtures 20 provided in the same facility 100. Specifically, the lighting controller 30 controls the lighting on and off of the lighting fixture 20, but may further control dimming and color adjustment. The lighting controller 30 may be a dedicated controller for the lighting fixture 20, or may be an EMS (Energy Management System) controller or the like. The lighting controller 30 may be a controller fixed to a wall or ceiling, or may be a portable controller. The lighting controller 30 includes a first communication unit 31, a second communication unit 32, an information processing unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a UI unit 35.

[0025] The first communication unit 31 is a communication circuit for the lighting controller 30 to communicate with a server device 60 or the like via a wide area communication network 80. The first communication unit 31 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. The communication standard of the communication performed by the first communication unit 31 is not particularly limited.

[0026] The second communication unit 32 is a communication circuit for the lighting controller 30 to communicate with the lighting fixture 20 or the like via a local communication network. The second communication unit 32 is, for example, a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication, but may be a wired communication circuit that performs wired communication. The communication standard of the communication performed by the second communication unit 32 is not particularly limited.

[0027] The information processing unit 33 performs information processing related to the control of the lighting fixture 20. The information processing unit 33 is realized by, for example, a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. As a functional component, the information processing unit 33 includes a second control unit 36 that transmits a control signal to the lighting fixture 20 via the second communication unit 32 based on the operation of the user received by the UI unit 35. The function of the second control unit 36 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer or a processor constituting the information processing unit 33 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 34.

[0028] The storage unit 34 is a storage device that stores computer programs and the like executed by the information processing unit 33. The storage unit 34 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0029] The UI unit 35 receives the operation of the user and presents information to the user. The UI unit 35 is realized by a touch panel or a hardware key (push button) that receives the operation of the user and a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel.

[0030] The distribution board 40 distributes the AC power supplied from the system power source 90 to a plurality of branch circuits. Devices such as the lighting fixture 20 are connected to each of the plurality of branch circuits.

[0031] The power measurement device 50 measures the power consumption (in other words, the power consumption) at a predetermined measurement point MP. The power measurement device 50 measures the power consumption in the branch circuit (electric wire) using, for example, a current sensor (CT: Current Transformer) attached to the electric wire corresponding to the branch circuit to which a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 are connected. Further, the power measurement device 50 transmits the measured value of the power consumption to the server device 60 through the wide area communication network 80.

[0032] Note that a power consumption measurement function similar to that of the power measurement device 50 may be provided in the distribution board 40 or in the lighting controller 30. When the power consumption measurement function (measurement unit) is provided in the distribution board 40 or the lighting controller 30, the power measurement device 50 may be omitted. Also, as will be described later, the power measurement device 50 may be omitted even when the lighting fixture 20 has a function of measuring the power consumption of the lighting fixture 20 itself (light source body 21).

[0033] The server device 60 is a cloud server that performs information processing related to the management of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the use of the light source body 21. The server device 60 is used, for example, by a business operator who manufactures and sells the light source body 21. Specifically, the server device 60 includes a communication unit 61, an information processing unit 62, and a storage unit 63.

[0034] The communication unit 61 is a communication circuit for the server device 60 to communicate with the lighting controller 30, the information terminal 70, etc. through the wide area communication network 80. The communication unit 61 is, for example, a wired communication unit that performs wired communication, but may also be a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication. There is no particular limitation on the communication standard of the communication performed by the communication unit 61.

[0035] The information processing unit 62 performs information processing related to the management of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the use of the light source body 21. Specifically, the information processing unit 62 is realized by a microcomputer or a processor. The information processing unit 62 has, as functional components, an acquisition unit 64, a management unit 65, and a first control unit 66. The functions of the acquisition unit 64, the management unit 65, and the first control unit 66 are realized, for example, when a microcomputer or a processor constituting the information processing unit 62 executes a computer program stored in the storage unit 63. Details of the functions of the acquisition unit 64, the management unit 65, and the first control unit 66 will be described later.

[0036] The storage unit 63 is a storage device that stores various types of information necessary for the above information processing and the above computer program, etc. The storage unit 63 is realized by, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory.

[0037] As described above, the emission right management system 10 can manage the amount of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the use of the light source body 21, and emission right management information is stored in advance in the storage unit 63. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the emission right management information.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, in the emission right management information, the identification information of the light source body 21, the initial carbon dioxide emission limit assigned to the light source body 21, and the remaining value of the carbon dioxide emission limit assigned to the light source body 21 are associated with each other. In the example of FIG. 2, the remaining value of the emission limit is expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide emissions [t] (FIG. 2(a)), and is also expressed in terms of the power consumption [Wh] (FIG. 2(b)). Note that the amount of carbon dioxide emissions can be converted into the power consumption by a predetermined calculation formula.

[0039] Before the light source body 21 is sold, the remaining value of the carbon dioxide emission limit of the light source body 21 in the emission right management information is equal to the initial emission limit. In the emission right management system 10, when the user purchases the light source body 21 and uses the purchased light source body 21 (causes the light source body 21 to emit light), the remaining value of the emission limit decreases, and when the remaining value of the emission limit reaches 0, the light source body 21 can no longer be used. Note that the user will purchase the light source body 21 whose price is set to include the cost corresponding to the carbon dioxide emission limit.

[0040] In the following embodiments, unless otherwise specified, an example of managing the carbon dioxide emission amount of the light source body 21 will be described using the remaining value of the carbon dioxide emission quota in terms of power consumption shown in the column (b) of FIG. 2. However, the carbon dioxide emission amount of the light source body 21 may be managed using the remaining value of the emission quota corresponding to the carbon dioxide emission amount shown in the column (a) of FIG. 2. The emission right management information may include at least one of the column (a) and the column (b) of FIG. 2.

[0041] The information terminal 70 is an information terminal used by the user to register information to the server device 60 and the like. The information terminal 70 is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The information terminal 70 may be a stationary information terminal such as a personal computer. The information terminal 70 includes a UI unit 71.

[0042] The UI unit 71 receives the user's operations and presents information to the user. The UI unit 71 is realized by a touch panel or a hardware key (push button) that receives the user's operations and a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. When the information terminal 70 is a personal computer, the UI unit 71 includes a mouse and a keyboard.

[0043] [Operation Example 1] As described above, the emission right management system 10 can manage the carbon dioxide emission amount resulting from the use of the light source body 21. Hereinafter, Operation Example 1 of such an emission right management system 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram of Operation Example 1 of the emission right management system 10.

[0044] First, when the user purchases the light source body 21, the user registers with the server device 60 by associating the identification information of the light source body 21 with the identification information of the power measurement device 50 that measures the power consumption (power consumption amount) of the light source body 21. As a result, first registration information is stored in the storage unit 63 (S10). FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the first registration information.

[0045] The registration of the identification information in step S10 is performed, for example, by a user manually operating the UI unit 71 of the information terminal 70 to input the identification information of the light source body 21 and the identification information of the power measurement device 50 into the information terminal 70. Note that the identification information of the light source body 21 is displayed in characters on the main body of the light source body 21, the packaging package, or the instruction manual. The same applies to the identification information of the power measurement device 50.

[0046] Each of the identification information of the light source body 21 and the identification information of the power measurement device 50 may be displayed by a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). When the information terminal 70 has a camera, if a two-dimensional code indicating the identification information of the light source body 21 is displayed on the main body of the light source body 21, the packaging package, or the instruction manual, etc., the user can easily input the identification information of the light source body 21 into the information terminal 70 by using the information terminal 70 to photograph the two-dimensional code. Similarly, if a two-dimensional code indicating the identification information of the power measurement device 50 is displayed on the main body of the power measurement device 50, the packaging package, or the instruction manual, etc., the user can easily input the identification information of the power measurement device 50 into the information terminal 70 by using the information terminal 70 to photograph the two-dimensional code.

[0047] In addition, the user registers the identification information of the light source body 21 in association with the identification information of the lighting fixture 20 (fixture main body) to which the light source body 21 is attached in the lighting controller 30. As a result, second registration information is stored in the storage unit 34 (S11). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the second registration information. Note that the identification information of the lighting fixture 20 is displayed in characters on the main body of the lighting fixture 20, the packaging package, or the instruction manual.

[0048] The registration of the identification information is performed, for example, by a user manually operating the UI unit 35 of the lighting controller 30 to input the identification information of the light source body 21 and the identification information of the lighting fixture 20 into the lighting controller 30.

[0049] Next, the power measurement device 50 measures the power consumption at a predetermined measurement point MP (shown in FIG. 1), and transmits power consumption information indicating the measured power consumption to the server device 60 (S12). The power consumption information includes the identification information of the power measurement device 50. The identification information of the power measurement device 50 is an example of specific information and is used to identify the identification information of the target light source body 21 in the next step S13.

[0050] The communication unit 61 of the server device 60 receives the power consumption information, and the acquisition unit 64 acquires the power consumption information received by the communication unit 61 (S13). The management unit 65 calculates the power consumption per light source body 21 based on the acquired power consumption information and the first registration information (S14). First, the management unit 65 extracts the identification information of the power measurement device 50 from the power consumption information acquired in step S13, and identifies the total number of identification information of the light source body 21 (hereinafter also referred to as the target light source body 21) associated with the extracted identification information of the power measurement device 50 in the first registration information.

[0051] The management unit 65 can calculate the power consumption per target light source body 21 by dividing the power consumption indicated by the power consumption information by the total number of identification information of the target light source body 21. For example, when the power consumption acquired in step S13 indicates that the total power consumption of the five light source bodies 21 with IDs 00001 to 00005 is P, the management unit 65 can calculate that the power consumption of each of the five light source bodies 21 with IDs 00001 to 00005 is P / 5.

[0052] Next, the management unit 65 subtracts the calculated power consumption from the remaining value of the carbon dioxide emission quota in the emission right management information (S15). For example, the management unit 65 subtracts P / 5 from the remaining value (power consumption) of the emission quota of each of the five light source bodies 21 with IDs 00001 to 00005 in the emission right management information.

[0053] The processes of steps S12 to S15 are repeated at a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval is, for example, 1 hour, but is not particularly limited.

[0054] After the processes of steps S12 to S15 are repeated several times, the management unit 65 detects a light source unit 21 whose remaining value of the carbon dioxide emission quota has reached 0 based on the emission right management information (S16). The first control unit 66 transmits a stop-use command for controlling the detected light source unit 21 with a remaining value of 0 to a non-usable state to the lighting controller 30 using the communication unit 61 (S17). The stop-use command includes the identification information of the detected light source unit 21.

[0055] The first communication unit 31 of the lighting controller 30 receives the stop-use command. The second control unit 36 determines whether the identification information of the light source unit 21 to be stopped from use is included in the second registration information based on the received stop-use command. When the second control unit 36 determines that the identification information of the light source unit 21 to be stopped from use is included in the second registration information, the second control unit 36 turns off the lighting fixture 20 to which the light source unit 21 is attached (hereinafter, also referred to as the target lighting fixture 20) (S18). Specifically, the second control unit 36 transmits a control signal for turning off the target lighting fixture 20 to the target lighting fixture 20 using the second communication unit 32.

[0056] In addition, the second control unit 36 invalidates the lighting instruction to the target lighting fixture 20 (S19). Specifically, even if the user performs an operation of instructing the lighting of the target lighting fixture 20 on the UI unit 35, the second control unit 36 does not transmit a control signal for lighting the target lighting fixture 20 to the target lighting fixture 20.

[0057] Thus, according to the emission right management system 10, the light source unit 21 can be used until the remaining value of the emission quota becomes 0, but when the remaining value of the emission quota becomes 0, it becomes unusable despite having no hardware problems (not malfunctioning). In other words, according to the emission right management system 10, the light source unit 21 can be lit until the remaining value of the emission quota becomes 0, but when the remaining value of the emission quota becomes 0, it cannot be lit. According to the emission right management system 10, an operator who manufactures and sells the light source unit 21 can manage the amount of carbon dioxide emissions caused by the use of the light source unit 21.

[0058] [Operation Example 2] In Operation Example 1, the power consumption of the light source body 21 was measured by the power measurement device 50, but it may also be measured by the lighting fixture 20. Hereinafter, Operation Example 2 of such an emission right management system 10 will be described. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of Operation Example 2 of the emission right management system 10.

[0059] First, when the user purchases the light source body 21, the user registers the identification information of the light source body 21 and the identification information of the lighting fixture 20 (apparatus main body) to which the light source body 21 is attached in association with each other in the lighting controller 30. As a result, second registration information (see FIG. 5) is stored in the storage unit 34 (S20). Since the process of step S20 is the same as that of step S11 in Operation Example 1, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0060] Next, the lighting fixture 20 measures the power consumption of the lighting fixture 20 and transmits power consumption information indicating the measured power consumption to the lighting controller 30 (S21). For example, in DALI (registered trademark), which is an international standard for lighting control, a method for measuring the power consumption in the lighting fixture 20 is defined (see DiiA Specification, DALI Part 252 - Energy Reporting), and the lighting fixture 20 can measure the power consumption according to such a standard, for example. The power consumption information includes the identification information of the lighting fixture 20.

[0061] The second communication unit 32 of the lighting controller 30 receives power consumption information. The information processing unit 33 replaces the identification information of the lighting fixture 20 included in the power consumption information with the identification information of the light source body 21 based on the second registration information (S22), and transmits it to the server device 60 using the first communication unit 31 (S23). It can be said that the power consumption information transmitted to the server device 60 in step S23 is information indicating the power consumption of the light source body 21, including the identification information of the light source body 21 as specific information. When a plurality of light source bodies 21 are attached to one lighting fixture 20, the power consumption information transmitted to the server device 60 in step S23 includes the identification information of the plurality of light source bodies 21.

[0062] The communication unit 61 of the server device 60 receives the power consumption information, and the acquisition unit 64 acquires the power consumption information received by the communication unit 61 (S24). The management unit 65 subtracts the power consumption indicated by the power consumption information acquired in step S24 from the remaining value of the carbon dioxide emission quota associated with the identification information included in the power consumption information in the emission right management information (S25). For example, when the power consumption indicated by the power consumption information is P and the identification information of ID00001 is included in the power consumption information, the management unit 65 subtracts P / 5 from the remaining value (power consumption) of the emission quota of the light source body 21 with ID00001 in the emission right management information.

[0063] When the power consumption information acquired in step S24 includes the identification information of a plurality of light source bodies 21 (that is, when a plurality of light source bodies 21 are attached to one lighting fixture 20), a process of calculating the power consumption per unit is performed in step S25. For example, when the power consumption indicated by the power consumption information is P and the power consumption information includes the two pieces of identification information of ID00001 and ID00002, the management unit 65 subtracts P / 2 from the remaining values (power consumption) of the emission quotas of the two light source bodies 21 with ID00001 and ID00002 in the emission right management information.

[0064] The processes of step S21 to step S25 are repeated at a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval is, for example, one hour, but is not particularly limited.

[0065] After the processes of step S21 to step S25 are repeated several times, the management unit 65 detects the light source 21 whose remaining value of the carbon dioxide emission quota has reached 0 based on the emission right management information (S26). Since the processes of subsequent step S26 to step S29 are the same as those of step S16 to step S19 in operation example 1, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0066] Thus, according to the emission right management system 10, the light source 21 can be used (lit) until the remaining value of the emission quota becomes 0, but when the remaining value of the emission quota becomes 0, it cannot be used (cannot be lit) even though there is no problem (no failure) as hardware. Thus, the emission right management system 10 can manage the amount of carbon dioxide emissions caused by the use of the light source 21.

[0067] [Modification example of operation example 2] In operation example 2, the replacement process of the identification information (the process of step S22) is performed in the lighting controller 30, but it may be performed in the server device 60. For example, if the second registration information is stored in advance in the storage unit 63 of the server device 60, the management unit 65 of the server device 60 can perform the replacement process of the identification information instead of the lighting controller 30. In this case, the identification information of the lighting fixture 20 included in the power consumption information transmitted by the lighting fixture 20 functions as specific information for specifying the light source 21.

[0068] Also, in this case, since the power consumption information transmitted by the lighting fixture 20 does not need to pass through the lighting controller 30, the lighting fixture 20 may be connected to the wide area communication network 80 without passing through the lighting controller 30 and transmit the power consumption information to the server device 60.

[0069] Also, when the lighting fixture 20 can directly obtain the identification information of the light source body 21 attached to the lighting fixture 20, the lighting fixture 20 can transmit power consumption information including the identification information of the light source body 21. For example, if the light source body 21 is provided with an RFID tag on which the identification information of the light source body 21 is recorded, and the lighting fixture 20 is equipped with an RFID tag reader, the lighting fixture 20 can obtain the identification information of the light source body 21 from the RFID tag when the light source body 21 is attached.

[0070] In this case, the replacement process of the identification information is not required in either the lighting controller 30 or the server device 60, and the pre-registration of the second registration information is also not required.

[0071] [Operation Example 3: Operation to Compensate for the Brightness of the Space] By the way, in an office, the required illuminance in the space within the facility 100 may be defined, such as the illuminance at hand needs to be 500 lux or more and the illuminance at the feet needs to be 300 lux or more. When the use of the light source body 21 with no remaining salvage value of the discharge frame is stopped as in Operation Example 1 and Operation Example 2, the space illuminated by the light source body 21 may have insufficient illuminance.

[0072] Therefore, when the use of the light source body 21 is stopped, the discharge right management system 10 may perform an operation to compensate for the brightness of the space. In order to perform the operation to compensate for the brightness of the space, in addition to the second registration information, arrangement information indicating the arrangement of a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 is stored in the storage unit 34 of the lighting controller 30. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement information.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 7, in the arrangement information, the identification information of the lighting fixture 20, the space in which the lighting fixture 20 is arranged, and the two-dimensional coordinates of the lighting fixture 20 are associated with each other. The space here means, for example, a closed space. When the facility 100 is a house, each of the living room, bedroom, bathroom, etc. corresponds to a space. The arrangement information is stored in the storage unit 34 of the lighting controller 30, for example, by manual operation on the UI unit 35 during the installation of a plurality of lighting fixtures 20 (fixture bodies) and the lighting controller 30. Since the identification information of the lighting fixture 20 in the arrangement information can be replaced with the identification information of the light source body 21 based on the second registration information, it can be said that the arrangement information is information indicating the arrangement of a plurality of light source bodies 21.

[0074] Hereinafter, the operation (operation example 3) of supplementing the brightness of the space using such arrangement information will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of operation example 3 of the emission right management system 10.

[0075] The first communication unit 31 of the lighting controller 30 receives a use stop command from the server device 60 as described in operation example 1 or operation example 2 (S30), and the second control unit 36 turns off the target lighting fixture 20 based on the received use stop command (S31). Further, the second control unit 36 invalidates the lighting instruction to the target lighting fixture 20 (S32).

[0076] Next, the second control unit 36 selects n (n is a natural number) lighting fixtures 20 in order from those arranged in the same space as the target lighting fixture 20 and having a close coordinate (distance) to the target lighting fixture 20 based on the arrangement information stored in the storage unit 34 (S33). n is determined in advance empirically or experimentally by the designer or the like of the emission right management system 10. In the selection of the lighting fixture 20 in step S33, the lighting fixture 20 that is in a non-lighting state based on the use stop command is excluded. Also, in the selection of the lighting fixture 20 in step S33, the requirement of belonging to the same space is not essential, and more simply, n lighting fixtures 20 may be selected in order from those having a close coordinate to the target lighting fixture 20.

[0077] Next, the second control unit 36 increases the brightness of the n selected lighting fixtures 20 during lighting before the target lighting fixture 20 becomes unusable (S34). In other words, when the target light source body 21 attached to the target lighting fixture 20 is controlled to an unusable state based on the arrangement information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of light source bodies 21, the second control unit 36 increases the brightness of the other light source bodies 21 located around the target light source body 21. Specifically, the second control unit 36 can increase the brightness of the n selected lighting fixtures 20 by transmitting a control signal to the n selected lighting fixtures 20 using the second communication unit 32. The degree of brightness increase is determined in advance empirically or experimentally by the designers of the emission right management system 10 or the like.

[0078] As described above, when the use of the light source body 21 is stopped, the emission right management system 10 can perform an operation to supplement the brightness of the space.

[0079] [Grouping of Light Source Bodies] The emission right management information may include group identification information indicating the group to which each of the plurality of light source bodies 21 belongs. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the emission right management information including the group identification information. The group identification information is given to the emission right management information, for example, by a manual operation of the user on the UI unit 71 of the information terminal 70. For example, the user gives group identification information so that the light source bodies 21 located in the same space belong to the same group.

[0080] When the group identification information is included in the emission right management information in this way, the first control unit 66 controls the light source bodies 21 belonging to the same group to an unusable state based on the total remaining value of the emission quotas of the light source bodies belonging to the same group.

[0081] For example, according to the emission right management information in FIG. 9, the light source body 21 with ID00001 and the light source body 21 with ID00002 belong to the same group. When the remaining value of the emission frame of the light source body 21 with ID00001 becomes zero, if the remaining value of the light source body 21 with ID00002 remains, the first control unit 66 does not perform control to make the light source body 21 with ID00001 unusable. That is, the user can use the two light source bodies 21 until the total P1 + P2 of the remaining values of the emission frames of the two light source bodies 21 reaches zero. As described above, if group identification information is given so that the light source bodies 21 located in the same space belong to the same group, it is less likely to occur that only a part of the light source bodies 21 located in the same space becomes unusable.

[0082] By the way, when the total P1 + P2 of the remaining values of the emission frames of the two light source bodies 21 approaches zero, the remaining value of the emission frame may be in a situation where only one light source body 21 can be used but two cannot. For example, when the management unit 65 (or the first control unit 66) determines whether the light source body 21 should be stopped in units of one hour, as a result of the determination, in the next hour, it may be in a situation where only one light source body 21 can be used but two cannot.

[0083] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, a priority order may be defined for the light source bodies 21 belonging to the same group. The priority order is given to the emission right management information, for example, by a manual operation of the user on the UI unit 71 of the information terminal 70.

[0084] When the total of the remaining values of the emission frames of the light source bodies 21 belonging to the same group approaches zero, the first control unit 66 controls the light source bodies 21 belonging to the same group to be in an unusable state in the order based on the priority order. Specifically, the first control unit 66 controls the light source bodies 21 belonging to the same group to be in an unusable state in order from the light source body 21 with a lower priority.

[0085] In this way, the emission right management system 10 can also manage the remaining value of the emission frame in units of groups.

[0086] [Operation Example 4: Transfer Operation of Discharge Frame] When the user replaces the old light source body 21 that has been purchased with a new light source body 21, there is room for consideration as to how to handle the residual value of the discharge frame of the old light source body 21. The discharge right management system 10 may perform an operation of transferring the residual value of the discharge frame of the existing light source body 21 to the new light source body 21, for example. Hereinafter, such a transfer operation of the residual value of the discharge frame (operation example 4) will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of operation example 4 of the discharge right management system 10.

[0087] When the user executes a browser or a predetermined application program on the information terminal 70, a display screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the UI unit 71 (S40). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for accepting a transfer operation of a discharge frame.

[0088] When the display screen of FIG. 11 is displayed, the user performs a transfer operation for instructing the transfer of the residual value of the discharge frame. The UI unit 71 of the information terminal 70 accepts such a transfer operation (S41). The transfer operation includes an input operation of the identification information of the old light source body 21 (an example of the first light source body) and an input operation of the identification information of the new light source body 21 (an example of the second light source body).

[0089] When the transfer operation is accepted by the UI unit 71, the information terminal 70 transmits a transfer request to the server device 60 (S42). The transfer request includes the identification information of the old light source body 21 and the identification information of the new light source body 21.

[0090] The communication unit 61 of the server device 60 receives a transfer request. The acquisition unit 64 acquires the transfer request (S43). The management unit 65 transfers the residual value of the discharge quota based on the acquired transfer request (S44). For example, if the residual value of the new light source body 21 is P1 and the residual value of the old light source body 21 is P2, the management unit 65 subtracts P2 from 0 for the residual value associated with the identification information of the old light source body 21 in the discharge right management information, and adds P2 to the residual value P1 associated with the identification information of the new light source body 21 in the discharge right management information. Thereby, the residual value of the discharge quota of the old light source body 21 is transferred to the new light source body 21.

[0091] In this way, the discharge right management system 10 can transfer the residual value of the discharge quota from the old light source body 21 to the new light source body 21.

[0092] Note that the user may obtain a consideration from the operator by returning the residual value of the discharge quota of the old light source body 21 that is no longer used to the operator who manufactures and sells the light source body 21. That is, the user may sell the residual value of the discharge quota to the operator. The user may obtain money corresponding to the residual value of the discharge quota from the operator, or the price of the new light source body 21 may be discounted by an amount corresponding to the residual value of the discharge quota of the old light source body 21 when purchasing a new light source body 21. The return of the residual value of the discharge quota of the old light source body 21 is realized, for example, by causing the information terminal 70 to execute a browser or a predetermined application program in the same manner as the above transfer operation, but may also be realized by returning (recycling) the actual old light source body 21 to the operator.

[0093] Since the operator who manufactures and sells the light source body 21 conducts business activities within the range of the discharge quota allocated to the operator, the operator can expand business activities by purchasing the discharge quota from the user.

[0094] [Modification Example 1] The emission right management information described in the above embodiment may be visualized on a display device (not shown) connected to the server device 60. The information processing unit 62 can visualize the emission right management information by outputting image information for displaying the emission right management information to the display device.

[0095] Further, the information processing unit 62 can calculate how much carbon dioxide is emitted by (a large number of) light source bodies 21 after sales by aggregating the initial emission limit and the residual value of the emission limit based on the emission right management information. When visualizing the emission right management information, the information processing unit 62 can visualize how much carbon dioxide is emitted by (a large number of) light source bodies 21 after sales by outputting image information including this calculation result to the display device.

[0096] Also, the information processing unit 62 can generate the above calculation result as a report (electronic file). Such a report is useful when a business operator who manufactures and sells the light source body 21 reports the situation of the carbon dioxide emission amount to a country or the like.

[0097] [Modification Example 2] In the above embodiment, the residual value of the emission limit expressed in power consumption in the emission right management information of FIG. 2 (the column in (b) of FIG. 2) was provided in advance. That is, the carbon dioxide emission amount corresponding to the emission limit was converted into power consumption in advance.

[0098] Here, when converting the carbon dioxide emission amount into power consumption, a predetermined calculation formula is used, and this calculation formula varies depending on the region to which the facility 100 belongs. This is because the power companies that supply power vary by region, and the breakdown of the power generation methods (such as thermal power generation or nuclear power generation) adopted by the power companies is different, so the relationship between power consumption and carbon dioxide emission amount varies by region.

[0099] Therefore, the management unit 65 of the server device 60 may convert the carbon dioxide emission amount into the power consumption amount in consideration of the region to which the facility 100 belongs. For example, in operation example 1, when the first registration information is stored in the storage unit 63, region information indicating the region to which the facility 100 belongs is transmitted from the information terminal 70 to the server device 60 based on a user operation. Alternatively, when the power measurement device 50 is installed in the facility 100, the region information is set in the power measurement device 50, and when the power measurement device 50 first transmits the power consumption information, the region information is transmitted to the server device 60 in addition to the power consumption information.

[0100] The acquisition unit 64 acquires the region information together with the power consumption information, and the management unit 65 selects a calculation formula according to the acquired region information, and converts the carbon dioxide emission amount into the power consumption amount using the selected calculation formula.

[0101] In this case, the remaining value of the emission limit expressed in power consumption (the column in (b) of FIG. 2) is not included in the emission right management information from the beginning, but is added to the emission right management information when the first registration information is stored in the storage unit 63, or when the server device 60 first receives the power consumption information. Thereby, the emission right management system 10 can manage the carbon dioxide emission amount more accurately in consideration of the region to which the facility 100 belongs.

[0102] Also, in operation example 2, when the lighting controller 30 is installed in the facility 100, or when the second registration information is stored in the storage unit 34, the region information is set in the lighting controller 30, and the first communication unit 31 of the lighting controller 30 transmits the region information to the server device 60 in addition to the power consumption information when first transmitting the power consumption information. The acquisition unit 64 acquires the region information together with the power consumption information, and the management unit 65 selects a calculation formula according to the acquired region information, and converts the carbon dioxide emission amount into the power consumption amount using the selected calculation formula.

[0103] In this case, the residual value of the emission quota expressed in terms of power consumption (the column in (b) of FIG. 2) is added to the emission right management information when the server device 60 first receives the power consumption information. As a result, the emission right management system 10 can manage the carbon dioxide emission amount more accurately in consideration of the region to which the facility 100 belongs.

[0104] [Modification Example 3] In the above embodiment, the management unit 65 manages the carbon dioxide emission amount by subtracting the power consumption indicated by the power consumption information acquired by the acquisition unit 64 from the residual value of the emission quota expressed in terms of power consumption (the column in (b) of FIG. 2). However, the management unit 65 may convert the power consumption indicated by the power consumption information into the carbon dioxide emission amount and subtract it from the residual value of the emission quota expressed in terms of the emission amount (the column in (a) of FIG. 2).

[0105] Here, when converting the power consumption into the carbon dioxide emission amount, a predetermined calculation formula is used. However, this calculation formula varies depending on the region to which the facility 100 belongs for the reason described in Modification Example 2. Therefore, when converting the power consumption into the carbon dioxide emission amount as well, similar to Modification Example 2, the acquisition unit 64 may acquire region information indicating the region to which the facility 100 belongs together with the power consumption information, and the management unit 65 may select a calculation formula according to the acquired region information.

[0106] [Effects, etc.] As described above, the emission right management system 10 includes a storage unit 63 in which emission right management information indicating the relationship between the identification information of a plurality of light source bodies 21 for lighting and the residual value of the carbon dioxide emission quota allocated to each of the plurality of light source bodies 21 is stored, an acquisition unit 64 that acquires power consumption information indicating the power consumption of the target light source body 21 and including specific information for specifying the identification information of the target light source body 21, and a management unit 65 that reduces the residual value associated with the identification information of the target light source body 21 in the emission right management information based on the acquired power consumption information. Carbon dioxide is an example of a greenhouse gas.

[0107] Such an emission right management system 10 can manage the carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the use of the light source body 21 for lighting.

[0108] In addition, the acquisition unit 64 further acquires a transfer request for transferring the residual value of the emission quota between the first light source body and the second light source body included in the plurality of light source bodies 21. Based on the acquired transfer request, the management unit 65 adds the residual value associated with the identification information of the first light source body in the emission right management information to the residual value associated with the identification information of the second light source body in the emission right management information.

[0109] Such an emission right management system 10 can transfer the residual value of the emission quota.

[0110] Also, for example, the emission right management system 10 further includes a first control unit 66 that controls the target light source body 21 to a state where it cannot be used when the residual value associated with the identification information of the target light source body 21 in the emission right management information disappears.

[0111] Such an emission right management system 10 can suppress an increase in carbon dioxide emissions by controlling the light source body 21 with no remaining residual value of the emission quota to a state where it cannot be used.

[0112] Also, for example, the emission right management system 10 further includes a second control unit 36 that increases the brightness of other light source bodies 21 located around the target light source body 21 when the target light source body 21 is controlled to a state where it cannot be used based on the arrangement information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of light source bodies 21.

[0113] Such an emission right management system 10 can compensate for the reduced illuminance caused by controlling the target light source body 21 to a state where it cannot be used by making other light source bodies 21 emit light more brightly.

[0114] Further, for example, the emission right management information includes group identification information indicating the group to which each of the plurality of light source bodies 21 belongs. The first control unit 66 controls the light source bodies 21 belonging to the same group to be in a state where they cannot be used based on the total remaining value of the emission quotas of the light source bodies 21 belonging to the same group.

[0115] Such an emission right management system 10 can manage the remaining value of the emission quota in units of groups.

[0116] Further, for example, priorities are determined for the light source bodies 21 belonging to the same group. When the total remaining value of the emission quotas of the light source bodies belonging to the same group approaches 0, the first control unit 66 controls the light source bodies belonging to the same group to be in a state where they cannot be used in the order based on the priorities.

[0117] Such an emission right management system 10 can control the light source bodies 21 belonging to the same group to be in a state where they cannot be used based on a predetermined priority.

[0118] An emission right management method executed by a computer capable of accessing a storage device (storage unit 63) that stores emission right management information indicating the relationship between the identification information of a plurality of light source bodies 21 for lighting and the remaining value of the carbon dioxide emission quota assigned to each of the plurality of light source bodies 21 includes an acquisition step of acquiring power consumption information indicating the power consumption amount of the target light source body 21 and including specific information for specifying the identification information of the target light source body 21, and a management step of reducing the remaining value associated with the identification information of the target light source body 21 in the emission right management information based on the acquired power consumption information.

[0119] Such an emission right management method can manage the amount of carbon dioxide emissions caused by the use of the light source body 21 for lighting.

[0120] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0121] For example, in the above embodiment, the emission amount of greenhouse gases due to the use of the light source body is managed, but the emission amount of greenhouse gases due to the use of electrical equipment other than the light source body may also be managed. That is, the emission right management system may manage the emission amount (emission quota) allocated to electrical equipment other than the light source body.

[0122] Also, in the above embodiment, the emission right management system is realized by a plurality of devices, but it may also be realized as a single device. For example, the emission right management system may be realized as a single device corresponding to a server device. When the emission right management system is realized by a plurality of devices, the components included in the emission right management system may be distributed among the plurality of devices in any manner. For example, in the above embodiment, part or all of the processing described as being performed by one of the lighting controller and the server device may be performed by the other of the lighting controller and the server device.

[0123] Also, the communication method between the devices in the above embodiment is not particularly limited. For example, in the above embodiment, the power measurement device transmits the measured value of the power consumption to the server device through a wide area communication network, but it may also transmit it to the lighting controller through a local communication network. In this case, the measured value of the power consumption is transmitted to the server device through the wide area communication network by the lighting controller. Also, in the communication between devices, a relay device (for example, a wireless router, etc.) not shown may be interposed.

[0124] Also, in the above embodiment, the processing executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Also, the order of a plurality of processes may be changed, or a plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

[0125] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0126] Alternatively, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or an integrated circuit). These circuits may constitute one circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits respectively. Further, these circuits may be general-purpose circuits or dedicated circuits respectively.

[0127] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized by a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Also, they may be realized by any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0128] For example, the present invention may be realized as an illumination controller or a server device. The present invention may be realized as an emission right management method executed by a computer such as an emission right management system. The present invention may be realized as a program (that is, a computer program product) for causing a computer to execute such an emission right management method. Also, the present invention may be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0129] In addition, forms obtained by applying various modifications conceivable by those skilled in the art to each embodiment, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0130] 10 Emission right management system 21 Light source body 36 Second control unit 63 Memory unit 64 Acquisition unit 65 Management unit 66 First control unit

Claims

1. A storage unit storing emission right management information indicating the relationship between the identification information of a plurality of electrical devices and the remaining value of the emission quota of greenhouse gases assigned to each of the plurality of electrical devices; An acquisition unit that acquires power consumption information indicating the power consumption of a target electrical device and including specific information for specifying the identification information of the target electrical device, and region information indicating a power company that supplies power to the plurality of electrical devices; A management unit that reduces the remaining value associated with the identification information of the target electrical device in the emission right management information based on the acquired power consumption information and the region information. An emission right management system.

2. The management unit: selects a calculation formula according to the acquired region information, and converts the remaining value of the emission quota in the emission right management information from the greenhouse gas emission amount to the power consumption using the selected calculation formula. The emission right management system according to Claim 1.

3. The management unit: selects a calculation formula according to the acquired region information, and when reducing the remaining value associated with the identification information of the target electrical device in the emission right management information, converts the power consumption indicated by the acquired power consumption information to the greenhouse gas emission amount using the selected calculation formula. The emission right management system according to Claim 1.

4. The acquisition unit further acquires a transfer request for transferring the remaining value of the emission quota between a first electrical device and a second electrical device included in the plurality of electrical devices, and the management unit adds the remaining value associated with the identification information of the first electrical device in the emission right management information to the remaining value associated with the identification information of the second electrical device in the emission right management information based on the acquired transfer request. The emission right management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. Further comprising a first control unit that controls the target electrical device to a non-usable state when the remaining value associated with the identification information of the target electrical device in the emission right management information becomes zero. The emission right management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. Each of the plurality of electrical devices is a light source for lighting, and further comprises a second control unit that increases the brightness of other electrical devices located around the target electrical device when the target electrical device is controlled to a non-usable state based on the arrangement information indicating the arrangement of the plurality of electrical devices. The emission right management system according to claim 5.

7. The emission right management information includes group identification information indicating the group to which each of the plurality of electrical devices belongs. The emission right management system further includes a first control unit that controls the electrical devices belonging to the same group to a state where they cannot be used, based on the total remaining value of the emission quotas of the electrical devices belonging to the same group. The emission right management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. Priorities are defined for the electrical devices belonging to the same group. When the total remaining value of the emission quotas of the electrical devices belonging to the same group approaches 0, the first control unit controls the electrical devices belonging to the same group to a state where they cannot be used, in the order based on the priorities. The emission right management system according to claim 7.

9. An emission right management method executed by a computer capable of accessing a storage device storing emission right management information indicating the relationship between the identification information of a plurality of electrical devices and the remaining value of the emission quota of greenhouse gas assigned to each of the plurality of electrical devices, an acquisition step of acquiring power consumption information indicating the power consumption of a target electrical device and including specific information for specifying the identification information of the target electrical device, and regional information indicating the power company supplying power to the plurality of electrical devices; and a management step of reducing the remaining value associated with the identification information of the target electrical device in the emission right management information, based on the acquired power consumption information and the regional information. Emission right management method.

10. A program for causing a computer to execute the emission right management method according to claim 9.

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