Environmental load calculation device, computer program, and environmental load calculation method

Abstract

To provide an environmental load calculation device, a computer program, and an environmental load calculation method capable of calculating an environmental load in consideration of a life of a storage battery.SOLUTION: An environmental load calculation device includes a control unit, and the control unit acquires usage rate of a recycled material of an active material of a positive electrode or a negative electrode of a storage battery used for an object, estimates a life of the storage battery used for the object based on related information in which the acquired usage rate and the life of the storage battery are associated with each other, and calculates an environmental load of the object in a life period of the storage battery based on the estimated life and a first environmental load coefficient indicating a carbon dioxide emission amount per a predetermined unit of the storage battery.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental load calculation device, a computer program, and an environmental load calculation method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, storage batteries typified by lithium-ion batteries have been mounted in various products such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), electric vehicles (EVs), power supply equipment, notebook computers, smartphones, and home appliances. In particular, due to the expected increase in electric vehicles in the future, the demand for storage batteries is expected to further increase.

[0003] In a situation where the demand for storage batteries increases, it is expected that the recycling of storage batteries will also be promoted. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for recovering a positive electrode material containing a large amount of valuable metal materials such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium from a discarded lithium-ion battery.

[0004] On the other hand, there is an urgent need to respond to the battery recycling regulations of the European Union. The battery recycling regulations target lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and obligate the disclosure of the usage amount of recycled materials such as cobalt, nickel, and lithium and the use of recycled materials.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, conventionally, the life of a storage battery using recycled materials and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated throughout the life of the storage battery have not been considered. Therefore, it is required to determine how to calculate the environmental load in consideration of the life of the storage battery.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides an environmental load calculation device, a computer program, and an environmental load calculation method capable of calculating an environmental load in consideration of the life of a storage battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The environmental load calculation device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a control unit. The control unit acquires the usage rate of the recycling material of the active material of the positive electrode or the negative electrode of the storage battery used for the object, and based on the correlation information associating the acquired usage rate with the life of the storage battery, estimates the life of the storage battery used for the object, and calculates the environmental load of the object during the life period of the storage battery based on the estimated life and a first environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per predetermined unit of the storage battery.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] According to the environmental load calculation device of the above aspect, it is possible to calculate an environmental load amount in consideration of the life of the storage battery.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] (1) The environmental load calculation device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit, and the control unit acquires the usage rate of the recycled material of the positive or negative electrode active material of the storage battery used for the object, and based on the related information associating the acquired usage rate with the life of the storage battery, estimates the life of the storage battery used for the object, and based on the estimated life and the first environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emissions per predetermined unit of the storage battery, calculates the environmental load of the object during the life period of the storage battery.

[0012] (11) A computer program according to an embodiment of the present invention causes a computer to execute a process of acquiring the usage rate of the recycled material of the positive or negative electrode active material of the storage battery used for the object, estimating the life of the storage battery used for the object based on the related information associating the acquired usage rate with the life of the storage battery, and calculating the environmental load of the object during the life period of the storage battery based on the estimated life and the first environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emissions per predetermined unit of the storage battery.

[0013] (12) The environmental load calculation method according to an embodiment of the present invention acquires the utilization rate of a recycling material of an active material of a positive electrode or a negative electrode of a storage battery used for an object, and based on related information associating the acquired utilization rate with the life of the storage battery, estimates the life of the storage battery used for the object, and calculates the environmental load of the object during the life period of the storage battery based on the estimated life and a first environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per predetermined unit of the storage battery.

[0014] According to the environmental load calculation device, computer program, and environmental load calculation method according to an embodiment of the present invention, based on the utilization rate of a recycling material of an active material of a positive electrode or a negative electrode of a storage battery used for an object and related information associating the utilization rate of the recycling material with the life of the storage battery, the life of the storage battery used for the object is estimated. Next, based on a first environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per predetermined unit of the storage battery and the estimated life of the storage battery, the environmental load of the object during the life period of the storage battery is calculated. Here, the carbon dioxide emission amount per predetermined unit of the storage battery is the amount of carbon dioxide emitted in association with the generation of electric power supplied to charge the storage battery per predetermined unit. The predetermined unit may be any unit related to the life of the storage battery, and includes, for example, time (operating time), distance (travel distance), and the like. For the calculation of this carbon dioxide amount, for example, the carbon dioxide emission coefficient of electric power (such as kg-CO2 / kWh or t-CO2 / kWh) and the amount of electric power charged to the storage battery per unit time or per unit travel distance can be used. It is preferable to use the emission coefficient published by the country for each electric utility or the carbon dioxide emission coefficient published by the electric utility supplying the electric power. The object may be anything that uses a storage battery, and includes, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), an electric vehicle (EV), a power supply device using a stationary storage battery, and the like. The environmental load is typified by the carbon dioxide emission amount. Thereby, the environmental load considering the life of the storage battery can be calculated.

[0015] (2) In the environmental load calculation device according to (1) above, the control unit calculates the environmental load of the object based on the acquired usage rate and the relevant information for each use of the storage battery.

[0016] According to the environmental load calculation device of (2) above, the environmental load of the object can be calculated for each use of the storage battery. The uses may be classified, for example, as for EVs, for HEVs, and for stationary use, or as for automotive use and for stationary use. Thereby, the environmental load of the storage battery can be further classified by use and calculated in detail.

[0017] (3) In the environmental load calculation device according to (1) or (2) above, the control unit calculates the environmental load of the object based on the estimated life, and the first environmental load coefficient for each use of the storage battery, for each product in the use of the storage battery, and for each region where the storage battery is used.

[0018] According to the environmental load calculation device of (3) above, by using the first environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per operating hour of the storage battery, which is classified by each use of the storage battery, by each product in the use of the storage battery, and by each region where the storage battery is used, the amount of carbon dioxide emitted until the storage battery reaches the end of its life can be calculated separately by use, by product, and by region. Products include, for example, vehicle types and models of HEVs and EVs, type numbers and models for each use of stationary storage batteries, etc. Regions include, for example, countries, etc.

[0019] (4) In the environmental load calculation device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the control unit acquires the total weight of the active material contained in the storage battery used for the object, and calculates the environmental load of the object based on the acquired total weight and the second environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per unit weight of the active material.

[0020] According to the environmental load calculation device in (4) above, the environmental load of the object can be calculated based on the total weight of the active material contained in the storage battery used for the object and the second environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission per unit weight of the active material. By adding the calculated environmental load, the environmental load based on the manufacture of the recycling material can be considered. Here, the carbon dioxide emission per unit weight of the active material is the amount of carbon dioxide generated in the process of manufacturing the active material per unit weight, and it is preferable to use the carbon dioxide emission (such as kg-CO2 / kg or t-CO2 / kg) announced by the active material supplier.

[0021] (5) In the environmental load calculation device according to any one of (1) to (4) above, the control unit acquires the battery capacity of the storage battery used for the object, and calculates the environmental load of the object based on the acquired battery capacity and the third environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission per battery capacity.

[0022] According to the environmental load calculation device in (5) above, the environmental load of the object can be calculated based on the battery capacity of the storage battery used for the object and the third environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission per battery capacity. The battery capacity is, for example, the number of storage batteries, but it may also be the weight of the storage battery. Also, when the sizes of the storage batteries are different, the number of storage batteries can be standardized. For a large-sized storage battery, the number per unit (standard number) can be set to a value greater than 1 according to the size, and conversely, for a small-sized storage battery, the number per unit (standard number) can be set to a value less than 1 according to the size. By adding the calculated environmental load, the environmental load based on the manufacture of the storage battery can be considered.

[0023] (6) In the environmental load calculation device according to any one of (1) to (5) above, the control unit acquires the battery capacity of the storage battery used for the object, and based on the acquired battery capacity and a fourth environmental load coefficient indicating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per battery capacity required for discarding or recycling the storage battery, calculates the environmental load of the object. Here, "required for recycling" includes the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in at least one of the processes of the storage battery collection process, the disassembly process of the collected storage battery, the extraction process of necessary components from the disassembled storage battery, and the manufacturing process of new materials using those components.

[0024] According to the environmental load calculation device of (6) above, the environmental load of the object can be calculated based on the battery capacity of the storage battery used for the object and a fourth environmental load coefficient indicating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per battery capacity required for discarding or recycling the storage battery. The battery capacity may be, for example, the number of storage batteries, but may also be the weight of the storage battery. By adding the calculated environmental load, the environmental load based on the collection of the storage battery, etc., can be considered.

[0025] (7) In the environmental load calculation device according to any one of (1) to (6) above, when the object is a vehicle using gasoline, the control unit acquires the driving distance of the object and the battery capacity of the storage battery mounted on the object, and based on the acquired battery capacity, as well as a fifth environmental load coefficient indicating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per driving distance and battery capacity, calculates the environmental load of the object.

[0026] According to the environmental load calculation device of (7) above, in the case where the object is a vehicle using gasoline (for example, HEV or PHEV), based on the driving distance of the object, the battery capacity of the battery mounted on the object, and the fifth environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per driving distance and battery capacity, the environmental load of the object can be calculated. By adding the calculated environmental load, the environmental load based on the driving distance of the automobile can be considered. Here, the carbon dioxide emission amount per battery capacity is calculated using the fuel consumption (km / liter) announced by the vehicle manufacturer and the carbon dioxide emission amount per unit of gasoline used as fuel by the vehicle announced by the country or the like (kg-CO2 / liter, etc.), or it is preferable to use the carbon dioxide emission amount per unit driving distance (kg-CO2 / km (driving distance), etc.) announced by the vehicle manufacturer.

[0027] (8) In the environmental load calculation device according to any one of (1) to (7) above, the control unit determines the usage rate of the recycled material based on the environmental load of the object during the calculated life period of the battery.

[0028] According to the environmental load calculation device of (8) above, the relationship between the usage rate of the recycled material (recycling rate) and the cumulative carbon dioxide emission amount during the life period of the battery becomes clear. Generally, as the recycling rate increases, the life of the battery becomes shorter, and conversely, as the recycling rate decreases, the life becomes longer. Thereby, for example, when a short life can be tolerated, the usage rate of the recycled material can be determined by preferentially considering the environmental load. Also, when a long life is essential, the usage rate of the recycled material can be made as low as possible while considering the environmental load.

[0029] (9) In the environmental load calculation device according to any one of (1) to (8) above, the control unit generates a production plan for the battery based on the environmental load of the object during the calculated life period of the battery.

[0030] According to the environmental load calculation device (9) above, when the short life of the storage battery can be tolerated, for example, a production plan can be generated to reduce the production volume of storage batteries with a recycling material usage rate of 0 and increase the production volume of storage batteries with a high recycling material usage rate. Conversely, when a long life of the storage battery is essential, a production plan can be generated to increase the production volume of storage batteries with a recycling material usage rate of 0 and reduce the production volume of storage batteries with a high recycling material usage rate.

[0031] (10) In the environmental load calculation device according to any one of (1) to (9) above, the control unit generates a purchase plan for the active material to be used in the storage battery based on the calculated environmental load of the object during the life period of the storage battery.

[0032] According to the environmental load calculation device (10) above, when the short life of the storage battery can be tolerated, for example, a purchase plan can be generated to reduce the purchase volume of new active material and increase the purchase volume of recycled active material. Conversely, when a long life of the storage battery is essential, a purchase plan can be generated to increase the purchase volume of new active material and reduce the purchase volume of recycled active material.

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the environmental load calculation device, computer program, and environmental load calculation method will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an environmental load calculation system. The environmental load calculation system includes an environmental load calculation device 50 and a data server 100. The environmental load calculation device 50 is connected to the data server 100 and the terminal device 10 via a communication network 1. The terminal device 10 is a device used by a person in charge of managing and operating the environmental load calculation device 50. The data server 100 includes a related information DB 110 and an environmental load coefficient DB 120. Details of the related information DB 110 and the environmental load coefficient DB 120 will be described later. The terminal device 10 can be configured by a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

[0035] The environmental load calculation device 50 includes a control unit 51 that controls the entire device, a communication unit 52, a memory 53, a storage unit 54, a lifespan estimation unit 56, an environmental load calculation unit 57, a usage rate determination unit 58, a production planning unit 59, and a purchase planning unit 60. The environmental load calculation device 50 can be configured by a server, a computer, or the like. Further, the environmental load calculation device 50 may have a configuration in which functions are distributed among a plurality of computers.

[0036] The control unit 51 may be configured by incorporating a required number of CPUs (Central Processing Units), MPUs (Micro-Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), etc. Further, the control unit 51 may be configured by combining DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), etc.

[0037] The communication unit 52 includes a communication module and has a function of communicating with the data server 100 and the terminal device 10. The communication unit 52 can acquire required information such as the related information held in the related information DB 110 and the environmental load coefficient held in the environmental load coefficient DB 120 from the data server 100.

[0038] The storage unit 54 can be configured by, for example, a hard disk or a semiconductor memory, and stores a computer program 55 (program product) and required information.

[0039] The computer program 55 is a program that operates on the environmental load calculation device 50. It may be downloaded from an external device via the communication unit 52 and stored in the storage unit 54, or the computer program 55 recorded on a recording medium (for example, an optical readable disk storage medium such as a CD-ROM) may be read by the recording medium reading unit and stored in the storage unit 54. The computer program 55 can realize the functions of the life estimation unit 56, the environmental load calculation unit 57, the usage rate determination unit 58, the production planning unit 59, and the purchase planning unit 60. That is, only one of the functions of the life estimation unit 56, the environmental load calculation unit 57, the usage rate determination unit 58, the production planning unit 59, and the purchase planning unit 60 and the computer program 55 needs to be provided.

[0040] The memory 53 can be composed of a semiconductor memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), or flash memory. The computer program 55 can be expanded in the memory 53, and the control unit 51 can execute the computer program 55. The control unit 51 can execute the processing defined by the computer program 55. That is, the processing by the control unit 51 is also the processing by the computer program 55.

[0041] The control unit 51 acquires the usage rate of the recycling material of the active material of the positive or negative electrode of the storage battery used for the object. The acquisition source of the usage rate may be the data server 100 or the terminal device 10. By the person in charge inputting the usage rate of the recycling material of the active material of the positive or negative electrode of the storage battery into the terminal device 10, the control unit 51 can acquire the usage rate of the recycling material. The object may be anything as long as a storage battery is used, and includes, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), an electric vehicle (EV), a power supply device using a stationary storage battery, etc.

[0042] The life estimation unit 56 (hereinafter, it may also be the control unit 51) estimates the life of the storage battery used for the object based on the related information associating the acquired usage rate with the life of the storage battery.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of related information. In FIG. 2, the horizontal axis represents the utilization rate (%) of recycled materials, and the vertical axis represents the life (years) of a storage battery using recycled materials. The relationship between this utilization rate and life is affected not only by the recycling method, the type of active material (such as NCM and LFP), the supply manufacturer of recycled materials, and battery design, which will be described by way of example below, but also, even for the same application, by details of that application (for example, whether it is for stationary use or for home use, or for a medium-sized convenience store, etc.). Note that in this specification, a lithium-ion secondary battery will be described as an example of a storage battery, but the storage battery is not limited to a lithium-ion secondary battery. In FIG. 2, as the applications of the storage battery, it is classified into stationary (power supply equipment, etc.), HEV (hybrid vehicle), and EV (electric vehicle). In this case, stationary, HEV, and EV are also the objects. Note that in this specification, recycling includes recycling by the direct method or recycling by the wet method, or both recycling by the direct method and recycling by the wet method, or future (by future new technologies) recycling methods.

[0044] Figure 2A shows the relationship between the ratio (utilization rate) of the recycled material contained in the positive electrode active material and the life of the storage battery. The solid line indicates the case of recycled products by the wet method, and the dashed line indicates the case of recycled products by the direct method. In the case of Figure 2A, a new product is used for the negative electrode. The wet method is, for example, a method in which after firing the positive electrode of a lithium-ion secondary battery and then crushing it to obtain lumps or powder (black mass) of the positive electrode material, metals are extracted from the acidic solution and solvent, and then cobalt and nickel of interest are obtained by refining by electrolysis. After that, using them, again, after obtaining the positive electrode active material of the lithium-ion secondary battery, a binder and a conductive assistant are added to make a composite material, and then it is hot-pressed onto a substrate such as aluminum to make a positive electrode. The wet method has less contamination and the like mixed in compared to the direct method, so the life performance is high. However, since it is produced through complex processes, it is expensive. Due to contamination and the like, in some cases, the life performance is lower than when using a new positive electrode active material, and a large amount of energy is required during refining, so a large amount of carbon dioxide is emitted during production. For this reason, since the carbon dioxide emission amount during the production of lithium-ion secondary batteries may be larger than in the case of new products, it is preferable to use them in applications or regions where a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is expected due to the use of lithium-ion secondary batteries.

[0045] The direct method (direct cycle method) is a method in which a composite material layer containing the positive electrode active material is taken out from the positive electrode of a lithium-ion secondary battery, dissolved using ultrasonic waves or the like, and then, if necessary, a binder and a conductive assistant are added and hot-pressed onto a substrate such as aluminum again to make a positive electrode. The direct method can produce a positive electrode at a lower carbon dioxide emission amount and at a lower cost than the wet method in some cases. However, since it contains used active materials, binders, and conductive assistants, for example, in the case of applications where a large power supply load is expected, there is a concern that the life performance will be low. Therefore, it is preferably used in applications where a small load can be expected.

[0046] Figure 2B shows the relationship between the ratio (utilization rate) of the recycled material contained in the negative electrode active material and the life of the storage battery. In the case of Figure 2B, a new product is used for the positive electrode.

[0047] By using the related information shown in FIG. 2, if the utilization rate of the recycling material of the positive or negative electrode active material of the storage battery used for the object is known, the life of the storage battery can be estimated. When the recycling material is used for both the positive and negative electrode active materials, the shorter of the battery lives estimated for the positive or negative electrode may be estimated as the battery life. Alternatively, how the battery life changes due to the interaction between the use of the recycling material for the positive electrode active material and the use of the same for the negative electrode may be separately examined for each utilization rate, and the numerical value may be used as the battery life.

[0048] The environmental load calculation unit 57 (hereinafter, it may also be the control unit 51) calculates the environmental load of the object during the life period of the storage battery based on the life estimated by the life estimation unit 56 and the first environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per predetermined unit of the storage battery. The predetermined unit may be any unit related to the life of the storage battery, and includes, for example, time (operating time), distance (travel distance), etc. The "life period of the storage battery" refers to the period from the start of use of the storage battery until use is stopped due to its life. As a representative example of the environmental load, the carbon dioxide emission amount can be cited.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the first environmental load coefficient for each application. As shown in FIG. 3, the environmental load coefficient (first environmental load coefficient) is the carbon dioxide emission amount (g-CO2) per operating time as a predetermined unit of the storage battery, and when the application of the storage battery is stationary, HEV, or EV, they are a1, a2, and a3, respectively. Generally, the relationship of a2 > a1 > a3 holds. By multiplying the first environmental coefficient by the life of the storage battery (total operating time during the life period), the environmental load during the life period of the storage battery can be obtained.

[0050] Thereby, the environmental load considering the life of the storage battery can be calculated.

[0051] Further, the environmental impact calculation unit 57 may calculate the environmental impact of the object based on the obtained usage rate and the usage-related information of the storage battery by application. An example of the usage-related information by application is shown in FIG. 2. The applications may be classified, for example, as for EV use, for HEV use, and for stationary use, or may be classified as for automotive use and for stationary use. Thereby, the environmental impact of the storage battery can be further classified by application and calculated in detail.

[0052] Also, the environmental impact calculation unit 57 may calculate the environmental impact of the object based on the estimated life estimated by the life estimation unit 56 and the first environmental impact coefficient by application of the storage battery, by product in the application of the storage battery, and by region where the storage battery is used.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the first environmental impact coefficient by application, by product, and by region. In FIG. 4, the applications are classified into stationary and HEV / EV. For stationary products, they are classified into detached houses and convenience stores, and for HEV / EV, they are classified as HEV-A, HEV-B, EV-A, EV-B, etc. The environmental impact coefficient of a gasoline vehicle is also described for reference. The regions are classified as Japan, Country A, Country B, etc. The applications may be classified, for example, as for EV use, for HEV use, and for stationary use, or may be classified as for HEV / EV use and for stationary use. The products include, for example, vehicle models of HEV and EV, and model numbers and models by application of stationary storage batteries. The regions include, for example, countries.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, when the application is stationary, the environmental impact coefficient (first environmental impact coefficient) is the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per 24 hours (g-CO2) as a predetermined unit of the storage battery, and environmental impact coefficients (a11, a12, a13, a15, a16, a17) corresponding to the combination of product and region are defined. Also, when the application is HEV / EV, the environmental impact coefficient (first environmental impact coefficient) is the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per distance (driving distance) as a predetermined unit of the storage battery, and environmental impact coefficients (a21, a22, a23, a25, a26, a27, a31, a32, a33, a35, a36, a37) corresponding to the combination of product and region are similarly defined.

[0055] As a result, it is possible to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emitted until the storage battery reaches the end of its life, separately for each use, product, and region.

[0056] Further, the environmental impact calculation unit 57 may acquire the total weight of the active material contained in the storage battery used for the object from the data server 100 or the terminal device 10, and calculate the environmental impact of the object based on the acquired total weight and a second environmental impact coefficient indicating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit weight of the active material.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the second environmental impact coefficient. FIG. 5 shows the amount of carbon dioxide emissions during the production of the positive electrode active material, and the environmental impact coefficient is determined for each material type. When the positive electrode active material is a recycled material, the environmental impact coefficient is b1, and when it is a new material, the environmental impact coefficient is b2. Generally, the relationship b2 > b1 holds. This is because recycled materials often require less energy for their production.

[0058] By adding the environmental impact calculated based on the second environmental impact coefficient, it is possible to consider the environmental impact based on the production (manufacture) of recycled materials.

[0059] Further, the environmental impact calculation unit 57 may acquire the amount of the storage battery used for the object from the data server 100 or the terminal device 10, and calculate the environmental impact of the object based on the acquired amount of the storage battery and a third environmental impact coefficient indicating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit amount of the storage battery. The amount of the storage battery is, for example, the number of storage batteries, but it may also be the weight of the storage battery. Also, when the sizes of the storage batteries are different, the number of storage batteries may be standardized, and for a storage battery with a larger size, the number per unit (standard number) may be set to a value greater than 1 according to the size, and conversely, for a storage battery with a smaller size, the number per unit (standard number) may be set to a value less than 1 according to the size.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the third environmental load coefficient. FIG. 6 shows the amount of carbon dioxide emissions during the manufacture of a storage battery, and the environmental load coefficient is determined for each manufacturing type. When the manufacturing type is electricity, the environmental load coefficient is c1, and when it is gas, the environmental load coefficient is c2.

[0061] By adding the environmental load calculated based on the third environmental load coefficient, the environmental load based on the manufacture of the storage battery can be taken into account.

[0062] Further, the environmental load calculation unit 57 may acquire the amount of the storage battery of the storage battery used for the object from the data server 100 or the terminal device 10, and calculate the environmental load of the object based on the acquired amount of the storage battery and the fourth environmental load coefficient indicating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per amount of the storage battery required for the disposal or recycling of the storage battery. The amount of the storage battery may be, for example, the number of storage batteries, but may also be the weight of the storage battery.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the fourth environmental load coefficient. FIG. 7 shows the amount of carbon dioxide emissions during the recovery of the storage battery, and the environmental load coefficient is determined for each recovery type. When the recovery type is disposal, the environmental load coefficient is d1, and when it is recycling, the environmental load coefficient is d2.

[0064] By adding the environmental load calculated based on the fourth environmental load coefficient, the environmental load based on the recovery of the storage battery can be taken into account.

[0065] Further, when the object is a vehicle using gasoline, the environmental load calculation unit 57 may acquire the driving distance of the object and the amount of the storage battery of the storage battery mounted on the object from the data server 100 or the terminal device 10, and calculate the environmental load of the object based on the acquired amount of the storage battery and the fifth environmental load coefficient indicating the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per driving distance and amount of the storage battery. The amount of the storage battery may be, for example, the number of storage batteries, but may also be the weight of the storage battery.

[0066] By adding the environmental load calculated based on the fifth environmental load coefficient, the environmental load based on the driving distance of the automobile can be taken into account.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions up to the end - of - life of a vehicle. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents the driving distance (km), and the vertical axis represents the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions (kg). In FIG. 8, the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions of a gasoline vehicle, an EV equipped with a battery using a new positive electrode active material, an EV equipped with a battery using 40% of a wet - process recycled positive electrode active material, and an EV equipped with a battery using 40% of a direct - cycle - process recycled positive electrode active material are compared.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 8, the rate of increase in carbon dioxide emissions with the increase in the driving distance of the EV is the same regardless of whether the positive electrode active material is new or recycled, and is smaller than that of a gasoline vehicle. However, the carbon dioxide emissions in the initial state are larger for the EV than for the gasoline vehicle, mainly due to the carbon dioxide emissions during the production of the battery installed in the EV. The EV equipped with a battery using a positive electrode active material recycled by the direct - cycle method has a significantly shorter battery life compared to the battery using a new positive electrode active material. Also, the driving distance at which the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions of the EV equipped with a battery using a positive electrode active material recycled by the direct - cycle method become equal to those of the gasoline vehicle is shorter than the driving distance at which the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions of the EV equipped with a battery using a new positive electrode active material become equal to those of the gasoline vehicle. This is because the carbon dioxide emissions during recycling are small. On the other hand, the EV equipped with a battery using a positive electrode active material recycled by the wet - process has more carbon dioxide emissions during recycling and a slightly shorter life compared to the battery using a new positive electrode active material. Therefore, even at the end - of - life (scrapping), the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions are more than those of a gasoline vehicle. Note that the graph shown in FIG. 8 is an example, and it varies depending on the region where the vehicle is used, the power situation in that region, the composition contained in the active material, and the manufacturer.

[0069] Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions with respect to the driving distance up to the life of an EV equipped with a storage battery using the recycled positive electrode active material of Company A's direct method. In Figure 9, the horizontal axis represents the normalized driving distance, and the vertical axis represents the normalized cumulative carbon dioxide emissions. In Figure 9, the recycle rate (the usage rate of recycled materials) is compared for cases of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% and that of a gasoline vehicle.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9, the ratio of the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions with respect to the driving distance (the driving distance up to the life) when driving the EV until the life of the EV (storage battery) is 1.00, 1.00, 0.80, 0.50 for the cases where the recycle rate of the positive electrode active material is 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% respectively. Also, the larger the recycle rate, the shorter the driving distance up to the life.

[0071] Thus, when the short life of the EV (storage battery) can be tolerated, increasing the recycle rate can reduce the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions. Conversely, when the long life of the EV (storage battery) is essential, the recycle rate can be determined while considering the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions.

[0072] Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions with respect to the driving distance up to the life of an EV equipped with a storage battery using the recycled positive electrode active material of Company B's wet method. In Figure 10, the horizontal axis represents the normalized driving distance, and the vertical axis represents the normalized cumulative carbon dioxide emissions. In Figure 10, the recycle rate (the usage rate of recycled materials) is compared for cases of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% and that of a gasoline vehicle.

[0073] As shown in Figure 10, the ratio of the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions with respect to the driving distance (the driving distance up to the life) when driving the EV until the life of the EV (storage battery) is 1.00, 1.03, 1.07, 1.67 for the cases where the recycle rate of the positive electrode active material is 0%, 20%, 40%, 60% respectively. Also, the larger the recycle rate, the shorter the driving distance up to the life.

[0074] Increasing the recycling rate increases the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions. In this case, it is preferable to reduce the recycling rate because it also extends the lifespan.

[0075] As described above, the usage rate determination unit 58 (which may be the control unit 51) may determine the usage rate of the recycled material based on the environmental load of the object during the calculated lifespan of the storage battery. The environmental load of the object during the lifespan means, for example, the ratio of the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions to the driving distance (driving distance until the end of life) when driving an EV or HEV until the EV or HEV reaches the end of its life (the storage battery).

[0076] According to this embodiment, the relationship between the usage rate (recycling rate) of the recycled material and the cumulative carbon dioxide emissions during the lifespan of the storage battery becomes clear. Generally, as the recycling rate increases, the lifespan of the storage battery decreases, and conversely, as the recycling rate decreases, the lifespan increases. Thus, for example, when a short lifespan can be tolerated, the usage rate of the recycled material can be determined by giving priority to environmental load considerations. Also, when a long lifespan is essential, the usage rate of the recycled material can be reduced as much as possible while taking environmental load into account.

[0077] The production planning unit 59 (which may be the control unit 51) may generate a production plan for the storage battery based on the environmental load of the object during the calculated lifespan of the storage battery.

[0078] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a production plan for a storage battery. In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis indicates the target lifespan of the EV vehicle, and the vertical axis indicates the production plan (production volume) of the storage battery. As shown in FIG. 11, when a short lifespan of the storage battery can be tolerated, for example, a production plan can be generated to reduce the production volume of the storage battery using the positive electrode active material with a usage rate of 0 (new product) of the recycled material and increase the production volume of the storage battery using the positive electrode active material with a high usage rate of the recycled material. Conversely, when a long lifespan of the storage battery is essential, a production plan can be generated to increase the production volume of the storage battery using the positive electrode active material with a usage rate of 0 (new product) of the recycled material and reduce the production volume of the storage battery using the positive electrode active material with a high usage rate of the recycled material.

[0079] The purchase planning unit 60 (which may be the control unit 51) may generate a purchase plan for the active material to be used in the storage battery based on the environmental load of the object during the calculated service life of the storage battery.

[0080] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a purchase plan for the active material to be used in the storage battery. In FIG. 12, the horizontal axis indicates the target life of the EV vehicle, and the vertical axis indicates the purchase plan (purchase quantity) of the positive electrode active material. As shown in FIG. 12, when the short service life of the storage battery can be tolerated, for example, a purchase plan can be generated such that the purchase quantity of new active material is reduced and the purchase quantity of recycled active material is increased. Conversely, when a long service life of the storage battery is essential, a purchase plan can be generated such that the purchase quantity of new active material is increased and the purchase quantity of recycled active material is reduced.

[0081] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to calculate the environmental load (carbon dioxide emission amount) during the service life of the storage battery in consideration of the usage rate (recycling rate) of the recycling material of the active material of the positive electrode or negative electrode of the storage battery.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0082] 1 Communication network 10 Terminal device 50 Environmental load calculation device 51 Control unit 52 Communication unit 53 Memory 54 Storage unit 55 Computer program 56 Life estimation unit 57 Environmental load calculation unit 58 Usage rate determination unit 59 Production planning unit 60 Purchase planning unit

Claims

1. comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit obtains the utilization rate of a recycling material of an active material of a positive electrode or a negative electrode of a storage battery used for an object, estimates the life of the storage battery used for the object based on the obtained utilization rate and related information associating the utilization rate with the life of the storage battery, calculates the environmental load of the object during the life period of the storage battery based on the estimated life and a first environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per predetermined unit of the storage battery, an environmental load calculation device.

2. wherein the control unit calculates the environmental load of the object based on the obtained utilization rate and the related information according to the use of the storage battery, the environmental load calculation device according to Claim 1.

3. wherein the control unit calculates the environmental load of the object based on the estimated life and the first environmental load coefficient according to the use of the storage battery, by product in the use of the storage battery, and by region where the storage battery is used, the environmental load calculation device according to Claim 1.

4. wherein the control unit obtains the total weight of the active material included in the storage battery used for the object, calculates the environmental load of the object based on the obtained total weight and a second environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per weight of the active material, the environmental load calculation device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. wherein the control unit obtains the storage battery capacity of the storage battery used for the object, calculates the environmental load of the object based on the obtained storage battery capacity and a third environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per storage battery capacity, the environmental load calculation device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

6. wherein the control unit obtains the storage battery capacity of the storage battery used for the object, calculates the environmental load of the object based on the obtained storage battery capacity and a fourth environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per storage battery capacity required for discarding or recycling the storage battery, the environmental load calculation device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

7. wherein the control unit when the object is a vehicle using gasoline, obtains the driving distance of the object and the storage battery capacity of the storage battery mounted on the object, calculates the environmental load of the object based on the obtained storage battery capacity and a fifth environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per storage battery capacity and per driving distance, the environmental load calculation device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

8. wherein the control unit Determine the usage rate of the recycled material based on the environmental load of the object during the calculated life period of the storage battery. The environmental load calculation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The control unit Generate a production plan for the storage battery based on the environmental load of the object during the calculated life period of the storage battery. The environmental load calculation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The control unit Generate a purchase plan for the active material used in the storage battery based on the environmental load of the object during the calculated life period of the storage battery. The environmental load calculation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. Obtain the usage rate of the recycled material of the positive or negative electrode active material of the storage battery used in the object, Estimate the life of the storage battery used in the object based on the related information associating the obtained usage rate with the life of the storage battery, Calculate the environmental load of the object during the life period of the storage battery based on the estimated life and the first environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per predetermined unit of the storage battery. A computer program for causing a computer to execute a process.

12. Obtain the usage rate of the recycled material of the positive or negative electrode active material of the storage battery used in the object, Estimate the life of the storage battery used in the object based on the related information associating the obtained usage rate with the life of the storage battery, Calculate the environmental load of the object during the life period of the storage battery based on the estimated life and the first environmental load coefficient indicating the carbon dioxide emission amount per predetermined unit of the storage battery. Environmental load calculation method.

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