Information processing apparatus

Abstract

To allow a user to recognize separately a power consumption amount consumed during a request period having a request for power saving or consumption promotion and a power consumption amount consumed during a non-request period having no such a request.SOLUTION: A classifying unit 33 classifies a power consumption amount consumed by a user into a power consumption amount consumed during a request period having a request for power saving or power consumption promotion and a power consumption amount consumed during a non-request period having no such a request. Further, the classifying unit 33 performs classification into a power consumption amount consumed by a user during a request period having a request for power saving or power consumption promotion, a power consumption amount consumed by a user during a request period having a request for power saving, and a power consumption amount consumed by a user during a request period having a request for power consumption promotion. These classification results are stored in a storage unit 32. An output unit 35 outputs information corresponding to a classification result obtained by the classification unit 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for presenting to a user the amount of power consumed by the user. [Background technology]

[0002] With the growing awareness of energy conservation, services that report power consumption to users are widely used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that displays the results of analyzing energy consumption by day of the week, time of day, time period, home appliance, and similar households. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-16706 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when there is a risk that the balance between supply and demand of electricity needed for air conditioning and heating will be disrupted due to severe weather conditions such as extreme heat or unusually cold weather, electric power companies may use a method called demand response (DR) to adjust power consumption. Specifically, there is upward DR, which requests an increase in power demand when, for example, a large amount of electricity is supplied by solar power generation, and downward DR, which requests a decrease in power demand when the power supply and demand are tight.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above background, and aims to provide a mechanism that allows a user to distinguish and recognize the amount of power consumed during a request period when a request for power consumption is made, from the amount of power consumed during a non-request period when no such request is made. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention provides an information processing device characterized by comprising: a classification unit that classifies the amount of power consumption consumed by a user into the amount of power consumption consumed during a request period in which a request for power consumption is made, and the amount of power consumption consumed during a non-request period in which no such request is made; and an output unit that outputs information according to the results of the classification by the classification unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a mechanism can be provided that allows a user to distinguish and recognize the amount of power consumed during a request period when a request for power consumption is made and the amount of power consumed during a non-request period when no such request is made. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the server device 30 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the server device 30 according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the server device 30 according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a report screen displayed on the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a report screen displayed on the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a report screen displayed on the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a report screen displayed on the user terminal 10 according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 10 used by a plurality of users, a power supply facility 20 that supplies power to various electrical appliances or facilities used by the users, and a server device 30 that provides the users with information about the power consumption of each user. The user terminals 10 are computers such as smartphones, wearable devices, or tablets. The communication network 2 includes a wireless communication network or a wired communication network that communicatively connects the user terminals 10, the power supply facility 20, and the server device 30. The server device 30 is a computer that functions as an information processing device according to the present invention. Note that the numbers of user terminals 10, the power supply facility 20, and the server devices 30 shown in FIG. 1 are merely exemplary and are not limited to the numbers shown.

[0010] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of server device 30. Server device 30 is physically configured as a computer including a processor 3001, memory 3002, storage 3003, and a bus connecting these. In the following description, the term "device" can be interpreted as a circuit, device, unit, etc. The hardware configuration of server device 30 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the diagram, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0011] Each function in the server device 30 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 3001 and memory 3002, causing the processor 3001 to perform calculations, control communication via the communication device 3004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 3002 and storage 3003.

[0012] The processor 3001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system, and may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc.

[0013] The processor 3001 reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 3003 and the communication device 3004 into the memory 3002, and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described below. The functional blocks of the server device 30 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 3002 and running on the processor 3001. Various processes may be executed by one processor 3001, or may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 3001. The processor 3001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may be transmitted from the communication network 2 to the server device 30 via a telecommunications line.

[0014] The memory 3002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured by, for example, at least one of a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 3002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 3002 can store an executable program (program code), a software module, etc. for implementing the method according to this embodiment.

[0015] Storage 3003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 3003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device.

[0016] The communication device 3004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via the communication network 2, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0017] Each device, such as the processor 3001 and the memory 3002, is connected by a bus for communicating information. The bus may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0018] Server device 30 may also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, processor 3001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0019] 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the server device 30. In the server device 30, a processor 3001, a memory 3002, a storage 3003, and a communication device 3004 cooperate with each other to realize the functions of an acquisition unit 31, a storage unit 32, a classification unit 33, an assignment processing unit 34, and an output unit 35.

[0020] The acquisition unit 31 acquires power consumption data, which is a history of power consumption of each user, from the power supply facility 20 or a smart meter (not shown), etc. This power consumption data is stored in the storage unit 32 in association with a user ID for identifying each user.

[0021] The classification unit 33 classifies the amount of power consumption consumed by each user into the amount of power consumption consumed during a request period when a request for power consumption is made and the amount of power consumption consumed during a non-request period when no such request is made. Requests for power consumption are made by power utilities to adjust power consumption, and include, for example, an upward DR, which requests an increase in power demand when a large amount of electricity is supplied by solar power generation, and a downward DR, which requests a decrease in power demand when the power supply and demand are tight. The classification unit 33 classifies the amount of power consumption consumed by users during a request period when a request for power consumption is made into the amount of power consumption consumed by users during a request period when a request to promote power consumption (upward DR) is made and the amount of power consumption consumed by users during a request period when a request to save power (downward DR) is made. These classification results are stored in the memory unit 32.

[0022] The granting processing unit 34 grants a reward to the user for the power consumption by the user during the request period. The storage unit 32 stores, in association with each request period, the type of the request (upward DR or downward DR) and a reward according to the increase or decrease in the power consumption during the request period compared to the user's normal power consumption, as shown in Fig. 4, for example.

[0023] The granting processing unit 34 refers to the stored content regarding such benefits and the power consumption data (power consumption history) of each user acquired by the acquisition unit 31, and calculates a benefit according to the increase or decrease in power consumption during the request period, assuming that the power consumption during the same time period on the day before the request period is the normal power consumption. For example, in Fig. 4, in a request for an increased DR during the request period "2024 / 5 / 1 10:00-14:00", a benefit of 10p (points) is granted for every 1 kWh increase in power consumption compared to the power consumption consumed by the user during the previous day, 2024 / 4 / 30 10:00-14:00. The power consumption amount consumed during the requested period "2024 / 5 / 1 10:00-14:00" may be compared with the average power consumption amount during the same time period during a predetermined period up to the previous day (e.g., the average power consumption amount during 10:00-14:00 on each day from 2024 / 4 / 26 to 2024 / 4 / 30). In this case, the average power consumption amount during the same time period during the predetermined period up to the previous day may be calculated by excluding outliers (e.g., the highest and lowest values) that are far from other power consumption amounts. This benefit may have a value according to the power price per unit of power during the requested period, i.e., the higher the power price per unit of power, the greater the value of the benefit, or the lower the power price per unit of power, the smaller the value of the benefit.

[0024] The granting processing unit 34 then stores the calculated benefit for each user in the storage unit 32 in association with the user ID of the user, as shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, for example, a user with user ID "U001" is granted "1050p (points)." Note that in this embodiment, the benefit is referred to as points that have value that the user can use in place of money, but the benefit is not limited to this example and may be anything that has some value to the user.

[0025] The output unit 35 outputs various information such as information according to the classification result by the classification unit 33 and the result of the awarding of the benefit by the awarding processing unit 34. The output information is transmitted to the user terminal 10 via the communication network 2, for example, and is displayed on the user terminal 10 and presented to the user.

[0026] Next, the operation of the server device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, when a predetermined time arrives, the acquisition unit 31 acquires power consumption data, which is a history of power consumption of each user, from the power supply facility 20 or a smart meter (not shown) (step S11).

[0027] Next, the classification unit 33 classifies the amount of power consumption consumed by each user into the amount of power consumption consumed by the user during a requested period when a request to promote power consumption (upward DR) is made, the amount of power consumption consumed by the user during a requested period when a request to save power (downward DR) is made, and the amount of power consumption consumed by the user during a non-request period when these requests are not made (step S12).

[0028] Then, the classification unit 33 aggregates the classified power consumption for each user by requested period when a request to promote power consumption (upward DR) is made, requested period when a request to save power (downward DR) is made, and non-request period (step S13).

[0029] Then, the granting processing unit 34 grants a benefit to the user based on the counting result and the content shown in Fig. 4 (step S14). That is, the granting processing unit 34 stores the benefit for each user in the storage unit 32 in association with the user ID of the user, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0030] The output unit 35 outputs various information such as information according to the classification result by the classification unit 33 and the result of awarding the benefit by the awarding processing unit 34 (step S15).

[0031] 7 is a diagram illustrating a case where a report screen including information according to the results of classification by the classification unit 33 is displayed on the user terminal 10. In the example of Fig. 7, the hourly averages (hourly power consumption) of the amount of power consumed by the user in a certain month (May in this case) during a requested period in which a request to promote power consumption (upward DR) has been made, the amount of power consumed by the user during a requested period in which a request to save power (downward DR) has been made, and the amount of power consumed by the user during a non-request period in which these requests have not been made are displayed in a distinguishable manner on the user terminal 10.

[0032] Fig. 8 is another example of a report screen. In the example of Fig. 8, the increase in power consumption, which indicates how much more power the user consumed than usual during a requested period for a certain month (May in this case) when a request to promote power consumption (increased DR) was made, and the decrease in power consumption, which indicates how much more power the user saved than usual during a requested period for a request to save power (decreased DR) were made, are displayed on the user terminal 10 in a distinguishable manner.

[0033] 9 is another example of the report screen. In the example of Fig. 9, in addition to the contents of Fig. 8, the average increase / decrease in power consumption of all users is displayed on the user terminal 10.

[0034] Fig. 10 is another example of a report screen. In the example of Fig. 10, the amount of power consumed by the user in a certain week (here, 5 / 1 to 5 / 7) during a requested period when a request to promote power consumption (upward DR) is made, the amount of power consumed by the user during a requested period when a request to save power (downward DR) is made, and the amount of power consumed during a non-request period when these requests are not made are displayed in a distinguishable manner on the user terminal 10.

[0035] By referring to the report screens such as those shown in Figures 7 to 10, the user can easily visually recognize the amount of power consumed by the user himself / herself during the requested period when a request to promote power consumption (upward DR) was made, the amount of power consumed by the user himself / herself during the requested period when a request to save power (downward DR) was made, and the amount of power consumed by the user himself / herself during the non-request period when these requests were not made.

[0036] According to the embodiment described above, a user can distinguish between the amount of power consumed by the user during a request period in which a request for power consumption is made and the amount of power consumed by the user during a non-request period in which no request is made.

[0037] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The above-described embodiment may be modified as follows. Furthermore, two or more of the following modifications may be combined and implemented.

[0038] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the so-called "upward DR" and "downward DR" currently adopted in Japan are used as examples of requests regarding electricity consumption. However, in the future, it is conceivable that there will be multiple levels of requests for an upward DR and multiple levels of requests for a downward DR. Therefore, the granting processing unit 34 may grant a user a reward according to the level of the request during the request period. In this case, the storage unit 32 stores the content of rewards corresponding to each of the multiple levels of the upward DR and the multiple levels of the downward DR. The granting processing unit 34 then grants the user a reward according to the level of the request during the request period. By granting rewards according to the level of such requests, it is expected that the effectiveness of the requests will be improved.

[0039] [Variation 2] Requests for power consumption are mainly made by electric power companies that supply power. Therefore, the granting processing unit 34 may grant a user a reward according to the request source during the request period. In this case, the storage unit 32 stores the content of rewards corresponding to each electric power company. The granting processing unit 34 then grants the user a reward according to the electric power company that is the request source that made the request. By granting rewards according to the level of the request source in this way, rewards can be granted according to different granting systems for each request source.

[0040] [Variation 3] The granting processor 34 may divide multiple users into multiple groups and grant each user in each group a benefit based on the relative contribution of each user to the request. Here, a group refers to, for example, a group consisting of family, friends, etc. When a request period ends, the granting processor 34 calculates the power consumption of each group during that request period. The granting processor 34 then calculates a benefit for each group based on how much the calculated power consumption for each group differs from the normal power consumption calculated from past performance. Furthermore, the granting processor 34 pro rata allocates the calculated benefit for each group based on the relative contribution of each user in the group and grants it to each user. The contribution here refers to, for example, the proportion of the increase in power consumption of each user in a certain group during a request period for an increased DR that is contributed by the increase in power consumption of that user. Furthermore, the contribution refers to the proportion of the decrease in power consumption of that user during a request period for a decreased DR that is contributed by the decrease in power consumption of that user. By providing such motivation to users, it is expected that the effectiveness of requests regarding power consumption will be improved.

[0041] [Variation 4] The granting processor 34 may divide multiple users into multiple groups and grant each group a reward based on the group's contribution to the assigned goal. The groups may be, for example, groups consisting of family and friends, groups divided by the region where users are located (e.g., by power supply area, prefecture, city, town, or village), or groups divided by other criteria. In this case, the storage unit 32 stores the content of the goal corresponding to each group. The content of this goal may be, for example, reducing power consumption by 20% compared to normal during a downward DR or increasing power consumption by 10% compared to normal during an upward DR. The content may be set voluntarily by each group or by the power utility company for each group. Then, when the request period ends, the granting processor 34 calculates the degree of achievement of each group's goal during the request period and grants a reward of a larger value to the group with a higher degree of achievement, or grants a reward of a smaller value to the group with a lower degree of achievement. Furthermore, the granting processor 34 allocates the calculated benefit for each group proportionally according to the relative contribution of each user in the group, and grants it to each user. The contribution here refers to, for example, the proportion of the increase in power consumption of each user constituting a certain group to the increase in power consumption of the group during a period when an upward DR is requested. Also, it refers to the proportion of the decrease in power consumption of each user constituting a certain group to the decrease in power consumption of the group during a period when a downward DR is requested. Motivating users in this way is expected to improve the effectiveness of requests regarding power consumption.

[0042] [Variation 5] The granting unit 34 may also divide multiple users into multiple groups and grant rewards to each group based on a relative comparison of the achievement levels between the groups. The rewards may be granted according to the relative contributions of each user in the group. In this case, when the request period ends, the granting unit 34 calculates the achievement level of each group for the goal during the request period. The greater the achievement level of a group compared to other groups, the greater the reward value. Alternatively, the less the achievement level of a group compared to other groups, the less the reward value. Furthermore, the granting unit 34 pro rata allocates the reward calculated for each group to each user according to the relative contributions of each user in the group. The contribution level here refers to, for example, the proportion of the increase in power consumption of each user in a certain group during a request period for an increased DR that is contributed by the increase in power consumption of that group. Furthermore, the contribution level refers to the proportion of the decrease in power consumption of each user in a certain group that is contributed by the decrease in power consumption of that group during a request period for a decreased DR. By providing such motivation to users, it is expected that the effectiveness of requests regarding power consumption will be improved.

[0043] [Variation 6] The granting processing unit 34 may grant a reward to a user according to the degree of achievement of the goal assigned to the user during the request period. In this case, the storage unit 32 stores the content of the goal corresponding to each user. The content of this goal may be, for example, reducing power consumption by 20% compared to normal during a downward DR or increasing power consumption by 10% compared to normal during an upward DR. The content of this goal may be set voluntarily by each user or by the power utility company for each user. Then, when the request period ends, the granting processing unit 34 calculates the degree of achievement of the goal during that request period and grants a reward of a larger value the greater the degree of achievement, or grants a reward of a smaller value the less the degree of achievement. Motivating users in this way is expected to improve the effectiveness of requests regarding power consumption.

[0044] [Other variations] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining the single device or the multiple devices with software.

[0045] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, election, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0046] For example, the server device 30 in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the processing of the present disclosure.

[0047] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to at least one of systems using LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (New Radio), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other appropriate systems, and next-generation systems extended based on these. Furthermore, a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G, etc.) may also be applied.

[0048] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0049] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0050] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0051] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0052] Software, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise, shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc. Additionally, software, instructions, information, etc. may be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then such wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of a transmission medium.

[0053] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof. In addition, terms explained in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

[0054] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information.

[0055] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0056] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0057] The "unit" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with "means," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0058] When used in this disclosure, the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0059] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0060] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different." [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: Information processing system, 2: Communication network, 10: User terminal, 20: Power supply equipment, 30: Server device, 31: Acquisition unit, 32: Memory unit, 33: Classification unit, 34: Assignment processing unit, 35: Output unit, 3001: Processor, 3002: Memory, 3003: Storage, 3004: Communication device.

Claims

1. a classification unit that classifies the amount of power consumed by the user into the amount of power consumed during a request period in which a request for power consumption is made and the amount of power consumed during a non-request period in which the request is not made; an output unit that outputs information according to the result of the classification by the classification unit; An information processing device comprising:

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an awarding processing unit that awards a different benefit to the user for each of the request periods.

3. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a granting processing unit that grants the user a benefit according to the electricity price per unit amount of electricity during the requested period.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a granting processing unit that grants the user a benefit according to the level of the request during the request period.

5. a granting processing unit that grants a benefit to the user according to the request source during the request period; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

6. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising an awarding processing unit that divides the users into a plurality of groups and awards a benefit to each user constituting the group according to the relative contribution of each user to the request in each group.

7. 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising an awarding processing unit that divides the users into a plurality of groups and awards each user constituting the group a benefit according to the degree of contribution of each user to a goal assigned to the group.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a granting processing unit that grants a benefit to the user according to the degree of achievement of the goal set for the user during the request period.

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