Certificate issuing device and certificate issuing method

Abstract

To provide a certificate issuing device that enables an incentive to be given to a user who charges electric power having an environmental added value.SOLUTION: A certificate issuing device 10 includes: a credit information acquisition unit 11 that acquires credit information identifying credit issued by a credit management entity for a predetermined action by a value creator; a charging information acquisition unit 12 that acquires charging information indicating that a power use device of a user is charged; an issuing unit 13 that issues power use identification information corresponding to the charging information; an aggregation unit 14 that aggregates a charging power amount and calculates a total charging power amount; an invalidation processing unit 15 that transmits invalidation application information for invalidating credit equivalent to the total charging power amount to the credit management entity; and an output unit 16 that outputs invalidation credit information associated with each of the power use identification information corresponding to the charging information aggregated as the total charging power amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a certificate issuing device and a certificate issuing method that issue a certificate related to the use of renewable energy to a user. [Background technology]

[0002] A charging service for electric vehicles is being offered that utilizes Green Power Certificates. In a charging service that utilizes Green Power Certificates, the Green Power Certificate administrator issues a certificate equivalent to the amount of electricity generated to the power generation company that created the environmental added value created by power generation using methods that do not emit greenhouse gases, such as solar power generation (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). Companies such as charging service operators that purchase Green Power Certificates are considered to have contributed to the spread of natural energy and used green power by an amount equivalent to the amount of electricity stated on the certificate, even if they do not own their own renewable energy power generation facilities. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., "Providing a 'Green Charging Service' Using Green Power Certificates," [online], July 22, 2010, Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd., Press Release, [Retrieved November 19, 2021], Internet<https: / / ceh.cosmo-oil.co.jp / press / p_100722 / index.html> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since green power certificates are issued to the person who generates the electricity and cannot be resold, users who charge electricity with environmental added value are unable to receive incentives for charging and using the electricity.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide an incentive to users who charge their vehicles with electricity that has environmental added value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] a charging information acquisition unit that acquires charging information indicating that the user's power consumption device has been charged at a specified charging facility, the charging information including information that allows the amount of charging energy to be acquired and a user ID that allows the user to be identified; an issuing unit that issues unique power usage identification information corresponding to the charging information; an aggregation unit that aggregates the amount of charging energy in one or more pieces of charging information to calculate an aggregated amount of charging energy; an invalidation processing unit that sends invalidation application information to an entity responsible for the invalidation process to apply for invalidation of credits corresponding to the amount of the issued credits that corresponds to the aggregated amount of charging energy; and an output unit that outputs invalidated credit information that associates credit information that identifies the credits for which the invalidation application has been applied for with each of the power usage identification information corresponding to the charging information in which the amount of charging energy has been aggregated as the aggregated amount of charging energy in a manner that can be referenced by the user.

[0007] A certificate issuance method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a certificate issuance method in a certificate issuing device that issues certificates regarding the use of renewable energy to users, and includes: a credit information acquisition step that acquires credit information identifying credits issued to a value creator by a specified institution according to the quantity of a specified action by the specified value creator; a charging information acquisition step that acquires charging information indicating that charging has been performed on the user's power consumption device at a specified charging facility, where the charging information includes information from which the amount of charging energy can be obtained and a user ID from which the user can be identified; an issuance step that issues unique power usage identification information corresponding to the charging information; an aggregation step that aggregates the amounts of charging energy in one or more pieces of charging information to calculate an aggregated amount of charging energy; an invalidation processing step that sends invalidation application information to a specified entity responsible for the invalidation processing to apply for invalidation of credits according to the quantity of issued credits equivalent to the aggregated amount of charging energy; and an output step that outputs invalidated credit information, which is information that associates credit information identifying the credits for which the invalidation request has been made with each of the power usage identification information corresponding to the charging information in which the amount of charging energy has been aggregated as the aggregated amount of charging energy, in a manner that can be referenced by the user.

[0008] According to this aspect, charging information related to charging performed by a user at a specific charging facility is acquired, and a unique power user identification information is issued for each piece of charging information. Then, invalidated credit information is output, in which the credit information of the credit for which invalidation has been requested based on the total amount of charging energy is associated with one or more pieces of power user identification information. Therefore, one piece of credit information is essentially divided into one or more pieces of charging information and one or more pieces of power user identification information. Therefore, the user corresponding to the charging information can recognize the association between the charging performed by the user and the credit information, and it is possible to provide the user with an incentive related to the environmental added value corresponding to the user's charging.

[0009] In the certificate issuing device according to another aspect, the credit information may specify a credit issued according to an amount of electricity generated by a predetermined means that does not involve the emission of greenhouse gases.

[0010] According to this aspect, it is possible to allocate the environmental added value of electricity that does not involve greenhouse gas emissions to each user who charges the vehicle.

[0011] In the certificate issuing device according to another aspect, the quantity in the predetermined act may be an amount of greenhouse gas emission reduction or absorption.

[0012] According to this aspect, it is possible to allocate environmental added value of credits corresponding to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduction or absorption to each user who charges the battery.

[0013] In a certificate issuing device according to another aspect, the power using device may be an electric vehicle.

[0014] According to this aspect, it is possible to allocate the environmental added value of the credits associated with charging an electric vehicle to each user who has performed charging.

[0015] In the certificate issuing device according to another aspect, the tallying unit may tally the amount of charging energy for each given amount of charging energy, for each given number of charging events, or for each given period of time.

[0016] According to this aspect, the charging energy amounts of multiple pieces of charging information are aggregated, and an invalidation request is made for credits corresponding to the aggregated charging energy amount, thereby reducing the processing load associated with the invalidation request.

[0017] In a certificate issuing device according to another aspect, the output unit may output the invalidated credit information by publishing it on a specified website without presenting a user ID corresponding to the power usage identification information.

[0018] According to this aspect, the user who has performed charging can recognize the credit information associated with the user without revealing his / her personal information to others.

[0019] In another aspect of the certificate issuing device, the invalidation processing unit may send invalidation application information to the computer of the specified institution that issued the credit or to the computer of an application agent acting on behalf of the specified institution to apply for invalidation of the credit.

[0020] According to this aspect, the content of the invalidation process for requesting invalidation of credit is specified.

[0021] In another aspect of the certificate issuing device, the issuing unit may transmit the power usage identification information to a user terminal of a user identified by a user ID included in the charging information corresponding to the power usage identification information, or may display the information for reference on a website accessible by the user terminal.

[0022] According to this aspect, it is possible to allow the user to recognize the power usage identification information displayed on the user's terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an incentive to a user who charges with electricity that has environmental added value. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device configuration of a system including a certificate issuing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a timing chart showing an outline of processing in a certificate issuer, a credit creator, and a credit operating entity regarding the issuance of a certificate by a certificate issuing device. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a certificate issuing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a certificate issuing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process for acquiring credits. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of charging information. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of power usage identification information associated with each piece of charging information. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one mode of presenting issued power use identification information to a user. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of invalidation request information for requesting invalidation of credit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing one mode of presentation of invalidated credit information. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing content of a certificate issuing method in the certificate issuing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0026] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a system including a certificate issuing device according to an embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the system 1 includes a certificate issuing device 10, a computer CA of a credit operating entity (hereinafter referred to as "credit operating entity CA"), and a computer CG of a credit creator (hereinafter referred to as "credit creator CG"). The certificate issuing device 10, the credit operating entity CA, and the credit creator CG are configured to be able to communicate via a wired or wireless network N.

[0027] Credits are intangible assets issued to value creators by a designated institution according to the quantity of a designated action by the value creator. Credits are issued upon certification by a designated institution for the introduction of renewable energy, such as power generation that does not emit greenhouse gases, such as solar power generation. The designated institution may be, for example, a public institution such as a national or local government, or an organization established by a public institution.

[0028] The credit management entity CA in this embodiment constitutes a predetermined institution that issues and manages credits. The credit creator CG in this embodiment constitutes a value creator related to credits. In this embodiment, the credit creator CG may be, for example, a solar power generation business operator.

[0029] An example of a credit system in this embodiment is the so-called J-Credit Scheme, which is a system in which the government certifies the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reductions and absorptions, such as CO2, achieved through efforts such as the introduction of energy-saving equipment and forest management, as "credits."

[0030] The certificate issuing device 10 is configured to be able to communicate with a user terminal T of a user via a network N. Although two networks are shown in FIG. 1, these two networks N may or may not be the same.

[0031] The charger PS is a device that charges a user's power consumption device with power and is configured to be able to send and receive information to the certificate issuing device 10. The charger PS can send charging information to the certificate issuing device 10 indicating that the user's power consumption device has been charged. The charging information includes information that allows the amount of charging energy to be acquired and a user ID that allows the user to be identified. The information that allows the amount of charging energy to be acquired may be the amount of charging energy measured by the charger PS. Furthermore, the information that allows the amount of charging energy to be acquired may be the charging time, in which case the amount of charging energy can be calculated by multiplying the charging time by the rated output of the charger PS.

[0032] The power-using device may be a user's electric vehicle. An electric vehicle is a vehicle that runs by converting electricity into power, and may be, for example, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV).

[0033] An example of the procedures and processes from the issuance of credits to the credit creator CG to the purchase of credits from the certificate issuing device 10 (certificate issuer) will be described with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a timing chart showing an overview of the processes at the certificate issuer, credit creator, and credit operating entity regarding the issuance of a certificate by the certificate issuing device.

[0034] Steps S11 to S14 are processes related to project registration. In step S11, the credit creator CG plans (or implements) a project related to greenhouse gas reduction or absorption, etc. Then, in step S12, the credit creator CG submits a project plan to the credit operating entity CA.

[0035] In step S13, the validity of the project plan is confirmed. Then, the credit operator CA examines the plan and registers the project and the credit creator as targets for credit issuance.

[0036] Steps S15 to S19 are processes related to the issuance of credits. In step S15, the credit creator CG implements the project and monitors (measures) the amount of greenhouse gas reduction and absorption, etc. In step S16, the credit creator CG submits a monitoring report to the credit management entity CA.

[0037] In step S17, the credit operator CA reviews the monitoring report and authenticates the credit. In step S18, the credit operator CA issues the credit to the credit creator CG. The issuance of the credit is managed in a registry. That is, the credit operator CA associates the issued credit with the credit creator CG and records it in the registry.

[0038] In step S19, the credit creator CG receives the credits and obtains at least information identifying the credits and information indicating the amount of the credits.

[0039] Steps S20 to S23 are processes related to the acquisition of credits by the certificate issuer. In step S20, the credit creator CG sells credits to the certificate issuer 10. In step S21, the certificate issuer 10 purchases credits. The certificate issuing device 10 acquires at least information that identifies the credits.

[0040] In step S22, the credit creator CG inputs transfer information into the registry system of the credit operating entity CA in response to the sale of the credit. In step S23, the credit operating entity CA reflects the credit transfer information in the registry. In other words, changes in credit holders accompanying the sale and purchase of credits are managed by the registry.

[0041] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the certificate issuing device 10. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the certificate issuing device 10, and shows a computer 100 that can function as the certificate issuing device 10.

[0042] The certificate issuing device 10 is a device that issues certificates regarding the use of renewable energy to users, and includes a processor 101. As an example, the computer 100 includes, as hardware components, the processor 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, and a communication unit 104.

[0043] The processor 101 is a computing device that executes an operating system and application programs. Examples of processors include a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU), but the type of processor 101 is not limited to these. For example, the processor 101 may be a combination of a sensor and a dedicated circuit. The dedicated circuit may be a programmable circuit such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or may be another type of circuit.

[0044] The main memory unit 102 is a device that stores a program (certificate issuance program P1) for realizing the certificate issuing device 10, calculation results output from the processor 101, etc. The main memory unit 102 is configured by, for example, at least one of a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0045] The auxiliary storage unit 103 is generally a device capable of storing a larger amount of data than the main storage unit 102. The auxiliary storage unit 103 is configured by a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or flash memory. The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores the program P1 for causing the computer 100 to function as the certificate issuing device 10 and various data.

[0046] The communication unit 104 is a device that executes data communication with other computers via the communication network N. The communication unit 104 is configured by, for example, a network card or a wireless communication module.

[0047] Each functional element of the certificate issuing device 10 is realized by loading a corresponding program P1 onto the processor 101 or the main memory unit 102 and having the processor 101 execute the program. The program P1 includes code for realizing each functional element of the corresponding server. The processor 101 operates the communication unit 104 in accordance with the program P1, and executes reading and writing of data from and to the main memory unit 102 or the auxiliary memory unit 103. Through such processing, each functional element of the certificate issuing device 10 is realized.

[0048] The program P1 may be provided by being fixedly recorded on a tangible recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, etc. Alternatively, at least one of these programs may be provided via a communications network as a data signal superimposed on a carrier wave.

[0049] The certificate issuing device 10 may be configured by one or more computers. When the certificate issuing device 10 is configured by multiple computers, the multiple computers are connected to each other via a communication network to logically configure a single device.

[0050] The certificate issuing device 10 functionally comprises a credit information acquiring unit 11, a charging information acquiring unit 12, an issuing unit 13, a counting unit 14, an invalidation processing unit 15, and an output unit 16. These functional units 11 to 16 are realized by reading a certificate issuing program P1 into the processor 101 and executing the certificate issuing program P1. The certificate issuing program P1 includes instructions for causing a computer to function as the certificate issuing device 10.

[0051] Each functional unit of the certificate issuing device 10 is configured to be able to access the charging information storage unit 20. The charging information storage unit 20 is a storage means for storing and managing charging information, and is configured, for example, in the main storage unit 102 or the auxiliary storage unit 103. Note that the charging information storage unit 20 may be configured in another device accessible from the certificate issuing device 10, or may be configured within the certificate issuing device 10.

[0052] Next, a description will be given of each functional unit of the certificate issuing device 10. The credit information acquiring unit 11 acquires credit information that identifies credits issued to a value creator by a predetermined institution according to the quantity of a predetermined action by the value creator.

[0053] In this embodiment, as an example, the credit information acquisition unit 11 acquires credit information of the credits issued to the credit creator CG in accordance with the amount of power generated by the credit creator CG through power generation that does not involve greenhouse gas emissions, such as solar power generation, etc. Specifically, the credit information acquisition unit 11 acquires the credit information in connection with the purchase of the credits in step S21.

[0054] 5 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of a process for acquiring credits. The credit information acquisition unit 11 of the certificate issuing device 10 (certificate issuer) acquires credit information D1 from the credit creator CG. The credit information D1 includes a credit identification number "KC-001" that identifies the credit to be purchased, and the credit quantity. The credit quantity may be, for example, the amount of CO2 reduction in power generation.

[0055] The credit creator CG sends a credit transfer request D2 to the credit operating entity CA. The credit transfer request D2 is information indicating that the credit will be transferred to the certificate issuer, and includes at least the credit identification number "KC-001" and the credit quantity. Upon receiving the credit transfer request D2, the credit operating entity CA reflects in the registry database that the credit identified by the credit identification number "KC-001" has been transferred from the credit creator CG to the certificate issuer 10.

[0056] 3 , the charging information acquisition unit 12 acquires charging information indicating that a user's power consumption device has been charged at a predetermined charging facility. In this embodiment, the charging information acquisition unit 12 acquires charging information indicating that the user's electric vehicle has been charged at a charger PS. The charging information includes information from which the amount of charging energy can be acquired and a user ID from which the user can be identified. The charging information acquisition unit 12 stores the acquired charging information in the charging information storage unit 20.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of charging information. As shown in FIG. 6, the charging information includes a user ID and an amount of charging energy associated with a charging information ID that can identify each piece of charging information. The charging information may further include information on the date and time when charging occurred and the location where charging was performed (the location where the charger PS is installed). The charging information may include the charging time instead of or in addition to the amount of charging energy. When the charging information includes the charging time, the amount of charging energy can be calculated by multiplying the charging time by the rated output of the charger PS.

[0058] 3, the issuing unit 13 issues unique power usage identification information corresponding to each piece of charging information. Specifically, the issuing unit 13 generates power usage identification information corresponding to at least each piece of charging information. Since the charging information includes a user ID that identifies the user, the power usage identification information is associated with the user.

[0059] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of issued power user identification information. As shown in Fig. 7, the issuing unit 13 issues the power user identification information in association with the charging information. For example, the issuing unit 13 issues the power user identification information "KC-001-01" in association with the charging information "ch-1". Similarly, the issuing unit 13 issues the power user identification information "KC-001-02" and "KC-001-03" in association with the charging information "ch-2" and "ch-3", respectively.

[0060] The issuing unit 13 may display the power usage identification information so that it can be referenced on a website accessible by the user terminal T of the user identified by the user ID included in the charging information corresponding to the power usage identification information. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing one mode of presenting the issued power usage identification information to the user, illustrating an example of a display screen of the power usage record D3 displayed on the website. As shown in FIG. 8, the issuing unit 13 displays the power usage record D3 including the power usage identification information d31 on the user terminal T of user "U01." The power usage record D3 may be displayed on a user-specific page that can be referenced by the user logging in from the user terminal T.

[0061] Furthermore, the issuing unit 13 may transmit the power usage identification information to a terminal of a user identified by a user ID included in the charging information corresponding to the power usage identification information. That is, the issuing unit 13 may transmit a power usage record D3 as shown in Fig. 8 to the user terminal T of user "U01".

[0062] In this way, the power usage record D3 including the power usage identification information is referenced at the user terminal T, so that the user can recognize the power usage identification information.

[0063] Referring again to FIG. 3, the tallying unit 14 tally the charging energy amounts in one or more pieces of charging information to calculate the tallying amount of charging energy. Specifically, the tallying unit 14 tally the charging energy amounts for a certain amount of charging information. For example, the tallying unit 14 tally the charging energy amounts for each given amount of charging energy. In this embodiment, the tallying unit 14 tally the charging information for each amount of charging energy corresponding to a preset amount of greenhouse gas (CO2). Furthermore, the tallying unit 14 may tally the charging information and the charging energy amounts for each given number of chargings or for each given period.

[0064] The invalidation processing unit 15 transmits invalidation application information for requesting invalidation of the amount of issued credits corresponding to the total amount of charging energy to a predetermined entity in charge of the invalidation processing. Specifically, the invalidation processing unit 15 transmits the invalidation application information to the predetermined institution that issued the credits or to a computer of an application agent who acts as an agent to request invalidation of the credits to the predetermined institution.

[0065] In this embodiment, the invalidation processing unit 15 transmits invalidation request information to a computer of the credit operating entity CA, which is a predetermined institution that issued the credit. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of invalidation request information for requesting invalidation of a credit. As shown in FIG. 9, the invalidation request information D4 includes a credit identification number d41 that identifies the credit to be invalidated, and an invalidation credit amount d42 that indicates the quantity of credit to be invalidated. The invalidation request information D4 may also include information (credit holder) that identifies the certificate issuer 10, which is the holder of the credit.

[0066] The invalidation credit amount d42 may be, for example, the amount of greenhouse gas (CO2) equivalent to the aggregated amount of charging power. In this embodiment, an invalidation request is made for each credit amount equivalent to 1 ton of CO2. The coefficient for converting the amount of greenhouse gas and the amount of charging power is specified, for example, for each project in the credit creator CG.

[0067] When the credit management entity CA acquires the invalidation request information, it manages the requested credit so that it is invalidated in the registry (database).

[0068] In this way, by invalidating the credits corresponding to the total amount of charged energy, the power usage identification information and the credits are associated with each other through the amount of charged energy. Therefore, the credit information issued as a certificate for power generation by the credit creator CG can be considered to have been essentially divided into multiple pieces of power usage identification information.

[0069] Referring again to Figure 3, the output unit 16 outputs invalidated credit information, which is information that associates credit information that identifies the credit for which an invalidation request has been made with each piece of power usage identification information corresponding to the charging information in which the charging energy amount has been aggregated as the aggregate charging energy amount, in a manner that can be referenced by the user.

[0070] The output unit 16 may, for example, publish the invalidated credit information on a website so that it can be referenced by users via the user terminal T. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing one mode of presentation of the invalidated credit information, illustrating a display screen displaying the invalidated credit information. As exemplified in Fig. 10, the output unit 16 displays the invalidated credit information D5. The invalidated credit information D5 includes a credit identification number d51 that identifies the invalidated credit, and an invalidated credit amount d52 that indicates the amount of the invalidated credit.

[0071] Furthermore, the invalidated credit information D5 includes power usage identification information d53 associated with the charging information tallied in the aggregated charging energy amount corresponding to the invalidated credit. By referring to the invalidated credit information D5, the user can recognize the association between the power usage identification information corresponding to the charging performed by the user and the credit information as a certificate for power generation, etc., and can also recognize the credit information associated with the user. The association of multiple power usage identification information with credit information essentially allows each power usage identification information to be regarded as divided credit information.

[0072] Furthermore, the output unit 16 outputs the invalidated credit information D5 by publishing it on a predetermined website without presenting the user ID corresponding to the power user identification information. Even if the invalidated credit information D5 shown in Fig. 10 is published so that it can be referenced by multiple users, the power user identification information itself does not identify the user, so that the personal information of the users corresponding to each piece of power user identification information is prevented from being identified.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing content of the certificate issuing method in the certificate issuing device 10.

[0074] In step S1, the credit information acquisition unit 11 acquires credit information that identifies credits issued to a value creator by a predetermined institution according to the quantity of a predetermined action by the predetermined value creator. In this embodiment, the credit information acquisition unit 11 acquires credit information of credits issued to the credit creator CG according to the amount of power generated by the credit creator CG through power generation that does not involve greenhouse gas emissions, such as solar power generation. The acquisition of credit information occurs when a certificate issuer purchases credits.

[0075] In step S2, the charging information acquisition unit 12 acquires charging information indicating that the user's power consumption device has been charged at a predetermined charging facility. In this embodiment, the charging information acquisition unit 12 acquires charging information indicating that the user's electric vehicle has been charged at the charger PS.

[0076] In step S3, the issuing unit 13 issues unique power use identification information corresponding to each piece of charging information. Specifically, the issuing unit 13 generates power use identification information corresponding to each piece of charging information.

[0077] In step S4, the counting unit 14 determines whether or not a given condition for counting the amount of charging energy has been met. The condition for counting the amount of charging energy is, for example, that the amount of greenhouse gas equivalent to the amount of charging energy reaches a predetermined amount, that the number of pieces of charging information reaches a predetermined number, and that a predetermined period of time has passed. If it is determined that the condition for counting the amount of charging energy has been met, the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the condition for counting the amount of charging energy has been met, the process returns to step S2.

[0078] In step S5, the tallying unit 14 tally the amounts of charging energy in one or more pieces of charging information to calculate the total amount of charging energy.

[0079] In step S6, the invalidation processing unit 15 transmits invalidation request information for requesting invalidation of the amount of issued credits corresponding to the total amount of charging energy to a predetermined entity in charge of invalidation processing. In this embodiment, the invalidation processing unit 15 transmits the invalidation request information to the computer of the credit operating entity CA.

[0080] In step S7, the output unit 16 outputs the invalidated credit information, which is information that associates the credit information that identifies the credit for which the invalidation request has been made with each piece of power usage identification information corresponding to the charging information in which the charging energy amount has been aggregated as the aggregate charging energy amount, in a manner that can be referenced by the user.

[0081] According to the certificate issuing device 10 and certificate issuing method of the present embodiment described above, charging information related to charging performed by a user at a specified charging facility is acquired, and a unique power user identification information is issued for each piece of charging information. Then, invalidated credit information is output, in which the credit information of the credit for which invalidation has been requested based on the total amount of charging energy is associated with one or more pieces of power user identification information. Therefore, one piece of credit information is essentially divided into one or more pieces of charging information and one or more pieces of power user identification information. Therefore, the user corresponding to the charging information can recognize the association between the charging performed by the user and the credit information, and it is possible to provide the user with an incentive related to the environmental added value corresponding to the user's charging.

[0082] The internal configuration of the certificate issuing device 10 is not limited to the above embodiment and may be designed according to any policy. For example, the entity (processor) that realizes each of the functional units 11 to 16 is not limited to the example disclosed herein and may be different for each functional unit.

[0083] The processing procedure of the method executed by the processor is not limited to the examples in the above embodiments. For example, some of the steps (processing) described above may be omitted, or the steps may be executed in a different order. Furthermore, any two or more of the steps described above may be combined, or some of the steps may be modified or deleted. Alternatively, other steps may be executed in addition to the steps described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 10...Certificate issuing device, 11...Credit information acquisition unit, 12...Charging information acquisition unit, 13...Issuing unit, 14...Counting unit, 15...Invalidation processing unit, 16...Output unit, 20...Charging information storage unit, CA...Credit operating entity, CG...Credit creator, N...Communication network, P1...Certificate issuing program, PS...Charger, T...User terminal

Claims

1. A certificate issuing device that issues a certificate regarding the use of renewable energy to a user, a credit information acquisition unit that acquires credit information that identifies credits issued to a value creator by a predetermined institution according to the amount of a predetermined action by the value creator; a charging information acquisition unit that acquires charging information indicating that a user's power consumption device has been charged at a predetermined charging facility, the charging information including information from which an amount of charging energy can be acquired and a user ID from which the user can be identified; an issuing unit that issues unique power usage identification information corresponding to the charging information; an aggregation unit that aggregates the amounts of charging energy in one or more pieces of charging information to calculate an aggregated amount of charging energy; an invalidation processing unit that transmits invalidation request information for requesting invalidation of a quantity of the issued credits corresponding to the total amount of charging energy to a predetermined entity in charge of the invalidation processing; an output unit that outputs, in a manner that can be referenced by the user, invalidated credit information that is information that associates the credit information that identifies the credit for which the invalidation request has been made with each of the power use identification information that corresponds to the charging information in which the charging energy amount has been aggregated as the aggregate charging energy amount; A certificate issuing device comprising:

2. The credit information identifies credits issued according to the amount of electricity generated by a predetermined means that does not involve greenhouse gas emissions. The certificate issuing device according to claim 1 .

3. The quantity in the predetermined action is the amount of greenhouse gas emission reduction or absorption. The certificate issuing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The power-using device is an electric vehicle. The certificate issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The tallying unit tally the amount of charging energy for each given amount of charging energy, for each given number of charging events, or for each given period of time. The certificate issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the output unit outputs the invalidated credit information by publishing it on a predetermined website without presenting the user ID corresponding to the electricity usage identification information. The certificate issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the invalidation processing unit transmits the invalidation application information to the predetermined institution that issued the credit or to a computer of an application agent that acts as an agent to apply for invalidation of the credit to the predetermined institution; The certificate issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The issuing unit transmits the power use identification information to a user terminal of a user identified by a user ID included in the charging information corresponding to the power use identification information, or displays the power use identification information in a referable manner on a website accessible by the user terminal. The certificate issuing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A certificate issuing method in a certificate issuing device that issues a certificate regarding the use of renewable energy to a user, a credit information acquisition step of acquiring credit information that identifies credits issued to a value creator by a predetermined institution according to the amount of a predetermined action by the value creator; a charging information acquisition step of acquiring charging information indicating that a user's power consumption device has been charged at a predetermined charging facility, the charging information including information from which an amount of charging energy can be acquired and a user ID from which the user can be identified; an issuing step of issuing unique power usage identification information corresponding to the charging information; a counting step of calculating a total amount of charging energy by counting the amount of charging energy in one or more pieces of charging information; an invalidation processing step of transmitting invalidation request information for requesting invalidation of a quantity of the issued credits corresponding to the total amount of charging energy to a predetermined entity in charge of the invalidation processing; an output step of outputting, in a manner that can be referenced by the user, invalidated credit information, which is information that associates the credit information that identifies the credit for which the invalidation request has been made with each of the power use identification information corresponding to the charging information in which the charging energy amount has been aggregated as the aggregate charging energy amount; A certificate issuance method having the following.

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