Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To calculate a consideration to be paid to an interested person according to the execution content of a demand response.SOLUTION: In the control unit 11 of the retail electricity provider server 10 constituting the information processing system, the effect calculation unit 103 calculates an effect of implementation of demand response on a demand response request from the retail electricity provider based on the power usage amount of the consumer, and the consideration calculation unit 104 calculates a consideration to be paid to a stakeholder other than the consumer who has contributed to implementation of demand response separately from a consideration to be paid to the consumer based on the effect of implementation of demand response and a profit of the retail electricity provider associated with implementation of demand response.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Demand response (DR) is being introduced from the perspective of reducing power generation costs, realizing a low-carbon society, avoiding power shortages due to demand concentration, etc. Demand response is a process in which electricity retailers and the like request electricity consumers to cooperate in adjusting electricity demand during a target period in accordance with the electricity supply and demand situation, and related technologies are also known (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-081074 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Electricity retailers procure electricity in the wholesale electricity market, where electricity volume (kWh) is traded, and sell it to electricity consumers according to the amount of demand. When an event occurs that increases procurement costs and worsens their balance sheet, they request demand response from consumers to curb their electricity demand in order to reduce the amount of electricity they procure. In this case, the electricity retailer pays compensation to stakeholders, such as the electricity consumers, who implement the demand response. However, depending on the behavior of the consumers who implement the demand response, the electricity retailer may not be able to enjoy any economic benefits. For this reason, there was a need for the development of technology that would enable the compensation to be calculated according to the implementation of the demand response.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to make it possible to calculate the compensation to be paid to stakeholders depending on the content of demand response implementation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is an information processing system characterized by having an effect calculation means for calculating the effect of implementing a demand response in response to a request from a retail electricity supplier that procures electricity at wholesale prices and retails it to electricity consumers to reduce the amount of electricity demand, based on the electricity consumption of the consumer, and a compensation calculation means for calculating a compensation to be paid to an interested party other than the consumer who contributed to the implementation of the demand response, separately from the compensation to be paid to the consumer, based on the effect of the implementation and the profit of the retail electricity supplier resulting from the implementation of the demand response. The invention described in claim 2 is an information processing system as described in claim 1, further comprising a procurement information acquisition means for acquiring procurement information regarding the electricity procurement of the retail electricity supplier, and a DR request information acquisition means for acquiring DR request information regarding the demand response request, wherein the compensation calculation means calculates the compensation based on the difference between the profit of the retail electricity supplier obtained by accumulating the procurement cost per electricity trading unit, the cost of capacity contributions to the capacity market, and the control amount of electricity per trading unit, which are identified from the procurement information and the DR request information, respectively, when the demand response is implemented and when the demand response is not implemented, and the effect of the implementation. The invention described in claim 3 is the information processing system described in claim 2, characterized in that the compensation calculation means calculates the compensation taking into account the relationship between the effect of the implementation and the reduction in profits of the retail electricity supplier. The invention described in claim 4 is the information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the effect calculation means calculates the effect of the implementation based on the difference between the amount of power consumption after the demand response is implemented and the amount of power consumption if the demand response is not implemented. The invention described in claim 5 is the information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the power consumption is information calculated from demand equipment information regarding demand equipment installed for each consumer. The invention described in claim 6 is an information processing method including the steps of: calculating the effect of implementing a demand response in response to a request from an electricity retailer, which procures electricity at wholesale prices and sells it to electricity consumers, to reduce the amount of electricity demand, based on the electricity consumption of the consumer; and calculating compensation to be paid to stakeholders other than the consumer who contributed to the implementation of the demand response, separately from compensation to be paid to the consumer, based on the effect of the implementation and the profits of the electricity retailer resulting from the implementation of the demand response. The invention described in claim 7 is a program for causing a computer to realize the following functions: calculating the effect of implementing a demand response in response to a request from a retail electricity supplier that procures electricity at wholesale prices and retails it to electricity consumers to reduce the amount of electricity demand, based on the electricity consumption of the consumer; and calculating compensation to be paid to stakeholders other than the consumer who contributed to the implementation of the demand response, separately from the compensation to be paid to the consumer, based on the effect of the implementation and the profits of the retail electricity supplier resulting from the implementation of the demand response. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention of claim 1, the compensation to be paid to interested parties other than consumers can be calculated separately from the compensation paid to consumers, based on the effect of implementing demand response calculated based on the consumers' electricity consumption and the profits of the electricity retailer resulting from the implementation of demand response. As a result, the compensation to be paid to interested parties other than consumers can be calculated depending on the implementation of demand response. According to the present invention of claim 2, the compensation to be paid to interested parties other than consumers is calculated separately from the compensation to be paid to consumers based on the difference between the results of integrating the procurement cost per electricity transaction unit, the cost of capacity contributions in the capacity market, and the controlled amount of electricity per transaction unit, when demand response is implemented and when demand response is not implemented. As a result, the compensation to be paid to interested parties other than consumers can be calculated depending on the implementation of demand response. According to the present invention of claim 3, when calculating the compensation to be paid to stakeholders other than consumers, the relationship between the effect of the implementation and the reduction in profits of the electricity retailer is taken into consideration. As a result, it becomes possible to, for example, deduct the compensation based on the impact of the demand response on the reduction in profits of the electricity retailer. According to the present invention of claim 4, the effect of implementing a demand response can be calculated based on the difference between the amount of power consumption after implementing a demand response and the amount of power consumption if no demand response was implemented. As a result, the compensation to be paid to stakeholders other than consumers can be calculated depending on the implementation of the demand response. According to the present invention of claim 5, the amount of power consumption is calculated based on information about the demand equipment of the customer, so that the amount of power consumption can be calculated separately without using the measurement results from a meter that measures the amount of power consumption. According to the present invention of claim 6, the compensation to be paid to interested parties other than consumers can be calculated separately from the compensation paid to consumers, based on the effect of implementing demand response calculated based on the consumers' electricity consumption and the profits of the electricity retailer resulting from the implementation of demand response. As a result, the compensation to be paid to interested parties other than consumers can be calculated depending on the implementation of demand response. According to the present invention of claim 7, the compensation to be paid to interested parties other than consumers can be calculated separately from the compensation paid to consumers, based on the effect of implementing demand response calculated based on the consumers' electricity consumption and the profits of the electricity retailer resulting from the implementation of demand response. As a result, the compensation to be paid to interested parties other than consumers can be calculated depending on the implementation of demand response. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system to which the present embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of demand response. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a retail electricity supplier server. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a control unit of the electricity retailer server. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow of an electricity retailer server. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a service provided by the information processing system of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of control of demand equipment by demand response. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Configuration of Information Processing System 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 to which the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of demand response. The information processing system 1 is configured by connecting a retail electricity supplier server 10, measuring instruments 20-1 to 20-q (q is an integer value of 1 or greater), an aggregator server 30, manufacturer servers 50-1 to 50-n (n is an integer value of 1 or greater), edge controller servers 70-1 to 70-m (m is an integer value of 1 or greater), and consumer terminals 90-1 to 90-r (r is an integer value of 1 or greater) via a network 100. The network 100 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, etc.

[0010] Hereinafter, when there is no need to explain each of the measuring instruments 20-1 to 20-q individually, they will be collectively referred to as measuring instruments 20, and when there is no need to explain each of the manufacturer servers 50-1 to 50-n individually, they will be collectively referred to as manufacturer servers 50. Furthermore, when there is no need to explain each of the edge controller servers 70-1 to 70-m individually, they will be collectively referred to as edge controller servers 70, and when there is no need to explain each of the customer terminals 90-1 to 90-r individually, they will be collectively referred to as customer terminals 90.

[0011] (Retail electricity supplier server 10) The electricity retailer server 10 constituting the information processing system 1 is an information processing device managed by an electricity retailer. An electricity retailer is an entity that procures electricity at wholesale prices and sells electricity to electricity consumers in accordance with the amount of demand. A consumer is an entity that requires a supply of electricity, or an entity that purchases and uses electricity retailed by an electricity retailer. An electricity retailer procures electricity, for example, from both the wholesale electricity market, where the amount of electricity (kWh) is traded, and the capacity market, where the future electricity supply capacity (kW) is traded.

[0012] The electricity retailer server 10 stores and manages various types of information in a database. For example, the electricity retailer server 10 stores and manages information about electricity retailers (hereinafter referred to as "retail information") in a database. The retail information includes, for example, information for electricity retailers to procure electricity in the wholesale electricity market (hereinafter referred to as "first procurement information") and information for electricity retailers to procure electricity in the capacity market (hereinafter referred to as "second procurement information"). Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first procurement information and the second procurement information, they will be collectively referred to as "procurement information."

[0013] The electricity retailer server 10 also stores and manages information about consumers (hereinafter referred to as "consumer information") in a database. The consumer information includes, for example, information about the amount of electricity demanded by the consumer, the fee that the consumer pays to the electricity retailer for using electricity (hereinafter referred to as "consumer electricity fee"), information about appliances and storage batteries (hereinafter referred to as "demand equipment") owned by the consumer that operate using electricity (hereinafter referred to as "demand equipment information"), and information obtained from a meter 20 that measures the consumer's electricity usage (hereinafter referred to as "measurement information"). The demand equipment transmits the demand equipment information to the outside using a predetermined method. For example, a storage battery among the demand equipment transmits information such as charge / discharge amount to the outside as demand equipment information under the control of a PCS (Power Conditioning System). The meter 20 is, for example, a so-called smart meter or the like that has the function of measuring power usage and the function of transmitting the measurement results to the outside.

[0014] Among the consumer information, the consumer electricity charge is calculated, for example, as the unit price of the electricity metered rate plus the fuel cost adjustment unit price and the renewable energy generation promotion surcharge. The fuel cost adjustment unit price is a unit price that is automatically determined based on the fuel cost adjustment system, which adjusts electricity rates according to price fluctuations of thermal fuels such as crude oil, LNG (liquefied natural gas), and coal. The renewable energy generation promotion surcharge is a cost borne by the consumer when electricity generated from renewable energy (solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, etc.) is purchased by a retail electricity supplier under the feed-in tariff system for renewable energy.

[0015] The consumer information also includes information on the amount of power generated by the consumer (hereinafter referred to as "power generation information"). In other words, consumers not only receive and use power supply, but also generate power using their own PV (photovoltaic power generation system), store the generated power in a storage battery, and use the power stored in the storage battery.

[0016] The electricity retailer server 10 also provides a website (hereinafter referred to as the "consumer portal site") that consumers can use. The electricity retailer server 10 enables the transmission and reception of various information via the consumer portal site or without the consumer portal site. For example, the electricity retailer server 10 acquires consumer information transmitted from each of the measuring instruments 20 and the consumer terminals 90. The electricity retailer server 10 also acquires information indicating the result of the decision on whether or not to implement a demand response (hereinafter referred to as the "decision result information") transmitted from the aggregator server 30, and transmits it to the consumer terminal 90.

[0017] Furthermore, the electricity retailer server 10 is capable of transmitting and receiving various types of information via a platform (hereinafter referred to as a "common platform") that is provided by the aggregator server 30 and can be used in common by aggregators and electricity retailers. For example, the electricity retailer server 10 transmits information such as retailer information, consumer information, and information regarding a demand response request that includes at least the contents of the demand response (hereinafter referred to as "DR request information") to the aggregator server 30 via the common platform.

[0018] Furthermore, the electricity retailer server 10 is capable of acquiring various types of information transmitted from external sources and performing various processes. For example, the electricity retailer server 10 acquires various types of information provided by the Japan Electric Power Exchange (hereinafter abbreviated as "JEPX") as first procurement information, among the various types of information transmitted from external sources. JEPX is an organization that operates the wholesale electricity market, and electricity retailers are members of JEPX. The electricity retailers procure electricity (kWh) at the JEPX market price (hereinafter referred to as the "JEPX price") identified from the first procurement information.

[0019] Furthermore, the electricity retailer server 10 acquires various types of information provided by the Organization for Cross-regional Coordination of Transmission Operators (hereinafter referred to as "OCCTO") as second procurement information, which is one of various types of information transmitted from outside. The second procurement information includes, for example, the contract price determined in the capacity market auction.

[0020] OCCTO is the organization that operates the capacity market, and electricity retailers are members of OCCTO. Electricity retailers pay capacity contributions, which are statutory charges to secure future power supply in the capacity market, to OCCTO. Electricity retailers manage information on capacity contributions as secondary procurement information. Information on capacity contributions includes information on increases or decreases in capacity contributions decided by electricity retailers based on forecasts of retail electricity load. In addition, electricity retailers procure electricity at the contract price in the capacity market.

[0021] When an electricity retailer issues a demand response order, the electricity retailer server 10 transmits DR request information to the aggregator server 30 via the common platform. The DR request information includes, for example, the time period for implementing upward DR or downward DR and a target value for the amount of adjustment of electricity demand.

[0022] Furthermore, the electricity retailer server 10 calculates the effect of implementing a demand response based on the measurement information included in the consumer information. Specifically, the electricity retailer server 10 calculates the effect of implementing a demand response based on the difference between the amount of power consumption after implementing a demand response and the amount of power consumption if the demand response were not implemented, as determined from the measurement information. The electricity retailer server 10 then calculates the consideration (hereinafter referred to as the "first consideration") to be paid by the electricity retailer to the consumer based on the calculated effect of implementing the demand response. The electricity retailer server 10 presents the calculated first consideration to the consumer terminal 90 via the consumer portal site. That is, the electricity retailer server 10 calculates the first consideration using measurement information from a meter 20 installed at the power receiving point, which is the connection point between the grid and the consumer. The configuration of the electricity retailer server 10 will be described in detail later.

[0023] (Aggregator Server 30) The aggregator server 30 constituting the information processing system 1 is an information processing device managed by a specified wholesale supplier (hereinafter referred to as "aggregator"). An aggregator is an entity that acts as an intermediary between retail electricity suppliers and consumers to control the balance between supply and demand of electricity. The aggregator server 30 provides a common platform. The aggregator server 30 enables the transmission and reception of various types of information via the common platform.

[0024] For example, the aggregator server 30 acquires various information transmitted from the electricity retailer server 10 via the common platform and performs various processes. The aggregator server 30 also transmits various information to the manufacturer server 50 and the edge controller server 70 via the common platform and causes them to perform various processes. Specifically, the aggregator server 30 acquires information such as retailer information, consumer information, and DR request information via the common platform.

[0025] Electricity retailers issue demand responses that change the amount of electricity demanded by consumers. As shown in Figure 2, demand responses are classified into upward DR and downward DR depending on the pattern of control of the consumer's electricity demand. Upward DR is a demand response that aims to increase the amount of electricity demand. Consumers implement upward DR by controlling the amount of electricity consumption by demand equipment. For example, power consumption can be increased by controlling the charging of a storage battery, which is a demand equipment. In contrast, downward DR is a demand response that aims to reduce the amount of electricity demand. Consumers implement downward DR by controlling the amount of electricity consumption by demand equipment. For example, power consumption can be reduced by having other demand equipment use the power charged in a storage battery.

[0026] Specifically, downward DR is implemented by controlling demand equipment so that actual power usage is lower than the expected power usage if the consumer does not implement demand response (hereinafter referred to as the "baseline"). The baseline is calculated, for example, by adding a correction for the day on which demand response is implemented to the average value for four days out of the last five days when power demand is high. In the graph in Figure 2, the solid curve indicates the baseline, and the dashed curve indicates the amount of power demand adjustment, which is the difference between the baseline and actual power usage (actual load).

[0027] When an electricity retailer issues a demand response order, DR request information is transmitted from the electricity retailer server 10 in Fig. 1 to the aggregator server 30 via the common platform. Upon receiving the DR request information, the aggregator server 30 determines whether to have the consumer implement a demand response based on the received DR request information, retailer information, and consumer information.

[0028] Here, there is no particular limitation on the criteria by which the aggregator server 30 determines whether to have a consumer implement a demand response. For example, the aggregator server 30 determines whether to have a consumer implement a demand response based on whether a capacity market is activated, the impact on the consumer's economic viability, etc.

[0029] Here, "activation of the capacity market" refers to the activation of the capacity market by a general electricity transmission and distribution utility, the successful bidder in the capacity market auction, based on a capacity reservation contract when a sudden deterioration in electricity supply and demand occurs. A "general electricity transmission and distribution utility" is an entity that manages the electricity transmission and distribution network, including transmission and distribution lines, and is responsible for delivering electricity to consumers. When the capacity market is activated, retail electricity suppliers issue demand response orders, which are designated as activation command sources. "Activation command sources" are power sources participating in the capacity market whose individual expected capacity does not meet the predetermined supply capacity (kW), or self-generation, storage batteries, demand response, etc. that cannot provide stable supply capacity (kW), which are used alone or in combination to raise the expected capacity to above the predetermined supply capacity (kW). "Expected capacity" refers to the expected power capacity that can be expected to supply in a service area in the actual supply and demand fiscal year.

[0030] When the aggregator server 30 decides to have the consumer implement a demand response, it notifies the electricity retailer server 10 of the decision to implement a demand response. Specifically, the aggregator server 30 transmits information indicating the decision to implement a demand response as decision result information to the electricity retailer server 10 via the common platform. In addition, the aggregator server 30 transmits information regarding instructions to implement a demand response (hereinafter referred to as "DR instruction information") to the manufacturer server 50 and the edge controller server 70 via the common platform.

[0031] Furthermore, when the aggregator server 30 decides not to have the consumer implement a demand response, it notifies the electricity retailer server 10 of the decision not to have the consumer implement a demand response. Specifically, the aggregator server 30 transmits information indicating the decision not to have the consumer implement a demand response as decision result information to the electricity retailer server 10 via the common platform.

[0032] The aggregator server 30 also calculates a consideration (hereinafter referred to as a "second consideration") to be paid by the electricity retailer to stakeholders other than the consumers who contributed to the implementation of the demand response. Specifically, the aggregator server 30 calculates the second consideration based on the effect of the demand response implementation calculated based on the demand equipment information included in the consumer information and the profit of the electricity retailer resulting from the implementation of the demand response. That is, unlike the first consideration calculated based on power receiving point-based information, the aggregator server 30 calculates the second consideration based on information measured individually for each demand equipment (equipment point-based information). Furthermore, depending on the calculated effect of the demand response implementation, the electricity retailer may not be able to enjoy any economic benefits. In such cases, the aggregator server 30 calculates the second consideration taking into account the amount of economic benefits that the electricity retailer was unable to enjoy (for example, a reduced amount) based on the relationship between the effect of the demand response implementation and the reduction in the electricity retailer's profits. The configuration of the aggregator server 30 will be described in detail later.

[0033] (Manufacturer Server 50) The manufacturer server 50 constituting the information processing system 1 is an information processing device managed by a manufacturer of the demand equipment. The manufacturer server 50 is connected to the demand equipment (not shown) of the customer via the network 100, and is capable of remotely controlling the demand equipment. The manufacturer server 50 remotely controls the demand equipment based on DR instruction information transmitted from the common platform. The configuration of the manufacturer server 50 will be described in detail later.

[0034] (Edge controller server 70) The edge controller server 70 constituting the information processing system 1 is connected to the edge controller via the network 100, and the edge controller is connected to the demand equipment (not shown) of the customer. The edge controller server 70 remotely controls the demand equipment via the edge controller based on DR instruction information transmitted from the common platform. The configuration of the edge controller server 70 will be described in detail later.

[0035] (Customer terminal 90) The consumer terminal 90 constituting the information processing system 1 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, tablet terminal, or smartphone operated by a consumer who will be the entity implementing a demand response. An application program that enables use of the consumer portal site provided by the electricity retailer server 10 is assumed to be pre-installed on the consumer terminal 90.

[0036] The customer terminal 90 is capable of performing various processes based on various information transmitted via the customer portal site and various information input by the customer's operation. The customer terminal 90 is also capable of transmitting various information via the customer portal site. The customer terminal 90 may or may not be connected to the measuring instrument 20 and the customer's demand equipment via the network 100. The configuration of the customer terminal 90 will be described in detail later.

[0037] The above-described configuration of the information processing system 1 is one example, and it is sufficient if the information processing system 1 as a whole has the functions to realize the above-described processes. Therefore, some or all of the functions to realize the above-described processes may be shared or cooperated among the information processing devices in the information processing system 1. That is, some or all of the functions of the electricity retailer server 10 may be functions of the aggregator server 30, the manufacturer server 50, the edge controller server 70, or the consumer terminal 90, and some or all of the functions of the aggregator server 30 may be functions of the electricity retailer server 10, the manufacturer server 50, the edge controller server 70, or the consumer terminal 90.

[0038] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the manufacturer server 50 may be functions of the electricity retailer server 10, the aggregator server 30, the edge controller server 70, or the consumer terminal 90, and some or all of the functions of the edge controller server 70 may be functions of the electricity retailer server 10, the aggregator server 30, the manufacturer server 50, or the consumer terminal 90. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the consumer terminal 90 may be functions of the electricity retailer server 10, the aggregator server 30, the manufacturer server 50, or the edge controller server 70. Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each information processing device constituting the information processing system 1 may be transferred to another server (not shown), etc. This promotes processing in the information processing system 1 as a whole and also allows the processes to complement each other.

[0039] <Hardware configuration> (Hardware configuration of retail electricity supplier server 10) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the electricity retailer server 10. As shown in FIG. The electricity retailer server 10 has a control unit 11, a memory 12, a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a display unit 16. These units are connected to each other via a data bus, an address bus, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, etc.

[0040] The control unit 11 is a processor that controls the functions of the electricity retailer server 10 through the execution of various software such as an OS (operating system) and application software. The control unit 11 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 12 is a storage area that stores various software and data used to execute the software, and is used as a working area for calculations. The memory 12 is composed of, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0041] The storage unit 13 is a storage area that stores input data for various software programs, output data from various software programs, etc. The storage unit 13 is configured with, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a semiconductor memory, etc. that are used to store programs, various setting data, etc. The storage unit 13 is provided with databases that store various information. Examples of the databases provided in the storage unit 13 include a database that stores retailer information, a database that stores consumer information, a database that stores DR request information, a database that stores decision result information, and a database that stores DR instruction information.

[0042] The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data to and from the measuring instrument 20, the aggregator server 30, the manufacturer server 50, the edge controller server 70, the consumer terminal 90, and external parties via the network 100. The operation unit 15 is configured with, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, mechanical buttons, and switches, and accepts input operations. The operation unit 15 also includes a touch sensor that forms a touch panel integrally with the display unit 16. The display unit 16 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display used to display information, and displays image and text data, etc. The display unit 16 displays a user interface, etc.

[0043] (Hardware configuration of aggregator server 30, manufacturer server 50, edge controller server 70, and consumer terminal 90) The hardware configurations of the aggregator server 30, the manufacturer server 50, the edge controller server 70, and the customer terminal 90 are similar to the hardware configuration of the electricity retailer server 10 shown in Fig. 3. That is, the aggregator server 30, the manufacturer server 50, the edge controller server 70, and the customer terminal 90 each include a control unit, a memory, a storage unit, a communication unit, an operation unit, and a display unit that have the same functions as the control unit 11, the memory 12, the storage unit 13, the communication unit 14, the operation unit 15, and the display unit 16 shown in Fig. 3. For this reason, illustrations and descriptions of the hardware configurations of the aggregator server 30, the manufacturer server 50, the edge controller server 70, and the customer terminal 90 will be omitted.

[0044] <Functional configuration> (Functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the electricity retailer server 10) FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the electricity retailer server 10. As shown in FIG. In the control unit 11 of the electricity retailer server 10, an acquisition unit 101, a management unit 102, an effect calculation unit 103, a price calculation unit 104, and a transmission control unit 105 function.

[0045] The acquisition unit 101 acquires various types of information via the communication unit 14 (see FIG. 3). For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires various types of information transmitted via a common platform or without via a common platform via the communication unit 14. For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires information such as consumer information and first procurement information and second procurement information as retail side information.

[0046] The management unit 102 stores and manages various types of information in a database of the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 3). For example, the management unit 102 stores and manages information such as retail side information, consumer information, DR request information, decision result information, and DR instruction information in the database.

[0047] When a demand response is implemented, the effect calculation unit 103 calculates the effect of implementing the demand response based on the measurement information included in the consumer information. Specifically, the effect calculation unit 103 calculates the effect of implementing the demand response based on the amount of power consumption that would have occurred if the consumer had not implemented a demand response and the measurement information included in the consumer information. For example, the effect calculation unit 103 calculates the effect of implementing the demand response from the difference between the baseline and the actual amount of power consumption (actual load).

[0048] The consideration calculation unit 104 calculates the first consideration. Specifically, the consideration calculation unit 104 calculates the first consideration based on the effect of implementing the demand response calculated by the effect calculation unit 103.

[0049] The transmission control unit 105 performs control to transmit various types of information via the communication unit 14. For example, the transmission control unit 105 performs control to transmit information such as retail side information, consumer information, and DR request information to the aggregator server 30 via the common platform. The transmission control unit 105 also performs control to transmit information such as decision result information to the consumer terminal 90 via the consumer portal site.

[0050] (Functional configuration of the control unit of the aggregator server 30) The functional configuration of the control unit of the aggregator server 30 has the same configuration as the functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the electricity retailer server 10 shown in Fig. 4. That is, the aggregator server 30 has an acquisition unit, a management unit, an effect calculation unit, a payment calculation unit, and a transmission control unit, which correspond to the acquisition unit 101, the management unit 102, the effect calculation unit 103, the payment calculation unit 104, and the transmission control unit 105, respectively, shown in Fig. 4. For this reason, the functional configuration of the control unit of the aggregator server 30 is not shown in the figure.

[0051] The acquisition unit, which functions as a control unit of the aggregator server 30, acquires various types of information. For example, the acquisition unit acquires various types of information transmitted via a common platform or without a common platform via a communication unit. Specifically, for example, the acquisition unit acquires information such as consumer information and first procurement information and second procurement information as retailer-side information.

[0052] The management unit, which functions as a control unit of the aggregator server 30, stores and manages various types of information in a database in the storage unit. For example, the management unit can store and manage information such as retailer information, consumer information, DR request information, decision result information, and DR instruction information in the database.

[0053] When a demand response is implemented, the effect calculation unit functioning in the control unit of the aggregator server 30 calculates the effect of implementing the demand response based on the demand equipment information included in the consumer information. Specifically, the effect calculation unit calculates the effect of implementing the demand response from the amount of power usage if the consumer did not implement a demand response and the demand equipment information included in the consumer information.

[0054] The price calculation unit, which functions in the control unit of the aggregator server 30, calculates the second price. Specifically, the price calculation unit calculates the second price based on the effect of implementing demand response calculated by the effect calculation unit and the profit of the electricity retailer resulting from implementing the demand response. More specifically, the price calculation unit accumulates the procurement cost and capacity contribution cost for each unit of electricity transaction, and the controlled amount of electricity for each unit of transaction, which are identified from the procurement information and the DR request information, for cases where demand response is implemented and cases where demand response is not implemented. The price calculation unit then calculates the second price based on the profit of the electricity retailer obtained from the accumulation results for cases where demand response is implemented and cases where demand response is not implemented.

[0055] Aggregators and manufacturers of consumer equipment contribute to demand response by controlling the consumer's equipment. Meanwhile, power consumption based on power receiving point-based information (measurement information from meter 20) can fluctuate for reasons unrelated to demand response, such as changes in consumer behavior (e.g., voluntary energy-saving behavior, irregular conditions such as family absence, etc.). In response to this, the compensation calculation unit performs calculations based on information measured individually for each consumer device (device point-based information). This allows for the elimination of increases or decreases in power consumption due to reasons unrelated to demand response. As a result, it becomes possible to calculate appropriate compensation (second compensation) for the respective contributions of the aggregator and the manufacturer of the consumer equipment. Furthermore, there are cases in which a retail electricity supplier determines that it will not enjoy any economic benefits from implementing demand response. In such cases, the compensation calculation unit can calculate a second compensation that takes into account the amount of economic benefits the retail electricity supplier did not enjoy (by reducing the amount, if necessary) based on the retail electricity supplier's determination. Furthermore, depending on the effect of the demand response implementation calculated by the effect calculation unit, there are cases where the electricity retailer is unable to enjoy any economic benefits. In such cases, the compensation calculation unit can calculate a second compensation that takes into account the amount of economic benefits that the electricity retailer was unable to enjoy (by making reductions, etc. as necessary), based on the relationship between the effect of the demand response implementation and the reduction in the electricity retailer's profits.

[0056] The transmission control unit functioning as the control unit of the aggregator server 30 controls the transmission of various types of information via the communication unit. For example, the transmission control unit controls the transmission of information such as decision result information to the electricity retailer server 10 via the common platform. The transmission control unit also controls the transmission of information such as DR instruction information to the manufacturer server 50 and the edge controller server 70 via the common platform.

[0057] <Processing flow of the electricity retailer server 10> FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow of the electricity retailer server 10. The electricity retailer server 10 stores and manages retail-side information in a database (step 501). The retail-side information includes, for example, procurement information. When consumer information is transmitted from the consumer terminal 90 (YES in step 502), the electricity retailer server 10 acquires the transmitted consumer information and stores and manages it in a database (step 503). The consumer information includes consumer electricity charges, consumer equipment information, and the like. On the other hand, if consumer information has not been transmitted (NO in step 502), the electricity retailer server 10 repeats the determination process of step 502 until consumer information is transmitted.

[0058] When measurement information is transmitted from the meter 20 (YES in step 504), the electricity retailer server 10 acquires the transmitted measurement information and stores and manages it in a database as consumer information (step 505). On the other hand, when measurement information is not transmitted (NO in step 504), the electricity retailer server 10 repeats the determination process in step 504 until measurement information is transmitted.

[0059] When a demand response is issued by the electricity retailer (YES in step 506), the electricity retailer server 10 transmits DR request information to the aggregator server 30 (step 507). The DR request information includes, for example, the time period for which the demand response is to be implemented and the target value for the amount of adjustment of power demand. On the other hand, when a demand response has not been issued (NO in step 506), the electricity retailer server 10 repeats the determination process of step 506 until a demand response is issued. Note that when a demand response has not been issued (NO in step 506), the electricity retailer server 10 can return to the determination process of step 502 to reacquire consumer information instead of repeating the determination process of step 506.

[0060] When a demand response is performed (YES in step 508) and measurement information is transmitted from the meter 20 (YES in step 509), the electricity retailer server 10 acquires the transmitted measurement information and stores and manages it in a database as consumer information (step 510). On the other hand, if a demand response is not performed (NO in step 508), the electricity retailer server 10 repeats the determination process in step 508 until a demand response is performed. Also, if measurement information is not transmitted (NO in step 509), the electricity retailer server 10 repeats the determination process in step 509 until measurement information is transmitted.

[0061] The electricity retailer server 10 calculates the effect of implementing a demand response based on the measurement information stored in the database as demand information (step 511). Specifically, the electricity retailer server 10 calculates the effect of implementing a demand response based on the difference between the amount of power consumption after implementing a demand response and the amount of power consumption if the demand response had not been implemented, which is identified from the measurement information stored in the database.

[0062] The electricity retailer server 10 calculates a first consideration based on the effect of implementing the demand response calculated in step 511 (step 512). Then, the electricity retailer server 10 transmits the first consideration to the customer terminal 90 (step 513).

[0063] <Example> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a service provided by the information processing system 1 of FIG. FIG. 6 shows an electricity retailer 21, an aggregator 31, and a consumer 91. Each of the electricity retailer 21, the aggregator 31, and the consumer 91 manages or operates the electricity retailer server 10, the aggregator server 30, and the consumer terminal 90 in the information processing system 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 also shows a JEPX 200 that provides first procurement information to the electricity retailer 21, and an OCCTO 400 that provides second procurement information to the electricity retailer 21. FIG. 6 also shows consumer equipment 51 remotely controlled by the manufacturer server 50 of FIG. 1, and an edge controller 71 and consumer equipment 72 remotely controlled by the edge controller server 70 of FIG. 1.

[0064] 6 also shows the consumer portal site 22 and the common platform 32. The consumer portal site 22 and the common platform 32 may or may not be linked together. When the consumer portal site 22 and the common platform 32 are linked together, the determined content (for example, whether or not to implement a demand response) may be automatically notified to the consumer 91 via the consumer portal site 22. Even when the common platform 32 and the consumer portal site 22 are not linked together, the electricity retailer 21 may be able to notify the consumer 91 of the determined content via the consumer portal site 22.

[0065] Here, for example, suppose that the electricity retailer 21 issues a downward DR and the aggregator server 30 controls the implementation of the downward DR. Then, the electricity retailer server 10 acquires measurement information from the meter 20. Then, the electricity retailer server 10 calculates the effect of implementing a demand response based on the acquired measurement information, and calculates a first unit price based on the calculated effect of implementing the demand response. The electricity retailer server 10 presents the calculated first price to the consumer terminal 90 via the consumer portal site 22.

[0066] Furthermore, the aggregator server 30 accumulates the procurement cost and capacity contribution cost for each unit of electricity transaction, and the controlled amount of electricity for each unit of transaction. The aggregator server 30 then calculates a second consideration based on the difference between the accumulation result when demand response is implemented and the accumulation result when demand response is not implemented. Depending on the calculated effect of the demand response implementation, the electricity retailer may not be able to enjoy any economic benefits. Therefore, the aggregator server 30 calculates a second consideration that takes into account the amount of economic benefits that the electricity retailer was unable to enjoy (for example, a reduced amount). The aggregator server 30 presents the calculated second consideration to the manufacturer server 50 via the common platform 32.

[0067] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of control of demand equipment by demand response. Figure 7 shows a graph with time on the horizontal axis and JEPX price on the vertical axis. In the graph in Figure 7, the JEPX price at time T1 is P1, and the JEPX price at time T2 is P2. Furthermore, the JEPX price at time T3 is P3, and the JEPX price at time T4 is P4. Of these, timings T1 and T3 both indicate the peak timing when the JEPX price turns from an upward trend to a downward trend. Furthermore, T2 indicates the peak timing when the JEPX price turns from a downward trend to an upward trend. Furthermore, P4 indicates a timing at which the JEPX price is in the middle of a downward trend.

[0068] Electricity retailers issue demand responses with the aim of reducing procurement costs. In other words, when the JEPX price is high (i.e., when procurement costs are high), even if an electricity retailer procures electricity and retails it to consumers (i.e., by allowing consumers to use the electricity), it may not be able to make the profit it intended. On the other hand, when the JEPX price is low (i.e., when procurement costs are low), even if an electricity retailer procures electricity and retails it to consumers (i.e., by allowing consumers to use the electricity), it may be able to make the profit it intended.

[0069] In addition, consumers who own storage batteries as consumer equipment charge their storage batteries by using electricity (purchasing electricity) and sell the electricity (selling electricity) or reduce their electricity consumption (purchasing electricity) by discharging it. Therefore, in order to reduce procurement costs, electricity retailers who sell electricity to consumers and purchase surplus electricity from consumers procure electricity through JEPX and retail it to consumers when the JEPX price is low, and purchase surplus electricity from consumers when the JEPX price is high. Specifically, when the JEPX price is low, electricity retailers issue an upward demand request to charge their storage batteries (to have consumers purchase electricity), and when the JEPX price is high, they issue a downward demand request to discharge their storage batteries (to have consumers sell electricity).

[0070] When the aggregator server 30 in FIG. 1 decides to implement a demand response, it controls the demand devices 51 and 72 in FIG. 6 to implement the demand response. Specifically, in the example of FIG. 7, the electricity retailer issues downward DRs at timing T1 when the JEPX price becomes P1 and timing T3 when the JEPX price becomes P3. In this case, when the aggregator server 30 decides to implement a downward DR, it controls the storage battery to discharge (sell electricity). Furthermore, the electricity retailer issues upward DRs at timing T2 when the JEPX price becomes P2 and timing T4 when the JEPX price becomes P4. In this case, when the aggregator server 30 decides to implement an upward DR, it controls the storage battery to charge (purchase electricity).

[0071] <Other embodiments> Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the above-described embodiment. For example, the configuration of the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the hardware configuration of the electricity retailer server 10 shown in FIG. 3, and the functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the electricity retailer server 10 shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples for achieving the object of the present invention and are not particularly limited. In other words, it is sufficient for the information processing system 1 of FIG. 1 to have the function of being able to execute the above-described processing as a whole, and the hardware configuration and functional configuration used to realize this function are not limited to the above-described examples.

[0072] Furthermore, the order of the processing steps of the electricity retailer server 10 shown in Figure 5 is merely an example and is not particularly limited. The processing is not limited to being performed in chronological order according to the order of the steps shown in the figure, and may be performed in parallel or individually, without necessarily being necessarily performed in chronological order. Furthermore, the specific examples shown in Figures 6 and 7 are merely examples and are not particularly limited.

[0073] For example, in the above-described embodiment, it is described that a storage battery is controlled as a demand device when a consumer implements a demand response, but the demand device is not limited to a storage battery. Any device that operates using electric power can be subject to control.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the first consideration paid to the consumer and the second consideration paid to the interested party other than the consumer are each calculated using the following method. That is, the first consideration is calculated by the electricity retailer server 10 based on measurement information from the meter 20 installed at the power receiving point. The second consideration is calculated by the aggregator server 30 based on the effect of implementing a demand response calculated based on the demand equipment information and the profit of the electricity retailer associated with implementing the demand response. That is, while the first consideration is calculated using a conventional method based on power receiving point-based information, the second consideration is calculated using a method different from the conventional method based on equipment point-based information. However, the method for calculating the second consideration is not limited to the above-described method.

[0075] For example, the second consideration may be calculated based on information on the power receiving point. That is, the second consideration may be calculated using the difference between the predicted value of the power consumption at the power receiving point when demand response is not implemented and the actual value of the power consumption at the power receiving point when demand response is implemented (i.e., the profit of the electricity retailer). This makes it possible to calculate the first consideration using a conventional method that is easy for consumers to understand, and to calculate the second consideration using a method that suits the actual situation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...information processing system, 10...retail electricity supplier server, 20...measuring instrument, 30...aggregator server, 50...manufacturer server, 70...edge controller server, 90...consumer terminal, 11...control unit, 12...memory, 13...storage unit, 14...communication unit, 15...operation unit, 16...display unit, 101...acquisition unit, 102...management unit, 103...effect calculation unit, 104...cost calculation unit, 105...transmission control unit, 100...network

Claims

1. an effect calculation means for calculating the effect of implementing a demand response in response to a request from a retail electricity supplier that procures electricity at wholesale prices and retails it to electricity consumers to reduce the amount of electricity demand, based on the amount of electricity used by the consumers; a compensation calculation means for calculating compensation to be paid to stakeholders other than the consumer who contributed to the implementation of the demand response, separately from compensation to be paid to the consumer, based on the effect of the implementation and the profit of the electricity retailer resulting from the implementation of the demand response; An information processing system comprising:

2. a procurement information acquisition means for acquiring procurement information relating to the electricity procurement of the electricity retailer; DR request information acquisition means for acquiring DR request information regarding the demand response request; and The compensation calculation means calculates the compensation based on the difference between the profit of the retail electricity supplier obtained by integrating the procurement cost for each electricity transaction unit, the cost of capacity contributions in the capacity market, and the controlled amount of electricity for each transaction unit, which are identified from the procurement information and the DR request information, respectively, in a case where the demand response is implemented and a case where the demand response is not implemented, and the effect of the implementation. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The compensation calculation means calculates the compensation taking into consideration the relationship between the effect of the implementation and a decrease in the profits of the retail electricity supplier. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. the effect calculation means calculates the effect of the demand response based on a difference between the amount of power consumption after the demand response is implemented and the amount of power consumption if the demand response is not implemented. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The power consumption is information calculated from demand equipment information regarding demand equipment installed for each of the consumers. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

6. a step of calculating an effect of implementing a demand response in response to a request for a demand response to reduce the amount of electricity demand from a retail electricity supplier that procures electricity at wholesale prices and retails it to electricity consumers, based on the amount of electricity used by the consumers; calculating, based on the effect of the implementation and the profit of the electricity retailer resulting from the implementation of the demand response, a compensation to be paid to an interested party other than the consumer who contributed to the implementation of the demand response, separately from the compensation to be paid to the consumer; An information processing method including:

7. On the computer, A function of calculating the effect of implementing a demand response in response to a request from a retail electricity supplier that procures electricity at wholesale prices and sells it to electricity consumers to curb the amount of electricity demand, based on the amount of electricity used by the consumer; a function of calculating compensation to be paid to stakeholders other than the consumer who contributed to the implementation of the demand response, separately from the compensation to be paid to the consumer, based on the effect of the implementation and the profit of the electricity retailer resulting from the implementation of the demand response; A program to achieve this.

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