Power supply management server and computer program

Abstract

The system provides a power supply management server that supplies energy of multiple attributes to the same customer according to the customer's needs. [Solution] The power supply management server 1 is used by an electric utility 1A that supplies power W to a customer 5A. The power supply management server is configured to receive a specification (information D1) regarding the energy to be supplied to the customer, determine a first amount of first energy W1 to be supplied to the customer per unit time based on the specification, and use the first amount of energy to determine a second amount of second energy W2, which has different attributes from the first energy, to be supplied to the customer per unit time. The first energy includes renewable energy whose amount of power generated fluctuates depending on the power generation status, and determining the first amount of energy includes using information indicating the power generation status of the renewable energy power generation equipment to determine the amount of renewable energy generated by the power generation equipment to be supplied to the customer per unit time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply management server and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] Power generation methods include so-called fossil power sources that use fossil fuels and renewable energy called so-called non-fossil power sources that utilize natural forces such as sunlight, wind power, wave power / tidal power, water flow / tide, geothermal energy, and biomass. For example, non-fossil certificates are issued for electricity generated from non-fossil power sources, and its environmental value is proven. In recent years, solar power generation has been carried out by companies and individual business owners.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0004] As power generation methods, power generators (operators), power generation locations, power generation equipment, etc. diversify, the interest of consumers in the attributes of energy is increasing. Some consumers may wish to receive a specific energy supply. On the other hand, the power generation amount of renewable energy called so-called non-fossil power sources that utilize natural forces is often affected by the natural environment, and thus the supply amount depends on the power generation situation. Therefore, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a power supply management server and a computer program that supply energies of a plurality of attributes including renewable energy to the same consumer according to the needs of the consumer.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the power supply management server is a power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies electricity to consumers. The power supply management server is configured to receive a specification regarding the energy to be supplied to consumers, determine a first amount of energy of a first energy to be supplied to consumers per unit time based on the specification, and use the first amount of energy to determine a second amount of energy of a second energy, which has different attributes from the first energy, to be supplied to consumers per unit time. The first energy includes renewable energy whose generation amount fluctuates depending on the generation status, and determining the first amount of energy includes using information indicating the generation status of the renewable energy power generation equipment to determine the amount of renewable energy generated by the power generation equipment to be supplied to consumers per unit time.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the power supply management server is a power supply management server that calculates the electricity charges for consumers supplied with a first energy source including renewable energy and a second energy source other than the first energy source. The power supply management server is configured to obtain the market price of the energy and calculate a first electricity charge by applying a first unit price corresponding to the market price to a first amount of electricity of the first energy source supplied to the consumer per unit time.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the computer program is a computer program that causes a computer to function as a power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies electricity to consumers. The computer program receives a specification regarding the energy to be supplied to consumers, and based on the specification, causes the computer to determine a first amount of energy of a first energy to be supplied to consumers per unit time, and uses the first amount of energy to determine a second amount of energy of a second energy, which has different attributes from the first energy, to be supplied to consumers per unit time. The first energy includes renewable energy whose amount of generation fluctuates depending on the generation conditions, and determining the first amount of energy includes using information indicating the generation conditions of the renewable energy power generation equipment to determine the amount of renewable energy generated by the power generation equipment to be supplied to consumers per unit time.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the computer program is a computer program that causes a computer to function as a power supply management server that calculates electricity charges for consumers supplied with a first energy source including renewable energy and a second energy source other than the first energy source. The computer program causes the computer to obtain the market price of the energy and calculate a first electricity charge by applying a first unit price corresponding to the market price to a first amount of electricity of the first energy source supplied to the consumer per unit time.

[0009] Further details will be described in the embodiments below. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the power supply management method according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of a power supply management server according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the power supply management server. [Figure 4]Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the time evolution of the power supplied to consumers via the power supply management server and the first power source. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] <1. Overview of the Power Supply Management Server and Computer Program> (1) The power supply management server according to the embodiment is a power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies electricity to consumers. The power supply management server is configured to receive a designation regarding the energy to be supplied to consumers, determine a first amount of first energy to be supplied to consumers per unit time based on the designation, and use the first amount of energy to determine a second amount of second energy, which has different attributes from the first energy, to be supplied to consumers per unit time. The first energy includes renewable energy whose amount of power generated fluctuates depending on the power generation status, and determining the first amount of energy includes using information indicating the power generation status of the renewable energy power generation equipment to determine the amount of renewable energy generated by the power generation equipment to be supplied to consumers per unit time.

[0012] As described above, by determining the first energy quantity of a specified first energy and the second energy quantity of a second energy with different attributes from the first energy, the power supply server can distinguish and supply the specified first energy and the second energy with different attributes. This allows the power supply management server to supply energy with multiple attributes according to the customer's needs when a customer requests the supply of a specific energy. Furthermore, if the specified attributes include renewable energy whose generation amount fluctuates depending on the generation conditions, the power supply management server can change the amount of renewable energy supplied according to the fluctuations in generation amount depending on the generation conditions. Therefore, it can supply the customer with the specified energy attribute in an appropriate amount.

[0013] (2) The power supply management server of (1), preferably configured to obtain the market price of energy, calculate a first electricity charge by applying a first unit price corresponding to the market price to a first amount of first energy supplied to a consumer per unit time, and calculate a second electricity charge by applying a second unit price different from the first unit price to a second amount of energy. This allows the power supply management server to present to consumers, according to the consumer's needs, the charges for first energy, including renewable energy, separately from the charges for second energy other than first energy.

[0014] (3)(1)(2) A power supply management server, preferably in which the attributes include at least one of the following: power generation method, power generator, power generation location, start date of operation, whether or not there is a subsidy system for power generators, and characteristics of power generation equipment. A consumer may specify attributes as an energy specification, for example, at least one of the following: power generation method, power generator, power generation location, start date of operation, whether or not there is a subsidy system for power generators, and characteristics of power generation equipment. In this case, the power supply management server can supply energy with attributes that meet the consumer's needs.

[0015] (4) The power supply management server according to (1) to (3), preferably the information indicating the power generation status includes at least one of the power generation plan and the power generation actuals of the power generation equipment. This allows the power supply management server to determine the amount of renewable energy to be supplied using at least one of the power generation plan and the power generation actuals.

[0016] (5) The power supply management server according to (1) to (4), preferably the power generation equipment is a power generation equipment subject to the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) system for renewable energy. This makes it possible to effectively utilize the renewable energy generated by the power generation equipment subject to the FIT system.

[0017] (6) The power supply management server according to the embodiment is a power supply management server that calculates electricity charges for customers who are supplied with a first energy source including renewable energy and a second energy source other than the first energy source. The power supply management server is configured to obtain the market price of energy and calculate a first electricity charge by applying a first unit price corresponding to the market price to a first amount of electricity of the first energy source supplied to the customer per unit time.

[0018] (7) A power supply management server according to (1) to (6), preferably the power supply management server is capable of communicating with the customer's terminal device. The information indicating the power generation status includes the power generation plan of the first energy power generation device. The power supply management server is further configured to notify the terminal device based on the power generation plan. This allows the customer to consider a demand plan that corresponds to fluctuations in the amount of renewable energy generated according to the power generation plan.

[0019] By calculating the first electricity charge as described above, the power supply management server can, according to the customer's needs, present the customer with a charge for the first energy source, including renewable energy, separately from the charge for the second energy source, which is not the first energy source.

[0020] (8) The computer program according to the embodiment is a computer program that causes a computer to function as a power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies electricity to consumers. The computer program receives a specification regarding the energy to be supplied to consumers, and based on the specification, causes the computer to determine a first amount of energy of a first energy to be supplied to consumers per unit time, and to use the first amount of energy to determine a second amount of energy of a second energy that has different attributes from the first energy to be supplied to consumers per unit time. The first energy includes renewable energy whose amount of power generated fluctuates depending on the power generation status, and determining the first amount of energy includes using information indicating the power generation status of the renewable energy power generation equipment to determine the amount of energy of renewable energy generated by the power generation equipment to be supplied to consumers per unit time. By causing the computer to determine the first amount of energy of the specified first energy and the second amount of energy of the second energy that has different attributes from the first energy as described above, the program can cause the computer to function as a power supply server that distinguishes between the specified first energy and the second energy that has different attributes from the first energy and supplies them separately. This allows the computer to supply energy of multiple attributes according to the customer's needs when a customer requests a specific type of energy. Furthermore, if the specified attributes include renewable energy, whose output fluctuates depending on the power generation conditions, the power supply management server can adjust the amount of renewable energy supplied in accordance with these fluctuations. As a result, the appropriate amount of energy of the specified attributes can be supplied to the customer.

[0021] (9) The computer program according to the embodiment is a computer program that causes a computer to function as a power supply management server that calculates the electricity bill of a customer to whom a first energy including renewable energy and a second energy other than the first energy are supplied. The computer program causes the computer to obtain the market price of the energy and apply a first unit price according to the market price to the first amount of electric power of the first energy supplied to the customer per unit time to calculate the first electricity bill. By causing the computer to calculate the first electricity bill as described above, the program can cause the computer to function as a power supply management server that presents, to the customer according to the needs of the customer, the price of the first energy including renewable energy separately from the price of the second energy other than the first energy.

[0022] <2. Examples of Power Supply Management Server and Computer Program> (Overview of Power Supply Management Method) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the power supply management method according to the embodiment. The power supply management server 1 according to the embodiment is a device used in an electric utility 1A that supplies and sells electric power to a customer 5A. The power supply management server 1 receives a designation regarding the energy to be supplied to the customer 5A from the customer 5A. As an example, the power supply management server 1 receives information D1 representing a designation regarding the energy to be supplied to the customer 5A from a user terminal 5 used in the customer 5A. The power supply management server 1 determines, among the electric power W supplied to the customer 5A per unit time, the amount of electric power (first amount of electric power) of the designated first electric power (first energy) W1 and the amount of electric power (second amount of electric power) of a second electric power W2 (second energy) having an attribute different from the first electric power W1.

[0023] The attributes of energy include at least one of the following: method of power generation, power generation operator, power generation site, start date of operation, presence or absence of subsidy programs for power generation operators, and characteristics of power generation equipment. Examples of power generation methods include solar power generation, wind power generation, wave power / tidal power generation, hydro / tidal power generation, geothermal power generation, biomass power generation, nuclear power generation, and thermal power generation. Examples of power generation operators include power generation companies, individual business owners who generate power, and investors in power generation companies. Examples of power generation sites include the region where the power generation equipment is installed. Examples of characteristics of power generation equipment include the model of the power generation equipment, year of manufacture, years of operation, and country of manufacture.

[0024] The specification regarding the energy to be supplied is, for example, the specification of the attributes of the energy to be supplied. Alternatively, the specification regarding the energy to be supplied may directly specify a particular type of power. Specifying energy attributes means designating one or more attributes from among the energy attributes described above as the attributes of the energy to be supplied. Multiple attributes may be designated, in which case the first energy is supplied from multiple different power sources so that the sum equals the first amount of electrical energy. Another example of specifying energy attributes is designating one or more attributes from among the energy attributes described above as attributes that will not be supplied as the first energy. Yet another example of specifying energy attributes is designating one or more attributes from among the energy attributes described above as attributes of the energy to be supplied, and designating one or more other attributes that will not be supplied as the first energy.

[0025] Figure 1 shows an example where renewable energy generated by power generation device 3a is specified as the attribute of the energy to be supplied. In this case, electricity W is supplied to customer 5A via electric utility 1A through a so-called off-site PPA. The following explanation uses the example where renewable energy generated by power generation device 3a is specified as the energy to be supplied. That is, power generation device 3a is a power generation device owned by the first power generation company 3A, which has a contract with electric utility 1A, and is installed in a different location (remote location) from customer 5A. The first electricity W1 is renewable energy whose amount of generation fluctuates depending on the power generation conditions. Power generation device 3a is, for example, a solar power generation device, and is a power generation device subject to the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) system for renewable energy.

[0026] The second power W2 may be renewable energy obtained by a different power generation method than the first power W1, such as wind energy, or it may be non-renewable energy. The second power W2 is supplied from the second power generator 7A to the consumer 5A via the electricity company 1A. The second power generator 7A may be a power generator contracted with electricity company 1A, or it may be electricity company 1A itself.

[0027] The power supply management server 1 can communicate with other devices. Communication between the power supply management server 1 and other devices may be via a communication network such as the Internet, or it may be via a dedicated line.

[0028] The power supply management server 1 receives power generation information P, which indicates the power generation status of the power generation device 3a, from the first power generator terminal 3 used by the first power generator 3A. The power generation status may be the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a. The power generation status may also be the actual power generation of the power generation device 3a. In this case, the fluctuation of the amount of power generated according to the power generation status means that the amount of power generated by the power generation device 3a fluctuates over time, as shown in the actual power generation. In the following examples, the power generation information P indicating the power generation status will be information indicating the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a. The power supply management server 1 may also communicate with the second power generator terminal 7 used by the second power generator 7A and exchange necessary information.

[0029] The power supply management server 1 receives information D2 from the user terminal 5 indicating the amount of electricity demanded by customer 5A. The power supply management server 1 determines a first amount of electricity using the power generation status. The power supply management server 1 also determines a second amount of electricity using the determined first amount of electricity and the amount of electricity demanded per unit time.

[0030] The power supply management server 1 further calculates the electricity charges for the power supplied to customer 5A. Since the power supply management server 1 distinguishes and determines the first and second amounts of electricity, it can calculate the electricity charges for the first power W1 and the second power W2 separately. Therefore, as shown below, it can calculate the electricity charges by applying different unit prices to the first power W1 and the second power W2.

[0031] In other words, the power supply management server 1 applies a unit price (first unit price) corresponding to the market price to the first amount of electricity and calculates the first electricity charge per unit time. The market price refers to the contract price of electricity traded on the Japan Electric Power Exchange (JEPX) and fluctuates every 30 minutes. For example, the market price DB (database) 9 stores the market price for each 30 minutes.

[0032] Furthermore, the power supply management server 1 applies a second unit price, which is different from the first unit price and not linked to market prices, to the second amount of electricity to calculate the second electricity charge for the above unit time. The second unit price is a unit price corresponding to the attributes of the second power W2, and for example, it may be a price linked to the cost of electricity from fossil fuels, or it may be a fixed price.

[0033] The power supply management server 1 transmits billing information B for electricity charges based on the first and second electricity charges for a predetermined period to the user terminal 5. This allows the user to distinguish and understand the first and second electricity charges for the predetermined period.

[0034] (Device configuration of the power supply management server) Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the power supply management server 1. The power supply management server 1 is, for example, a computer having a processor 11 and memory 12, or a single computer and its peripheral devices. The power supply management server 1 may also be implemented by multiple computers working together. The power supply management server 1 further has a communication unit 13 for communicating with other devices. The communication unit 13 is, for example, a communication module.

[0035] The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 12 includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 12 stores the program 121 that is executed by the processor 11. The program 121 may be provided by recording it on a recording medium or via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0036] The processor 11 executes the power quantity determination process 111 by executing the program 121. The power quantity determination process 111 is a process that determines the first power quantity and the second power quantity. As an example, the program 121 defines a calculation formula for calculating the amount of power of the first power W1 to be supplied to the consumer, with the amount of power generated per unit time shown in the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a as a parameter. The processor 11 calculates the amount of power per unit time by substituting the amount of power generated per unit time shown in the power generation information P received from the first power generator terminal 3 into the calculation formula. The processor 11 determines the smaller of the amount of power calculated by the calculation formula and the amount of power demanded per unit time as the first power quantity.

[0037] Furthermore, in calculating the first amount of electricity, the amount of electricity demand indicated in the information D2 received from the user terminal 5 may also be used, as well as the number of customers contracted with electricity provider 1A, a coefficient representing the contract of customer 5A, and so on.

[0038] Furthermore, if the calculated amount of power is less than the amount of power demanded per unit time (i.e., if the calculated amount of power is determined to be the first amount of power), the processor 11 determines the amount of power obtained by subtracting the calculated amount of power from the amount of power demanded per unit time to be the second amount of power.

[0039] The processor 11 executes the charge calculation process 112 by executing the program 121. The charge calculation process 112 is the process of calculating the first electricity charge and the second electricity charge, respectively.

[0040] The processor 11 reads the first unit price for a time slot corresponding to the supply time of the first power W1 from the market price DB9, and calculates the first electricity charge per unit time by multiplying it by the first amount of power, for example.

[0041] Furthermore, the processor 11 may, for example, read a second unit price from the price list DB122 in memory 12 and multiply it by the amount of energy of the second power W2 to calculate the second electricity charge per unit time. The second unit price may, for example, be read by the processor 11 from another device. The processor 11 calculates the electricity charge for the first power W1 by accumulating the first electricity charges for the period during which power was supplied to customer 5A. The processor 11 also calculates the electricity charge for the second power W2 by accumulating the second electricity charges for the period during which power was supplied to customer 5A.

[0042] Preferably, the processor 11 executes the notification process 113 as needed by executing the program 121. The notification process 113 is a process that notifies the user terminal 5 based on the power generation plan when the energy specified as the energy to be supplied is energy whose generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation status (for example, renewable energy whose generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation status). The notification based on the power generation plan may be any kind that allows the consumer 5A to consider the electricity demand according to the amount of power generated in the power generation plan. As an example, the processor 11 notifies the user terminal 5 of the power generation plan itself. As another example, the processor 11 may notify the time period when the amount of power generated by the power generation device 3a is maximum. This makes it possible for the consumer 5A to consider the time when they will use electricity. For example, the consumer 5A can shift the timing when they use the most electricity to the time period when the amount of power generated by the power generation device 3a is maximum.

[0043] (Operation of the power supply management server) Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the power supply management server 1. First, the processor 11 receives power generation information P from the first power generator terminal 3 based on the specifications in the information D1 received from the user terminal 5, and accepts input of the power generation plan for the power generation device 3a (step S101). Preferably, the processor 11 notifies the user terminal 5 of the power generation plan to encourage a shift in the power usage time by the consumer 5A (step S103).

[0044] The processor 11 receives information D2 from the user terminal 5 and accepts input of the amount of electricity demanded per predetermined unit time from the information D2 (step S105). The processor 11 uses the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a received in step S101 and the amount of electricity demanded by customer 5A received in step S105 to execute an energy amount determination process 111 and determines the amount of first power W1 to be supplied to customer 5A per unit time (first energy amount) (step S107). In step S107, the processor 11 also notifies the first power amount of first power to the first power generation terminal 3 and instructs the supply of the first power W1. Preferably, in step S107, the processor 11 notifies the user terminal 5 of customer 5A of the first energy amount of that unit time.

[0045] The processor 11 reads the first unit price for the time unit corresponding to the given time unit from the market price DB9 (step S109). The processor 11 multiplies the first unit price by the first amount of power determined in step S107 to calculate the first electricity charge for the first power W1 supplied to the consumer 5A during that time unit (step S111).

[0046] The processor 11 executes an energy amount determination process 111 using the energy demand of customer 5A received in step S105 and the first energy amount determined in step S107, and determines the amount of second energy W2 to be supplied to customer 5A in that unit time (second energy amount) (step S113). In step S113, the processor 11 also notifies the second energy amount to the second power generator terminal 7 and instructs it to supply the second energy W2. Preferably, in step S113, the processor 11 notifies the user terminal 5 of customer 5A of the second energy amount for that unit time.

[0047] The processor 11 reads a second unit price from the price list DB122 in the memory 12 (step S115), multiplies it by the second amount of power determined in step S113, and calculates the second electricity charge for the second power W2 supplied to customer 5A in that unit time (step S117).

[0048] Processor 11 repeats the process from step S105 every unit of time until the period for supplying power to customer 5A using the power generation plan obtained in step S101 ends (NO in step S119). The period for supplying power to customer 5A using the power generation plan is the period of the power generation plan, which is one day if the power generation plan is on a daily basis. The unit time is at least shorter than the period of the power generation plan. The unit time is, for example, the same as one time slot (30 minutes) of the contract price of electricity traded on the Japan Electric Power Exchange. Alternatively, the unit time may be different from one time slot on the Japan Electric Power Exchange.

[0049] When the period of supplying electricity to customer 5A ends (YES in step S119), the processor 11 calculates the electricity charge (step S121). In step S121, the processor 11 accumulates the first electricity charges calculated per unit time in step S111 through processing from step S101 to calculate the electricity charge for the first power W1 for the period during which electricity was supplied to customer 5A. The processor 11 also accumulates the second electricity charges calculated per unit time in step S117 through processing from step S101 to calculate the electricity charge for the second power W2 for the period during which electricity was supplied to customer 5A. Preferably, in step S121, the processor 11 distinguishes between the electricity charge for the first power W1 and the electricity charge for the second power W2 and transmits them to the user terminal 5 as electricity charge billing information B.

[0050] The processor 11 of the power supply management server 1 repeats the process shown in Figure 3, determining, for each unit of time, the amount of energy of a specified first power W1 and the amount of energy of a second power W2, which has different attributes from the first power W1, out of the power W supplied to the consumer 5A. This allows the power supply management server 1 to distinguish and supply specified energy (e.g., renewable energy) and energy with different attributes from that energy, according to the needs of consumer 5A.

[0051] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the time change between the power W supplied to customer 5A via the power supply management server 1 and the first power W1. The horizontal axis of Figure 4 represents the passage of time, specifically from time t1 to time t5. The period from time t1 to time t5 roughly represents the period of one day from midnight to the next midnight. For example, time t1 is midnight, time t2 is 6am, time t3 is noon, time t4 is 6pm, and time t5 is midnight.

[0052] The vertical axis in Figure 4 represents electrical energy [W]. Curve EW1 represents the supply of the first power W1 (first electrical energy), and curve EW represents the supply of power W. The difference between curve EW2 and curve EW1 represents the supply of the second power W2 (second electrical energy).

[0053] The area between curve EW and the horizontal axis represents the amount of power W supplied during the period represented by the horizontal axis. Of these, the area between curve EW1 and the horizontal axis represents the sum of the first energy quantities during the period represented by the horizontal axis. The area between curve EW2 and curve EW1 represents the sum of the second energy quantities during the period represented by the horizontal axis.

[0054] The processor 11 of the power supply management server 1 determines a first amount of power according to the amount of power generated shown in the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a, and can therefore change the first amount of power in accordance with fluctuations in the amount of power generated by the power generation device 3a. If the power generation device 3a is a solar power generation device, the power generation plan for the power generation device 3a shows a high amount of power generation during the daytime period from time t2 to time t4, with a peak at time t3 (noon), and no power generation at night. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the power supply management server 1 can change the first amount of power during the daytime period from time t2 to time t4, as shown by the curve EW1 which is an upward-convex curve centered at time t3. In other words, the power supply management server 1 can increase the first amount of power from time t2 to time t3 and decrease it from time t3 to time t4.

[0055] Furthermore, the processor 11 of the power supply management server 1 determines the second amount of power according to the first amount of power and the amount of power demanded. In other words, the power supply management server 1 distinguishes between the first amount of power and the second amount of power when making its determination. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the power supply management server 1 can set the second amount of power to be the amount of power needed to reach the amount of power demanded during the nighttime period from time t1 to time t2 and from time t4 to time t5 when the first power W1 is unavailable, as well as during the daytime period from time t2 to time t4 when the first power W1 is insufficient.

[0056] As shown in Figure 4, by determining the energy amounts of the first power W1 and the second power W2 for each unit of time, the power supply management server 1 can distinguish between the energy amounts of the first power W1 and the second power W2 and supply them to the customer 5A. Furthermore, the power supply management server 1 can present the first and second energy amounts to the user terminal 5 separately. For example, in step S107, the power supply management server 1 notifies the user terminal 5 of the first energy amount, and in step S113, it notifies the user terminal 5 of the second energy amount. As a result, the user terminal 5 can inform the user by displaying the energy amounts of the first power W1 and the second power W2 separately on a display unit (not shown), for example, as shown in Figure 4. As a result, the user can know the energy amount of at least the first power W1 out of the total power W.

[0057] Furthermore, the power supply management server 1 can calculate the electricity charges for the first power W1 and the second power W2 separately. As a result, the power supply management server 1 can inform the user terminal 5 of the electricity charges in the billing information B separately for the first power W1 and the second power W2. Consequently, the user can know at least the electricity charge for the first power W1 out of the total electricity charges.

[0058] In the above explanation, it is assumed that the specified energy is renewable energy generated by the power generation device 3a. However, renewable energy other than that generated by the power generation device 3a may be specified, or non-renewable energy may be specified, or the power generation method may not be specified, but the characteristics of the power generation company, power generation site, and power generation equipment may be specified. Furthermore, in addition to the renewable energy generated by the power generation device 3a, other renewable energy other than that generated by the power generation device 3a, or the characteristics of the power generation company, power generation site, and power generation equipment may be further specified. Even in such cases, the power supply management server 1 determines the first amount of energy and the second amount of energy in the same manner as above. The power supply management server 1 also applies different first and second unit prices to the first and second amounts of energy, respectively, to calculate the first electricity charge and the first electricity charge. As a result, the power supply management server 1 can supply energy of multiple attributes to customer 5A according to customer 5A's needs.

[0059] (modified version) The power supply management server 1 shown in Figure 1 is an example of a device used by an electric utility 1A that supplies and sells both the first power W1 and the second power W2, but the power supply management server 1 is not limited to this example. In other examples, the power supply management server 1 may be a device used by an electric utility that supplies only the first power W1 or only the second power W2, or a device used by a utility that does not supply either the first power W1 or the second power W2. In the modified examples, the first power W1 may include renewable energy generated by power generation equipment subject to the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) system for renewable energy, or it may include renewable energy generated by power generation equipment not subject to the FIT system. The power supply management server 1 applies a first unit price to the first amount of electricity and a second unit price different from the first unit price to the second amount of electricity, and calculates at least one of the first electricity charge and the second electricity charge. As a result, the power supply management server 1 can, in accordance with the needs of customer 5A, present to customer 5A the charges for one attribute of energy from among multiple attributes of energy, separately from the charges for other attributes of energy.

[0060] <3. Addendum> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: Power supply management server, 1A: Electricity company, 3a: Power generation equipment, 5: User terminal, 5A: Consumer, 111: Power amount determination process, 112: Billing process, 113: Notification process, 121: Program, P: Power generation information, W1: First power, W2: Second power

Claims

1. A power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies electricity to consumers, which receives a designation regarding the energy to be supplied to the consumer, Based on the above designation, the first amount of electrical energy to be supplied to the consumer per unit time is determined. The system is configured to use the first amount of electrical energy to determine a second amount of electrical energy, which has different attributes from the first energy, to be supplied to the consumer per unit time. The first energy source includes renewable energy whose output fluctuates depending on the power generation conditions. Determining the first amount of electricity includes determining the amount of renewable energy electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device to be supplied to the consumer per unit time, using information indicating the power generation status of the renewable energy power generation device. Power supply management server.

2. Obtain the market price of energy, The first electricity charge is calculated by applying a first unit price corresponding to the market price to the first amount of electricity of the first energy supplied to the consumer in a unit time. The system is configured to calculate a second electricity charge by applying a second unit price, different from the first unit price, to the second amount of electricity. The power supply management server according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned attributes include at least one of the following: power generation method, power generation company, power generation site, start date of operation, presence or absence of subsidy programs for power generation companies, and characteristics of power generation equipment. The power supply management server according to claim 1.

4. The information indicating the power generation status includes at least one of the power generation plan and the actual power generation results of the power generation device. The power supply management server according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned power generation device is a power generation device that is subject to the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) system for renewable energy. The power supply management server according to claim 1.

6. A power supply management server for calculating electricity charges for consumers supplied with a first energy source including renewable energy and a second energy source other than the first energy source, Obtain the market price of energy, The system is configured to calculate a first electricity charge by applying a first unit price corresponding to the market price to a first amount of electricity of the first energy supplied to the consumer in a unit time. Power supply management server.

7. It is capable of communicating with the customer's terminal device, The information indicating the power generation status includes the power generation plan for the first energy power generation device. moreover, The system is configured to send notifications to the terminal device based on the power generation plan. The power supply management server according to claim 6.

8. A computer program that causes a computer to function as a power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies electricity to consumers, We accept designations regarding the energy to be supplied to the aforementioned consumers. Based on the above designation, the first amount of electricity of the first energy to be supplied to the consumer per unit time is determined. The computer is instructed to use the first amount of electrical energy to determine a second amount of electrical energy, which has different attributes from the first energy, to be supplied to the consumer per unit time. The first energy source includes renewable energy whose output fluctuates depending on the power generation conditions. Determining the first amount of electricity includes determining the amount of renewable energy electricity generated by the renewable energy power generation device to be supplied to the consumer per unit time, using information indicating the power generation status of the renewable energy power generation device. Computer program.

9. A computer program that causes a computer to function as a power supply management server for calculating electricity charges for consumers supplied with a first energy source including renewable energy and a second energy source other than the first energy source, Obtain the market price of energy, The computer is instructed to calculate a first electricity charge by applying a first unit price corresponding to the market price to a first amount of electricity of the first energy supplied to the consumer in a unit time. Computer program.

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