Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Program for Constructing a Decarbonized Society

Abstract

Provided are an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program aimed at building a carbon-free society. [Solution] The information processing device includes an acquisition unit (102) that acquires a load factor, which indicates the ratio between the average power and maximum power of a customer over a predetermined period of time, from a smart meter (210) at the business premises and a reverse auction system (300), a selection unit (104) that selects, based on the load factor, one of three electricity retailers equivalent to former general electricity utilities, electricity retailers other than former general electricity utilities, or the customer themselves who has obtained a license as a retail electricity utility, as an electricity supplier to be presented to the customer, and an output unit (106) that outputs the selection result by the selection unit (104).

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an electricity rate plan selection system that can select an optimal rate plan for a power consumer. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5717113

Summary of the Invention

[0003] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention may include an acquisition unit that acquires a load factor indicating a ratio of an average power to a maximum power in a predetermined period of a customer. The information processing apparatus may include a selection unit that selects, based on the load factor, any one of a retail electricity supplier corresponding to an old general electricity company, a retail electricity supplier other than the old general electricity company, and the customer himself / herself who has acquired a license of a retail electricity supplier as a power procurement destination to be presented to the customer. The information processing apparatus may include an output unit that outputs a selection result by the selection unit.

[0004] When the load factor is equal to or less than a first threshold value, the selection unit may select the customer himself / herself who has acquired a license of a retail electricity supplier as a power procurement destination. When the load factor is greater than the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value, the selection unit may select a retail electricity supplier other than the old general electricity company as a power procurement destination. When the load factor is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the selection unit may select a retail electricity supplier corresponding to the old general electricity company as a power procurement destination.

[0005] When the customer introduces a renewable energy power generation facility, the acquisition unit may acquire a predicted load factor indicating a load factor obtained by offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility. Even when the load factor is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, when the predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the selection unit may select the customer himself / herself who has acquired a license of a retail electricity supplier as a power procurement destination.

[0006] When the predicted load factor is less than the first threshold value, the output unit may output a selection result including a message recommending the introduction of a renewable energy power generation facility.

[0007] The acquisition unit may acquire the load factor for each power supply point of the customer, and further, for a power supply point where the load factor is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, acquire a predicted load factor indicating the load factor after offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility when introducing the renewable energy power generation facility at the power supply point. When the load factor or the predicted load factor is less than or equal to the first threshold value at all power supply points, the selection unit may select the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity business operator as the power procurement source.

[0008] The acquisition unit may acquire the load factor and a predicted load factor indicating the load factor after offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility when introducing the renewable energy power generation facility for each power supply point of the customer. When the load factor or the predicted load factor is less than or equal to the first threshold value at a power supply point, the selection unit may select the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity business operator as the power procurement source for the power supply point.

[0009] The acquisition unit may acquire the load factor for each power supply point of the customer, and further, for a power supply point where the renewable energy power generation facility can be introduced, acquire a predicted load factor indicating the load factor after offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility. When the load factor or the predicted load factor is less than or equal to the first threshold value at a power supply point, the selection unit may select the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity business operator as the power procurement source for the power supply point.

[0010] The output unit may output a selection result including a message recommending the introduction of a renewable energy power generation facility for a power supply point where the predicted load factor is less than the first threshold value.

[0011] The renewable energy power generation facility may be a solar power generation facility.

[0012] When the load factor is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the acquisition unit may acquire information about a retail electricity supplier that presented the lowest electricity price in a reverse auction from among a plurality of retail electricity suppliers other than the former general electricity supplier. When the load factor is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the selection unit may select, as a power procurement source, the retail electricity supplier indicated in the information.

[0013] When the customer is a company aiming to procure all the energy consumed in business activities with renewable energy, regardless of the type of power procurement source, the selection unit may select only renewable energy with tracking information as the power to be procured.

[0014] An information processing method according to an aspect of the present invention may include a step of acquiring a load factor indicating a ratio of average power to maximum power in a predetermined period of a customer. The information processing method may include a step of selecting, based on the load factor, any one of a retail electricity supplier corresponding to the former general electricity supplier, a retail electricity supplier other than the former general electricity supplier, and the customer itself who has acquired a license of the retail electricity supplier, as a power procurement source to be presented to the customer. The information processing method may include a step of outputting a selection result in the selection step.

[0015] A program according to an aspect of the present invention causes a computer to execute a step of acquiring a load factor indicating a ratio of average power to maximum power in a predetermined period of a customer, a step of selecting, based on the load factor, any one of a retail electricity supplier corresponding to the former general electricity supplier, a retail electricity supplier other than the former general electricity supplier, and the customer itself who has acquired a license of the retail electricity supplier, as a power procurement source to be presented to the customer, and a step of outputting a selection result in the selection step.

[0016] Note that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the features of the present invention. Also, sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0019] In recent years, there has been a demand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG emissions). Large-scale electricity consumers (customers) are also working on reducing GHG emissions. Large-scale electricity consumers can also work on reducing GHG emissions by purchasing non-fossil certificates, which are environmental values, together with electricity through retail electricity providers. Furthermore, with the establishment of a renewable energy value trading market, large-scale electricity consumers can directly purchase FIT non-fossil certificates (FIT certificates), which are one of the non-fossil certificates for renewable energy, and the range of choices for efforts to reduce GHG emissions has expanded.

[0020] By the way, large-scale electricity consumers have a large power consumption and high electricity bills. Therefore, large-scale electricity consumers are making efforts to reduce electricity bills by reviewing their electricity supply contracts. If the electricity bill decreases, the amount of money saved can be used to purchase FIT non-fossil certificates, which makes it easier to contribute to efforts towards building a decarbonized society.

[0021] In order to reduce electricity costs, it is also conceivable to change the power procurement source. As power procurement sources available to large electricity consumers, there are retail electricity suppliers corresponding to former general electricity undertakings, i.e., so-called regional electric power companies, and retail electricity suppliers other than former general electricity undertakings, i.e., so-called new power companies. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that electricity consumers themselves obtain a license from a retail electricity supplier and directly purchase electricity. That is, as power procurement sources available to large electricity consumers, there are retail electricity suppliers corresponding to former general electricity undertakings, retail electricity suppliers other than former general electricity undertakings, and electricity consumers themselves who have obtained a license from a retail electricity supplier.

[0022] However, it is not easy for electricity consumers to select the optimal power procurement source from among multiple power procurement sources while working on reducing GHG emissions.

[0023] Therefore, in the power procurement source selection system according to this embodiment, it is made possible for electricity consumers to easily select the optimal power procurement source from among multiple power procurement sources.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a power procurement source selection system 10. The power procurement source selection system 10 includes an information processing device 100, a smart meter 210, a reverse auction system 300, and a display terminal 500. The smart meter 210 is provided in the electrical equipment of each customer's business office 200. The information processing device 100, the smart meter 210, the reverse auction system 300, and the display terminal 500 are communicably connected to each other via a network 50 such as the Internet. In this embodiment, high-voltage or extra-high-voltage power is supplied to each business office 200 as the power type.

[0025] The smart meter 210 measures the customer's energy consumption such as the amount of electricity consumed (kWh) and the amount of gas consumed (m3) per unit time (e.g., 30 minutes or 1 hour). The smart meter 20 transmits the measured energy consumption data per unit time to the information processing device 100. The display terminal 500 displays various information provided from the information processing device 100. The display terminal 500 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet owned by the customer, a personal computer, or the like.

[0026] Based on the energy consumption data from the smart meter 210, the information processing device 100 selects a power supply source to be presented to the customer and outputs the selection result to the display terminal 500. The reverse auction system 300 provides a buyer-led auction service. The reverse auction system 300 provides a system in which a request for a product (service) desired by the buyer side is posted, the seller side who has viewed this makes an application for providing the product (service), and a transaction is established when the conditions of both parties match. The reverse auction system 300 determines the retail electricity provider that presented the lowest electricity price in the reverse auction from among a plurality of retail electricity providers and provides it to the information processing device 100.

[0027] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the information processing device 100. The information processing device 100 includes an acquisition unit 102, a selection unit 104, and an output unit 106. The acquisition unit 102 acquires a load factor indicating the ratio of the average power to the maximum power in a predetermined period (e.g., 1 month) of the customer. The acquisition unit 102 acquires power information indicating the amount of electricity consumed (kWh) per unit time (e.g., 30 minutes or 1 hour) from each smart meter 210. The acquisition unit 102 may acquire power information indicating the amount of electricity consumed (kWh) of each business office 200 from the power management server that manages the electricity consumption of each business office 200. The acquisition unit 102 may acquire, in addition to the amount of electricity consumed (kWh) of each business office 200 from the power management server, power information indicating the contract power of each business office 200.

[0028] The acquisition unit 102 may calculate the monthly power consumption (kWh) from the power consumption per unit time (kWh). The acquisition unit 102 may calculate the load factor of each business office 200 by (monthly power consumption (kWh) ÷ 24 hours ÷ 30 days ÷ contract power) × 100.

[0029] Based on the load factor, the selection unit 104 selects any one of a retail electricity supplier corresponding to the former general electricity company, a retail electricity supplier other than the former general electricity company, and the customer itself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity supplier as the power procurement source to be presented to the customer. The selection unit 104 may select, for each business office 200, any one of a retail electricity supplier corresponding to the former general electricity company, a retail electricity supplier other than the former general electricity company, and the customer itself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity supplier as the power procurement source to be presented to each business office 200.

[0030] The output unit 106 outputs the selection result by the selection unit 104 to the display terminal 500. The output unit 106 may output to the display terminal 500 a selection result indicating the power procurement source to be presented to the customer. The output unit 106 may output to the display terminal 500 a selection result indicating each power procurement source to be presented to each business office 200.

[0031] When the load factor is less than or equal to the first threshold value (for example, 20%), the selection unit 104 selects the customer itself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity supplier as the power procurement source. When the customer itself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity supplier is selected as the power procurement source, the customer obtains a license from a retail electricity supplier and procures the necessary electricity by owning a power plant by itself, through a relative contract with a power generation company, or through transactions at the Japan Electric Power Exchange (JEPX).

[0032] When the load factor is greater than the first threshold value (for example, 20%) and less than the second threshold value (for example, 70%), the selection unit 104 selects a retail electricity supplier other than the former general electricity company as the power procurement source. A retail electricity supplier other than the former general electricity company is a major power company, that is, a so-called new power company other than a regional power company.

[0033] When the load factor is equal to or higher than a second threshold value (for example, 70%), the selection unit 104 selects, as the power procurement destination, a retail electricity provider corresponding to an old general electricity business operator. The old general electricity business operator is a major power company, that is, a regional power company.

[0034] When a customer introduces a renewable energy power generation facility, there is a possibility that the load factor will decrease. When the load factor decreases, it becomes easier for the customer who has obtained a license from a retail electricity provider to be selected as the power procurement destination. When the customer who has obtained a license from a retail electricity provider is selected, the possibility of reducing the customer's power cost increases. Furthermore, by introducing a renewable energy power generation facility, it is possible to contribute to the achievement of the greenhouse gas reduction target.

[0035] Therefore, the acquisition unit 102 may acquire a predicted load factor indicating the load factor obtained by offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility when the customer introduces a renewable energy power generation facility. The renewable energy power generation facility may be a solar power generation facility. The acquisition unit 102 acquires installation condition information indicating, for each operator, the installable area and installation orientation of, for example, a solar power generation facility from a power management server or the like. The acquisition unit 102 may specify the annual power generation amount of each operator by referring to the annual power generation amount information indicating the annual power generation amount per unit area for each azimuth, and calculate the monthly power generation amount by dividing the annual power generation amount by 12. Then, the acquisition unit 102 subtracts the monthly power generation amount from the monthly power consumption amount (kWh) to calculate the predicted monthly power consumption amount. The acquisition unit 102 may calculate the predicted load factor of each business office 200 by (predicted monthly power consumption amount (kWh) ÷ 24 hours ÷ 30 days ÷ contract power) × 100.

[0036] Among the business offices 200, there are also business offices that do not satisfy the installation conditions of the solar power generation facility. Therefore, the acquisition unit 102 may calculate the predicted load factor only for the business offices 200 that satisfy the installation conditions of the solar power generation facility, that is, the business offices with additionality.

[0037] Even when the load factor is equal to or higher than the second threshold value, if the predicted load factor is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, the selection unit 104 may select, as the power procurement destination, the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity business operator. Further, when the predicted load factor is smaller than the first threshold value, the output unit 106 may output, to the display terminal 500, a selection result including a message recommending the introduction of a renewable energy power generation facility. The output unit 106 may output a selection result including a message recommending the introduction of a renewable energy power generation facility for a supply point where the predicted load factor is smaller than the first threshold value. The output unit 106 may also output, to the corresponding business office 200, a selection result including a message recommending the introduction of a renewable energy power generation facility.

[0038] The acquisition unit 102 may acquire the load factor for each power supply point of the customer, that is, for each business office 200, and further, for a supply point where the load factor is equal to or higher than the second threshold value, may acquire a predicted load factor indicating the load factor after offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility when introducing the renewable energy power generation facility at the supply point. When the load factor or the predicted load factor is equal to or lower than the first threshold value at all supply points, the selection unit 104 may select, as the power procurement destination, the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity business operator.

[0039] The acquisition unit 102 may acquire the load factor and a predicted load factor indicating the load factor after offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility when introducing the renewable energy power generation facility at the supply point for each power supply point of the customer, that is, for each business office 200. When the load factor or the predicted load factor is equal to or lower than the first threshold value at a supply point, the selection unit 104 may select, as the power procurement destination for the supply point, the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity business operator.

[0040] When the load factor is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the acquisition unit 102 may acquire, from the reverse auction system 300, information about the retail electricity supplier that presented the lowest electricity price in a reverse auction among a plurality of retail electricity suppliers other than the former general electricity business operator. When the load factor is greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the selection unit 104 may select, as the power procurement source, the retail electricity supplier indicated in the information about the retail electricity supplier that presented the lowest electricity price provided from the reverse auction system 300.

[0041] When the customer is a company aiming to procure all the energy consumed in its business activities with renewable energy, that is, when the customer is a RE100 participating company, the selection unit 104 may select, regardless of the type of power procurement source, only renewable energy with tracking information as the power to be procured. When the customer is a RE100 participating company, the selection unit 104 may select, as the power to be procured, any one of the power generated by the power generation facilities owned by the company, the power purchased from the facilities owned by other companies installed within the company's premises, the power directly purchased via a dedicated line from the power generation facilities installed outside the company's premises, the power directly procured via the grid from the power generation facilities installed outside the company's premises, the power procured by a contract with a retail electricity supplier (renewable energy-derived power menu), and the power procured by purchasing a renewable energy certificate with tracking information.

[0042] After the selection result indicating the power procurement source is presented to the customer, the output unit 106 may output a proposal message to the customer recommending whether to directly purchase a certificate with a renewable energy value from the renewable energy value trading market or to purchase it from the retail electricity provider of the presented power procurement source. When the electricity bill is reduced by changing to the presented power procurement source, the output unit 106 may output a proposal message to the customer recommending whether to directly purchase a certificate with a renewable energy value from the renewable energy value trading market with the reduction amount of the cost as the upper limit or to purchase it from the retail electricity provider of the presented power procurement source. Note that when purchasing from a retail electricity provider, except when the customer becomes a retail electricity provider themselves, the customer's effort is reduced, but a commission is charged, so the cost increases.

[0043] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for selecting a power procurement source.

[0044] The acquisition unit 102 acquires power information indicating the power consumption per unit time and the contract power of each business office 200 from the smart meter 210 or the power management server or the like (S100). The acquisition unit 102 acquires the load factor of each business office 200 based on the power information of each business office 200 (S102).

[0045] The selection unit 104 determines whether the load factor of each business office 200 is equal to or less than the first threshold value (S104). When the load factor of each business office 200 is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the selection unit 104 selects the customer itself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity provider as the power procurement source (S106). The output unit 106 outputs a selection result indicating the customer itself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity provider as the power procurement source to the display terminal 500 (S120).

[0046] When there is an office among the business offices 200 whose load factor is greater than the first threshold value, the acquisition unit 102 acquires the predicted load factor when a solar power generation facility is installed in the office whose load factor is greater than the first threshold value (S108).

[0047] Next, the selection unit 104 determines whether the load factor or predicted load factor of each business location 200 is equal to or less than a first threshold value (S110). If the load factor or predicted load factor of each business location 200 is equal to or less than the first threshold value, the selection unit 104 selects, as the power procurement source, the customer who has obtained a license from a retail electricity provider. Further, the selection unit 104 determines a recommendation for installing a solar power generation facility at a business location where the predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold value. The output unit 106 outputs, to the display terminal 500, a selection result indicating, as the power procurement source, the customer who has obtained a license from a retail electricity provider and indicating a recommendation for installing a solar power generation facility at a business location where the predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold value (S120).

[0048] If there is a business location 200 among the business locations 200 where the load factor or predicted load factor is greater than the first threshold value, the selection unit 104 determines whether the load factor of each business location 200 is greater than the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value (S114). If the load factor of each business location 200 is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, the selection unit 104 selects, as the power procurement source, a retail electricity provider other than the former general electricity provider, that is, new power (S116). The output unit 106 outputs, to the display terminal 500, an output result indicating a retail electricity provider other than the former general electricity provider as the power procurement source (S120).

[0049] If the load factor of each business location 200 is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the selection unit 104 selects, as the power procurement source, a retail electricity provider corresponding to the former general electricity provider, that is, a major power company (S118). The output unit 106 outputs, to the display terminal 500, an output result indicating a retail electricity provider corresponding to the former general electricity provider as the power procurement source (S120).

[0050] According to the above procedure, based on the load factor of each business location 200, it is possible to present an optimal retail electricity provider including the customer himself / herself in consideration of the overall power cost as the power procurement source. Further, when the installation of a solar power generation facility is effective, it is possible to present an optimal retail electricity provider including the customer himself / herself in consideration of the installation of the solar power generation facility. Therefore, efforts toward building a decarbonized society can be promoted.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another example of the procedure for selecting a power supply source.

[0052] The acquisition unit 102 acquires power information indicating the power consumption per unit time and the contract power of each office 200 from the smart meter 210 or the power management server or the like (S200). The acquisition unit 102 acquires the load factor of each office 200 based on the power information of each office 200, and further, for the additional office 200, acquires the predicted load factor when a solar power generation facility is installed (S202). For example, by referring to the information indicating whether each office 200 stored in the power management server satisfies the installation condition of the solar power generation facility, the acquisition unit 102 may determine whether the office 200 is additional, that is, whether the office 200 satisfies the installation condition of the solar power generation facility.

[0053] Next, the selection unit 104 determines whether there is an office 200 among the offices 200 whose load factor or predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold (S204). If there is an office 200 whose load factor or predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold, the selection unit 104 selects the customer who has obtained the license of the retail electricity business operator as the power supply source for that office 200. Further, the selection unit 104 determines to recommend the installation of a solar power generation facility to the office 200 whose predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold value (S206).

[0054] Furthermore, the selection unit 104 determines whether there is an office 200 among the offices 200 whose load factor is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value (S208). If there is an office 200 whose load factor is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, the selection unit 104 selects a retail electricity business operator other than the former general electricity business operator as the power supply source for that office 200 (S210). Also, the selection unit 104 selects a retail electricity business operator corresponding to the former general electricity business operator as the power supply source for the office 200 whose load factor is equal to or greater than the second threshold value among the offices 200 (S212).

[0055] The output unit 106 outputs, to the display terminal 500, the power procurement sources of each business office 200 based on the load factor or predicted load factor of each business office 200, and the selection result indicating the recommendation of installing a solar power generation facility in the business office 200 where the predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold value (S214).

[0056] According to the above procedure, based on the load factor of each business office 200, as the power procurement source of each business office 200, an optimal retail electricity provider including the customer himself / herself can be presented for each business office 200 in consideration of the comprehensive power cost. Furthermore, when the installation of a solar power generation facility is effective, an optimal retail electricity provider including the customer himself / herself can also be presented for each business office 200 in consideration of the installation of the solar power generation facility. Therefore, efforts towards building a decarbonized society can be promoted for each business office 200.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows an example of a computer 1200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied in whole or in part. The program installed in the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as an operation associated with the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention or as one or more "units" of the apparatus. Alternatively, the program can cause the computer 1200 to execute the operation or the one or more "units". The program can cause the computer 1200 to execute a process according to an embodiment of the present invention or a stage of the process. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 so as to cause the computer 1200 to execute specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0058] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212 and a RAM 1214, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes a communication interface 1222 and an input / output unit, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The computer 1200 also includes a ROM 1230. The CPU 1212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 1230 and the RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit.

[0059] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. A hard disk drive may store programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The ROM 1230 stores therein a boot program and the like executed by the computer 1200 at activation, and / or a program dependent on the hardware of the computer 1200. Programs are provided via a computer-readable recording medium such as a CR-ROM, a USB memory, or an IC card, or via a network. The programs are installed in the RAM 1214, which is also an example of a computer-readable recording medium, or in the ROM 1230, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 1200, resulting in cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by realizing an operation or processing of information according to the use of the computer 1200.

[0060] For example, when communication is executed between the computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM 1214 and instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads the transmission data stored in the transmission buffer area provided in the RAM 1214 or a recording medium such as a USB memory, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes the received data received from the network to the reception buffer area provided on the recording medium or the like.

[0061] Also, the CPU 1212 may cause all or a necessary part of a file or database stored in an external recording medium such as a USB memory to be read into the RAM 1214 and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0062] Various types of information such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases may be stored in the recording medium and may undergo information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branch, unconditional branch, search / replacement of information, etc., described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write back the result to the RAM 1214. Also, the CPU 1212 may search for information in files, databases, etc. within the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU 1212 searches for an entry that matches the condition where the attribute value of the first attribute is specified from among the plurality of entries, reads the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby may obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0063] The programs or software modules described above may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium on or near computer 1200. Also, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the program to computer 1200 via the network.

[0064] A computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions executable by a suitable device. As a result, a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein will comprise a product that includes instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, and the like. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy (registered trademark) disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, and the like.

[0065] Computer-readable instructions may include either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The source code or object code may include conventional procedural programming languages. Conventional procedural programming languages may include assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or object-oriented programming languages such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. to a processor or programmable circuit of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device. The processor or programmable circuit may execute the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors may include a computer processor, a processing unit, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a controller, a microcontroller, etc.

[0066] As described above, the present invention has been described using embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is obvious from the description of the claims that forms with such changes or improvements may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0067] In the claims, the specification, and the drawings, the execution order of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown is not explicitly stated as "earlier" or "preceding" etc. in particular. It should be noted that, unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process, it can be realized in any order. Regarding the operation flows in the claims, the specification, and the drawings, even if explanations are made using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to implement in this order.

Explanation of Signs

[0068] 10 Power procurement destination selection system 20 Smart meter 50 Network 100 Information processing apparatus 102 Acquisition unit 104 Selection unit 106 Output unit 200 Office 210 Smart meter 300 Reverse auction system 500 Display terminal 1200 Computer 1210 Host controller 1212 CPU 1214 RAM 1220 Input / output controller 1222 Communication interface 1230 ROM

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires a load factor indicating a ratio of average power to maximum power during a predetermined period of a customer, and a predicted load factor indicating a load factor obtained by offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility when the customer introduces a renewable energy power generation facility; A selection unit that selects, as a power procurement destination to be presented to the customer, any one of a retail electricity business operator corresponding to an old general electricity business operator, a retail electricity business operator other than the old general electricity business operator, and the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license of a retail electricity business operator based on the load factor and the predicted load factor; An output unit that outputs a selection result by the selection unit, When the selection unit is a company aiming to procure all the energy consumed in business activities by the customer with renewable energy, regardless of the type of the power procurement destination, only renewable energy with tracking information is selected as the power to be procured. An information processing device.

2. The selection unit, when the load factor is equal to or less than a first threshold value, selects the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license of a retail electricity business operator as the power procurement destination; when the load factor is greater than the first threshold value and less than a second threshold value, selects a retail electricity business operator other than the old general electricity business operator as the power procurement destination; when the load factor is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, selects a retail electricity business operator corresponding to the old general electricity business operator as the power procurement destination. The information processing device according to Claim 1.

3. The selection unit, even when the load factor is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, if the predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold value, selects the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license of a retail electricity business operator as the power procurement destination. The information processing device according to Claim 1.

4. When the predicted load factor is less than the first threshold value, the output unit outputs the selection result including a message recommending the introduction of the renewable energy power generation facility. The information processing device according to Claim 2 or 3.

5. The acquisition unit acquires a load factor for each power supply point of the customer, and further, for a power supply point where the load factor is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, acquires a predicted load factor indicating a load factor obtained by offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility when the renewable energy power generation facility is introduced at the power supply point. The selection unit selects, as the power procurement destination, the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity business operator when the load factor or predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold value at all supply points. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The acquisition unit acquires, for each power supply point of the customer, a load factor and a predicted load factor indicating a load factor obtained by offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility when the renewable energy power generation facility is introduced at the supply point. The selection unit selects, as the power procurement destination, the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity business operator when the load factor or predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold value at the supply point. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

7. The acquisition unit acquires the load factor for each power supply point of the customer, and further acquires, for supply points where the renewable energy power generation facility can be introduced, a predicted load factor indicating a load factor obtained by offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility. The selection unit selects, as the power procurement destination, the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license from a retail electricity business operator when the load factor or predicted load factor is equal to or less than the first threshold value at the supply point. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3.

8. The output unit outputs the selection result including a message recommending the introduction of the renewable energy power generation facility for supply points where the predicted load factor is smaller than the first threshold value. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. The renewable energy power generation facility is a solar power generation facility. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8.

10. When the load factor is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, the acquisition unit acquires information about a retail electricity business operator that presented the lowest electricity price in a reverse auction from among a plurality of retail electricity business operators other than the former general electricity business operator. When the load factor is greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, the selection unit selects, as the power procurement destination, the retail electricity business operator indicated in the information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9. According to claim 11, a computer obtains a load factor indicating the ratio of the average power to the maximum power during a predetermined period of a customer, and a predicted load factor indicating a load factor obtained by offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility when the customer introduces a renewable energy power generation facility. Based on the load factor and the predicted load factor, the computer selects, as a power procurement source to be presented to the customer, any one of a retail electricity business operator corresponding to the former general electricity business operator, a retail electricity business operator other than the former general electricity business operator, and the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license of a retail electricity business operator. The computer outputs the selection result in the selecting step, and in the selecting step, when the customer is a company aiming to procure all the energy consumed in business activities with renewable energy, regardless of the type of the power procurement source, only renewable energy with tracking information is selected as the power to be procured. An information processing method. According to claim 12 A step of obtaining a load factor indicating the ratio of the average power to the maximum power during a predetermined period of a customer, and a predicted load factor indicating a load factor obtained by offsetting the power supplied from the renewable energy power generation facility when the customer introduces a renewable energy power generation facility. Based on the load factor and the predicted load factor, a step of selecting, as a power procurement source to be presented to the customer, any one of a retail electricity business operator corresponding to the former general electricity business operator, a retail electricity business operator other than the former general electricity business operator, and the customer himself / herself who has obtained a license of a retail electricity business operator. A program for causing a computer to execute a step of outputting the selection result in the selecting step, wherein in the selecting step, when the customer is a company aiming to procure all the energy consumed in business activities with renewable energy, regardless of the type of the power procurement source, only renewable energy with tracking information is selected as the power to be procured. A program.

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