Renewable Energy Management Device and Renewable Energy Management Method

Abstract

To provide a renewable energy management device and a renewable energy management method for efficiently managing renewable energy in equipment having shared portions and separately used portions.SOLUTION: In a renewable energy management system 1, an integrated DC management server 40, which serves as a renewable energy management device, includes: a necessary renewable energy amount prediction unit that, for power consumption of equipment managed by a business operator and used by a user, calculates a portion of the power consumption associated with the business operator and a portion of the power consumption associated with the user, and calculates the amount of renewable energy to be procured by the business operator, on the basis of the calculated portions of the power consumption, a parameter associated with the business operator, and a parameter associated with the user; and a renewable energy procurement plan creation unit that outputs information relating to the calculated necessary renewable energy.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a renewable energy management device and a renewable energy management method.

Background Art

[0002] In order to prevent the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that cause global warming and aim to shift away from fossil fuels, so-called decarbonization has attracted attention. In this regard, a large number of information processing devices and communication devices are installed in a data center (DC), and a large amount of electric power is required for their operation and operation. Therefore, attempts have been made to achieve decarbonization by using renewable energy for these operations.

[0003] Here, Patent Document 1 describes that, regarding the procurement of power for consumers, a power procurement support system receives an evaluation index including a power procurement cost, a renewable energy ratio, or a non-carbon ratio in order to support the procurement of power for a plurality of consumers from a plurality of procurement sources, and based on the received evaluation index, determines one or more consumer combinations in which a plurality of consumers are classified, and the power procurement amount of each of one or more procurement sources for each consumer combination.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, the following circumstances exist in the data center. That is, in the data center, there is a housing (individual part) where users bring in equipment, etc., and a common part (core network equipment, etc.) where other equipment for the operation of all users is provided. However, the user is responsible for reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases (here, carbon dioxide (CO2)) derived from power consumption for the former, and the operator is responsible for the latter. Also, since the use of renewable energy can reduce CO2 emissions, the management of the power consumed and the renewable energy is necessary. There is.

[0006] However, it is difficult for each user to procure actual power independently and supply it to the equipment they bring in, because it involves changes in the operator's power facilities. Also, individual procurement such as environmental value certificates cannot utilize the scale merit and is costly. Therefore, by the operator procuring the operator's share and the users' shares together and implementing the utilization of renewable energy for each user, the cost can be reduced due to the scale merit. However, the power consumption of the common part for which the operator is responsible changes depending on the usage situation of the users. Furthermore, since the environmental requirements (such as the target ratio of renewable energy) set by each user and the operator are different, it is difficult to calculate how much renewable energy should be procured by combining the operator and the users. Under such circumstances, a mechanism for efficiently managing the management of renewable energy in cooperation between the operator and the users is required.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and its object is to provide a renewable energy management device and a renewable energy management method capable of efficiently managing the management of renewable energy in a facility having a common part and individual use parts.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems has a processor and a memory, and in the power consumption of facilities managed by an operator and used by users, During the prediction period, a portion of the power consumption associated with the operator, of the common part a portion of the power consumption associated with the user, of the individual part are respectively calculated, and based on each calculated power consumption and , the environmental requirements associated with the operator and the environmental requirements associated with the user, and the degree of influence of the individual part on the common part based on the state of the facilities used by the user a necessary renewable energy amount prediction unit that calculates the amount of renewable energy that needs to be procured by the operator, and a renewable energy procurement plan creation unit that outputs information regarding the calculated necessary renewable energy, and is a renewable energy management device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently manage renewable energy in facilities having a common part and an individual use part. Configurations, effects, etc. other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a renewable energy management system 1 according to the present embodiment. The renewable energy management system 1 includes a management terminal 10 for DC operators, a terminal 20 for DC users, an integrated DC management system 30 (renewable energy management system), and one or more data centers 60 (DC: Data Center).

[0012] The management terminal 10 for DC operators is an information processing device used by an operator who manages the data center 60.

[0013] The terminal 20 for DC users is an information processing device used by a user who uses the data center 60.

[0014] The data center 60 includes common IT equipment 62, common facilities 63, one or more housing facilities 64, and DCIM 61 (Data Center Infrastructure Management). T: Information Technology).

[0015] The housing facilities 64 are provided for each user. In this embodiment, the housing facilities 64 include a server device 69, a storage device 70, and NW equipment 71 (NW: Network). ) The housing facilities 64 are installed, used, and managed by each user. These facilities and equipment (hereinafter collectively referred to as equipment) operate while consuming power.

[0016] The common facilities 63 are facilities commonly used by each user and operator. In this embodiment, the common facilities 63 include air conditioning facilities 66, lighting facilities 66, and elevators 68. These facilities operate while consuming power.

[0017] The common IT equipment 62 is IT equipment commonly used by each user and operator. The common IT equipment 62 includes core NW equipment 65. This equipment operates while consuming power.

[0018] DCIM 61 collects and manages information on the operating status of each facility and equipment in the data center 60. For example, DCIM 61 measures and stores the configuration (rack configuration), power consumption, temperature, air volume, power supply status, etc. of each facility and equipment in the data center 60.

[0019] Each user is responsible for procuring a predetermined ratio (renewable energy utilization rate or renewable energy ratio) of the power required for the use of the housing facilities 64 (individual parts) used by the user with renewable energy (such as solar power, wind power, geothermal energy, biomass, etc. Hereinafter, it may also be abbreviated as renewable energy). In addition, each user imposes predetermined requirements (environmental requirements) on the procurement of this renewable energy. The environmental requirements may vary for each user.

[0020] The operator is responsible for procuring a predetermined percentage (renewable energy utilization rate or renewable energy ratio) of the power required for the use of the common IT equipment 62 and the common facilities (common parts) from renewable energy (such as solar power, wind power, geothermal energy, biomass, etc.). Note that the power consumption of this common part is affected according to the use of the individual parts of each user. In addition, the operator imposes predetermined requirements (environmental requirements) on the procurement of these renewable energies.

[0021] The integrated DC management system 30 (renewable energy management system) includes an integrated DC management server 40 (renewable energy management device) and a DC user management server 50. The integrated DC management system 30 is provided to each user, for example, as SaaS (Software as a Service). That is, the integrated DC management system 30 is accessed via a network from the DC operator management terminal 10 and the DC user terminal 20. And the integrated DC management system 30 collects information from each DC via the network.

[0022] The integrated DC management server 40 predicts the power consumption in the data center 60 and the required procurement amount of renewable energy based on the operator's environmental requirements, considering separately the parts contributed by the common part and the individual parts of the data center 60, detects whether the renewable energy is insufficient, and if it is insufficient, creates a procurement plan for renewable energy to eliminate the shortage and provides it to the operator.

[0023] Note that the integrated DC management server 40 stores the time unit for calculating the renewable energy ratio (hereinafter referred to as the renewable energy management unit). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the renewable energy management unit is one year, but it may be one hour, for example.

[0024] In addition, the integrated DC management server 40 stores the time unit (hereinafter referred to as the aggregation unit) for aggregating the required amount of renewable energy. The aggregation unit is a time shorter than the renewable energy management unit. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the aggregation unit is one month, but it may be one hour, for example.

[0025] The DC user management server 50 acquires and stores information on users regarding renewable energy (for example, information on users' environmental requirements, plans for adding and reducing equipment and devices in individual parts) from the DC user terminal 20.

[0026] Between the DC operator and each DC user management server 50 and the integrated DC management server, and between the integrated DC management server and the data center 60, for example, wired or wireless communication networks 5 and 6 such as the Internet, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), or dedicated lines are used for communication. It is communicable.

[0027] Next, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of the hardware and functions provided in the integrated DC management server 40.

[0028] The integrated DC management server 40 stores programs such as a conversion coefficient calculation program 45, an impact degree calculation program 46, a required renewable energy amount prediction program 47, a renewable energy excess / deficiency detection program 48, and a renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49.

[0029] The integrated DC management server 40 manages information such as a renewable energy management table 100, a renewable energy procurement method type table 200, a required renewable energy amount prediction table 300, a renewable energy procurement result table 400, and a renewable energy procurement plan table 500.

[0030] The impact degree calculation program 46 calculates a parameter (hereinafter referred to as the impact degree) based on the state of the equipment used by the user. The impact degree represents the magnitude of the impact on the common part of the individual parts regarding power consumption. Details of the impact degree will be described later.

[0031] The necessary renewable energy amount prediction program 47 calculates, in the power consumption of the data center 60, the power consumption of the common part associated with the operator and the power consumption of the individual part associated with the user, respectively. Based on the calculated power consumptions, the parameters associated with the operator (in this embodiment, the environmental requirements of the operator described below) and the parameters associated with the user (in this embodiment, the environmental requirements of the user described below), and the influence degree, it calculates the amount of renewable energy that the operator needs to procure.

[0032] The conversion coefficient calculation program 45 calculates, as the parameter associated with the user, a value indicating the environmental requirements of the user, and calculates, as the parameter associated with the operator, a value indicating the environmental requirements of the operator. Note that this parameter does not necessarily have to be an environmental requirement, and other reference parameters may be used.

[0033] The renewable energy excess / deficiency detection program 48 estimates the excess or deficiency of renewable energy by comparing the amount of renewable energy that the operator plans to procure with the amount of renewable energy that the necessary renewable energy amount prediction program 47 has calculated as the amount of renewable energy that the operator needs to procure.

[0034] The renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 outputs information regarding the necessary renewable energy calculated by the necessary renewable energy amount prediction program 47.

[0035] In addition, the integrated DC management server 40 includes a processing device 41 (processor) such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array ), a main storage device 42 (memory) such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive) It includes an auxiliary storage device 43 such as etc., and a communication device 44 composed of a NIC (Network Interface Card), a wireless communication module, a USB (Universal Serial Interface) module, a serial communication module, or the like. Note that the integrated DC management server 40 may include an input device composed of a mouse, a keyboard, or the like, and an output device composed of a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display or the like. Next, details of each piece of information stored in the integrated DC management server 40 will be described.

[0036] (Renewable Energy Management Table) The renewable energy management table 100 is a table that stores parameters related to the environmental requirements of operators and each user. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the renewable energy management table 100. The renewable energy management table 100 is composed of one or more records having each item of an operator / user 101 in which identification information of an operator or a user is set, a requirement item 102 in which items of environmental requirements of the operator or the user are set, a requirement value 103 in which a numerical value indicating the environmental requirements of the operator or the user is set, a procurement method type 104 in which identification information of the type of procurement method of renewable energy procured by the operator or the user is set, a conversion coefficient 105 in which a conversion coefficient related to the procurement of renewable energy of the operator or the user is set, and an influence degree 106 in which the influence degree of the power consumption of the individual part of the operator or the user on the common part is set.

[0037] In the requirement item 102, for example, the names of organizations related to the certification of environmental requirements such as RE100 and CDP are set. In the requirement value 103, information such as the renewable energy rate, the procurement source of renewable energy, or the CO2 reduction value when converting power into CO2 (Carbon Diocide) is set. The conversion coefficient is a numerical value for converting the numerical value indicating the environmental requirements into the amount of renewable energy.

[0038] (Renewable Energy Procurement Method Type Table) The renewable energy procurement method type table 200 is a table that stores the details of procurement methods for various types of renewable energy. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the renewable energy procurement method type table 200. The renewable energy procurement method type table 200 includes a type ID 201 (corresponding to the procurement method type 104 in the renewable energy management table 100) where identification information for the type of procurement method for renewable energy is set, a type name 202 where the name of that type is set, a corresponding requirement 203 where information on items of environmental requirements achievable by the procurement method of that type is set, and a procurement method 204 where the details of the procurement method of that type are set, and is composed of one or more records having each of these items.

[0039] In the procurement method 204, the type of certificate (environmental value obtained by using renewable energy (not emitting CO2)) obtained by the procurement of that type, and the cost (unit price per unit of electricity) required for obtaining that certificate (i.e., procurement of renewable energy) are set.

[0040] (Renewable energy quantity prediction table) The renewable energy quantity prediction table 300 is a table that stores the history of predictions of the amount of renewable energy required for operators and each user, predicted by the integrated DC management server 40.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the renewable energy quantity prediction table. The renewable energy quantity prediction table 300 includes a creation date 301 where the date of the prediction is set, a prediction target 302 where the period of the prediction (period in aggregation units. Hereinafter, referred to as the prediction period) is set, a business operator / user 303 where identification information of the operator or user of the prediction target is set, a procurement method type ID 304 where the type of procurement method for renewable energy related to the prediction is set, the predicted value of the power consumption during the prediction period is set as the power consumption 305, and a required renewable energy quantity 306 where the predicted value of the amount of renewable energy required during the period of the prediction target is set, and is composed of one or more records having each of these items.

[0042] (Renewable energy procurement performance table) The renewable energy procurement performance table 400 is a table that stores the history of past renewable energy procurements carried out by the operator.

[0043] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the renewable energy procurement performance table 400. The renewable energy procurement performance table 400 includes a procurement date 401 on which the procurement date of renewable energy by the operator is set, a procurement method 402 in which the content of the procurement method is set, a procurement renewable energy amount 403 in which the amount of renewable energy procured is set, a depreciation period 404 in which the depreciation period of the renewable energy is set, a procurement amount 405 in which the cost required for the procurement is set, and a contract period 406 in which the period of the contract related to the procurement is set, and is composed of one or more records having each item.

[0044] Note that for the procurement renewable energy amount 403, a certificate (procurement method 204 of the renewable energy procurement method type table 200) obtained by that type of procurement is set.

[0045] (Renewable Energy Procurement Plan Table) The renewable energy procurement plan table 500 is a table that stores the content of the renewable energy procurement plan of the operator created by the integrated DC management server 40.

[0046] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the renewable energy procurement plan table. The renewable energy procurement plan table 500 includes a planned procurement date 501 on which the planned procurement date of renewable energy by the operator is set, a procurement method type ID 502 in which the type of the procurement method is set, a procurement renewable energy amount 503 in which the amount of renewable energy to be procured is set, and a status 504 in which information indicating whether the procurement has been executed or not ("procured" or "planned procurement") is set, and is composed of one or more records having each item. When the procurement of renewable energy is completed, the "planned procurement" in the status 504 is changed to "procured" by the operator or the like.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware and functions provided in the DC user management server 50. The DC user management server 50 stores each piece of information in the DC user environment requirement table 600 and the DC user device addition / removal design plan table 700.

[0048] In addition, similar to the integrated DC management server 40, the DC user management server 50 includes a processing device 51 (processor), a main storage device 52 (memory), an auxiliary storage device 53, and a communication device 54. Note that the DC user management server 50 may include an input device and an output device. Next, details of each piece of information stored in the DC user management server 50 will be described.

[0049] (DC User Environment Requirement Table) The DC user environment requirement table 600 is a table that stores information regarding the environment requirements of each user. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the DC user environment requirement table 600. The DC user environment requirement table 600 is composed of one or more records having items of a user 601 in which the identification information of the user is set, a requirement item 602 (corresponding to the requirement item 102 in the renewable energy management table 100) in which the items of the environment requirements of the user are set, a requirement value 603 (corresponding to the requirement value 103 in the renewable energy management table 100) in which the numerical values of the environment requirements of the user are set, and a contract date / renewal date 604 in which the contract date or renewal date of the contract regarding the environment requirements is set. Note that in the DC user environment requirement table 600, information on the environment requirements set by each user is set. information is set.

[0050] (DC User Device Addition / Removal Design Plan Table) The DC user device addition / removal design plan table 700 is information that stores the planned content of changes (device addition and removal) in the configuration of the devices in the individual parts of each user.

[0051] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a DC user device increase / decrease design plan table 700. The DC user device increase / decrease design plan table 700 includes a user 701 for which user identification information is set, a date 702 for which the date when the user plans to add or remove devices is set, an increase / decrease design plan 703 for which the details of the addition or removal plan (implementation date and details of device addition / removal) are set, and one or more records each having items of a planned period 704 for which the period of the addition or removal is set. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that each user sets information in the increase / decrease design plan 703.

[0052] The functions of the integrated DC management server 40 and the DC user management server 50 described above are realized by the processing devices 41 and 51 reading and executing programs stored in the main storage devices 42 and 42 or the auxiliary storage devices 43 and 53. Further, the above programs can be recorded on a recording medium and distributed, for example. Note that all or part of each information processing device may be realized using virtual information processing resources provided using virtualization technology, process space separation technology, or the like, such as a virtual server provided by a cloud system. Also, all or part of the functions provided by each information processing device may be realized by a service provided by a cloud system via an API (Application Programming Interface) or the like. Next, the processing executed by the integrated DC management system 30 will be described. <Renewable energy procurement plan first creation process>

[0053] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of the renewable energy procurement plan first creation process. This process is started, for example, when a predetermined input is made from a user to the DC operator management terminal 10, at a predetermined timing or time interval (for example, at the start of the year, when a contract regarding the user's environmental requirements is concluded or changed).

[0054] ​First, the management terminal 10 for DC operators sends a creation request for a renewable energy procurement plan (s1). When the integrated DC management server 40 receives this creation request, it sends a user environment requirement request to the DC user management server 50 to request the acquisition of the user's environmental requirements (s3).

[0055] When the DC user management server 50 receives the user environment requirement request, it sends the information on the environmental requirements of existing users (information in the DC user environmental requirement table 600) to the integrated DC management server 40 (s5). When the DC user management server 50 receives the information on the user's environmental requirements, it sets the received information in the renewable energy management table 100.

[0056] Also, the integrated DC management server 40 sends a request to the DCIM 61 to acquire performance information regarding the operation of the data center 60 (s7). When the DCIM 61 receives this acquisition request, it sends the performance information regarding the operation of the data center (for example, the history of configuration changes of each device in the data center, the usage of each device, the temperature of each device or the data center (common part and individual part), and the power consumption of the device) to the integrated DC management server 40 (s9).

[0057] When the integrated DC management server 40 receives the performance information regarding the operation of the data center, it calculates the conversion factors of renewable energy for the operator and each user (s11).

[0058] Specifically, the integrated DC management server 40 performs the following processing for each of the operator and each user. That is, the integrated DC management server 40 refers to the renewable energy management table 100 and acquires the requirement item 102 and requirement value 103 of the record related to the subject.

[0059] Then, based on the obtained requirement value 103, the integrated DC management server 40 calculates the conversion coefficient of the subject. For example, the integrated DC management server 40 uses the renewable energy rate, which is a requirement value, as the conversion coefficient. Also, for example, the integrated DC management server 40 converts the CO2 emission reduction amount, which is a requirement value, into a renewable energy rate by using a predetermined conversion formula (for example, multiplying the overall power consumption by the emission coefficient), and uses this as the conversion coefficient. Note that the integrated DC management server 40 sets the calculated conversion coefficient to the conversion coefficient 105 in the renewable energy management table 100.

[0060] Also, the integrated DC management server 40 refers to the renewable energy procurement method type table 200 and identifies the type ID of the record in which the obtained requirement item 102 is set in the corresponding requirement 203, thereby identifying the type of the procurement method of the renewable energy of the subject. The integrated DC management server 40 sets the identified type of the procurement method to the procurement method type 104 in the renewable energy management table 100.

[0061] The integrated DC management server 40 executes an influence degree calculation process s13 for calculating the influence degree (influence on the required amount of renewable energy) of each individual part on the common part.

[0062] The integrated DC management server 40 executes a required generated energy amount prediction process s15 for predicting the total amount of required renewable energy (the total amount for the operator and all users. Hereinafter, it is referred to as the total amount of required renewable energy by type) for each type of the procurement method identified in s11.

[0063] The integrated DC management server 40 executes a renewable energy shortage / surplus detection process s17 for detecting whether the total amount of required renewable energy calculated in the required generated energy amount prediction process s15 is currently insufficient for each type of the procurement method identified in s11.

[0064] Based on the result of the renewable energy surplus / deficit detection process s17, the integrated DC management server 40 determines whether renewable energy procurement is necessary for each type of procurement method specified in s11 (s19). If renewable energy procurement is necessary (s19: YES), the integrated DC management server 40 executes a renewable energy procurement plan s21 for creating (updating) a renewable energy procurement plan, and then the process of s23 is executed. On the other hand, if renewable energy procurement is not necessary (s19: NO), the integrated DC management server 40 executes the process of s23.

[0065] In s23, the integrated DC management server 40 transmits the current renewable energy procurement plan to the DC operator management terminal 10. Next, the details of each of the above processes will be described.

[0066] <Impact degree calculation process> FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the impact degree calculation process s13. First, the impact degree calculation program 46 selects one user (s201).

[0067] For the user selected in s201, if the user is an existing user, the impact degree calculation program 46 calculates the impact degree on the common part according to the increase / decrease design plan (s203).

[0068] Specifically, the impact degree calculation program 46 calculates the impact degree from the increase / decrease of the power consumption 305 of the record related to the operator in the necessary renewable energy amount prediction table 300 and the actual value of the power consumption obtained in s9. Also, the impact degree calculation program 46 calculates the impact degree on the common part based on the current device state (configuration or device usage, etc.) of the user selected in s201 (s205).

[0069]

[0070] ​For example, the impact degree calculation program 46 acquires the type of each device (for example, a server device, a communication device) installed in the individual part of the user selected in s201 and the use of each device (for example, arithmetic processing, communication processing) from the performance information received in s9. The impact degree calculation program 46 calculates, for each device, the multiplication value of a predetermined weight value set for the acquired type of each device (for example, the weight value of the server device is larger than the weight value of the network device) and a predetermined weight value set for the use or operating status of the acquired types of devices (for example, the weight value of a device for calculation use is larger than the weight value of a device for communication use. The higher the temperature of the device, the higher the weight value). The impact degree calculation program 46 calculates the impact degree on the common part by the selected individual part of the user by summing up the calculated multiplication values for each device.

[0071] Note that the method for calculating the impact degree on the common part described here is an example, and the impact degree calculation program 46 may calculate the impact degree based on, for example, the temperature of each device or the data center 60 (for example, the higher the temperature of the individual part or the common part, the greater the impact degree), the air volume of the air conditioning device, and the power supply state of each device.

[0072] The impact degree calculation program 46 sets the total value of the impact degrees calculated in s203 and s205 to the impact degree 106 in the renewable energy management table 100. Note that the method for calculating the impact degree described here is an example, and the impact degree calculation program 46 may calculate the impact degree by an arbitrary method according to the increase / decrease design plan of the user and the device configuration of the individual part.

[0073] The impact degree calculation program 46 checks whether there is a user who has not executed the processes of s203 and s205 (s207). If there is a user who has not executed the processes of s203 and s205, the impact degree calculation program 46 repeats the processes after s131 to select that user. If there is no user who has not executed the processes of s203 and s2035, the impact degree calculation process s13 ends.

[0074] <Required generated energy amount prediction process> Figure 13 is a flowchart for explaining the necessary generated energy amount prediction process s15. First, the necessary renewable energy amount prediction program 47 selects one user (s301).

[0075] Based on the information of the current individual part devices, the necessary renewable energy amount prediction program 47 predicts the power consumption of each user's individual part during the prediction period (s303). Note that the prediction period is the period of the aggregation unit.

[0076] For example, the necessary renewable energy amount prediction program 47 calculates the power consumption based on the performance information (the configuration and power consumption amount of each device) received in s9.

[0077] Based on the conversion coefficient in the renewable energy management table 100 and the power consumption of the individual part calculated in s303, the necessary renewable energy amount prediction program 47 calculates (predicts) the necessary renewable energy P_RE of the user's individual part during the prediction period (s305).

[0078] For example, the necessary renewable energy amount prediction program 47 refers to the renewable energy management table 100, obtains the value of the conversion coefficient 105 of the record related to the user, and multiplies the obtained value of the conversion coefficient 105 of the user by the future power consumption of the individual part calculated in s303 to calculate the necessary renewable energy P_RE of the user's individual part.

[0079] The necessary renewable energy amount prediction program 47 adds the necessary renewable energy P_RE of the user's individual part calculated in s305 to the total amount of necessary renewable energy by type (the initial value is preset to 0) related to the type of the user's procurement method (the type of procurement method corresponding to the user's environmental requirements) (s307).

[0080] ​Specifically, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 refers to the renewable energy management table 100 and acquires the requirement items 102 of the record related to the user. The required renewable energy prediction program 47 refers to the renewable energy procurement method type table 200 and identifies the type ID 201 of the record in which the acquired requirement item 102 is set in the corresponding requirement 203. The required renewable energy prediction program 47 adds the P_RE calculated in s305 to the total amount of renewable energy required for each type according to the type ID.

[0081] Based on the DC user equipment increase / decrease design plan table 700, etc., the required renewable energy prediction program 47 calculates (predicts) the power consumption of the individual parts of existing and new users during the prediction period (s309).

[0082] In the case of existing users, for example, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 refers to the DC user equipment increase / decrease design plan table 700 and acquires the record set for the user in the user 701. Then, among the acquired records, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 multiplies the power value of each device in the increase / decrease design plan 703 of the record in which the period specified from the implementation date and the planned period 704 of the increase / decrease design plan 703 includes the prediction period by the prediction period, and further sums up these multiplied values to predict the power consumption.

[0083] In the case of new users, for example, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 calculates the power consumption of the individual parts of the user by acquiring the data of newly introduced devices and their power consumption from the performance information received in s9 or a predetermined management table.

[0084] Note that the power consumption calculation method described here is an example, and the required renewable energy prediction program 47 only needs to be able to predict the change in power consumption due to changes in the configuration of the devices in the individual parts.

[0085] Next, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 predicts the power consumption of the common part during the prediction period based on the power consumption of the individual part of the user predicted in s309 and the influence degree of the user calculated in the influence degree calculation process s13 (s311). Specifically, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 calculates the power consumption of the common part by multiplying the power consumption of the individual part of the user by the influence degree of the user.

[0086] Based on the conversion coefficient in the renewable energy management table 100 and the power consumption of the common part predicted in s311, the required renewable energy P_RE_dc of the operator during the prediction period is calculated (predicted) by the required renewable energy prediction program 47 (s313).

[0087] For example, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 refers to the renewable energy management table 100, obtains the value of the conversion coefficient 105 of the record related to the operator, and multiplies the obtained value of the conversion coefficient 105 of the operator by the power consumption of the common part calculated in s311 to calculate the required renewable energy P_RE_dc of the operator corresponding to the influence received from the individual part.

[0088] Next, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 adds the required renewable energy P_RE_dc of the operator calculated in s31 3 to the total amount of required renewable energy by type related to the type of procurement method of the operator (the type of procurement method corresponding to the environmental requirements of the operator) (s315).

[0089] Specifically, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 refers to the DC user environmental requirement table 600 and obtains the requirement item 602 of the record related to the operator. The required renewable energy prediction program 47 refers to the renewable energy procurement method type table 200 and identifies the type ID 201 of the record in which the obtained requirement item 602 is set in the corresponding requirement 203. The required renewable energy prediction program 47 adds the P_RE_dc calculated in s313 to the total amount of required renewable energy by type associated with the type ID.

[0090] The necessary renewable energy prediction program 47 checks whether the processes of s301 to s315 have been executed for all users (s317). If the processes of s301 to s315 have been executed for all users (s317: Yes), the necessary renewable energy prediction program 47 executes the process of s319. If the processes of s301 to s315 have not been executed for all users (s317: No), the necessary renewable energy prediction program 47 repeats the process of s301 to select the users for whom the processes have not been executed.

[0091] In s319, the necessary renewable energy prediction program 47 predicts the power consumption by the common part (the part specific to the operator) during the prediction period.

[0092] For example, the necessary renewable energy prediction program 47 refers to the DC user equipment increase / decrease design plan table 700 and acquires the records set by the operator for the user 701. Then, the necessary renewable energy prediction program 47 multiplies the power consumption of each device in the increase / decrease design plan 703 of the records whose period specified by the implementation date and the planned period 704 of the increase / decrease design plan 703 includes the prediction period among the acquired records by the prediction period to calculate the power consumption of the common part during the prediction period.

[0093] Next, the necessary renewable energy prediction program 47 calculates (predicts) the necessary renewable energy P_RE_dc0 of the common part of the operator during the prediction period based on the conversion coefficient in the renewable energy management table 100 and the power consumption of the common part predicted in s319 (s321).

[0094] Specifically, the necessary renewable energy prediction program 47 refers to the renewable energy management table 100, acquires the value of the conversion coefficient 105 of the record related to the operator, and multiplies the acquired value of the conversion coefficient 105 of the operator by the power consumption of the common part of the operator calculated in s319 to calculate the necessary renewable energy P_RE_dc0 of the operator.

[0095] Next, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 adds the required renewable energy P_RE_dc0 of the common part of the business operator, calculated in s321, to the total required renewable energy by type according to the type of procurement method of the business operator (the type of procurement method corresponding to the environmental requirements of the business operator) (s323). Thus, the required generated energy amount prediction process s15 ends.

[0096] Specifically, the required renewable energy prediction program 47 refers to the renewable energy management table 100 and acquires the requirement item 102 of the record related to the business operator. The required renewable energy prediction program 47 refers to the renewable energy procurement method type table 200 and identifies the type ID 201 of the record in which the acquired requirement item 102 is set in the corresponding requirement 203. The required renewable energy prediction program 47 adds P_RE_dc0 calculated in s321 to the total required renewable energy by type related to the type ID.

[0097] <Renewable energy excess / deficiency detection process> FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the renewable energy excess / deficiency detection process s17. The renewable energy excess / deficiency detection program 48 selects one of the types of renewable energy procurement methods (s401). Select (s401).

[0098] The renewable energy excess / deficiency detection program 48 aggregates the renewable energy procurement amounts during the prediction period for the type selected in s401 (s403).

[0099] For example, the renewable energy excess / deficiency detection program 48 refers to the renewable energy procurement plan table 500, acquires the values of the procurement renewable energy amounts 503 of all records in which the prediction period is set to the planned procurement date 501, the type selected in s401 is set to the procurement method type ID 502, and the status 504 is "procured", and sums up the acquired values. Note that the renewable energy excess / deficiency detection program 48 may also add records with a status of "planned procurement".

[0100] The renewable energy shortage detection program 48 determines whether renewable energy is insufficient during the prediction period by comparing the amount of renewable energy procurement during the prediction period tabulated in s403 with the amount of required renewable energy during the prediction period calculated in the required renewable energy amount prediction process s15 (s405).

[0101] For example, the renewable energy shortage detection program 48 determines whether the amount of renewable energy procurement tabulated in s403 is less than the amount of required renewable energy for the selected type calculated in the required renewable energy amount prediction process s300.

[0102] The renewable energy shortage detection program 48 checks whether the processes of s401 to s405 have been executed for all types of renewable energy procurement methods (s407). If the processes of s401 to s405 have been executed for all types of renewable energy procurement methods (s407: Yes), the renewable energy shortage detection process s17 ends. If there is a type of renewable energy procurement method for which the processes of s401 to s405 have not been executed (s407: No), the renewable energy shortage detection program 48 repeats the process of s401 to select that type.

[0103] <Renewable energy procurement plan creation process> FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the renewable energy procurement plan creation process s21.

[0104] The renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 selects one type of procurement method (s501).

[0105] The renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 calculates the difference between the amount of renewable energy procurement during the prediction period calculated in the renewable energy shortage detection process s17 and the total amount of required renewable energy by type during the prediction period calculated in the required generated energy amount prediction process s15 for the procurement method of the type selected in s501 (s503).

[0106] The renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 identifies the option with the lowest unit price in the procurement method of the type selected in s501 (s505).

[0107] For example, the renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 identifies the content of the procurement method type 104 of the record related to the operator by referring to the renewable energy management table 100, and further obtains all the options of the procurement method 204 of the record related to the identified procurement method type 104 by referring to the renewable energy procurement method type table 200 (for example, non-fossil certificates, green power certificates, VPPA, and self-generation). Then, the renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 identifies the type of the procurement method with the lowest unit price among the obtained procurement methods.

[0108] Note that the renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 may identify the type of procurement method using the amount achievement related to the procurement amount 405 in the renewable energy procurement performance table 400. Also, the renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 may identify the options of the procurement method based on criteria other than the unit price (for example, the option with the minimum procurement risk). Based on the processing results of s503 and s505, the renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 creates a renewable energy procurement plan (s507).

[0109] For example, the renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 creates a new record in the renewable energy procurement plan table 500, sets the prediction period for the planned procurement date 501, the option of the selected procurement method for the procurement method type ID 502, the difference calculated in s503 for the procurement renewable energy amount 503, and "scheduled for procurement" for the status 504 respectively.

[0110]

[0111] ​The renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 determines whether the processes of S501 to S507 have been executed for all types of procurement methods (S509). If the processes of S501 to S507 have been executed for all types of procurement methods (S509: Yes), the renewable energy procurement plan creation process S21 ends. If there are types of procurement methods for which the processes of S501 to S507 have not been executed, the renewable energy procurement plan creation program 49 repeats the process of S501 to select that type of procurement method.

[0112] (Business operator management screen) FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a business operator management screen. The business operator management screen 1000 includes a type selection column 1010 that receives a selection of the type of renewable energy procurement method for displaying information from the user, a renewable energy information display column 1020 that displays information on the renewable energy procured or to be procured by the procurement method of the type selected in the type selection column 1010, and a procurement plan display column 1030 that displays the content of the renewable energy procurement plan for a future period (prediction period) in which the procurement amount is insufficient in the renewable energy information display column 1020.

[0113] In the renewable energy information display column 1020, the transition 1021 of the procurement amount (actual or planned) of renewable energy in the past, present, and future, and the transition 1022 of the cumulative amount of the required renewable energy of each user and business operator from a past predetermined date and time are displayed. Further, in the renewable energy information display column 1020, information 1023 on the period and shortage amount when the procurement amount of renewable energy is insufficient with respect to the demand amount of renewable energy is displayed.

[0114] In the procurement plan display column 1030, the cost 1031 related to the procurement of the shortage of renewable energy and the content 1032 of the renewable energy procurement plan are displayed.

[0115] <Renewable energy procurement plan second creation process> FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an example of the process for creating the second renewable energy procurement plan. This process is started, for example, when a new user decides to use the data center 60.

[0116] First, the DC user terminal 20 used by the new user transmits a contract request regarding the use of the data center 60 to the DC operator management terminal 10 (s51).

[0117] When the DC operator management terminal 10 receives the contract request, it transmits information such as environmental requirements included in the received contract request (information corresponding to the DC user environmental requirement table 600) to the DC user management server 50 (s53). The DC user management server 50 registers the received information in the DC user environmental requirement table 600.

[0118] The subsequent processing from s1 to s17 is the same as the process for creating the first renewable energy procurement plan. However, in the processing of s11 to s19, the DC operator management terminal 10 only performs processing related to the new user.

[0119] In s19, based on the result of the renewable energy excess / deficiency detection process s17, the integrated DC management server 40 determines whether renewable energy procurement is necessary for each type of procurement method specified in s11 (s19). If renewable energy procurement is necessary (s19: YES), the integrated DC management server 40 executes the process of s55. If renewable energy procurement is not necessary (s19: NO), the integrated DC management server 40 executes the process of s23, which is the same as the process for creating the first renewable energy procurement plan.

[0120] In s55, the integrated DC management server 40 creates contract information with the environmental requirements changed for the new user. For example, the integrated DC management server 40 changes the environmental requirements so as to eliminate the shortage of renewable energy calculated in s17 (for example, lower the renewable energy rate, change the production area, change the items of environmental requirements).

[0121] The integrated DC management server 40 transmits the contract information created in s55 to the DC user terminal 20 of a new user via the DC operator management terminal 10 (s57).

[0122] The DC user terminal 20 of the new user transmits a new contract request corresponding to the received contract information to the information processing device of the new user via the DC operator management terminal 10 (s59).

[0123] When the integrated DC management server 40 receives a new contract request, it executes the processes of s11 to s15 again (s61). After that, the integrated DC management server 40 executes the process of s21 similar to the process of creating the first renewable energy procurement plan. After that, the process of s23 is executed.

[0124] In this process, the integrated DC management server 40 changes the environmental requirements for the new contractor in s55, but may also change the environmental requirements for other existing users or operators, and perform the processes of s57 to s61 in the same way.

[0125] Also, in s61, the integrated DC management server 40 may further perform the processes of s17 to s61 to confirm or re-determine that the required renewable energy is not insufficient.

[0126] As described above, the renewable energy management device of the present embodiment calculates the power consumption of the common part associated with the operator and the power consumption of the individual part associated with the user, respectively, and based on the calculated power consumption parts, the parameters (environmental requirements) associated with the operator, and the parameters (environmental requirements) associated with the user, calculates the amount of renewable energy that the operator needs to procure, and outputs information regarding the calculated required renewable energy.

[0127] That is, the renewable energy management device of the present embodiment separates the common part and the individual part with different responsible persons (users and operators) in a predetermined facility, and calculates the required amount of renewable energy according to the parameters corresponding to each. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently manage the renewable energy in a facility having a common part and an individual use part.

[0128] In addition, the renewable energy management device of the present embodiment calculates values indicating the environmental requirements of users and operators, and based on these, calculates the amount of renewable energy that the operator needs to procure. Calculate.

[0129] Thereby, it becomes possible to use renewable energy according to the circumstances of users and operators.

[0130] In addition, the renewable energy management device of the present embodiment calculates the amount of renewable energy that the operator needs to procure, and estimates the excess or deficiency of renewable energy by comparing this with the renewable energy that is planned to be procured (planned to be procured).

[0131] Thereby, the operator can use the amount of renewable energy that meets the environmental requirements.

[0132] In addition, the facility in the present embodiment has a device used by the user and a management device of the operator that manages the device used by the user. The renewable energy management device calculates the power consumption of the common part associated with the operator based on the degree of influence of the device used by the user on the device managed by the administrator and the environmental requirements of the operator.

[0133] Thereby, the power consumption of the common part of the operator can be calculated separately from the individual use part of the user.

[0134] In addition, the facility in this embodiment is a data center having devices used by users and devices managed by an operator that manage the devices used by users. The renewable energy management device calculates the degree of influence based on at least any one of the configuration, power consumption, temperature, or usage of the devices used by users.

[0135] Thereby, according to the actual situation of the operation of the common part of the data center, the power consumption of the common part of the operator can be accurately calculated.

[0136] In addition, when the renewable energy management device of this embodiment detects a shortage of renewable energy, it outputs information for eliminating the shortage of renewable energy.

[0137] Thereby, it is possible to encourage the operator to use renewable energy in accordance with environmental requirements.

[0138] In addition, when the renewable energy management device of this embodiment detects a shortage of renewable energy, it changes the value indicating the environmental requirements of the user, and based on the changed value, calculates the amount of renewable energy that the operator needs to procure.

[0139] Thereby, the operator can use renewable energy under operable environmental requirements.

[0140] In addition, the renewable energy management device of this embodiment outputs information indicating the difference between the amount of renewable energy that the operator needs to procure and the amount of renewable energy planned to be procured (planned for procurement).

[0141] Thereby, it is possible to encourage the operator to use renewable energy in accordance with environmental requirements.

[0142] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be implemented using any component without departing from the gist thereof. The embodiments and modifications described above are merely examples Yes, unless the features of the invention are impaired, the present invention is not limited to these contents. Also, although various embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these contents. Other aspects conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0143] For example, in this embodiment, a data center is exemplified as a facility managed by an operator and used by a user, but other facilities (facilities having an individual use part and a common part) adopting the same management and use form may also be targeted.

[0144] Also, a part of each function provided in each device of this embodiment may be provided in another device, or a function provided in a separate device may be provided in the same device.

[0145] Also, the configuration of the program described in this embodiment is an example, and for example, a part of the program may be incorporated into another program, or a plurality of programs may be configured as one program.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0146] 1 Renewable Energy Management System 30 Integrated DC Management System 40 DC User Management Server 50 DC User Management Server 60 Data Center

Claims

1. having a processor and a memory, In the power consumption of the facilities managed by the operator and used by the user, in the prediction period, the power consumption part of the common part associated with the operator and the power consumption part of the individual part associated with the user are calculated respectively, and based on each calculated power consumption, the environmental requirements associated with the operator and the environmental requirements associated with the user, and the degree of influence of the individual part on the common part based on the state of the facilities used by the user, a necessary renewable energy amount prediction unit that calculates the necessary renewable energy amount that the operator needs to procure; a renewable energy procurement plan creation unit that outputs information regarding the calculated necessary renewable energy; A renewable energy management device comprising:

2. comprising a conversion coefficient calculation unit that calculates a value indicating the environmental requirements associated with the user and a value indicating the environmental requirements associated with the operator; The necessary renewable energy amount prediction unit calculates the necessary renewable energy amount that the operator needs to procure based on each calculated power consumption part, the value indicating the operator's environmental requirements, and the value indicating the user's environmental requirements. The renewable energy management device according to claim 1.

3. The renewable energy management device according to claim 1, comprising a renewable energy excess / deficiency detection unit that calculates the planned renewable energy amount to be procured by the operator and estimates the excess or deficiency of renewable energy by comparing the calculated planned renewable energy amount to be procured with the calculated necessary renewable energy amount that the operator needs to procure.

4. The renewable energy management device according to claim 3, comprising a renewable energy procurement plan creation unit that outputs information for eliminating the shortage of renewable energy when the shortage of renewable energy is detected.

5. When the shortage of the renewable energy is detected, the necessary renewable energy amount prediction unit changes a value indicating the environmental requirements of the user, and calculates the amount of renewable energy that the operator needs to procure based on the changed value. The renewable energy management device according to claim 3.

6. The renewable energy procurement plan creation unit outputs information indicating the difference between the calculated amount of renewable energy that the operator needs to procure and the calculated amount of renewable energy scheduled to be procured. The renewable energy management device according to claim 3.

7. An information processing device In the power consumption of the equipment managed by the operator and used by the user, calculates, for the prediction period, the part of the power consumption of the common part associated with the operator and the part of the power consumption of the individual part associated with the user, respectively. Based on each calculated power consumption, the environmental requirements associated with the operator and the environmental requirements associated with the user, and the degree of influence of the individual part on the common part based on the state of the equipment used by the user, a necessary renewable energy amount prediction process for calculating the amount of renewable energy that the operator needs to procure, A renewable energy procurement plan creation process for outputting information regarding the calculated necessary renewable energy, A renewable energy management method for executing.

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