Demand response system

Abstract

To provide a demand response system capable of securing profits of both an electric enterprise retainer and a service user and contributing to the continuous spread.SOLUTION: A demand response system 1 adjusts electric power demand by an electricity retainer M according to a participation request Y1 for demand response by a service server 2 of the electricity retainer MI and participation results S of a plurality of service users N. The demand response system 1 comprises a participation result recording part 22 and a reward alteration part 25. The contract result recording part 22 records contract results S of the plurality of service users N by the service users N. A reward alteration part 25 alters a contract reward H given by the electricity retailer M for each service user N who participates in demand response according to the participation results S recorded by the service users N.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a demand response system.

Background Art

[0002] The spread of distributed energy resources on the consumer side that use power such as renewable energy like solar power generation, storage batteries, electric vehicles, and fuel cells is progressing. Along with this, the importance of considering the power supply-demand balance has increased, and in addition to the power supply by conventional large-scale power plants, a mechanism for utilizing the energy resources on the consumer side to adjust the power supply-demand balance is being implemented. As an example of this mechanism, there are demand response (DR) and virtual power plants (VPP) that change the power demand pattern on the consumer side or change the power supply pattern from the consumer side to the power grid in response to a request from the power company to the consumer side.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a supply-demand adjustment device used for demand response that pays a price to power consumers to adjust power demand. In this supply-demand adjustment device, the profit for incentives by implementing demand response is calculated, and based on the incentive that gives the maximum profit among the profits for incentives, the command amount for the consumer to adjust the power supply-demand is calculated. Thereby, it is possible to determine the adjusted power amount, the market procurement amount, and the market sales amount by demand response that is economically optimal for the energy supplier.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the demand response power supply and demand adjustment device of Patent Document 1, the power supply and demand of consumers by demand response is adjusted with the profit of the energy supplier being given top priority. In this power supply and demand adjustment device, no consideration is given to the reward given from the energy supplier to the consumers. In order to continuously spread demand response to more consumers, it is necessary to consider the rewards given to consumers.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and aims to provide a demand response system that can ensure the interests of both retail electricity providers and service users and contribute to continuous spread.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a demand response system for performing power supply and demand adjustment by a retail electricity provider according to an invitation to participate in demand response from a service server managed by the retail electricity provider to a plurality of service users, and according to the participation record indicating that the plurality of service users have actually participated in the demand response in response to the invitation to participate, a participation record recording unit that records the participation records of the plurality of service users for each service user, a demand response system comprising: a reward changing unit that changes the reward given from the retail electricity provider for each service user who has participated in the demand response according to the participation record recorded for each service user by the participation record recording unit. The demand response system of the above aspect has any one of the following configurations (1) to (4). · Configuration (1) The participation record section is configured to record, for each of the plurality of service users, the differences that occur in the participation records of the plurality of service users when the rewards given to the plurality of service users are changed, and the reward change section is configured to determine whether to change or maintain the respective rewards of the service users based on whether the respective participation records of the service users when the rewards are changed have changed beyond a reference change rate. · Configuration (2) The participation record section is configured to record, for each of the plurality of service users, whether the participation records of the plurality of service users have decreased when the rewards given to the plurality of service users are decreased, and the reward change section is configured to increase or maintain the rewards for the service users whose participation records when the rewards are decreased have decreased beyond the reference change rate, and to maintain or decrease the rewards for the service users whose participation records when the rewards are decreased are within the reference change rate. · Configuration (3) The reward change section is configured to increase the rewards during the intermediate period excluding summer and winter for the service users with high participation records recorded for each of the service users in summer or winter. · Configuration (4) The reward change section is configured to increase the rewards for the service users whose participation records show a downward trend according to the participation record section.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] The demand response system according to the above aspect is devised to record the participation performance of demand response for each service user and change the reward given to each service user. Specifically, in the participation performance recording unit, the participation performance of a plurality of service users in the demand response is recorded for each service user. Then, the reward changing unit changes, for each service user, the reward given by the retail electricity supplier to the service user who has participated in the demand response according to the participation performance recorded for each service user.

[0009] By changing this reward, the participation willingness of service users in the demand response can be appropriately maintained. Therefore, according to the demand response system of the above aspect, the interests of both the retail electricity supplier and the service users can be ensured, and it can contribute to the continuous popularization of the demand response.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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[0011] Preferred embodiments of the above - described demand response system will be described with reference to the drawings. <Embodiment 1> As shown in FIG. 1, the demand response system 1 of this embodiment performs power supply - demand adjustment by the retail electricity provider M according to a demand response participation invitation Y1 from a service server 2 managed by the retail electricity provider M to a plurality of service users N, and a participation record S indicating that the plurality of service users N actually participated in the demand response to the participation invitation Y1.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the demand response system 1 includes a participation record - keeping unit 22 and a reward change unit 25. The participation record - keeping unit 22 is configured to record the participation record S of a plurality of service users N for each service user N. The reward change unit 25 is configured to change the reward (referred to as participation reward H) given by the retail electricity provider M for each service user N who participated in the demand response according to the participation record S recorded for each service user N by the participation record - keeping unit 22.

[0013] The demand response system 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail below. (Demand Response System 1) As shown in Fig. 1, the demand response system 1 of this embodiment is used for power supply and demand adjustment based on a contract concluded between a retail electricity provider M engaged in the retail electricity business and a plurality of service users N who are electricity consumers. The demand response system 1 performs power supply and demand adjustment by communicating between a service server 2 managed by the retail electricity provider M and a terminal 3 owned or used by each service user N.

[0014] The demand response service server 2 is composed of a computer or the like managed by the retail electricity provider M. The service server 2 may be constructed by cloud (cloud computing). The service server 2 is communicably connected to terminals 3 such as personal computers and smartphones owned or used by a plurality of service users N through various networks such as the Internet.

[0015] In Fig. 1, various power equipment owned or used by a plurality of consumers who are service users N is indicated by reference numeral 32, and equipment for performing power storage, power generation, etc. is indicated by reference numeral 33. The power equipment 32 and the equipment 33 for performing power storage and power generation are communicably connected to a smart meter 31 for measuring power and are electrically connected to the power grid 10. Note that the service server 2 may be constructed separately into an operation server for operating demand response and a reward determination server for managing the participation reward H of the service user N.

[0016] Demand response is a mechanism for adjusting the power supply and demand balance of power P, and performs suppression of the use of power P on the consumer side, adjustment of the power P supplied from the consumer side to the power market, etc.

[0017] The demand response system 1 can adjust the power P supplied from the power grid 10 to the service user N, and can also adjust the power P supplied from the power grid 10 from solar power generation, storage batteries, driving batteries of electric vehicles (EVs), fuel cells, etc. owned or used by the service user N.

[0018] Demand response is used to suppress the power P supplied from the power system 10 to the service user N, suppress the supply of power P from the power system 10 to the storage battery, the driving battery of an electric vehicle, which is owned or used by the service user N, and supply power P from the storage battery, the driving battery of an electric vehicle, a fuel cell, etc., which are owned or used by the service user N, to the power system 10.

[0019] In addition, demand response may be used to cover the power demand of the service user N by discharging from a storage battery, the driving battery of an electric vehicle, a fuel cell, etc. instead of power transmission from the power system 10, charge (absorb) the excess power generation amount by solar power generation, etc. into a storage battery, the driving battery of an electric vehicle, etc., and utilize a storage battery, the driving battery of an electric vehicle, etc. to shift the power supply and demand peak.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the demand response system 1 includes a participation reservation acquisition unit 21, a participation record keeping unit 22, a power adjustment estimation unit 23, a reward determination unit 24, and a reward change unit 25. The demand response system 1 confirms the intention of the service user N to participate in the demand response by the participation reservation acquisition unit 21, records the participation record S of the service user N by the participation record keeping unit 22, and estimates the power adjustment amount Pt by the service user N by the power adjustment estimation unit 23. Further, the demand response system 1 determines the participation reward H for participation in the demand response for each service user N by the reward determination unit 24, and changes the participation reward H for participation in the demand response for each service user N by the reward change unit 25.

[0021] The participation reservation acquisition unit 21, the participation record keeping unit 22, the power adjustment estimation unit 23, the reward determination unit 24, and the reward change unit 25 are constructed in the software in the service server 2 operated or used by the retail electricity business operator M. A part of each of the participation reservation acquisition unit 21, the participation record keeping unit 22, the power adjustment estimation unit 23, the reward determination unit 24, and the reward change unit 25 may be constructed in an application or the like of the terminal 3 that cooperates with the software in the service server 2 used by the service user N.

[0022] Generally, the participation reward H paid to the service user N in response to participation in the demand response is given uniformly to the service user N who has achieved a predetermined target value, or is given as a reward multiplied by a reward conversion coefficient common to all service users N according to the degree of achievement of each service user's target, or is given uniformly to the service user N who has indicated participation. The reward conversion coefficient is set as a specific ratio to the profit, etc. On the other hand, depending on the household characteristics, etc. of each service user N, the appropriate operation methods such as the participation reward H for the demand response and the issuance frequency of the demand response are different. In the demand response system 1 of this embodiment, the participation reward H or the reward conversion coefficient is made different for each service user N so as to be profitable for both the retail electricity business operator M and the service user N.

[0023] (Participation reservation acquisition unit 21) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the participation reservation acquisition unit 21 is configured to acquire, based on the electronic declarations from the terminals 3 of the plurality of service users N, a participation reservation Y2 indicating the intention to participate in the demand response at the participation request date and time T3 of the demand response from the service server 2 to the plurality of service users N. The service server 2 sends a participation request Y1 for the demand response at a predetermined participation request date and time T3 to the plurality of service users N via the Internet or the like. The service user N makes an electronic declaration indicating the intention to participate in the demand response at the participation request date and time T3 via the Internet or the like. The participation reservation acquisition unit 21 receives the electronic declaration of the participation reservation Y2 from the terminal 3 of the service user N. The participation reservation acquisition unit 21 may acquire the case where there is a participation reservation Y2 as a flag of 1 and the case where there is no participation reservation Y2 as a flag of 0.

[0024] The participation reservation acquisition unit 21 is configured to acquire a participation reservation Y2 before the participation reservation acquisition time T1, which is several hours or more before the participation invitation date and time T3. The participation reservation acquisition time T1 may be, for example, until 8:00 am on the day before the participation invitation date and time T3. The service server 2 accepts the participation reservation Y2 for the demand response by the participation reservation acquisition time T1, and estimates the power adjustment amount Pt of the power supply and demand adjustment by the participation invitation date and time T3.

[0025] (Participation achievement recording unit 22) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the participation achievement recording unit 22 is configured to monitor and record the participation achievement S that has actually participated in the demand response at the participation invitation date and time T3 for each service user N. The participation achievement recording unit 22 records, for a plurality of service users N, the participation reservation Y2 of the demand response for which an electronic declaration was made in the past at the past confirmation time T0, and the participation achievement S that has actually participated in the demand response at the participation invitation date and time T3 for which there was a past participation reservation Y2.

[0026] The participation achievement recording unit 22 may store, for each service user N, the ratio of actually participating in the demand response to the participation invitation Y1 of the demand response as the participation rate as the participation achievement S. Further, the participation achievement recording unit 22 may store, for each service user N, how much cooperation was provided for power adjustment with respect to the participation invitation Y1 of the demand response by the service server 2 as the power adjustment amount Pt as the participation achievement S.

[0027] In other words, in the participation achievement recording unit 22, for each service user N, with respect to the participation reservation Y2 made in the past, how much participation was actually achieved as per the participation reservation Y2 in the past is aggregated as the participation achievement S. The participation achievement recording unit 22 aggregates and accumulates the participation achievement S for each service user N after the power supply and demand adjustment based on the demand response is completed for each participation invitation date and time T3.

[0028] The participation performance record section 22 of this embodiment is configured to record, for each service user N, the differences in the participation performance S of the plurality of service users N when the participation reward H given to the plurality of service users N is changed. Depending on the service user N, some may attach importance to the amount of the participation reward H obtained by participating in the demand response, and the willingness to participate in the demand response may change depending on the amount of the participation reward H. Such characteristics of the service user N can be estimated from the changes in the participation performance S that occur after the change in the amount of the participation reward H. Then, according to the characteristics of each service user N, it is possible to determine whether to change or maintain the participation reward H of each service user N by the reward change section 25.

[0029] More specifically, the participation performance record section 22 of this embodiment is configured to record, for each service user N, whether the participation performance S of the plurality of service users N has decreased when the participation reward H given to the plurality of service users N is reduced. When the participation performance S decreases when the participation reward H obtained by participating in the demand response is reduced, the service user N is presumed to have the property that the willingness to participate in the demand response is lost when the participation reward H decreases. Then, in the participation performance record section 22, the characteristics of this service user N are recorded and used for the determination of whether to change the participation reward H by the reward change section 25.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the power consumption Ps consumed by the consumer who is the service user N is measured by the smart meter 31. The power consumption Ps is transmitted to the service server 2 via the smart meter 31. Then, the participation performance S of each service user N for the demand response is obtained based on the power consumption Ps transmitted from the smart meter 31 to the service server 2. The smart meter 31 refers to a power meter that counts the power consumption Ps at a shorter cycle than a conventional meter and transmits it to the service server 2.

[0031] (Power adjustment estimation section 23) As shown in FIG. 2, the power adjustment estimation unit 23 is configured to estimate the power adjustment amount Pt to be utilized for demand response based on the participation reservation Y2 for each service user N. The power adjustment amount Pt may be estimated, for example, based on the number of participation reservations Y2 by a plurality of service users N, the actual estimated response ratio for the participation reservation Y2, the power adjustment capacity of each service user N who has made the participation reservation Y2, and the like. The power adjustment capacity is determined for each service user N based on the response record for past demand response as the capacity capable of suppressing power use or the capacity capable of supplying power.

[0032] The service server 2 of this embodiment mainly performs demand response to suppress the amount of power supplied from the power grid 10 to the service user N in order to suppress the peak of the power consumption amount. The power adjustment amount Pt of this embodiment is estimated as the power use suppression amount based on the total power adjustment capacity of all service users N who have made a participation reservation Y2 for demand response and the actual estimated response ratio for the participation reservation Y2. As shown in FIG. 3, the power adjustment estimation unit 23 estimates the power adjustment amount Pt at the estimation time T2 that is after the participation reservation acquisition time T1 and before the participation request date and time T3.

[0033] (Reward determination unit 24) As shown in FIG. 2, the reward determination unit 24 is configured to determine the participation reward H paid to the service user N who participates in the demand response. The reward determination unit 24 may set the same participation reward H for all service users N based on each information such as the price by the wholesale power exchange (JEPX), the selling price of the retail electricity business operator M, weather conditions, season, time zone, day of the week of the calendar, and the presence or absence of an event. Further, based on each information such as the household characteristics of each service user N such as age, living form, number of years since construction, and residential area, weather conditions, season, time zone, day of the week of the calendar, the presence or absence of an event, and the response sensitivity to each of these informations, the participation reward H to be paid may be set at different amounts for each service user N.

[0034] When determining the initial participation reward H for each individual service user N in the reward determination unit 24, a user type based on household characteristics such as the age, living form, years since construction, and residential area of each individual service user N may be used. A plurality of user types may be set as groups for households with similar household characteristics. The reward determination unit 24 can group service users N who already have a contract to participate in the demand response, service users N who newly enter into a contract to participate in the demand response, etc. according to the user type, and determine the participation reward H.

[0035] It is important to appropriately set the amount of the participation reward H for the demand response in order to continuously secure service users N who participate in the demand response and for the retail electricity business operator M to continuously operate and provide the demand response service. When determining a different participation reward H for the demand response for each service user N, various information such as weather conditions, season, time zone, day of the week on the calendar, and the presence or absence of events that affect the participation performance (response result) S of the service user N is referred to, and the possibility of the service user N participating in the demand response, the response amount (power adjustment amount Pt), etc. can be considered. Based on this information, it is possible to estimate how much power P the service user N is likely to use at home.

[0036] Generally, the participation reward H for the demand response is determined based on the price by the wholesale power exchange (JEPX), the imbalance charge that occurs when the target of power supply and demand adjustment cannot be achieved, etc. In this case, the participation reward H is determined based on the supply-demand balance and does not directly affect the willingness of service users N to participate in the demand response. This is because it is difficult to assume that service users N are aware of the price by the wholesale power exchange.

[0037] On the other hand, the participation reward H for the demand response in this embodiment is appropriately changed in consideration of the environment in which the service user N is placed, the nature of the service user N, etc. By this method of determining the participation reward H, the willingness of service users N to participate in the demand response is promoted.

[0038] (Reward change unit 25) As shown in FIG. 2, the reward change unit 25 is configured to change the participation reward H of the demand response for each service user N determined by the reward determination unit 24. The reward change unit 25 in this embodiment determines whether to change or maintain the participation reward H of each service user N based on whether the participation performance S of each service user N when the participation reward H is changed exceeds the reference change rate ΔXr.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows how the participation performance S changes when the participation reward H is decreased for households 1 and 2 as service users N having different properties. In household 1, when the participation reward H is decreased by a predetermined amount, the change amount ΔX1 of the participation performance S decreases beyond the reference change rate ΔXr. On the other hand, in household 2, even when the participation reward H is decreased by a predetermined amount, the change amount ΔX2 of the participation performance S is within the reference change rate ΔXr.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, for household 1 as the service user N whose participation performance S when the participation reward H is decreased from the reference reward to a reduced reward stored in the participation performance recording unit 22 decreases beyond the reference change rate ΔXr, the reward change unit 25 in this embodiment maintains the participation reward H. Household 1 is presumed to have the property that the willingness to participate in the demand response is lost when the participation reward H decreases. For this household 1, by maintaining the participation reward H obtained by participating in the demand response, the willingness to participate in the demand response is prevented from being lost.

[0041] On the one hand, for the household 2 as the service user N whose participation performance S when the participation reward H stored in the participation performance recording unit 22 is reduced from the reference reward to a lower reward is within the reference change rate ΔXr, the participation reward H is reduced. It is presumed that the household 2 has the property that even if the participation reward H decreases, the willingness to participate in the demand response is not lost. For this household 2, it is considered that even if the participation reward H obtained by participating in the demand response is reduced, the willingness to participate in the demand response is not lost.

[0042] In this way, by confirming the nature of the service user N by changing the participation reward H, the retail electricity provider M can appropriately suppress the participation reward H paid to the service user N, increase the profit of the retail electricity provider M that conducts the demand response, and continue to provide the demand response service to the service user N. Also, it is possible to prevent the willingness of each service user N to participate in the demand response from being lost, and to continue to have many service users N participate in the demand response.

[0043] The participation performance S may be the participation rate in the demand response or the power adjustment amount Pt of the demand response for each service user N. The reference change rate ΔXr may be, for example, when the change in the participation performance S from before to after the change in the participation reward H is 20%, 30%, 40%, etc.

[0044] In the reward change unit 25, how to change the participation reward H is important. When determining the change amount of the participation reward H, the expected participation rate of the service user N in the demand response, the power savings amount (power adjustment amount Pt) obtained by the demand response, etc. are considered. The change amount of the participation reward H by the reward change unit 25 may be made different for each group of the user types described above.

[0045] In the reward change unit 25, the lower limit value of the participation reward H for the demand response, in other words, the amount of the participation reward H that cannot be reduced further, is set as a safety measure to prevent loss of the participation motivation for the demand response. The lower limit value of the participation reward H may be set based on the wholesale electricity market price, imbalance charges, etc., or may be explicitly stated to the service user N as a specified value. Also, the lower limit value of the participation reward H may be set as a value obtained by multiplying a predetermined coefficient by the average value of the participation reward H.

[0046] In the reward change unit 25, similar to setting the lower limit value of the participation reward H, the upper limit value of the participation reward H may be set. The setting of the upper limit value of the participation reward H can be the same as the setting of the lower limit value. Also, in the reward determination unit 24 and the reward change unit 25, the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the participation reward H are set so that the difference in the participation reward H among the service users N is within a predetermined range. With this configuration, extreme unfairness does not occur among the service users N.

[0047] (Other configurations of the reward change unit 25) The reward change unit 25 can change the participation reward H for the demand response by various configurations. For example, the reward change unit 25 may increase the participation reward H for the service user N whose participation performance S when the participation reward H was decreased, stored in the participation performance recording unit 22, has decreased beyond the reference change rate ΔXr. Also, in this case, the reward change unit 25 may maintain the participation reward H for the service user N whose participation performance S when the participation reward H was decreased, stored in the participation performance recording unit 22, is within the reference change rate ΔXr.

[0048] (Other configurations of the service server 2) In addition, as a result of the service server 2 for demand response determining and operating the participation reward H for each service user N according to household characteristics and the like, the participation invitation Y1 for demand response may be made only to specific service users N. For example, the service server 2 may make the participation invitation Y1 only to service users N who are likely to participate in demand response even if the level of the participation reward H is low. In this case, in particular, if there is a possibility that the power adjustment amount Pt required can be ensured only by service users N who participate in demand response even if the level of the participation reward H is low, the service server 2 may not make the participation invitation Y1 to service users N who are assumed not to participate in demand response unless the level of the participation reward H is high. Also, the service server 2 may preferentially make the participation invitation Y1 to service users N who are assumed to make a participation reservation Y1 even if the level of the participation reward H is lower.

[0049] (Control Method of Demand Response System 1) Next, an example of the control method of the demand response system 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. The participation reward H for demand response is determined by the reward determination unit 24 and then changed by the reward change unit 25. First, for each service user N, demand response is performed when the participation reward H is appropriately changed, data on the participation performance S in demand response is accumulated, and the nature of each service user N is grasped (step S101). Specifically, when performing demand response, the participation reward H for each service user N is gradually decreased by the reward change unit 25, and the way of decrease in the participation performance S at that time is monitored to obtain the relationship between the participation reward H and the participation performance S for each service user N (see FIG. 4).

[0050] Next, based on the nature of the plurality of service users N, the reward determination unit 24 determines a reference participation reward H for the plurality of service users N, considering that the participation performance S is not likely to decrease significantly (step S102). Also, for a specific service user N for whom it is determined that the participation performance S is not likely to decrease even if the participation reward H decreases, the reward change unit 25 sets a participation reward H lower than the reference participation reward H (step S103).

[0051] Next, a predetermined number of demand responses sufficient to confirm changes in the participation performance S are carried out (steps S104, S105). The content of this demand response will be described later. Next, after the predetermined number of demand responses have been carried out, it is determined whether the participation performance S of the specific service user N for whom the low participation reward H has been set has decreased by a predetermined value or more (step S106).

[0052] Then, the reward change unit 25 maintains the participation reward H for the service user N whose participation performance S has decreased by a predetermined value or more (step S107). For this service user N, ensure that the willingness to participate in the demand response is not lost any further. Also, the reward change unit 25 may return the participation reward H of the service user N whose participation performance S has decreased by a predetermined value or more from the low participation reward H back to the reference participation reward H. This ensures that the willingness of this service user N to participate in the demand response is not lost.

[0053] On the other hand, for the service user N whose participation performance S has not decreased by a predetermined value or more, the reward change unit 25 further reduces the participation reward H (step S108). For this service user N, it is considered that the reduction of the participation reward H does not significantly affect the willingness to participate in the demand response.

[0054] Even after the demand response for a specified number of times has been implemented, the accumulation of participation records S and the review of participation rewards H are appropriately carried out. By maintaining or reducing the participation reward H by such a reward change unit 25, it is possible to appropriately prevent the service user N from ceasing to participate in the demand response while increasing the profit of the retail electricity provider M. As a result, it is possible to continue providing the demand response service to the service user N, and the service user N can continuously obtain the participation reward H.

[0055] Regarding the implementation details of the demand response in step S104 (demand response routine), it will be briefly described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6. When the demand response is implemented, a participation invitation Y1 asking whether to participate in the demand response is sent from the service server 2 of the retail electricity provider M to a plurality of service users N at a predetermined participation invitation date and time T3 (step S141). Then, the service server 2 determines whether an electronic declaration of participation reservation Y2 has been received from each service user N, and accepts this electronic declaration of participation reservation Y2 (step S142). When an electronic declaration of participation reservation Y2 has been received from each service user N, the service server 2 acquires the participation reservation Y2 at the participation invitation date and time T3 from each service user N by the participation reservation acquisition unit 21 (step S143).

[0056] Next, the service server 2 repeatedly executes steps S142 and S143 until the participation reservation acquisition time T1, which is several hours or more before the participation invitation date and time T3, has elapsed (step S144). Then, when the participation reservation acquisition time T1 has elapsed, the service server 2 estimates the power adjustment amount Pt to be utilized in the demand response based on the participation reservations Y2 of the plurality of service users N by the power adjustment estimation unit 23 (step S145). Next, the service server 2 records the participation record S of each service user N who has participated in the demand response by the participation record recording unit 22 (step S146).

[0057] (Function and effect) The demand response system 1 of this embodiment records the participation performance S of demand response for each service user N, and appropriately changes the participation reward H of demand response for each service user N. The difference in the participation reward H becomes a factor that changes the willingness to participate in demand response, at least for a specific service user N. Then, by determining the nature of each service user N who participates in demand response, the participation reward H can be maintained or changed for each service user N.

[0058] By maintaining or changing this participation reward H, the willingness of service user N to participate in demand response can be appropriately maintained. Therefore, according to the demand response system 1 of this embodiment, the interests of both the retail electricity business operator M and the service user N can be ensured, and it can contribute to the continuous popularization of demand response.

[0059] <Embodiment 2> This embodiment shows the configuration of the reward change unit 25 that devises the participation reward H in the intermediate period. The reward change unit 25 may be configured to increase the participation reward H in the intermediate period excluding summer and winter for service users N with relatively high participation performance S recorded for each service user N in summer or winter. The determination of whether the participation performance S is high may be made based on whether it is higher than a specific reference value.

[0060] Summer and winter are periods when cooling or heating is required, the demand for electric power P is tight, and the wholesale electricity market price is likely to soar. In these summer and winter periods, in order to suppress the peak of electric power demand, the participation request Y1 for demand response may be frequently made. Summer may be, for example, from June or July to August or September, and winter may be, for example, from December to February of the following year.

[0061] On the one hand, during intermediate periods such as spring and autumn, the demand for power P decreases, and it is difficult to issue requests Y1 for demand response participation. Therefore, there is a risk that the awareness of service users N to make participation reservations Y2 will decrease, or that service users N will forget the existence of demand response. In this case, the participation performance S (participation rate, power adjustment amount Pt, etc.) of each service user N during the intermediate period will decrease, and there is a risk that the participation performance S of demand response will also decrease even during summer and winter when demand response participation is most required.

[0062] To address this concern, it is conceivable for retail electricity business operator M to perform demand response during the intermediate period regardless of the need to suppress power demand. However, performing demand response during the intermediate period when the electricity market price is relatively low may result in economic losses for retail electricity business operator M. Also, if the participation reward H for demand response is determined according to the electricity market price, the participation reward H will be at an extremely low level, and there is a risk that the profit of service user N will decrease. Therefore, during summer and winter, it is conceivable to retain the profit obtained through demand response and allocate this retained profit during the intermediate period.

[0063] Specifically, for service users N with relatively high participation performance S (higher than the reference value) during summer or winter, increase the participation reward H during the intermediate period. On the other hand, for service users N with relatively low participation performance S (equal to or lower than the reference value) during summer or winter, maintain the participation reward H during the intermediate period. With this configuration, while ensuring the economic rationality of retail electricity business operator M, it is possible to appropriately secure the number of participation reservations Y2 and the power adjustment amount Pt of service users N for demand response during the intermediate period. The amount of increase in the participation reward H to be raised during the intermediate period may be determined by adding a portion of the profit generated for retail electricity business operator M by each service user N during summer or winter to the normal participation reward H for each service user N.

[0064] Service users N who generate profits through demand response in summer or winter are service users N who have the willingness to participate in demand response. From the perspective of the retail electricity provider M, they are service users N whom the retail electricity provider M hopes will continuously participate in demand response. By increasing the participation reward H during the intermediate period, it is possible to increase the likelihood that excellent service users N will continue to participate in demand response. This can increase the profits for both the retail electricity provider M and the service users N.

[0065] Figure 7 shows, for households 1 to 3 as service users N, the profits obtained by the retail electricity provider M through demand response in summer or winter, the participation reward H paid by the retail electricity provider M to the service users N for participating in demand response in summer or winter, and the carry-over profit carried over from summer or winter to the intermediate period. The carry-over profit represents the remainder after subtracting the participation reward H from the profit of the retail electricity provider. The carry-over profit reflects the participation performance S of each service user N and serves as the basis for whether the participation reward H for the service user N can be increased during the intermediate period.

[0066] In this case, for example, for households 1 to 3, the reference value of the carry-over profit reflecting the participation performance S is set to 600. At this time, for household 1, since the carry-over profit is 300, the reward change unit 25 cannot increase the participation reward H during the intermediate period and maintains it. On the other hand, for households 2 and 3, since the carry-over profits are 1400 and 800 respectively, the reward change unit 25 can increase the participation reward H during the intermediate period.

[0067] (Control Method of Demand Response System 1) An example of the control method of the demand response system 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 8. The participation reward H for demand response is determined by the reward determination unit 24. Steps S201 and S202 are the same as steps S101 and S102 in Embodiment 1.

[0068] Next, the service server 2 repeats the demand response until a predetermined period during which summer or winter has passed has elapsed (Steps S203 to S205). The specific content of the demand response in Step S203 is the same as that in Step S104 of FIG. 5 in Embodiment 1 (Steps S141 to S146 in FIG. 6). Next, when the predetermined period has elapsed, the service server 2 calculates the carry-over profit of each service user N for summer or winter (Step S206).

[0069] Next, the service server 2 determines whether the carry-over profit of each service user for summer or winter is higher than the reference value (Step S207). Next, the reward change unit 25 raises the participation reward H in the intermediate period for the service user N whose carry-over profit for summer or winter is higher than the reference value (Step S208). For this service user N, since the carry-over profit is secured in summer or winter, a part of this carry-over profit can be restored in the intermediate period.

[0070] On the other hand, the reward change unit 25 maintains the participation reward H in the intermediate period for the service user N whose carry-over profit for summer or winter is less than or equal to the reference value (Step S209). For this service user N, since the carry-over profit is not sufficiently secured in summer or winter, a part of this carry-over profit cannot be restored in the intermediate period.

[0071] By raising and maintaining the participation reward H by such a reward change unit 25, it is possible to increase the profit of the retail electricity provider M while appropriately maintaining the service user N's willingness to participate in the demand response. The intermediate period is a time when there is little rationality for the retail electricity provider M to request a demand response. Therefore, the intermediate period is also a time when there is a risk that the retail electricity provider M will not make the demand response participation request Y1 itself. In response to this problem, by introducing a mechanism that devises the participation reward H in the intermediate period of this embodiment, it is possible to achieve both the economic rationality of the retail electricity provider M and the continuity of the demand response.

[0072] Regarding other configurations, effects, etc. in the demand response system 1 of this form, they are the same as those in the configuration, effects, etc. of Embodiment 1. Also, in this form as well, the components indicated by the same reference numerals as those shown in Embodiment 1 are the same as the components in Embodiment 1.

[0073] <Embodiment 3> This form shows the configuration of the reward change unit 25 that devises a different participation reward H from those in Embodiments 1 and 2. The reward change unit 25 of this form is configured to increase the participation reward H for the service user N whose transition of the participation record S by the participation record unit 22 shows a downward trend exceeding a predetermined reference value. On the other hand, the reward change unit 25 is configured to maintain the participation reward H for the service user N whose transition of the participation record S does not show a downward trend exceeding a predetermined reference value.

[0074] If the demand response is continuously performed without specially devising the participation reward H, there is a concern that the service user N participating in the demand response will become bored, and the participation rate as the participation record S will decrease. It is assumed that the service user N whose transition of the participation record S by the participation record unit 22 shows a downward trend has a reduced willingness to participate in the demand response for some reason.

[0075] Therefore, by temporarily increasing the participation reward H for the service user N with a reduced willingness to participate, the willingness to participate in the demand response can be aroused. For the increased amount of the participation reward H in this case, a part of the profit generated for the retail electricity business operator M by the past demand response for a plurality of service users N may be used.

[0076] In addition, the service user N who temporarily raises the participation reward H may be the service user N with relatively high participation achievements S in summer or winter. The service user N with relatively high participation achievements S in summer or winter is a person whom the retail electricity business operator M hopes will continuously participate in demand response, and can increase the benefits for both the retail electricity business operator M and the service user N.

[0077] (Control Method of Demand Response System 1) An example of the control method of the demand response system 1 in this form will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9. The participation reward H for demand response is determined by the reward determination unit 24. Steps S301 and S302 are the same as steps S101 and S102 in Embodiment 1.

[0078] Next, the service server 2 repeats the demand response until a predetermined period in which the demand response can be implemented a number of times sufficient to aggregate the participation achievements S has elapsed (steps S303 to S305). The specific content of the demand response in step S303 is the same as that of step S104 in FIG. 5 of Embodiment 1 (steps S141 to S146 in FIG. 6). Next, when the predetermined period has elapsed, the service server 2 calculates the profit of the demand response according to the participation achievements S of each service user N (step S306).

[0079] Next, the service server 2 determines whether the participation achievement S of each service user is decreasing and exceeding a predetermined reference value (step S307). Next, for each service user whose participation achievement S is decreasing and exceeding the predetermined reference value, the service server 2 determines whether the profit of the demand response is higher than the reference value (step S308).

[0080] Next, for service users N whose demand response profit is higher than the reference value, the reward change unit 25 increases the participation reward H (step S309). For these service users N, since the demand response profit during a predetermined period is ensured, a part of this profit can be reduced.

[0081] On the other hand, for service users N whose demand response profit is below the reference value, the reward change unit 25 maintains the participation reward H (step S310). For these service users N, since the demand response profit during a predetermined period is not sufficiently ensured, a part of this profit cannot be reduced. Also, in step S307, the service server 2 also maintains the participation reward H for each service user whose participation performance S does not show a downward trend exceeding a predetermined reference value (step S310).

[0082] By increasing and maintaining the participation reward H by such a reward change unit 25, it is possible to increase the profit of the retail electricity business operator M while appropriately maintaining the service users N's willingness to participate in the demand response. Note that the control method of the demand response system 1 described in this embodiment is an example, and there may be cases where it does not apply.

[0083] Regarding other configurations, effects, etc. in the demand response system 1 of this embodiment, they are the same as those in the configuration, effects, etc. of Embodiment 1. Also, in this embodiment, the components indicated by the same reference numerals as those shown in Embodiment 1 are the same as the components in Embodiment 1.

[0084] Note that the configurations such as the reward change unit 25 of the demand response system 1 in Embodiments 1 to 3 can be implemented by appropriate combination.

[0085] The present invention is not limited only to each embodiment, and it is possible to configure further different embodiments without departing from the gist thereof. Also, the present invention includes various modification examples, modification examples within an equivalent range, etc.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0086] 1 Demand response system 2 Service server 21 Participation reservation acquisition unit 22 Participation achievement recording unit 23 Power adjustment estimation unit 24 Reward determination unit 25 Reward change unit 3 Terminal 31 Smart meter M Retail electricity provider N Service user Y1 Participation invitation Y2 Participation reservation S Participation achievement H Participation reward P Power Pt Power adjustment amount

Claims

1. A demand response system for performing power supply and demand adjustment by a retail electricity business operator according to an invitation to participate in a demand response from a service server managed by the retail electricity business operator to a plurality of service users, and participation results indicating that the plurality of service users actually participated in the demand response in response to the invitation to participate, comprising: A participation record section that records the participation results of the plurality of service users for each service user; A reward change section that changes the reward given by the retail electricity business operator for each service user who participated in the demand response according to the participation results recorded for each service user by the participation record section; The participation record section is configured to record, for each service user, a difference that occurs in the participation results of the plurality of service users when the rewards given to the plurality of service users are changed; The reward change section is configured to determine whether to change or maintain the reward for each service user based on whether the participation results of each service user when the reward is changed have changed beyond a reference change rate. A demand response system.

2. A demand response system for performing power supply and demand adjustment by a retail electricity business operator according to an invitation to participate in a demand response from a service server managed by the retail electricity business operator to a plurality of service users, and participation results indicating that the plurality of service users actually participated in the demand response in response to the invitation to participate, comprising: A participation record section that records the participation results of the plurality of service users for each service user; A reward change section that changes the reward given by the retail electricity business operator for each service user who participated in the demand response according to the participation results recorded for each service user by the participation record section; The participation record section is configured to record, for each service user, whether the participation results of the plurality of service users have decreased when the rewards given to the plurality of service users are reduced. The reward change unit is configured to increase or maintain the reward for the service user whose participation performance has decreased beyond the reference change rate when the reward is decreased, and to maintain or decrease the reward for the service user whose participation performance is within the reference change rate when the reward is decreased. A demand response system.

3. A demand response system for performing power supply and demand adjustment by a retail electricity provider according to a participation request for demand response from a service server managed by the retail electricity provider to a plurality of service users, and a participation record indicating that the plurality of service users have actually participated in the demand response in response to the participation request, A participation performance recording unit that records the participation performance of the plurality of service users for each service user; A reward change unit that changes the reward given by the retail electricity provider for each service user who has participated in the demand response according to the participation performance recorded for each service user by the participation performance recording unit. The reward change unit is configured to increase the reward during the intermediate period excluding summer and winter for the service users with high participation performance recorded for each service user in summer or winter. A demand response system.

4. A demand response system for performing power supply and demand adjustment by a retail electricity provider according to a participation request for demand response from a service server managed by the retail electricity provider to a plurality of service users, and a participation record indicating that the plurality of service users have actually participated in the demand response in response to the participation request, A participation performance recording unit that records the participation performance of the plurality of service users for each service user; A reward change unit that changes the reward given by the retail electricity provider for each service user who has participated in the demand response according to the participation performance recorded for each service user by the participation performance recording unit. The reward change unit is configured to increase the reward for the service users whose participation performance trend recorded by the participation performance recording unit shows a downward trend. A demand response system.

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