Node, method, and program

Abstract

To solve the problems that it is necessary to adjust power to be consumed and power to be produced to become equal in real time (the same amount at the same time) for realizing stable use of power in power transaction, however, a supply cost of power increases when power generators are increased to cope with a peak of power consumption to secure the same amount at the same time.SOLUTION: A control server 5 communicates with each consumption controller which performs consumption control of power of an electric device which uses power via a communication network, receives each piece of power use related data related to power use of the electric device for which the consumption control of power is performed by each consumption controller, transmitted by each consumption controller (S65), and transmits consumption control data for performing the consumption control of power to a specific electric device for which the consumption control is performed by a specific consumption controller to the specific consumption controller of each consumption controller so as to be received by the specific consumption controller (S67, S68; S105).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Node, method, and program .

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, power generated from renewable energy has attracted attention. This power is produced by using resources that are renewable energy such as sunlight, solar heat, wind power, biomass, geothermal energy, hydropower, heat in the atmosphere, etc. Power generation from renewable energy emits almost no CO2, which causes global warming, compared to power generation from fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and liquefied natural gas. Therefore, among the resources used for power production, renewable energy is an environmentally friendly energy resource. By operating factories and the like using such environmentally friendly power, corporate value can be improved.

[0003] Also, there is a method of using blockchain for trading power produced from renewable energy, etc. (see Patent Document 1). Blockchain is called a distributed ledger, and by linking a plurality of ledgers indicating the power trading history by a plurality of nodes (computers), it is possible to prevent falsification of the data of the trading history. By using this for the management of the power trading history, it is expected to be evidence showing where the renewable energy was produced, how much was used by which company, and how much that company has contributed to the environment.

[0004] On the other hand, in power trading, in order to achieve stable use of power, it is necessary to adjust the consumed power and the produced power to be the same in real time (same amount at the same time).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in order to ensure the same amount of power at the same time to cope with the peak of power consumption, if additional power generation devices are installed, there will be a problem that the power supply cost will increase.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a node according to the present invention includes: a receiving unit that receives consumption suppression data for suppressing power consumption from a control server; and a transaction information generation unit that generates transaction information including information on a consumer who is a request destination for requesting power consumption suppression and an amount of power consumption reduction requested to the request destination based on information included in the received consumption suppression data.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, by controlling the power consumption, it is possible to solve the problem that the power supply cost increases in order to ensure the same amount of power at the same time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] 〔Outline of System Configuration〕 First, an outline of the configuration of the trading system 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the trading system according to the present embodiment. Here, the case of dealing with electric power as an example of an asset will be described. Note that the ownership of the asset and the type of the production method of the asset are managed by the asset information described later.

[0012] <Explanation of Each Trader> As shown in FIG. 1, there are a producer A of electric power, a consumer C of electric power, and a mediator D.

[0013] The producer A is an example of a provider, and is a trader that produces electric power from sunlight as an example of renewable energy used for the production of electric power produced by renewable energy (referred to as "green power" in Japan). Note that the producer A may be a trader that produces electric power from oil as an example of fossil fuel. In addition, providers include organizations that purchase assets from each producer and resell them.

[0014] The consumer C is an example of a user, and is a trader that consumes the electric power provided by the producer A. Note that users include those who have the ownership of an asset in the case of an immovable property or the like where the asset is not consumed like electric power.

[0015] The mediator D is a trader that mediates the transaction of the ownership of electric power. For example, it is a retail electricity business operator or the like.

[0016] In addition, the types of power generation methods include methods of generating using solar power, solar heat, wind power, biomass, geothermal energy, hydroelectric power, heat in the atmosphere, nuclear power, or the like. Among these, solar power, solar heat, wind power, biomass, geothermal energy, hydroelectric power, and heat in the atmosphere belong to the major classification as renewable energy. Also, petroleum, coal, and liquefied natural gas belong to the major classification as fossil fuels. Power generation using renewable energy emits almost no CO2 that causes global warming compared to power generation using fossil fuels. Therefore, renewable energy is an environmentally friendly energy source. In the present embodiment, as renewable energy, solar power, solar heat, wind power, biomass, geothermal energy, hydroelectric power, or heat in the atmosphere is utilized. Also, as fossil fuels, petroleum, coal, or liquefied natural gas is utilized.

[0017] Note that the producer may be one or three or more. There may be a plurality of consumers and intermediaries.

[0018] <Power transmission and distribution network> Substation Bx is the nearest substation to producer A, and substation By is the nearest substation to consumer C. The power transmission and distribution network 10 is constructed by substation Bx, By, power transmission and distribution lines, and the like. The power provided by producer A is provided to consumer C via the power transmission and distribution network 10.

[0019] <Data communication network> Producer A has a smartphone 2, a smart meter 3a, and a power generation device 4. Consumer C has a smart meter 3c, a consumption control device 6, a sensor 7, and an electric device 8. Intermediary D manages a control server 5. This intermediary D is a corporation or an individual (for example, employees such as a president, officers, IT managers, etc.).

[0020] Note that the number of smartphones may be two or more, or four or more, depending on the number of producers and consumers. Also, the number of smart meters 3a and 3c may be three or more, depending on the number of producers and consumers. Hereinafter, the general term for each of the smart meters 3a and 3c is denoted as smart meter 3. The number of power generation devices 4 may be one or more, depending on the number of producers.

[0021] The number of control servers 5 may be two or more, depending on the number of mediators. Also, the control server 5 may be constructed by a single computer or may be constructed by a plurality of computers. The number of electrical devices 8 may be two or more.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a trading system (Tracking System) 1 as a data communication network is constructed by a plurality of nodes 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d such as smartphones 2, smart meters 3a, 3c, power generation devices 4, control servers 5, consumption control devices 6, and computers. Also, a blockchain network 90 is constructed by the nodes 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d. The blockchain network 90 is constructed within a communication network 100 such as the Internet. The communication network 100 is constructed by the Internet, a mobile communication network, a LAN (Local Area Network), etc. Note that the communication network 100 may include not only wired communication but also a network by wireless communication such as a mobile communication system (4G, 5G, 6G, etc.) and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). Also, although there are originally a large number of nodes 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, only four are shown here for the convenience of the drawing. The nodes 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d are each managed by different companies, etc. Among the different companies, there may be a mediator D. Hereinafter, the general term for the nodes 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d is denoted as node 9.

[0023] Subsequently, the terminals and devices of producer A and consumer C will be described.

[0024] (Terminal and device of Producer A) The smartphone 2 can perform data communication with the smart meter 3a via short-range wireless technologies such as NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth (registered trademark). Also, the smartphone 2 can perform data communication with the control server 5 via the communication network 100.

[0025] The smart meter 3a can perform data communication with the control server 5 via the communication network 100. Also, the smart meter 3a measures the amount of power supplied (generated power) produced by the power generation device 4 at regular intervals (for example, every 30 minutes), and further performs processes such as transmitting this supply amount data to the control server 5.

[0026] The power generation device 4 is a device that generates electricity using renewable energy such as sunlight. The power generation device 4 may be a device that generates electricity using fossil fuels such as oil.

[0027] (Terminal and device of Consumer C) The smart meter 3c can perform data communication with the control server 5 via the communication network 100. Also, the smart meter 3c measures the amount of power used by the electrical device 8 at regular intervals (for example, every 30 minutes), and further performs processes such as transmitting usage information indicating the amount of power used and the usage time to the control server 5 via the communication network 100.

[0028] The consumption control device 6 communicates with the control server 5 via the communication network 100. Also, the consumption control device 6 communicates with the blockchain network 90 built within the communication network 100. Furthermore, the consumption control device 6 acquires sensor values from the sensor 7, acquires the power consumption and set values from the electrical device 8, and outputs setting change data to the electrical device 8. When the electrical device 8 is a lighting fixture, the set value is a brightness value or the like, and when the electrical device 8 is an air conditioner, the set value is a set temperature or the like.

[0029] The sensor 7 is a sensor that detects temperature, humidity, brightness, etc.

[0030] The electrical device 8 is a lighting fixture, air conditioner, refrigerator, copier, etc. The electrical device 8 includes smart home appliances. The electrical device 8 changes its own settings based on the setting change data acquired from the consumption control device 6. When the electrical device 8 is a lighting fixture, the electrical device 8 changes the brightness according to the setting change data. When the electrical device 8 is an air conditioner, the electrical device 8 changes the set temperature according to the setting change data.

[0031] (Control server of intermediary D) The control server 5 performs a process of mediating the power transaction between the producer A and the consumer C. Also, the control server 5 can access the node 9 of the blockchain network 90 and perform data communication with the node 9.

[0032] (Supplementary) Note that the smartphone 2 is an example of the provider's communication terminal. The communication terminal also includes a smartwatch, a PC, smart glasses, etc. The smart meter 3 is an example of the measurement terminal.

[0033] [Hardware configuration] Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the hardware configurations of the smartphone 2, the smart meter 3, the control server 5, the consumption control device 6, and the node 9 will be described.

[0034] [Hardware configuration of smartphone] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a smartphone. As shown in FIG. 2, the smartphone 2 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an EEPROM 204, a CMOS sensor 205, an imaging element I / F 206, an acceleration / azimuth sensor 207, a media I / F 209, and a GPS receiver 211.

[0035] Among these, the CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire smartphone 2. The ROM 202 stores programs used for driving the CPU 201 such as the CPU 201 and IPL. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The EEPROM 204 reads or writes various data such as smartphone programs according to the control of the CPU 201. The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 205 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures a subject (mainly a self-portrait) according to the control of the CPU 201 to obtain image data. Note that an imaging means such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor may be used instead of the CMOS sensor. The imaging device I / F 206 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 205. The acceleration / azimuth sensor 207 is various sensors such as an electronic magnetic compass that detects geomagnetism, a gyrocompass, and an acceleration sensor. The media I / F 209 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data to and from the recording medium 208 such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 211 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

[0036] In addition, the smartphone 2 includes a long-distance communication circuit 212, a CMOS sensor 213, an imaging device I / F 214, a microphone 215, a speaker 216, an audio input / output I / F 217, a display 218, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 219, a short-distance communication circuit 220, an antenna 220a of the short-distance communication circuit 220, and a touch panel 221.

[0037] Among these, the long-distance communication circuit 212 is a circuit that communicates with other devices via the communication network 100. The CMOS sensor 213 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures a subject according to the control of the CPU 201 to obtain image data. The imaging device I / F 214 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 213. The microphone 215 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 216 is a built-in circuit that converts an electrical signal into physical vibrations to produce sounds such as music and voices. The audio input / output I / F 217 is a circuit that processes the input and output of audio signals between the microphone 215 and the speaker 216 according to the control of the CPU 201. The display 218 is a type of display means such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) that displays an image of a subject, various icons, etc. The external device connection I / F 219 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The short-distance communication circuit 220 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The touch panel 221 is a type of input means for operating the smartphone 2 when the user presses the display 218.

[0038] Also, the smartphone 2 includes a bus line 210. The bus line 210 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 2.

[0039] <Hardware Configuration of Smart Meter> FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a smart meter. As shown in FIG. 3, the smart meter 3 is equipped with a computer. As shown in FIG. 3, a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, an NVRAM 304, a display 306, a measurement sensor 307, a switch 308, a network I / F 309, a keypad 311 , near Distance communication circuit 3 20, and a short-distance communication circuit 3 20's antenna 3 20a.

[0040] Among these, the CPU 301 controls the operation of the entire smart meter 3. The ROM 302 stores programs used to drive the CPU 301 such as the IPL. The RAM 303 is used as the work area of the CPU 301. The NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 304 is a non-volatile memory that stores and reads various data such as programs. The display 306 displays various information such as a cursor, menu, window, characters, or images.

[0041] The measurement sensor 307 measures the power provided or used. The switch 308 closes (turns on) or opens (turns off) an electric circuit to allow or stop the flow of electricity.

[0042] The network I / F 309 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 100. The keypad 311 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting or selecting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc. The short-distance communication circuit 320 is a communication circuit that realizes short-distance wireless technologies such as NFC and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The bus line 310 is an address bus, data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3.

[0043] <Hardware Configuration of the Control Server> FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the control server. Each hardware configuration of the control server 5 is indicated by a reference numeral in the 500 series. As shown in FIG. 4, the control server 5 is constructed by a computer and includes, as shown in FIG. 4, a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an HD 504, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a data bus 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0044] Among these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire control server 5. The ROM 502 stores programs used for driving the CPU 501 such as IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data to and from the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, menu, window, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. External devices in this case are, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, etc. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 100. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 4.

[0045] Also, the keyboard 511 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls the reading or writing of various data to and from the DVD-RW 513 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that it is not limited to DVD-RW, and it may be DVD-R, Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc (Blu-ray disk), etc. The media I / F 516 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data to and from the recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

[0046] <Hardware Configuration of the Consumption Control Device> FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the consumption control device. Each hardware configuration of the consumption control device 6 is indicated by a symbol in the 600s in parentheses. As shown in FIG. 4, the consumption control device 6 is constructed by a computer and has the same configuration as the control server 5 as shown in FIG. 4, so the description of each hardware configuration is omitted.

[0047] <Hardware Configuration of Node> Figure 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the node. Each hardware configuration of Node 9 is indicated by the numbers in the 900s within parentheses. As shown in Figure 4, Node 9 is constructed by a computer and has the same configuration as Control Server 5 as shown in Figure 4, so the description of each hardware configuration is omitted.

[0048] 〔Functional Configuration〕 Subsequently, with reference to Figure 5, the functional configurations of each terminal and device for constructing the transaction system 1 will be described. Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of Control Server 5, Consumption Control Device 6, and Node 9 in the transaction system.

[0049] <Functional Configuration of Control Server> As shown in Figure 5, Control Server 5 has a transmission / reception unit 51, a calculation unit 52, a determination unit 53, a judgment unit 55, a generation unit 56, and a storage / reading unit 59. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any of the components shown in Figure 4 being expanded from HD504 onto RAM503 and operating according to instructions from CPU501 according to the program for the control server.

[0050] Also, Control Server 5 has a storage unit 5000 constructed by ROM502 and HD504 shown in Figure 4.

[0051] (Functional Configurations of Control Server) The transmission / reception unit 51 of Control Server 5 is mainly realized by the processing of CPU501 for Network I / F509 and transmits and receives various data (or information) to and from other terminals via communication network 100.

[0052] The calculation unit 52 is realized by the processing of CPU501 and performs various calculations. The calculation details will be described later.

[0053] The decision-making unit 53 is realized by the processing of the CPU 501 and makes various decisions. The details of the decisions will be described later.

[0054] The determination unit 55 is realized by the processing of the CPU 501 and makes various determinations. The details of the determinations will be described later.

[0055] The generation unit 56 is realized by the processing of the CPU 501 and performs various generations. The details of the generations will be described later.

[0056] The storage / reading unit 59 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 501, stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 5000, and reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 5000.

[0057] <Functional Configuration of the Consumption Control Device> As shown in FIG. 5, the consumption control device 6 includes a transmission / reception unit 61, an input / output unit 62, a determination unit 65, and a storage / reading unit 69. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any of the components shown in FIG. 4 being expanded from the HD 604 onto the RAM 603 and operating according to instructions from the CPU 601 in accordance with the program for the consumption control device.

[0058] Also, the consumption control device 6 has a storage unit 6 000 constructed by the ROM 602 and the HD 604 shown in FIG. 4.

[0059] (Functional Configurations of the Consumption Control Device) The transmission / reception unit 61 of the consumption control device 6 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 601 with respect to the network I / F 609, and transmits and receives various data (or information) to and from a server or a node via the communication network 100.

[0060] The input / output unit 62 is realized by the processing of the CPU 501 for the external device connection I / F 608, and inputs data from an external device (for example, the sensor 7, the electric device 8) or outputs data to the external device. Note that the input / output unit 62 can also be referred to as an acquisition unit that acquires data from an external device. Further, the input / output unit 62 may perform data communication by short-range wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0061] The determination unit 65 is realized by the processing of the CPU 601 and performs various determinations.

[0062] The storage / reading unit 69 is mainly realized by the processing of the CPU 601, and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 6000 or reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 6000.

[0063] <Functional configuration of Node 9> As shown in FIG. 5, Node 9 has a transmission / reception unit 91, a verification unit 93, a determination unit 95, a transaction processing unit 96, an asset processing unit 97, and a storage / reading unit 99. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any of the components shown in FIG. 4 being deployed from the HD 904 onto the RAM 903 and operating according to instructions from the CPU 901 according to the program for the node.

[0064] Further, Node 9 has a storage unit 9000 constructed by the ROM 902 and the HD 904 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows, as an image, a state in which transaction information is connected like a chain. Also, asset information generated based on the transaction information is stored. Each transaction information and each asset information are held by each node.

[0065] (Functional configuration of each node) Next, each functional configuration of node 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. The transmission / reception unit 91 of node 9 is mainly realized by the processing of CPU 901 for network I / F 909, and transmits and receives various data (or information) to and from other nodes of blockchain network 90 within communication network 100. Also, the transmission / reception unit 91 transmits and receives various data (or information) to and from the transmission / reception unit 61 of consumption control device 6 and the transmission / reception unit 51 of control server 5.

[0066] The verification unit 93 is realized by the processing of CPU 901, and verifies the certificate and the provided information. The verification of the certificate is a process of determining whether the certificate is the certificate of the person himself / herself pre-registered in node 9. The verification of the provided information is a process of determining whether all the predetermined formats and contents (for example, whether the provider is input, whether the provided time is input, etc.) are input.

[0067] The determination unit 95 is realized by the processing of CPU 901, and performs various determinations.

[0068] The transaction processing unit 96 is realized by the processing of CPU 901, and performs processes such as generating transaction information indicating a transaction used for generating asset information and storing it in the storage unit 9000.

[0069] The asset processing unit 97 is realized by the processing of CPU 901, and performs processes such as generating asset information according to the transaction information and storing it in the storage unit 9000.

[0070] The storage / reading unit 99 is mainly realized by the processing of CPU 901, and stores various data (or information) in the storage unit 9000 or reads out various data (or information) from the storage unit 9000.

[0071] 〔Processing or operation〕 Subsequently, the processing or operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

[0072] First, the smart meter 3a of the producer A transmits the provided amount data as the generated amount of the electric power generated by the power generation device 4 to the control server 5 (S61).

[0073] On the other hand, on the consumer C side, the electric device 8 transmits each data of the power consumption amount and the set value to the consumption control device 6 (S62). Further, the sensor 7 transmits the data of the sensor value to the consumption control device 6 (S63).

[0074] Next, in the consumption control device 6, the transmission / reception unit 61 transmits the power usage related data to the control server 5 (S64) . This power usage related data includes each data (consumption amount, set value, sensor value) acquired in steps S62 and S63.

[0075] A schematic diagram of the power usage related data is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, in the consumer C, on the floor A1, electrical device 8a and the sensor 7a, electrical device 8b, and the sensor 7b are installed, and on the floor A2, electrical device the content of the power usage related data in the case where 8c and the sensor 7c are installed is shown.

[0076] The power usage-related data transmitted by the consumption control device 6 of the consumer C basically has no restrictions on the format as long as the data can be transmitted. For example, if it is described as being sent in JSON format separated by floor, it will be as shown in FIG. 7. Information such as that included here can be described in JSON, and other information can also be described. Regarding the information of household appliances, it may have information such as the manufacturer and device name, or it may have individual power consumption information. Regarding the floor, there is a general living room as a floor classification, but for the floor classification, it is also assumed that, for example, a server room can be specified. Generally, people do not enter the server room, and it is normal to set the room temperature lower than usual to cool the machines. Rather, there is also a situation where it is troublesome if the temperature is arbitrarily increased as an energy-saving target due to the need to avoid temperature rise, so such information may be provided. In addition, a weakly cooled room where people who do not prefer strong air conditioning gather can also be specified. In addition to the classification by floor, there may also be a pattern of classification by type of household appliance (such as air conditioner, etc.).

[0077] Note that the power usage-related data may include at least one of the consumption amount, set value, and sensor value, or may include data of other values.

[0078] Next, the control server 5 executes the generation process of the consumption control data (S65). Here, the generation process of the consumption control data will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the generation process of the consumption control data.

[0079] First, in the control server 5, as shown in FIG. 8, the calculation unit 52 calculates the difference between the total supply amount (total supply) by all providers to be mediated and the total consumption amount (total consumption) by all users to be mediated (S101).

[0080] Next, the determination unit 55 determines whether "total consumption > total supply", that is, whether the total consumption exceeds the total supply (S102). And if it exceeds (S102; YES), the determination unit 53 determines the order in which each user requests power consumption control (S103). In this case, there are processes such as tabulating the order determined in advance with each consumer, quantifying the priority of the consumption suppression request destination, and increasing the order of the consumer with a higher value. For example, it is difficult to reduce the power used in a hospital or a server room where a large number of PCs are installed, but it is relatively easy to temporarily stop the factory line. Therefore, the order is determined considering such circumstances.

[0081] Furthermore, the calculation unit 52 calculates the power consumption reduction amount to be requested from each user according to the above order until the first user when "total consumption ≤ total supply" (S104).

[0082] Next, the determination unit 53 determines a specific electrical device in each user for which the consumption reduction amount has been calculated and the power consumption reduction amount for the electrical device (S105). In this case, the control server 5 compares the latest power usage-related data received in step S64 with the past power usage-related data such as the consumption amount and setting value of each electrical device obtained from the consumption control devices of each consumer with which a trading contract has been made, and determines how much power of which electrical device should be reduced. In this way, by using the past power usage-related data obtained from other consumers with which a trading contract has been made, it can be expected that the accuracy of the determination will improve as the amount of such past power usage-related data increases.

[0083] For example, according to the latest power usage related data, when the set temperature of the electrical device 8 (air conditioner) in summer is sufficiently low and the temperature detected by the sensor 7 (temperature sensor) is close to the set temperature, the determination unit 53 determines to raise the set temperature of the air conditioner so that it becomes the average temperature of other consumers. When sufficient brightness is ensured by the value of the sensor 7 (illuminance sensor) near the window, the determination unit 53 determines to lower the illuminance of the electrical device 8 (lighting fixture) so that it has the same brightness as other locations of the same consumer. When there is a floor where it can be confirmed by the sensor 7 (presence sensor) that there is no person, the determination unit 53 determines to lower the illuminance of the electrical device 8 (lighting fixture).

[0084] Also, the determination unit 53 may determine the power reduction value by comparing general statistical data with the latest power usage related data received in step S64 without using the past power usage related data from consumers with trading contracts.

[0085] For example, it is generally said that for an air conditioner, if it is in cooling mode, changing the set temperature by 1°C will change the power consumption by about 13%, and if it is in heating mode, it will change by about 10%. Therefore, using such general suppression information, the control server 5 may determine how much power of which electrical device should be reduced. Also, the control server 5 may determine how much power of which electrical device should be reduced by combining the past power usage related data and general suppression information. In this way, by making a determination using the past power usage related data and general suppression information, it is possible to perform power consumption control to such an extent that the consumer himself / herself does not feel uncomfortable. Furthermore, for example, when the temperature setting of the air conditioner is changed in a store or an office, the reduction effect is different. Statistically, there is also statistical data indicating that when the set temperature is increased by 2°C, the reduction is about 5% in the case of a store and about 10% in the case of an office. Therefore, using such statistical data, the determination unit 53 may determine the amount of power reduction.

[0086] Finally, the generation unit 56 generates consumption control data based on the determination in step S105 (S106).

[0087] As a result, the process of step S65 in FIG. 6 ends.

[0088] Subsequently, the transmission / reception unit 51 of the control server 5 transmits the consumption control data generated in step S106 to the transmission / reception unit 91 of node 9 (S66).

[0089] Subsequently, at node 9, after the verification unit 93 verifies the legitimacy of the control server 5, the transaction processing unit 96 generates the first transaction information shown in FIG. 9 based on the consumption control data received in step S66 (S67). Then, the asset processing unit 97 generates the asset information shown in FIG. 9 based on the first transaction information (S68).

[0090] As shown in FIG. 9, in the ledger of the blockchain, the history of data is managed as transaction information on the chain. Separately from that, it is often managed in the form of an asset to extract the latest data. Transaction information often manages the history of all data, and asset information often manages the latest value of each data. Accordingly, the first thing written as transaction information (the first transaction information) is the "power consumption suppression (control) request" of intermediary D, which writes which consumers to request consumption reduction from and how much reduction to request. Also, when the consumer complies with the consumption reduction, transaction information of "power consumption suppression (control) commitment" (here, the second transaction information) is also written. The latest state of each data is managed in the form of an asset. Note that depending on the situation of the consumer, there may be cases where consumption suppression cannot be accepted, or cases where even if the setting is changed to try to reduce consumption, the consumption amount cannot be reduced more than expected. Therefore, the power consumption suppression commitment does not necessarily have to achieve the entire requested amount completely, and it may be achieved partially.

[0091] Also, the asset information and transaction information in FIG. 9 are just examples. Information (data) other than these may be stored, or they may be stored in different data formats. For example, the asset information and transaction information may be written in the data format of JSON, or may be written in a way that only describes the amount of consumption reduction without specifying the electrical device as the consumption request destination.

[0092] Next, the transmission / reception unit 91 of node 9 transmits the consumption control data received in step S66 to the transmission / reception unit 61 of the consumption control device 6 (S69).

[0093] Next, the input / output unit 62 of the consumption control device 6 outputs setting change data based on the consumption control data to the electrical device 8 (S70). Thereby, the electrical device 8 changes its settings based on the setting change data (S71). For example, when the consumption suppression data indicates that the power consumption of the electrical device 8a is to be reduced by 2.0 kWh, the setting change data indicates the content of the setting change such as lowering the temperature by 2°C corresponding to the 2.0 kWh reduction.

[0094] Note that the consumption control data may notify the consumption control device 6 of the amount of consumption reduction that the consumer C desires to reduce without notifying each electrical device 8 of the reduction in power consumption, and the consumption control device 6 may decide which electrical device's power is to be reduced.

[0095] After the electrical device 8 changes its settings as described above, due to environmental changes, the processes of steps S62 to S66 are executed again. Then, in step S67, the transaction processing unit 96 generates the second transaction information shown in FIG. 9. Further, in step S68, the asset processing unit 97 changes the asset information as shown in the lower right of FIG. 9.

[0096] 〔Main effects of the embodiment〕 As described above, according to the present embodiment, instead of increasing the power production amount on the producer A side, by performing power consumption control on the consumer C side, it is possible to solve the problem that the power supply cost increases to ensure the same amount at the same time, and thus the effect is achieved.

[0097] Furthermore, the control server 5 not only instructs the consumer C to suppress power consumption, but also instructs a specific electrical device of the consumer C to suppress power consumption (see S69). Therefore, on the consumer C side, there is no need to consider which electrical device's power consumption should be suppressed, and this effect is also achieved.

[0098] In particular, power production using renewable energy such as solar power and wind power makes the power supply unstable compared to the case of using nuclear power or thermal power. Therefore, many power generation devices (power generation facilities) must be installed, and the problem of increasing power supply cost becomes prominent. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, by performing power consumption control on the consumer C side, even when the proportion of power production using renewable energy increases, it becomes easier to ensure the same amount at the same time.

[0099] Also, as in the present embodiment, by leaving the history of consumption suppression as evidence by the blockchain network 90, it is possible to relatively easily prove when receiving benefits such as subsidies and grants from the state due to consumption suppression. Also, as the intermediary D, it is possible to prepare a special power plan including cooperation in power adjustment for consumers, and it is also possible to differentiate from other companies' services.

[0100] 〔Others〕 Also, in the above embodiment, power is shown as an example of the asset, but it is not limited to this. Each component such as each CPU 201, 301, 501, 901, etc. may be single or plural.

[0101] In addition, each function in the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in the present embodiment includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software like a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each of the above-described functions, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an SoC (System on a Chip), a GPU, and devices such as conventional circuit modules.

[0102] Furthermore, the power generation device 4 may be provided with a device or function that is a smart meter 3a. Also, the electric device 8 may be provided with a device or function that is a smart meter 3c.

[0103] Also, each of the above programs may be distributed by being recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD.

[0104] Furthermore, in the communication between the smartphone 2 (or the smart meter 3), the control server 5, the consumption control device 6, and each node 9, another server or the like may relay data.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0105] 1 Transaction system 2 Smartphone (an example of a communication terminal) 3 Smart meter (an example of a measurement terminal) 4 Power generation device 5 Control server 8 Electric device 9 Node 10 Power transmission and distribution network 51 Transmission and reception unit (reception unit) 52 Calculation unit (an example of calculation means) 53 Decision unit (an example of decision means) 55 Judgment unit (an example of judgment means) 56 Generation unit (an example of generation means) 90 Blockchain network 91 Transceiver 95 Judgment unit 96 Transaction processing unit 97 Asset processing unit 100 Communication network

Claims

1. Receiving means for receiving consumption suppression data for suppressing power consumption from a control server, A transaction processing unit that generates transaction information including information on a consumer who is a request destination for requesting power consumption suppression and the amount of power consumption reduction requested of the request destination based on the information included in the received consumption suppression data; A node having the above.

2. When the consumer who is the request destination for requesting the suppression of power consumption follows the consumption reduction, the transaction processing unit generates transaction information indicating a commitment corresponding to the request for the suppression of power consumption. The node according to claim 1.

3. Having an asset processing unit that generates asset information of the transaction information based on the transaction information for requesting the suppression of power consumption. The node according to claim 1.

4. Having an asset processing unit that generates asset information based on the transaction information for requesting the suppression of power consumption. The asset processing unit changes the asset information based on the transaction information indicating a commitment corresponding to the request for the suppression of power consumption. The node according to claim 3.

5. A method executed by a node of a blockchain network, Receiving step of receiving consumption suppression data for suppressing power consumption from a control server; Generating step of generating transaction information including information on a consumer who is a request destination for requesting power consumption suppression and the amount of power consumption reduction requested of the request destination based on the information included in the received consumption suppression data; A method including the above.

6. On a computer, Receiving step of receiving consumption suppression data for suppressing power consumption from a control server; Generating step of generating transaction information including information on a consumer who is a request destination for requesting power consumption suppression and the amount of power consumption reduction requested of the request destination based on the information included in the received consumption suppression data; A program for causing the above to be executed.

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