Information Processing Method

Abstract

To provide a steel material product created by using an information processing device in order to increase the carbon neutral feasibility of a steel material product.SOLUTION: In manufacture of a steel material product, a control unit 11 of an information processing device 1 calculates a power use amount per ton of steel from the actual power use amount of an electric furnace, calculates a molten steel amount manufactured from the power derived from renewable energy by multiplying the molten steel amount melted at one time by the renewable energy ratio, calculates an amount of the power derived from renewable energy used for manufacturing a steel material product from the power use amount per ton of steel and the molten steel amount manufactured from the power derived from renewable energy, and creates certification information based on the calculated amount of the power derived from renewable energy.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to steel products. [Background technology]

[0002] In October 2020, the Japanese government declared its intention to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Furthermore, the government has announced a new greenhouse gas reduction target for fiscal 2030: a 46% reduction compared to fiscal 2013 levels. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, efforts in the energy sector, which accounts for more than 80% of greenhouse gas emissions, are crucial. Decarbonization of the electricity sector is considered particularly important. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] When manufacturing steel products using conventional electric furnaces, the majority of the energy used is electricity. When electricity is generated from thermal power plants, carbon dioxide is emitted during the power generation process. On the other hand, when electricity is generated from non-fossil fuel sources, no carbon dioxide is emitted.

[0004] The purpose of the present disclosure, made in consideration of these circumstances, is to provide steel products that increase the feasibility of achieving carbon neutrality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A steel product according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: Calculate the amount of electricity used per ton of steel based on the actual electricity consumption of the electric furnace, The amount of molten steel produced using electricity derived from renewable energy sources is calculated by multiplying the amount of molten steel melted in one go by the renewable energy ratio. The amount of electricity derived from renewable energy used to manufacture steel products is calculated from the amount of electricity used per ton of steel and the amount of molten steel produced from the electricity derived from renewable energy, and is associated with certification information created by an information processing device equipped with a control unit that creates certification information based on the calculated amount of electricity derived from renewable energy.

[0006] A steel product according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: Calculating the amount of electricity used per ton of steel from the amount of electricity used by the electric furnace; Calculating the amount of molten steel produced from electricity derived from renewable energy by multiplying the amount of molten steel melted at one time by the renewable energy ratio; Calculating the amount of electricity derived from renewable energy used to produce steel products from the amount of electricity used per ton of steel and the amount of molten steel produced from the electricity derived from renewable energy; The calculated carbon dioxide emitted from coke and other materials used in the manufacturing process of steel products produced using electricity derived from renewable energy sources is The amount of non-fossil electricity used is calculated to be equivalent to the energy used by coke, etc., and the carbon dioxide emitted from the coke, etc. used in the manufacturing process is recorded on the mill sheet as the amount of non-fossil electricity used to produce the steel product, thereby offsetting it. By emitting zero carbon dioxide during manufacturing, it is certified as carbon neutral. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a steel product can increase the feasibility of achieving carbon neutrality for steel products, thereby generating the following contributions and resulting social benefits. Specifically, as a first effect, it is possible to visualize that the electricity used in the manufacture of the steel product is electricity defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value. In this way, it is possible to make it easier for society to recognize the environmental value of carbon-neutral steel products, thereby improving their environmental value. As a second effect, customers who purchase steel products can enjoy the environmental value of carbon-neutral steel products with minimal cost increase. As a third effect, steel product manufacturers can allocate profits earned from manufacturing to the development of carbon-neutral steelmaking methods, etc. As a fourth effect, it is possible to manufacture steel products that contribute to reducing the burden on the environment, thereby contributing to the creation of a society capable of sustainable development with less environmental impact, thereby contributing to ensuring healthy and cultured lives for current and future citizens (quoted from the Act on Promotion of Procurement of Environmentally Friendly Goods, etc. by the State, etc. of Japan).

[0008] Furthermore, according to the steel product according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the feasibility of carbon neutrality of steel products can be increased, which can produce the following economic effects. That is, as a first effect, the overall evaluation of the steel product manufacturer by the government can be improved, which increases the possibility of winning a competitive bidding, thereby increasing the number of orders and profits. As a second effect, it is possible to capture demand from customers who desire carbon-neutral steel products, which can increase the sales price of the steel products. As a third effect, if this patent application is granted, it may be possible to obtain royalties (license fees) by granting a license to a person who practices the patented invention (e.g., an electric furnace manufacturer that produces steel products). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an electric furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a semi-finished cast product produced using an electric furnace. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a mill sheet. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processing apparatus and a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates a blockchain. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the data structure of a production lot DB (database). [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In the manufacturing method of this embodiment, steel products are manufactured in an electric furnace. As shown in Fig. 1, the electric furnace EF applies a high voltage to electrodes EL to generate arc heat, which melts iron scrap SC. The molten steel MS produced by the melting process is processed into steel products after undergoing processes such as composition adjustment, casting, and rolling.

[0011] The electricity used in the electric furnace EF of this embodiment is electricity that does not emit carbon dioxide and is generated from a non-fossil fuel power source such as renewable energy. Renewable energy here refers to the following energy sources. 1. Sunlight (ii) Wind power (iii) Hydropower (iv) Geothermal heat (v) Biomass (organic matter derived from plants and animals that can be used as an energy source (excluding crude oil, petroleum gas, combustible natural gas, coal, and products manufactured from these)) (vi) In addition to the energy sources listed in (1) through (5) above, energy sources other than crude oil, petroleum gas, combustible natural gas, coal, and products manufactured from these, which are designated by Cabinet Order as being capable of being used permanently as an energy source for electricity.

[0012] Non-fossil fuel energy sources include not only renewable energy but also, for example, nuclear power. Electricity generated from non-fossil fuel sources includes the following two types: 1. The value of electricity itself (kWh value, etc.) 2. Non-fossil value In this embodiment, of the two values, the "non-fossil value" is referred to as the non-fossil value. Electric furnaces EF use electricity defined in terms of non-fossil value. The non-fossil value here is the value recorded as a non-fossil power source when calculating the non-fossil power source ratio under Japan's "Energy Supply Structure Sophistication Act." The non-fossil value is the value purchased by a new electricity retailer to achieve a set target value.

[0013] Electricity defined by its non-fossil value can be obtained and proven using at least one of three means, for example: (1) Non-fossil Certificate (2) Green Power Certificates (3) J Credit

[0014] A non-fossil certificate is a certificate that certifies the environmental value of electricity generated from renewable energy sources.

[0015] A Green Power Certificate is a certificate of the environmental value of electricity generated from renewable energy sources. Each Green Power Certificate is unique as it is assigned a serial number. A Green Power Certificate contains information on the amount of electricity generated, the period of generation, the method of generation, and the date of issuance of the certificate. A Green Power Certificate also contains information on the name of the certification body and the name of the certificate issuer.

[0016] J-Credit is a system in which the government certifies the amount of greenhouse gas emissions reduced and absorbed, such as carbon dioxide, as "credits."

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, electricity defined at non-fossil value may be obtained and proven by the following means: (4) Power generation using solar power generation facilities owned by the company

[0018] Alternatively, the electricity used in an electric furnace EF may be electricity defined by zero-emission value rather than electricity defined by non-fossil value. Here, zero-emission value refers to the value of a carbon dioxide emission coefficient of zero under Japan's Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures (hereinafter referred to as the Global Warming Countermeasures Act). Specifically, zero-emission value is the value that electricity retailers can subtract from actual carbon dioxide emissions when calculating adjusted emissions coefficients by multiplying the amount of electricity procured from non-fossil certificates by a "national average coefficient." When electricity purchasers, such as manufacturers, report their carbon dioxide emissions to the government under the Global Warming Countermeasures Act, the carbon dioxide emission coefficient of electricity with zero-emission value is zero. For example, electricity defined by zero-emission value may be electricity generated by existing electricity retailers using renewable energy sources such as hydropower or nuclear power. Electricity defined by zero-emission value can be obtained and verified by the following means: (5) Contracts with electricity retailers (e.g., "Aqua Premium" (registered trademark) and "Aqua Energy 100" offered by Tokyo Electric Power Company Energy Partner (registered trademark))

[0019] For each of the above-exemplified means (1) to (5), information such as a certificate proving that the electricity used in the electric furnace EF is electricity defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value is obtained as unique proof information from a certificate issuing business or certification body, etc. The above means (1) to (5) are examples, and can be replaced by any other means proving that the electricity used in the electric furnace EF is electricity defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value.

[0020] In the present invention, methods for proving that the electricity used in the electric furnace EF is electricity defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value include a method of obtaining and proving certification information using any of the above (1) to (5), or, if certification information cannot be obtained, a method of identifying only electricity derived from renewable energy sources using any certification information (e.g., carbon dioxide emission coefficient (residue)) made public by an electric power company or the like (details will be described later).

[0021] Returning to the description of the drawings, steel products are manufactured from at least one of the following semi-finished cast products, for example as shown in FIG. Billet 21 Bloom 22 Slab 23

[0022] The steel product manufactured from the semi-finished cast product may be, for example, at least one of the following products: ·Deformed steel bar ·Flat steel ·Small and medium shaped steel H-beams (large steel beams, steel sheet piles)

[0023] A mill certificate is attached to manufactured steel products. The mill certificate is an inspection certificate that certifies whether the steel product meets the requirements of specified standards, etc. As shown in Figure 3, the mill certificate includes, for example, the following mill certificate information 31 to 38 and certification information 39. Certificate number 31 (unique serial number) Manufacturing lot number 32 Product dimensions: 33 34 pieces ·Mass 35 Tensile test results 36 ·Bending test results 37 Chemical Composition 38 Certificate information 39 (here, the serial number of the green power certificate as an example)

[0024] For example, the mill sheet information and certification information certifying that the electricity used in the electric furnace EF is electricity defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value are electronically acquired by an information processing device 1 operated by an administrator of the electric furnace EF, etc., and stored in the memory unit 13 of the information processing device 1. As an alternative example, the mill sheet information and certification information may be manually input by a user and stored in the memory unit 13 of the information processing device 1.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 4, information processing device 1 is one of the nodes communicatively connected to network NW. Information processing device 1 can communicate with one or more other information processing devices 2 to 5 via network NW. In Fig. 4, five information processing devices 1 to 5 are connected to network NW, but the number of information processing devices is arbitrary. The hardware configuration of information processing devices 2 to 5 is the same as the hardware configuration of information processing device 1, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0026] The information processing device 1 is a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system. Alternatively, the information processing device 1 may be a mobile device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a wearable device, or a tablet. Alternatively, the information processing device 1 may be a general-purpose device such as a PC, or a dedicated device. "PC" is an abbreviation for personal computer.

[0027] The internal configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0028] The information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13. The components of the information processing device 1 are connected to each other via, for example, a dedicated line so that they can communicate with each other.

[0029] The control unit 11 includes, for example, one or more general-purpose processors including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated processors specialized for specific processing. Instead of including a processor, the control unit 11 may include one or more dedicated circuits. The dedicated circuits may be, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The control unit 11 may include an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). The control unit 11 transmits and receives any information via the communication unit 12.

[0030] The communication unit 12 includes a communication module compatible with one or more wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standards for connecting to the network NW. The communication unit 12 may include a module compatible with one or more mobile communication standards including LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), or 5G (5th Generation). The communication unit 12 may include a communication module compatible with one or more short-range communication standards or specifications including Bluetooth (registered trademark), AirDrop (registered trademark), IrDA, ZigBee (registered trademark), FeliCa (registered trademark), or RFID. The communication unit 12 transmits and receives any information via the network NW.

[0031] The memory unit 13 may include, but is not limited to, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, or a combination of at least two of these. The semiconductor memory may be, for example, a RAM or a ROM. The RAM may be, for example, an SRAM or a DRAM. The ROM may be, for example, an EEPROM. The memory unit 13 may function as, for example, a main memory device, an auxiliary memory device, or a cache memory. The memory unit 13 may store information resulting from analysis or processing by the control unit 11. The memory unit 13 may store various information related to the operation or control of the information processing device 1. The memory unit 13 may store system programs, application programs, embedded software, etc. The memory unit 13 may be provided outside the information processing device 1 and may be accessed by the information processing device 1.

[0032] One example of a network NW is a distributed ledger (Hyperledger) type blockchain network. In this case, all nodes connected to the network NW store the same data in chronological order as one or more blocks.

[0033] The network NW may be a public network connected to the Internet, or may be a private network.

[0034] The storage unit 13 of the information processing device 1 stores a blockchain BC as shown in FIG. 6. The blockchain BC is shared by all nodes in the blockchain network NW. For ease of explanation, a case will be described here in which the blockchain BC includes a first block B1, a second block B2, a third block B3, and a fourth block B4. The number of blocks included in the blockchain BC is arbitrary.

[0035] The first block B1 is the first block of the blockchain BC and contains transaction data T1. In Figure 6, one block contains three pieces of transaction data. However, the number of pieces of transaction data contained in one block is arbitrary.

[0036] The second block B2 includes a hash H2 of the previous block, the first block B1, a nonce value N2 corresponding to the hash H2, and transaction data T2.

[0037] The description of the third block B3 and the fourth block B4 will be omitted to avoid duplication.

[0038] The control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 integrates, for each production lot of a steel product, the mill sheet information of the steel product with certification information that certifies that the electricity used in the electric furnace EF during the production of the steel product is defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value. Here, the certification information can be obtained by the following method. To ensure that the electricity used in the electric furnace EF is defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value, first, the electricity consumption per ton of steel is calculated from the actual factory electricity consumption corresponding to one heat of the electric furnace EF in which the steel product with the production lot number listed on the target mill sheet was produced. This calculation may be performed by the control unit 11 (e.g., a process computer) or manually (the same applies below). One heat is the molten steel melted in one go in the electric furnace EF. Steel products are produced from the melted molten steel by lot. Next, the actual electricity consumption used to produce the target steel product is calculated by multiplying the electricity consumption per ton of steel by the product weight listed on the target mill sheet. By defining this actual electricity consumption as non-fossil electricity, it is possible to realize and prove that the electricity used in the electric furnace EF is electricity defined in terms of non-fossil value or zero-emission value.

[0039] As a specific example of a method for integrating mill sheet information and certification information, the control unit 11 stores block B1 of the blockchain BC, mill sheet information M1, and certification information V1 in the storage unit 13 in association with the production lot L1, as shown in the production lot DB of FIG. 7. In other words, the mill sheet information M1 and certification information V1 are registered as transaction data in block B1 of the blockchain BC. The registered information is stored as a token of the blockchain BC. As an alternative, the certification information V1 may be embedded in the mill sheet information M1.

[0040] The control unit 11 can make the mill sheet information M1 and the certification information V1 public to any third party on the Internet or the like.

[0041] An information processing method performed by the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0042] In step S1, the control unit 11 acquires mill sheet information about the production lot of steel products and certification information that certifies that the electricity used in the production of the production lot is electricity defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value.

[0043] In step S2, the control unit 11 associates the mill sheet information with the certification information to integrate them.

[0044] In step S3, the control unit 11 registers the associated mill sheet information and certification information in the network NW (for example, the block chain network NW). Step S3 is optional.

[0045] In step S4, the control unit 11 makes the associated mill sheet information and certification information public on the Internet. Step S4 is optional.

[0046] [Variations] In the above embodiment, the mill sheet information and certification information are stored in association with each other in the memory unit 13. However, there are cases where the control unit 11 is unable to obtain certification information such as a green power certificate. Therefore, when the power generation process of the electricity purchased by the power consumer is a process that utilizes a combination of renewable energy and non-renewable energy, the control unit 11 can identify only the electricity that originates from renewable energy among the purchased and used electricity. Such identification can be performed using any certification information (e.g., carbon dioxide emission coefficient (residue)) made public by the power company or the like. The control unit 11 may store the certification information in association with the mill sheet information.

[0047] As mentioned above, if the generation process for electricity purchased by an electricity consumer involves a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy sources, only the renewable energy portion of the electricity purchased and used can be identified. This identification is possible because the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)'s 15th Meeting of the System Review Working Group of the Electricity and Gas Basic Policy Subcommittee of the Electricity and Gas Industry Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy (November 28, 2017) stipulated the following: If an auction for non-fossil fuel certificates subject to the FIT (feed-in tariff) results in unsold certificates, these certificates cannot be carried over to the following fiscal year and are considered "excess non-fossil fuel electricity equivalent." However, the zero-emission value of the environmental value of the surplus non-fossil fuel electricity equivalent is allocated in proportion to the share of electricity sold, without sunk value, given that consumers are already paying the FIT surcharge.

[0048] Furthermore, the carbon dioxide emission coefficient of the electric power company for the current fiscal year may be made public after the end of the fiscal year. In this case, the carbon dioxide emission coefficient for the current fiscal year can be calculated by the control unit 11 according to the following procedure. Step 1: Estimate the amount of non-fossil power available for use on a year-on-year basis from the carbon dioxide emission coefficient and non-fossil power ratio for the previous year, and reflect the estimated results in the electricity plan for the factory to use in the current year. As an alternative, the non-fossil power ratio may be the renewable energy ratio target for the current year stated in the energy environment plan published by any local government. Step 2: Allocate non-fossil electricity for this fiscal year in accordance with customer requests. Step 3: Once the carbon dioxide emission coefficient for this fiscal year is published, the actual allocation of non-fossil fuel electricity and the remaining allocation of electricity other than non-fossil fuel electricity will be adjusted and finalized.

[0049] When a power generation process utilizes a combination of renewable and non-renewable energy sources, the following method can be used to identify only the renewable energy-derived electricity among the purchased and consumed electricity. To ensure that the electricity used in an electric furnace (EF) is defined as non-fossil or zero-emission value, first, the amount of electricity consumed per ton of steel is calculated from the actual factory electricity consumption equivalent to one heat of the electric furnace (EF) in which the steel product with the production lot number listed on the target mill sheet was manufactured. This calculation may be performed by the control unit 11 (e.g., a process computer) or manually (the same applies below). One heat is the molten steel melted in one go in the electric furnace (EF). Steel products are manufactured from the melted molten steel in individual lots. Next, the amount of molten steel produced from renewable energy-derived electricity is calculated by multiplying the amount of molten steel melted in one go by the renewable energy ratio published by the electric power company or the like. The control unit 11 associates the amount of renewable energy-derived electricity used with the mill sheet of a steel product manufactured using molten steel produced using renewable energy-derived electricity and integrates it.

[0050] [effect] As described above, according to this embodiment, steel products are manufactured in an electric furnace using electricity defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value. Here, steel products manufactured in an electric furnace are composed of a single material, steel, and the primary raw material is scrap iron. Furthermore, the majority (e.g., 80% or more) of the energy used in an electric furnace is electricity. Given these circumstances, procuring electricity defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value (e.g., green electricity) and using it in an electric furnace can offset carbon dioxide emissions from coke and other materials used in the manufacturing process. Specifically, offsetting involves calculating the amount of non-fossil electricity used equivalent to the energy of coke and other materials, adding the calculated amount of non-fossil electricity to a mill sheet, and associating it with the steel product as non-fossil electricity used in its manufacture. This allows for the manufacture of carbon-neutral steel products. Furthermore, it is easy to prove that steel products are carbon-neutral, even in small lots. This facilitates PR (advertising and promotion) activities, such as increasing sales prices.

[0051] In contrast, the manufacture of automobiles and other products uses a variety of parts derived from a variety of raw materials. Furthermore, a wide range of energy sources are used during production, including electricity, gas, and oil. In this case, to prove that a product is carbon neutral, it is necessary to prove that each individual part is carbon neutral. This makes the process extremely complex and difficult. While eco-labels based on LCA assessments can be used to achieve carbon neutrality, they are qualitative assessments and therefore have little impact. Furthermore, these assessments are merely overall assessments. Therefore, when it comes to the manufacture of automobiles and other products, it is highly likely that it will be difficult to produce carbon-neutral products.

[0052] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 1 associates mill sheet information about a production lot of a steel product with certification information that certifies that the electricity used in the production of the production lot is electricity defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value. With this configuration, a steel product is obtained in which the mill sheet information about the production lot is associated with certification information that certifies that the electricity used in the production of the production lot is electricity defined as non-fossil value or zero-emission value, making it easy to certify that the manufactured steel product is carbon neutral.

[0053] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the network NW includes a blockchain network, and the associated mill sheet information and certification information are registered in the blockchain. When blockchain technology is used in this way, the registered information is distributed and shared among all nodes. In other words, no central administrator is required. This results in the following effects. -Difficult to tamper with -No single point of failure, so no system downtime -Easy data sharing with other systems Therefore, the information processing device 1 can realize a highly secure and low-cost system. Furthermore, since all data is recorded in the blockchain, traceability is ensured.

[0054] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the control unit 11 makes the associated mill sheet information and certification information public on the Internet. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can externally demonstrate that the steel product is carbon neutral.

[0055] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the power generation process of the purchased electricity is a process that uses a combination of renewable energy and non-renewable energy, the control unit 11 identifies the renewable energy-derived electricity among the electricity, and associates certification information that certifies that the identified electricity is renewable energy-derived electricity with the mill sheet information for the production lot of the steel product. With this configuration, the information processing device 1 can certify that the steel product is partially carbon neutral even if energy other than renewable energy is used in the power generation process.

[0056] Although the present disclosure will be described based on various drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each means or step may be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple means or steps may be combined or divided into one.

[0057] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a program for executing all or part of the functions or processes of the information processing device 1 can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include non-transitory computer-readable media, such as magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or semiconductor memories. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending a portable recording medium, such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), on which the program is recorded. The program can also be distributed by storing the program in the storage of a server and transmitting the program from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product. The present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor.

[0058] A computer temporarily stores a program recorded on a portable recording medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device using a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable recording medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP-type service that achieves its functions simply by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results, without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. Programs include information used for processing by a computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that does not directly instruct a computer but has properties that define computer processing falls under the category of "equivalent to a program." [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] NW Network 1. Information processing equipment 11 Control section 12 Communications Department 13 Storage section 2 to 5 Information processing device

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, The amount of electricity used per ton of steel is calculated based on the actual electricity consumption of the electric furnace. The amount of molten steel produced using electricity derived from renewable energy is calculated by multiplying the amount of molten steel melted in one go by the renewable energy ratio. An information processing method that calculates the amount of electricity derived from renewable energy used to manufacture steel products from the amount of electricity used per ton of steel and the amount of molten steel produced from the electricity derived from renewable energy, and obtains certification information based on the calculated amount of electricity derived from renewable energy.

2. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, Carbon dioxide emitted from the coke used in the manufacturing process of steel products produced with electricity derived from renewable energy is offset by calculating the amount of non-fossil electricity used equivalent to the energy of the coke, and then recording this amount of non-fossil electricity used on the mill sheet and linking it to the steel products as non-fossil electricity used in their manufacture. An information processing method that proves that a product is carbon neutral by emitting zero carbon dioxide during manufacturing.

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