Power supply management server and computer program

Abstract

A power supply management server is provided that supplies energy with multiple attributes to the same consumer in accordance with the consumer's needs. [Solution] A power supply management server 1 is used by an electric utility 1A that supplies power W to a consumer 5A. The power supply management server is configured to receive specifications (information D1) regarding energy to be supplied to the consumer, determine a first amount of power of a first energy W1 to be supplied to the consumer per unit time based on the specifications, and determine a second amount of power of a second energy W2, which has attributes different from the first energy and is to be supplied to the consumer per unit time using the first amount of power. The first energy includes renewable energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation situation, and determining the first amount of power includes determining an amount of power of renewable energy generated by a power generation device to be supplied to the consumer per unit time using information indicating the power generation situation of the renewable energy power generation device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply management server and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] There are two types of power generation methods: so-called fossil power sources that use fossil fuels, and renewable energy sources known as non-fossil power sources that utilize natural forces such as sunlight, wind, wave and tidal power, water currents and tides, geothermal energy, and biomass. For example, electricity generated by non-fossil power sources is issued with a non-fossil certificate, which certifies its environmental value. In addition, solar power generation has been undertaken by companies and individual business owners in recent years. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-5120 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-81856 Summary of the Invention

[0004] As power generation methods, power generators (businesses), power generation locations, and power generation equipment become more diverse, consumers are becoming increasingly interested in the attributes of energy. Some consumers may desire a specific energy supply. However, the amount of power generated by renewable energy sources, known as non-fossil fuel power sources, which utilize the power of nature, is often affected by the natural environment, and therefore the amount supplied varies depending on the power generation situation. Therefore, one of the objectives of the present disclosure is to provide a power supply management server and a computer program that can supply energy with multiple attributes, including renewable energy, to the same consumer in accordance with the consumer's needs.

[0005] According to one embodiment, the power supply management server is a power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies power to consumers. The power supply management server is configured to receive a specification regarding energy to be supplied to the consumer, determine a first amount of power of a first energy to be supplied to the consumer per unit time based on the specification, and determine a second amount of power of a second energy, the second energy having an attribute different from that of the first energy, to be supplied to the consumer per unit time using the first amount of power. The first energy includes renewable energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation status, and determining the first amount of power includes determining an amount of power of the renewable energy generated by the power generation device to be supplied to the consumer per unit time using information indicating the power generation status of the renewable energy power generation device.

[0006] According to an embodiment, the power supply management server is a power supply management server that calculates an electricity bill for a consumer to which a first energy including renewable energy and a second energy other than the first energy are supplied. The power supply management server is configured to acquire a market price of the energy, and calculate a first electricity bill by applying a first unit price according to the market price to a first amount of power of the first energy supplied to the consumer per unit time.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a computer program causes a computer to function as a power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies power to consumers. The computer program causes the computer to receive a specification regarding energy to be supplied to the consumer, determine a first amount of power of a first energy to be supplied to the consumer per unit time based on the specification, and determine a second amount of power of a second energy, the second energy having attributes different from the first energy, to be supplied to the consumer per unit time using the first amount of power. The first energy includes renewable energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation status, and determining the first amount of power includes determining an amount of power of the renewable energy generated by the power generation device to be supplied to the consumer per unit time using information indicating the power generation status of the renewable energy power generation device.

[0008] According to one embodiment, a computer program causes a computer to function as an electric power supply management server that calculates an electricity bill for a consumer supplied with a first energy source including renewable energy and a second energy source other than the first energy. The computer program causes the computer to acquire a market price of the energy, and calculate a first electricity bill by applying a first unit price corresponding to the market price to a first amount of power of the first energy source supplied to the consumer per unit time.

[0009] Further details will be described in the following embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a power supply management method according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power supply management server according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power supply management server. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the time variation of the power supplied to the consumer via the power supply management server and the first power. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] <1. Overview of the power supply management server and computer program> (1) A power supply management server according to an embodiment is a power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies power to consumers. The power supply management server is configured to receive a specification regarding energy to be supplied to the consumer, determine a first amount of power of a first energy to be supplied to the consumer per unit time based on the specification, and determine a second amount of power of a second energy, the second energy having an attribute different from that of the first energy, to be supplied to the consumer per unit time using the first amount of power. The first energy includes renewable energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation status, and determining the first amount of power includes determining an amount of power of the renewable energy generated by the power generation device to be supplied to the consumer per unit time using information indicating the power generation status of the renewable energy power generation device.

[0012] As described above, by determining the first amount of power of the specified first energy and the second amount of power of the second energy having a different attribute from the first energy, the power supply server can distinguish between the specified first energy and the second energy having a different attribute from the first energy and supply them accordingly. This allows the power supply management server to supply energy with multiple attributes according to the needs of a consumer when the consumer requests a specific energy supply. Furthermore, when the specified attribute includes renewable energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation situation, the power supply management server can change the supply amount of renewable energy according to the fluctuation in power generation amount depending on the power generation situation. This allows the energy with the specified attribute to be supplied to the consumer at an appropriate amount.

[0013] (2) In the power supply management server of (1), the power supply management server is preferably configured to acquire the market price of energy, calculate a first electricity rate by applying a first unit price according to the market price to a first amount of power of a first energy supplied to a consumer per unit time, and calculate a second electricity rate by applying a second unit price different from the first unit price to a second amount of power. This allows the power supply management server to present to a consumer the rate for the first energy, including renewable energy, separately from the rate for the second energy other than the first energy, according to the consumer's needs.

[0014] (3) In the power supply management server of (1) and (2), preferably, the attributes include at least one of a power generation method, a power generation company, a power generation location, a start time of operation, whether or not a subsidy system is available for the power generation company, and characteristics of the power generation equipment. A consumer may specify attributes as an energy specification, for example, at least one of a power generation method, a power generation company, a power generation location, a start time of operation, whether or not a subsidy system is available for the power generation company, and characteristics of the power generation equipment. In this case, the power supply management server can supply energy with attributes that meet the consumer's needs.

[0015] (4) In the power supply management server of (1) to (3), preferably, the information indicating the power generation status includes at least one of a power generation plan and a power generation record of the power generation device, thereby enabling the power supply management server to determine the amount of renewable energy supply using at least one of the power generation plan and the power generation record.

[0016] (5) In the power supply management server according to (1) to (4), preferably, the power generation device is a power generation device that is subject to a feed-in tariff scheme (FIT scheme) for renewable energy. This allows for effective use of renewable energy generated by the power generation device that is subject to the FIT scheme.

[0017] (6) A power supply management server according to an embodiment is a power supply management server that calculates an electricity bill for a consumer to which a first energy source including renewable energy and a second energy source other than the first energy source are supplied. The power supply management server is configured to acquire a market price of the energy, and calculate a first electricity bill by applying a first unit price according to the market price to a first amount of power of the first energy source supplied to the consumer per unit time.

[0018] (7) In the power supply management server of (1) to (6), preferably, the power supply management server is capable of communicating with a terminal device of a consumer. The information indicating the power generation status includes a power generation plan for a power generation device of a first energy. The power supply management server is further configured to send a notification based on the power generation plan to the terminal device. This allows the consumer to consider a demand plan that corresponds to fluctuations in the amount of power generation of renewable energy according to the power generation plan.

[0019] By calculating the first electricity rate as described above, the power supply management server can present the rate for the first energy, including renewable energy, to the consumer separately from the rate for the second energy other than the first energy, according to the consumer's needs.

[0020] (8) A computer program according to an embodiment causes a computer to function as a power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies power to consumers. The computer program causes the computer to receive a specification regarding energy to be supplied to the consumer, determine a first amount of power of a first energy to be supplied to the consumer per unit time based on the specification, and determine a second amount of power of a second energy, the second energy having an attribute different from that of the first energy, to be supplied to the consumer per unit time using the first amount of power. The first energy includes renewable energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation status, and determining the first amount of power includes determining an amount of power of the renewable energy generated by a power generation device to be supplied to the consumer per unit time using information indicating the power generation status of the renewable energy power generation device. By causing the computer to determine the first amount of power of the specified first energy and the second amount of power of the second energy having an attribute different from that of the first energy, the program causes the computer to function as a power supply server that distinguishes between the specified first energy and the second energy having an attribute different from that of the first energy and supplies them accordingly. As a result, when a consumer requests a supply of specific energy, the computer can supply energy with multiple attributes according to the consumer's needs. Furthermore, when the specified attributes include renewable energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation situation, the power supply management server can change the supply amount of renewable energy according to the fluctuation of power generation amount depending on the power generation situation. Therefore, energy with the specified attributes can be supplied to the consumer in an appropriate amount.

[0021] (9) A computer program according to an embodiment is a computer program that causes a computer to function as a power supply management server that calculates an electricity rate for a consumer that is supplied with a first energy source including renewable energy and a second energy source other than the first energy source. The computer program causes the computer to acquire the market price of energy and calculate a first electricity rate by applying a first unit price corresponding to the market price to a first amount of power of the first energy source supplied to the consumer per unit time. By causing the computer to calculate the first electricity rate as described above, the program causes the computer to function as a power supply management server that presents a rate for the first energy source including renewable energy to the consumer separately from a rate for the second energy source other than the first energy source, in accordance with the consumer's needs.

[0022] <2. Examples of power supply management servers and computer programs> (Outline of power supply management method) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a power supply management method according to an embodiment. A power supply management server 1 according to the embodiment is a device used by an electric utility 1A that supplies and sells power to a consumer 5A. The power supply management server 1 receives, from the consumer 5A, a specification regarding the energy to be supplied to the consumer 5A. As an example, the power supply management server 1 receives, from a user terminal 5 used by the consumer 5A, information D1 indicating a specification regarding the energy to be supplied to the consumer 5A. The power supply management server 1 determines, from the power W to be supplied to the consumer 5A per unit time, the amount of power (first amount of power) of a specified first power (first energy) W1 and the amount of power (second amount of power) of a second power W2 (second energy) having an attribute different from that of the first power W1.

[0023] Energy attributes include at least one of the following: power generation method, power generation company, power generation location, start of operation date, availability of subsidy programs for power generation companies, and characteristics of power generation equipment. Power generation methods include, for example, solar power generation, wind power generation, wave power / tidal power generation, water current / tidal power generation, geothermal power generation, biomass power generation, nuclear power generation, and thermal power generation. Power generation companies include, for example, power generation companies, individual business owners who generate power, and investors in power generation companies. Power generation locations include, for example, the region where the power generation equipment is installed. Characteristics of power generation equipment include, for example, the model of the power generation equipment, the year of manufacture, the number of years in operation, and the country of manufacture.

[0024] The specification regarding the energy to be supplied is, for example, specification of the attributes of the energy to be supplied. Furthermore, the specification regarding the energy to be supplied may directly specify a specific power. Specifying the attributes of energy refers to specifying one or more attributes from among the above-mentioned energy attributes as attributes of the energy to be supplied. Multiple attributes may be specified, and in that case, the first energy is supplied from multiple different power sources so that the total of the attributes is the first power amount. As another example, specifying the attributes of energy may refer to specifying one or more attributes from among the above-mentioned energy attributes as attributes that are not to be supplied as the first energy. As yet another example, specifying the attributes of energy may refer to specifying one or more attributes from among the above-mentioned energy attributes as attributes of the energy to be supplied, and specifying one or more other attributes as attributes that are not to be supplied as the first energy.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows an example in which renewable energy generated by a power generation device 3a is specified as an attribute of the energy to be supplied. In this case, power W is supplied to a consumer 5A via an electric utility 1A through a so-called off-site PPA. The following description will be given as an example in which renewable energy generated by a power generation device 3a is specified as the energy to be supplied. That is, the power generation device 3a is a power generation device owned by a first power generation company 3A that has a contract with the electric utility 1A, and is installed in a location different from (remote from) the consumer 5A. The first power W1 is renewable energy whose amount of power generation fluctuates depending on the power generation situation. The power generation device 3a is, as an example, a solar power generation device that is subject to the Feed in Tariff (FIT) system for renewable energy.

[0026] The second power W2 may be renewable energy obtained by a power generation method different from that of the first power W1, such as wind energy, or may be non-renewable energy. The second power W2 is supplied to the consumer 5A from a second power generation company 7A via the electric utility company 1A. The second power generation company 7A may be a power generation company that has a contract with the electric utility company 1A, or may be the electric utility company 1A itself.

[0027] The power supply management server 1 can communicate with other devices. The communication between the power supply management server 1 and other devices may be via a communication network such as the Internet, or may be communication using a dedicated line.

[0028] The power supply management server 1 receives input of power generation information P indicating the power generation status of the power generation device 3a from a first power generator terminal 3 used by a first power generation company 3A. The power generation status may be the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a. The power generation status may be the power generation record of the power generation device 3a. In this case, fluctuations in the amount of power generation depending on the power generation status refer to the amount of power generation by the power generation device 3a fluctuating over time as shown in the power generation record. In the following examples, the power generation information P indicating the power generation status is information indicating the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a. The power supply management server 1 may further communicate with a second power generator terminal 7 used by a second power generation company 7A to exchange necessary information.

[0029] The power supply management server 1 receives information D2 indicating the amount of power demanded by the consumer 5A from the user terminal 5. The power supply management server 1 determines a first amount of power using the power generation status. The power supply management server 1 also determines a second amount of power using the determined first amount of power and the amount of power demanded per unit time.

[0030] The power supply management server 1 further calculates the electricity charge for the power supplied to the consumer 5A. The power supply management server 1 determines the first amount of power and the second amount of power separately, and therefore can calculate the electricity charges for the first power W1 and the second power W2 separately. Therefore, the electricity charges can be calculated by applying different unit prices to the first power W1 and the second power W2, as shown below.

[0031] That is, the power supply management server 1 applies a unit price (first unit price) according to the market price to the first amount of power to calculate a first electricity rate for a unit time. The market price refers to the contract price of electricity traded at the Japan Electric Power Exchange (JEPX) and fluctuates every 30 minutes. As an example, the market price for each unit is stored in a market price DB (database) 9.

[0032] Furthermore, the power supply management server 1 applies a second unit price, which is not linked to the market price and is different from the first unit price, to the second amount of power to calculate a second electricity rate for the unit time. The second unit price is a unit price according to the attributes of the second power W2, and may be, for example, a price linked to the cost of fossil energy or a fixed price.

[0033] The power supply management server 1 transmits billing information B of electricity charges based on the first electricity charge and the second electricity charge for the predetermined period to the user terminal 5. This allows the user to distinguish between the first electricity charge and the second electricity charge for the predetermined period.

[0034] (Power supply management server device configuration) Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the power supply management server 1. As an example, the power supply management server 1 is configured by a computer having a processor 11 and a memory 12, or by a single computer and its peripheral devices. The power supply management server 1 may also be realized by multiple computers working together. The power supply management server 1 further has a communication unit 13 for communicating with other devices. As an example, the communication unit 13 is a communication module or the like.

[0035] The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 12 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 12 stores a program 121 to be executed by the processor 11. The program 121 may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium or via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0036] The processor 11 executes the program 121 to perform the power amount determination process 111. The power amount determination process 111 is a process for determining each of the first power amount and the second power amount. As an example, the program 121 defines an arithmetic expression for calculating the power amount of the first power W1 to be supplied to the consumer, using the power generation amount indicated in the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a as a parameter. The processor 11 calculates the power amount per unit time by substituting the power generation amount per unit time indicated in the power generation information P received from the first power generator terminal 3 into the arithmetic expression. The processor 11 determines the smaller of the power amount calculated by the arithmetic expression and the demand power amount per unit time as the first power amount.

[0037] In addition, the calculation of the first amount of electricity may further use the amount of demanded electricity indicated in the information D2 received from the user terminal 5, or the number of consumers who have contracts with the electric utility company 1A, a coefficient representing the contract of consumer 5A, etc.

[0038] Furthermore, if the calculated amount of power is smaller than the amount of power demanded per unit time (if the calculated amount of power is determined to be the first amount of power), the processor 11 determines the amount of power obtained by subtracting the calculated amount of power from the amount of power demanded per unit time to be the second amount of power.

[0039] The processor 11 executes the program 121 to perform the fee calculation process 112. The fee calculation process 112 is a process for calculating a first electricity fee and a second electricity fee.

[0040] The processor 11 reads out the first unit price of the frame corresponding to the time point of supply of the first power W1 from the market price DB 9, and, as an example, multiplies the first amount of power by the first unit price to calculate the first electricity fee per unit time.

[0041] Furthermore, as one example, the processor 11 reads the second unit price from the tariff DB 122 in the memory 12 and multiplies it by the amount of power of the second power W2 to calculate the second electricity price per unit time. As another example, the processor 11 may read the second unit price from another device. The processor 11 calculates the electricity price for the first power W1 by accumulating the first electricity price for the period during which power is supplied to the consumer 5A. The processor 11 also calculates the electricity price for the second power W2 by accumulating the second electricity price for the period during which power is supplied to the consumer 5A.

[0042] Preferably, the processor 11 executes the program 121 to perform notification processing 113 as necessary. The notification processing 113 is processing for providing notification to the user terminal 5 based on a power generation plan when the energy specified as energy to be supplied is energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation situation (for example, renewable energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on the power generation situation). The notification based on the power generation plan may be any notification that allows the power demand of the consumer 5A to be considered depending on the power generation amount represented in the power generation plan. As an example, the processor 11 notifies the user terminal 5 of the power generation plan itself. As another example, the processor 11 may notify the user terminal 5 of the time period when the power generation amount of the power generation device 3a is maximum. This enables the consumer 5A to consider the time when power is used by the consumer 5A. For example, the consumer 5A can shift the time when power is most used to the time period when the power generation amount of the power generation device 3a is maximum.

[0043] (Power supply management server operation) 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power supply management server 1. First, the processor 11 receives power generation information P from the first power generator terminal 3 based on the designation in the information D1 received from the user terminal 5, and accepts input of the power generation plan for the power generation device 3a (step S101). Preferably, the processor 11 notifies the user terminal 5 of the power generation plan, thereby encouraging the consumer 5A to shift the time of power usage (step S103).

[0044] The processor 11 receives information D2 from the user terminal 5 and accepts input of the amount of power demand for a predetermined unit time from the information D2 (step S105). The processor 11 executes power amount determination process 111 using the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a accepted in step S101 and the amount of power demand of the consumer 5A accepted in step S105, and determines the amount of power (first amount of power) of the first power W1 to be supplied to the consumer 5A per unit time (step S107). Also, in step S107, the processor 11 notifies the first power generator terminal 3 of the first amount of power and instructs it to supply the first power W1. Preferably, in step S107, the processor 11 notifies the user terminal 5 of the consumer 5A of the first amount of power for the unit time.

[0045] The processor 11 reads out the first unit price for the frame corresponding to the unit time from the market price DB 9 (step S109). The processor 11 multiplies the first amount of power determined in step S107 by the first unit price to calculate the first electricity rate for the first power W1 to be supplied to the consumer 5A in the unit time (step S111).

[0046] The processor 11 executes an energy amount determination process 111 using the energy demand of the consumer 5A received in step S105 and the first energy amount determined in step S107, and determines the energy amount (second energy amount) of the second power W2 to be supplied to the consumer 5A in the unit time (step S113). Also, in step S113, the processor 11 notifies the second power generator terminal 7 of the second energy amount and instructs it to supply the second power W2. Preferably, in step S113, the processor 11 notifies the user terminal 5 of the consumer 5A of the second energy amount for the unit time.

[0047] The processor 11 reads the second unit price from the tariff DB 122 in the memory 12 (step S115) and multiplies it by the second amount of electricity determined in step S113 to calculate the second electricity rate for the second amount of electricity W2 to be supplied to the consumer 5A in the unit time (step S117).

[0048] The processor 11 repeats the processing from step S105 for each unit time until the period for supplying power to the consumer 5A using the power generation plan obtained in step S101 ends (NO in step S119). The period for supplying power to the consumer 5A using the power generation plan is the period of the power generation plan, and is, for example, one day if the power generation plan is in daily units. The unit time is at least shorter than the period of the power generation plan. The unit time corresponds, for example, to one frame (30 minutes) of the contract price of electricity traded on the Japan Electric Power Exchange. Furthermore, the unit time may be a time period different from one frame on the Japan Electric Power Exchange.

[0049] When the period for supplying power to the consumer 5A ends (YES in step S119), the processor 11 calculates the electricity fee (step S121). In step S121, the processor 11 accumulates the first electricity fees calculated for each unit time in step S111 through the processing from step S101 to calculate the electricity fee for the first power W1 for the period for which power was supplied to the consumer 5A. The processor 11 also accumulates the second electricity fees calculated for each unit time in step S117 through the processing from step S101 to calculate the electricity fee for the second power W2 for the period for which power was supplied to the consumer 5A. Preferably, in step S121, the processor 11 transmits to the user terminal 5 electricity fee billing information B, distinguishing between the electricity fee for the first power W1 and the electricity fee for the second power W2.

[0050] 3, the processor 11 of the power supply management server 1 determines, for each unit time, the amount of power of a specified first power W1 and the amount of power of a second power W2 having an attribute different from that of the first power W1, out of the power W to be supplied to the consumer 5A. This allows the power supply management server 1 to supply the specified energy (for example, renewable energy) separately from the energy having an attribute different from that of the specified energy, according to the needs of the consumer 5A.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the time variation of the power W supplied to the consumer 5A via the power supply management server 1 and the first power W1. The horizontal axis of Fig. 4 represents the passage of time, and shows the passage of time from time t1 to time t5. The period from time t1 to time t5 roughly represents the period of one day from midnight to the next midnight, and as an example, time t1 represents midnight, time t2 represents 6:00 a.m., time t3 represents noon, time t4 represents 6:00 p.m., and time t5 represents midnight.

[0052] The vertical axis in Figure 4 represents the amount of power [W]. The curve EW1 represents the amount of supply of first power W1 (first amount of power), and the curve EW represents the amount of supply of power W. The difference between the curve EW2 and the curve EW1 represents the amount of supply of second power W2 (second amount of power).

[0053] The area between the curve EW and the horizontal axis represents the amount of power W supplied during the period represented by the horizontal axis, and the area between the curve EW1 and the horizontal axis represents the first sum of the amount of power during the period represented by the horizontal axis. The area between the curve EW2 and the curve EW1 represents the second sum of the amount of power during the period represented by the horizontal axis.

[0054] The processor 11 of the power supply management server 1 determines the first amount of power according to the amount of power generation indicated in the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a, and can therefore vary the first amount of power according to fluctuations in the amount of power generation by the power generation device 3a. If the power generation device 3a is a solar power generation device, the power generation plan of the power generation device 3a indicates a high amount of power generation during the daytime period from time t2 to time t4, with a peak at time t3 (noon), and no power generation during the nighttime. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the power supply management server 1 can vary the first amount of power during the daytime period from time t2 to time t4 as indicated by the curve EW1, which is an upwardly convex curve centered at time t3. That is, the power supply management server 1 can increase the first amount of power from time t2 to time t3 and decrease it from time t3 to time t4.

[0055] Furthermore, the processor 11 of the power supply management server 1 determines the second amount of power according to the first amount of power and the demanded amount of power. That is, the power supply management server 1 distinguishes between the first amount of power and the second amount of power when determining the amount of power. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the power supply management server 1 can set the second amount of power to the amount of power required to reach the demanded amount of power during the nighttime periods from time t1 to time t2 and from time t4 to time t5 when the first power W1 is not available, and during the daytime periods from time t2 to time t4 when the first power W1 is insufficient to meet the demanded amount of power.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 4 , by determining the amount of power of the first power W1 and the amount of power of the second power W2 for each unit time, the power supply management server 1 can supply the first power W1 and the second power W2 to the consumer 5A while distinguishing between them. Furthermore, the power supply management server 1 can present the first amount of power and the second amount of power to the user terminal 5 separately. For example, the power supply management server 1 notifies the user terminal 5 of the first amount of power in step S107 and the second amount of power in step S113. As a result, the user terminal 5 can notify the user by, for example, displaying the amount of power of the first power W1 and the amount of power of the second power W2 separately on a display unit (not shown) as shown in FIG. 4 . As a result, the user can know at least the amount of power of the first power W1 out of the total power W.

[0057] Furthermore, the power supply management server 1 can calculate the electricity rate for the first power W1 and the electricity rate for the second power W2 separately. This allows the power supply management server 1 to notify the user terminal 5 of the electricity rate for the first power W1 and the electricity rate for the second power W2 separately in the electricity rate billing information B. As a result, the user can know at least the electricity rate for the first power W1 out of the total electricity rate.

[0058] In the above description, the specified energy is assumed to be renewable energy generated by the power generation device 3a. However, renewable energy other than that generated by the power generation device 3a may be specified, or a type of energy other than renewable energy may be specified. Furthermore, the power generation method may not be specified, and the characteristics of the power generation company, the power generation location, and the power generation equipment may be specified. Furthermore, in addition to the renewable energy generated by the power generation device 3a, renewable energy other than that generated by the power generation device 3a, the characteristics of the power generation company, the power generation location, and the power generation equipment may be further specified. Even in such cases, the power supply management server 1 determines the first amount of power and the second amount of power in the same manner as described above. Furthermore, the power supply management server 1 calculates the first electricity rate and the second electricity rate by applying different first and second unit prices to the first and second amounts of power, respectively. This allows the power supply management server 1 to supply energy with multiple attributes to the consumer 5A according to the needs of the consumer 5A.

[0059] (Variation) The power supply management server 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a device used by an electric utility 1A that supplies and sells both the first power W1 and the second power W2, but this is just an example, and the power supply management server 1 is not limited to this example. As another example, the power supply management server 1 may be a device used by an electric utility that supplies only the first power W1 or only the second power W2, or may be a device used by a utility that supplies neither the first power W1 nor the second power W2. In the modified example, the first power W1 may include renewable energy generated by a power generation device that is subject to the Feed-in Tariff Scheme (FIT Scheme) for renewable energy, or may include renewable energy generated by a power generation device that is not subject to the FIT Scheme. The power supply management server 1 applies a first unit price to the first amount of power and a second unit price different from the first unit price to the second amount of power, and calculates at least one of the first electricity rate and the second electricity rate. This allows the power supply management server 1 to present to the consumer 5A the price of energy with a certain attribute among multiple energy attributes separately from the price of energy with other attributes, depending on the needs of the consumer 5A.

[0060] <3. Notes> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: Power supply management server, 1A: Electric utility company, 3a: Power generation device, 5: User terminal, 5A: Consumer, 111: Power amount determination process, 112: Fee calculation process, 113: Notification process, 121: Program, P: Power generation information, W1: First power, W2: Second power

Claims

1. A power supply management server used by an electric power utility that supplies power to consumers, Accepting a designation regarding energy to be supplied to the consumer; determining a first amount of power of a first energy to be supplied to the consumer per unit time by the electric utility based on the designation; using the first amount of power, determine a second amount of power of a second energy having an attribute different from that of the first energy, which is to be supplied to the consumer by the electric utility company per unit time; the first energy includes renewable energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on power generation conditions, Determining the first amount of power to be supplied to the consumer per unit time by the electric utility company includes determining the amount of power from the renewable energy to be supplied to the consumer per unit time by the electric utility company using information indicating a power generation status of the renewable energy power generation device. Power supply management server.

2. Obtain market prices for energy, calculating a first electricity rate by applying a first unit price according to the market price to a first amount of power of the first energy supplied to the consumer per unit time; and calculating a second electricity rate by applying a second unit price different from the first unit price to the second amount of power. The power supply management server according to claim 1 .

3. The attributes include at least one of a power generation method, a power generation company, a power generation location, a start time of operation, the presence or absence of a subsidy system for the power generation company, and a feature of the power generation equipment. The power supply management server according to claim 1 .

4. The information indicating the power generation status includes at least one of a power generation plan and a power generation record of the power generation device. The power supply management server according to claim 1 .

5. The power generation device is a power generation device that is subject to the Feed-in Tariff Scheme (FIT Scheme) for renewable energy. The power supply management server according to claim 1 .

6. receiving information indicating the amount of power demanded by the consumer per unit time; When the amount of power of the renewable energy that can be supplied to the consumer per unit time, calculated using information indicating the power generation status of the power generation device, is less than the amount of power demanded by the consumer per unit time, the amount of power of the renewable energy is determined as the first amount of power. The power supply management server according to claim 1 .

7. The amount of power obtained by subtracting the first amount of power from the amount of power demanded per unit time of the consumer is determined as the second amount of power. The power supply management server according to claim 6 .

8. A computer program that causes a computer to function as a power supply management server used by an electric utility that supplies power to consumers, Accepting a designation regarding energy to be supplied to the consumer; determining a first amount of power of a first energy to be supplied to the consumer per unit time by the electric utility based on the designation; determining, by using the first amount of power, a second amount of power of a second energy having an attribute different from that of the first energy, which is to be supplied to the consumer by the electric utility company per unit time; the first energy includes renewable energy whose power generation amount fluctuates depending on power generation conditions, Determining the first amount of power to be supplied to the consumer per unit time by the electric utility company includes determining the amount of power from the renewable energy to be supplied to the consumer per unit time by the electric utility company using information indicating a power generation status of the renewable energy power generation device. Computer program.

9. Obtain market prices for energy, calculating a first electricity rate by applying a first unit price according to the market price to a first amount of power of the first energy supplied by the electric utility to the consumer per unit time; causing the electric utility to calculate a second electricity rate by applying a second unit price different from the first unit price to the second amount of power; 9. A computer program according to claim 8.

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