Introduction support system, introduction support method, and introduction support program for environmental load reduction measures

Abstract

To provide an introduction support system of environmental load reduction means capable of presenting an introduction plan for economically achieving environmental goals, an introduction support method, and an introduction support program.SOLUTION: The introduction support system receives a target value of the low environmental impact ratio and the timing of achieving the target value as environmental goals of a business operator. The low environmental impact ratio and the economical efficiency of the candidate means for increasing the low environmental impact ratio is evaluated based on a prediction result of fluctuations in energy consumption of the business operator for the period in which the environmental goals are set. Based on the evaluated low environmental impact ratio and economical efficiency, an introduction plan for achieving the environmental goals including one or more candidate means is presented.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an introduction support system, an introduction support method, and an introduction support program for environmental load reduction measures. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an evaluation information presentation device that calculates target reduction amounts, such as the consumption amount of external energy resources and the generation amount of substances that cause environmental loads. The evaluation information presentation device sets the required amount for each of multiple types of energy resources. Based on input from a user, the evaluation information presentation device sets the input / output relationship of energy resources for energy equipment that produces the energy resources. Based on the set input / output relationship, the evaluation information presentation device calculates the target reduction amount when the energy equipment is operated to meet the set required amount. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-226588 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A target value and a time period for achieving the target value for the environmentally friendly energy ratio, which is the proportion of environmentally friendly energy in total energy consumption, may be set as an environmental goal. In this case, an implementation plan for environmental load reduction measures to achieve the environmental goal is formulated. Generally, the period for which the environmental goal is set is long. Therefore, when the reduction target amount calculated by the evaluation information presentation device of Patent Document 1 based on the current information entered by the user is used to formulate the implementation plan, changes in the situation during the period for which the environmental goal is set may not be reflected. This may result in the formulation of an uneconomical implementation plan.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to solving such problems. The present disclosure provides an introduction support system, an introduction support method, and an introduction support program for environmental load reduction measures that present an introduction plan for economically achieving environmental targets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The support system for introducing environmental load reduction means according to the present disclosure includes a reception unit that receives, as an environmental goal of an enterprise, a target value of an environmentally low load ratio, which is the ratio of environmentally low load energy to consumed energy, and a time period for achieving the target value, and receives a business plan of the enterprise for a target period for which the environmental goal is set; a first prediction unit that predicts fluctuations in the energy consumption of the enterprise over time for the target period using accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the enterprise and information on the business plan; and a second prediction unit that predicts, based on the environmental goal, the amount of energy consumed during the target period that will be covered by environmentally low load energy. and fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business operator predicted by the first prediction unit. Calculated based on calculated The amount of energy covered by environmentally friendly energy during the target period , for each candidate measure to increase the environmentally low burden ratio an evaluation unit that evaluates the economic efficiency of introducing the candidate means by using information about the candidate means stored in advance; and a presentation unit that presents an introduction plan that includes one or more candidate means to be introduced and achieves the environmental goal, based on the economic efficiency evaluated for each candidate means by the evaluation unit. the accumulated and stored information on the business's actual energy consumption is represented by the amount of energy consumed at one or more points in time in the past, the business plan information is represented by a growth rate of business scale, the amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy in the target period is represented by the amount of energy at one or more points in time in the target period, and the introduction plan is represented by a weighting coefficient for each of the one or more candidate means, the first prediction unit predicts fluctuations in the business's energy consumption over time for the target period by correcting a predicted value of energy consumption obtained by at least one of extrapolation, a prediction model method for time series data, and a machine learning method, based on the accumulated and stored information on the business's actual energy consumption, by multiplying it by a coefficient corresponding to the growth rate, and the evaluation unit evaluates economic viability using at least one of purchasing an environmental value certificate, procuring environmentally low load energy from a supplier that provides environmentally low load energy, and introducing equipment that supplies environmentally low load energy as a candidate means. the evaluation unit, for a candidate means for purchasing an environmental value certificate, sets the expenditure obtained by multiplying the amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy by the purchase price of the environmental value certificate per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means, as an evaluation value of economic feasibility; the evaluation unit, for a candidate means for procuring environmentally low load energy from a supplier that provides the environmentally low load energy, sets the expenditure obtained by multiplying the amount of energy to be covered by the environmentally low load energy by the procurement unit price per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means; the evaluation unit, for a candidate means for introducing equipment that supplies environmentally low load energy, sets the profit from selling, as an evaluation value of economic feasibility, the introduction costs and maintenance costs of the equipment, which are information about the candidate means, and the environmental value associated with the surplus of the output energy of the equipment that exceeds the amount of energy to be covered by the environmentally low load energy, as an evaluation value of economic feasibility; and the presentation unit presents the introduction plan generated by an optimization technique that uses the weighting coefficient for each time period as a variable and weights the evaluation value of economic feasibility for each candidate means evaluated by the evaluation unit by the weighting coefficient and takes the sum, for each time point in the target period, as an objective function. .

[0007] The method for supporting the introduction of environmental load reduction means according to the present disclosure includes a receiving step in which a computer system receives, as an environmental goal of an enterprise, a target value of an environmentally low load ratio, which is the ratio of environmentally low load energy to consumed energy, and a time period for achieving the target value, and receives a business plan of the enterprise for a target period for which the environmental goal is set; a prediction step in which, using accumulated and stored information on the enterprise's actual energy consumption and information on the business plan, predicts fluctuations over time in the enterprise's energy consumption for the target period; and a prediction step in which, based on the environmental goal, the amount of energy consumed for the target period that will be covered by environmentally low load energy is calculated. and fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business operator predicted in the prediction step. Calculated based on calculated The amount of energy covered by environmentally friendly energy during the target period , for each candidate measure to increase the environmentally low burden ratio The method includes: an evaluation step of evaluating the economic efficiency of introducing the candidate means using information on the candidate means stored in advance; and a presentation step of presenting an introduction plan that includes one or more candidate means to be introduced and achieves the environmental goal, based on the economic efficiency evaluated for each candidate means in the evaluation step. the accumulated and stored information on the enterprise's actual energy consumption is represented by the amount of energy consumed at one or more points in time in the past, the business plan information is represented by a growth rate of business scale, the amount of energy to be supplied by environmentally friendly energy in the target period is represented by the amount of energy at one or more points in time in the target period, the introduction plan is represented by a weighting coefficient for each of the one or more candidate means, in the prediction step, a prediction of the energy consumption amount predicted by at least one of extrapolation, a prediction model technique for time-series data, and a machine learning technique based on the accumulated and stored actual energy consumption amount of the enterprise is multiplied by a coefficient corresponding to the growth rate, thereby predicting the fluctuation in the enterprise's energy consumption over time in the target period, and in the evaluation step, an evaluation of economic viability is performed using at least one of the following means as the candidate means: purchasing an environmental value certificate, procuring environmentally friendly energy from a supplier that provides environmentally friendly energy, or introducing equipment that supplies environmentally friendly energy, In the step, for a candidate means for purchasing an environmental value certificate, the cost obtained by multiplying the purchase price of the environmental value certificate per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means, by the amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy is set as an economic evaluation value; in the evaluation step, for a candidate means for procuring environmentally low load energy from a supplier that provides environmentally low load energy, the cost obtained by multiplying the procurement unit price per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means, by the amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy is set as an economic evaluation value; in the evaluation step, for a candidate means for introducing equipment that supplies environmentally low load energy, the cost of introducing and maintaining the equipment, which is information about the candidate means, and the profit from selling the environmental value associated with the surplus of the output energy of the equipment that exceeds the amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy, as an environmental value certificate is set as an economic evaluation value; and in the presentation step, the weighting coefficient for each time period is set as a variable, and the introduction plan generated by an optimization method in which the sum of the economic evaluation values ​​for each candidate means evaluated in the evaluation step, weighted by the weighting coefficient, taken for each time point in the target period is presented as an objective function is presented.The method is .

[0008] The program for supporting the introduction of environmental load reduction means according to the present disclosure includes a receiving step in a computer system of receiving, as an environmental goal of an enterprise, a target value of an environmentally low load ratio, which is the ratio of environmentally low load energy to consumed energy, and a time period for achieving the target value, and receiving a business plan of the enterprise for a target period for which the environmental goal is set; a prediction step of predicting fluctuations in the energy consumption of the enterprise over time for the target period using accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the enterprise and information on the business plan; and a prediction step of predicting, based on the environmental goal, the amount of energy consumed during the target period that will be covered by environmentally low load energy. and fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business operator predicted in the prediction step. Calculated based on calculated The amount of energy covered by environmentally friendly energy during the target period , for each candidate measure to increase the environmentally low burden ratio an evaluation step of evaluating the economic efficiency of introducing the candidate means using information on the candidate means stored in advance; and a presentation step of presenting an introduction plan that includes one or more candidate means to be introduced and achieves the environmental goal, based on the economic efficiency evaluated for each candidate means in the evaluation step. , a program, wherein the accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the enterprise is represented by the energy consumption at one or more points in the past, the information on the business plan is represented by a growth rate of the business scale, the amount of energy to be covered by environmentally friendly energy in the target period is represented by the energy amount at one or more points in the target period, the introduction plan is represented by a weighting coefficient for each of the one or more candidate means, and in the prediction step, a prediction value of the energy consumption by the enterprise over time for the target period is predicted by multiplying a coefficient corresponding to the growth rate to a prediction value of the energy consumption by at least one of extrapolation, a prediction model technique for time series data, and a machine learning technique based on the accumulated and stored actual energy consumption of the enterprise, and an evaluation of economic feasibility is performed using at least any means of introducing equipment that supplies low-impact energy as a candidate means; in the evaluation step, for a candidate means for purchasing an environmental value certificate, the evaluation value of economic feasibility is the expenditure obtained by multiplying the amount of energy covered by the environmentally low-impact energy by the purchase price of the environmental value certificate per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means; in the evaluation step, for a candidate means for procuring environmentally low-impact energy from a supplier that provides the environmentally low-impact energy, the evaluation value of economic feasibility is the expenditure obtained by multiplying the amount of energy covered by the environmentally low-impact energy by the procurement unit price per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means; in the evaluation step, for a candidate means for introducing equipment that supplies environmentally low-impact energy, the evaluation value of economic feasibility is the profit from selling, as an environmental value certificate, the introduction costs and maintenance costs of the equipment, which are information about the candidate means, and the environmental value associated with the surplus of the output energy of the equipment that exceeds the amount of energy covered by the environmentally low-impact energy; and in the presentation step, the weight coefficient for each hour is used as a variable;The introduction plan is presented by an optimization method in which the economic evaluation value of each candidate means evaluated in the evaluation step is weighted by the weighting coefficient and the sum of the weights taken for each time point in the target period is used as an objective function. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the system, method, or program for supporting the introduction of environmental load reduction measures disclosed herein, it becomes possible to present an introduction plan that achieves environmental goals economically. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a support system for introducing environmental load reducing means according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an environmental goal in the introduction support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of generation of an introduction plan in the introduction support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the introduction support system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of an introduction support system according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiments may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0012] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a support system for introducing environmental load reducing measures according to the first embodiment.

[0013] Environmental load reduction measures are measures to reduce the burden on the natural environment. The burden on the natural environment is evaluated using indicators such as the consumption of energy resources such as fossil fuels, or the amount of substances that cause burden on the natural environment, such as greenhouse gases. Environmental load reduction measures are introduced, for example, by business operators.

[0014] A business conducted by an operator may be a profit-making business, a non-profit business, a social project, a public project, or other business. The operator conducts business at, for example, one or more bases 1. The operator's base 1 may include a production base, a sales base, a management base, a warehouse, a store, or other base. Note that the operator's base 1 may also include a mobile base such as a vehicle, a ship, or other transportation equipment that is not tied to a fixed location. The operator's base 1 may include, for example, one or more buildings.

[0015] One or more pieces of equipment 2a are in operation at a business site 1. The equipment 2a is used for business activities by the business operator. The equipment 2a operating at the site 1 may include, for example, equipment that produces or converts energy. The equipment 2a operating at the site 1 may include, for example, solar power equipment that converts sunlight into energy such as electricity. The equipment 2a operating at the site 1 may also include storage equipment that stores energy. The storage equipment includes, for example, battery equipment that stores energy as electricity. The equipment 2a operating at the site 1 may also include consumption equipment that consumes energy supplied from an external supplier 3a. The consumption equipment includes, for example, air conditioning equipment, hot water supply equipment, lighting equipment, ventilation equipment, and elevator equipment. The status of the equipment 2a operating at the site 1 may be monitored by, for example, a central monitoring device 2b. The central monitoring device 2b collects information such as the operating status of the equipment 2a from the equipment 2a. The equipment 2a operating at the base 1 may have its energy consumption or production managed by an energy management system 2c or the like. The energy management system 2c or xEMS (Energy Management System) includes, for example, a BEMS (Building EMS) applied to buildings such as commercial buildings, and an FEMS (Factory EMS) applied to factories. The energy management system 2c may include one that is applied to the entire base 1 or the entire region. Here, the equipment 2a used for business activities by a business operator may include vehicles, ships, or other transportation equipment that are not tied to a specific base 1 or region. Vehicles include, for example, automobiles.

[0016] At a business site 1 or the like, energy is procured from an external supplier 3a. The external supplier 3a is, for example, an electric power company that supplies commercial AC power as energy. The procurement of energy from the external supplier 3a is managed by, for example, an energy management system 2c.

[0017] Businesses may set environmental goals to reduce their environmental impact. The environmental goal is set based on a target value for the low environmental impact ratio and a time frame for achieving the target value. The low environmental impact ratio is the ratio of low environmental impact energy to the energy consumed by the business. Low environmental impact energy is energy that can reduce the burden on the natural environment. Examples of low environmental impact energy include renewable energy, low-carbon energy, and non-fossil energy. The low environmental impact ratio is, for example, the renewable energy ratio, i.e., the ratio of electricity used that is supplied by renewable energy. Environmental goals correspond to, for example, conditions required for efforts such as RE100, RE Action, or other environmental activities. For example, an environmental goal may be set based on a target value for the low environmental impact ratio and a time frame for achieving the target value, such as achieving a 100% renewable energy ratio by 2050. One or more intermediate goals may be set within the environmental goal. For example, environmental goals may be set as targets for the low environmental impact ratio and the timeframe for achieving said target values, such as achieving a 60% renewable energy ratio by 2030, a 90% renewable energy ratio by 2040, and a 100% renewable energy ratio by 2050.

[0018] Businesses aim to achieve their environmental goals by, for example, gradually introducing measures to reduce environmental impact. The measures may be, for example, measures to increase the low environmental impact ratio. The measures may include, for example, a first type of measure that increases the low environmental impact ratio by reducing the denominator of the low environmental impact ratio, i.e., by reducing the total amount of energy consumed by the business. The measures may also include, for example, a second type of measure that increases the numerator of the low environmental impact ratio, i.e., by increasing the portion of the business's energy consumption that is covered by low environmental impact energy. The measures may include, for example, the introduction of facilities 2a that produce or convert energy as low environmental impact energy. The measures may include, for example, switching from energy procured from external suppliers 3a to low environmental impact energy. The measures may include, for example, reducing the amount of procured energy, i.e., reducing energy consumption. The measures may also indirectly contribute to reducing the burden on the natural environment. The means for reducing environmental load may include, for example, a means for procuring environmental value itself from an external institution. Procurement of environmental value includes, for example, the purchase of environmental value certificates. The environmental value is, for example, the added value of contributing to reducing the load on the natural environment, which is separated from the value of the energy itself that environmentally friendly energy has. The environmental value certificate is, for example, a certificate that certifies the transaction of environmental value. The environmental value certificate includes, for example, J-Credit, Non-Fossil Certificate, and Green Power Certificate.

[0019] A business operator achieves its environmental goals by sequentially introducing measures to reduce environmental impacts in accordance with an implementation plan. The implementation plan includes plans for the measures to be introduced and the timing of their introduction. The implementation plan is set for the period for which the environmental goals are set. Here, the period for which the environmental goals are set is, for example, the period until the target value for the low environmental impact ratio is achieved. The period for which an environmental goal is set may be, for example, a period from the present, a period from a point in the past when the environmental goal was set, or a period from a point in the future set as the start date for the environmental goal. The period for which an environmental goal is set may be, for example, a medium- to long-term period of about 10 years or more.

[0020] The introduction support system 4 is a system that supports the introduction of environmental load reduction measures by businesses and the like. The introduction support system 4 may be used, for example, when proposing the introduction of environmental load reduction measures to businesses, or when businesses themselves consider introducing environmental load reduction measures. In other words, users of the introduction support system 4 include, for example, consulting companies, equipment suppliers, maintenance companies, or other businesses that propose the introduction of environmental load reduction measures to businesses, or the businesses themselves. The introduction support system 4 supports the introduction of environmental load reduction measures by presenting an introduction plan that achieves environmental goals.

[0021] The introduction support system 4 is, for example, a computer system composed of one or more server computers. Some or all of the functions of the introduction support system 4 may be implemented in a virtual machine on a cloud service, or by storage or processing resources on the cloud service. The introduction support system 4 executes each function by, for example, loading a program recorded on a recording medium and operating in accordance with the program. The recording medium on which the program is recorded may be, for example, built into the introduction support system 4, connected to the introduction support system 4, or connected to an external device that communicates with the introduction support system 4. The program may be a software package including multiple pieces of software that run on each of one or more server computers that make up the computer system.

[0022] A user of the introduction support system 4 accesses the introduction support system 4, for example, through a terminal device 5. The terminal device 5 is, for example, a general-purpose information terminal such as a personal computer or a smartphone. The terminal device 5 is equipped with a function for accepting information input from the user and a function for outputting information to the user. The terminal device 5 is connected to the introduction support system 4 through a communication network such as the Internet or a telephone line network.

[0023] The introduction support system 4 includes a first memory unit 41, a second memory unit 42, a third memory unit 43, a collection unit 44, a reception unit 45, a first prediction unit 46, a second prediction unit 47, an evaluation unit 48, and a presentation unit 49.

[0024] Each of the storage units, such as the first storage unit 41, the second storage unit 42, and the third storage unit 43, is a unit equipped with a function for storing information. Each storage unit may be realized, for example, by different pieces of hardware, or may be realized by different storage areas on the same hardware.

[0025] The first storage unit 41 stores information such as the operation history of the equipment 2a operating at the business operator's base 1 or the like. The information on the operation history of the equipment 2a indicates, for example, the operation status of the equipment 2a for each operating hour. The operation status of the equipment 2a includes information such as the amount of energy output by the equipment 2a through production or conversion, and the amount of energy consumed by the equipment 2a. The information on the operation history may be, for example, time-series data.

[0026] The second storage unit 42 stores information on candidate measures for increasing the low environmental load ratio. The candidate measures are environmental load reduction measures that are candidates for introduction. The second storage unit 42 stores, as information on the candidate measures, for example, information on changes in environmental value or economic efficiency when the environmental load reduction measure is introduced, for each environmental load reduction measure. The information on changes in environmental value when the environmental load reduction measure is introduced includes, for example, information such as the amount of energy that can be counted as environmentally low load energy by the environmental load reduction measure. Furthermore, the information on changes in environmental value when the environmental load reduction measure is introduced includes, for example, information such as the unit cost of energy procurement by the environmental load reduction measure, or the initial introduction cost or maintenance cost.

[0027] When the second storage unit 42 stores the introduction of a facility 2a that supplies environmentally friendly energy as a candidate means, it stores information such as the introduction cost, maintenance cost, and output of energy that can be supplied of the facility 2a. The second storage unit 42 may also store information such as the supplier 3b of the facility 2a. The energy supplied by the facility 2a can be counted as environmentally friendly energy when consumed by the facility itself. The facility 2a is, for example, a solar power facility.

[0028] When the second storage unit 42 stores information such as the energy procurement unit price when storing the procurement of environmentally friendly energy such as renewable energy from the energy supplier 3a as a candidate means, the second storage unit 42 stores information such as the energy procurement unit price. The procurement unit price is the price at which a unit amount of energy, such as electric energy, is procured. The information on the procurement unit price is, for example, information such as the unit price of electricity supplied by an electric power company. The procurement unit price is determined by a procurement menu. The procurement menu may be selected from a menu prepared and presented in advance by the energy supplier 3a, or may be based on an individual contract with the energy supplier 3a. The procurement menu may present a fixed procurement unit price, a procurement unit price that varies depending on conditions such as the time of energy consumption, or a procurement unit price that is linked to the market price of energy, which changes over time. Note that when the procurement unit price varies over a short period of time, such as in 30-minute increments, the second storage unit 42 may store an average value over a longer period of time, such as daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly, as the procurement unit price. The second storage unit 42 may store information such as an emission coefficient for the supplier 3a. Energy procured as renewable energy from the supplier 3a can be counted as environmentally friendly energy.

[0029] When the second storage unit 42 stores the purchase of an environmental value certificate as a candidate means, it stores information such as the purchase price per energy of the certificate. The amount of energy corresponding to the purchased environmental value certificate can be counted as environmentally friendly energy.

[0030] When the second storage unit 42 stores the renewal or renovation of the consuming equipment as a candidate means, it stores information such as the cost of renewal or renovation of the equipment, the maintenance cost after renewal or renovation, and the energy consumption after renewal or renovation. The second storage unit 42 may store information such as the difference or rate of change in the maintenance cost or energy consumption before and after renewal or renovation. The second storage unit 42 may also store information such as the supplier 3b of the equipment. When renewal or renovation of the equipment reduces the energy consumption under similar operating conditions, the low environmental impact ratio is increased.

[0031] When the second storage unit 42 stores updating or renovating the operating environment of the consumption equipment as a candidate means, it stores information such as the cost of updating or renovating the operating environment, the maintenance cost after the update or renovation, and the energy consumption after the update or renovation. The second storage unit 42 may store information such as the difference or rate of change in maintenance cost or energy consumption before and after the update or renovation. The operating environment of the consumption equipment is, for example, the insulation performance of a building to which air conditioning equipment is applied. The second storage unit 42 may store information such as a contractor who handles updating or renovating the operating environment. When updating or renovating the operating environment reduces energy consumption under similar operating conditions, the low environmental impact ratio is increased.

[0032] The second storage unit 42 may store information on tax systems including environmental taxes such as carbon taxes, and systems such as subsidies for measures to reduce the burden on the natural environment.

[0033] The third storage unit 43 stores information such as the history of changes in the business environment. Changes in the business environment are represented, for example, by fluctuations over time in values ​​related to the business environment of the enterprise. Values ​​related to the business environment include, for example, the unit price of energy procurement, the cost of purchasing an environmental value certificate, or values ​​representing taxable items such as environmental taxes or tax rates. The information on the history of changes in the business environment may be, for example, time-series data.

[0034] The collection unit 44 is a part that has a function of collecting information from outside the introduction support system 4. The collection unit 44 collects information via a communication network such as the Internet or a telephone line network.

[0035] The collection unit 44 collects, for example, information on the operating status of equipment 2a operating at a business operator's base 1 or the like from the equipment 2a itself, a central monitoring device 2b that monitors the status of the equipment 2a, an energy management device applied to the equipment 2a, etc. The operating status information collected by the collection unit 44 is stored in the first storage unit 41.

[0036] The collection unit 44 collects, for example, information on changes in environmental value or economic efficiency when each environmental load reduction measure is introduced. For example, for an environmental load reduction measure that involves introducing a facility 2a that supplies environmentally friendly energy, the collection unit 44 collects information from the supplier 3b of the facility 2a. For example, for an environmental load reduction measure that involves procuring environmentally friendly energy, such as renewable energy, from the supplier 3a, the collection unit 44 collects information such as procurement options from the supplier 3a. For example, for an environmental load reduction measure that involves purchasing an environmental value certificate, the collection unit 44 collects information from the issuing organization 3c of the environmental value certificate. For example, for an environmental load reduction measure that involves updating or renovating a consumer facility or its operating environment, the collection unit 44 collects information from the supplier 3b of the facility or a contractor that handles the update or renovation of the facility. For example, the collection unit 44 collects information on systems such as tax systems and subsidies from public institutions 3d. The information on environmental load reduction measures and information on systems collected by the collection unit 44 is stored in the second storage unit 42. Of these, information that changes over time is accumulated and stored in, for example, the third storage unit 43.

[0037] The reception unit 45 is a part that has a function for receiving information input by a user via a management terminal. The reception unit 45 receives, for example, input of environmental goals. The reception unit 45 may also receive input of a business plan. A business plan represents a medium- to long-term plan, such as business expansion. The business plan is set, for example, for a medium- to long-term period that includes the target period for which the environmental goals are set. The reception unit 45 may also receive input of the implementation record of environmental load reduction measures. The implementation record includes information such as the actual implementation date for environmental load reduction measures that were planned to be implemented in the implementation plan. Information on the implementation record may also be input as information on differences from the implementation plan.

[0038] The first prediction unit 46 is a component equipped with a function for predicting fluctuations in the business operator's energy consumption for a target period for which an environmental goal is set. The first prediction unit 46 predicts fluctuations in energy consumption using, for example, information on the operation history of the equipment 2a accumulated and stored in the first storage unit 41 or the like. The first prediction unit 46 uses, for example, information on the operation history, such as the energy consumption per operation hour. The first prediction unit 46 may predict fluctuations in energy consumption by, for example, extrapolation. The first prediction unit 46 may predict fluctuations in energy consumption using, for example, a prediction model for time-series data. The first prediction unit 46 may predict fluctuations in energy consumption by, for example, machine learning using information on the operation history of the equipment 2a as input. When information on a business plan is input, the first prediction unit 46 predicts fluctuations in energy consumption using the information on the business plan. The first prediction unit 46 corrects, for example, fluctuations in energy consumption predicted based on the operation history, based on the information on the business plan. For example, when the business plan is expressed by the growth rate of the business scale, the first prediction unit 46 may make a correction by multiplying the predicted value of the energy consumption amount based on the operation record by a coefficient according to the growth rate.

[0039] The second prediction unit 47 is a component equipped with a function for predicting fluctuations in the business environment of the enterprise during the target period for which the environmental goal is set. The second prediction unit 47 predicts fluctuations in the business environment using, for example, information such as the history of changes in the business environment accumulated and stored in the third storage unit 43 or the like. The second prediction unit 47 may predict fluctuations in the business environment, for example, by extrapolation. The second prediction unit 47 may predict fluctuations in the business environment using, for example, a prediction model for time-series data. The second prediction unit 47 may predict fluctuations in the business environment using, for example, a technique such as machine learning, with input information on the history of changes in the business environment. The second prediction unit 47 predicts, as changes in the business environment, changes in the unit price of energy procurement, changes in the emission coefficient of greenhouse gases or the like for the energy supplier 3a, or changes in the price for purchasing environmental value certificates, for example. The second prediction unit 47 may also predict changes in the energy plan of a country or the like, such as changes in the energy mix. The second prediction unit 47 may correct predictions of the energy procurement unit price, the emission coefficient, the price of the environmental value certificate, or the like, based on changes in the predicted energy mix or the like.

[0040] The evaluation unit 48 is a component equipped with a function for evaluating the environmentally friendly ratio and economic efficiency of candidate measures for increasing the environmentally friendly ratio. For example, the evaluation unit 48 uses the result of the prediction of the fluctuation in energy consumption by the first prediction unit 46 as the amount of energy consumed for the period for which the environmental goal is set. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 48 calculates, for example, the portion of the amount of energy consumed for the period for which the environmental goal is set that will be covered by environmentally friendly energy, based on the environmental goal. For example, the evaluation unit 48 calculates the change in environmental value or economic efficiency when the environmental load reduction measure is introduced for the portion of the energy consumed that will be covered by environmentally friendly energy for each environmental load reduction measure. To calculate the change in environmental value or economic efficiency, the evaluation unit 48 uses information on the candidate measures stored in the second storage unit 42. The evaluation unit 48 may also use information included in the prediction result of the fluctuation in the business environment predicted by the second prediction unit 47 based on the information stored in the third storage unit 43 to calculate the change in environmental value or economic efficiency.

[0041] The evaluation unit 48 evaluates, for example, an environmental load reduction measure that introduces equipment 2a that supplies environmentally friendly energy, assuming that the energy supplied by the equipment 2a is consumed internally. The evaluation unit 48 calculates, for example, the installation costs and maintenance costs of the equipment 2a as an evaluation value of economic viability. The evaluation unit 48 also includes the output energy of the equipment 2a in the portion of the energy consumed by the business that is covered by environmentally friendly energy. If there is a surplus in the output energy of the equipment 2a, the evaluation unit 48 may include profits from selling the surplus energy in the evaluation value of economic viability. If there is a surplus in the low environmental load ratio relative to the environmental target, the evaluation unit 48 may include profits from selling the environmental value associated with the surplus energy output by the equipment 2a as an environmental value certificate in the evaluation value of economic viability. The environmental load reduction measure that introduces equipment 2a that supplies environmentally friendly energy is an example of a second type of measure.

[0042] The evaluation unit 48 evaluates, for example, an environmental load reduction measure that procures environmentally friendly energy from a supplier 3a based on the procurement menu of the supplier 3a. The evaluation unit 48 calculates an evaluation value of the economic efficiency of the environmental load reduction measure by, for example, multiplying the portion of energy consumption that is covered by environmentally friendly energy by the procurement unit price in the procurement menu. The evaluation unit 48 also includes the procured energy in the portion of the business's energy consumption that is covered by environmentally friendly energy. The environmental load reduction measure that procures environmentally friendly energy from a supplier 3a is an example of a second type of measure.

[0043] For example, for an environmental load reduction measure that purchases an environmental value certificate, the evaluation unit 48 calculates an evaluation value of the economic efficiency of the environmental load reduction measure by multiplying the purchase price per energy by the portion of energy consumption that is covered by environmentally low load energy. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 48 performs the evaluation by assuming that the amount of energy consumed by the business operator that corresponds to the purchased environmental value certificate is covered by environmentally low load energy. An environmental load reduction measure that purchases an environmental value certificate is an example of a second type of measure.

[0044] For example, the evaluation unit 48 calculates the cost of updating or renovating the consumption equipment or its operating environment as an environmental load reduction measure, and the maintenance cost after the update or renovation, as an economic evaluation value. Furthermore, if the energy consumption of the consumption equipment under similar operating conditions is reduced by the update or renovation, the evaluation unit 48 subtracts the reduced energy from the energy consumption of the business operator. The environmental load reduction measure of updating or renovating the consumption equipment or its operating environment is an example of a first type of measure.

[0045] The evaluation unit 48 calculates the low environmental load ratio when environmental load reduction measures are introduced by dividing the portion of the energy consumed by the business operator that is covered by low environmental load energy when environmental load reduction measures are introduced by the total amount of energy consumed by the business operator when environmental load reduction measures are introduced.

[0046] The evaluation unit 48 may evaluate the environmental load reduction ratio and economic efficiency of a candidate measure that is a combination of multiple environmental load reduction measures. The evaluation unit 48 may also include the tax burden and subsidies of the business operator in the evaluation of economic efficiency, based on the total amount of energy consumed by the business operator when the environmental load reduction measures are introduced and the portion of that amount that is covered by environmentally low load energy.

[0047] The presentation unit 49 is a component equipped with a function for presenting an implementation plan for achieving environmental goals. The presentation unit 49 generates the implementation plan to be presented based on the environmental load reduction ratio and economic efficiency evaluated by the evaluation unit 48. If an implementation plan has already been generated, the presentation unit 49 may modify the already generated implementation plan. The implementation plan includes information on one or more environmental load reduction measures evaluated by the evaluation unit 48 and the timing of their introduction. The implementation plan may include, for example, the purchase of an environmental value certificate, the procurement of environmentally friendly energy from a supplier 3a that provides environmentally friendly energy, the installation of equipment 2a that supplies environmentally friendly energy, or the renewal or renovation of consumption equipment or its operating environment. The presentation unit 49 presents the generated implementation plan to a user, for example, via a terminal device 5.

[0048] When information on the implementation record is input, the presentation unit 49 updates the implementation plan based on the difference between the implementation record and the implementation plan. For example, the presentation unit 49 fixes the input implementation record and updates the implementation plan so that the environmental target is achieved by the subsequent introduction of environmental load reduction measures. The presentation unit 49 presents the updated implementation plan to the user, for example, via the terminal device 5.

[0049] Next, an example of the operation of the introduction support system 4 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of environmental goals in the introduction support system 4 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of generation of an introduction plan in the introduction support system 4 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the introduction support system 4 according to the first embodiment.

[0050] The horizontal axis in FIG. 2 represents time. The vertical axis in Figure 2 represents the ratio of low environmental impact.

[0051] The circular markers in Figure 2 represent the input environmental goals. The input environmental goals include intermediate goals. These environmental goals are set to achieve an environmentally friendly ratio of 60% by 2030, an environmentally friendly ratio of 90% by 2040, and an environmentally friendly ratio of 100% by 2050. The environmentally friendly ratio may be, for example, the ratio of renewable energy.

[0052] The bar graph in FIG. 2 represents the planned additional amount of the low environmental impact ratio that is increased by introducing environmental impact reduction measures in order to achieve the environmental goal. The planned additional amount of the low environmental impact ratio may be input by the user via the terminal device 5, or may be automatically set by the implementation support system 4 based on the environmental goal. For example, for a period when a target value is set in the environmental goal, the implementation support system 4 sets the shortfall of the low environmental impact ratio relative to the target value as the planned additional amount for that period. The implementation support system 4 may also distribute the planned additional amount of the low environmental impact ratio over a predetermined period. For example, the implementation support system 4 distributes the planned additional amount over a predetermined time period, such as every five years. In this example, the planned additional amount represents, for example, the increase in the low environmental impact ratio due to a second type of measure that increases the portion of energy consumption covered by environmentally friendly energy.

[0053] The solid line in Figure 2 represents the planned value of the transition of the low environmental load ratio to achieve the environmental target. This planned value is calculated, for example, as the cumulative value of the planned additional amount of the low environmental load ratio. The planned value of the transition of the low environmental load ratio may be input by the user via the terminal device 5, or may be automatically set by the implementation support system 4 from the environmental target. In this case, the planned additional amount of the low environmental load ratio is calculated based on the difference between the planned values ​​of the transition of the low environmental load ratio.

[0054] The horizontal axis in FIG. 3 represents time. The first vertical axis in Figure 3 represents the amount of energy. The scale of the first vertical axis is displayed on the left side of the graph. In the graph in Figure 3, the amount of energy is displayed as a relative value, with the total amount of energy consumed in 2020 set to 1,000. The secondary vertical axis in Figure 3 represents the low environmental impact ratio. The scale of the secondary vertical axis is displayed on the right side of the graph.

[0055] The dashed line in Figure 3 represents the fluctuation in the energy consumption of the business operator predicted by the first prediction unit 46. Here, the low environmental load ratio can be increased by introducing a first type of measure that reduces the total amount of energy consumed by the business operator relative to the energy consumption predicted by the first prediction unit 46. The dashed line in Figure 3 represents the fluctuation in the planned value of the business operator's energy consumption reduced by the introduction of such environmental load reduction measures. Here, when the environmental goal includes information such as the target value for energy consumption and the time period for achieving it, the introduction of the first type of measure among the environmental load reduction measures is planned so as to achieve the target value for energy consumption.

[0056] The bar graph in Figure 3 shows the planned additional amount of environmentally friendly energy. The planned additional amount of environmentally friendly energy is calculated, for example, for a period for which a planned additional amount of environmentally friendly energy is set, by multiplying the planned energy consumption value for that period by the planned additional amount of environmentally friendly energy.

[0057] The solid line in Fig. 3 represents the planned value of the amount of environmentally friendly energy, i.e., the amount of energy that will be covered by environmentally friendly energy out of the planned value of the energy consumption of the business operator. The planned value of environmentally friendly energy is calculated, for example, as the cumulative value of the planned additional amount of environmentally friendly energy.

[0058] The area graph in Figure 3 shows the planned value of the transition of the low environmental impact ratio when environmental impact reduction measures are introduced according to the implementation plan. The planned value of the low environmental impact ratio is calculated, for example, for each period of the target period for which the environmental target is set, by dividing the planned value of the amount of environmentally low energy for that period by the planned value of the amount of energy consumption for that period.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation of the introduction support system 4 related to the presentation of the introduction plan.

[0060] In this example, the introduction plan is represented by weighting coefficients for each candidate means at each time period. The weighting coefficients are set, for example, for each period in the target period for which the environmental goal is set. The weighting coefficients are set, for example, for each preset time unit, such as one year, in the target period. Here, the presentation unit 49 may generate the introduction plan by pre-storing multiple patterns of weighting coefficient combinations and selecting one of the patterns. Alternatively, the presentation unit 49 may generate the introduction plan by a technique such as optimization using the weighting coefficients as variables, i.e., mathematical programming. In this case, the presentation unit 49 calculates weighting coefficients that are a solution to a mathematical programming problem, for example, with economic efficiency as the objective function and the environmental goal as the constraint. The presentation unit 49 may also generate the introduction plan by setting weighting coefficients using other techniques.

[0061] In step S01, the reception unit 45 receives an input of an environmental target through the terminal device 5. The input introduction plan may include information such as the planned additional amount of the low environmental load ratio. If the introduction plan does not include information such as the planned additional amount of the low environmental load ratio, the presentation unit 49 calculates the planned additional amount based on the input environmental target. The reception unit 45 may also receive an input of a business plan through the terminal device 5. If an introduction plan has already been set, the reception unit 45 may also receive an input of the introduction record through the terminal device 5. Thereafter, the processing of the introduction support system 4 proceeds to step S02.

[0062] In step S02, the first prediction unit 46 predicts the energy consumption of the business operator. After that, the process of the introduction support system 4 proceeds to step S03.

[0063] In step S03, the presentation unit 49 generates a provisional introduction plan for evaluating economic efficiency, etc. When the presentation unit 49 generates an introduction plan by selecting from a plurality of patterns, the presentation unit 49 selects one of the plurality of patterns that has not yet been selected and sets it as the provisional introduction plan. When the presentation unit 49 generates an introduction plan using mathematical programming, the presentation unit 49 updates the provisional introduction plan, for example, based on a previously evaluated provisional introduction plan and the evaluation results. For example, when evaluating a provisional introduction plan for the first time, the presentation unit 49 may set an initial value of a weight coefficient using, for example, a random number, and generate the provisional introduction plan. After generating the provisional introduction plan, the processing of the introduction support system 4 proceeds to step S04.

[0064] In step S04, the presentation unit 49 sets the time period to be calculated to the start of the period for which the environmental goal is set. For example, if the period for which the environmental goal is set starts in 2020, the presentation unit 49 sets the time period to be calculated to 2020. Thereafter, the processing of the introduction support system 4 proceeds to step S05.

[0065] In step S05, the presentation unit 49 calculates the reduction amount of energy consumption predicted by the first prediction unit 46 for the calculation period. If the environmental goal includes a target value for energy consumption, the presentation unit 49 calculates the reduction amount based on, for example, the difference between the target value and the predicted value. Here, if an environmental load reduction measure has already been introduced before the calculation period, the presentation unit 49 may calculate the reduction amount based on the difference from the target value after reflecting the effects of the environmental load reduction measure in the predicted value of energy consumption. Note that if the environmental goal does not include a target value for energy consumption, the presentation unit 49 may select the reduction amount as one of the patterns in the introduction plan or set it as a variable in the mathematical programming problem. The presentation unit 49 calculates the amount of energy consumption reduction to be achieved by which environmental load reduction measure based on the calculated reduction amount and the weighting coefficient set for the first type of measure in the tentative introduction plan for the calculation period. The process of the introduction support system 4 then proceeds to step S06.

[0066] In step S06, the presentation unit 49 calculates the planned amount of environmentally low load energy to be added for the calculation period based on the planned energy consumption value obtained by reflecting the reduction amount calculated in step S05 in the predicted energy consumption value.The presentation unit 49 calculates how much environmentally low load energy to add and by which environmental load reduction means based on the calculated planned amount to be added and the weighting coefficient set for the second type of means for the calculation period in the tentative introduction plan.Then, the processing of the introduction support system 4 proceeds to step S07.

[0067] In step S07, the presentation unit 49 advances the period to be calculated. For example, if the period to be calculated is set to one year, the presentation unit 49 advances the period to be calculated to the next year. Thereafter, the process of the introduction support system 4 proceeds to step S08.

[0068] In step S08, the presentation unit 49 determines whether the calculation period is after the end of the period for which the environmental goal is set. That is, the presentation unit 49 determines whether the setting of environmental load reduction measures in the provisional introduction plan has been completed for the entire period for which the environmental goal is set. If the determination result is NO, the process of the introduction support system 4 proceeds to step S05. On the other hand, if the determination result is YES, the process of the introduction support system 4 proceeds to step S09.

[0069] In step S09, the evaluation unit 48 evaluates the transition of the environmental load ratio and the economic efficiency of implementing the provisional implementation plan based on the environmental load reduction measures set by the presentation unit 49 in the provisional implementation plan. The evaluation unit 48 calculates the costs incurred in each period based on the information calculated for each period, which indicates the amount of energy consumption reduction achieved by each environmental load reduction measure and the amount of environmentally low load energy added by each environmental load reduction measure. The evaluation unit 48 calculates, for example, the sum of the costs incurred in each period as an index of economic efficiency. Alternatively, the evaluation unit 48 may calculate the index of economic efficiency by summing up the future value of costs incurred in future periods, discounted to their present value. Thereafter, the processing of the implementation support system 4 proceeds to step S10.

[0070] In step S10, the presentation unit 49 determines whether a calculation termination condition for the provisional introduction plan is met. For example, when the presentation unit 49 generates an introduction plan by selecting from a plurality of patterns, the presentation unit 49 determines that the calculation termination condition is met when all selectable patterns are selected as the provisional introduction plan. For example, when the presentation unit 49 generates an introduction plan by mathematical programming, the presentation unit 49 determines that the calculation termination condition is met when a convergence condition in the mathematical programming is met. If the determination result is NO, the processing of the introduction support system 4 proceeds to step S03, and calculation is performed for the newly generated provisional introduction plan. On the other hand, if the determination result is YES, the processing of the introduction support system 4 proceeds to step S11.

[0071] In step S11, the presentation unit 49 selects the most economical of the tentative introduction plans whose economic efficiency has been evaluated. For example, when the sum of costs incurred in each period is calculated as an indicator of economic efficiency, the presentation unit 49 selects the tentative introduction plan that results in the lowest sum. The presentation unit 49 generates the selected tentative introduction plan as the introduction plan to be presented. The presentation unit 49 presents the generated introduction plan to the user via the terminal device 5. The presentation unit 49 may also present the evaluated economic efficiency to the user. Thereafter, the processing of the introduction support system 4 ends.

[0072] As described above, the support system 4 for introducing environmental load reduction measures according to the first embodiment includes a receiving unit 45, a first prediction unit 46, an evaluation unit 48, and a presentation unit 49. The receiving unit 45 receives a target value for the low environmental load ratio and a time period for achieving the target value as the business operator's environmental goal. The low environmental load ratio is the ratio of environmentally low load energy to total energy consumption. The first prediction unit 46 predicts fluctuations in the business operator's energy consumption for a target period for which the environmental goal is set. The evaluation unit 48 evaluates the low environmental load ratio and economic efficiency of candidate measures for increasing the low environmental load ratio based on the prediction results by the first prediction unit 46. The presentation unit 49 presents an introduction plan that includes one or more candidate measures and achieves the environmental goal, based on the low environmental load ratio and economic efficiency evaluated by the evaluation unit 48. Furthermore, the method for supporting the introduction of environmental load reduction measures according to the first embodiment includes a receiving step, a prediction step, an evaluation step, and a presentation step. The receiving step is a step of receiving a target value for a low environmental load ratio and a time period for achieving the target value as the business operator's environmental goal. The prediction step is a step of predicting fluctuations in the business operator's energy consumption for a target period for which the environmental goal is set. The evaluation step is a step of evaluating the low environmental load ratio and economic efficiency of candidate measures for increasing the low environmental load ratio based on the prediction results in the prediction step. The presentation step is a step of presenting an introduction plan that includes one or more candidate measures and achieves the environmental goal, based on the low environmental load ratio and economic efficiency evaluated in the evaluation step. The introduction support program for environmental load reducing means according to the first embodiment causes a computer system such as the introduction support system 4 to execute a receiving step, a prediction step, an evaluation step, and a presentation step.

[0073] With this configuration, the implementation plan for environmental load reduction measures formulated based on the prediction results of fluctuations in energy consumption by the business operator reflects changes in circumstances such as fluctuations in energy consumption. Because the fluctuations in energy consumption, which are the premise for formulating the implementation plan, are taken into account, the reliability of the implementation plan is increased. This increases the accuracy of the evaluation of the economic viability of the formulated implementation plan. This makes it possible to present an implementation plan that achieves environmental goals more economically.

[0074] Furthermore, the first prediction unit 46 uses accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the business operator when predicting fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business operator.

[0075] With this configuration, the predicted results of fluctuations in energy consumption are based on actual energy consumption, further increasing the reliability of the introduction plan.

[0076] Furthermore, the presenting unit 49 presents the introduction plan including the purchase of environmental value certificates as a candidate measure. The presentation unit 49 also presents the introduction plan including the procurement of environmentally friendly energy from a supplier 3a that provides environmentally friendly energy as a candidate means. Furthermore, the presentation unit 49 presents an introduction plan that includes the introduction of the facility 2a that supplies environmentally friendly energy as a candidate measure.

[0077] With this structure, specific measures for increasing the environmentally friendly ratio will be presented by introducing the second type of measure, which increases the numerator of the environmentally friendly ratio, i.e., increases the portion of the energy consumed by businesses that is covered by environmentally friendly energy.

[0078] The presentation unit 49 also presents an introduction plan including renewal or renovation of the energy-consuming equipment 2a as a candidate measure. Furthermore, the presentation unit 49 presents an introduction plan that includes updating or renovating the operating environment of the energy-consuming facility 2a as a candidate measure.

[0079] With this structure, specific measures for increasing the low environmental impact ratio will be presented by introducing the first type of measure, which reduces the denominator of the low environmental impact ratio, i.e., reduces the total amount of energy consumed by businesses.

[0080] The receiving unit 45 also receives the business plan of the business operator for the period for which the environmental goal is set. The first prediction unit 46 uses the information on the business plan received by the receiving unit 45 to predict the energy consumption of the business operator.

[0081] This configuration allows the presentation of an implementation plan that reflects the business operator's mid- to long-term plans, including the target period for which the environmental goals are set.

[0082] The introduction support system 4 also includes a second prediction unit 47. The second prediction unit 47 predicts changes in the business environment of the operator during the target period for which the environmental goal is set. The evaluation unit 48 uses the results of the prediction by the second prediction unit 47 in evaluating the economic efficiency. Furthermore, the second prediction unit 47 predicts the transition of the energy procurement unit price as a change in the business environment. Furthermore, the second prediction unit 47 predicts the transition of the price of the environmental value certificate as a change in the business environment. Furthermore, the second prediction unit 47 predicts the transition of the emission coefficient for the energy supplier 3a as a change in the business environment.

[0083] With this configuration, an implementation plan that reflects changes in the mid- to long-term business environment, including the period for which the environmental goals are set, can be presented. This allows for a more persuasive implementation plan to be presented. The second prediction unit 47 may predict, for example, the environmental value per energy unit, taking into account changes in society's energy plan or changes in the energy mix. The predicted environmental value here corresponds, for example, to the emission coefficient in electricity retail. The second prediction unit 47 may also predict changes in the energy emission coefficient due to changes in the power source mix, such as a reduction in thermal power generation and an expansion in the scale of power generation using renewable energy.

[0084] The receiving unit 45 also receives input of the implementation record of the environmental load reducing measures. The presenting unit 49 amends the implementation plan based on the difference between the implementation record input received by the receiving unit 45 and the implementation plan, and presents the revised implementation plan.

[0085] With this configuration, if there is a surplus or deficiency in the implementation results relative to the implementation plan, an implementation plan that compensates for the surplus or deficiency can be presented.

[0086] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the introduction support system 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main part of the introduction support system 4 according to the first embodiment.

[0087] Each function of the installation support system 4 may be realized by a processing circuit. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 100 a and at least one memory 100 b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 in addition to or in place of the processor 100 a and the memory 100 b.

[0088] When the processing circuit includes a processor 100a and a memory 100b, each function of the introduction support system 4 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the introduction support system 4 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b.

[0089] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), processing device, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 100b is configured by, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM.

[0090] Where the processing circuitry comprises dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, multiple circuits, a programmed processor, parallel programmed processors, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0091] Each function of the introduction support system 4 can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the introduction support system 4 can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the introduction support system 4 may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the introduction support system 4 by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

[0092] Possible configurations of the technology according to the present disclosure include the following configurations. (1) a receiving unit that receives a target value of an environmentally friendly ratio, which is a ratio of environmentally friendly energy to total energy consumption, and a time period for achieving the target value as an environmental goal of the business operator; a first prediction unit that predicts fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business operator for a target period for which the environmental target is set; an evaluation unit that evaluates the environmentally friendly ratio and economic efficiency of candidate means for increasing the environmentally friendly ratio based on the prediction result by the first prediction unit; a presentation unit that presents an implementation plan that includes one or more candidate measures and achieves the environmental goal based on the environmental load reduction ratio and economic efficiency evaluated by the evaluation unit; A support system for introducing measures to reduce environmental impact. (2) The first prediction unit uses accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the business operator in predicting fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business operator. (1) A support system for introducing measures to reduce environmental impact. (3) the presentation unit presents the introduction plan, including the purchase of environmental value certificates, to the one or more candidate means; A support system for introducing measures to reduce environmental impact according to (1) or (2). (4) the presentation unit presents the introduction plan to the one or more candidate measures, including the procurement of environmentally friendly energy from suppliers that provide environmentally friendly energy; A support system for introducing environmental load reduction measures according to any one of (1) to (3). (5) the presentation unit presents the introduction plan to the one or more candidate measures, including the introduction of facilities that supply environmentally friendly energy; A support system for introducing environmental load reduction measures according to any one of (1) to (4). (6) the presentation unit presents the introduction plan to the one or more candidate means, including updating or renovating energy-consuming equipment; A support system for introducing environmental load reduction measures according to any one of (1) to (5). (7) the presentation unit presents the introduction plan to the one or more candidate means, including updating or renovating an operating environment of energy-consuming equipment; A support system for introducing environmental load reduction measures according to any one of (1) to (6). (8) the receiving unit receives a business plan of the business operator for a target period for which the environmental target is set; The first prediction unit uses information about the business plan in predicting the energy consumption of the business operator. A support system for introducing environmental load reduction measures according to any one of (1) to (7). (9) a second prediction unit that predicts changes in the business environment of the business operator during a period for which the environmental target is set; Equipped with The evaluation unit uses the result of the prediction by the second prediction unit in evaluating the economic feasibility. A support system for introducing environmental load reduction measures according to any one of (1) to (8). (10) The second prediction unit predicts a change in the energy procurement unit price as the change in the business environment. (9) A support system for introducing measures to reduce environmental impact. (11) The second prediction unit predicts a change in the price of the environmental value certificate as a change in the business environment. (9) or (10) is a system for supporting the introduction of measures to reduce environmental load. (12) The second prediction unit predicts a change in an emission coefficient for an energy supplier as a change in the business environment. The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reduction measures according to any one of (9) to (11). (13) the receiving unit receives an input of the implementation record of the one or more candidate means; the presentation unit amends and presents the introduction plan based on a difference between the introduction result input received by the reception unit and the introduction plan. A support system for introducing environmental load reduction measures according to any one of (1) to (12). (14) a receiving step of receiving a target value of an environmentally friendly ratio, which is a ratio of environmentally friendly energy to total energy consumption, and a time period for achieving the target value as an environmental goal of the business operator; a prediction step of predicting fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business entity for a target period for which the environmental goal is set; an evaluation step of evaluating the environmentally friendly ratio and economic efficiency of candidate means for increasing the environmentally friendly ratio based on the prediction result in the prediction step; a proposal step of proposing an implementation plan that includes one or more candidate measures and achieves the environmental goal based on the environmental load reduction ratio and economic efficiency evaluated in the evaluation step; A method for supporting the introduction of measures to reduce environmental impact. (15) In the computer system, a receiving step of receiving a target value of an environmentally friendly ratio, which is a ratio of environmentally friendly energy to total energy consumption, and a time period for achieving the target value as an environmental goal of the business operator; a prediction step of predicting fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business entity for a target period for which the environmental goal is set; an evaluation step of evaluating the environmentally friendly ratio and economic efficiency of candidate means for increasing the environmentally friendly ratio based on the prediction result in the prediction step; a proposal step of proposing an implementation plan that includes one or more candidate measures and achieves the environmental goal based on the environmental load reduction ratio and economic efficiency evaluated in the evaluation step; This is a program to support the introduction of measures to reduce environmental impact. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 base, 2a equipment, 2b central monitoring device, 2c energy management system, 3a procurement source, 3b supplier, 3c issuing agency, 3d public agency, 4 introduction support system, 5 terminal device, 41 first memory unit, 42 second memory unit, 43 third memory unit, 44 collection unit, 45 reception unit, 46 first prediction unit, 47 second prediction unit, 48 evaluation unit, 49 presentation unit, 100a processor, 100b memory, 200 dedicated hardware

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives a target value for a low environmental impact ratio, which is the ratio of low environmental impact energy to total energy consumption, and a time period for achieving the target value as an environmental goal of a business operator, and receives a business plan of the business operator for a target period for which the environmental goal is set; a first prediction unit that predicts fluctuations in the energy consumption of the enterprise over time for the target period using accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the enterprise and information on the business plan; an evaluation unit that calculates an amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy out of the amount of energy consumed during the target period based on the environmental target and fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business operator predicted by the first prediction unit, and evaluates the economic viability of introducing each candidate means that increases the environmentally low load ratio for the calculated amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy during the target period using pre-stored information on the candidate means; a presentation unit that presents an introduction plan that includes one or more candidate measures to be introduced and achieves the environmental goal, based on the economic feasibility evaluated for each candidate measure by the evaluation unit; Equipped with The accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the business is represented by the energy consumption at one or more points in time in the past, The business plan information is expressed in terms of a growth rate of business scale; the amount of energy to be supplied by environmentally friendly energy in the target period is represented by the amount of energy at one or more time points in the target period, the deployment plan is represented by a time-based weighting factor for each of the one or more candidate means; the first prediction unit predicts fluctuations in the energy consumption of the enterprise over time for the target period by correcting a predicted value of the energy consumption by at least one of extrapolation, a prediction model method for time-series data, and a machine learning method, based on the accumulated and stored actual energy consumption data of the enterprise, by multiplying the predicted value by a coefficient corresponding to the growth rate; the evaluation unit evaluates the economic viability of at least one of the following options as a candidate: purchasing an environmental value certificate, procuring environmentally friendly energy from a supplier that provides environmentally friendly energy, or installing equipment that supplies environmentally friendly energy; the evaluation unit determines, for a candidate means for purchasing an environmental value certificate, an expenditure obtained by multiplying the purchase price of the environmental value certificate per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means, by the amount of energy covered by environmentally low load energy, as an evaluation value of economic efficiency; the evaluation unit determines an economic evaluation value for a candidate means for procuring environmentally friendly energy from a supplier that provides the environmentally friendly energy by multiplying the amount of energy covered by the environmentally friendly energy by the procurement cost per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means; the evaluation unit evaluates the economic efficiency of a candidate means for introducing a facility that supplies environmentally friendly energy by determining the profit from selling an environmental value certificate, which is information about the candidate means, including the introduction costs and maintenance costs of the facility, and the environmental value associated with the surplus of the output energy of the facility that exceeds the amount of energy that can be supplied by the environmentally friendly energy; The presentation unit presents the introduction plan generated by an optimization technique in which the weighting coefficient for each time period is used as a variable, the economic evaluation value for each candidate means evaluated by the evaluation unit is weighted by the weighting coefficient, and the sum of the evaluation values ​​for each time period in the target period is used as an objective function. A support system for introducing measures to reduce environmental impact.

2. the presentation unit presents the introduction plan to the one or more candidate means, including the purchase of environmental value certificates; The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reducing measures according to claim 1.

3. the presentation unit presents the introduction plan to the one or more candidate measures, including the procurement of environmentally friendly energy from suppliers that provide environmentally friendly energy; The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reducing measures according to claim 1.

4. the presentation unit presents the introduction plan to the one or more candidate means, including the introduction of facilities that supply environmentally friendly energy; The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reducing measures according to claim 1.

5. the presentation unit presents the introduction plan to the one or more candidate means, including updating or renovating energy-consuming facilities; The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reducing measures according to claim 1.

6. the presentation unit presents the introduction plan to the one or more candidate means, including updating or renovating an operating environment of energy-consuming equipment; The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reducing measures according to claim 1.

7. a second prediction unit that predicts changes in the business environment of the business operator during the target period using accumulated and stored information on the history of changes in the business environment of the business operator; Equipped with the evaluation unit uses a result of the prediction by the second prediction unit in evaluating economic feasibility. The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reducing measures according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the second prediction unit predicts a change in the energy procurement unit price as the change in the business environment; The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reducing measures according to claim 7.

9. the second prediction unit predicts a change in the price of an environmental value certificate as a change in the business environment; The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reducing measures according to claim 7.

10. the second prediction unit predicts a change in an emission coefficient for an energy supplier as a change in the business environment; The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reducing measures according to claim 7.

11. the receiving unit receives an input of the implementation record of the one or more candidate means; the presentation unit amends and presents the introduction plan based on a difference between the introduction result input received by the reception unit and the introduction plan. The system for supporting the introduction of environmental load reducing measures according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

12. The computer system a receiving step of receiving a target value for an environmentally friendly ratio, which is the ratio of environmentally friendly energy to total energy consumption, and a time period for achieving the target value as an environmental goal of the business operator, and receiving a business plan of the business operator for the period for which the environmental goal is set; a prediction step of predicting fluctuations in the energy consumption of the enterprise over time for the target period using the accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the enterprise and information on the business plan; an evaluation step of calculating the amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy out of the amount of energy consumed during the target period based on the environmental target and the fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business operator predicted in the prediction step, and evaluating the economic viability of introducing each candidate means that increases the environmentally low load ratio for the calculated amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy during the target period using information on the candidate means stored in advance; a proposal step of proposing an introduction plan that includes one or more candidate measures to be introduced and achieves the environmental goal based on the economic feasibility evaluated for each candidate measure in the evaluation step; is a method for performing The accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the business is represented by the energy consumption at one or more points in time in the past, The business plan information is expressed in terms of a growth rate of business scale; the amount of energy to be supplied by environmentally friendly energy in the target period is represented by the amount of energy at one or more time points in the target period, the deployment plan is represented by a time-based weighting factor for each of the one or more candidate means; In the prediction step, a prediction of the fluctuation of the energy consumption of the enterprise over time for the target period is predicted by multiplying a predicted value of the energy consumption by at least one of extrapolation, a prediction model method for time series data, and a machine learning method, based on the accumulated and stored actual energy consumption of the enterprise, by a coefficient corresponding to the growth rate; In the evaluation step, an economical evaluation is performed using at least one of the following as a candidate means: purchasing an environmental value certificate, procuring environmentally friendly energy from a supplier that provides environmentally friendly energy, or installing equipment that supplies environmentally friendly energy; In the evaluation step, for a candidate means for purchasing an environmental value certificate, the cost obtained by multiplying the purchase price of the environmental value certificate per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means, by the amount of energy covered by environmentally friendly energy is used as an evaluation value of economic efficiency; In the evaluation step, for a candidate means for procuring environmentally friendly energy from a supplier that provides environmentally friendly energy, an expenditure obtained by multiplying the amount of energy covered by the environmentally friendly energy by the procurement unit price per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means, is used as an evaluation value of economic efficiency; In the evaluation step, for a candidate means for introducing a facility that supplies environmentally friendly energy, the economic evaluation value is determined by the profit from selling an environmental value certificate, which is information on the candidate means, including the introduction cost and maintenance cost of the facility, and the environmental value associated with the surplus of the output energy of the facility that exceeds the amount of energy that can be supplied by the environmentally friendly energy, and In the presentation step, the introduction plan is presented, which is generated by an optimization method in which the weighting coefficient for each time period is used as a variable, the economic evaluation value for each candidate means evaluated in the evaluation step is weighted by the weighting coefficient, and the sum of the results for each time period in the target period is used as an objective function. Methods for supporting the introduction of measures to reduce environmental impact.

13. In the computer system, a receiving step of receiving a target value for an environmentally friendly ratio, which is the ratio of environmentally friendly energy to total energy consumption, and a time period for achieving the target value as an environmental goal of the business operator, and receiving a business plan of the business operator for the period for which the environmental goal is set; a prediction step of predicting fluctuations in the energy consumption of the enterprise over time for the target period using the accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the enterprise and information on the business plan; an evaluation step of calculating the amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy out of the amount of energy consumed during the target period based on the environmental target and the fluctuations in the energy consumption of the business operator predicted in the prediction step, and evaluating the economic viability of introducing each candidate means that increases the environmentally low load ratio for the calculated amount of energy to be covered by environmentally low load energy during the target period using information on the candidate means stored in advance; a proposal step of proposing an introduction plan that includes one or more candidate measures to be introduced and achieves the environmental goal based on the economic feasibility evaluated for each candidate measure in the evaluation step; is a program that executes The accumulated and stored information on the actual energy consumption of the business is represented by the energy consumption at one or more points in time in the past, The business plan information is expressed in terms of a growth rate of business scale; the amount of energy to be supplied by environmentally friendly energy in the target period is represented by the amount of energy at one or more time points in the target period, the deployment plan is represented by a time-based weighting factor for each of the one or more candidate means; In the prediction step, a prediction of the fluctuation of the energy consumption of the enterprise over time for the target period is predicted by multiplying a predicted value of the energy consumption by at least one of extrapolation, a prediction model method for time series data, and a machine learning method, based on the accumulated and stored actual energy consumption of the enterprise, by a coefficient corresponding to the growth rate; In the evaluation step, an economical evaluation is performed using at least one of the following as a candidate means: purchasing an environmental value certificate, procuring environmentally friendly energy from a supplier that provides environmentally friendly energy, or installing equipment that supplies environmentally friendly energy; In the evaluation step, for a candidate means for purchasing an environmental value certificate, the cost obtained by multiplying the purchase price of the environmental value certificate per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means, by the amount of energy covered by environmentally friendly energy is used as an evaluation value of economic efficiency; In the evaluation step, for a candidate means for procuring environmentally friendly energy from a supplier that provides environmentally friendly energy, an expenditure obtained by multiplying the amount of energy covered by the environmentally friendly energy by the procurement unit price per energy amount, which is information about the candidate means, is used as an evaluation value of economic efficiency; In the evaluation step, for a candidate means for introducing a facility that supplies environmentally friendly energy, the economic evaluation value is determined by the profit from selling an environmental value certificate, which is information on the candidate means, including the introduction cost and maintenance cost of the facility, and the environmental value associated with the surplus of the output energy of the facility that exceeds the amount of energy that can be supplied by the environmentally friendly energy, and In the presentation step, the introduction plan is presented, which is generated by an optimization method in which the weighting coefficient for each time period is used as a variable, the economic evaluation value for each candidate means evaluated in the evaluation step is weighted by the weighting coefficient, and the sum of the results for each time period in the target period is used as an objective function. A program to support the introduction of measures to reduce environmental impact.

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