Energy trading system and energy trading method

Abstract

To provide an electricity trading system capable of stably conducting electricity trading. [Solution] An energy trading system that mediates energy trading between a first user who sells energy and a second user who buys energy, and includes a first terminal 2 that accepts input of energy selling conditions, which are conditions for selling energy to be presented to the second user, from the first user, a server device 1 that receives energy selling condition information indicating the energy selling conditions accepted by the first terminal 2 from the first terminal 2 and stores the received energy selling condition information in a storage unit 12, and a second terminal 3 that receives the energy selling condition information from the server device 1, displays the received energy selling condition information on a display unit 31, and accepts selection of the first user or the energy selling conditions from the second user. The energy selling conditions include information regarding the energy trading price and the energy supply period when the energy trading is concluded.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy trading system and an energy trading method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the electricity market has been deregulated in Japan, and in 2016, consumers such as ordinary households and stores were able to freely choose from multiple retail electricity suppliers and enter into electricity supply contracts. Retail electricity suppliers procure electricity from power generation companies and other sources in order to supply it to users with whom they have electricity supply contracts.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an electricity trading management method suitable for providing consumers with an environmental value certificate that certifies that they have traded with a power generation company that generates electricity using a power generation means that utilizes renewable energy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-119143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Japan, the Japan Electric Power Exchange (JEPX) provides a spot electricity market where electricity transactions (electricity procurement) take place between retail electricity suppliers and power generation companies. In the spot electricity market, power generation companies bid the amount of electricity they will sell and the selling price, and retail electricity suppliers bid the amount of electricity they will purchase and the purchase price, thereby establishing an electricity transaction (electricity buying and selling).

[0006] In this electricity spot market, electricity trading takes place every 30 minutes, and the electricity trading price is determined. In other words, in the electricity spot market, the period during which the electricity trading price is determined through electricity trading is short. For this reason, it is difficult to predict the electricity trading price in the electricity spot market, which could lead to instability in the management of retail electricity suppliers (or power generation suppliers).

[0007] In particular, in this electricity spot market, the price of electricity is determined at the point where the supply and demand balance between bids (selling bids) from power generation companies and bids (buying bids) from electricity retailers is reached. As a result, the electricity trading price fluctuates greatly depending on the volume of buying and selling bids, making it difficult to predict the electricity trading price.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an energy trading system that can carry out energy trading stably. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problem, an energy trading system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an energy trading system that mediates energy trading between a first user who sells energy and a second user who buys energy, and includes: a first terminal that accepts input of energy selling conditions, which are conditions for the energy sale to be presented to the second user, from the first user; a server device that receives energy selling condition information indicating the energy selling conditions accepted by the first terminal from the first terminal and stores the received energy selling condition information in a memory unit; and a second terminal that receives the energy selling condition information from the server device, displays the received energy selling condition information on a display unit, and accepts selection of the first user or the energy selling conditions from the second user, wherein the energy selling conditions include information regarding the trading price and power supply period of the energy when the energy transaction is concluded.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first terminal accepts, from a first user, power selling conditions to be presented to a second user. A server device stores the power selling conditions accepted by the first terminal in a storage unit. The second terminal displays the power selling conditions stored in the storage unit of the server device on a display unit and accepts a selection of the first user or the power selling conditions from the second user. This allows an energy transaction to be concluded between the first user and the second user.

[0011] Furthermore, the electricity selling conditions received by the first terminal include information regarding the electricity transaction price and power supply period in the event that the electricity transaction is concluded. This allows the first user to present an electricity transaction to the second user by specifying the electricity transaction price and power supply period, making it easier for the first user and the second user to forecast the electricity transaction price.

[0012] Therefore, electricity trading can be carried out stably.

[0013] The power supply period may include a period measured in hours or days.

[0014] In Japan, in addition to the spot electricity market, there is also a forward market provided by the Japan Electric Power Exchange as a venue for electricity trading. In the forward market, electricity can be traded on a weekly or monthly basis, but it is not possible to trade by specifying a period in hours or days. In contrast, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first terminal accepts input from the first user of a period in hours or days as the electricity supply period. This allows the first user to set the power supply period in days or hours, thereby enabling flexible setting of the power supply period.

[0015] The storage unit may also store credit information indicating the creditworthiness of the second user in commercial transactions, and the server device may distribute the credit information to the first terminal.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, credit information indicating the creditworthiness of the second user is delivered from the server device to the first terminal, so that the first user can conduct an energy trade while referring to the credit information, thereby enabling the first user to determine whether to conclude an energy trade by taking into account the credit information of the second user.

[0017] The server device may also predict a trading price of electricity corresponding to the power supply period in an electricity trading market, and distribute the prediction result to the second terminal.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the server device delivers a predicted result of the electricity trading price in the energy trading market corresponding to the power supply period to the second terminal, which allows the second user to trade electricity while comparing the predicted result of the electricity trading price in the energy trading market with the power selling conditions.

[0019] The electricity selling conditions may also include a greenhouse gas emission coefficient of the power generation facility that will supply electricity to the second user when the electricity transaction is concluded, and an amount of activity by the power generation facility, and the server device may calculate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from the power generation facility based on the emission coefficient and the amount of activity, and deliver the calculation result to the second terminal.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the server device transmits to the second terminal the greenhouse gas emissions of the power generation facility in the event of an electricity transaction being concluded, thereby enabling the second user to conduct electricity trading taking into account the greenhouse gas emissions of the power generation facility.

[0021] The electricity selling conditions may include a type of the power generation facility, and the server device may distribute the type of the power generation facility to the second terminal.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the server device transmits to the second terminal the type of power generation facility that will be used when an electricity transaction is concluded. This allows the second user to specify that electricity will be supplied from a power generation facility that can reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, thereby enabling the second user to satisfy standards, such as RE100, that require the identification of power generation facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when procuring electricity.

[0023] Furthermore, when the energy transaction is concluded, the server device may distribute information regarding accounting processing to the first terminal or the second terminal.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the energy transaction is concluded, information regarding accounting procedures is distributed from the server device to the first terminal or the second terminal, thereby making it possible to notify the first user or the second user of information regarding accounting procedures that differ from normal accounting procedures, such as hedge accounting procedures or environmental value accounting procedures.

[0025] Furthermore, the first users may include one or more first users, and the second users may include one or more second users.

[0026] According to the embodiment of the present invention, a first user and a second user can conduct energy trading on a one-to-one, one-to-many, many-to-one, or many-to-many basis.

[0027] The storage unit may also be one of multiple storage devices that make up a distributed ledger.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit is one of multiple storage devices that make up the distributed ledger, making it difficult for information stored in the storage unit to be tampered with.

[0029] In addition, an energy trading system according to another embodiment of the present invention is an energy trading system that mediates energy trading between a first user who purchases energy and a second user who sells energy, and includes a first terminal that accepts, from the first user, energy purchase conditions, which are conditions for the energy purchase to be presented to the second user; a server device that receives, from the first terminal, energy purchase condition information indicating the energy purchase conditions accepted by the first terminal and stores the received energy purchase condition information in a memory unit; and a second terminal that receives the energy purchase condition information from the server device, displays the received energy purchase condition information on a display unit, and accepts from the second user a selection of the first user or the energy purchase conditions, wherein the energy purchase conditions include information regarding the energy trading price and power supply period in the event that the energy transaction is concluded.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first terminal accepts, from a first user, power purchase conditions to be presented to a second user. A server device stores the power purchase conditions accepted by the first terminal in a storage unit. The second terminal displays the power purchase conditions stored in the storage unit of the server device on a display unit and accepts a selection of the first user or the power purchase conditions from the second user. This allows an energy transaction to be concluded between the first user and the second user.

[0031] Furthermore, the power purchase conditions received by the first terminal include information regarding the power transaction price and power supply period in the event that the power transaction is concluded. This allows the first user to present an energy transaction to the second user by specifying the power transaction price and power supply period, making it easier for the first user and the second user to forecast the power transaction price.

[0032] Therefore, electricity trading can be carried out stably.

[0033] In addition, an electricity trading method according to another embodiment of the present invention is an electricity trading method for mediating an electricity transaction between a first user who sells electricity and a second user who buys electricity, and includes the steps of: a first terminal accepting input of electricity selling conditions, which are conditions for the electricity sale to be presented to the second user, from the first user; a server device receiving electricity selling condition information from the first terminal, which indicates the electricity selling conditions accepted by the first terminal, and storing the received electricity selling condition information in a memory unit; and a second terminal receiving the electricity selling condition information from the server device, displaying the received electricity selling condition information on a display unit, and accepting selection of the first user or the electricity selling conditions from the second user, wherein the electricity selling conditions include information regarding the electricity trading price and power supply period in the event that the electricity transaction is concluded.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first terminal accepts, from a first user, power selling conditions to be presented to a second user. A server device stores the power selling conditions accepted by the first terminal in a storage unit. The second terminal displays the power selling conditions stored in the storage unit of the server device on a display unit and accepts a selection of the first user or the power selling conditions from the second user. This allows an energy transaction to be concluded between the first user and the second user.

[0035] Furthermore, the electricity selling conditions received by the first terminal include information regarding the electricity transaction price and power supply period in the event that the electricity transaction is concluded. This allows the first user to present an electricity transaction to the second user by specifying the electricity transaction price and power supply period, making it easier for the first user and the second user to forecast the electricity transaction price.

[0036] Therefore, electricity trading can be carried out stably. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to stably carry out energy trading. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an energy trading system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a power selling condition DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a transaction completion DB according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the energy trading system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the energy trading system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0040] The energy trading system according to this embodiment is used to mediate energy trading between a first user who sells energy and a second user who buys energy.

[0041] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an energy trading system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the energy trading system according to this embodiment includes a server device 1, a plurality of first terminals 2, and a plurality of second terminals 3. The server device 1 is configured to be able to communicate with the plurality of first terminals 2 and the plurality of second terminals 3 via a communication network N.

[0042] The first terminal 2 is, for example, a general-purpose PC, and is operated by a first user. The first user includes, for example, a power generation company, a trader, a consumer (prosumer) who owns a power generation facility such as a solar power generation facility, and other entities that supply (sell) electricity.

[0043] The first terminal 2 includes, for example, a display unit 21 such as a display, and an operation unit 22 such as a keyboard and a mouse. The first terminal 2 accepts operation input from the first user via the operation unit 22. The first terminal 2 transmits information indicating this operation input to the server device 1 via the communication network N.

[0044] The second terminal 3 is a PC or the like having the same configuration as the first terminal 2, and is operated by a second user. The second user includes, for example, a person who receives (purchases) a supply of electricity, such as an electricity retailer or a consumer.

[0045] Like the first terminal, the second terminal 3 includes a display unit 31 and an operation unit 32. The second terminal 3 receives an operation input from the second user via the operation unit 32 and transmits information indicating the received operation input to the server device 1 via the communication network N.

[0046] (Configuration of server device 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0047] The communication unit 11 is configured by, for example, an electric circuit, and communicates with the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3 via the communication network N.

[0048] The storage unit 12 is a storage medium configured by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 12 stores various programs executed by the control unit 13.

[0049] The storage unit 12 also has various databases (DBs). Specifically, the storage unit 12 stores an electricity selling conditions DB and a transaction completion DB. The electricity selling conditions DB stores information indicating the conditions under which a first user sells electricity to a second user. The transaction completion DB stores information regarding completed electricity transactions.

[0050] Fig. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the power selling conditions DB according to this embodiment. The power selling conditions DB stores power selling conditions to be presented to a second user when a first user sells power. As shown in Fig. 2, each user ID indicating the identification information of the first user is associated with credit information, a power supply area, a power supply pattern, a power supply start date, a power supply end date, a contracted amount of energy, an energy rate, a payment due date, and the like. Although not shown, the power selling conditions may include other conditions, including a period or deadline for accepting applications to purchase power.

[0051] The credit information is information indicating the creditworthiness of the first user in commercial transactions, and is determined, for example, according to the first user's ability to pay (such as owned assets or collateral) and the creditworthiness of the first user regarding the supply of electricity. In Fig. 2, it is represented by three levels, A to C. This credit information is set, for example, based on the results of a survey by a predetermined credit investigation company.

[0052] The power supply area indicates the area (service area) to which the first user supplies power. The power supply pattern indicates the time period during which the first user supplies power. The power supply start date and power supply end date indicate the start date and end date, respectively, when the first user begins supplying power. The contracted energy amount indicates the amount of energy that the first user will supply to the second user if a transaction is concluded. The energy charge indicates the trading price of energy if an energy transaction is concluded. The payment due date indicates the payment due date if an energy transaction is concluded. Note that the power supply period in this embodiment includes conditions related to the period when the first user sells energy to the second user, such as the power supply pattern, power supply start date, and power supply end date. For example, in FIG. 2, the power supply period of the power selling conditions for user ID U_002 may be "2020 / 2 / 1 to 2020 / 2 / 8" based on the power supply start date and power supply end date, or may further include the power supply pattern, such as "2020 / 2 / 1 to 2020 / 2 / 8, 12:00 to 24:00." Although not shown in the figure, the power supply period of the power selling conditions may be specified only by the power supply pattern, such as "12:00 to 24:00," regardless of the power supply start date and power supply end date. In this case, the actual power supply period after the transaction is concluded may be the power supply period according to the specified power supply pattern, from the power supply start date to the power supply end date agreed upon between the first user and the second user who applied to purchase power under the power selling conditions indicated by the first user.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a transaction completion DB according to this embodiment. The transaction completion DB stores information indicating completed energy transactions. Specifically, in the transaction completion DB, the user IDs of the first user and the second user with whom an energy transaction was completed are stored as the first user ID and the second user ID, respectively. The transaction completion DB associates the user IDs of the first and second users with information about the completed energy transaction (information such as the power supply area, power supply pattern, power supply start date, power supply end date, contract energy amount, energy rate, and payment due date). As will be described later, the transaction completion DB shown in FIG. 3 stores information about the energy selling conditions under which an energy transaction was completed from the energy selling conditions DB shown in FIG. 2, and the relevant energy selling conditions are deleted from the energy selling conditions DB shown in FIG. 2. Figures 2 and 3 of the present application respectively show examples of the electricity selling conditions DB and the transaction completion DB at the same point in time, and therefore are illustrated as an example in which the information stored in the electricity selling conditions DB shown in Figure 2 is not related to the information stored in the transaction completion DB shown in Figure 3 (i.e., the transaction completion DB shown in Figure 3 stores information about electricity selling conditions that have already been deleted from the electricity selling conditions DB shown in Figure 2, and new electricity selling conditions are stored in the electricity selling conditions DB shown in Figure 2).

[0054] The control unit 13 is configured by, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a semiconductor memory, etc. The control unit 13 controls each part of the server device 1 by executing programs stored in the storage unit 12, etc.

[0055] The control unit 13 also includes a first screen processing unit 131, a condition registration unit 132, a second screen processing unit 133, and a transaction completion processing unit .

[0056] The first screen processing unit 131 controls the first screen displayed on the display unit 21 of the first terminal 2 in response to an operation from the first user on the operation unit 22 of the first terminal 2. The first screen displays various items included in the power selling conditions and accepts input for each item from the first user. Here, the first screen accepts input for items such as the power supply area, power supply pattern, power supply start date, power supply end date, contracted energy amount, power rate, and payment due date.

[0057] The condition registration unit 132 performs a registration process to store the power selling conditions received by the first screen processing unit 131 in the power selling conditions DB. Specifically, in the power selling conditions DB, information on the power selling conditions is associated with the user ID corresponding to the first user.

[0058] The second screen processing unit 133 controls the second screen displayed on the display unit 31 of the second terminal 3 in response to an operation on the operation unit 32 of the second terminal 3 by the second user. A list of power selling conditions stored in the power selling conditions DB is displayed on the second screen. Here, the second screen displays information such as credit information, power supply area, power supply pattern, power supply start date, power supply end date, contracted energy amount, power rate, and payment due date, which are associated with each user ID as power selling conditions in the power selling conditions DB. Then, the second screen processing unit 133 accepts the selection of the first user (or power selling conditions) from the second user via the second screen. Note that the second screen processing unit 133 does not need to display information that identifies the first user (for example, a company name or an individual name) on the second screen.

[0059] The transaction completion processing unit 134 performs transaction completion processing to complete an electricity transaction between the first user and the second user based on the selection received by the second screen processing unit 133. Specifically, the transaction completion processing unit 134 deletes the electricity selling conditions under which the electricity transaction was completed from the electricity selling conditions DB, and stores information about the completed electricity transaction in the transaction completion DB. Then, when the electricity transaction is completed, the transaction completion processing unit 134 notifies the first user and the second user that the electricity transaction has been completed.

[0060] (About the operation of the energy trading system) 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the energy trading system according to this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 4 shows the flow of a registration process, and Fig. 5 shows the flow of a transaction establishment process.

[0061] First, the registration process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0062] When the first user performs an initiation operation to set the electricity selling conditions on the operation unit 22 of the first terminal 2, the first terminal 2 requests the first screen data necessary to display the first screen on the display unit 21 from the server device 1 (step S11).

[0063] When the first screen processing unit 131 of the server device 1 receives the request for the first screen data (step S12), it transmits the first screen data to the first terminal 2 (step S13).

[0064] When the first terminal 2 receives the first screen data (step S14), it displays the first screen on the display unit 21 (step S15). This first screen displays various items of the power selling conditions (for example, power supply area, power supply pattern, power supply start date, power supply end date, contracted energy amount, power rate, payment due date, etc.). Then, the first terminal 2 accepts input for each item from the first user on the first screen.

[0065] When the first terminal 2 receives input for each item from the first user on the first screen (step S16), it generates first data indicating the input results (step S17) and transmits the generated first data to the server device 1 (step S18).

[0066] When the first screen processing unit 131 of the server device 1 receives the first data (step S19), the condition registration unit 132 detects information related to the power selling conditions included in the first data. Then, the condition registration unit 132 performs a registration process to store the detected information related to the power selling conditions in the power selling conditions DB (step S20). Specifically, the condition registration unit 132 associates the information related to the power selling conditions with the user ID corresponding to the first user in the power selling conditions DB.

[0067] Next, the transaction closing process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0068] When the second user performs an initiation operation to conduct energy trading on the operation unit 32 of the second terminal 3, the second terminal 3 requests the server device 1 for the second screen data necessary to generate the second screen on the display unit 31 (step S31).

[0069] When the second screen processing unit 133 of the server device 1 receives the request for the second screen data (step S32), it reads out information about the power selling conditions stored in the power selling conditions DB from the storage unit 12 (step S33) (for example, information such as credit information, power supply area, power supply pattern, power supply start date, power supply end date, contracted energy amount, power rate, and payment due date).The second screen processing unit 133 then generates second screen data including a list of the power selling conditions (step S34) and transmits the generated second screen data to the second terminal 3 (step S35).

[0070] When the second terminal 3 receives the second screen data (step S36), it displays the second screen on the display unit 31 (step S37). A list of power selling conditions is displayed on this second screen. Here, the second screen displays information related to the power selling conditions, such as credit information, power supply area, power supply pattern, power supply start date, power supply end date, contracted energy amount, power rate, and payment due date. Then, the second terminal 3 accepts the selection of the first user or the power selling conditions from the second user on the second screen.

[0071] When the second terminal 3 receives the selection of the first user from which to purchase power or the power selling conditions from the second user on the second screen (step S38), it generates second data indicating the selection result (step S39).Then, the second terminal 3 transmits the generated second data to the server device 1 (step S40).

[0072] When the second screen processing unit 133 of the server device 1 receives the second data (step S41), the transaction completion processing unit 134 performs transaction completion processing to complete an energy transaction between the first user and the second user (step S42). Specifically, the transaction completion processing unit 134 detects the power selling conditions selected by the second user, which are included in the second data, deletes the detected power selling conditions from the power selling conditions DB, and stores information about the completed energy transaction in the transaction completion DB. The transaction completion processing unit 134 then notifies the first user and the second user that the energy transaction has been completed. Here, after the second screen processing unit 133 of the server device 1 receives the second data, the transaction completion processing unit 134 may perform transaction completion processing to complete an energy transaction between the first user and the second user when the first screen processing unit 131 further receives data indicating the first user's consent from the first terminal 2. Furthermore, before the transaction completion process, the server device 1 may store second-user-related information including the second user's credit information in the storage unit 12, and the second-user-related information may include credit risk information of the second user based on the second user's credit information. Furthermore, when the second screen processing unit 133 of the server device 1 receives the second data, the server device 1 may transmit second-user-related information related to the second data to the first terminal 2, and the first terminal 2 may transmit data indicating the first user's consent based on the second-user-related information to the first screen processing unit 131 of the server device 1. This allows the first user to decide whether to complete the transaction, taking into account the second user's credit risk.

[0073] As described above, the energy trading system according to this embodiment is an energy trading system that mediates energy trading between a first user who sells energy and a second user who buys energy. The energy trading system according to this embodiment includes: a first terminal 2 that accepts, from the first user, input of energy selling conditions, which are conditions for selling energy to be presented to a second user; a server device 1 that receives, from the first terminal 2, first data (energy selling condition information) indicating the energy selling conditions accepted by the first terminal 2 and has a memory unit 12 that stores the received first data; and a second terminal 3 that receives second screen data (energy selling condition information) from the server device 1, displays the received second screen data on a display unit 31, and accepts selection of the first user or the energy selling conditions from the second user. The energy selling conditions include information regarding the energy rate (electricity trading price), the energy supply pattern, and the energy supply start and end dates (energy supply period) that will be incurred when the energy trading is concluded.

[0074] According to this configuration, the first terminal 2 accepts, from the first user, the power selling conditions to be presented to the second user. The server device 1 stores the power selling conditions accepted by the first terminal 2 in the storage unit 12. The second terminal 3 displays the power selling conditions stored in the storage unit 12 on the display unit and accepts a selection of the first user or the power selling conditions from the second user. This allows an energy transaction to be concluded between the first user and the second user.

[0075] Furthermore, the electricity selling conditions accepted by the first terminal 2 include information regarding the electricity transaction price and power supply period in the event that an electricity transaction is concluded. This allows the first user to present an electricity transaction to the second user by specifying the electricity transaction price and power supply period, making it easier for the first user and the second user to forecast the electricity transaction price.

[0076] Therefore, electricity trading can be carried out stably.

[0077] The power supply period also includes a power supply pattern, a power supply start date, and a power supply end date (a period measured in hours or days). In Japan, in addition to the spot electricity market, there is also a forward market provided by the Japan Electric Power Exchange as a venue for electricity trading. In the forward market, electricity trading can be conducted on a weekly or monthly basis, but it is not possible to conduct trading by specifying a period measured in hours or days. In contrast, in this embodiment, the first terminal 2 accepts input from the first user of a power supply period measured in hours or days, such as a power supply pattern, a power supply start date, and a power supply end date. This allows the first user to set the power supply period in days or hours, thereby enabling flexible setting of the power supply period.

[0078] Furthermore, credit information indicating the creditworthiness of the first user, which is determined according to the first user's ability to pay, is stored in the storage unit 12. The server device 1 transmits (distributes) the credit information to the second terminal 3.

[0079] According to this configuration, credit information indicating the creditworthiness of the first user is distributed from the server device 1 to the second terminal 3, so the second user can conduct an energy transaction while referring to the credit information. This allows the second user to determine whether or not they can receive a stable supply of energy from the first user when completing an energy transaction.

[0080] (Other embodiments) As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the first user is a business that supplies (sells) electricity, and the second user is a business that receives (purchases) electricity. However, the roles of the first user and the second user may be reversed. That is, the first user may be a business that purchases electricity, and the second user may be a business that sells electricity. In this case, a power purchase condition DB is configured in the storage unit 12 instead of the power selling condition DB. The power purchase condition DB stores power purchase conditions that the first user presents to the second user when purchasing electricity. That is, in the above energy trading system, the first user may input power purchase conditions by operating the first terminal 2, the storage unit 12 of the server device 1 may manage the power purchase condition DB storing the input power purchase conditions, and the second user may operate the second terminal 3 to conclude an energy transaction with the first user. This allows energy trading to be performed stably, even when the power purchasing user presents the conditions of the energy trading to the power selling user.

[0082] The server device 1 may also have a function for predicting fluctuations in electricity trading prices in electricity trading markets, such as the spot electricity market, forward market, and intraday market where electricity is traded on the same day, provided by the Japan Electric Power Exchange (JEPX), and may distribute the prediction results to at least one of the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3. This function can be realized, for example, by a learning model generated based on information such as weather, temperature, power plant shutdown information, power supply reserve margin, available interconnection capacity, forward curves (including those related to electricity, coal, crude oil, and LNG), coal import prices, crude oil import prices, LNG import prices, and past fluctuations in electricity trading prices in the spot electricity market, or by statistical methods based on this information. With this configuration, the second user can trade electricity while comparing the predicted electricity trading price in the electricity trading market with the power selling conditions.

[0083] The server device 1 may also have a function to calculate the greenhouse gas emissions of a power generation facility that supplies power based on the greenhouse gas emission coefficient of the power generation facility and the activity amount of the power generation facility. In this case, the server device 1 distributes the calculation results to the second terminal 3. For example, in step S16, the first screen accepts input of the greenhouse gas (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) emission coefficient of the power generation facility and the activity amount of the power generation facility. The activity amount of the power generation facility refers to the amount of fuel used or burned when operating the power generation facility. The server device 1 calculates the amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted when the power generation facility generates electricity by multiplying the greenhouse gas emission coefficient of the power generation facility by the activity amount of the power generation facility, which were input on the first screen. For example, if a coal-fired power plant generates electricity using "steam coal" (fuel type), the greenhouse gas emission coefficient of the coal-fired power plant is 0.63478tC / t, calculated by multiplying the calorific value of steam coal (25.7GJ / t) by the emission coefficient for the use of steam coal (0.0247tC / GJ). The server device 1 calculates the greenhouse gas emission amount by multiplying this emission coefficient by the activity amount (amount of fuel used) and a predetermined coefficient (a coefficient set according to the type of greenhouse gas). This allows the second user to conduct electricity trading taking into account the greenhouse gas emission amount of the power generation facility.

[0084] Furthermore, the server device 1 may have a function for calculating the second user's total greenhouse gas emissions and distribute the calculation results to the second user. For example, the server device 1 calculates the second user's total greenhouse gas emissions by adding the total greenhouse gas emissions of the power generation facilities owned by the second user and the total greenhouse gas emissions of the power generation facilities with which an electricity transaction has been concluded according to this embodiment. This allows the second user to know his or her own total greenhouse gas emissions, enabling electricity trading to take into account greenhouse gas reduction targets.

[0085] Furthermore, the server device 1 may have a function for managing the type of power generation facility in addition to the function for calculating the greenhouse gas emissions of the power generation facility. In this case, the server device 1 distributes information indicating the type of power generation facility to the second terminal 3. For example, in step S16, the first screen accepts input of the type of power generation facility (thermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, etc.). Currently, there is an initiative called RE100 (Renewable Energy 100%), which aims to cover 100% of the electricity used by a business with renewable energy. In this initiative, "renewable energy" is defined as "hydroelectric, solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass." In other words, by the server device 1 distributing information indicating the type of power generation equipment to the second terminal 3, the second user can specify that electricity will be supplied from a type of power generation equipment that can reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, along with power source information such as the location of the power generation equipment, which is the first user's basic information.This allows the second user to meet standards, such as RE100, that require the identification of power generation equipment in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when procuring electricity.

[0086] Furthermore, the server device 1 may have a function of distributing information regarding the transaction process to the first terminal or the second terminal when an energy transaction is concluded.

[0087] The information on accounting is, for example, information on hedge accounting. Energy trading is a transaction that contracts to supply and settle electricity during a future receiving period, and is therefore a futures transaction. In particular, in this energy trading system, the first user can freely set the power supply period, so profits and losses may not be determined at the settlement date. In this case, accounting called hedge accounting must be performed, which postpones accounting until profits and losses are determined. The server device 1 distributes information on this hedge accounting (such as specific accounting procedures) to the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3. This allows the first user and the second user to perform appropriate accounting.

[0088] Furthermore, the information regarding accounting may be information regarding accounting for environmental value. When a first user sells renewable energy and satisfies various conditions, a second user can obtain environmental value such as a "Green Power Certificate," "J-Credit," or "Non-Fossil Certificate." This environmental value is subject to commercial transactions and has monetary value. Therefore, when performing accounting, the second user must record the environmental value. The server device 1 may distribute information regarding accounting for this environmental value (such as specific accounting procedures) to the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 3.

[0089] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was given of a case where a first user and a second user conduct electricity trading one-to-one, but electricity trading may also be conducted between one first user and multiple second users, or between multiple first users and one second user, or between multiple first users and multiple second users.

[0090] Specifically, when one first user and multiple second users trade electricity, for example, if the contracted energy amount in the electricity selling conditions (or electricity purchasing conditions) presented by the one first user is 10,000 kWh, one second user may apply for 3,000 kWh and another second user may apply for 7,000 kWh, and the two second users may jointly satisfy the contracted energy amount in the electricity selling conditions (or electricity purchasing conditions) of the first user. Here, in this modified example, the electricity selling conditions or electricity purchasing conditions may further include a contract period. In this case, for example, even if some second users select part of the electricity selling conditions (or electricity purchasing conditions) of one first user that have a certain contract period, if the other second users do not satisfy all of the electricity selling conditions (or electricity purchasing conditions) by the contract period, the applications by the second users who selected part of the conditions may be invalidated after the contract period has elapsed.

[0091] Furthermore, when a plurality of first users and one second user trade electricity, the plurality of first users may jointly present one electricity selling condition (or electricity purchasing condition), and one second user may apply for the electricity selling condition, thereby completing the electricity trading. In this case, the electricity selling condition or the electricity purchasing condition may further include a contract period.

[0092] Furthermore, when a plurality of first users and a plurality of second users trade electricity, for example, if the plurality of first users jointly submit electricity selling conditions (or electricity purchasing conditions), and the contracted amount of electricity among the submitted electricity selling conditions is 10,000 kWh, one of the second users may apply for 3,000 kWh, and another second user may apply for 7,000 kWh, thereby allowing the two second users to jointly satisfy the contracted amount of electricity of the electricity selling conditions (or electricity purchasing conditions) of the first users. In this case, for example, even if a plurality of first users submit electricity selling conditions (or electricity purchasing conditions) with a certain contract period, and some second users select part of the conditions, if the other second users do not satisfy all of the electricity selling conditions (or electricity purchasing conditions) by the contract period, the application by the second user who selected part of the conditions may be invalidated after the contract period has expired.

[0093] Furthermore, the server device 1 manages information regarding the power selling conditions (or power purchasing conditions) and transaction completion using a power selling conditions DB (or power purchasing conditions DB) and a transaction completion DB, but this is not limited to this. For example, information regarding the power selling conditions (or power purchasing conditions) and transaction completion may be managed by multiple storage devices using distributed ledger technology such as blockchain. In this case, the multiple storage devices may be included in the server device 1, the first terminal 2, the second terminal 3, and other terminal devices, respectively. For example, if one terminal generates a transaction according to a smart contract, and other terminals reach agreement according to a consensus algorithm, the transaction is recorded in the blockchain (distributed ledger). This makes it possible to prevent information tampering and ensure information traceability.

[0094] The server device 1 may also have a function to change the power selling conditions (or power purchasing conditions) stored in the power selling conditions DB (or power purchasing conditions DB) based on information received from the first terminal 2. That is, the first user may be able to change the power selling conditions entered into the first terminal 2 after the fact. In this case, some information (for example, the electricity rate or the power supply period) included in the power selling conditions may be made unchangeable. Furthermore, the server device 1 may be configured so that the second user can operate the second terminal 3 to request the first user to change information that is changeable among the power selling conditions. This allows the second user to negotiate with the first user, making it easier to conclude an energy transaction.

[0095] The energy trading system according to this embodiment may be linked to a credit card payment system, an account transfer system, or the like. In this case, for example, payment information such as the consumer's credit card number or account number may be accepted via a communication terminal (such as a mobile phone or PC) of the consumer (a person receiving electricity supply from an electricity retailer), and the payment information may be registered in the credit card payment system or the account transfer system. This allows the energy trading system to manage user payment information.

[0096] Furthermore, the server device 1 of the energy trading system according to this embodiment may have a function of detecting information about a credit card from a captured image of the credit card. For example, the server device 1 may be configured to be able to communicate with a user's communication terminal (such as a mobile phone or PC) and a credit card payment system. The server device 1 may receive an image of the user's credit card from the user's communication terminal, read information such as the user's credit card number from the received image using a character reading technology such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition), and notify the information to the credit card payment system. This eliminates the need to input payment information.

[0097] The energy trading system according to this embodiment may also be linked to a customer management system that manages various information used to bill users for their energy usage, such as their names, addresses, telephone numbers, and energy usage. This allows, for example, users to be billed for their energy usage.

[0098] The server device 1 may be a single device or multiple devices. One server device may be provided for each function of the server device 1. Each function of the server device 1 may also be realized by multiple devices working together. [Industrial Applicability]

[0099] The energy trading system of this embodiment concludes an energy transaction based on the input of energy selling conditions received by the first terminal from the first user and the selection received by the second terminal from the second user, and is therefore capable of mediating an energy transaction between the first user and the second user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1. Server device 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 131 First screen processing section 132 Condition Registration Section 133 Second screen processing section 134 Transaction completion processing unit 2 Terminal 1 3. Terminal 2

Claims

1. An energy trading system that mediates energy trading between a first user who sells energy and a second user who buys energy, a first terminal that receives input of power selling conditions from the first user, the power selling conditions being conditions for the power selling to be presented to the second user; a server device that receives, from the first terminal, power selling condition information indicating the power selling conditions accepted by the first terminal, and stores the received power selling condition information in a storage unit; a second terminal that receives the power selling condition information from the server device and accepts selection of the first user or the power selling condition from the second user; Equipped with When the energy transaction is concluded, the server device distributes to the first terminal or the second terminal information indicating that, if the profit or loss from the energy transaction has not been determined at the accounting period, hedge accounting must be performed until the profit or loss is determined, and information indicating specific procedures for the hedge accounting; When the electricity transaction including the environmental value is concluded, the server device distributes information indicating a specific procedure for accounting for the environmental value to the first terminal or the second terminal. Energy trading system.

2. 2. The energy trading system according to claim 1, an energy trading system, wherein the server device distributes information regarding the hedge accounting treatment to the first terminal or the second terminal when the power supply period of the concluded energy transaction exceeds the settlement period.

3. An energy trading system that mediates energy trading between a first user who buys energy and a second user who sells energy, a first terminal that receives, from the first user, power purchase conditions that are conditions for the power purchase to be presented to the second user; a server device that receives, from the first terminal, power purchase condition information indicating the power purchase conditions accepted by the first terminal, and stores the received power purchase condition information in a storage unit; a second terminal that receives the electricity purchasing condition information from the server device and accepts a selection of the first user or the electricity purchasing condition from the second user; Equipped with When the energy transaction is concluded, the server device distributes to the first terminal or the second terminal information indicating that, if the profit or loss from the energy transaction has not been determined at the accounting period, hedge accounting must be performed until the profit or loss is determined, and information indicating specific procedures for the hedge accounting; When the electricity transaction including the environmental value is concluded, the server device distributes information indicating a specific procedure for accounting for the environmental value to the first terminal or the second terminal. Energy trading system.

4. An electricity trading method for mediating an electricity transaction between a first user who sells electricity and a second user who buys electricity, comprising: a step of receiving, by a first terminal, from the first user, input of power selling conditions which are conditions for the power selling to be presented to the second user; a step in which the server device receives, from the first terminal, power selling condition information indicating the power selling conditions accepted by the first terminal, and stores the received power selling condition information in a storage unit; a step in which a second terminal receives the power selling condition information from the server device and accepts a selection of the first user or the power selling condition from the second user; Equipped with When the energy transaction is concluded, the server device distributes to the first terminal or the second terminal information indicating that, if the profit or loss from the energy transaction has not been determined at the accounting period, hedge accounting must be performed until the profit or loss is determined, and information indicating specific procedures for the hedge accounting; When the electricity transaction including the environmental value is concluded, the server device distributes information indicating a specific procedure for accounting for the environmental value to the first terminal or the second terminal. Power trading methods.

5. An electricity trading method for mediating electricity trading between a first user who purchases electricity and a second user who sells and buys electricity, comprising: a step of receiving, by a first terminal, from the first user, input of power purchase conditions which are conditions for the power purchase to be presented to the second user; a step in which the server device receives, from the first terminal, power purchase condition information indicating the power purchase conditions accepted by the first terminal, and stores the received power purchase condition information in a storage unit; a step in which a second terminal receives the power purchase condition information from the server device and accepts a selection of the first user or the power purchase condition from the second user; Equipped with When the energy transaction is concluded, the server device distributes to the first terminal or the second terminal information indicating that, if the profit or loss from the energy transaction has not been determined at the accounting period, hedge accounting must be performed until the profit or loss is determined, and information indicating specific procedures for the hedge accounting; When the electricity transaction including the environmental value is concluded, the server device distributes information indicating a specific procedure for accounting for the environmental value to the first terminal or the second terminal. Power trading methods.

6. An energy trading program for causing a computer to execute the energy trading method according to claim 4 or 5.

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