Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program that can return previously unrealized environmental value to users. [Solution] The center server 100, as an information processing device, includes a reception unit that receives the amount of self-consumption of electricity generated by a solar panel 300, which is a power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy, at a facility where the solar panel 300 is installed; an acquisition unit that acquires the environmental value corresponding to the amount of self-consumption; and a billing unit that bills the user for an amount obtained by deducting the amount corresponding to the environmental value from the electricity charges paid by the user who used the electricity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed technology relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] So far, when the electric power generated using renewable energy is consumed by the user, the environmental value of the consumed electric power may not be realized. On the other hand, Patent Document 1 describes that by notifying a green power certificate issuer, the green power generated by a solar power generation facility can be realized regardless of self-consumption or power selling.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The prior art described in Patent Document 1 is effective in terms of realizing the environmental value of the green power consumed by the user, but there is room for improvement in terms of practically reducing the environmental value to the user who consumes the green power.

[0005] The disclosed technology aims to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can reduce the unrealized environmental value to the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing device according to the first embodiment includes: a receiving unit that receives the amount of self-consumption of electricity generated by a power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy at a facility where such a device is installed; an acquisition unit that acquires the environmental value corresponding to the amount of self-consumption; and a billing unit that bills the user for an amount obtained by deducting the amount corresponding to the environmental value from the electricity charges paid by the user who used the electricity.

[0007] In the second embodiment of the information processing device, the billing unit in the first embodiment of the information processing device bills an amount obtained by deducting the amount corresponding to the environmental value from the electricity charges incurred for the amount of self-consumption.

[0008] The information processing device according to the third embodiment, in the information processing device according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the billing unit bills an amount obtained by deducting an amount corresponding to the environmental value from the electricity charges incurred for the amount of electricity purchased by the user in addition to the electricity generated by the power generation device.

[0009] The information processing device according to the fourth embodiment is an information processing device according to any one of the first to third embodiments, wherein the environmental value is carbon credits, and the acquisition unit acquires carbon credits certified by a certification body that certifies carbon credits assigned to the amount of self-consumption of electricity.

[0010] The information processing device according to the fifth embodiment is an information processing device according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments, in which the user has entered into a contract with the business operator that pays the electricity charges to transfer the environmental value.

[0011] The information processing device according to the sixth embodiment is an information processing device according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments, in which the user has entered into a contract to pay the electricity charges to the business operator that installs and manages the power generation device.

[0012] The information processing device according to the seventh embodiment is an information processing device according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the environmental value transferred from the management organization that manages the environmental value.

[0013] The information processing system according to the eighth embodiment includes a facility terminal comprising a measuring unit for measuring the user's self-consumption amount and a transmitting unit for transmitting the measured self-consumption amount to the information processing device, and an information processing device according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments.

[0014] The information processing method according to the ninth aspect involves a computer that receives the amount of electricity consumed by a power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy at a facility where such a device is installed, obtains an environmental value corresponding to the amount of electricity consumed, and bills the user who used the electricity for an amount obtained by deducting the amount corresponding to the environmental value from the electricity charges.

[0015] The information processing program according to the tenth embodiment receives the amount of electricity consumed by a power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy at a facility where such a device is installed, obtains an environmental value corresponding to the amount of electricity consumed, and causes a computer to perform the following processing: deduct the amount corresponding to the environmental value from the electricity charges paid by the user who used the electricity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the disclosure technology, previously unrecognized environmental value can be returned to users. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This graph shows an example of the relationship between solar power generation and electricity demand. [Figure 2] This diagram shows a schematic configuration of the billing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3]It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the center server according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the storage of the center server of this embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the center server according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the power generation management device according to this embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the acquisition process according to this embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the claim process according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the charge claim system 10 according to a modification example of this embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, the charge claim system 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components are given the same reference numerals. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may be different from the actual ratios. Further, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the object of the present disclosure. The charge claim system 10 is an example of an "information processing system".

[0019] <Overview of this embodiment> The billing system 10 according to this embodiment acquires certified carbon credits for renewable energy-derived electricity consumed by the user, and deducts an amount equivalent to the carbon credits from the user's electricity bill. Here, renewable energy-derived electricity can be any electricity generated using methods that do not use fossil fuels, such as solar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal power, biomass power, solar thermal power, and ocean energy power. Carbon credits refer to greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide that are reduced or absorbed through activities such as the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency, which are quantified and certified as value by a certification body such as the government. Carbon credits can be in any form that is tradable, such as J credits and voluntary credits. The billing system 10 may also acquire tradable certificates such as non-fossil fuel certificates and green power certificates instead of carbon credits. By using tradable credits or certificates certified by a certification body, the billing system 10 of this embodiment can enhance the reliability of the source of the discount and the certainty of business operations. In this embodiment, we will describe a case where electricity generated by solar panels installed at Factory A is consumed internally at Factory A. Furthermore, in this embodiment, we will describe a case where an amount equivalent to carbon credits based on the amount of electricity consumed internally (hereinafter also referred to as internal consumption) is deducted from the electricity bill of the user operating Factory A (hereinafter simply referred to as the user). Solar panels are an example of a "power generation device". Factory A is an example of a "facility where a power generation device is installed".

[0020] (Solar power generation and electricity demand) Figure 1 is a graph illustrating an example of the relationship between solar power generation and electricity demand. Graph G in Figure 1 is a time-series graph with electricity on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. Graph G shows the changes in solar power generation (solid line L1) and electricity demand (dashed line L2) for one day (i.e., 24 hours) at factory A.

[0021] As shown by the solid line L1, solar power generation increases during the daytime when the sun is out, and is almost nonexistent during the nighttime when the sun is not out. Also, as shown by the dashed line L2, the electricity demand of factory A exists throughout the day.

[0022] In other words, during the nighttime hours when solar power generation is minimal, the user purchases the amount of electricity indicated by the double arrow A1. On the other hand, during the daytime hours when solar power generation is active, the user can consume the amount of electricity indicated by the double arrow A2 and sell the amount of electricity indicated by the double arrow A3 (i.e., surplus electricity). In this case, while it is possible to sell surplus electricity including its environmental value, the environmental value of the electricity consumed by the user remains unrealized. It should be noted that surplus electricity is not necessarily generated; the amount of electricity generated may be adjusted so that the amount of solar power generation matches the amount consumed by the user.

[0023] Therefore, the billing system 10 of this embodiment acquires the environmental value of electricity generated by solar power being consumed in-house as carbon credits, and bills the user for an amount equivalent to the carbon credits deducted from the electricity charges. In other words, the billing system 10 of this embodiment can return previously unrealized environmental value to the user in a practical way.

[0024] (System Configuration) Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of the billing system 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the billing system 10 of this embodiment comprises a central server 100, a power generation management device 200, and a credit issuance server 400. The central server 100, the power generation management device 200, and the credit issuance server 400 are connected via a network N. Network N can be, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The number of central servers 100, power generation management devices 200, and credit issuance servers 400 is not limited to the number shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, general-purpose computer devices such as personal computers and server computers can be used for the central server 100 and the credit issuance server 400. Furthermore, general-purpose computer devices such as personal computers and server computers may be used for the power generation management device 200, or dedicated equipment capable of managing power generation may be used. The power generation management device 200 is an example of a "facility terminal".

[0025] The central server 100 is a device that bills users for electricity charges. The central server 100 also obtains carbon credits from the credit issuing server 400 corresponding to the amount of electricity consumed by the solar panels 300. The central server 100 is, for example, a server owned by electricity provider B, which supplies electricity based on a contract with a user. However, the central server 100 may also be owned by a business other than an electricity provider.

[0026] The power generation management device 200 and the solar panel 300 are installed in a facility where the user uses electricity. The power generation management device 200 is equipped with a measuring instrument 200A and is connected to the solar panel 300 via a network. The measuring instrument 200A is a device capable of measuring the amount of electricity generated by the solar panel 300 that is used for self-consumption. The power generation management device 200 may also adjust the amount of electricity generated by the solar panel 300.

[0027] Furthermore, the power generation management device 200 and the solar panels 300 may be owned by the user or by electric power company B. Here, an example of a contract between the user and electric power company B will be described.

[0028] As an example, the contract is such that, if the solar panels 300 are owned by the user, the user purchases electricity other than the electricity generated by the solar panels 300 from electricity company B. Another example is a contract where, if the power generation management device 200 and the solar panels 300 are owned by electricity company B, the user purchases the electricity used by the solar panels 300 from electricity company B at a predetermined unit price. The latter contract is known as the PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) model. It should be noted that the contract is not limited to the above-mentioned contract types; any contract that allows the user to self-consume electricity derived from renewable energy is acceptable. For example, the user may enter into a PPA model contract with electricity company B for the portion of electricity they self-consume, and enter into a contract with an electricity company different from electricity company B for the portion of electricity they purchase.

[0029] The credit issuance server 400 is a device that authenticates and issues carbon credits. In this embodiment, the credit issuance server 400 authenticates and issues carbon credits for the consumption of electricity derived from renewable energy. The credit issuance server 400 is, for example, a server owned by a credit authentication office. A credit authentication office is an example of a "certification body".

[0030] (Hardware configuration) Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the center server 100 according to this embodiment. Since the hardware configurations of the center server 100, the power generation management device 200, and the credit issuance server 400 are similar, the explanation will be representative of the center server 100.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the center server 100 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, ROM (Read Only Memory) 120, RAM (Random Access Memory) 130, storage 140, communication interface 150, and input / output interface 160. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 170 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0032] The CPU 110 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls various parts. The ROM 120 stores various programs and data. In this embodiment, the ROM 120 stores data including the information processing program 121. The information processing program 121 may also be stored in the storage 140, which will be described later. The RAM 130 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. That is, the CPU 110 reads a program from the ROM 120 or storage 140 and executes the program using the RAM 130 as a working area.

[0033] The information processing program 121 is a program that performs various processes, which will be described later. When the information processing program 121 is executed, the center server 100 uses various hardware resources to perform the processes based on the information processing program 121.

[0034] Storage 140 is a non-temporary recording medium consisting of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory, etc., and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data.

[0035] Communication I / F150 is an interface for communicating with other devices. This communication may utilize wired communication standards such as Ethernet® or FDDI, or wireless communication standards such as 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi®.

[0036] The I / F160 is an interface for connecting to input / output devices and is used for inputting and outputting various types of information. For example, input devices (not shown) and displays are connected to the I / F160.

[0037] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the storage 140 of the center server 100 in this embodiment. The customer management database 141 is stored in the storage 140 of this embodiment.

[0038] The customer management database 141 is a database that centrally manages information about each user. Specifically, the customer management database 141 records information such as each user's electricity charges, contract status, self-consumption of electricity, carbon credits based on said self-consumption of electricity, and the amount corresponding to said carbon credits, in an associated manner. The information stored in the customer management database 141 may be managed in multiple databases.

[0039] (Functional Configuration) Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the center server 100 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the center server 100 functions as a reception unit 111, a transmission unit 112, a credit acquisition unit 113, a fee acquisition unit 114, a contract status acquisition unit 115, a calculation unit 116, and a billing unit 117, with the CPU 110 executing the information processing program 121. The credit acquisition unit is an example of an "acquisition unit".

[0040] The reception unit 111 has the function of receiving the user's self-consumption amount. Specifically, the reception unit 111 receives data on the user's self-consumption amount transmitted from the power generation management device 200. For example, the reception unit 111 receives data on self-consumption amount transmitted from the power generation management device 200 at predetermined intervals (for example, daily, monthly, or annually).

[0041] The transmission unit 112 has the function of transmitting the user's self-consumption power. Specifically, the transmission unit 112 aggregates the self-consumption power received by the reception unit 111 and transmits the aggregated results to the credit issuance server 400. As an example, the transmission unit 112 transmits the annual self-consumption power data along with the data for applying for carbon credit certification and issuance.

[0042] The credit acquisition unit 113 has the function of acquiring certified carbon credits corresponding to the amount of self-consumption electricity. Specifically, the credit acquisition unit 113 acquires carbon credits that have been certified and issued by the credit issuance server 400 for the amount of self-consumption electricity transmitted by the transmission unit 112. As an example, the credit acquisition unit 113 receives carbon credit certification data and issuance notifications, etc., and stores the carbon credit information in the customer management database 141 in association with user information.

[0043] The billing unit 114 has the function of acquiring information related to electricity charges. Specifically, the billing unit 114 acquires electricity charges based on each user's contract plan and amount of electricity used. As an example, the billing unit 114 acquires electricity charges for electricity purchased by the user and electricity charges for the user's self-consumption in the PPA model.

[0044] The contract status acquisition unit 115 has the function of acquiring information about the user's contracts. Specifically, the contract status acquisition unit 115 acquires the contract status of a predetermined contract concerning the user that is stored in the customer management database 141. In other words, the contract status acquisition unit 115 acquires information such as whether a predetermined contract has been concluded for the target user, or whether the predetermined contract is valid. As an example, the contract status acquisition unit 115 acquires information such as whether a contract for the transfer of the user's carbon credits to an electric utility company is valid, and whether there is a contract based on the PPA model. When a contract is concluded in which the user transfers carbon credits to an electric utility company, the stability and legitimacy of the mechanism in which the electric utility company legally and reliably acquires environmental value and implements a discount on electricity rates as consideration for that environmental value can be guaranteed. Furthermore, a contract based on the PPA model can make environmental value material and return that environmental value to the user.

[0045] The calculation unit 116 has the function of calculating an amount corresponding to the environmental value. Specifically, the calculation unit 116 calculates an amount corresponding to the carbon credits acquired by the credit acquisition unit 113. The calculation unit 116 may, for example, calculate the amount corresponding to the carbon credits based on past transaction records of carbon credits. Alternatively, the calculation unit 116 may calculate the amount corresponding to the carbon credits based on a predetermined unit price per carbon credit. The calculation unit 116 may calculate the amount corresponding to the carbon credits after deducting the acquisition costs, transaction costs, and various fees of the carbon credits.

[0046] The billing unit 117 has the function of billing the user. Specifically, the billing unit 117 bills the user for an amount based on the electricity charges acquired by the charge acquisition unit 114 and the amount calculated by the calculation unit 116. As an example, the billing unit 117 bills the user for an amount obtained by deducting the amount corresponding to carbon credits from the electricity charges corresponding to the user's self-consumption. The billing unit 117 may transmit the billing amount to the user's terminal, or it may transmit information related to the billing amount to the payment system.

[0047] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the power generation management device 200 according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, the power generation management device 200 functions as a measurement unit 211 and a transmission unit 212 when the CPU 210 executes the information processing program 221.

[0048] The measurement unit 211 has a function to measure the user's self-consumption of electricity. Specifically, the measurement unit 211 calculates the self-consumption of electricity based on the amount of electricity generated by the solar panel 300 and the user's electricity consumption. As an example, the measurement unit 211 measures the self-consumption of electricity by acquiring power values ​​via a smart meter or electricity meter.

[0049] The transmission unit 212 has the function of transmitting the user's self-consumption power consumption. Specifically, the transmission unit 212 aggregates the self-consumption power consumption data measured by the measurement unit 211 at predetermined intervals and transmits it to the center server 100 via the network N.

[0050] (action) Next, the various processes performed by the center server 100 in this embodiment will be described. The various processes performed by the center server 100 are carried out by the CPU 110 of the center server 100 reading the information processing program 121 from the ROM 120 or storage 140, loading it into the RAM 130, and executing it.

[0051] (Retrieval process) Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the acquisition process according to this embodiment. The acquisition process in this embodiment is performed when the center server 100 checks the user's contract status and acquires carbon credits based on the amount of electricity consumed by the user.

[0052] In step S100 of Figure 7, the CPU 110 determines whether the contract for transferring carbon credits is valid. For example, the CPU 110 searches the user's contract status stored in the customer management database 141 and determines whether the contract for the user to transfer carbon credits to electricity company B is valid. If the CPU 110 determines that the contract for transferring carbon credits is valid (step S100: YES), it proceeds to step S101. On the other hand, if the CPU 110 determines that the contract for transferring carbon credits is not valid (step S100: NO), it terminates the acquisition process.

[0053] In step S101, the CPU 110 receives the amount of self-consumption power. Specifically, the CPU 110 receives data on the user's self-consumption power transmitted from the power generation management device 200. As an example, the CPU 110 receives data on the user's self-consumption power for one year. The CPU 110 may also receive data on the user's self-consumption power stored in the customer management database 141.

[0054] In step S102, the CPU 110 transmits the received self-consumption data. Specifically, the CPU 110 transmits the self-consumption data acquired in step S101 to the credit issuance server 400. As an example, the CPU 110 transmits the user's self-consumption data for one year.

[0055] In step S103, the CPU 110 acquires carbon credits corresponding to the transmitted amount of self-consumption power. Specifically, the CPU 110 acquires information on carbon credits corresponding to the amount of self-consumption power transmitted in step S102 from the credit issuing server 400. For example, the CPU 110 stores the carbon credit data authenticated based on the user's one-year self-consumption power data in the customer management database 141, associating it with the user's information. Then, the CPU 110 terminates the acquisition process. After acquiring carbon credits through the acquisition process, the CPU 110 may continue to execute the billing process (see Figure 8) described later.

[0056] (Invoice processing) Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the billing process according to this embodiment. The billing process in this embodiment is performed when the central server 100 bills the user for electricity charges.

[0057] In step S200 of Figure 8, the CPU 110 retrieves the electricity charges to be billed to the user. Specifically, the CPU 110 retrieves the user's electricity charges stored in the customer management database 141. For example, the CPU 110 retrieves the electricity charges for self-consumption and the electricity charges for purchased electricity. The billing period for electricity charges is not particularly limited. Also, depending on the contract between the user and electricity provider B, if there are no electricity charges for self-consumption, it is not necessary to retrieve those charges.

[0058] In step S201, the CPU 110 calculates the discount amount corresponding to the carbon credits. Specifically, the CPU 110 calculates the amount corresponding to the carbon credits acquired in step S103 (see Figure 7). As an example, the CPU 110 calculates the user's discount amount by multiplying the acquired carbon credits by the unit price per carbon credit.

[0059] In step S202, the CPU 110 determines whether or not a PPA model contract has been concluded. Specifically, the CPU 110 refers to the contract information stored in the customer management database 141 and determines whether or not the user has concluded a PPA model contract with electricity provider B. If the CPU 110 determines that a PPA model contract has been concluded (step S202: YES), it proceeds to step S203. If the CPU 110 determines that a PPA model contract has not been concluded (step S202: NO), it proceeds to step S204.

[0060] In step S203, CPU 110 subtracts the discount amount calculated from the electricity charges based on self-consumption. Specifically, CPU 110 subtracts the discount amount calculated in step S201 from the electricity charges for self-consumption obtained in step S200. In other words, if a PPA model contract is concluded, electricity charges are also billed for self-consumption, so the amount corresponding to carbon credits can be deducted from those electricity charges.

[0061] In step S204, CPU 110 subtracts the discount amount calculated from the electricity charges for purchased electricity. Specifically, CPU 110 subtracts the discount amount calculated in step S201 from the electricity charges for purchased electricity obtained in step S200. In other words, if a PPA model contract has not been concluded, electricity charges are not billed for self-consumption, so the amount corresponding to carbon credits can be deducted from the electricity charges for electricity purchased by the user in addition to self-consumption.

[0062] In step S205, the CPU 110 bills the user for the reduced electricity charge. Specifically, the CPU 110 bills the user for the reduced electricity charge calculated in step S203 or S204. The CPU 110 may also display the reduced electricity charge on the invoice sent to the user, as well as carbon credit issuance information and the status of the discount application. Then, the CPU 110 terminates the billing process.

[0063] (Summary of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the center server 100 receives from the power generation management device 200 the amount of electricity consumed by the solar panels 300 at factory A where the solar panels 300 are installed. The center server 100 also obtains carbon credits corresponding to the amount of electricity consumed by the solar panels 300 from the credit issuing server 400. The center server 100 then bills the user for the electricity charges paid by the user who used the electricity generated by the solar panels 300, deducting the amount corresponding to the carbon credits. Therefore, according to the center server 100 of this embodiment, carbon credits associated with self-consumption are obtained and directly reflected in the electricity charges, making it possible to return previously unrecognized environmental value to the user.

[0064] The central server 100 of this embodiment charges an amount obtained by deducting the amount corresponding to carbon credits from the electricity charges incurred for self-consumption of electricity. Therefore, according to the central server 100 of this embodiment, the discount can be directly applied to the electricity charges for self-consumption of electricity, which is the source of carbon credit creation.

[0065] In this embodiment, the central server 100 charges the user an amount equal to the electricity bill for the amount of electricity purchased by the user in addition to the electricity generated by the solar panel 300, minus the amount corresponding to carbon credits. Therefore, according to the central server 100 of this embodiment, environmental value can be broadly applied and returned to the user across their entire electricity bill.

[0066] (Modified version of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the billing system 10 transmitted the amount of self-consumption of electricity from the central server 100 to the credit issuance server 400. In other words, the electric utility B and the credit authentication office directly exchanged information. However, the billing system 10 in this modified embodiment may also exchange information between the electric utility B and the credit authentication office via a management company that manages carbon credits. The differences from this embodiment will be explained below. Note that the other configurations are the same as in the embodiment described above, and a detailed explanation will be omitted. The management company is an example of a "management organization".

[0067] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of the configuration of a modified billing system 10 according to this embodiment. The modified billing system 10 according to this embodiment includes a credit management server 500. The credit management server 500 is connected to the central server 100 and the credit issuance server 400 via a network N. A general-purpose computer device such as a personal computer and a server computer can be used for the credit management server 500.

[0068] The credit management server 500 is a device that manages and composes carbon credits issued by the credit issuing server 400. For example, the credit management server 500 is a server owned by a management company that manages and composes carbon credits.

[0069] In this modified embodiment, the credit management server 500 receives data on the user's self-consumption of electricity from the central server 100 and transmits this data to the credit issuing server 400. The credit management server 500 then receives data on carbon credits issued by the credit issuing server 400 and transfers this data to the central server 100. In other words, the credit management server 500 is responsible for managing the application and acquisition of carbon credits between the central server 100 and the credit issuing server 400.

[0070] In this modified embodiment, the center server 100 acquires carbon credits transferred from a credit management server 500 operated by a management company that manages carbon credits. Therefore, according to the center server 100 of this embodiment, the processing related to the application and acquisition of carbon credits can be omitted.

[0071] [Other embodiments] In this embodiment, the center server 100 acquired carbon credits that had been actually authenticated by the credit issuance server 400. However, the center server 100 is not limited to this, and may also calculate and acquire virtual credits equivalent to the carbon credits corresponding to the user's self-consumption of electricity. For example, the center server 100 calculates virtual credits equivalent to the carbon credits corresponding to the user's self-consumption of electricity from the past carbon credit issuance history. Then, the center server 100 bills the user for an amount obtained by deducting the discount amount corresponding to the virtual credits calculated from the user's electricity bill. Therefore, according to the center server 100 of this embodiment, environmental value that had not been realized can be quickly returned to the user.

[0072] Furthermore, the center server 100 of this embodiment may use a machine learning model that has learned past power generation amounts, past user electricity demand amounts, and past carbon credit issuance history to calculate an estimated value of carbon credits corresponding to the user's self-consumption of electricity. For example, the center server 100 predicts carbon credits corresponding to the user's self-consumption of electricity by inputting the power generation amount of the solar panel 300 and the user's electricity demand amount over a predetermined period into the learned machine learning model. Therefore, according to the center server 100 of this embodiment, the discount amount can be calculated using the predicted carbon credits, and previously unrealized environmental value can be quickly returned to the user.

[0073] Furthermore, the center server 100 of this embodiment may communicate with a carbon credit trading market server and dynamically calculate the amount corresponding to carbon credits based on the current market price information of carbon credits obtained from the trading market server. Specifically, when the credit unit price fluctuates beyond a predetermined threshold, the center server 100 applies a correction coefficient that reflects the fluctuation in the credit unit price and automatically adjusts the discount amount for the user. Therefore, according to the center server 100 of this embodiment, it is possible to optimize the evaluation of environmental value in response to changes in market conditions.

[0074] Furthermore, the configurations of the billing system 10, the central server 100, the power generation management device 200, and the credit issuance server 400 described in the above embodiment are examples and may be modified as needed without departing from the main purpose.

[0075] Furthermore, the program processing flow described in the above embodiment is just one example, and unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps added, or the processing order rearranged, as long as it does not deviate from the main purpose.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each process that the CPU reads and executes the software (program) may be executed by various processors other than the CPU. Examples of processors in this case include PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices) such as FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, and dedicated electrical circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) which have a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute a particular process.

[0077] Furthermore, the operation of the processor in the above embodiment may not be performed by a single processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of the processor operations is not limited to the order described in the above embodiment, but may be changed as appropriate.

[0078] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a configuration in which the information processing program is pre-stored (installed) in ROM, the invention is not limited to this. The program may be provided in the form of a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the program may be provided in the form of a download from an external device via a network. This disclosure is also applicable to programs and program products. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10. Billing System (Information Processing System) 100 Center Server (Information Processing Device) 111 Reception Department 112 Transmitter 113 Credit Acquisition Department (Acquisition Department) 114 Fee Collection Department 115 Contract Status Acquisition Department 116 Calculation Section 117 Billing Department 121 Information Processing Programs 140 storage 141 Customer Management Database 200 Power generation management device (facility terminal) 200A Measuring Instruments 211 Measurement Unit 212 Transmitter 221 Information Processing Programs 300 Solar Panels (Power Generation Devices) 400 credit issuance servers 500 Credit Management Server

Claims

1. A facility equipped with a power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy, comprising a reception unit that receives the amount of electricity consumed by the power generation device, An acquisition unit that acquires environmental value corresponding to the amount of self-consumption, A billing unit that charges the user who used the aforementioned electricity a discounted amount calculated in accordance with the aforementioned environmental value from the electricity charges paid by the user, Equipped with, Information processing device.

2. The billing department shall bill the amount obtained by deducting the amount corresponding to the environmental value from the electricity charges incurred for the amount of electricity consumed by the self. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The billing unit charges an amount obtained by deducting the amount corresponding to the environmental value from the electricity charges incurred for the amount of electricity purchased by the user in addition to the electricity generated by the power generation device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned environmental value is carbon credits. The acquisition unit acquires carbon credits certified by a certification body that certifies carbon credits assigned to the amount of self-consumption. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The user has entered into a contract with the business operator that pays the electricity charges to transfer the environmental value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The user has entered into a contract with the business operator that installs and manages the power generation equipment to pay the aforementioned electricity charges. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The acquisition unit acquires the environmental value transferred from the management organization that manages the environmental value. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. A measurement unit for measuring the user's self-consumption of electricity, A transmission unit that transmits the measured amount of self-consumption power to the information processing device, A facility terminal equipped with, An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, An information processing system that includes this.

9. In a facility where a power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy is installed, the amount of electricity consumed by the power generation device is received. The environmental value corresponding to the amount of electricity consumed in-house is obtained, The electricity bill paid by the user who used the aforementioned electricity will be reduced by an amount calculated in accordance with the aforementioned environmental value. An information processing method in which a computer performs the processing.

10. In a facility where a power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy is installed, the amount of electricity consumed by the power generation device is received. The environmental value corresponding to the amount of electricity consumed in-house is obtained, The electricity bill paid by the user who used the aforementioned electricity will be reduced by an amount calculated in accordance with the aforementioned environmental value. An information processing program that causes a computer to perform a task.

11. A facility in which a power generation device that generates electricity using renewable energy is installed, comprising a receiving unit that receives the amount of electricity consumed by the power generation device, An acquisition unit that acquires environmental value corresponding to the amount of self-consumption, A billing unit that charges the user who used the aforementioned electricity a discounted amount corresponding to the environmental value from the electricity charges, Equipped with, The user has entered into a contract with the business operator that pays the electricity charges to transfer the environmental value. Information processing device.

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