Biomass power generation assistance device and biomass power generation assistance system

Abstract

This biomass assistance device comprises: a remittance unit for instructing remittance of a loan for a producer of sorghum cultivated as a biochar material; a loan management unit for managing a loan balance for the producer of the sorghum; and a carbon credit management unit for setting a prohibition against provision, to another person, of a carbon credit generated in conjunction with the cultivation of the sorghum. The carbon credit management unit cancels the prohibition against provision of carbon credits by the producer on the condition that the loan is repaid.

Description

Biomass power generation support device and biomass power generation support system

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for generating electricity from biomass.

[0002] The European Union (EU) has proposed a border carbon tax, which would force companies exporting to Europe to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions they produce.

[0003] In order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions during product manufacturing, it is desirable to utilize electricity generated from natural energy sources (hereinafter referred to as "green electricity"). Solar power generation, a type of natural energy, is a promising candidate, but it has issues such as unstable power generation and a very large initial investment. In the case of biomass power generation, the initial investment is smaller than that of solar power generation, but it still requires a large investment to cover large amounts of power. It is not realistic for exporting companies to cover their required amount of green electricity on their own. Electric power companies are expected to shift to green electricity in order to meet demand from exporting companies.

[0004] Patent No. 6625298 International Publication No. 2024 / 142350

[0005] In the future, electric power companies are expected to gradually shift to green electricity by burning a mixture of coal and biofuel (hereinafter referred to as "co-firing") at thermal power plants. However, it is not realistic for electric power companies to embark on biofuel production. Because electricity is a so-called commodity product, the payback period would be too long to recover the investment through sales of green electricity, so even if there is expected to be a large demand for biofuel, the investment risk is high.

[0006] Thus, although a large demand for green electricity is expected, investments to shift to green electricity carry the risk of uncertainty due to the length of the payback period.

[0007] The present invention was completed based on the above-mentioned recognition of the problems by the inventors, and its main purpose is to provide a technology for promoting investment in green power.

[0008] A biomass power generation support device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a remittance unit that instructs the remittance of loans to producers of resource crops grown as materials for biofuel, a loan management unit that manages the remaining loan balances owed to producers, and a carbon credit management unit that prohibits the provision to others of carbon credits generated by the producers through the cultivation of resource crops. The carbon credit management unit lifts the prohibition on the producer providing carbon credits on the condition that the loans are repaid.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, a biomass power generation support system includes a fuel production device that produces biofuel from resource crops provided by producers of resource crops grown as raw materials for biofuel, and a first power generation device that generates electricity by co-firing the produced biofuel with a non-biofuel. When providing electricity to an electricity consumer, the first power generation device transmits power quality information indicating the blend ratio of biofuel to non-biofuel at the time of power generation to a communication terminal used by the electricity consumer.

[0010] According to the present invention, it becomes easier to promote investment in green power.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a first overview diagram of a biomass financing system. FIG. 2 is a second overview diagram of a biomass financing system. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a biomass power generation support system. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a biomass power generation support device. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a biomass power generation support device. FIG. 4 is a data structure diagram of loan balance information. FIG. 5 is a data structure diagram of carbon credit holding information. FIG. 6 is a data structure diagram of power generator investment information. FIG. 7 is a data structure diagram of biofuel procurement remaining amount information. FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram of consumer investment information. FIG. 9 is a data structure diagram of green power procurement remaining amount information. A flowchart showing the processing process at the time of lending. A flowchart showing a first processing process when repaying a loan. A flowchart showing a second processing process when repaying a loan. A data structure diagram of power quality information.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a first overview diagram of a biomass financing system in this embodiment. The electricity consumer is an export company such as an automobile manufacturer. The electricity consumer is a consumer of green electricity. The biomass farm is a farm for growing a plant called sorghum (biomass), i.e., a sorghum field. The biochar production device produces biofuel from the biomass grown in the biomass farm. The electric power company operates a thermal power plant and generates electricity by co-firing coal and biofuel. The loan management device is a device for managing loans to the biochar production device and the biomass farm. The financial institutions are assumed to be institutional investors such as banks and life insurance companies.

[0013] Sorghum has deep roots in the ground. Sorghum roots contain a lot of lignin, which is not easily biodegradable. As a result, sorghum roots store carbon dioxide from the air underground for a long period of time. This carbon storage effect allows biomass farms to produce carbon credits (CC).

[0014] Leaves and stems are harvested from sorghum. Biofuel is produced from the cellulose contained in sorghum leaves and stems. Biomass farm operators cut the sorghum leaves and stems into specified shapes, ultrasonically clean them, and sell them as biomass. Biochar production equipment purchases this biomass from biomass farms. The sales price of the biomass becomes the revenue for the biomass farm. In other words, the revenue of the biomass farm comes from the biomass and carbon credits.

[0015] Biochar production equipment produces biofuel by torrefying biomass. More specifically, biomass is dried in a drying oven, then formed into pellets, and heated in a torrefaction oven to torrefy it, producing biofuel. Electric power companies purchase biofuel from operators of biochar production equipment. The sale of biofuel becomes revenue for the operator of the biochar production equipment.

[0016] Electric power companies operate thermal power plants, where coal and biofuel are mixed and burned. For example, if the ratio of coal to biofuel is 9:1, 10% of the electricity supplied by the thermal power plant will be certified as "green power." The higher the ratio of biofuel, the larger the "quota" that can be provided as green power out of total electricity. By shifting to green power, the amount of carbon reduction achieved by the power company is certified, and carbon credits are also produced from the thermal power plant. The power company can sell the carbon credits generated by the shift to green power on the market. Carbon credits generated by thermal power plants become the assets of the power company.

[0017] By purchasing green electricity from thermal power plants (electric power companies), electricity consumers can reduce the burden of environmental tax systems such as border carbon taxes. Financing biomass farms and biochar production facilities is crucial for the above system to function. Hereinafter, the operating entity of biochar production facilities and biomass farms will be considered the same entity, and this operating entity will be referred to as the "biomass company." The biomass financing system is a system in which electricity consumers, financial institutions, electric power companies, and others act as funders, promoting financing to biomass companies, using the methods described below.

[0018] The loan management device manages loans to biomass companies. The operator of the loan management device is called the "loan management company." The loan management company collects funds from fund providers such as banks and manages them all together. In order to receive a supply of green power, electricity consumers must participate in the biomass loan system and provide funds according to the amount of green power they require. In other words, without providing funds, electricity consumers cannot receive a supply of green power from thermal power plants. If electricity consumers provide a loan to a biomass company, they may be able to receive a supply of green power at a lower price or on a priority basis than electricity consumers who do not provide a loan.

[0019] In order to receive biofuel supplies, electric power companies must participate in the biomass financing system and provide funding. If electric power companies provide financing to biomass companies, they may be able to receive biofuel supplies at a lower price than electric power companies that do not provide financing, or on a preferential basis.

[0020] The biomass company produces biomass and biofuel and repays part of the loan amount with a portion of the sales proceeds. When providing a loan to the biomass company, the loan management device sets collateral on future carbon credits produced by the biomass farm. For example, X tons of carbon credits produced by the biomass farm in the future are set as collateral, and Y yen is loaned as an amount equivalent to these carbon credits. The biomass farm accumulates carbon credits generated simultaneously after sorghum production begins. The biomass company cannot sell the collateralized carbon credits. The biomass company repays the loan amount little by little with a portion of the sales of biofuel. The loan management device distributes the repayment amount to fund providers such as financial institutions and electric power companies. Once repayment is complete, the collateralization of the carbon credits is released. After the loan is repaid, the biomass company can earn revenue not only from the sale of biofuel but also from the sale of carbon credits. The collateralized amount of the carbon credits may be reduced each time a portion of the loan amount is repaid.

[0021] The biomass financing system will attract funds to biomass companies, making it easier for them to make capital investments to meet large-scale green power demand. For electricity consumers, setting up their own green power generation systems is too much of an investment burden. By participating in the biomass financing system, they can receive green power from thermal power plants according to the amount of investment. By receiving a supply of green power, electricity consumers will not only be able to more easily clear environmental regulations such as border carbon taxes, but will also be able to improve their corporate image by highlighting their investment in green power.

[0022] Electric power companies can gradually shift to green electricity while continuing to use their existing thermal power generation facilities. If the supply of biofuel becomes large enough, it will be possible to generate electricity using only biofuel, without using coal (mono-fuel combustion). Furthermore, by increasing the utilization rate of biofuel, electric power companies can generate assets called carbon credits. Carbon dioxide is generated during thermal power generation. Carbon dioxide generated by thermal power generation using biofuel can be said to be carbon dioxide produced without putting a burden on the environment (hereinafter referred to as "green CO2"). This green CO2 also has value, which will be discussed later.

[0023] Investors such as financial institutions can provide loans using the carbon credits continuously produced by biomass farms as collateral. As biomass farms and biochar production facilities become more operational, the accumulated carbon credits increase, reducing lending risk. Because carbon credits are highly liquid, financial institutions can easily provide loans with confidence. Lending to biomass companies is a so-called ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) investment, making it easy for shareholders and other stakeholders to understand. Furthermore, for banks, investing in biomass companies ultimately supports exports, fulfilling their original mission of supporting companies. Lending risk can also be shared among multiple financial institutions through syndicated lending. Biomass companies can also raise funds from individuals by issuing corporate bonds backed by carbon credits.

[0024] By obtaining large-scale loans from various investors, biomass companies can embark on large-scale biofuel production. Furthermore, biomass companies do not need to use biomass farms as collateral for loans. Therefore, they do not need to purchase land for biomass farms; land can be secured through lease agreements. A biomass company's income comes from the sale of biofuel and carbon credits, while its expenses come from repayments and land rent. The loan management device simply sets loan terms so that the biomass company's income exceeds its expenses. The inventors estimate that, assuming biomass power generation generates the same amount of electricity as would be obtained by investing 100 billion yen in solar power generation, the initial investment would be only a few hundred million yen. Therefore, biomass power generation is considered to offer greater investment value than solar power generation.

[0025] Just as many electronics companies have outsourced semiconductor production to Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS), enabling these companies to make large-scale investments in semiconductor factories, many export companies have begun to intensively outsource green electricity supplies to biomass companies, which will likely enable biomass companies to produce biofuels and carbon credits on a large scale.

[0026] In addition to thermal power plants, power consumers may also procure green power by making contracts with existing nuclear power plants, wind power plants, hydroelectric power plants, and solar power plants.

[0027] Investors such as financial institutions may recover all or part of the repayments from the carbon credits produced. For example, a biomass company may make regular repayments to the loan using the carbon credits generated from its biofarms, and if the carbon credits are insufficient to cover the repayments, the shortfall may be covered by the proceeds from the sale of biofuel. On the other hand, if the amount of carbon credits produced is greater than the repayment amount, the biomass company may advance the repayment or sell the excess carbon credits on the market.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a second schematic diagram of the biomass financing system according to this embodiment. In the second schematic diagram, a biopower generation system and an ethanol plant are added. The biopower generation system is a fuel cell that generates electricity using ethanol. The biopower generation system may be any power generation system that uses ethanol, such as ethanol thermal power generation. Electricity consumers may not only receive green electricity from thermal power plants, but also produce green electricity by installing biopower generation systems on their own. Biomass farms supply a portion of their biomass to ethanol plants. The ethanol plant includes a juice extractor and a fermentation plant. Ethanol is produced from the biomass in the ethanol plant. The biomass residue generated during ethanol production is called "bagasse." The bagasse is supplied to a biochar production system and used as biofuel. The operator of the biopower generation system purchases ethanol from the ethanol plant and generates green electricity using fuel cells.

[0029] Biopower plants not only produce green electricity but also carbon credits. They also generate green CO2. The loan management system provides loans to biochar production plants, biomass farms, ethanol plants, and biopower plants. Carbon credits serve as collateral for biopower plants. Ethanol plants use part of the proceeds from the sale of ethanol and bagasse as repayments. Biopower plants use part of the proceeds from the sale of green electricity as repayments.

[0030] Methane can be produced by combining hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This technology, called methanation, is expected to help achieve carbon neutrality. Hydrogen is produced by electrolyzing water using natural energy such as solar energy. If the carbon dioxide required for methanation is green CO2, it will be possible to produce methane without emitting carbon dioxide (hereinafter referred to as "green methane"). In other words, high-quality green methane can be produced using hydrogen and carbon dioxide (green CO2) generated by thermal power generation using biofuels.

[0031] Supplying green methane to natural gas-fired power plants. By "co-firing" natural gas and green methane, thermal power plants can generate green electricity. In this case, part of the carbon dioxide emitted by the thermal power plant can be treated as green CO2. By capturing and methanating the green CO2 emitted by the thermal power plant, it is possible to shift natural gas-fired power plants to green electricity. As the amount of green methane used increases, carbon credits will be produced by the thermal power plant in proportion to the carbon reduction.

[0032] The biomass power generation support system that promotes biomass power generation will be described in more detail below.

[0033] Figure 3 is a system configuration diagram of a biomass power generation support system. The biomass power generation support system 110 corresponds to the "biomass financing system" described in relation to Figures 1 and 2. In the biomass power generation support system 110, a financing management company 138 is connected to a plurality of producers 104, a plurality of manufacturers 108, a plurality of power generators 114, a plurality of consumers 122, one or more financial institutions 126, one or more carbon credit databases 128, and one or more certification organizations 130 via the Internet 102.

[0034] The loan management company 138 operates the biomass power generation support device 100. The biomass power generation support device 100 corresponds to the "loan management device" described above. The producer 104 corresponds to the "biomass farm" and connects to the Internet 102 via a production terminal 106. The producer 104 grows sorghum (a resource crop) and produces biomass from the leaves and stems of the sorghum. In addition, the producer 104 produces carbon credits in conjunction with this.

[0035] The manufacturer 108 is the manager of a fuel plant corresponding to a "biochar production device," a "bioelectric power generation device," and an "ethanol plant." The manufacturer 108 (fuel plant) owns a fuel production device 132 for producing biofuels such as biochar, green methane, and ethanol. The manufacturer 108 connects to the Internet 102 via a production terminal 112.

[0036] In this embodiment, the producer 104 and the manufacturer 108 are described as being the same business entity. When there is no particular distinction between the producer 104 and the manufacturer 108, they are referred to as the "biomass company 134." The biomass company 134 is identified by a "producer ID."

[0037] The power generator 114 corresponds to an "electric power company." The first power generator 116 owned by the power generator 114 is a coal-fired power plant that uses biochar (biofuel). The second power generator 118 is a natural gas power plant that uses green methane (biofuel). The power generator 114 connects to the Internet 102 via a power generation terminal 120. The power generator 114 is identified by a "power generator ID." In addition, the power generator 114 may own a biopower generation device as a fuel cell that generates electricity using bioethanol.

[0038] The consumer 122 is an electricity consumer such as an exporting company. The consumer 122 is connected to the Internet 102 via a consumer terminal 124. The consumer 122 is identified by a "consumer ID." The consumer 122 needs a large and stable supply of green electricity to reduce or avoid border carbon taxes. The financial institution 126 is a bank or the like, and is equipped with a payment system 136. In this embodiment, the loan management company 138 that operates the biomass power generation support device 100 and the financial institution 126 are separate entities, but the financial institution 126 may also operate the biomass power generation support device 100.

[0039] The carbon credit database 128 manages the carbon credits held by each economic entity. Carbon credits are registered in the carbon credit database 128 after their creation is certified by a certification authority 130. The carbon credit database 128 functions as a register of carbon credits. For example, if economic entity A applies to the carbon credit database 128 to change the ownership of carbon credits from its own entity to economic entity B, the carbon credits held by economic entity A will be transferred to economic entity B. The biomass power generation support device 100 manages loans to producers 104 and manufacturers 108 (biomass companies 134).

[0040] The power generator 114 invests in the biomass power generation support system 110. Similarly, the consumer 122 also invests in the biomass power generation support system 110. The biomass power generation support device 100 lends to the biomass company 134 using the capital contributions of the power generator 114 and the consumer 122 as capital. The power generator 114 cannot purchase biofuel (biochar, etc.) from the biomass company 134 unless he invests in the biomass power generation support system 110. Furthermore, the larger the capital contribution, the more biofuel the power generator 114 can purchase from the manufacturer 108. In other words, the "provision quota" for biofuel is determined by the capital contribution. The consumer 122 cannot purchase green power from the power generator 114 unless he invests in the biomass power generation support system 110. Furthermore, a green power provision quota for the consumer 122 is set according to his capital contribution.

[0041] As described above, the producer 104 produces biomass from sorghum. The manufacturer 108 produces pellet-shaped biochar (biofuel) by torrefying the biomass using the fuel production device 132. The first power generation device 116 generates green electricity by co-firing coal (non-biofuel) and biochar (biofuel). The mixing ratio of biochar (biofuel) to the total fuel is called the "green rate." When biochar is burned exclusively, the green rate is 100%. A conventional coal-fired power plant can be used as the first power generation device 116.

[0042] Hydrogen is produced by electrolyzing water using solar energy or other means. Carbon dioxide (green CO2) generated during operation of the first power generation device 116 is supplied to the fuel production device 132. The fuel production device 132 produces green methane from this green CO2 and hydrogen. The second power generation device 118 produces green electricity by co-burning natural gas (non-biofuel) and green methane (biofuel). In the second power generation device 118, the mixing ratio of green methane (biofuel) to the total fuel is also called the green rate. When generating electricity using only green methane, the green rate is 100%. A conventional natural gas power plant can be used as the second power generation device 118 as is.

[0043] 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the biomass power generation support device 100. The biomass power generation support device 100 includes a storage 312 as a non-volatile memory for storing computer programs, a volatile memory 304 for expanding the programs and data, and a processor 300 (CPU) that incorporates registers, an arithmetic unit, an instruction decoder, etc. (not shown) and reads and executes programs from the memory 304. The processor 300 is connected to a relatively high-speed first bus 302. In addition to the memory 304, a NIC (Network Interface Card) is connected to the first bus 302. Other devices such as a GPU may also be connected to the first bus 302.

[0044] The first bus 302 is connected to a relatively slow second bus 310 via a bridge 308. In addition to a storage 312, an output device 316 such as a monitor or speaker is connected to the second bus 310. An input device 314 such as a mouse or keyboard, and a peripheral device 318 such as a printer may also be connected to the second bus 310. Note that the connection method between the first bus 302 and the second bus 310 shown in Figure 4 is one example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other connection methods or a configuration including other buses may also be used.

[0045] Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of the biomass power generation support device 100. Each component of the biomass power generation support device 100 is realized by hardware including computing units such as a CPU and various coprocessors, storage devices such as memory and storage, and wired or wireless communication lines connecting them, as well as software stored in the storage devices and supplying processing instructions to the computing units. The computer program may be composed of device drivers, an operating system, various application programs located at higher levels than these, and libraries that provide common functions to these programs. Each block described below represents a functional block rather than a hardware configuration.

[0046] The biomass power generation supporting device 100 includes a communication unit 140, a data processing unit 142, and a data storage unit 144. The communication unit 140 is responsible for communication processing with external devices such as the production terminal 106. The data storage unit 144 stores various types of information. The data processing unit 142 executes various types of processing based on data received by the communication unit 140 and data stored in the data storage unit 144. The data processing unit 142 also functions as an interface between the communication unit 140 and the data storage unit 144.

[0047] The communication unit 140 includes a transmission unit 146 and a reception unit 148. The transmission unit 146 transmits various data to an external device. The reception unit 148 receives various data from the external device. The transmission unit 146 includes a remittance unit 150 that instructs the settlement system 136 to remit the loan to the biomass company 134.

[0048] The data processing unit 142 includes a loan management unit 152, a CC management unit (carbon credit management unit) 154, an investment management unit 156, and a distribution management unit 158. The loan management unit 152 manages the balance of loans to the biomass company 134. The CC management unit 154 manages the carbon credits held by the producer 104. The investment management unit 156 manages the investments from the power generator 114 and the consumer 122. The distribution management unit 158 ​​manages the distribution of biofuels and green electricity.

[0049] 6 is a data structure diagram of the loan balance information 160. The loan balance information 160 is stored in the data storage unit 144 of the biomass power generation support apparatus 100. The loan management company 138 (biomass power generation support apparatus 100) collects capital investments widely from power generators 114 and others and lends them to the biomass company 134 (producer 104 and manufacturer 108). With this loan, the producer 104 invests in a biomass farm (sorghum field), and the manufacturer 108 invests in a fuel production device 132. The loan balance information 160 indicates the loan balance of the biomass company 134.

[0050] The biomass company 134 with producer ID = H01 (hereinafter referred to as "biomass company 134 (H01)") has been loaned 20 billion yen. The loan amount for biomass company 134 (H04) is "0". In other words, biomass company 134 (H04) has paid off its loan in full and is now debt-free. The loan management unit 152 updates the loan balance information 160 when a loan is made to the biomass company 134 and when a repayment is made.

[0051] 7 is a data structure diagram of the carbon credit holding information 170. The carbon credit holding information 170 is stored in the carbon credit database 128. The carbon credit holding information 170 indicates the amount of carbon credits held by the biomass company 134 and the size of the prohibited quota. When a loan is made to the biomass company 134, the CC management unit 154 sets a prohibited quota for carbon credits currently held by the biomass company 134 or carbon credits that the biomass company 134 plans to produce in the future. More specifically, the CC management unit 154 sets a prohibited quota for carbon credits equivalent to the loan amount, and the biomass company 134 is prohibited from selling carbon credits within the prohibited quota.

[0052] According to Figure 7, the prohibited quota for the biomass company 134 (H01) is "1000 units," and the current amount of carbon credits held is "0." The biomass company 134 (H01) has received a loan of 20 billion yen from the biomass power generation support device 100 (see Figure 6), and a prohibited quota of 1000 units has been set. Assume that the unit price of carbon credits at the time of the loan was 2 million yen. Since 20 billion yen (loan amount) ÷ 2 million yen (unit price of carbon credits) = 1000, the prohibited quota is 1000 units. The biomass company 134 (H01) cannot sell carbon credits even if it produces them until it has accumulated 1000 units or more of carbon credits.

[0053] Biomass company 134 (H02) has a prohibited quota of 500 units, and its current carbon credit holdings are 1,100. Therefore, biomass company 134 (H02) can freely sell 600 units (= 1,100 - 500) of carbon credits. Biomass company 134 (H04) has a prohibited quota of 0 units. Because biomass company 134 (H04) has paid off its loan, the prohibited quota has been lifted. Therefore, biomass company 134 (H04) can freely dispose of the 760 units (equivalent to 152 billion yen) of carbon credits it holds.

[0054] When the loan management unit 152 provides an additional loan to the biomass company 134, the CC management unit 154 increases the prohibited limit in proportion to the additional loan. When the biomass company 134 repays a portion of the loan, the CC management unit 154 reduces the prohibited limit in proportion to the repayment. The prohibited limit of carbon credits essentially functions as collateral for the loan. Even if the loan is not paid in full, the prohibited limit can be reduced by partial repayment (details will be described later).

[0055] FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram of the power generator investment information 180. The power generator investment information 180 is stored in the data storage unit 144 of the biomass power generation support apparatus 100. The power generator investment information 180 indicates the investment status of the power generator 114. The power generator 114 can freely select an investment recipient from multiple biomass companies 134. The power generator 114 (G01) has invested 2 billion yen in the biomass company 134 (H01) and 1 billion yen in the biomass company 134 (H02), but has not invested in the biomass company 134 (H03). Therefore, the power generator 114 (G01) can purchase biofuel from the biomass company 134 (H01) and the biomass company 134 (H02), but cannot purchase biofuel from the biomass company 134 (H03), which is not a recipient of the power generator's investment.

[0056] The larger the investment, the larger the biofuel provision quota. For example, assume that the total investment from the power generators 114 in the biomass company 134 (H01) is 10 billion yen. In this case, the power generator 114 (G01)'s investment of 2 billion yen in the biomass company 134 (H01) is equivalent to 20% of the total, so the power generator 114 (G01) is given 20% of the biofuel produced by the biomass company 134 (H01) as a provision quota (maximum purchase amount).

[0057] FIG. 9 is a data structure diagram of the biofuel procurement remaining amount information 190. The biofuel procurement remaining amount information 190 is stored in the data storage unit 144 of the biomass power generation support device 100. The biofuel procurement remaining amount information 190 indicates the amount of biofuel that each power generator 114 can purchase per month. For example, the biofuel procurement remaining amount information 190 shown in FIG. 9 is the procurement remaining amount (purchaseable amount) for September. The power generator 114 (G01) can purchase 200 units of biofuel from the biomass company 134 (H01) in which it has invested. The power generator 114 (G01) has invested in the biomass company 134 (H02), but has used up its supply quota for the biomass company 134 (H02), so the procurement remaining amount is "0 units." Furthermore, since the power generator 114 (G01) does not invest in the biomass company 134 (H03) (see FIG. 8), it cannot purchase biofuel from the biomass company 134 (H03).

[0058] More specifically, suppose that the biomass company 134 (H01) had 1,000 units of biofuel in stock at the end of August. The production terminal 106 notifies the biomass power generation support device 100 of the production and inventory amounts of biomass as appropriate. The manufacturing terminal 112 of the manufacturer 108 notifies the biomass power generation support device 100 of the inventory and production amounts of biofuel as appropriate. The distribution management unit 158 ​​sets the supply quota (available biofuel procurement amount) for the next month (September) based on the investment amount. In the above example, since the biofuel stock amount at the end of August was 1,000 units, the supply quota of the power generator (G01) is 20% of that, or 200 units.

[0059] The power generator 114 transmits a biofuel purchase request from the power generation terminal 120 to the production terminal 112 of the biofuel producer 108. At this time, the production terminal 112 transmits a confirmation request including the power generator ID and producer ID to the biomass power generation support apparatus 100. The distribution management unit 158 ​​of the biomass power generation support apparatus 100 refers to the power generator investment information 180 and the remaining biofuel procurement information 190, and replies with information on whether the biofuel can be purchased and the remaining procurement amount.

[0060] For example, when a power generator 114 (G01) wishes to purchase biofuel from a biomass company 134 (H01), the manufacturing terminal 112 of the biomass company 134 (H01) sends a confirmation request including the power generator ID = G01 and the producer ID = H01 to the biomass power generation support apparatus 100. The distribution management unit 158 ​​allows the power generator 114 (G01) to purchase biofuel because the power generator 114 (G01) has invested in the biomass company 134 (H01). Furthermore, by referring to the remaining biofuel procurement information 190, the distribution management unit 158 ​​notifies the demand terminal 124 (H01) that up to 200 units of biofuel can be provided.

[0061] When the biomass company 134 (H01) sells 140 units of biofuel to the power generator 114 (G01), the biomass company 134 (H01) notifies the biomass power generation support device 100 of the amount of biofuel sold. At this time, the distribution management unit 158 ​​updates the remaining biofuel procurement information 190 and changes the remaining amount of biofuel to be procured from the biomass company 134 (H01) to the power generator 114 (G01) to 60 units (= 200 - 140). The provision quota is set monthly, and the remaining procurement amount is subtracted each time biofuel is sold.

[0062] 10 is a data structure diagram of the consumer investment information 210. The consumer investment information 210 is stored in the data storage unit 144 of the biomass power generation support device 100. The consumer investment information 210 indicates the total investment amount (cumulative amount) of the consumer 122. The consumer 122 cannot choose the recipient of the investment. The loan management company 138 distributes and lends the investment collected from the consumer 122 to multiple biomass companies 134 at its own discretion.

[0063] The consumer 122 (D01) has invested 1 billion yen. If the total investment of all consumers is 100 billion yen, the consumer 122 (D01) will be set a provision quota of 1% (= 10 / 1000) of the green electricity supplied by all power generators 114. The consumer 122 (D01) can increase the provision quota (maximum purchase amount) of green electricity by making additional investments.

[0064] FIG. 11 is a data structure diagram of the green power procurement remaining amount information 220. The green power procurement remaining amount information 220 is stored in the data storage unit 144 of the biomass power generation support apparatus 100. The green power procurement remaining amount information 220 indicates the amount of green power that the consumer 122 can purchase per month (procurement remaining amount). For example, assume that the green power procurement remaining amount information 220 shown in FIG. 11 is the procurement amount for September. The consumer 122 (D01) can purchase 2 billion kWh of green power. If the green rate is 50%, the consumer 122 (D01) can purchase 4 billion kWh of power. In other words, the total amount of purchased power (4 billion kWh) × green rate (50%) = the amount of green power (2 billion kWh). On the other hand, the consumer 122 (D02) has used up its provision limit, so the procurement remaining amount is "0 billion kWh." Therefore, the consumer 122 (D02) cannot purchase any more green power in September.

[0065] More specifically, assume that the total amount of green power generated in August was 200 billion kWh. The power generation terminal 120 notifies the biomass power generation support device 100 of the amount of green power generated as appropriate. The distribution management unit 158 ​​sets the green power provision quota for the next month (September) based on the investment amount.

[0066] The consumer 122 transmits a green power purchase request from the consumer terminal 124 to the power generation terminal 120. The power generation terminal 120 transmits a confirmation request including the power generator ID and the consumer ID to the biomass power generation support device 100. The distribution management unit 158 ​​refers to the consumer investment information 210 and the green power procurement remaining amount information 220 and replies with information on whether the green power can be sold and the remaining procurement amount.

[0067] For example, when a consumer 122 (D01) requests the purchase of green power from a power generator 114 (G01), the power generation terminal 120 (G01) sends a confirmation request including the power generator ID = G01 and the consumer ID = D01 to the biomass power generation support apparatus 100. The distribution management unit 158 ​​allows the sale of green power because the consumer 122 (D01) has contributed. Furthermore, by referring to the consumer contribution information 210, the distribution management unit 158 ​​notifies the power generation terminal 120 (G01) that it can sell up to 20 (kWh) of green power.

[0068] The power generator 114 (G01) notifies the biomass power generation support device 100 as appropriate of the amount of green power sold to the consumer 122 (D01), and the distribution management unit 158 ​​updates the green power procurement remaining amount information 220. The provision quota is set monthly, and the procurement remaining amount is subtracted each time green power is sold.

[0069] 12 is a flowchart showing the processing steps at the time of lending. As described above, the loan management company 138 (biomass power generation support apparatus 100) lends funds to the biomass company 134 using capital contributions collected from the power generators 114 and the users 122 as the source of funds. The loan is transferred by the remittance unit 150 instructing the settlement system 136 to transfer funds to the bank account of the biomass company 134 to which the loan is to be made (S10). After the loan is transferred, the loan management unit 152 updates the loan balance information 160 (S12).

[0070] The loan management unit 152 calculates the prohibited quota based on the trading price of the carbon credit (S14). For example, if the trading price per unit of carbon credit is 2 million yen and the loan amount is 100 million yen, the CC management unit 154 adds a prohibited quota of 50 units of carbon credit (= 100 million yen ÷ 2 million yen). The CC management unit 154 sets the prohibited quota by updating the carbon credit holding information 170 (S16).

[0071] The trading price here means the market price in the carbon credit trading market. Alternatively, the trading price of carbon credits may be an official price set by a third party such as the certification authority 130. The more the loan balance increases, the larger the prohibited limit becomes, and the more the loan balance decreases, the smaller the prohibited limit becomes.

[0072] 13 is a flowchart showing a first process for repaying a loan. The biomass company 134 may repay the loan to the loan management company 138 in cash or in carbon credits. FIG. 13 shows the process for repaying a loan in cash.

[0073] The biomass company 134 transfers the repayment amount to the bank account of the loan management company 138. The biomass power generation support apparatus 100 receives a payment notification from the payment system 136 (S20). After confirming the payment, the loan management unit 152 updates the loan balance information 160 (S22). The CC management unit 154 calculates the amount of carbon credits equivalent to the repayment amount and recalculates the prohibited quota (S24). The CC management unit 154 updates the carbon credit holding information 170 and resets (reduces) the prohibited quota (S26). After this, the investment management unit 156 distributes the repayment amount to the investors, the power generators 114 and consumers 122 (S28).

[0074] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing a second processing step when repaying a loan. Figure 14 shows the processing step when repaying with carbon credits. The biomass company 134 may repay the loan with carbon credits produced at the biomass farm. The producer 104 can transfer all or part of the carbon credits registered in the carbon credit database 128 to the loan management company 138 using the production terminal 106. At this time, the carbon credits may be transferred regardless of the prohibited quota. For example, the biomass company 134 (H02) holds 1,100 units of carbon credits, with a prohibited quota of 500 units (see Figure 7), but can use all 1,100 units for repayment.

[0075] The CC management unit 154 detects the transfer (repayment) of carbon credits in the carbon credit database 128 (S30). The CC management unit 154 calculates the amount equivalent to the repayment of the repaid carbon credits based on the trading price of the carbon credits (S32). The loan management unit 152 updates the loan balance information 160 based on the amount equivalent to the repayment (S34). For example, if 200 units of carbon credits are repaid and the trading price per unit of carbon credit is 2 million yen, it is considered that 400 million yen (= 2 million yen x 200) has been repaid. The CC management unit 154 resets the prohibited limit (S36). When 200 units of carbon credits are repaid, the CC management unit 154 reduces the prohibited limit by 200 units.

[0076] The carbon credits repaid by the biomass company 134 become assets of the loan management company 138. The loan management company 138 may convert these carbon credits into cash by selling them on the market and distribute them to investors.

[0077] FIG. 15 is a data structure diagram of power quality information 230. The power generator 114 produces green electricity by co-firing coal (non-biofuel) and biochar (biofuel) in the first power generator 116. The first power generator 116 records the biochar mixing ratio, i.e., the green rate, every month. For example, if electricity is generated by co-firing 75% coal and 25% biochar, the green rate is 25%. The power quality information 230 shown in FIG. 15 indicates the amount of electricity provided by the power generator 114 (G01) to the consumer 122 (D01) each month and its green rate. The power generator 114 (G01) also provides power quality information 230 indicating the quality of the electricity sold to the consumer 122 (D02) along with the amount of electricity sold.

[0078] According to the power quality information 230 shown in Figure 15, the power generator 114 (G01) provides 1 billion kWh of power to the consumer 122 (D01) in January, with a green rate of 25%. Therefore, 250 million kWh of green power is provided to the consumer 122 (D01). The power quality information 230 enables the consumer 122 (D01) to know what percentage of the power it uses corresponds to green power.

[0079] Green CO2 is generated by thermal power generation by the first power generation device 116. The amount of green CO2 can be calculated from the carbon dioxide generated during power generation using the green rate during co-firing. The producer 108 generates hydrogen by electrolyzing water using solar energy or the like. The producer 108 produces green methane (biofuel) from the hydrogen thus produced and the green CO2. The power generator 114 produces green electricity by co-firing natural gas (non-biofuel) and green methane (biofuel) in the second power generation device 118. The second power generation device 118 also records the green methane blend rate, i.e., the green rate, every month. Even when generating natural gas power by co-firing natural gas and green methane, the power generator 114 provides power to the consumer 122 with power quality information 230 along with the amount of electricity sold.

[0080] [Summary] The biomass power generation support system 110 has been described above based on an embodiment. The biomass power generation support system 110 in this embodiment collects capital investments from a wide range of parties, including power producers 114 and consumers 122. The consumers 122 require green power to avoid or reduce border carbon taxes. Furthermore, being able to procure green power stably and at low prices is attractive to the consumers 122, as it allows them to gain an image as an environmentally conscious company.

[0081] Power generators 114 need to meet the demand for green electricity, but making large-scale investments in their own renewable energy facilities carries a high management risk. In the biomass power generation support system 110, capital contributions collected from multiple power generators 114 are invested in biomass companies 134, reducing the investment risk per power generator 114. If a large amount of capital is collected by the biomass company 134, the biomass company 134 can also make large-scale investments in sorghum fields and fuel production equipment 132.

[0082] The larger the investment, the larger the scope of biofuel provision, which makes it easier to stimulate investment motivation among power generators 114. Existing power generation facilities can be used as they are for the first power generation unit 116 and the second power generation unit 118. Power generators 114 can take a step-by-step approach by gradually increasing the green rate at coal-fired power plants, etc. As the output of solar power generation or wind power generation is unstable, secondary batteries or hydrogen storage systems are also required to adjust the output. In contrast, thermal power generation makes it easier to adjust the output. If the production capacity of biochar or green methane becomes large enough, "single-fuel combustion" with a green rate of 100% (%) will be possible.

[0083] In Japan, the capacity utilization rate of solar power generation is said to be around 17%. Therefore, if all electricity demand were to be met by solar power generation, a huge investment would be required. Biofarms offer a much higher investment efficiency than solar power generation. The inventors estimate that if sufficient funds can be raised for biofarms and a mass biomass production system can be established, the cost of biochar could be reduced to a level comparable to that of coal.

[0084] The loan management company 138 provides loans to the biomass company 134 using the carbon credits that the biomass company 134 plans to produce in the future as collateral. Because it is certain that carbon credits can be produced from sorghum fields, the risks associated with the loan are low. Therefore, it is thought that it will be easier for the power producers 114 and consumers 122 to invest.

[0085] The biomass company 134 can also repay the loan with carbon credits, which can be advantageous when the market price of carbon credits is high.

[0086] A quota is set for the biomass company 134 according to the loan amount, but if the accumulated amount of carbon credits exceeds the quota, the excess amount can be freely sold. At this stage, the biomass company 134 can earn revenue not only from biomass and biofuel but also from carbon credits, which makes it easier to stimulate the biomass company's 134's motivation to produce or repay.

[0087] The power generator 114 provides the consumer 122 with power quality information 230. The power quality information 230 not only allows the consumer 122 to know the amount of green power that the consumer 122 has purchased, but also reduces the administrative burden of procedures for the border carbon tax. Furthermore, the power quality information 230 serves as a certificate of purchase of green power, making it easier for the consumer 122 to appeal to customers and investors that they are an environmentally conscious company. Investing in biomass companies 134 and actively purchasing green power is likely to lead to an improvement in the company's image. Although electricity is essentially a commodity product, the power quality information 230 can add value to electricity in the form of a "green rate."

[0088] The larger the scale and capital of the consumer 122, the larger the amount of electricity they require. Such consumers 122 have large surplus funds and electricity demands, so it is economically rational for them to make a large investment in the biomass power generation support system 110. On the other hand, small-scale consumers 122 with little capital require less electricity, so there is no need for large investments. In the biomass power generation support system 110 of this embodiment, each consumer 122 can decide on an investment amount based on the amount of electricity their company requires, so it is thought that it will be possible to collect investments widely from a variety of consumers 122.

[0089] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and the components can be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, some components can be omitted from all the components shown in the above-described embodiments and modifications.

[0090] [Modification] High purity and a high carbonization rate are required for reducing coke used in steelmaking. In coke production, coal is steamed in a high-temperature carbonization furnace to remove components such as sulfur, coal tar, pitch, sulfuric acid, and ammonia from the coal. Coke can also be produced from biomass. When producing coke, a process is required to cool the coke after high-temperature treatment in the carbonization furnace. Heat is generated during this cooling process, but in Japan, the utilization rate of this waste heat is very low. The fuel production device 132 may use the waste heat generated during coke production as a heat source for a torrefaction furnace that torrefies biomass.

[0091] Biomass contains silica, which remains when biomass is burned. This silica can be used in health foods, silicone oil, silicon wafers, etc. Furthermore, since the silica processing process requires chemical products such as methanol, using methanol produced from the above-mentioned green methane will further promote the "greening" of products.

[0092] Methanol can be used in gasoline engines, but not in diesel engines. Diesel engines require oil to self-ignite, but methanol has low self-ignition properties. Diesel engines have low torque, making them essential for trucks, buses, construction machinery, ships, and other vehicles. Therefore, research is being conducted into powering diesel engines by using diesel fuel that is self-ignited at about 10% of the total fuel, and burning the remaining methanol (dual fuel engine).

[0093] As described above, squeezing sorghum produces dry sorghum (bagasse) as a residue. Roasting this bagasse in a torrefaction furnace produces biochar. Meanwhile, the juice produced during the juicing process contains sugar (glucose), amounting to 10% (by weight) of the original sorghum. Microbial fermentation of this juice produces methane (green methane). Sorghum, a resource crop, not only fixes carbon dioxide underground through its roots, but also produces two types of biofuels, biochar and methane, from its leaves and stems. The first power generation unit 116 generates green electricity by using the biochar to generate coal-fired power. The second power generation unit 118 generates green electricity by using the methane to generate natural gas power.

[0094] Ethanol can also be produced by distilling the juice obtained by squeezing sorghum. In this case, the juice may be distilled using heat generated by the first power generation unit 116.

[0095] Bagasse can be gasified by roasting it at high temperatures of around 1200 degrees, and methanol can be produced from this gas. The gas contains hydrogen, methane, ethane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc. More specifically, by liquefying the gas using the Fischer-Tropsch reaction, it is possible to extract about 20% (by weight) of the gas as methanol.

[0096] In the present embodiment, it has been described that the biofuel supply quota for the power generator 114 is set according to the investment in the biomass company 134. As a modification, the unit price of the biofuel may be lowered as the investment becomes larger. Alternatively, the power generator 114 with the larger investment may be given priority in providing biofuel.

[0097] The same applies to the consumer 122. The consumer 122 may be able to purchase green power at a lower price as the consumer 122 invests more. Alternatively, the consumer 122 with a larger investment may be given priority in purchasing green power.

[0098] In this embodiment, when the biomass company 134 partially repays the loan, the CC management unit 154 reduces the prohibited limit in accordance with the repayment amount. As a variant, the prohibited limit may not be reduced when the biomass company 134 partially repays the loan, and the CC management unit 154 may lift the prohibited limit only on the condition that the biomass company 134 has repaid the loan in full.

[0099] The CC management unit 154 may vary the prohibited limit depending on the trading price of carbon credits. As the trading price of carbon credits rises, the collateral value also increases. The CC management unit 154 may reduce the prohibited limit as the trading price of carbon credits increases, and may increase the prohibited limit as the trading price of carbon credits decreases.

[0100] In this embodiment, it has been described that carbon credits are transferred by rewriting the ownership of the carbon credits registered in the carbon credit database 128. As a variation, carbon credits may be traded directly between related parties (see Patent Document 2 for details).

[0101] In this embodiment, it has been described that a loan is provided from the loan management company 138 to the biomass company 134. Alternatively, the biomass company 134 may issue its own corporate bonds to raise funds directly from the power producers 114 and the consumers 122. These corporate bonds may be issued using carbon credits that the biomass company 134 will produce in the future or currently holds as collateral.

[0102] In the present embodiment, the consumer 122 provides capital investment to the loan management company 138, rather than selecting an investor from among a plurality of biomass companies 134. As a variation, the consumer 122 may be able to select an investor from a plurality of biomass companies 134. Even in this case, the consumer 122 may be able to purchase green electricity within a quota corresponding to the invested capital, regardless of whether the investor is the biomass company 134 from which the green electricity originated.

Claims

1. A biomass power generation support device comprising: a remittance unit that instructs the remittance of a loan to a producer of resource crops grown as a material for biofuel; a loan management unit that manages the remaining loan balance to the producer; and a carbon credit management unit that sets a prohibition on the provision to others of carbon credits generated by the producer from the cultivation of the resource crops, wherein the carbon credit management unit lifts the prohibition on the producer providing carbon credits on the condition that the loan has been repaid.

2. The biomass power generation support device as described in claim 1, wherein the carbon credit management unit sets a prohibited limit based on the loan amount, and permits the producer to provide any carbon credits produced by the producer that exceed the prohibited limit to others.

3. The biomass power generation support device according to claim 2, wherein the carbon credit management unit sets a prohibited limit based on the loan amount and the trading price of the carbon credit.

4. The biomass power generation support device as described in claim 2, wherein the carbon credit management unit, when carbon credits are provided by the producer, reduces the prohibited limit in accordance with the amount of the provided carbon credits, and the loan management unit reduces the loan balance in accordance with the amount of the provided carbon credits.

5. A biomass power generation support device as described in claim 1, further comprising: an investment management unit that registers the power generator as an investor when a capital contribution is received from the power generator as part of the loan; and a distribution management unit that, when a confirmation request including the power generator's identification information is received from an administrator of a fuel production device that produces biofuel based on the resource crop, permits the provision of biofuel to the power generator on the condition that the power generator is an investor.

6. The biomass power generation support device described in claim 5, wherein the investment management unit further sets a biofuel supply limit for the power generator according to the amount of the investment, and when the power generator that is the subject of the confirmation request is an investor, the distribution management unit permits the supply of biofuel to the power generator within the limit.

7. A biomass power generation support device as described in claim 1, further comprising: an investment management unit which, when a capital contribution as part of the loan is received from a power consumer, registers the power consumer as an investor; and a distribution management unit which, when a confirmation request including identification information of the power consumer is received from a power generator operating the biofuel power generation device, permits the provision of electricity to the power consumer on the condition that the power consumer is an investor.

8. The biomass power generation support device as described in claim 7, wherein the investment management unit further sets a power supply limit for the consumer according to the amount of the investment, and when the consumer subject to the confirmation request is an investor, the distribution management unit permits the supply of power to the consumer within the limit.

9. A biomass power generation support system comprising: a fuel production device that produces biofuel from resource crops provided by producers of resource crops cultivated as materials for biofuel; and a first power generation device that generates power by co-burning the produced biofuel and a non-biofuel, wherein when providing power to a power consumer, the first power generation device transmits power quality information indicating the mixture ratio of biofuel and non-biofuel at the time of power generation to a communication terminal used by the power consumer.

10. A biomass power generation support system as described in claim 9, further comprising: a methane production device that produces methane based on hydrogen and carbon dioxide; and a second power generation device that generates power by combusting methane, wherein the first power generation device supplies carbon dioxide generated during power generation to the methane production device, and the second power generation device generates power by combusting the methane produced by the methane production device.

11. The biomass power generation support system described in claim 10, wherein the second power generation device generates electricity by co-firing natural gas and methane, and when providing electricity to an electricity consumer, the second power generation device transmits power quality information indicating the mixture ratio of natural gas and the produced methane at the time of power generation to a communication terminal used by the electricity consumer.

12. A biomass power generation support system as described in claim 9, wherein the fuel production device produces biochar and juice from the resource crop, and produces ethanol by distilling the juice using the combustion heat of the biochar.

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