Information processing system and information processing method

Abstract

The present invention obtains, as a more practical value, a reduction contribution amount of carbon dioxide gas as a result of replacement of a drive system having a drive device from a base system to an object system. A sensor 123 performs actual measurement of a first electric power consumption amount that an object system consumed by a drive device. A first conversion unit 201 converts the first electric power consumption amount, and acquires a first emission amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted in power generation of an electric power amount corresponding to the first electric power consumption amount. An acquisition unit 202 uses an electric power consumption model for deriving electric power consumption on the basis of a control pattern of the drive device, so as to acquire a second electric power consumption amount that will be consumed corresponding to a control pattern of a base system. A second conversion unit 203 converts the second electric power consumption amount and acquires a second emission amount of carbon dioxide gas that will be emitted in power generation of an electric power amount corresponding to the second electric power consumption amount. A calculation unit 204 calculates a difference between the first emission amount and the second emission amount as a reduction contribution amount.

Description

Information processing system and information processing method

[0001] The present invention relates to information processing technology.

[0002] Various technologies have been proposed to contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions due to energy consumption (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 5408077 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-217450 Japanese Patent No. 7348421

[0004] The Institute of Life Cycle Assessment of Japan, "Guidelines for Calculating Avoided Greenhouse Gas Emissions," The Institute of Life Cycle Assessment of Japan, 2nd Edition, March 8, 2022

[0005] There is a widespread demand for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions generated by the generation of energy consumed by moving machinery can be reduced, for example, by changing the production process of goods or the transportation process. The amount of reduction achieved by implementing such methods is called avoided emissions. Avoided emissions are increasingly being used as an indicator to demonstrate the results of efforts to address environmental issues, and it is desirable to be able to calculate them as more realistic values.

[0006] In recent years, progress has been made in developing methods for calculating greenhouse gas emissions in the chemical and electrical and electronics industries in Japan. However, these methods are specialized for specific industries and do not involve calculating greenhouse gas emission avoidance contributions for the entire industry.

[0007] The Institute of Life Cycle Assessment (ILCA) of Japan and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), with participating companies at the forefront, are working to clarify ideas regarding avoided greenhouse gas emissions across the industry. The Institute of Life Cycle Assessment (ILCA) of Japan and the WBCSD have also considered and published a summary of ideal methods for assessing avoided greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the Institute of Life Cycle Assessment (ILCA) of Japan has published the "Guidelines for Calculating Avoided Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Second Edition, March 8, 2022" (see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0008] The above guidelines are a compilation of information on the assessment of greenhouse gas emissions, and state that avoided emissions can be calculated by multiplying the following three items:

[0009] 1. The net greenhouse gas emission reduction amount compared to the baseline based on life cycle assessment per functional unit of the final product, etc. that demonstrates the reduction effect. 2. The amount of the final product, etc. that demonstrates the reduction effect in use. 3. The contribution rate of the product, etc. being evaluated.

[0010] Regarding the setting of baselines, the following principles are stated as the basis for setting the baselines:

[0011] "The product to be compared (base equipment) is defined as the product that would have been in widespread use if the product to be evaluated (target equipment) did not exist. If the product to be evaluated (target equipment) is a final product that demonstrates a reduction effect, the product to be compared (base equipment) is defined as the baseline. The baseline must have the same functions as the final product that demonstrates a reduction effect."

[0012] However, the above guidelines merely serve as a guide for defining greenhouse gas avoided emissions. Therefore, they do not describe how to calculate greenhouse gas emissions during the operating process of the target equipment, taking into account its characteristics, or how to calculate greenhouse gas emissions generated when a base equipment with the same functions as the target equipment is operated for the same purpose. Therefore, a method for calculating greenhouse gas emissions and a system for assessing appropriate avoided emissions are needed when operating industrial equipment that produces or transports goods.

[0013] Drivetrain systems are an example of industrial equipment that realizes the production and transportation of goods. Drivetrain systems consist of energy-consuming drive devices such as motors and inverters, as well as machinery and equipment that includes these devices, such as machine tools, conveyors, transport robots, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

[0014] In order to reduce the energy consumed in the production and transportation of goods, it is important to optimize the energy consumption of driving equipment by optimally controlling the operation of the driving equipment.

[0015] An information processing system according to one embodiment provides a reduction in carbon dioxide gas emissions resulting from replacing a base system having a drivetrain system with a target system. The information processing system includes a sensor, a first conversion unit, an acquisition unit, a second conversion unit, and a calculation unit. The sensor measures a first amount of power consumption, which is the amount of power consumed by the drivetrain in the target system. The first conversion unit converts the first amount of power consumption measured by the sensor to obtain a first amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions, which is the amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions emitted when generating an amount of power equivalent to the first amount of power consumption. The acquisition unit uses a power consumption model that derives power consumption based on a control pattern of the drivetrain to obtain a second amount of power consumption, which is the amount of power consumed in accordance with a control pattern of the base system. The second conversion unit converts the second amount of power consumption to obtain a second amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions, which is the amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions emitted when generating an amount of power equivalent to the second amount of power consumption. The calculation unit calculates the difference between the first amount of emissions and the second amount of emissions as the reduction in carbon dioxide gas emissions.

[0016] According to the above aspect, it is possible to obtain the amount of avoided energy consumption as a more realistic value.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of an information processing system for implementing the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of each registered data in a database. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing content of an example of authentication processing. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing content of an example of avoided emissions calculation processing. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing content of an example of base system emissions calculation processing. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing content of an example of target system emissions calculation processing.

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A detailed description of an embodiment of a production system for goods, which is an example of a drive train system, will be given below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] 1 , the information processing device 100 is connected to a database 110. The information processing device 100 calculates the amount of avoided emissions in reducing carbon dioxide gas emissions due to the update of a drive train system having drive equipment as a production system for goods in a factory 120, and provides the amount of avoided emissions to a recipient 130.

[0021] In the factory 120, goods are produced by an updated production system (target system 121). The target system 121 is configured to include a plurality of target devices 122 as a plurality of driving devices. Although the target system 121 is configured with three target devices 122 in Fig. 1, this configuration is merely an example, and the number of target devices 122 that configure the target system 121 may be any number.

[0022] A sensor 123 is installed in each of the target devices 122. The sensor 123 measures the amount of power (power consumption) consumed by each of the target devices 122 constituting the target system 121 in the production of goods.

[0023] The power receiving and transforming system 124 receives and transforms the power used to operate the factory 120, and supplies the power to the target system 121. In this embodiment, the power used to operate the factory 120 is supplied from multiple power sources, and the proportion of power supplied from each power source is changed in real time. The power receiving and transforming system 124 calculates the proportion of power supplied from each power source, and stores data indicating the proportion of power supplied from each power source (proportion data, described later).

[0024] The production management system (PMS) 125 is a system that manages the production plans of goods in the factory 120, and has information on the production volume of goods and information (configuration information) on the equipment that makes up the target system 121.

[0025] The database 110 includes base equipment data 111 , base equipment control data 112 , and emission amount coefficient data 113 .

[0026] The base equipment data 111 is data on the control state during operation and power consumption under load for each piece of equipment (base equipment) that constituted the production system (base system) before the update that produced goods.

[0027] The base device control data 112 includes information on the production volume of goods when the goods are produced by the base system, information on each device that constitutes the base system, control information for each device, information on each power supply source, and the like.

[0028] The emission coefficient data 113 is data indicating the carbon dioxide gas emission coefficient for each power supplier. The carbon dioxide gas emission coefficient is the value of the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted when a unit amount of power is generated at the power supplier that operates the factory 120. In this embodiment, the emission coefficient value is provided in real time from each power supplier.

[0029] The information processing device 100 provides a target system emission calculation function 101 , a base system emission calculation function 102 , a avoided energy consumption calculation function 103 , an authentication function 104 , and a provision function 105 .

[0030] The target system emission calculation function 101 is a function for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted by the production of goods by the target system 121. For this calculation, the total power consumption of the target system 121 measured by a plurality of sensors 123, the data on the proportion of power supplied by each power source obtained from the power receiving and transforming system 124, and the emission coefficient data 113 obtained from the database 110 are used.

[0031] The base system emission calculation function 102 is a function for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted by the production of goods by the base system. This calculation uses base equipment data 111, base equipment control data 112, and emission coefficient data 113 obtained from the database 110.

[0032] The avoided emissions calculation function 103 is a function that calculates the avoided emissions in reducing carbon dioxide gas emissions by replacing a base system, which is a drive train system having drive machines as a production system for goods in a factory 120, with a target system 121. With this function, the difference between the emissions calculated by the target system emissions calculation function 101 and the emissions calculated by the base system emissions calculation function 102 is calculated as the avoided emissions.

[0033] The authentication function 104 is a function that certifies that each of the target devices 122 that constitute the target system 121 in the factory 120 matches the information of the constituent devices of the target system 121 managed by the production management system 125. This authentication is performed to confirm that the constituent devices of the target system 121 have not been spoofed or data has not been tampered with when calculating the amount of avoided emissions, and is performed the first time the target system 121 is operated after being installed in the factory 120.

[0034] The providing function 105 is a function that provides the CO2 reduction contribution calculated by the CO2 reduction contribution calculation function 103 to the recipients 130. Note that, although Fig. 1 shows a state in which the CO2 reduction contribution is provided to four recipients 130, this configuration is merely an example, and the number of recipients 130 to which the CO2 reduction contribution is provided may be arbitrary.

[0035] Next, a description will be given of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows a detailed configuration example of an information processing system 200 for implementing the present invention.

[0036] The information processing system 200 provides the amount of avoided emissions in reducing carbon dioxide gas emissions by replacing a base system, which is a drive train system having drive equipment as a production system for goods, with a target system 121. This information processing system 200 is configured with the information processing device 100, database 110, and sensor 123 shown in FIG.

[0037] The sensor 123 in FIG. 2 is a collective representation of the multiple sensors 123 in FIG. 1, and measures the first power consumption amount, which is the amount of power consumed by a target system 121 consisting of multiple target devices 122 in producing goods.

[0038] The information processing device 100 includes a first conversion unit 201 , an acquisition unit 202 , a second conversion unit 203 , a calculation unit 204 , a provision unit 205 , and an authentication unit 206 .

[0039] The first conversion unit 201 converts the first amount of power consumption actually measured by the sensor 123 to obtain a first emission amount, which is the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted when generating an amount of electricity equivalent to the first amount of power consumption.

[0040] Furthermore, the actual measurement of the first power consumption amount does not have to be performed by something that directly measures the power consumption amount of the target system 121, such as the sensor 123. For example, the power consumption amount calculated by a software sensor that estimates the power consumption amount of the target system 121 from the power consumption amounts of related devices or the power consumption amounts measured by other related sensors may also be treated as the actually measured first power consumption amount.

[0041] The acquisition unit 202 acquires a second amount of power consumption, which is the amount of power that the base system will consume in producing the goods.

[0042] In this embodiment, it is assumed that power consumption data and device control data are registered in the database 110. The power consumption data is data indicating the power consumption of each of multiple base devices used in the base system for each control content for the multiple base devices. The device control data is data indicating the control content performed on each of the multiple base devices for the production of goods by the base system. The acquisition unit 202 acquires the power consumption data and device control data from the database 110 and calculates and acquires the second power consumption amount using this data.

[0043] In addition, the acquisition unit 202 may acquire the amount of power that will be consumed in accordance with the control pattern of the base system as the second power consumption amount using a power consumption model that derives power consumption based on the control patterns of multiple target devices 122 that constitute the target system 121.

[0044] That is, for example, a base system environment may be constructed in a virtual space using a digital twin technique as a power consumption model of the base system, and the second power consumption amount may be calculated from this model and acquired by the acquisition unit 202. In this case, the base power consumption model is configured by a database 110 in which power consumption data indicating the power consumption of each of a plurality of base devices used in the base system for each control content for each of the plurality of base devices, and device control data indicating the control content performed on each of the plurality of base devices by operating the base system, are registered.

[0045] Furthermore, for example, a power consumption model of the base system may be created by performing a simulation using the operation pattern of the target system 121 when the first power consumption amount is obtained, and the acquisition unit 202 may acquire the second power consumption amount from this model. In this case, the base power consumption model is configured by the database 110 in which power consumption data indicating the power consumption of each of the multiple base devices used in the base system for each control content for each of the multiple base devices and device control data indicating the control content performed on each of the multiple base devices by operating the base system are registered.

[0046] The second conversion unit 203 converts the second power consumption amount acquired by the acquisition unit 202 to acquire a second emission amount, which is the amount of carbon dioxide gas that will be emitted when generating an amount of electricity equivalent to the second power consumption amount.

[0047] In the configuration example of FIG. 2 , the acquisition unit 202 acquires ratio data and emission amount coefficient data 113 from the external system 210. The ratio data is data indicating the ratio of power supplied from each of a plurality of power supply sources to the installation location (factory 120) of the target system 121. Furthermore, the emission amount coefficient data 113 is data indicating the carbon dioxide gas emission coefficient for each supply source, as described above. In this embodiment, the acquisition unit 202 acquires the ratio data from the power receiving and transforming system 124 of the factory 120, and acquires the emission amount coefficient data 113 from the power generation system of the power supply source via the database 110. In other words, the power receiving and transforming system 124 and the power generation system of the power supply source are examples of the external system 210.

[0048] The first conversion unit 201 and the second conversion unit 203 convert the amount of power consumption using the ratio data acquired by the acquisition unit 202 and the emission amount coefficient data 113. That is, the first conversion unit 201 acquires the first emission amount by converting the first amount of power consumption actually measured by the sensor 123 using the ratio data and the emission amount coefficient data 113. Furthermore, the second conversion unit 203 acquires the second emission amount by converting the second amount of power consumption acquired by the acquisition unit 202 using the ratio data and the emission amount coefficient data 113.

[0049] The calculation unit 204 calculates the difference between the first emission amount acquired by the first conversion unit 201 and the second emission amount acquired by the second conversion unit 203 as the avoided emissions.

[0050] The providing unit 205 provides the avoided energy consumption amount calculated by the calculating unit 204.

[0051] The information processing system 200 having such a configuration calculates the carbon dioxide gas reduction contribution amount using the actual measured value of the amount of electricity consumed by the target system 121 in producing goods, and therefore it is possible to obtain the reduction contribution amount as an actual value.

[0052] The authentication unit 206 certifies that the multiple devices that actually constitute the target system 121 match the configuration information acquired from the external system 210. Note that the configuration information is information that identifies the devices that constitute the target system 121. In this embodiment, the authentication unit 206 acquires the configuration information from the production management system 125. In other words, the production management system 125 is also an example of the external system 210.

[0053] The information processing system 200 illustrated in Fig. 2 includes the above components. Among the functions provided by the information processing device 100, the target system emission calculation function 101 is provided by the first conversion unit 201, the base system emission calculation function 102 is provided by the second conversion unit 203, and the avoided emissions calculation function 103 is provided by the calculation unit 204. Furthermore, the authentication function 104 is provided by the authentication unit 206, and the provision function 105 is provided by the provision unit 205.

[0054] The first conversion unit 201 may acquire the first emission amount by converting the energy consumption per unit production amount of the goods, which is calculated from the first energy consumption based on the production amount of the goods by the target system 121. The second conversion unit 203 may acquire the second emission amount by converting the energy consumption per unit production amount of the goods, which is calculated from the second energy consumption based on the production amount of the goods by the base system. In this case, the calculation unit 204 calculates the difference between the first emission amount acquired by the first conversion unit 201 and the second emission amount acquired by the second conversion unit 203 as the avoided emissions per unit production amount of the goods.

[0055] Next, an example of the data structure of each piece of registered data in the database 110 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0056] As described above, the database 110 stores the base device data 111, the base device control data 112, and the emission amount coefficient data 113.

[0057] The base device data 111 is an example of power consumption data, and is data that associates the model name, type name, and serial number of each base device that constitutes the base system with the amount of power consumption of that device. Note that, for the amount of power consumption, values ​​are registered for each control logic that indicates the control content for the base device (for example, the operation mode of the device).

[0058] The base device control data 112 is an example of device control data, and is data that associates the model name and type name of each base device that constitutes the base system with control logic. Note that the control logic registers information that identifies the control content that is applied to each base device when the base system is producing goods. By associating the base device control data 112 with the base device data 111 using the model name and type name information and the control logic information, the amount of power consumption of each base device when the base system is producing goods can be obtained.

[0059] The emission amount coefficient data 113 is data that associates the names of the suppliers that supply power to the factory 120 with the emission amount coefficients of the suppliers.

[0060] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0061] The information processing device 100 includes components such as a CPU 301, a memory 302, an input device 303, an output device 304, an auxiliary storage device 305, a target device I / F 306, and a communication I / F 307. All of these components are connected to an internal bus 308, and are configured to enable data exchange between the components. Note that "CPU" is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. Also, "I / F" is an abbreviation for Interface.

[0062] The CPU 301 controls each hardware component of the information processing device 100 by, for example, executing a predetermined program using the memory 302, thereby enabling the information processing device 100 to provide each function it has.

[0063] The memory 302 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, and includes a RAM area and a ROM area. Note that "RAM" is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory, and "ROM" is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory.

[0064] The input device 303 is, for example, a keyboard or pointing device for inputting instructions.

[0065] The output device 304 is, for example, a display device used to output various types of information.

[0066] The auxiliary storage device 305 is a non-volatile storage device, such as a flash memory.

[0067] The target device I / F 306 transmits and receives various data to and from the target device 122 in accordance with instructions sent from the CPU 301. The data received by the target device I / F 306 from the target device 122 also includes data on the amount of power consumption of the target device 122 actually measured by the sensor 123.

[0068] The communication I / F 307 transmits and receives various data to and from the database 110, the power receiving and transforming system 124, the production management system 125, the destination 130, etc. via a communication network (not shown) in accordance with instructions sent from the CPU 301.

[0069] The information processing device 100 has the above-described hardware configuration.

[0070] Next, a description will be given of various processes performed by the information processing apparatus 100. These processes are realized by the CPU 301 executing predetermined programs.

[0071] First, the authentication process will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

[0072] The authentication process is a process for authenticating that the multiple devices that actually constitute the target system 121 match the configuration information obtained from the external system 210, and is a process for providing the function of the authentication unit 206.

[0073] When the process of FIG. 5 starts, first, in S101, a process of acquiring configuration information of the target system 121 from the production management system 125 is performed.

[0074] Next, in S102, a process of transmitting an identification information transmission request addressed to each of the target devices 122 constituting the target system 121 installed in the factory 120 is performed.

[0075] The target device 122 has a function of returning identification information including its own model name, type name, and serial number to the sender of the request when it receives the request to send the identification information.

[0076] Next, in S103, a process is performed to receive the identification information sent from the target device 122, and then in S104, a process is performed to determine whether the identification information has been received. In this determination process, if it is determined that the identification information has been received (if the determination result is YES), the process proceeds to S107.

[0077] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of S104 that the identification information has not been received (the determination result is NO), the process proceeds to S105, where a process is performed to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed without the identification information being received.

[0078] In the process of S105, when the determination process of S104 becomes NO for the first time, a timer (not shown) is started to measure time, and when the timer has measured a predetermined time, the determination result is changed from NO to YES. Also, if the determination process of S104 becomes YES after the timer has started measuring time, the timer is stopped and reset.

[0079] In the determination process of S105, if it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (if the determination result is YES), the process proceeds to S106, where information indicating authentication failure is output by the output device 304. After that, the authentication process ends.

[0080] In S107, a process is performed to determine whether the received identification information is appropriate. In this process, the information on the model name, type name, and serial number contained in the identification information is compared with the information on the equipment contained in the configuration information acquired from the production management system 125 in the process of S101. If the result of this comparison shows a match, the identification information is determined to be appropriate, and if they do not match, the identification information is determined to be inappropriate.

[0081] In the determination process of S107, if the identification information is determined to be appropriate (if the determination result is YES), the process proceeds to S108. On the other hand, in the determination process of S107, if the identification information is determined to be inappropriate (if the determination result is NO), the process proceeds to S106, where information indicating authentication failure is output by the output device 304, and then the authentication process ends.

[0082] In S108, a process is performed to determine whether or not identification information has been received from all devices indicated by the configuration information of the target system 121. In the determination process of S108, if it is determined that identification information has been received from all devices (if the determination result is YES), the process proceeds to S109. On the other hand, in the determination process of S108, if it is determined that there are still devices from which identification information has not been received (if the determination result is NO), the process returns to S103, and the above-mentioned process is performed again.

[0083] In the determination process of S108, if the configuration information acquired from the production management system 125 contains information about equipment that has not been compared with the identification information received in the process of S103, the determination result is NO.

[0084] In S109, information indicating successful authentication is output from the output device 304. After that, the authentication process ends.

[0085] The above-described processing is the authentication processing exemplified in FIG.

[0086] In addition, in the processing of S106, information about devices that have been determined to be inappropriate in the judgment processing of S107 and information about devices that have not been compared with the identification information received in the processing of S103 may be output together with information indicating authentication failure or as information indicating authentication failure.

[0087] Next, the avoided energy contribution calculation process will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

[0088] The avoided energy contribution calculation process is a process for calculating and providing the avoided energy contribution in reducing carbon dioxide gas emissions by replacing a base system having a drive device as a production system for goods with the target system 121.

[0089] 6 starts, first, in S201, a base system emission amount calculation process is performed. This process calculates the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted by the production of goods by the base system. The details of this process will be described later.

[0090] Next, in S202, a target system emission calculation process is performed. This process is a process for calculating the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted by the production of goods by the target system 121. The details of this process will also be described later.

[0091] In S203, a process is performed to calculate the avoided emissions from the carbon dioxide gas emissions for the base system calculated in the process of S201 and the carbon dioxide gas emissions for the target system 121 calculated in the process of S202. In this process, the avoided emissions are calculated by subtracting the carbon dioxide gas emissions for the base system (second emission amount) from the carbon dioxide gas emissions for the target system 121 (first emission amount). This process is a process for providing the function of the calculation unit 204.

[0092] In S204, a process of receiving a provision request representing a request for provision of the calculated reduction contribution amount is performed, and in the following S205, a process of determining whether or not the provision request has been received is performed. The provision request is a request sent from the provision destination 130.

[0093] In the determination process of S205, when it is determined that a provision request has been received (when the determination result is YES), the process proceeds to S206, and the reduction contribution calculated in the process of S203 is transmitted to the provision destination 130, which is the sender of the received provision request. The process of S206 is a process for providing the function of the provision unit 205.

[0094] After the process of S206, the process returns to S202, and the target system emission calculation process and subsequent processes are repeated.

[0095] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of S205 that a provision request has not been received (if the determination result is NO), the process of S206 is skipped and the process returns to S202.

[0096] The above-described processing is the avoided energy saving calculation processing illustrated in FIG. 6 .

[0097] In the process of FIG. 6, the amount of reduction contribution is transmitted to the destination 130, which is the sender, in response to the receipt of a provision request, and provided. However, the calculated amount of reduction contribution may be provided to the destination 130 each time a new amount of reduction contribution is calculated (regardless of whether a provision request has been received).

[0098] Next, a description will be given of the details of the base system emission calculation process, which is the process of S201 in the avoided energy consumption calculation process of Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of an example of the base system emission calculation process.

[0099] 7 starts, first, in S211, the base device data 111 and the base device control data 112 are acquired from the database 110. Next, in S212, the data acquired in S211 is used to calculate the amount of power consumed by the base system due to the production of goods in the base system (second power consumption amount).

[0100] In the process of S212, first, for each base device indicated in the base device control data 112, the amount of power consumption when the base device is operated according to the control logic applied when producing goods in the base system is obtained from the base device data 111. Then, the obtained amount of power consumption for each base device is summed up, and the sum is used as the calculation result of the second amount of power consumption.

[0101] Next, in S213, the aforementioned ratio data, i.e., data showing the ratio of the power supply source, is obtained from the power receiving and transforming system 124, and then in S214, the emission amount coefficient data 113 is obtained from the database 110.

[0102] The above-described processing from S211 to S214 is processing for providing the function of the acquisition unit 202.

[0103] Next, in S215, the second power consumption calculated in S212 is converted into a carbon dioxide emission amount using the ratio data acquired in S212 and S213 and the emission amount coefficient data 113. This process is for providing the function of the second conversion unit 203.

[0104] In the process of S215, first, for each power supply source indicated in the emission amount coefficient data 113, the emission amount coefficient for the supply source is multiplied by the proportion of the power supply source indicated in the proportion data. Then, by summing the values ​​obtained for each power supply source, the emission amount coefficient for the factory 120, i.e., the carbon dioxide emission amount per unit of power consumption, is calculated. By multiplying the emission amount coefficient for the factory 120 thus obtained by the second power consumption calculated in the process of S212, the carbon dioxide gas emission amount (second emission amount) for the base system is calculated.

[0105] When the carbon dioxide gas emissions for the base system are obtained by the process of S215 described above, the base system emissions calculation process ends, and the process then returns to the avoided energy consumption calculation process of FIG.

[0106] The above-described processing is the base system emission calculation processing exemplified in FIG.

[0107] Next, a description will be given of the details of the target system emission calculation process, which is the process of S202 in the avoided energy consumption calculation process of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of an example of the target system emission calculation process.

[0108] When the processing of Figure 8 starts, first, in S221, a process is performed to obtain the actual measured values ​​of the power consumption of each target device 122 from the sensors 123 installed in each target device 122 that constitutes the target system 121.

[0109] Next, in S222, the amounts of power consumption acquired from the sensors 123 in the process of S221 are summed up to calculate the total amount of power consumption (first amount of power consumption) of the target system 121.

[0110] Next, in S223, the aforementioned ratio data, i.e., data indicating the ratio of the power supply sources, is acquired from the power receiving and transforming system 124, and then in S224, the emission amount coefficient data 113 is acquired from the database 110. The processes of S223 and S224 are processes for providing the function of the acquisition unit 202.

[0111] Next, in S225, the first power consumption calculated in S222 is converted into a carbon dioxide emission amount using the ratio data acquired in S222 and S223 and the emission coefficient data 113. This process is for providing the function of the first conversion unit 201.

[0112] In the process of S225, first, for each power supply source indicated in the emission amount coefficient data 113, the emission amount coefficient for the supply source is multiplied by the proportion of the power supply source indicated in the proportion data. Then, by adding up the values ​​obtained for each power supply source, the emission amount coefficient for the factory 120, i.e., the carbon dioxide emission amount per unit of power consumption, is calculated. By multiplying the first power consumption calculated in the process of S222 by the emission amount coefficient for the factory 120 obtained in this way, the carbon dioxide gas emission amount (first emission amount) for the target system 121 is calculated.

[0113] When the carbon dioxide gas emission amount for the target system 121 is obtained by the process of S225 described above, the target system emission calculation process ends, and thereafter the process returns to the avoided energy consumption calculation process of FIG.

[0114] The above-described processing is the target system emission calculation processing exemplified in FIG.

[0115] By having the information processing device 100 perform each of the above-mentioned processes, it becomes possible to provide the amount of contribution to reducing carbon dioxide gas emissions by replacing a base system having driving equipment as a production system for goods with the target system 121.

[0116] Although the disclosed embodiments and their advantages have been described in detail above, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art may make various modifications, additions, and omissions without departing from the scope of the invention as clearly set forth in the claims.

[0117] For example, a target value of the reduction contribution may be set in advance and stored in a storage area of ​​the information processing device 100. In this case, it may be determined whether the reduction contribution calculated in the process of S203 in the reduction contribution calculation process illustrated in Fig. 6 satisfies the target value, and if it is determined that the reduction contribution does not satisfy the target value, a notification to that effect may be output by the output device 304. Furthermore, if it is determined that the reduction contribution does not satisfy the target value, in the process of S206, information indicating that the reduction contribution does not satisfy the target value may be transmitted together with the calculated reduction contribution or instead of the calculated reduction contribution.

[0118] Also, for example, an appropriate range for the amount of power consumption of the target device 122 may be set in advance and stored in a storage area of ​​the information processing device 100. In this case, whether or not the actual measured value of the amount of power consumption of the target device 122 acquired from the sensor 123 in the process of S221 in the process illustrated in Fig. 8 satisfies the appropriate range may be determined, and if it is determined that the actual measured value does not satisfy the appropriate range, a notification to that effect may be output by the output device 304.

[0119] Furthermore, for example, the second power consumption calculated by the process of S212 in the process illustrated in FIG. 7 and the first power consumption calculated by the process of S222 in the process illustrated in FIG. 8 may be calculated as the power consumption per unit production amount of the goods. That is, for example, in the process of S212, the second power consumption is calculated by dividing the total amount of power consumption of each base device by the production amount of goods produced by the base system consuming that total amount of power. In addition, in the process of S222, the first power consumption is calculated by dividing the total amount of power consumption acquired from each sensor 123 by the production amount of goods produced by the target system 121 consuming that total amount of power. In this way, the avoided energy consumption calculated by the process of S203 in the process illustrated in FIG. 6 is the avoided energy consumption per unit of production of goods. Note that the unit of production amount of goods may be, for example, a lot.

[0120] Another embodiment of the drive train system is an article transport system. As shown in Fig. 1, an information processing device 100 is connected to a database 110. The information processing device 100 calculates the amount of avoided emissions in reducing carbon dioxide gas emissions by updating a drive train system having drive equipment as an article transport system in a factory or warehouse, and provides the amount of avoided emissions to a recipient 130.

[0121] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the information processing system 200 has been described as a drive system related to the production of goods, but it is also possible to apply the information processing system 200 as a goods transport system. In a goods transport system, "production of goods" can be read as "transportation of goods," and "production management system (PMS)" can be read as "point of distribution system (PDS)" and "warehouse management system (WMS)," etc.

[0122] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the avoided emissions per production unit of an item and per lot are calculated. Here, when the information processing system 200 is applied as a drive train system for transport, the avoided emissions required to transport a specific number of items or the avoided emissions required to transport one item may be calculated. Furthermore, as an example of a business model, in the automation of the task of selecting, removing, and moving items from a factory yard or warehouse to a predetermined location (picking work), the avoided emissions of carbon dioxide gas due to the replacement of a drive train system having drive equipment as an item transport system are calculated. In this case, the drive equipment is composed of an inverter, a conveyor, a transport robot, an automated guided vehicle (AGV), etc.

[0123] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-033553, filed on March 6, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0124] 100 Information processing device 101 Target system emission calculation function 102 Base system emission calculation function 103 Avoided emissions calculation function 104 Authentication function 105 Provision function 110 Database 111 Base equipment data 112 Base equipment control data 113 Emission coefficient data 120 Factory 121 Target system 122 Target equipment 123 Sensor 124 Power receiving and transforming system 125 Production management system 130 Destination 200 Information processing system 201 First conversion unit 202 Acquisition unit 203 Second conversion unit 204 Calculation unit 205 Provision unit 206 Authentication unit 210 External system 301 CPU 302 Memory 303 Input device 304 Output device 305 Auxiliary storage device 306 Target equipment I / F 307 Communication I / F 308 Internal Bus

Claims

1. An information processing system that provides an amount of avoided carbon dioxide gas emissions resulting from replacing a base system of a drivetrain system having drive equipment with a target system, comprising: a sensor that measures a first amount of power consumption, which is the amount of power consumed by the drive equipment of the target system; a first conversion unit that converts the first amount of power consumption measured by the sensor to obtain a first amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions, which is the amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions emitted in generating an amount of power equivalent to the first amount of power consumption; an acquisition unit that uses a power consumption model that derives power consumption based on a control pattern of the drive equipment to obtain a second amount of power consumption, which is the amount of power that will be consumed in accordance with a control pattern of the base system; a second conversion unit that converts the second amount of power consumption to obtain a second amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions, which is the amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions that will be emitted in generating an amount of power equivalent to the second amount of power consumption; and a calculation unit that calculates the difference between the first amount of power consumption and the second amount of power consumption as the amount of avoided carbon dioxide gas emissions.

2. The information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition unit further acquires from an external system: ratio data indicating the ratio of power supplied from each of multiple power sources to the installation location of the target system; and emission coefficient data indicating the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted in the generation of a unit amount of power at the multiple power sources for each of the multiple power sources; the first conversion unit converts the first amount of power consumption to the first emission amount using the ratio data and the emission coefficient data; and the second conversion unit converts the second amount of power consumption to the second emission amount using the ratio data and the emission coefficient data.

3. The information processing system of claim 1, wherein the power consumption model is configured from a database in which power consumption data indicating the power consumption of each of the multiple movable devices used in the base system for each control content for each of the multiple movable devices and device control data indicating the control content to be performed on each of the multiple movable devices by operating the base system are registered, and the acquisition unit acquires the power consumption data and the device control data from the database and calculates the second power consumption amount using the power consumption data and the device control data.

4. The information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the first conversion unit obtains the first emission amount by converting the amount of energy consumption per unit production of goods produced using the drive system, which is calculated from the first amount of energy consumption by operating the target system; the second conversion unit obtains the second emission amount by converting the amount of energy consumption per unit production of the goods, which is calculated from the second amount of energy consumption by operating the base system; and the calculation unit calculates the difference between the first emission amount and the second emission amount as the amount of reduction contribution per unit production of the goods.

5. An information processing method for providing an amount of avoided carbon dioxide gas emissions resulting from replacing a base system of a drivetrain system having drive equipment with a target system, wherein an information processing device performs the following steps: converting a first amount of power consumption actually measured by a sensor that measures the first amount of power consumption, which is the amount of power consumed by the drive equipment of the target system, to obtain a first amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions that is the amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions that will be emitted when generating an amount of power equivalent to the first amount of power consumption; obtaining a second amount of power consumption, which is the amount of power that will be consumed in accordance with the control pattern of the base system, using a power consumption model that derives power consumption based on a control pattern of the drive equipment; converting the second amount of power consumption to obtain a second amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions that will be emitted when generating an amount of power equivalent to the second amount of power consumption; and calculating the difference between the first amount of power consumption and the second amount of emissions as the amount of avoided carbon dioxide gas emissions.

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