Information processing method, program, and information processing system

Abstract

This information processing method includes: a step (S13) for acquiring output quantity information indicating the quantity of power that has been generated by power generation equipment possessed by a consumer and outputted from the consumer to a system; a first recording step (S14) for recording the quantity of power indicated by the acquired output quantity information, in association with identification information for the consumer; and a first instruction step (S15) for instructing first equipment possessed by another consumer or a business operator to charge with or consume a quantity of power supplied from the system, said quantity being the quantity indicated by the output quantity information.

Description

Information processing method, program, and information processing system

[0001] The present invention relates to a service for using a virtual storage battery.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a solar power generation system having a storage battery system that enables a reduction in storage battery capacity and an extension of the life of the storage battery while maintaining the ability to suppress fluctuations in solar power generation power.

[0003] JP 2016-140182 A

[0004] The present invention provides an information processing method and the like that can realize a virtual storage battery utilization service.

[0005] An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method executed by a computer system, and includes the steps of acquiring output quantity information indicating the amount of electricity generated by a power generation facility provided by a consumer and output from the consumer to a grid, a first recording step of recording the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output quantity information in association with identification information of the consumer, and a first instruction step of instructing a first facility provided by another consumer or a business to charge or consume the amount of electricity supplied from the grid indicated by the output quantity information.

[0006] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer system to execute the information processing method.

[0007] An information processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires output quantity information indicating the amount of electricity generated by a power generation facility provided by a consumer and output from the consumer to a grid, a recording unit that records the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output quantity information in association with identification information of the consumer, and a control unit that instructs a first facility provided by another consumer or a business to charge or consume the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output quantity information.

[0008] The information processing method and the like of the present invention can realize a service for using a virtual storage battery.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a virtual power storage system according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a charging operation to the virtual power storage system according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of power management information in which the amount of power indicated by output amount information is recorded. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a discharging operation from the virtual power storage system according to an embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of power management information in which the amount of power indicated by usage amount information is recorded.

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection forms, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0012] (Embodiment) [Configuration] First, the configuration of a virtual power storage system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a virtual power storage system according to an embodiment.

[0013] The virtual power storage system 10 is a system for providing consumers with a service that utilizes a virtual storage battery. The high initial cost of a real storage battery (storage battery system) makes it difficult for general consumers to adopt such a system. Even consumers who already own a storage battery may find that their battery capacity is insufficient.

[0014] According to the virtual power storage system 10, a consumer can charge power into a virtual (non-existent) storage battery and use it when needed, even if the consumer does not own an actual storage battery. Hereinafter, a consumer who receives the provision of the virtual storage battery utilization service will also be referred to as consumer A.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 , the virtual energy storage system 10 includes a group of facilities 20 owned or managed by a consumer A, a group of facilities 30 owned or managed by a business operator (hereinafter simply referred to as the business operator) that provides a virtual storage battery utilization service or another consumer B, and a server system 40 owned or managed by the business operator. The business operator is, for example, a business operator different from both an electric power company and an electric power retailer, but may also be an electric power company or an electric power retailer. FIG. 1 also illustrates a wide-area communication network 50, a grid 60, and an energy trading market 70. In FIG. 1 , thick lines represent power lines, and dashed lines represent communication lines. The numbers S11, S12, S15, and S16 in FIG. 1 correspond to steps in the sequence diagram of FIG. 2 , which will be described later.

[0016] First, we will explain the equipment group 20. The equipment group 20 is a group of equipment owned or managed by consumer A, and is installed, for example, in a facility (such as a home) owned by consumer A. The equipment group 20 includes a photovoltaic power generation system 21, a power conditioner 22, a distribution board 23, multiple loads 24, and a control device 25.

[0017] The solar power generation system 21 is a power generation system that generates power by converting sunlight into electrical energy. The power generated by the solar power generation system 21 is output to a power conditioner 22. Specifically, the solar power generation system 21 is realized by a PV (Photovoltaic) panel or the like.

[0018] The power conditioner 22 is a power conversion device that converts DC power generated by the solar power generation system 21 into AC power, and is sometimes referred to as a PCS (Power Conditioning System). The power conditioner 22 is realized by power conversion circuits such as a DC-DC converter and a DC-AC converter. The power conditioner 22 measures the power generated by the solar power generation system 21 and transmits generated power information indicating the measured generated power to the control device 25. The power conditioner 22 also supplies the power generated by the solar power generation system 21 to multiple loads 24 via the distribution board 23. The power conditioner 22 also outputs (discharges) power to the grid 60 via the distribution board 23, measures the amount of output power, and transmits output amount information indicating the measured amount of power to the control device 25.

[0019] The distribution board 23 is a device that distributes power supplied from the grid 60 to a plurality of branch circuits. Loads 24 are connected to the branch circuits. The distribution board 23 includes a power measurement element such as a current transformer (CT) and measures the power consumption of the entire consumer A (power consumption of the main circuit) and the power consumption of each branch circuit in the consumer A. The distribution board 23 also has a communication function and transmits power consumption information indicating the measured power consumption to the control device 25.

[0020] It is not essential that the distribution board 23 has a power measurement function and a communication function. For example, the equipment group 20 may include a smart meter (a power meter with a communication function) in addition to the distribution board 23, and power consumption information indicating the total power consumption of the consumer A may be transmitted from the smart meter to the control device 25.

[0021] The loads 24 are devices installed at the consumer A. The multiple loads 24 include lighting equipment, air conditioning equipment, ventilation equipment, air purifiers, electric shutters, electric locks, delivery boxes, and charging / discharging devices for electric vehicles. The multiple loads 24 may also include environmental sensors such as a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor. The multiple loads 24 may also include sensors other than environmental sensors, such as a window sensor that senses whether a window is open or closed.

[0022] The control device 25 is an information terminal having an energy management function, and more specifically, an EMS controller. The control device 25 manages the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 21, the power consumption of the entire consumer A or each branch circuit, and the power (discharge power) output from the consumer A to the grid 60. The control device 25 also controls the power conditioner 22 to output the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 21 to the grid 60. The control device 25 can control the power conditioner 22 and the load 24 based on instructions from the server system 40. The control device 25 is not limited to an EMS controller and may be another controller or a gateway device. Like the load 24, the control device 25 operates using power supplied from the distribution board 23.

[0023] Next, the equipment group 30 will be described. The equipment group 30 is a group of equipment owned or managed by a business operator or a consumer B, and is installed, for example, in a facility (such as a business office or a residence) owned by the business operator or consumer B. The equipment group 30 includes a storage battery system 31, a power conditioner 32, a fuel cell power generation system 33, a power conditioner 34, a control device 35, and a load 36.

[0024] The storage battery system 31 is a system that functions as a power source for a business operator or consumer B. The storage battery system 31 is realized by a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery, a charging circuit that charges the secondary battery, and a discharging circuit that discharges the secondary battery. The secondary battery is charged with power supplied from the grid 60. The DC power discharged by the storage battery system 31 is converted into AC power by a power conditioner 32 and output to the grid 60.

[0025] The power conditioner 32 is a power conversion device that converts DC power discharged by the storage battery system 31 into AC power, and is sometimes called a PCS. The power conditioner 32 is realized by a power conversion circuit such as a DC-DC converter and a DC-AC converter. The power conditioner 32 measures the amount of power output to the grid 60 out of the power discharged by the storage battery system 31, and transmits output amount information indicating the measured amount of power to the control device 35.

[0026] The fuel cell power generation system 33 is a system that generates electricity using gas such as city gas or LP gas. The fuel cell power generation system 33 can also boil water by transferring the heat generated during power generation to water via a heat exchanger.

[0027] The power conditioner 34 is a power conversion device that converts DC power generated by the fuel cell power generation system 33 into AC power, and is sometimes called a PCS. The power conditioner 34 is realized by power conversion circuits such as a DC-DC converter and a DC-AC converter. The power conditioner 34 measures the amount of power generated by the fuel cell power generation system 33 that is output to the grid 60, and transmits output amount information indicating the measured amount of power to the control device 35.

[0028] The control device 35 is an information terminal having an energy management function, and more specifically, an EMS controller. The control device 35 manages the charging power and discharging power of the storage battery system 31 and the power generated by the fuel cell power generation system 33. The control device 35 can also control the storage battery system 31, the power conditioner 32, the fuel cell power generation system 33, the power conditioner 34, and the load 36. The control device 35 is not limited to an EMS controller, and may be another controller or a gateway device.

[0029] The loads 36 are devices owned by the business operator or consumer B. The multiple loads 36 include lighting equipment, air conditioning equipment, ventilation equipment, air purifiers, electric shutters, electric locks, delivery boxes, and charging / discharging devices for electric vehicles. The multiple loads 36 may also include environmental sensors such as temperature sensors and humidity sensors. The multiple loads 36 may also include sensors other than environmental sensors, such as window sensors.

[0030] Next, the server system 40 will be described. The server system 40 performs information processing to provide a virtual storage battery utilization service to consumer A. The server system 40 is realized by one or more server devices (cloud servers). The server system 40 is owned or managed by a business operator that provides the virtual storage battery utilization service. The server system 40 includes a communication unit 41, an information processing unit 42, and a storage unit 43.

[0031] The communication unit 41 is a communication circuit that enables the server system 40 to communicate with the control devices 25 and 35 via the wide area communication network 50. The communication unit 41 performs, for example, wired communication, but may also perform wireless communication. There are no particular limitations on the communication standard for the communication performed by the communication unit 41.

[0032] The information processing unit 42 performs information processing to realize a virtual storage battery utilization service. The information processing unit 42 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor. The information processing unit 42 includes, as functional components, an acquisition unit 44, a recording unit 45, a control unit 46, and a billing unit 47. The functions of the acquisition unit 44, the recording unit 45, the control unit 46, and the billing unit 47 are realized, for example, by the microcomputer or processor constituting the information processing unit 42 executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 43.

[0033] The storage unit 43 is a storage device that stores computer programs executed by the information processing unit 42. The storage unit 43 is realized by, for example, a semiconductor memory.

[0034] [Example of Charging Operation to Virtual Energy Storage System] As described above, the virtual energy storage system 10 can provide a service of using a virtual storage battery to the consumer A. In the following embodiment, charging a virtual storage battery will be described as charging to the virtual energy storage system 10, etc., and discharging from the virtual storage battery (use of charged power) will be described as discharging from the virtual energy storage system 10, etc.

[0035] First, a description will be given of an operation when the consumer A charges the virtual power storage system 10 with power. FIG.

[0036] For example, the control device 25 (power conditioner 22) is configured to output surplus power to the grid 60 when the power generated by the solar power generation system 21 exceeds the power consumption of multiple loads 24 (power consumption at consumer A) during the day, resulting in so-called surplus power.

[0037] When the control device 25 (power conditioner 22) outputs surplus power to the grid 60 (S11), it transmits output amount information indicating the amount of surplus power output to the grid 60 to the server system 40 (S12). The output amount information includes identification information of consumer A. The output amount information may also include information on the type of power generation equipment (in this case, the solar power generation system 21) that generated the output power, information on the amount of greenhouse gases generated by the power generation of the power generation equipment, and the like. The information on the amount of greenhouse gases is, for example, information that directly indicates the amount of greenhouse gases. The control device 25 can calculate the amount of greenhouse gases by, for example, multiplying the amount of output power by a coefficient predetermined for each type of power generation equipment, and include the calculated amount in the output amount information. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and the like.

[0038] The communication unit 41 of the server system 40 receives the output amount information. The acquisition unit 44 acquires the received output amount information (S13), and the recording unit 45 assumes that the amount of power indicated by the acquired output amount information has been charged to the virtual power storage system 10, and updates the power management information stored in the storage unit 43 (S14). Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of power management information.

[0039] 3, in the power management information, the amount of charge to the virtual power storage system 10 and the amount of discharge from the virtual power storage system 10 are recorded together with the date and time for each consumer (identification information of the consumer). In other words, in step S14, the recording unit 45 records the amount of power indicated by the output amount information as the amount of charge in association with the identification information of the consumer. In other words, in the virtual power storage system 10, recording the amount of charge in the storage unit 43 of the server system 40 corresponds to charging a virtual storage battery. If the output amount information includes information on the type of power generation facility and information on the amount of greenhouse gases produced by power generation by the power generation facility, this information is also recorded in the power management information.

[0040] Meanwhile, the control unit 46 transmits a control command to the control device 35 using the communication unit 41 to instruct the control device 35 to charge or consume the amount of power supplied from the grid 60 indicated by the output amount information (S15). In other words, the control unit 46 offsets the power output to the grid 60 in step S11, and attempts to make the power balance in the grid 60 zero.

[0041] The control device 35 receives the control command and, based on the received control command, charges the storage battery system 31 with the power supplied from the grid 60 in an amount indicated by the output amount information (S16). Note that in step S16, the control device 35 may consume the power supplied from the grid 60 by operating the load 36. The load 36 operated in step S16 may include a water heater, and the water heater may be considered to convert the power supplied from the grid 60 into thermal energy and store the converted energy. That is, in step S16, the load 36 may convert the power supplied from the grid 60 into thermal energy and store the heat.

[0042] After receiving the control command, the control device 35 may be unable to execute the charging or consumption instructed by the control command. For example, this may occur when the storage battery system 31 is fully charged. In such a case, the control device 35 notifies the server system 40 of this fact.

[0043] Upon receiving such a notification, the control unit 46 of the server system 40 may sell the amount of power supplied from the grid 60 indicated by the output amount information to the energy trading market 70 or a specific consumer. If the business using the server system 40 is an energy retailer, the business can sell the power supplied from the grid 60. A specific consumer is a consumer who has already signed a contract with the business to buy and sell power.

[0044] For example, the control unit 46 can sell power by communicating with a market management server (not shown) that manages the buying and selling of power using the communication unit 41. The control unit 46 can also sell power supplied from the grid 60 to a specific consumer by communicating with a control device (not shown) provided in the specific consumer using the communication unit 41.

[0045] In step S16, processing may be performed so that the total amount of power supplied from the grid 60 that has been charged, consumed, and sold matches the amount indicated by the output amount information, and two or more of charging, consumption, and selling may be used in combination. For example, the server system 40 (controller 46) may receive a notification of the amount of power charged or consumed based on the control command received by the control device 35, and may sell the power from the grid 60 to a specific consumer or the energy trading market 70 if the notified amount of power does not reach the amount indicated by the output amount information.

[0046] Through the above-described operations, the virtual power storage system 10 can record in the power management information the amount of power output by the consumer A to the power grid 60 while setting the power balance in the power grid 60 to zero. This allows the consumer A to charge the virtual power storage system 10 with power.

[0047] For the sake of simplicity, the case where there is one consumer A has been described; however, in reality, a large number of consumers A, a large number of consumers B, and a large number of specific consumers participate in the virtual energy storage system 10, and the server system 40 performs the above operations so that the balance of electricity in the grid 60 becomes zero every unit time of several seconds to about one hour.

[0048] [Example of Discharge Operation from Virtual Energy Storage System] Next, a description will be given of an operation when the consumer A discharges power (uses charged power) from the virtual energy storage system 10. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a discharge operation from the virtual energy storage system 10.

[0049] The control device 25 receives a predetermined operation from the user of the consumer A to use (discharge) the power stored in the virtual power storage system 10 (S21). The predetermined operation includes an operation for specifying the amount of power that the user wishes to use.

[0050] When the control device 25 receives the predetermined operation, it transmits the usage information to the server system 40 (S22). The usage information includes identification information of the consumer A and information indicating the amount of power that the user wishes to use (the amount of power used by the consumer A).

[0051] The communication unit 41 of the server system 40 receives the usage information. The acquisition unit 44 acquires the received usage information (S23). The control unit 46 transmits a control command to the control device 35 using the communication unit 41 to instruct the control device 35 to output the amount of power supplied from the grid 60 indicated by the acquired usage information to the grid 60 (S24).

[0052] The control device 35 receives the control command and, based on the received control command, outputs (discharges) the amount of power indicated by the usage information from the storage battery system 31 to the grid 60 (S25). Note that in step S25, the control device 35 may output the amount of power indicated by the usage information from the fuel cell power generation system 33 to the grid 60.

[0053] After starting to output the amount of power indicated by the usage information, the control device 35 transmits notification information to the server system 40 (S26). In this case, the notification information is information for notifying that the amount of power indicated by the usage information has been output.

[0054] The communication unit 41 of the server system 40 receives the notification information. The acquisition unit 44 acquires the received notification information (S27), and the recording unit 45 assumes that the amount of power indicated by the usage information acquired in step S23 has been discharged from the virtual power storage system 10, and updates the power management information stored in the storage unit 43 (S28). Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of power management information.

[0055] 5 , in step S28, the recording unit 45 links the amount of power indicated by the usage information with the identification information of the consumer and records it as a discharge amount. That is, in the virtual power storage system 10, recording the discharge amount in the storage unit 43 of the server system 40 corresponds to discharging from the virtual storage battery (use of charged power).

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 46 uses the communication unit 41 to transmit a preparation completion notification indicating that the power stored in the virtual power storage system 10 is now ready to be provided to the control device 25 (S29). As a result, of the power from the grid 60 used by the consumer A, the amount of power indicated by the usage amount information is considered to be the use of the power stored in the virtual power storage system 10 (S30).

[0057] If the business providing the virtual storage battery utilization service is not a power company or a power retailer, the use of power in step S30 will result in consumer A purchasing power from the power company or power retailer. In this case, to treat the purchase of power as use of power that had been charged in the virtual power storage system 10, the business pays the power company or power retailer, on behalf of consumer A, an amount equivalent to the power used in step S30.

[0058] Through the above-described operations, the virtual power storage system 10 can record the amount of power used by the consumer A in the power management information while setting the power balance in the grid 60 to zero. This allows the consumer A to use the power charged in the virtual power storage system 10. The consumer A can, for example, charge surplus power in the virtual power storage system 10 and use (discharge) it during times when electricity rates are high.

[0059] After receiving the control command in step S24, the control device 35 may not be able to output power to the grid 60 as instructed by the control command. For example, this may occur when the remaining amount of power stored in the storage battery system 31 is zero. In such a case, the control device 35 notifies the server system 40 of this by transmitting notification information.

[0060] Upon receiving such a notification, the control unit 46 of the server system 40 may purchase the amount of electricity indicated by the usage information from the energy trading market 70 or the specific consumer into the grid 60. If the business using the server system 40 is an energy retailer, for example, it can purchase electricity from the energy trading market 70 or the specific consumer into the grid 60.

[0061] For example, the control unit 46 can purchase power from the power trading market 70 into the grid 60 by using the communication unit 41 to communicate with a market management server (not shown) that manages the buying and selling of power. The control unit 46 can also purchase power from a specific consumer into the grid 60 by using the communication unit 41 to communicate with a control device (not shown) provided in the specific consumer.

[0062] In step S25, processing may be performed so that the sum of the amount of electricity output from the business operator or consumer B to the grid 60 and the amount of electricity purchased into the grid 60 from the energy trading market 70 or a specific consumer matches the amount indicated by the usage information, and output of electricity to the grid 60 and purchase of electricity into the grid 60 may be used in combination. For example, the server system 40 (controller 46) may receive a notification of the amount of electricity output to the grid 60 based on the control command received by the control device 35, and purchase electricity from the specific consumer or energy trading market 70 into the grid 60 if the notified amount of electricity does not reach the amount indicated by the usage information.

[0063] For the sake of simplicity, the case where there is one consumer A has been described; however, in reality, a large number of consumers A, a large number of consumers B, and a large number of specific consumers participate in the virtual energy storage system 10, and the server system 40 performs the above operations so that the balance of electricity in the grid 60 becomes zero every unit time of several seconds to about one hour.

[0064] Furthermore, in the virtual energy storage system 10, consumer A can not only charge the virtual energy storage system 10 and then use the charged electricity, but also borrow electricity in advance, by using (discharging) electricity first and then charging the electricity later.

[0065] [Fees] The virtual storage battery usage service is provided to consumer A by consumer A entering into a contract with a business operator. Under this contract, the fee paid by consumer A to the business operator may be a flat rate based on the charging capacity (upper limit) or may be a pay-as-you-go rate.

[0066] In the case of a flat-rate system, the higher the charging capacity, such as a yen if the charging capacity (predetermined upper limit) is 10 kWh, and b (> a) yen if it is 20 kWh, the higher the fee that consumer A pays to the business operator (in other words, the amount charged to consumer A).

[0067] 2, in the case of a flat-rate system, the recording unit 45 accumulates and records the amount of power indicated by the acquired output amount information until it reaches the charging capacity (a predetermined upper limit value) each time output amount information is acquired by the acquisition unit 44. In this case, for example, even if power is output to the grid 60 in excess of the charging capacity, it is not recorded.

[0068] In the case of such a flat-rate system, the billing unit 47 determines the amount to be billed to the consumer A according to the charging capacity. The billing unit 47 stores the amount to be billed to the consumer A in the storage unit 43 in association with the identification information of the consumer A.

[0069] On the other hand, in the case of a pay-as-you-go system, the amount charged to consumer A is determined according to the maximum charging amount in a specified period, such as one month, for example, if the maximum charging amount is less than 10 kWh, the amount is a yen, if the maximum charging amount is 10 kWh or more but less than 20 kWh, the amount is b (> a) yen, etc.

[0070] 2 , in the case of a pay-per-use system, the recording unit 45 accumulates and records the amount of power indicated by the acquired output amount information each time the output amount information is acquired, and the billing unit 47 determines the amount to be charged to the consumer A according to the accumulated amount of power. The billing unit 47 stores the amount to be charged to the consumer A in the memory unit 43 in association with the identification information of the consumer A.

[0071] [Modification] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which surplus power generated by the solar power generation system 21 is charged to the virtual power storage system 10. However, all of the power generated by the solar power generation system 21 may be charged to the virtual power storage system 10.

[0072] Furthermore, power generated by a power generation facility other than the solar power generation system 21 may be charged to the virtual power storage system 10. In other words, the power generation facility provided at consumer A may be a power generation facility other than the solar power generation system 21, and may be a fuel cell power generation system, a wind power generation system, or the like. The power generation types included in the above-mentioned output amount information may include "fuel cell", "wind power", and the like in addition to "solar power".

[0073] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a storage battery system is not installed at consumer A, but a storage battery system may be installed at consumer A. In other words, consumer A may use both an actual storage battery system and the virtual power storage system 10.

[0074] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the output amount information includes information on the amount of greenhouse gases. Here, the amount of greenhouse gases may be calculated by the server system 40. For example, the recording unit 45 may calculate the amount of greenhouse gases by multiplying the amount of power indicated by the output amount information by a coefficient predetermined for each type of power generation facility, and record the calculated amount in the power management information.

[0075] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the power management information (ledger) is stored (recorded) in the storage unit 43 of the server system 40, but the power management information may be recorded using blockchain technology. For example, the power management information may be shared by a large number of computers (such as a large number of control devices 25) corresponding to a large number of consumers A based on blockchain technology.

[0076] In the above embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, a distinction is made between consumer A, who receives the virtual storage battery utilization service, and consumer B, who supports the provision of the virtual storage battery utilization service to consumer A. However, consumer A may receive the virtual storage battery utilization service and also support the provision of the virtual storage battery utilization service to other consumers. The same applies to consumer B.

[0077] [Effects, etc.] Hereinafter, examples of inventions obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and effects, etc. obtained from the inventions will be described.

[0078] Invention 1 is an information processing method executed by a computer system such as the virtual power storage system 10, and includes: a step S13 of acquiring output amount information indicating the amount of power generated by a power generation facility provided by a consumer A and output from the consumer A to a grid 60; a first recording step S14 of recording the amount of power indicated by the acquired output amount information in association with identification information of the consumer A; and a first instruction step S15 of instructing a first facility provided by another consumer B or a business to charge or consume the amount of power supplied from the grid 60 indicated by the output amount information. The first facility here is a facility included in a group of facilities 30.

[0079] Such an information processing method can provide a virtual storage battery utilization service to consumer A by recording the power output from consumer A to the grid 60 as charging to a virtual storage battery.

[0080] Invention 2 is an information processing method of Invention 1, further including a step of selling electricity from the grid 60 to a specific consumer or the electricity trading market 70 if, as a result of executing the first instruction step S15, the amount of electricity charged or consumed by the first equipment does not reach the amount indicated by the output amount information.

[0081] This information processing method can provide consumer A with a virtual storage battery service by combining the charging or consumption of electricity by the first facility with the sale of electricity to the electricity trading market 70.

[0082] Invention 3 is an information processing method of Invention 1, further including, instead of the first instruction step S15, a step of selling the amount of electricity indicated by the output amount information from the grid 60 to a specific consumer or the electricity trading market 70.

[0083] Such an information processing method can provide consumer A with a virtual storage battery service by selling electricity to the electricity trading market 70.

[0084] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the information processing method of the first aspect, wherein the output amount information includes type information of the power generation facility or information on the amount of greenhouse gases generated by power generation by the power generation facility.

[0085] Such an information processing method can manage information on the type of power generation facility or information on the amount of greenhouse gases generated by power generation by the power generation facility in addition to the charge amount of the virtual storage battery.

[0086] Invention 5 is an information processing method of any of Inventions 1 to 4, in which, in the first recording step S14, each time output quantity information is acquired, the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output quantity information is accumulated and recorded until it reaches a predetermined upper limit value, and the information processing method further includes a step of determining an amount to be charged to consumer A according to the predetermined upper limit value.

[0087] Such an information processing method can provide a virtual storage battery utilization service to consumer A under a flat-rate rate plan.

[0088] Invention 6 is an information processing method of any of Inventions 1 to 4, in which, in the first recording step S14, each time output quantity information is acquired, the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output quantity information is accumulated and recorded, and the information processing method further includes a step of determining an amount to be charged to consumer A based on the accumulated amount of electricity.

[0089] Such an information processing method can provide a virtual storage battery utilization service to consumer A on a pay-as-you-go rate plan.

[0090] Invention 7 is an information processing method according to any one of Inventions 1 to 6, including a step S23 of acquiring usage information indicating the amount of power used by consumer A, a second recording step S28 of recording the amount of power indicated by the acquired usage information in association with identification information of consumer A, and a second instruction step S24 of instructing a second facility provided by another consumer B or a business to output the amount of power indicated by the acquired usage information to the grid 60. The second facility here is a facility included in the facility group 30 and is the same as or different from the first facility.

[0091] This information processing method can provide consumer A with a virtual storage battery utilization service by recording the electricity used by consumer A as discharge from the virtual storage battery (use of the virtual storage battery).

[0092] Invention 8 is the information processing method of Invention 7, further including a step of purchasing electricity from a specific consumer or the electricity trading market 70 into the grid 60 if, as a result of executing the second instruction step S24, the amount of electricity output by the second facility to the grid 60 does not reach the amount indicated by the usage information.

[0093] This information processing method can provide consumer A with a virtual battery utilization service by combining the output of electricity to the grid 60 by the second facility and the purchase of electricity from the electricity trading market 70 into the grid 60.

[0094] Invention 9 is the information processing method of Invention 7, further including, instead of the second instruction step S24, a step of purchasing the amount of electricity indicated by the usage information from a specific consumer or the electricity trading market 70 into the grid 60.

[0095] Such an information processing method can provide a virtual storage battery service to consumer A by purchasing electricity from the electricity trading market 70 to the grid 60 .

[0096] A tenth aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer system to execute any one of the information processing methods of the first to ninth aspects.

[0097] According to such a program, the computer system can provide a virtual storage battery utilization service to consumer A by recording the electricity output from consumer A to the grid 60 as charging to a virtual storage battery.

[0098] Invention 11 is an information processing system comprising an acquisition unit 44 that acquires output quantity information indicating the amount of electricity generated by a power generation facility equipped at consumer A and output from consumer A to a grid 60, a recording unit 45 that records the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output quantity information in association with identification information of consumer A, and a control unit 46 that instructs a first facility equipped by another consumer B or a business to charge or consume the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output quantity information.

[0099] Such an information processing system can provide consumer A with a virtual storage battery service by recording the electricity output from consumer A to the grid 60 as charging a virtual storage battery.

[0100] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0101] For example, in the above embodiment, the virtual power storage system is realized by a plurality of devices. In this case, the processes executed by the devices or systems included in the virtual power storage system may be distributed to other devices or systems. For example, some or all of the processes executed by the server system may be executed by a control device. Furthermore, the virtual power storage system may be realized by a single device. The same applies to other systems.

[0102] In the above-described embodiment, the processing performed by a specific processing unit may be performed by another processing unit. The order of multiple processing operations may be changed, or multiple processing operations may be performed in parallel.

[0103] In the above-described embodiments, each component may be realized by executing a software program suitable for that component, or by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0104] Furthermore, each component may be realized by hardware. For example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0105] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0106] For example, the present invention may be realized as a virtual power storage system, a server system, or an information processing system according to the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as a method executed by a computer system such as a virtual power storage system, a server system, or an information processing system, or as a program for causing a computer system to execute such a method. The present invention may also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0107] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention.

[0108] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Virtual energy storage system 20 Equipment group 21 Photovoltaic power generation system 22, 32, 34 Power conditioner 23 Distribution board 24 Load 25, 35 Control device 30 Equipment group 31 Storage battery system 33 Fuel cell power generation system 36 Load 40 Server system 41 Communication unit 42 Information processing unit 43 Memory unit 44 Acquisition unit 45 Recording unit 46 Control unit 47 Billing unit 50 Wide area communication network 60 System 70 Energy trading market

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by a computer system, comprising: a step of acquiring output amount information indicating the amount of electricity generated by a power generation facility provided by a consumer and output from the consumer to a grid; a first recording step of recording the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output amount information in association with identification information of the consumer; and a first instruction step of instructing a first facility provided by another consumer or business to charge or consume the amount of electricity supplied from the grid indicated by the output amount information.

2. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of selling electricity from the grid to a specific consumer or to an electricity trading market if, as a result of executing the first instruction step, the amount of electricity charged or consumed by the first equipment does not reach the amount indicated by the output amount information.

3. The information processing method according to claim 1, further comprising, instead of the first instruction step, a step of selling the amount of electricity indicated by the output amount information from the grid to a specific consumer or to an electricity trading market.

4. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the output amount information includes type information of the power generation facility or information on the amount of greenhouse gases generated by the power generation of the power generation facility.

5. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the first recording step, each time the output amount information is acquired, the amount of power indicated by the acquired output amount information is accumulated and recorded until it reaches a predetermined upper limit value, and the information processing method further includes a step of determining an amount to be charged to the consumer in accordance with the predetermined upper limit value.

6. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the first recording step, each time the output amount information is acquired, the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output amount information is accumulated and recorded, and the information processing method further includes a step of determining an amount to be charged to the consumer according to the accumulated amount of electricity.

7. An information processing method as described in claim 1, comprising: a step of acquiring usage information indicating the amount of electricity used by the consumer; a second recording step of recording the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired usage information in association with identification information of the consumer; and a second instruction step of instructing a second facility provided by another consumer or business to output to the grid the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired usage information.

8. The information processing method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of purchasing electricity into the grid from a specific consumer or an electricity trading market if, as a result of executing the second instruction step, the amount of electricity output by the second facility to the grid does not reach the amount indicated by the usage information.

9. The information processing method according to claim 7, further comprising, instead of the second instruction step, a step of purchasing the amount of electricity indicated by the usage information from a specific consumer or an electricity trading market into the grid.

10. A program for causing the computer system to execute the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. An information processing system comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires output amount information indicating the amount of electricity generated by a power generation facility provided by a consumer and output from the consumer to a grid; a recording unit that records the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output amount information in association with identification information of the consumer; and a control unit that instructs a first facility provided by another consumer or business to charge or consume the amount of electricity indicated by the acquired output amount information.

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