Control system and control method

Abstract

An estimation unit 141 estimates the amount of carbon dioxide gas to be emitted as a result of the generation of the power to be consumed by an electrical system that is used for the production of a product. The estimation unit 141 estimates the amount of carbon dioxide gas to be emitted during production of the product in accordance with prescribed production plan information by the running of electrical apparatuses that constitute the electrical system according to a prescribed operation pattern. A determination unit 142 uses the estimation results for the emission amount to determine an operation pattern for the electrical apparatuses that constitute the electrical system that satisfies a prescribed emission amount restriction condition. A control unit 150 controls the electrical apparatuses that constitute the electrical system such that the electrical apparatuses are run according to the determined operation pattern. The present invention thereby makes it possible to produce a product while putting a prescribed restriction on the amount of carbon dioxide gas to be emitted.

Description

Control System and Control Method

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for controlling electrical equipment.

[0002] Various techniques have been proposed to contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide gas, which is a greenhouse gas emitted by energy consumption (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). Further, an evaluation method for the contribution amount of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by such techniques has been proposed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 5408077, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-217450, Japanese Patent No. 7348421

[0004] Japan LCA Society, "Guidelines for Calculating the Contribution Amount of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction", Japan LCA Society, 2nd Edition, March 8, 2022

[0005] As industrial equipment for realizing the production and transportation of articles, an electrical system including a plurality of electrical equipment such as drive equipment can be mentioned. In order to reduce the energy consumed in the production and transportation of articles, it is important to control the operation of these electrical equipment to reduce the energy consumption of the electrical equipment.

[0006] On the other hand, in recent years, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions has been widely demanded. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions emitted by the generation of energy consumed by electrical equipment is reduced, for example, by changing the production process or transportation process of articles. The reduction amount by implementing such a method is called the reduction contribution amount (Avoided Emissions), and its use as an index for appealing the results of efforts on environmental issues, for example, has been spreading.

[0007] One embodiment of the control system comprises an estimation unit, a determination unit, and a control unit. The estimation unit estimates the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted by the power generation that will be consumed by the electrical system. This electrical system is used for the production of goods, and the estimation unit estimates the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted when producing goods according to predetermined production plan information by operating each electrical device constituting the electrical system in a predetermined operating pattern. The determination unit uses the emission estimation results to determine the operating pattern for each electrical device constituting the electrical system when the emission satisfies predetermined limiting conditions. The control unit controls each electrical device constituting the electrical system to operate in the determined operating pattern.

[0008] According to the above embodiment, it becomes possible to produce goods while imposing predetermined limits on carbon dioxide gas emissions.

[0009] This figure illustrates an overview of embodiments of the present invention. This figure shows a detailed configuration example of an optimization system for implementing the present invention. This figure shows an example of data storage in the data storage unit. This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device. This flowchart shows the processing content of an example of control processing. This flowchart shows the processing content of the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process. This flowchart shows the processing content of the operation pattern determination process. This flowchart shows the processing content of the second carbon dioxide emission estimation process. This flowchart shows the processing content of the production plan determination process. This flowchart shows the processing content of the machine learning process.

[0010] The following describes in detail an embodiment of an article production system, which is an example of an electrical system used in the production of articles, with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the electrical system 10, the power receiving and transforming system 20, the power consumption measurement system 30, and the production management system 40 are installed inside the factory 1. Also, as shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the external database 50, the carbon dioxide emission reduction contribution calculation system 60, and the optimization system 100 are installed outside the factory 1.

[0013] The electrical system 10 is a system used in the production of goods. Although Figure 1 shows two electrical systems 10 installed in factory 1, the number of electrical systems 10 installed in factory 1 is not limited to two, but can be any number.

[0014] The electrical system 10 is a system used in the production of goods and is equipped with electrical equipment 11. In Figure 1, each electrical system 10 is shown to consist of two electrical devices 11, but the number of electrical devices 11 constituting each electrical system 10 is not limited to two and can be any number. Also, one electrical device 11 may be a component of multiple electrical systems 10.

[0015] In this embodiment, the electrical equipment 11 is a drive device, such as a machine tool, conveyor, transport robot, or automated guided vehicle (AGV). The electrical equipment 11 comprises a rotating machine 12 and an inverter 13 that supplies power to the rotating machine 12 to operate it.

[0016] In this embodiment, the operation of the electrical equipment 11 is controlled by a PLC 101. "PLC" is an abbreviation for Programmable Logic Controller. By having the PLC 101 execute a predetermined control program, the PLC 101 controls the operation of the inverter 13 and operates the electrical equipment 11 in a predetermined operation pattern corresponding to the control program. The "operation pattern" refers to various parameters set for the electrical equipment 11, including the sequence of operations in a plurality of operations performed by the electrical equipment 11 in relation to the production of goods, and the combination of operation parameters such as the timing, speed, and amount of operation for each operation.

[0017] Furthermore, the electrical equipment 11 is further equipped with a power consumption sensor 14. The power consumption sensor 14 measures the voltage and current applied from the power receiving and transforming system 20 to the inverter 13 of the electrical equipment 11, and obtains the power consumption of the electrical equipment 11 by multiplying these measured values. Alternatively, the power consumption sensor 14 may further measure the voltage and current applied from the inverter 13 to the rotating machine 12 of the electrical equipment 11, and obtain the power consumption of the rotating machine 12 by multiplying these measured values. Alternatively, the power consumption sensor 14 may obtain the power consumption of the inverter 13 by subtracting the power consumption of the rotating machine 12 from the power consumption of the electrical equipment 11.

[0018] The power receiving and transforming system 20 receives and transforms the power required to operate the factory 1, and supplies power to each electrical device 11 provided by the electrical system 10.

[0019] In this embodiment, the power to operate Factory 1 is supplied from multiple sources, and the proportion of power supplied by each source is changed in real time. The power receiving and transforming system 20 has information on proportion data that shows the proportion of power supplied by each source to Factory 1, which is the location where the electrical system 10 is installed. The proportion data is calculated, for example, from the power supplied by each source.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the rechargeable battery 21 may be connected to the power receiving and transforming system 20. When there is a surplus of power supplied from each power source relative to the power required to operate the factory 1, the power receiving and transforming system 20 stores the surplus power in the rechargeable battery 21. The stored rechargeable battery 21 may be used, for example, as one of the power sources to operate the factory 1.

[0021] The power consumption measurement system 30 collects information on the amount of power consumed by each electrical device 11, which is measured by the power consumption sensor 14 provided in each electrical device 11.

[0022] The Production Management System (PMS) 40 is a system that manages the production plan for goods at Factory 1. The Production Management System 40 holds production plan information for goods at Factory 1. This production plan information includes, for example, information that associates the brand name (name of the goods to be produced), the production quantity of the goods, and the production time (production schedule) of the goods.

[0023] The external database 50 stores emission coefficient data for the power sources that operate Factory 1. The emission coefficient is the value of the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted in the generation of a unit amount of electricity at the power source that operates Factory 1. In this embodiment, this emission coefficient data is provided in real time from each power source and stored in the external database 50.

[0024] The carbon dioxide emission reduction contribution calculation system 60 calculates the emission reduction contribution, which is the amount of reduction that the electrical system 10 has contributed to in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted by the power generation of electricity supplied to the electrical system 10 used in the production of goods.

[0025] The carbon dioxide emission reduction contribution calculation system 60 uses information on the power consumption of each electrical device 11 that constitutes the electrical system 10 used in the production of goods to calculate the carbon dioxide gas emissions for the current electrical system 10. The carbon dioxide emission reduction contribution calculation system 60 calculates the difference between the emissions calculated in this way and the emissions from the base system as the reduction contribution. The base system is the electrical system 10 that was used in the production of goods in the past, and is the system before it was updated for the electrical system 10 currently used in the production of the same goods. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the carbon dioxide gas emissions from past goods production by the base system are pre-registered in the carbon dioxide emission reduction contribution calculation system 60.

[0026] The carbon dioxide emission reduction contribution calculation system 60 calculates the emission reduction contribution using the information obtained from the power receiving and transforming system 20, the power consumption measurement system 30, the production management system 40, and the external database 50.

[0027] For the sake of simplicity, in the following explanation, the carbon dioxide emission reduction contribution calculation system 60 may be simply referred to as "calculation system 60," and carbon dioxide gas emissions may be simply referred to as "emissions."

[0028] The optimization system 100 is a control system that controls each electrical device 11 that constitutes the electrical system 10. For this control, the optimization system 100 determines the operating pattern of each electrical device 11 that constitutes the electrical system 10 so that the amount of emissions when producing goods according to a predetermined production plan using the electrical system 10 satisfies predetermined limiting conditions.

[0029] The control of electrical equipment 11 by the optimization system 100 utilizes production plan information, information on the power consumption of each electrical equipment 11 constituting the electrical system 10, percentage data information, and emission coefficient data information as needed. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the optimization system 100 is configured to acquire production plan information, power consumption information, and percentage data information via the calculation system 60, and to acquire emission coefficient data information from the external database 50. Alternatively, the optimization system 100 may directly acquire emission coefficient data information from the power receiving and transforming system 20, power consumption information directly from the power consumption measurement system 30, and production plan information directly from the production management system 40.

[0030] Furthermore, the optimization system 100 can also modify existing production plans by creating a production plan for goods in which the emissions when the electrical system 10 is operated in a predetermined operating pattern meet predetermined limiting conditions.

[0031] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in this embodiment, by loading a predetermined control program onto the PLC 101 that controls the operation of the inverter 13, the electrical equipment 11 can be operated in an operation pattern corresponding to the control program. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the PLC 101 and PC 102 are installed in the factory 1, and the optimization system 100 is connected to the PLC 101 via the PC 102. "PC" is an abbreviation for Personal Computer. The optimization system 100 controls the electrical equipment 11 by sending a control program to the PLC 101 via the PC 102. Communication between the optimization system 100 and the PC 102 shall use a general-purpose communication protocol such as Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication path between the optimization system 100 and the PC 102 may be either wired or wireless. In addition, the PLC 101 may have a function to communicate directly with the optimization system 100. For example, in an embodiment in which the optimization system 100 is installed inside the factory 1, if the PLC 101 has this function, the PC 102 is unnecessary.

[0032] Next, Figure 2 will be described. Figure 2 shows a detailed configuration example of the optimization system 100 that implements the present invention.

[0033] The optimization system 100 shown in Figure 2 comprises an input receiving unit 110, a communication unit 120, a data storage unit 130, a simulation calculation unit 140, a control unit 150, and a machine learning unit 160.

[0034] The input reception unit 110 receives various instructions and data inputs from users such as the administrator of the optimization system 100.

[0035] The communication unit 120 provides the following communication functions: external database communication function 121, calculation system communication function 122, production management system communication function 123, and PLC communication function 124.

[0036] The external database communication function 121 is a function that communicates between the external database 50 and the optimization system 100 to exchange various types of data.

[0037] The calculation system communication function 122 is a function that communicates between the calculation system 60 and the optimization system 100 to exchange various types of data.

[0038] The production management system communication function 123 is a function that communicates between the production management system 40 and the optimization system 100 to exchange various types of data.

[0039] The PLC communication function 124 is a function that communicates between the PLC 101 and the optimization system 100 to exchange various types of data.

[0040] Furthermore, the communication unit 120 may also be provided with the function of directly communicating with the power receiving and transforming system 20 and the power consumption measurement system 30 to exchange various types of data.

[0041] The data storage unit 130 stores and saves various instructions and data acquired by each of the communication units 120.

[0042] Here, an example of how data acquired by the communication unit 120 is stored in the data storage unit 130 will be explained with reference to Figure 3.

[0043] The ratio data table 131 is a table that stores the above-described ratio data of the power receiving and transmitting system 20 obtained via the calculation system 60, in association with the acquisition date and time and the like.

[0044] The power consumption amount table 132 is a table that stores the measured data of the power consumption amount of each electrical device 11 collected by the power consumption measurement system 30, obtained via the calculation system 60, in association with the operation pattern of the electrical device 11 when the power consumption amount was measured. In addition, in the power consumption amount table 132, information on the acquisition date and time of the power consumption amount, information on the device name and manufacturing number as information for specifying the electrical device 11, and the like are stored in association with the measured data of the power consumption amount.

[0045] The production plan information table 133 is a table that stores the production plan information of the production of articles in the factory 1, which the production management system 40 has, obtained via the calculation system 60. The production plan information includes, for example, information associating the brand name (name of the production target article), the production volume of the production target article, and the production time (production schedule) of the production target article.

[0046] The emission factor table 134 is a table that stores and accumulates data on emission factors for each power supply source for operating the factory 1, obtained from the external database 50.

[0047] In this embodiment, the data to be accumulated by the data accumulation unit 130 and the acquisition source of the data are set in the optimization system 100 in advance, so that the communication unit 120 automatically acquires the data at a predetermined time interval.

[0048] Returning to the description of FIG. 2. The simulation calculation unit 140 has an estimation unit 141 and a determination unit 142 as functional blocks.

[0049] The estimation unit 141 operates each electrical device 11 of the electrical system 10 used for the production of goods in a predetermined operating pattern to simulate the production of goods according to a predetermined production plan, and estimates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from this production of goods. In other words, the estimation unit 141 estimates the amount of emissions from the power generation that would be consumed by the electrical system 10 when producing goods according to predetermined production plan information by operating each electrical device 11 constituting the electrical system 10 in a predetermined operating pattern.

[0050] In this embodiment, the estimation unit 141 uses a device model for each of the electrical devices 11 for this estimation. The device model is a model that shows the relationship between the operation pattern and power consumption of the electrical device 11, that is, a model that outputs the power consumption of the electrical device 11 when the electrical device 11 is operated according to the operation pattern input. Such a device model can be obtained, for example, by mathematically modeling the physical configuration of the electrical device 11. Alternatively, the power consumption of the electrical device 11 may be measured repeatedly when it is operated according to different operation patterns to acquire a large amount of measured data of operation patterns and power consumption, and a model obtained by machine learning using the obtained data may be used as the device model. In this embodiment, the device models for each of the electrical devices 11 created by such methods are registered in advance in the estimation unit 141.

[0051] The estimation unit 141 obtains an estimated value of the power consumption of each electrical device 11 when each electrical device 11 of the electrical system 10 used for the production of goods is operated in a predetermined operating pattern and goods are produced according to a predetermined production plan, using the equipment model described above. Next, the estimation unit 141 calculates the total of the estimated power consumption values ​​obtained for each electrical device 11 as the estimated power consumption of the electrical system 10 used for the production of goods. After that, the estimation unit 141 converts the calculated estimated power consumption value into carbon dioxide emissions to obtain the estimation result.

[0052] For calculating emissions, the percentage data and emission coefficient data stored in the data storage unit 130 are used. First, for each power supplier to Factory 1, the emission coefficient for that supplier, as shown in the current emission coefficient data, is multiplied by the power supply ratio to Factory 1 of that supplier, as shown in the current percentage data. Next, the emission coefficient for Factory 1, that is, the amount of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of power consumption at Factory 1, is calculated by summing the multiplication results obtained for each supplier. By multiplying this emission coefficient for Factory 1 by the power consumption amount described above, an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when goods are produced using the electrical system 10 is obtained.

[0053] The estimation unit 141 changes the operation pattern within a variable range and calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions for each of the changed operation patterns.

[0054] The determination unit 142 uses the emission estimation results from the estimation unit 141 to determine, for each electrical device 11 that constitutes the electrical system 10, the operation pattern when the emissions from the electrical system 10 used for the production of goods meet predetermined limiting conditions.

[0055] The predetermined limiting conditions that form the basis for determining the operation pattern by the determination unit 142 are, for example, the condition that the amount of emissions is minimized. Furthermore, this limiting condition is, for example, that the amount of emissions is less than or equal to a specified amount.

[0056] If the predetermined limiting condition is the minimum emission condition, the determination unit 142 identifies the smallest estimated value among multiple estimated values ​​calculated by repeatedly calculating the estimated emission value by the estimation unit 141. The determination unit 142 determines the operation pattern that was input to the equipment model of each electrical equipment 11 when the amount of power consumption corresponding to this smallest estimated value was obtained as the operation pattern that results in the minimum emission.

[0057] Furthermore, if the predetermined limiting condition is that the emissions are below a specified amount, this specified amount is specified by a user, such as the administrator of the optimization system 100. The determination unit 142 extracts an estimated value that is below the specified amount from among a plurality of estimated values ​​calculated by repeatedly calculating the estimated emissions by the estimation unit 141. For each of the extracted estimated values, the determination unit 142 identifies the operation pattern that was input to the equipment model of each electrical equipment 11 when the amount of power consumption corresponding to the extracted estimated value was obtained. The determination unit 142 then determines one of the operation patterns identified in this way as the operation pattern when the emissions are below the specified amount.

[0058] The method used by the determination unit 142 to determine one of the identified operation patterns can be any method. For example, the determination unit 142 may determine the operation pattern for which the extracted estimated value is closest to the specified amount from among the identified operation patterns, and use that as the operation pattern when the discharge amount is less than or equal to the specified amount. In other embodiments, the determination unit 142 may make multiple of the identified operation patterns the result of the determination. For example, all of the identified operation patterns may be made the result of the determination, and from among them, the operation pattern judged to be good by a user such as the production manager of factory 1 may be selected.

[0059] Furthermore, the determination unit 142 may use the estimated carbon dioxide gas emission results to determine and output production plan information when the emissions of each electrical device 11 constituting the electrical system 10, when operated in a specific operating pattern, meet predetermined limit conditions. In this case, the estimation unit 141 will estimate the carbon dioxide gas emission according to a plurality of production plan information. These operations by the estimation unit 141 and the determination unit 142 will be performed, for example, when a predetermined instruction is received from a user, such as the administrator of the optimization system 100, for example, an instruction to change the production plan.

[0060] If the predetermined limiting condition at this time is, for example, the condition that emissions are minimized, the estimation unit 141 modifies the production plan across the entire range of permitted changes and repeatedly calculates the estimated carbon dioxide emissions for each of the modified production plans. In this estimation, the operation pattern input to the equipment model of each electrical equipment 11 is a specific pattern, for example, the operation pattern set for the electrical equipment 11 in the current production of goods at factory 1. Subsequently, the determination unit 142 identifies the smallest estimated value among the multiple estimated values ​​calculated by the repeated calculation of emission estimates by the estimation unit 141. The determination unit 142 determines the production plan when the estimation unit 141 calculates the amount of power consumption corresponding to this smallest estimated value as the production plan that minimizes emissions, and outputs the information of the determined production plan.

[0061] Furthermore, if the predetermined limiting condition at this time is that the emissions are less than or equal to a specified amount, the estimation unit 141 modifies the production plan across the entire range of permitted changes and repeatedly calculates an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions for each of the modified production plans. In this estimation, the same specific patterns as described above are used as the input operating patterns for the equipment models of each electrical equipment 11. Subsequently, the determination unit 142 extracts an estimated value that is less than or equal to the specified amount from among the multiple estimated values ​​calculated by the repeated calculation of emission estimates by the estimation unit 141. For each of the extracted estimated values, the determination unit 142 identifies the production plan when the estimation unit 141 calculated the amount of power consumption corresponding to the extracted estimated value. The determination unit 142 then determines one of the production plans identified in this way as the production plan when emissions are less than or equal to the specified amount, and outputs the information of the determined production plan.

[0062] The method by which the decision unit 142 determines one of the identified production plans as the production plan for when the emissions fall below a specified amount can be any method. For example, the decision unit 142 may determine the production plan for when the emissions fall below a specified amount as the production plan for when the emissions fall below a specified amount, based on the extracted estimated value that is closest to the specified amount. In other embodiments, the decision unit 142 may make multiple of the production plans identified in this way the result of the decision. For example, all of the identified production plans may be made the result of the decision, and a production plan deemed suitable by a user, such as the production manager of factory 1, may be selected from among them.

[0063] The control unit 150 provides an operation pattern changing function 151. The operation pattern changing function 151 is a function that, when the determination unit 142 determines an operation pattern that satisfies predetermined limiting conditions for the amount of emissions, changes the operation pattern set for each electrical device 11 in the current production of goods at the factory 1 to the determined operation pattern.

[0064] The control unit 150, which provides the operation pattern change function 151, creates a control program to cause the PLC 101 to change the operation pattern of the electrical equipment 11 to the determined operation pattern, sends it to the PLC 101 from the communication unit 120, and has it executed. In other words, the control unit 150 controls each electrical equipment 11 that makes up the electrical system 10 and operates it according to the determined operation pattern.

[0065] Furthermore, when the determination unit 142 determines a production plan in which emissions meet predetermined limiting conditions, the control unit 150 provides a production plan change function 152. The production plan change function 152 is a function that, when the determination unit 142 determines a production plan in which emissions meet predetermined limiting conditions, sends information of the determined production plan from the communication unit 120 to the production management system 40, and changes the production plan of goods at factory 1 to the determined production plan.

[0066] The machine learning unit 160 performs machine learning on the equipment model of the electrical equipment 11, which is pre-registered in the estimation unit 141 of the simulation calculation unit 140, to improve the accuracy of the equipment model. For this machine learning, training data is used in which the operation patterns for each electrical equipment 11 are associated with actual measured data obtained from the power consumption measurement system 30, which is the actual amount of power consumed when each electrical equipment 11 is operated according to that operation pattern.

[0067] The optimization system 100 shown in Figure 2 has the configuration described above.

[0068] Next, Figure 4 will be described. Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 200. This information processing device 200 can function as an optimization system 100.

[0069] The information processing device 200 comprises the following hardware components: a CPU 201, memory 202, auxiliary storage device 203, input device 204, communication I / F circuit 205, and output device 206. All of these components are connected to the communication bus 207, and are configured to allow data exchange between them. "CPU" is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit, and "I / F" is an abbreviation for Interface.

[0070] The CPU 201 controls each component of the information processing device 200 by executing a predetermined program using the memory 202, for example, thereby enabling the provision of each function of the information processing device 200.

[0071] Memory 202 is, for example, a semiconductor memory and includes a RAM area and a ROM area. "RAM" is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory, and "ROM" is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory.

[0072] The auxiliary storage device 203 is a non-volatile storage device, such as a flash memory or a hard disk drive. When the information processing device 200 functions as an optimization system 100, the auxiliary storage device 203 is used, for example, as a data storage unit 130, and also as a storage location for equipment models for each electrical device 11 that are pre-registered in the estimation unit 141.

[0073] The input device 204 is a keyboard, pointing device, etc., for inputting various instructions and data, operated by a user such as the administrator of the optimization system 100. When the information processing device 200 functions as the optimization system 100, the input device 204 provides the function of an input receiving unit 110.

[0074] The communication interface circuit 205 is a circuit that communicates with the production management system 40, external database 50, calculation system 60, PLC 101, etc., and the information processing device 200 via a communication network (not shown) to exchange various types of data. When the information processing device 200 functions as an optimization system 100, the communication interface circuit 205 provides the function of a communication unit 120.

[0075] The output device 206 is used for outputting various types of information, such as a display device.

[0076] An information processing device 200 having the hardware configuration example described above can be made to function as an optimization system 100. Furthermore, it is also possible to make it function as an optimization system 100 using a cloud computing environment that utilizes computing resources on the internet.

[0077] Next, the control processing performed by the optimization system 100 will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing content of this control processing. In order to have the information processing device 200 shown in Figure 4 perform this control processing, a control program is created to have the CPU 201 perform this control processing, and the CPU 201 execute it.

[0078] The control process shown in Figure 5 is initiated, for example, each time a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. Alternatively, the control process may be initiated when a user, such as the administrator of the optimization system 100, inputs a predetermined start command, and the input receiving unit 110 receives this input.

[0079] When the process shown in Figure 5 is started, first, in S10, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs the process of acquiring emission coefficient and percentage data and production plan information from the data storage unit 130 at the time the process is executed.

[0080] Next, in S20, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to obtain instructions from the input reception unit 110 regarding the changes to be made by the control unit 150. In this embodiment, the instructions obtained through this process are either instructions to change the operating patterns currently set for each electrical device 11, or instructions to change the current production plan for goods in factory 1. These instructions are made by a user, such as the administrator of the optimization system 100, and are input to the input reception unit 110.

[0081] Next, in S30, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to determine the target of the change related to the instruction obtained in the process of S20. In this determination process, if the target of the change is the operation pattern currently set for each electrical device 11, the process proceeds to S100. On the other hand, in this determination process, if the target of the change is the current production plan for the goods, the process proceeds to S200.

[0082] In S100, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process, and in the subsequent S110, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs the operation pattern determination process.

[0083] The first carbon dioxide emission estimation process is a process that provides the function of an estimation unit 141. That is, the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process is a process that estimates the amount of carbon dioxide emissions from power generation when each electrical device 11 constituting the electrical system 10 is operated in a predetermined operating pattern to produce goods in accordance with predetermined production plan information. In the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process, the operating pattern of each electrical device 11 is changed little by little across the entire range of changeable parameters, and each time, an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when each electrical device 11 is operated under the changed operating pattern is calculated.

[0084] The operation pattern determination process is a process that provides the function of a determination unit 142. That is, the operation pattern determination process uses the emission estimation result by the estimation unit 141 to determine the operation pattern for each electrical device 11 that constitutes the electrical system 10 when the emission amount when producing goods in the electrical system 10 satisfies predetermined limiting conditions.

[0085] Details of the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process and operation pattern determination process will be described later.

[0086] In S120, as a process to provide the operation pattern change function 151, the control unit 150 changes the operation pattern set for each electrical device 11 to match the operation pattern determined in the process of S110. Then, in the subsequent S130, the control unit 150 sends the changed operation pattern to the PLC 101.

[0087] In the S130 process, first, a control program is generated to instruct the PLC 101 to perform control to change to the modified operation pattern resulting from the S120 process. Then, the communication unit 120 is controlled to send the generated control program to the PLC 101.

[0088] When the process in S130 is completed, the control process shown in Figure 5 is terminated.

[0089] Meanwhile, in S200, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a second carbon dioxide emission estimation process, and in the subsequent S210, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a production plan determination process.

[0090] The second carbon dioxide emission estimation process also provides the function of an estimation unit 141. That is, the second carbon dioxide emission estimation process also estimates the emissions from power generation of electricity consumed when producing goods in accordance with predetermined production plan information by operating each electrical device 11 constituting the electrical system 10 in a predetermined operating pattern. However, in the second carbon dioxide emission estimation process, the production plan is changed little by little across the entire range of permissible changes, and each time, an estimated value of carbon dioxide emissions when goods are produced under the changed production plan is calculated.

[0091] The production plan determination process is also a process that provides the function of a determination unit 142. However, in the production plan determination process, the estimated emission results are used to determine production plan information when the emission amount when each electrical equipment 11 constituting the electrical system 10 is operated in a specific operating pattern satisfies predetermined limiting conditions.

[0092] Details of the second carbon dioxide emission estimation process and production plan determination process will be described later.

[0093] In S220, as a process to provide the production plan change function 152, the control unit 150 changes the current production plan for goods at factory 1 to the production plan determined by the process in S210. Then, in the following S230, the control unit 150 outputs the changed production plan and sends it to the production management system 40.

[0094] In the process of S230, the communication unit 120 is controlled to send the production plan modified in the process of S220 to the production management system 40.

[0095] When the process in S230 is completed, the control process shown in Figure 5 is terminated.

[0096] The process described above is the control process shown in Figure 5.

[0097] Next, we will explain in more detail the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process, which is the process S100 in the control process shown in Figure 5. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the processing details of the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process.

[0098] When the process shown in Figure 6 begins, first, in S101, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs the process of acquiring equipment models for each electrical device 11 of the electrical system 10 that have been registered in advance. When the information processing device 200 is to function as an optimization system 100, as part of the S101 process, the CPU 201 reads the equipment models that have been previously stored in the auxiliary storage device 203.

[0099] Next, in S102, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to acquire the currently set operating patterns for each electrical device 11 in factory 1. In this process, the simulation calculation unit 140 acquires the currently set operating patterns for each electrical device 11, for example, from the power consumption table 132 of the data storage unit 130. Alternatively, the simulation calculation unit 140 may acquire information on the currently set operating patterns for each electrical device 11 from the PLC 101.

[0100] In S103, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs the process of inputting the operation pattern for each electrical device 11 into the device model for each electrical device 11 of the electrical system 10. Then, in the following S104, the simulation calculation unit 140 acquires the production plan information stored in the data storage unit 130 and performs the process of estimating the amount of power consumed by the electrical system 10 when producing goods by executing this production plan information.

[0101] The estimation of power consumption by the S104 process is performed as described above. Specifically, first, estimated power consumption values ​​are obtained from the equipment models of each electrical device 11 of the electrical system 10 used when production of goods is carried out by executing production plan information, based on the input of the operation pattern by the S103 process. Then, by summing the estimated power consumption values ​​obtained from each equipment model, an estimated power consumption value for the electrical system 10 is calculated.

[0102] In S105, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to convert the amount of power consumed by the electrical system 10, which was estimated by the processing in S104, into carbon dioxide emissions.

[0103] The conversion to carbon dioxide emissions through the S105 process is performed as described above. Specifically, first, the ratio data and emission coefficient are obtained from the data storage unit 130. Next, for each power supplier to Factory 1, the emission coefficient for the supplier is multiplied by the power supply ratio to Factory 1 of that supplier, as shown in the ratio data. Then, the emission coefficient at Factory 1 is calculated by summing the multiplication results for each supplier. The estimated carbon dioxide emissions when producing goods with the electrical system 10 are obtained by multiplying the emission coefficient at Factory 1 by the amount of power consumed estimated by the S104 process.

[0104] In S106, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process in which it associates the estimated carbon dioxide emissions obtained from the processing in S105 with the operation patterns input to the equipment model for each electrical equipment 11 in the processing in S103 and saves them. If the information processing device 200 is functioning as the optimization system 100, this information is saved in the auxiliary storage device 203.

[0105] In S107, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to determine whether all operation patterns have been changed across the entire range of variable parameters set for each operation pattern, as a result of the operation pattern change performed in the process of S108 described later. If this determination process determines that all operation patterns have been changed across the entire variable range of each parameter (when the determination result is YES), the process in Figure 6 is terminated and the process returns to the control process in Figure 5. On the other hand, if this determination process determines that there are still operation patterns with parameters that have not been changed across the entire variable range (when the determination result is NO), the process proceeds to S108.

[0106] In S108, the simulation calculation unit 140 modifies the operation pattern for parameters that have not been changed across the entire variable range, thereby changing those parameters. After that, the process returns to S103, and the processes from S103 to S108 are repeated until the judgment result in S107 is YES.

[0107] In the modification process of S108, various parameters set in the operation pattern to be modified are increased or decreased by a predetermined amount. By repeating this process of S108, changes in the values ​​across the entire variable range occur for all parameters set in the operation pattern to be modified, so that operation patterns corresponding to all possible combinations of values ​​for each parameter are generated. The amount of change when increasing or decreasing the various parameters may be changed as needed during the repetition of the process of S108. The variable range and the amount of change for the various parameters may be set by a user such as the administrator of the optimization system 100.

[0108] The process described above constitutes the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process. This process provides a relationship between the operating patterns of each electrical device 11 in the electrical system 10 when goods are produced according to the production plan, and an estimated value of the power consumption of the electrical system 10.

[0109] Next, we will explain in more detail the operation pattern determination process, which is the process S110 in the control process shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing details of the operation pattern determination process.

[0110] When the process shown in Figure 7 begins, first, in S111, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to acquire the carbon dioxide emission limit conditions that serve as the basis for determining the operation pattern. In this embodiment, the limit conditions acquired through this process are either the condition that the emissions are the minimum, or the condition that the emissions are less than or equal to a specified emission amount. The condition that the emissions are less than or equal to a specified emission amount includes the value of the specified emission amount. In this embodiment, these limit conditions are input to the input reception unit 110 by a user such as the administrator of the optimization system 100.

[0111] In S112, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to determine what the limiting condition obtained by the process in S111 was. If this determination process determines that the limiting condition was the minimum emission amount, the process proceeds to S113. On the other hand, if this determination process determines that the limiting condition was less than or equal to a specified emission amount, the process proceeds to S116.

[0112] In S113, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to identify the smallest carbon dioxide emission estimate among the many stored values ​​obtained by repeating the process in S106 in the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process shown in Figure 6. Then, in S114, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to extract the operating patterns for each electrical device 11 that are stored in association with the carbon dioxide emission estimate value identified in the process in S113.

[0113] In S115, the simulation calculation unit 140 outputs the operation pattern extracted by the processing in S114 as the result of the determination. After that, the operation pattern determination process is terminated, and the process returns to the control process shown in Figure 5.

[0114] Meanwhile, in S116, the simulation calculation unit 140 identifies carbon dioxide emission estimates that are less than or equal to a specified emission level from among the many carbon dioxide emission estimates stored by repeating the process in S106 in the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process in Figure 6. Then, in S117, the simulation calculation unit 140 extracts the operating patterns for each electrical device 11 that are stored in association with each of the carbon dioxide emission estimates identified in the process in S116.

[0115] In S118, the simulation calculation unit 140 outputs one of the operation patterns extracted by the processing in S117 as the result of the decision, and then terminates this operation pattern determination process and returns to the control process shown in Figure 5.

[0116] In the process of S118, the method for determining one of the extracted operating patterns can be any method, as described above. Therefore, for example, the operating pattern whose identified estimated value is closest to the specified emission value among the extracted operating patterns may be determined as the result of the determination. In other embodiments, multiple of the operating patterns identified in this way may be determined as the result of the determination, for example, all of the identified operating patterns may be determined as the result of the determination.

[0117] The process described above constitutes the operation pattern determination process. This process determines the operation pattern for each electrical device 11 when the estimated emissions from the electrical system 10 used in the production of goods according to the production plan meet predetermined limit conditions.

[0118] Next, we will explain in more detail the second carbon dioxide emission estimation process, which is the process S200 in the control process shown in Figure 5. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing details of the second carbon dioxide emission estimation process.

[0119] When the process shown in Figure 8 begins, first, in S201, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs the process of acquiring equipment models for each electrical device 11 of the electrical system 10 that have been registered in advance. When the information processing device 200 is to function as an optimization system 100, the CPU 201 reads the equipment models that have been previously stored in the auxiliary storage device 203 as part of the process in S201.

[0120] In S202, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs the process of inputting a predetermined operating pattern for each electrical device 11 into the device model for each electrical device 11 of the electrical system 10.

[0121] The default operation pattern is set by a user, such as the administrator of the optimization system 100. In this case, as part of the S202 process, the default operation pattern entered by the user into the input receiving unit 110 is input into the device model.

[0122] Alternatively, the operating pattern currently set for each electrical device 11 in factory 1 may be used as the default operating pattern. In this case, as part of the S202 process, for example, the operating pattern currently set for each electrical device 11 is obtained from the PLC 101 and input into the device model.

[0123] In S203, the simulation calculation unit 140 retrieves the production plan information stored in the data storage unit 130 and performs the process of setting the production plan according to this production plan information.

[0124] In S204, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to estimate the amount of power consumed by the electrical system 10 when producing goods according to the set production plan. Then, in the following S205, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to convert the amount of power consumed by the electrical system 10 estimated in the process of S204 into carbon dioxide emissions. These processes in S204 and S205 are the same as the processes in S104 and S105 in the first carbon dioxide emission estimation process (Figure 6) described above.

[0125] In S206, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to save the estimated carbon dioxide emissions obtained from the processing in S205, in association with the production plan that was set at the time of processing in S204. If the information processing device 200 is functioning as the optimization system 100, this information is saved in the auxiliary storage device 203.

[0126] In S207, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to determine whether the production plan has been changed across the entire range where changes are permitted, as a result of the production plan change performed in the process of S208 described later. If this determination process determines that the production plan has been changed across the entire range where changes are permitted (when the determination result is YES), the process in Figure 8 is terminated and the process returns to the control process in Figure 5. On the other hand, if this determination process determines that the production plan has not been changed across the entire range where changes are permitted (when the determination result is NO), the process proceeds to S208.

[0127] In S208, the simulation calculation unit 140 modifies the currently set production plan within the permissible range. After that, the process returns to S204, and the process from S204 to S208 is repeated until the judgment result in S207 is YES.

[0128] In the S208 production plan modification process, for example, for each item, the production order plan for each item, the implementation date and time plan for each production process in the production of each item, and the progress rate plan for each implementation date and time in each production process are modified, while ensuring that the specified production quantity and production deadline are secured. By repeating this S208 process, changes are made to all plans within the range where changes are permitted, and a production plan corresponding to all combinations of the modified plans is generated. The scope of permitted changes and the amount of change for each plan may be set by a user such as the administrator of the optimization system 100.

[0129] The process described above constitutes the second carbon dioxide emission estimation process. This process provides a relationship between the production plan for goods and the estimated power consumption of the electrical system 10 when each electrical device 11 is operated according to a predetermined operating pattern to produce goods.

[0130] Next, we will explain in more detail the production plan determination process, which is the process at S210 in the control process shown in Figure 5. Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the processing details of the production plan determination process.

[0131] When the process shown in Figure 9 begins, first, in S211, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to acquire the carbon dioxide emission limit conditions that will serve as the basis for determining the production plan. Then, in the following S212, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to determine what the limit conditions acquired in the process of S211 were. If, in this determination process, it is determined that the limit condition was the minimum emission level, the process proceeds to S213. On the other hand, if, in this determination process, it is determined that the limit condition was less than or equal to a specified emission level, the process proceeds to S216. These processes in S211 and S212 are the same as the processes in S111 and S112 in the operation pattern determination process (Figure 7) described above.

[0132] In S213, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to identify the smallest carbon dioxide emission estimate from among the many stored values ​​by repeating the process in S206 in the second carbon dioxide emission estimation process in Figure 8. Then, in S214, the simulation calculation unit 140 performs a process to extract the production plan that is stored in association with the carbon dioxide emission estimate identified in the process in S213.

[0133] In S215, the simulation calculation unit 140 outputs the production plan extracted by the processing in S214 as the result of the decision. After that, the production plan decision process is terminated, and the process returns to the control process shown in Figure 5.

[0134] Meanwhile, in S216, the simulation calculation unit 140 identifies carbon dioxide emission estimates that are less than or equal to a specified emission level from among the many stored carbon dioxide emission estimates obtained by repeating the process in S206 in the second carbon dioxide emission estimation process in Figure 7. Then, in S217, the simulation calculation unit 140 extracts the production plans stored in association with each of the carbon dioxide emission estimates identified in the process in S216.

[0135] In S218, the simulation calculation unit 140 outputs one of the production plans extracted by the processing in S217 as the result of the decision, and then terminates this production plan decision process and returns the process to the control process shown in Figure 5.

[0136] In the process of S218, the method for determining one of the extracted production plans can be any method, as described above. Therefore, for example, the production plan whose identified estimated value is closest to the specified emissions among the extracted production plans may be selected as the result of the decision. Alternatively, multiple of the production plans identified in this way may be selected as the result of the decision. For example, all of the identified production plans may be selected as the result of the decision, and from among them, a user such as the production manager of factory 1 may select the production plan that is deemed suitable.

[0137] The process described above constitutes the production plan determination process. This process determines a production plan in which the estimated emissions when producing goods using each electrical device 11 operated in a predetermined operating pattern satisfy predetermined limiting conditions.

[0138] Next, the machine learning process performed by the optimization system 100 will be described. The machine learning process is a process that provides the functionality of the machine learning unit 160, and involves performing machine learning on the equipment model of the electrical equipment 11 that is pre-registered in the simulation calculation unit 140 to improve the accuracy of the equipment model.

[0139] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of machine learning processing. To have the information processing device 200 shown in Figure 4 perform this machine learning processing, one should create a machine learning program that instructs the CPU 201 to perform this machine learning processing and have the CPU 201 execute it.

[0140] When the process shown in Figure 10 begins, first, in S301, a timer (not shown) used for measuring elapsed time is initialized and the timer is started.

[0141] In S302, a process is performed to determine whether a predetermined event has occurred that triggers machine learning on the device model of the electrical device 11.

[0142] The content of predetermined events that trigger machine learning is set in advance by a user such as the administrator of the optimization system 100. One example of such an event is when the latest data among the percentage data stored in the data storage unit 130 changes by more than a predetermined change threshold from the data immediately preceding it. Another example is when the difference between the estimated power consumption of the electrical system 10 obtained in the process of S104 in Figure 6 and the value obtained from the actual measurement data of each electrical device 11 stored in the data storage unit 130 becomes larger than a predetermined threshold. The determination process in S302 determines whether the occurrence of such an event has been detected.

[0143] In the determination process in S302, if it is determined that a predetermined event has occurred (the determination result is YES), the process proceeds to S304. On the other hand, in this determination process, if it is determined that a predetermined event has not occurred (the determination result is NO), the process proceeds to S303.

[0144] In S303, the timer count of the timer that was started by the process in S301 is referenced to determine whether the elapsed time since the start of timer measurement has reached a predetermined time. If it is determined in this determination process that the elapsed time has reached the predetermined time (when the determination result is YES), the process proceeds to S304. On the other hand, if it is determined in this determination process that the elapsed time has not reached the predetermined time (when the determination result is NO), the process returns to S302, and the determination processes in S302 and S303 are repeated.

[0145] The processes in S301 and S303 described above are designed to ensure that the processes from S304 onward are performed at predetermined intervals, even if the predetermined event that triggers machine learning does not occur.

[0146] In S304, the machine learning unit 160 reads out the actual power consumption data for each electrical device 11 collected by the power consumption measurement system 30, which is stored in the data storage unit 130, for each operating pattern of the electrical device 11 when the power consumption was measured. Then, in the following S305, the machine learning unit 160 uses the actual power consumption data for each operating pattern of each electrical device 11 obtained in the process of S304 as training data to machine-learn the device model for each electrical device 11 registered in the estimation unit 141.

[0147] Subsequently, in S306, the machine learning unit 160 updates the equipment models for each electrical device 11 registered in the estimation unit 141 with the equipment models after machine learning processing in S305, and then the process returns to S301 and the above-described process is repeated.

[0148] The process described above constitutes machine learning processing.

[0149] As described above, the optimization system 100 according to this embodiment estimates the amount of carbon dioxide gas emissions from power generation when the electrical system 10 consumes electricity to produce goods by operating each electrical device 11 used in goods production in a predetermined operating pattern and producing goods according to predetermined production plan information. This estimation is performed for multiple operating patterns. Subsequently, the optimization system 100 according to this embodiment uses the estimated emissions to determine the operating pattern for each electrical device 11 constituting the electrical system 10 when the emissions satisfy predetermined limiting conditions. The optimization system 100 according to this embodiment controls each electrical device 11 constituting the electrical system 10 to operate in the determined operating pattern. Therefore, this optimization system 100 makes it possible to produce goods according to the production plan while imposing predetermined limits on carbon dioxide gas emissions.

[0150] Although embodiments of the disclosure and their advantages have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, additions, and omissions without departing from the scope of the invention as clearly stated in the claims.

[0151] For example, in the optimization system 100 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, as described above, the communication unit 120 is configured to automatically collect various types of data to be stored in the data storage unit 130. Alternatively, for example, a user such as the administrator of the optimization system 100 may collect this data and input it manually, and the input receiving unit 110 may receive this input and store it in the data storage unit 130.

[0152] Furthermore, in the optimization system 100 according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the estimation unit 141 estimates the amount of electricity consumed when each electrical device 11 constituting the electrical system 10 is operated in a predetermined operating pattern to produce goods according to predetermined production plan information. The determination unit 142 then uses the estimated amount of electricity consumed to determine the operating pattern when the amount of electricity consumed when producing goods satisfies predetermined limiting conditions, or to determine the production plan information when the amount of electricity consumed satisfies predetermined limiting conditions. Alternatively, the estimation unit 141 may estimate the amount of electricity consumed by the electrical system 10 when producing goods according to predetermined production plan information by operating each electrical device 11 constituting the electrical system 10 in a predetermined operating pattern. In this case, the determination unit 142 may use the estimated amount of electricity consumed to determine the operating pattern when the amount of electricity consumed when producing goods satisfies predetermined limiting conditions, or to determine the production plan information when the amount of electricity consumed satisfies predetermined limiting conditions.

[0153] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-197944, filed on November 13, 2024. All of its contents are included herein.

[0154] 1. Factory 10. Electrical Systems 11. Electrical Equipment 12. Rotating Machinery 13. Inverters 14. Power Consumption Sensors 20. Power Receiving and Transforming Systems 21. Rechargeable Batteries 30. Power Consumption Measurement Systems 40. Production Management Systems 50. External Database 60. Carbon Dioxide Emission Reduction Contribution Calculation System 100. Optimization System 101. PLC 102. PC 110. Input Reception Unit 120. Communication Unit 121. External Database Communication Function 122. Calculation System Communication Function 123. Production Management System Communication Function 124. PLC Communication Function 130. Data Storage Unit 131. Percentage Data Table 132. Power Consumption Table 133. Production Plan Information Table 134. Emission Coefficient Table 140. Simulation Calculation Unit 141. Estimation Unit 142. Determination Unit 150. Control Unit 151. Operation Pattern Change Function 152. Production Plan Change Function 160. Machine Learning Unit 200 Information processing unit 201 CPU 202 Memory 203 Auxiliary storage device 204 Input device 205 Communication interface circuit 206 Output device 207 Communication bus

Claims

1. A control system comprising: an estimation unit that estimates the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted by the power generation of the amount of electricity consumed by the electrical system when production is carried out in accordance with predetermined production plan information by operating each electrical device constituting the electrical system used for the production of goods in predetermined operating patterns, for each of a plurality of operating patterns; a determination unit that uses the estimation results of the emissions to determine the operating pattern for each electrical device constituting the electrical system when the emissions satisfy predetermined limiting conditions; and a control unit that controls each electrical device constituting the electrical system to operate in the determined operating pattern.

2. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined limiting condition is the condition that the emissions are minimized.

3. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined limiting condition is that the emissions are less than or equal to a specified amount.

4. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the estimation unit estimates the emissions using an equipment model showing the relationship between the operation pattern and power consumption for each electrical device constituting the electrical system, ratio data showing the proportion of power supplied by each supplier for power supplied from multiple suppliers to the installation location of the electrical system, and emission coefficient data showing the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted in the power generation of a unit amount at each of the multiple suppliers.

5. The control system according to claim 4, further comprising a machine learning unit that performs machine learning of the equipment model for each electrical device, using the operation patterns and measured power consumption data for each electrical device when each electrical device constituting the electrical system is in operation as training data.

6. The control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, when the estimation unit receives a predetermined instruction, it estimates the emissions for each of the plurality of production plan information, and when the determination unit receives a predetermined instruction, it uses the emission estimation result to determine and output the production plan information in which the emissions when each electrical device constituting the electrical system is operated in a specific operating pattern satisfy the predetermined limit conditions.

7. A control method performed by a control system, characterized in that: estimate the amount of carbon dioxide gas emitted in the power generation of the amount of electricity consumed by the electrical system when production is carried out in accordance with predetermined production plan information by operating each electrical device constituting an electrical system used for the production of goods in predetermined operating patterns for a plurality of operating patterns; determine the operating pattern for each electrical device constituting the electrical system when the amount of emissions satisfies predetermined limiting conditions using the estimation results of the emissions; and control each electrical device constituting the electrical system to operate in the determined operating pattern.

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