JP2002304442A - Energy selling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an easy supply and sales method, in sales of energy including electricity and gas, that satisfies both suppliers and contractors with economic rationality and to solve a problem that a conventional energy sales unilaterally increases a fee when a usage value exceeds a contract maximum value or stops energy supply, which imposes extreme burden on the energy contractors. SOLUTION: In an energy selling method, a fee is determined based on a contract maximum value (210) or energy usage is limited (211) by determining the contract maximum value separate from a physical limit on energy usage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method, an apparatus, and a system for selling energy to a customer, and more particularly, to an energy selling method for measuring energy consumption of a customer and providing the energy with an appropriate contract and fee. About. In addition, the present invention relates to a technique relating to this. Note that the energy includes water, gas, and electricity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional energy sales include, for example, a sales system that realizes a power supply agreement (implemented on October 1, 2000) disclosed by Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc., for example, for electric power. In this sales system, a power receiving range is limited in units of kW or ampere, thereby determining a basic charge, and setting a pay-as-you-go rate based on an integrated power consumption in kWh for one month.

For example, in a power selling system based on a contract for high-voltage power according to this power supply agreement, the maximum demand power used for actual use is measured every 30 minutes. Based on the maximum value, the contract power for one year from the maximum value renewal month is determined, and the basic charge determination process is performed in consideration of the contract power.

[0004] Further, in a power selling system based on a contract for a metered light for a large number of ordinary households, a breaker is installed in a power supply facility according to a contract ampere. When the used power exceeds the contracted power, a process of opening the circuit breaker immediately and stopping the power supply is performed. As a result, it is possible to sell electric power to a large number of ordinary households without constantly measuring the electric power consumption.

[0005] As peripheral systems for selling electric power, there are known many systems, devices, and methods mainly for a user to avoid exceeding the above-mentioned contract electric power (contract ampere).
For example, the device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-2649 is configured to issue an alarm to a user when the ratio of the actual power consumption to the contract power becomes a certain ratio or more. It is expected that users can easily avoid power interruption due to excess contract power. Further, in the system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-84146, when the used power exceeds the contracted power, a process of limiting the power of some electric devices based on the priority order is performed.

[0006] As a sales system for gas as energy, there is a sales system that realizes general gas supply agreements (implemented on July 10, 2000) published by Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. The basic charge was determined based on the number of gas meters (the maximum flow rate of the gas meter per hour expressed in cubic meters), and the metered rate was set based on the amount of gas used for one month.

[0007]

However, these energy sales systems are inconvenient and burdensome for energy users. For example, in a power selling system, an excess of a usage value from a contract maximum value is detected, and a basic charge is increased or a supply of energy is stopped. , Are electrically restricted. Further, in the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-2649, when the contract amount is actually exceeded, the power supply is stopped by the circuit breaker, and it is impossible to avoid the damage caused by the stoppage of the electric equipment. Further, the system described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-84146 does not provide a truly comfortable use environment because the use of electrical equipment is unilaterally limited when the contracted power is exceeded.

[0008] In addition, there is a problem that the energy supplier requires a large number of steps for sales. For example, in power sales for general households, when a change in contract ampere occurs, a new breaker must be prepared and the breaker physically replaced. Regarding gas sales, when changing contracts, prepare new gas meters with different numbers,
The gas meter must be replaced. Further, even when the contractor has not paid the fee, he or she goes to the point of use and takes measures to physically shut off the supply of electricity and gas. When collecting unpaid fees, you must return to the point of use and resume supply immediately.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method, an apparatus and a system which reduce the burden on energy users and suppliers and realize reasonable energy sales.

[0010] The term "energy" as used herein includes electricity, gas, water, and the like that are delivered through delivery facilities called lifelines.

[0011]

(1) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to an energy sales method, wherein a contract maximum value is determined separately from a physical limitation of energy use, and a method based on the contract maximum value is set. To determine a fee, notify a contractor about energy use, or limit energy use. In this way, reasonable energy sales and supply can be performed between the contractor and the supplier.

(2) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention detects an excess state of energy use exceeding a contract maximum value and, when the excess energy frequency based on the detected state is equal to or more than a predetermined value, contracts with a contractor. You may notify that the maximum value is exceeded. With this method, the contractor can be notified that the energy usage has been exceeded.

(3) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to an energy selling method, wherein an energy use exceeding a contract maximum value is detected, and the energy excess frequency based on the detected state is equal to or more than a predetermined value. The fee may be increased. With this method, it is possible to give and receive a reasonable fee for energy use. In particular, it is possible to avoid an excessive charge increase for a slight energy excess in the range of the predetermined value.

(4) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to an energy selling method, wherein an energy use exceeding a contract maximum value is detected, and the energy excess frequency based on the detected state is equal to or more than a predetermined value. , The use of energy may be limited. By such a method, the use of energy is reasonably limited. In particular, with respect to a slight excess of the energy use in the above-mentioned predetermined range, the restriction on the energy use including the interruption of the supply and the suspension of some of the used equipment can be suppressed, and the burden on the contractor can be reduced rationally.

(5) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to an energy selling method, wherein an energy use exceeding a contract maximum value is detected, and the energy excess frequency based on the detected state is equal to or more than a predetermined value. , An increase in the fee, or a restriction on the use of energy may be notified so that the contractor can make a selection. According to such a method, it is possible to sell and supply energy reflecting the intention of the contractor.

(6) In the energy selling method according to any one of the above (2) to (5), preferably, as the number of times of excess energy use from the contract maximum value increases, and the degree of excess energy use increases, The energy excess frequency may be increased as the number of seconds in which the overuse continues continues. According to such a method, it is possible to sell and supply energy more rationally.

(7) In the energy selling method according to any one of the above (2) to (5), preferably, each of the above-mentioned predetermined values for the excess energy frequency is increased or decreased according to the state value relating to the remaining energy supply capacity. Good. According to such a method, the contractor can use the energy with a margin when the energy supply has a margin, and can restrict the use of the energy according to the economic rationality when the supply is tight. . Reasonable sales and supply suitable for the state of energy supply are possible.

(8) In any one of the above-mentioned energy selling methods (1) to (7), if the previous fee has not been paid, the contract maximum amount of energy use may be limited. With this method, it is possible to impose a reasonable penalty for the unpaid fee with a small number of steps.

(9) In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in the energy selling method, an update of a contract maximum value is notified, and an energy use state is measured or set in an apparatus for restricting energy use. May be updated. According to this method, it is possible to sell and supply energy to a large number of contractors with a small number of man-hours.

(10) In the energy selling method of the above (9), preferably, the notification of the contract maximum value is transmitted by wire communication,
The communication may be performed by wireless communication or any one of storage media such as an IC card, a magnetic card, a portable terminal, and a card on which a symbol is printed. According to this method, the contract maximum value can be notified with a small number of man-hours, and the man-hour required for energy sales is reduced.

(11) In any of the above (1) to (10), preferably, electricity or gas may be sold as energy.

(12) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to an energy selling apparatus provided with means for measuring an energy use state, comprising a protective circuit breaker for shutting off excess energy, and an energy supply based on a contract. A restriction device for restricting the amount. With such a device, it is possible to safely and reasonably sell energy to a large number of contractors based on flexible contract contents.

(13) In the above (12), preferably, electricity or gas may be sold as energy.

(14) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to an energy sales system including an energy sales device for measuring and controlling an energy use state, and a central device for energy sales. The device may comprise means for inputting an energy use contract maximum. With such a system, it is possible to rationally sell energy to a large number of scattered contractors with a small number of operations.

(15) In the energy sales resource system of the above (14), preferably, as means for inputting the maximum value of the energy use contract of the energy sales apparatus, wired communication,
Any one of wireless communication or a storage medium such as an IC card, a magnetic card, a portable terminal, or a card on which a symbol is printed may be used. With such a system, the energy use contract maximum value can be easily set for each contractor, and rational energy sales can be performed to a large number of contractors.

(16) In the energy sales system according to the above (14) or (15), preferably, the central unit relating to energy sales has means for outputting a contract maximum value, and relates to the contract maximum value based on the input. A storage medium such as an IC card, a magnetic card, a portable terminal, or a card on which a symbol can be printed, which stores information, may be provided, and the energy selling apparatus may have a means for directly or indirectly inputting information on the storage medium. . With such a system, the energy use contract maximum value can be easily set for each contractor, and rational energy sales can be performed to a large number of contractors.

(17) In the above (14) or (15), preferably, the central device relating to energy sales is:
There may be provided a means for outputting a contract maximum value, and a means for inputting information on the contract maximum value based on the input to the energy sales apparatus by wire communication or wireless communication. With such a system, the energy use contract maximum value can be easily set for each contractor, and rational energy sales can be performed to a large number of contractors.

The above-described configurations (1) to (14) include information processing for executing the contents.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An energy sales method, apparatus and system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, an energy sales system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, electric power is treated as energy to be sold. The sales system includes an energy sales apparatus 110 installed in a house of an energy use contractor, a central apparatus 130 for performing energy sales contract processing, and the like, a power distribution network 120 for supplying electric power, and a drop-in line 121 for conveying electric power to the house. ,
It includes a home power line 122 for distributing power to the house.

The energy selling device 110 includes a protection circuit breaker 111 for shutting off power exceeding the upper limit of the in-home power line facility capacity for security purposes, and a maximum power usage contract defined between the supplier and the power usage contractor. Value storage means 112, a wattmeter 113 for measuring the current power amount, a means 114 for detecting that the current power amount has exceeded the contracted power maximum value and calculating the excess frequency, and supplying the power based on the contracted maximum value and the like. A limiting device 115 for arbitrarily limiting or cutting off the electric energy is provided.
Further, an input unit 117 for inputting the contract maximum value through communication from the central unit, a receiving unit 118 for receiving various inputs from the contractor, and a notification device 119 for displaying various information to the contractor are provided. The integrating wattmeter 113a is
Record the integrated power consumption. Operation state monitoring device 116
Is connected to each component in the energy selling device by a connection line (not shown), monitors and records the operation state and measured value of each, and notifies the central device as necessary.

The electric power supplied from the service line 121 is supplied to the house via the protection circuit breaker 111 and the limiting device 115.

The central unit 130 has a unit 131 for recording the contract maximum value determined for each contractor and communicating and outputting it to the contract maximum value input unit of the energy sales device of the contractor. Further, a means 132 for calculating a charge based on various information obtained from the operation monitoring device 116 of the energy selling device of the contractor is provided. All the information required for charge calculation, such as the contract maximum power of each contractor, the record of the accumulated power consumption, and the past payment status of the charges, is recorded in the database 133 and can be referred to as necessary.

In the drawings, the energy sales apparatus, service lines, and in-home power lines are installed for each contractor who uses electric power, and are provided for the number of contractors.

Referring to FIG. 2, the flow of energy sales according to the present embodiment will be described. In the energy sales according to the present embodiment, the fee is calculated every month.

In step 201, in the central device,
It is checked whether there is any unpaid balance in the charges up to the previous month, and if there is an unpaid balance, an unpaid penalty is calculated from the balance and the unpaid period.

In step 202, in the central device,
The contract maximum value for the current month is calculated from the contract for the maximum power exchanged with the contractor and the unpaid penalty.

In step 203, the contract maximum value is input and output between the central unit and the energy sales unit of each contractor by communication.

In step 204, the energy sales apparatus records the contract maximum value for the current month in the storage means 112.

The above steps 201 to 204 are executed every month on a predetermined reference date.

In step 205, the excess frequency calculating means of the energy selling apparatus monitors whether or not the electric power at the time exceeds the contracted maximum amount based on the value of the wattmeter.

In step 206, when the use of power is excessive, the degree of excess this time is calculated from the magnitude of the excess and the time, and is cumulatively updated to the excess frequency up to the previous time.

In step 207, if the excess frequency is equal to or more than the first predetermined value D1, the excess frequency is displayed on the notification device 119. In particular, when the cumulative excess frequency is increasing at the present time, the display is highlighted.

In step 208, when the excess frequency is equal to or more than the second predetermined value D2, a notification is displayed on the notifying device 119 that the charge is to be increased or the energy use is to be restricted.

In step 209, it is read from the receiving means 118 whether the contractor wants to limit the use of energy or increase the charge.

Step 210 is executed when the fee increase has been selected. Record the charge increase in the operation monitoring device, and simultaneously increase the contract maximum value temporarily.

In addition to the present embodiment, each time the excess frequency becomes constant, the excess money may be added to clear the excess frequency to zero.

Step 211 is executed when the power use restriction is selected. Power cutoff is performed by the limiting device.

In addition to the present embodiment, in a portable device capable of controlling electric equipment connected to the home power line, control may be performed such that the power is equal to or less than the contract power.

The above steps 205 to 211 are always executed.

In step 212, the operation monitoring device of the energy selling device transmits to the central device information on the accumulated power amount, excess frequency, charge increase record, and contract maximum value extra increase for the current month.

In step 213, in the central device,
The contractor's charges for the current month are calculated based on the accumulated power amount, excess frequency,
It is calculated from the information of the charge increase record and the contract maximum value extra increase.

The above steps 212 and 213 are executed immediately before the next reference date one month after the reference date on which steps 201 to 204 were executed.

This concludes the description of the energy sales flow according to the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the predetermined value D
1, D2 is determined at any time by the central device according to the reserve ratio (average of the actual supply amount with respect to the suppliable amount) of the power equipment,
The information is irregularly transmitted to the energy selling device by interruption communication and set therein.

Independently of the flow shown in FIG. 2, in order to prevent an accident such as a fire, when excessive power flows, the protective circuit breaker 111 operates to cut off the power. Protection circuit breaker 111
Is set at the physical limit of the home power line. Normally, the contract maximum value is sufficiently smaller than the allowable upper limit of the protection circuit breaker 111.

The details of the charge calculation based on energy sales in this embodiment will be described. The fee for the current month consists of a basic fee determined from the contract maximum value (kW unit) and a metered fee determined by multiplying the accumulated power used during the month (kWh unit) by a predetermined unit price. FIG. 5 illustrates the relationship between the contract maximum value and the basic fee. Here, the contract maximum value is 30 kW, 6
The basic charges for 0 kW are y1 and y2, respectively.
(Yen). Assuming that the contract maximum value is 30 kW, the actual maximum value is 60 kW.
When the contract maximum value is temporarily set to 60 kW by 0, the basic charge is y3 (yen). The magnitude relationship of “y3> y2” is established. For this reason, electricity users come to aim for electricity use within a predetermined contract maximum value range for economic reasons. The total amount of electricity required for supply can be prevented from increasing unplanned.

Representative effects of the above energy sales will be described. One is that even if the power exceeds the contracted maximum amount in a short time (less than or less than a predetermined time), the power supply is not suddenly cut off and the contractor can use the electricity with confidence. As a second effect, there is a case where a charge increase accompanying a change in the contract maximum value is notified to the contractor and can be performed under agreement. Both the contractor and the supplier can make a satisfactory supply contract. As a third effect, the contract maximum amount can be set from the central device via communication, and the number of construction steps involved in changing the contract can be reduced. As a fourth effect, even in the case of uncollected charges, by suppressing the maximum contract amount, it is possible to prevent a large amount of electricity bills from being uncollected in the future while guaranteeing the minimum power supply.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, gas is treated as energy to be sold. FIG. 3 shows an energy sales system according to the present embodiment.

As devices related to gas supply, a gas piping network 320, a drawing pipe 321 to a house, a gas piping 3 in a house,
22. Further, a protection circuit breaker 311 for blocking outflow of abnormal gas such as gas leakage, a gas flow meter 31
3. Gas meter 31 for measuring the total amount (volume) of gas used
3a, a limiting device 315 for limiting the gas flow rate by a valve according to the contract maximum value or the excess frequency of use is provided. Other devices have the same function as those of the corresponding numbers in FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a flow of energy sales in the present embodiment. The integrated power amount is replaced by the gas meter value (volume), and the value of the wattmeter is replaced by the value of the gas flow meter. In particular, in step 411, the limiting device controls the flow rate by the valve up to the contract maximum amount instead of shutting off the power. Others are the same as the flow of the power energy sales in FIG. Independently of the flow of FIG. 4, in order to prevent an accident due to gas leakage, if there is an abnormal gas flow, the protection circuit breaker 311 is activated and the gas supply is stopped.

The description of the second embodiment of the present invention has been completed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that, in addition to the transmission of the contract maximum value from the central unit to each energy selling device, the energy based on the contract contents negotiated with the user. This is for sending and inputting the sales method.

FIG. 6 shows an energy selling system according to the present embodiment. 1 is different from the system of FIG. 1 in that an excess frequency calculation method setting unit 601 is added in the energy selling device, and a program distribution unit 602 is added in the central device.

Here, the excess frequency calculating means 114 is realized as a microcomputer program.

Normally, a contract is made with the user to allow the actual power consumption to exceed the contract maximum amount, as shown in the first embodiment, or the user is not permitted to do so. A contract is negotiated.

In the case of a contract that does not allow excess, the power meter 113
If the measured power exceeds the contract value, the excess frequency calculation means 114 is programmed to send a signal to the limiting device 115 to immediately shut off the power.

In the case of a contract that permits excess, the excess frequency calculation means 114 is programmed to execute the processing from step 205 to step 211 in the flow of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 7, the flow of the process for changing the program will be described. In step 701, the contract method is selected by the user, and the central
3 recorded.

In step 702, a program to be used as the excess frequency calculation means of the energy selling device in the user's house is transmitted from the program distribution means 602 to the excess frequency calculation method setting means 601 based on the contract method recorded in the database. input.

In step 703, based on the received program, the excess frequency selection method setting means 601
The program of the microcomputer that implements the super-excessive number calculation means 114 is updated.

As shown in this embodiment, the program for calculating the excess frequency is rewritten from the central device as appropriate,
It is possible to always update the method of selling energy to an appropriate one. Here, the program is not limited to the one shown in the flow of FIG. An appropriate program executable by the microcomputer can be transmitted and input based on a contract with the user.

The present invention is not limited to the above three embodiments. For example, as a method for inputting the contract maximum value to be output from the central device to an energy sales device such as electric gas, a method other than the method using wired or wireless communication as in the above-described embodiment may be adopted.
Specifically, the central device may output the contract maximum value to a medium such as an IC card, a magnetic card, or a print card, and the energy sales apparatus may read each medium. In this way, even in areas where communication infrastructure is not in place,
Energy sales according to the present invention can be performed. Further, the contract maximum value output by the central device may be stored in a portable terminal carried by the worker. The worker sets a new contract maximum value from the portable terminal to the energy selling device. With this method, unauthorized writing can be prevented, and the contract maximum value can be reliably updated.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, in the sale of energy including electricity and gas, supply and sale satisfying both the supplier and the contractor with economic rationality. Can be performed without imposing a significant burden. Further, the man-hour required for energy sales can be suppressed.

[0076]

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize the sale of energy according to the user's selection.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an energy sales system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of energy sales according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an energy selling system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of energy sales according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph relating to a fee for energy sales according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an energy sales system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of distribution of a sales method program according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 ... Energy sales device 111 ... Protection breaker 112 ... Contract maximum value storage means 113 ... Wattmeter 113a ... Integrated wattmeter 114 ... Excess frequency calculating means 115 ... Limiting device 116 ... Operation state monitoring device 117 ... Contract maximum amount input means 118 ... Reception means power 119 ... Notification device 120 ... Distribution network 121 ... Service line 122 ... Home power line 130 ... Central device 320 ... Gas piping network 321 ... Housing pipe 322 ... Housing gas piping 311 ... Abnormal gas 313: Gas flow meter 313a: Gas meter 315: Limiting device for limiting the flow rate of gas by a valve 601: Excess frequency calculation method setting means 602: Program distribution means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Toshiaki Ito 890 Kashimada, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside the Hitachi, Ltd.Social Network System (72) Inventor Yuichi Mabuchi 890 Kashimada, Sai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture 5G066 AA02 AA05 AA20

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A method of selling energy which is delivered via a delivery facility and whose usage per unit time changes according to a user's operation, wherein the information processing method is performed by an information processing apparatus installed for each user. In, in advance, the storage limit of the energy usage by the user per unit time is stored in a storage device, and the usage of energy delivered via a delivery facility, which is measured by a measurement device, is input from an input device. Input, the usage amount measured by the measurement device is detected by the detection device to determine whether or not the stored usage limit is exceeded, and when the excess is detected, the user is An energy selling method, wherein the processing device executes a process according to a selection made in advance. 2. The energy selling method according to claim 1, wherein the processing device outputs an output of a detected result, calculates an extra charge for excess, and uses the energy consumption according to a selection of the user. A method of selling energy, wherein at least one of the controls that is equal to or less than a usage limit is executed. 3. The energy sales method according to claim 2, wherein the information processing device is connected to a delivery source device managed by a delivery source of the energy via a network, and the processing device is configured such that the user An energy selling method, comprising: calculating the special charge and transmitting data indicating the calculated special charge to the delivery source device when selecting to pay the special charge. 4. The energy selling method according to claim 2, wherein the energy is delivered in the form of a fluid, and wherein the processing device sets the user's usage amount of the energy to the usage limit amount. When the following control is selected, a valve that controls the amount of energy delivery is controlled. 5. The energy selling method according to claim 4, wherein said energy is gas or water. 6. The energy selling method according to claim 2, wherein the energy is electricity, and the processing device has selected a control in which the user uses the energy less than or equal to the use limit. In such a case, the energy supply method is controlled to cut off the supply of electricity. 7. An information processing apparatus for controlling a method of selling energy which is delivered via a delivery facility and whose usage per unit time is changed by an operation of a user, comprising: A storage device for storing a usage limit of the storage device, an input device for inputting a usage amount of energy delivered via a delivery facility measured by a measurement device, and a usage amount measured by the measurement device. A detection device for detecting whether or not the usage limit has been exceeded, and a processing device for executing processing according to the selection made by the user in advance when the usage limit is detected. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the processing device outputs the detected result, calculates an extra charge for the excess, and uses the energy consumption according to a selection of the user. An information processing apparatus for executing at least one of the control that is equal to or less than a use limit amount. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a connection device connected to a delivery source device managed by the energy delivery source via a network, wherein the processing device is configured such that the user When selecting to pay the special fee, the connection device calculates the special fee, and the connection device transmits data indicating the calculated special fee to the delivery source device. . 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the energy is delivered in the form of a fluid, and wherein the processing device is configured to allow the user to limit an amount of energy used to the use amount. An information processing apparatus characterized in that when selecting the following control, a valve for controlling the energy delivery amount is controlled. 11. An information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said energy is gas or water. 12. The information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the energy is electricity, and the processing device has selected a control in which the user uses an amount of energy equal to or less than the use limit. In the case, the information processing apparatus controls so as to cut off the supply of the electricity.