JP2003114918A - Energy cost reduction information processor, information terminal equipment, energy cost reduction method, its program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an energy cost reduction information processor capable of reducing the energy costs of each demander by deciding a demand contract suitable for each demander from among various demand contracts or supply configurations associated with the energy of a power or gas or the like. SOLUTION: This energy cost reduction information processor is provided with a contract information DB 112 for storing contract information concerning a plurality of contract classifications associated with energy supply between the supplier of energy and the demander of energy, a cost calculating means 131 for acquiring current information associated with the current energy using state of the demander, and for calculating the energy costs of the demander under those contract classifications based on the current information and the contract information stored in the contract information DB 112, and a contract classification selecting part 133 for allowing the demander to select the contract classification to be adopted based on the calculated energy costs under those contract classifications.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention determines a supply and demand contract suitable for each customer from a wide variety of supply and demand contracts between consumers and suppliers of various types of energy such as electric power and gas. Energy cost reduction information processing device, information terminal device, energy cost reduction method, program for performing
And related to recording media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, deregulation of business forms of various types of energy such as electricity and gas has progressed, and supply and demand contracts between energy suppliers and energy consumers and various forms of energy supply have become diversified. Specifically, tariff menus by power companies for specific-scale demand are diversifying, and the number of selection clauses in the regulatory field is increasing. In addition, multiple power supply companies, establishment of private power generation and heat supply service companies,
Energy supply forms have become complicated due to the commercialization of distributed power and heat supply systems such as solar cells and fuel cells, and the advent of green power such as wind power generation. Also,
Apart from the effects of such deregulation, as the problems of global warming and resource depletion become more serious, energy prices are rapidly rising and fluctuating.

[0003]

Under such an environment, for each consumer, in order to procure its own energy consumption at the lowest cost, from various supply and demand contracts and supply modes, It is desirable to combine and use the most suitable supply and demand contract and supply form. However, it is difficult for each consumer to grasp the actual state of his / her energy consumption, and it is difficult to select the optimal demand contract from complicated demand contracts. It was extremely difficult to select a supply form. For example, it is difficult for each customer's business establishment or factory to have a measuring instrument that records the amount of energy used, so it is difficult to understand the actual state of energy consumption, and the suitability of a demand contract is judged. It was difficult to do.

Therefore, when each consumer has a strong tendency to simply conclude a supply and demand contract with the contents presented by the supplier who has contracted from the past, and in the case of suffering an extremely large loss from the viewpoint of energy cost. was there. For example, there were cases in which the supply and demand contract with the lowest electricity and gas charges was overlooked, expensive power generation equipment was introduced, and expensive energy was purchased in the operation and management of energy equipment.

Furthermore, as described above, it has not been possible to appropriately combine a plurality of supply forms, resulting in a deterioration of the supply and demand balance of each energy. Therefore, it is necessary for each electric power company to own load equipment that is suitable for the maximum demand season for electricity (July to September), and for each gas company to meet the maximum demand season for gas (December to March). It is necessary for each energy supplier to make a large capital investment, such as having to own heavy load equipment, which has been a cause of increasing energy costs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is suitable for each customer from among various supply and demand contracts between customers and suppliers of various types of energy such as electric power and gas. For the purpose of providing an energy cost reduction information processing device, an information terminal device, an energy cost reduction method, a program, and a recording medium capable of reducing the energy cost of each consumer by deciding a contract or the like. There is.

[0007]

In order to achieve such an object, the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an energy cost reduction information processing apparatus that performs information processing related to energy cost reduction. , Contract information storage means for storing contract information on contract types of a plurality of supply and demand contracts related to energy supply between an energy supplier and an energy consumer, and current information on the current energy usage state of the consumer Then
Based on this current information and the contract information stored in the contract information storage means, the cost calculation means for calculating the energy cost of the customer under the plurality of contract types and the cost calculation means are calculated. It is characterized by comprising contract type selecting means for selecting a contract type to be adopted by the customer based on energy costs under a plurality of contract types.

[0008] According to this device, the energy cost of the customer under the plurality of contract types is calculated, and the contract type to be adopted by the customer is selected based on the energy costs under the plurality of contract types. . Therefore, the consumer can easily find a supply and demand contract for reducing his or her energy cost and can change the contract, thereby reducing the energy cost. Also, for the supplier, the balance of supply and demand is improved, so that the capacity of the load equipment can be reduced and the equipment investment can be reduced, so that the energy cost can be reduced.

Further, the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 2 is the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contract type selection means is an energy cost under the plurality of contract types. The feature is that the contract type with the lowest cost is selected.

According to this apparatus, the contract type having the lowest cost is selected from the energy costs under a plurality of contract types. Therefore, the cost reduction effect can be maximized.

Further, the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 3 is the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein supplementary information for storing supplementary information which is alternative information to the current information is stored. When the current information is insufficient, the cost calculation means is provided with a storage means, and calculates the energy cost using the supplementary information stored in the supplementary information storage means.

According to this device, when the current information is insufficient, the energy cost is calculated using the supplementary information. Therefore, even when the complete current information cannot be obtained from the customer, the cost can be calculated using the supplemental information appropriately determined based on the experience and the like, and the cost can be calculated.

Further, the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 4 is the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contract selected by the contract type selecting means. It is characterized by comprising contract change means for performing a predetermined process related to a request for a contract change regarding the energy supply of the consumer to the supplier based on the type.

According to this apparatus, a predetermined process relating to a request for a supplier to change a contract regarding energy supply to a customer is performed based on the selected contract type. Therefore, it is possible to easily and promptly change the contract to the contract type to reduce the cost, and it is possible to achieve the cost reduction.

Further, the energy cost reduction information processing device according to claim 5 is the energy cost reduction information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contract selected by the contract type selecting means is the contract. It is characterized by comprising supplementary information updating means for acquiring feedback information on the energy usage state of the consumer under the type and updating the supplementary information stored by the supplementary information storage means based on this feedback information. .

[0016] According to this apparatus, the feedback information on the energy usage state of the customer under the contract type selected by the type selection means is acquired, and the supplementary information is updated based on this feedback information. Therefore, the supplementary information can be maintained as the information that matches the actual condition of the consumer after the contract type is changed, and the accuracy of the supplementary information can be improved.

Further, the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 6 is the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A charging means for performing a predetermined process for charging the customer based on the difference between the energy cost and the energy cost of the customer under the contract type selected by the contract type selecting means. And

According to this device, the predetermined amount for charging the customer is determined based on the difference between the energy cost of the customer under the current contract type and the energy cost of the customer under the selected contract type. Processing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to collect the consultant fee of the system operator for reducing the energy cost. In particular, since the billed amount is determined based on the difference in cost, no billing is made if the cost cannot be reduced, so that the customer can use this system without risk. Also, for the person who establishes this system, there is a merit that the greater the cost reduction effect, the larger the billing amount.

The energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 7 is the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the current information of the customer or the current information. The present invention is characterized by comprising a receiving means for receiving the current basic information for calculating the above from the information terminal device of the consumer via a predetermined network.

According to this device, the current information of the customer is
It is received from the information terminal device of the consumer via a predetermined network. Therefore, even if there are many customers in remote areas or there are many customers, current information can be acquired easily and quickly without causing geographical problems.
Can provide consultants in a wide area.

The energy cost reduction information processing device according to claim 8 is the energy cost reduction information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the current information of the consumer or the current information of the consumer is present. The present invention is characterized by comprising a receiving means for directly or indirectly receiving the current basic information for calculating the above from a measuring instrument for measuring the state of energy consumption by the energy equipment of the consumer.

According to this device, the current information of the customer is
It is received directly or indirectly from a scale that measures the state of energy consumption by the consumer's energy equipment. In this case, it is possible to automatically acquire the data and save the labor of the consumer, and also it is possible to quickly acquire the data for 24 hours, and to perform each processing in more detail and speed. be able to. Here, direct means
It means receiving the current information from the measuring instrument via the Internet or the like, and indirectly means receiving the current information via various devices such as an information terminal device.

An energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 9 is the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the contract determined by the contract type selecting means. It is characterized by comprising a transmitting means for transmitting information regarding the type to the information terminal device of the consumer through a predetermined network.

According to this device, the information on the decided contract type is transmitted to the information terminal device of the customer through the predetermined network. Therefore, the consumer can easily and quickly grasp the contract type that he / she should change.

The energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 10 is the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contract change request is made by the contract changing means. , And transmitting means for transmitting to the information terminal device of the supplier via a predetermined network.

According to this device, the contract change request is transmitted to the information terminal device of the supplier via the predetermined network. Therefore, the customer can save the trouble of performing the contract change procedure by himself / herself, and can change the contract quickly and surely.

The present invention also relates to an information terminal device, and the information terminal device according to claim 11 is an information terminal device for energy consumers, and is a predetermined information processing device for performing information processing related to energy cost reduction. It is characterized in that the energy cost reduction information processing apparatus is provided with a transmitting means for transmitting the current information of the customer or the current basic information for calculating the current information via a predetermined network.

According to this device, the current information of the consumer is transmitted to a predetermined energy cost reduction information processing device via a predetermined network. Therefore, even when the customer is in a remote place from the consultant, the customer can easily and quickly obtain the current information without causing a geographical problem.

An information terminal device according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the information terminal device according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, further comprising a measuring means for measuring a state of energy consumption by the energy equipment of the consumer, and the transmitting means. The current information including the consumption state of energy measured by the measuring means is transmitted.

According to this apparatus, the consumption state of energy by the energy equipment of the consumer is measured, and the current information including this consumption state is transmitted. In this case, the data can be automatically acquired and transmitted, which saves the trouble of transmission and the like, and the data of 24 hours can be transmitted quickly, so that more detailed and quick Processing can be performed.

The present invention also relates to an energy cost reduction method, and the energy cost reduction method according to claim 13 is an energy cost reduction method for performing information processing relating to energy cost reduction, and is an energy supplier. Contract information storage procedure for storing contract information regarding a plurality of contract types related to energy supply between a consumer and an energy consumer in a predetermined energy cost reduction information processing device, and current information regarding the current energy usage state of the consumer. Based on the current information and the contract information stored in the contract information storage procedure, the cost calculation procedure for calculating the energy cost of the customer under the contract types and the cost calculation procedure Based on energy costs under multiple contract types , Characterized in that it comprises a contract type selection procedure for selecting the contract type described above customers should adopt.

According to this method, the energy cost of the customer under a plurality of contract types is calculated, and the contract type to be adopted by the customer is selected based on the energy costs under the plurality of contract types. . Therefore, the consumer can easily find a supply and demand contract for reducing his or her energy cost and can change the contract, thereby reducing the energy cost. Also, for the supplier, the balance of supply and demand is improved, so that the capacity of the load equipment can be reduced and the equipment investment can be reduced, so that the energy cost can be reduced.

The energy cost reducing method according to claim 14 is the energy cost reducing method according to claim 13, wherein in the contract type selecting procedure, the lowest energy cost among the plurality of contract types is selected. The feature is that the contract type that becomes the cost is selected.

According to this method, the contract type with the lowest cost is selected from the energy costs under a plurality of contract types. Therefore, the cost reduction effect can be maximized.

An energy cost reduction method according to a fifteenth aspect is the energy cost reduction method according to the thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, wherein supplementary information, which is substitute information of the current information, is a predetermined energy cost reduction information processing device. Is characterized in that the energy cost is calculated by using the supplementary information stored in the supplementary information storing procedure when the current information is insufficient in the cost calculating procedure. .

According to this method, when the current information is insufficient, the energy cost is calculated using the supplementary information. Therefore, even when the complete current information cannot be obtained from the customer, the cost can be calculated using the supplemental information appropriately determined based on the experience and the like, and the cost can be calculated.

The energy cost reducing method according to claim 16 is based on the contract type selected in the contract type selecting procedure in the energy cost reducing method according to any one of claims 13 to 15. , A contract change procedure for performing a predetermined process for requesting a contract change request for the energy supply of the consumer to the supplier.

[0038] According to this method, a predetermined process relating to a contract change request for the energy supply of the consumer to the supplier is performed based on the selected contract type. Therefore, it is possible to easily and promptly change the contract to the contract type to reduce the cost, and it is possible to achieve the cost reduction.

Further, the energy cost reducing method according to claim 17 is the energy cost reducing method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the contract type is selected under the contract type selection procedure. It is characterized by comprising a supplementary information updating procedure for acquiring feedback information on the usage state of energy of a consumer and updating the supplementary information stored in the supplementary information storing procedure based on this feedback information.

According to this method, the feedback information on the energy usage state of the customer under the contract type selected by the type selection means is acquired, and the supplementary information is updated based on this feedback information. Therefore, the supplementary information can be maintained as the information that matches the actual condition of the consumer after the contract type is changed, and the accuracy of the supplementary information can be improved.

The energy cost reduction method according to claim 18 is the energy cost reduction method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the energy cost of the customer under the current contract type, It is characterized by comprising a charging procedure for performing a predetermined process for charging the customer based on a difference with the energy cost of the customer under the contract type selected in the contract type selection procedure.

According to this method, based on the difference between the energy cost of the customer under the current contract type and the energy cost of the customer under the selected contract type, a predetermined amount for charging the customer is determined. Processing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to collect the consultant fee of the system operator for reducing the energy cost. In particular, since the billed amount is determined based on the difference in cost, no billing is made if the cost cannot be reduced, so that the customer can use this system without risk. Also, for the person who establishes this system, there is a merit that the greater the cost reduction effect, the larger the billing amount.

The energy cost reduction method according to claim 19 is for calculating the current information of the customer or the current information in the energy cost reduction method according to any one of claims 13 to 18. The present invention is characterized by including a current information receiving procedure for receiving the current basic information of (1) from the information terminal device of the customer via a predetermined network.

According to this method, the current information of the customer is
It is received from the information terminal device of the consumer via a predetermined network. Therefore, even if there are many customers in remote areas or there are many customers, current information can be acquired easily and quickly without causing geographical problems.
Can provide consultants in a wide area.

The energy cost reduction method according to claim 20 is for calculating the current information of the customer or the current information in the energy cost reduction method according to any one of claims 13 to 18. The present invention is characterized by comprising a current information receiving procedure for directly or indirectly receiving the current basic information of (3) from a measuring instrument that measures the energy consumption state of the energy device of the consumer.

According to this method, the current information of the customer is
It is received directly or indirectly from a scale that measures the state of energy consumption by the consumer's energy equipment. In this case, it is possible to automatically acquire the data and save the labor of the consumer, and also it is possible to quickly acquire the data for 24 hours, and to perform each processing in more detail and speed. be able to. Here, direct means
It means receiving the current information from the measuring instrument via the Internet or the like, and indirectly means receiving the current information via various devices such as an information terminal device.

The energy cost reduction method according to claim 21 is the energy cost reduction method according to any one of claims 13 to 20 in which information on the contract type determined in the contract type selection procedure is provided. , A contract type transmitting procedure for transmitting to the information terminal device of the consumer via a predetermined network.

According to this method, the information regarding the determined contract type is transmitted to the information terminal device of the customer through the predetermined network. Therefore, the consumer can easily and quickly grasp the contract type that he / she should change.

The energy cost reducing method according to claim 22 is the energy cost reducing method according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the contract change request according to the contract changing procedure is given by a predetermined network. The contract change request transmitting procedure for transmitting the contract change request to the information terminal device of the supplier via the above.

According to this method, the contract change request is transmitted to the information terminal device of the supplier via the predetermined network. Therefore, the customer can save the trouble of performing the contract change procedure by himself / herself, and can change the contract quickly and surely.

The present invention also relates to a program, wherein the program according to claim 23 is the above-mentioned claim 1.
The method is characterized by causing a computer to execute the energy cost reduction method described in any one of 3 to 22.

According to this program, by installing the program in an information processing device such as a server device and executing the program, the energy cost reduction method according to any one of claims 13 to 22 can be applied to a computer. It can be realized by utilizing the above method, and the same effects as those of these methods can be obtained.

The present invention also relates to a recording medium, and the recording medium according to claim 24 is the recording medium according to any one of claims 13 to.
22. A program for causing a computer to execute the energy cost reduction method described in any one of 22 is recorded.

According to this recording medium, the energy cost reducing method according to any one of claims 13 to 22 is implemented by causing the computer to read and execute the program recorded in the recording medium. It can be realized by utilizing the above method, and the same effects as those of these methods can be obtained.

[0055]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of an energy cost reduction information processing device, an information terminal device, an energy cost reduction method, a program, and a recording medium according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[Overall Overview] First, an overall overview of an energy cost reduction system including an energy cost reduction information processing apparatus will be described, and then the configuration and processing of each apparatus will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the entire energy cost reduction system according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a cost management server 100 installed by a consultant company regarding energy costs and an information terminal device 200 of each consumer who uses energy in various facilities such as factories and offices.
And an information terminal device 300 such as an electric company or a gas company, which is a supplier of electricity, gas, oil, etc. (various types of energy consumed by consumers are referred to as “energy” as necessary), the Internet It is configured to be communicably connected via 400.

The basic features of the system configured as above are as follows. First, information (current information) on the current usage of various types of energy such as electricity, gas, oil, water, etc. by each customer is manually or automatically input to the information terminal device 200 of each customer, and the information is sent via the Internet 400. Are transmitted to the cost management server 100. Then, in the cost management server 100, the energy cost of the customer under the types of supply and demand contracts for a plurality of energy is calculated based on the current information of each customer, and the energy of the customer is calculated based on the energy cost and the like. A new contract type that can reduce costs is selected. Then, the customer is notified of the information on the selected contract type, and the supplier is notified of the contract change to the selected contract type.

Next, information about the energy usage record of each consumer is transmitted to the cost management server 100 at a predetermined timing. And this cost management server 1
At 00, based on the information from each customer, the supply and demand contract for each customer is reviewed and various basic data is updated. Further, in the cost management server 100, a process for invoking a consultant fee for a consumer by an operator of the system is performed at a predetermined timing. The calculation standard of the consultant fee is arbitrary, but here, the consultant fee is calculated according to the difference between the energy cost before the revision of the supply and demand contract and the energy cost after the revision of the supply and demand contract.

[System Configuration-Cost Management Server 10
[0] Next, the configuration of the present system having such characteristics will be described. First, the configuration of the cost management server 100 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cost management server 100 is an energy cost reduction information processing device that performs information processing related to energy cost reduction, and includes a storage unit 110, a communication control unit 120, and a control unit 130.
And each of these parts are communicatively connected via an arbitrary communication path.

Of these, the storage section 110 is a storage means (storage means) for storing programs and data required for various functions of the cost management server 100, and functionally conceptually, the customer information DB 111 and the contract information. DB112,
Current information DB 113, supplemental information DB 114, WebDB
It is configured with 115.

Of these, the customer information DB 111 is a customer information storage means for storing basic information (customer information) regarding the attributes of each customer. This customer information is
For example, attribute information of each customer, electricity-related information, regular power generation facility information, heat recovery information, gas-related information, emergency generator information, solar power generation-related information, and fuel cell-related information are associated with each other. Has been done.

Here, the attribute information is information relating to the attributes of the customers, such as the customer ID for uniquely identifying each customer and the location (demand location) where each customer demands energy. It is configured by correlating an address, a corporate name, a business name, a business type, details of business, the number of holidays, business hours, information for identifying a power usage pattern, and an electronic mail address with each other.

The electricity-related information is information on the actual usage of electricity at each demand place, for example, the amount of power used for each month, the amount of active power for each month, the amount of reactive power for each month, and the power factor, Maximum demand power for 30 minutes each month, current contracted power, supply voltage, date of metering date of these amounts of electricity, name of current contract type, existence of contract attached to current contract, accompanying It is configured by correlating the contract name with the contract conditions.

The regular power generation facility information is information on the regular power generation facilities at each demand place, and includes, for example, the type of generator, the type of drive source of the generator, the type of fuel used in this generator, and the generator. Rated output, rated power factor of generators, number of generators, power generation amount of each month, power generation amount of each month, presence / absence of demand follow-up type, generator operation pattern and time, generator fuel Usage amount, generator fuel unit price, presence / absence of grid connection between the regular power generation facility and the power company, content of the facility investment (initial investment, presence / absence of rental, lease cost), maintenance cost of the regular power generation facility, It is constructed by associating the personnel costs of regular power generation facilities with each other.

The heat recovery information is information on heat recovery by the cogeneration facility at the demand place, and for example, effective heat generation amount, exhaust heat recovery amount, total efficiency, heating usage amount, cooling usage amount, boiler / cooling temperature. The water heat quantity and the heat balance are associated with each other.

Further, the gas-related information is information on the actual use of gas at each demand place, for example, the type of supply gas, the meter number, the maximum contract amount used, the contract annual collection amount, the contract daytime use amount, the contract amount. It is configured by correlating nighttime usage amount, main load equipment, maximum usable amount, contract type name, contract annual usage amount, monthly usage amount, heat generation amount, and gas fuel cost.

The emergency power generator information is information on the emergency power generator equipment at each demand point, for example,
It is configured by correlating the rated output of the emergency generator, the rated voltage of the emergency generator, the rated power factor of the emergency generator, the number of emergency generators, and the fuel type of the emergency generator.

Further, the photovoltaic power generation related information is information relating to the photovoltaic power generation equipment at each demand place, for example,
It is configured by mutually associating the capacity of the solar power generation facility, the number of solar power generation facilities, and the amount of power generation by the number.

The fuel cell-related information is information on the fuel cell equipment at each demand place, and is constituted by, for example, associating the capacity of the fuel cell equipment, the number of fuel cell equipments, and the power generation amount by the fuel cell equipments with each other. Has been done.

Further, in FIG. 1, the contract information DB 112
Is contract information storage means for storing information (contract information) regarding contract types of a plurality of supply and demand contracts related to energy supply between an energy supplier and an energy consumer. This contract information stores, for example, the contract type name of each supplier and the contract condition of the contract type.

Further, the current information DB 113 is a current information storage means for storing information (current information) about the energy usage record at each demand place transmitted from each consumer. This current information is, for example, information necessary for cost calculation classified by customer ID, industry type, contract type, region type, and operating time (unit of each energy source, unit price of each energy source, (Consumption rate, heat recovery rate, heating / cooling unit consumption, etc.) are associated with each other.

The supplementary information DB 114 is a supplementary information storage means for storing alternative information (supplementary information) of the current information. This supplementary information is, for example, a plurality of supplemental key information,
Night rate, load rate, demand rate, peak rate, hour rate, Saturday and Sunday usage rate, average power, maximum power, load curve, utilization rate, unequal rate,
The error rate and the demand rate are associated with each other. In addition, the supplementary information includes nighttime rate, load rate, demand rate, peak rate, hour rate, Saturday / Sunday utilization rate, average power, maximum power, load curve, utilization rate, inequality rate, error rate, and , The demand rate is stored. Here, the supplementary key information is information that becomes a key when selecting the supplementary information required for cost calculation from the supplementary information, and for example, the type of industry, the location area, and the number of working days that each customer can take. , Business hours, season, business hours, or average temperature in the location area, all or part of which is included in current information.

The WebDB 115 is a Web information storage means for storing screen data and audio data of Web pages to be transmitted to the information terminal devices 200 and 300. This screen data is, for example, HTML (Hypertext Markup Lang
uage) or XML (Extensible Markup Language)
It is described and stored in. In addition, in the Web data, if necessary, audio data may be stored as an audio file such as WAVE format or A part F format, and still images or moving images may be stored as image files such as JPEG format or MPEG2 format. You can

Further, in FIG. 1, the communication control unit 120
Is the cost management server 100 and the Internet 400
(Or a communication device such as a router) is a communication control unit that controls communication with the consumer, and the current information of the consumer is transferred from the information terminal device 200 of the consumer to the Internet 400.
Receiving means for receiving via the contract type selecting unit 1 described later
The information regarding the contract type determined by 33 is sent to the information terminal device 200 of the consumer via the Internet 400.
And a transmitting unit for transmitting a contract change request by the contract changing unit 135, which will be described later, to the information terminal device 300 of the supplier via the Internet 400.

Further, in FIG. 1, the control unit 130 is a control means for controlling each unit of the cost management server 100, and functionally conceptually, the cost calculation unit 131, the supplemental information selection unit 132, the contract type selection unit 133, The report unit 134, the contract changing unit 135, the supplementary information updating unit 136, and the charging unit 137 are provided.

Among these, the cost calculation unit 131 acquires the current information on the current energy usage state of the customer, and based on this current information and the contract information, the energy cost of the customer under a plurality of contract types. Is a cost calculation means for calculating. In addition, the supplementary information selection unit 132
When the current information is insufficient, the supplementary information selecting means selects the supplementary information necessary for the cost calculation from the supplementary information stored in the supplementary information storage means based on the supplementary key information included in the current information. .

Further, the contract type selection unit 133 is a contract type selection means for selecting the contract type to be adopted by the customer based on the energy costs under the plurality of contract types calculated by the cost calculation unit 131. . In addition, the contract changing unit 135 is a contract changing unit that performs a predetermined process regarding a request for a contract change regarding energy supply of a consumer to the supplier based on the contract type selected by the contract type selecting unit 133. The reporting unit 134 is a reporting unit that performs a predetermined process for reporting the content of the contract type selected by the contract type selection unit 133 to the customer.

Further, the supplementary information updating unit 136 acquires feedback information on the energy usage state of the customer under the contract type selected by the contract type selecting unit 133, and stores it in the supplemental information DB 114 based on this feedback information. It is a supplementary information updating means for updating the supplementary information thus obtained. Then, the charging unit 137 charges the customer based on the difference between the energy cost of the customer under the current contract type and the energy cost of the customer under the contract type selected by the contract type selecting unit 133. It is a charging means for performing a predetermined process for The details of the processing performed by these units will be described later.

[System Configuration-Information Terminal Device 200] Next, the configuration of the customer information terminal device 200 will be described. The information terminal device 200 is a terminal device, and as shown in FIG. 1, a RAM 210 (Random Acce
ss Memory), HD220 (Hard Disk), input device 23
0, an output device 240, an input / output control unit 250, a communication control unit 260, and a control unit 270, and these units are connected via a bus so that data communication is possible.

Of these, the RAM 210 is a storage means for volatilely storing the programs and data necessary for controlling the respective parts of the information terminal device 200. Also,
The HD 220 is a storage unit that stores, in a nonvolatile manner, programs and data required to control each unit of the information terminal device 200.

Further, the input device 230 is an input means for accepting input of various information including current information, and comprises a keyboard 231 and a mouse 232. The output device 240 is an output unit that outputs various kinds of information from the information terminal device 200.
Also, the printer 242 is provided.

The input / output control section 250 controls the input / output of data by the input device 230 and the output device 240. The communication control unit 260 is a communication control unit that controls communication between the information terminal device 200 and the Internet 400 (or a communication device such as a LAN switch), and is a cost management server that performs information processing regarding energy cost reduction. A transmission means for transmitting the current information of the consumer to 100 via the Internet 400 is configured.

The control unit 270 also controls the information terminal device 20.
0 is a control means for controlling each part, and functionally, W
An eb browser 271 is provided. This We
The b browser 271 basically acquires necessary information from the cost management server 100 via the Internet 400, interprets this information, and displays it on the monitor 241, and further, the necessary information is displayed. And a display processing means for transmitting and receiving Web data.

[System Configuration-Information Terminal Device 300] Next, the configuration of the information terminal device 300 of the supplier will be described. However, since each unit of the information terminal device 300 can be configured in the same manner as each unit having the same name in the consumer information terminal device 200, detailed description of each unit will be omitted. In addition, each part of the information terminal device 300,
It is shown in parentheses in FIG.

[Details of Cost Reduction Processing] Next, the details of the cost reduction processing performed by using the present system configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the cost reduction process. In addition, as a premise of each processing,
Unless otherwise specified, the respective information is stored in advance in each DB by an arbitrary method. Further, in the following description, a case will be described in which current information on electricity and gas is acquired and the contract type for these is changed, but the same processing can be performed for other energies. In particular, in the following explanation, for simplification of explanation, only some types of numerical values are extracted from the input numerical values and the output numerical values. Information can be obtained and cost can be calculated.

First, the customer inputs the current information via the information terminal device 200. For example, the user activates the Web browser 271 of the information terminal device 200, and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) corresponding to a predetermined input screen.
Is input via the input device 230 to request transmission of screen data. On the other hand, the cost management server 100 monitors the presence or absence of this transmission request (step SA-1), and when this request is received, the screen data of the input screen stored in the WebDB 115 is transmitted via the communication control unit 120 and the Internet 400. And transmits it to the information terminal device 200 (step SA-2). This screen data is the information terminal device 20.
0 is received via the communication control unit 260, is interpreted by the Web browser 271, and is displayed on the monitor 241 (the same applies to each screen described below).
b It is interpreted by the browser 271 and displayed on the monitor 241).

This input screen is provided with an input field for inputting customer information and current information, and a send button for instructing information transmission. Then, when the user inputs the customer information and the current information in the input fields and selects the send button, the input information is the cost management server 10
Sent to 0.

On the other hand, the cost calculation unit 131 of the cost management server 100 monitors whether or not this information is received (step SA-3). When the information is received via the communication control unit 120, the customer ID is arbitrarily set. Method (for example, a serial number), the customer ID and the customer information transmitted from the customer are stored in the customer information DB 111 in association with each other, and the customer ID and the customer information are stored. The current information transmitted from the device is associated with each other and stored in the current information DB 113 (step SA-4). An example of the information transmitted in this way is shown in FIG.

Next, the cost calculator 131 calculates the current cost based on the current information transmitted from the consumer (step SA-5). For example, the cost calculation unit 131
As shown in the flowchart of Fig. 3, the current annual electricity basic charge is calculated (step SB-1), the current summer electricity usage charge is calculated (step SB-2), and the current electricity for other seasons is calculated. Calculate usage charge (Step SB-
3). Then, the current annual total electricity charges are calculated by summing up these electricity use charges (step S
B-4). Further, the cost calculation unit 131 calculates the current annual gas basic charge (step SB-5), calculates the current annual gas use charge (step SB-6), and sums up each of these gas use charges. Calculate the current annual total gas charge (step SB-7). A method of calculating the current cost, which is performed based on the information of FIG. 7, is illustrated in FIG.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the cost calculator 131
Calculates the cost when the current supply and demand contract is changed to a supply and demand contract under a plurality of other contract types (step S
A-6). For example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the cost calculation unit 131 identifies one or more changeable electric contracts (step SC-1). This identification is based on the current information of the customer stored in the current information DB 113,
It can be specified based on the contract information stored in the contract information DB 112. For example, when the current contract type is commercial power, commercial holiday high load power, commercial holiday high load power type 2, commercial seasonal time zone power, commercial seasonal time zone power type 2 , And five contract types of commercial power type 2 can be specified.

Then, the cost calculation unit 131 calculates the cost when changing to a supply and demand contract under each contract type (step SC-2). Here, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the cost calculation in the case of changing to the business holiday high load power is illustrated. In this calculation, the current information is used to calculate the Saturday-Sunday usage ratio (the ratio of the average daily usage on Saturdays and Sundays when the average daily usage on weekdays is 1.0 during the one-month measurement period). DB1
Referring to the current information of the customer stored in 13,
It is determined whether or not there is current information on the power for each season for business hours (step SD-1). Then, if there is current information on the electric power for each season for business hours, the Saturday / Sunday usage rate is calculated from this current information (step SD-2).

On the other hand, when there is no current information on the electric power for each season for business hours, the supplementary information selection unit 132 supplements the lacking current information with supplementary information (steps SD-3 and SD-).
4). For example, the supplementary information DB 114 is referred to based on the supplementary key information included in the current information, and the supplementary information corresponding to the lacking current information is acquired. However, if there is no corresponding supplementary information, the default Saturday / Sunday usage rate of the supplementary information is used (steps SD-3 and SD-).
5).

Then, the cost calculation unit 131 calculates the current electricity consumption on Saturday and Sunday on the basis of the supplementary information thus obtained and the current information transmitted from the customer (step SD-6). ). Similarly, the cost calculator 1
31 calculates the current annual weekday electricity usage (step SD-7). A calculation method performed based on the information of FIG. 7 is illustrated in FIG.

Thereafter, similarly, the cost calculation unit 131 acquires supplementary information based on the current information and, if there is information that is lacking in the current information, the business holiday high load power type 2, business Calculate the costs when changing to the seasonal power for each time zone, the seasonal power for type 2 for business, and the type 2 for business power (step SC-3).

Further, similarly, the cost calculation unit 131
As for the gas charge, the type of contract that can be changed is specified (step SC-4), and the cost when changing to a supply and demand contract under each contract type is calculated (step SC-).
5, SC-6). For example, if the current contract type is time zone B
In the case of the third type of contract, it is possible to specify five contract types: a high load time period B contract, a cogeneration exclusive contract, a cogeneration A contract, a cogeneration B contract, and a general contract. Among these, FIG. 10 illustrates a concrete cost calculation method performed based on the information of FIG. 7 when the contract is changed to the high load time zone B contract. Here, since the gas nighttime usage ratio is required, if this information is included in the current information, it is obtained from this current information, and if it is not included, supplementary information is obtained and the corresponding supplementary information is obtained. If no information is available, use the default gas nighttime usage ratio in the supplemental information.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the contract type selection unit 13
3 selects the contract type to be adopted by the customer based on the energy costs under the plurality of contract types calculated by the cost calculation unit 131 (step SA-7). For example, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6, the contract type selection unit 133 assumes all contract combinations using the current contract type and the changeable contract type, and determines the cost when each combination is adopted. Calculate (step SE-1). FIG. 11 shows electricity contract types (commercial power, commercial holiday high load power, commercial holiday high load power type 2, commercial seasonal time zone power, commercial seasonal time zone power type 2, Or
The cost when a combination of a commercial power type 2) and a gas contract type (either a cogeneration exclusive contract or a cogeneration A contract) is adopted is illustrated.

Then, in FIG. 6, the contract type selection unit 1
33 selects the contract type to be adopted by the customer based on the cost at the time of this combination. This selection criterion is arbitrary, but, for example, of the energy costs under a plurality of contract types, the contract type with the lowest cost is selected (step SE-2). In the example of FIG. 11, the cost when the business holiday high-load power contract for electricity and the cogeneration-only contract for gas are combined is the lowest cost. Select, and select a cogeneration contract for gas.

Then, in FIG. 2, the reporting unit 134
The contents of the contract type selected by the contract type selection unit 133 are reported to the customer (step SA-8). For example,
This customer's e-mail address is the customer information DB 11
1 and get this email address as the destination,
Create and send e-mail data that includes the contents of the selected contract type. Then, the customer downloads this e-mail to the information terminal device 200 at an arbitrary timing. Alternatively, the reporting unit 134 automatically issues a report including the content of the selected contract type in a predetermined format and sends it to the address of the customer acquired from the customer information DB 111. With this, the customer can grasp the contents of the contract type.

Thereafter, referring to FIG. 2, the contract changing unit 135
Performs a predetermined process related to the contract change request regarding the energy supply of the customer to the supplier based on the contract type selected by the contract type selection unit 133 (step SA-9). The specific processing at this time can be performed by various methods based on the agreement with the energy supplier, and for example, the customer information of the customer who changes the contract and the contract type selection unit 133 select the information. The contract information for specifying the contract type
0 to the client device of the supplier. In this case, the client device of the supplier performs processing necessary for contract modification, for example, updating contract data or automatically issuing a contract, based on the transmitted information. Alternatively, the contract modification unit 135 can automatically create a contract modification request form in a predetermined format based on the customer information and the contract information, and send it to the supplier by e-mail or the like. The contract change may be executed after the final approval of the customer is obtained, or the customer may perform the contract change procedure by himself / herself.

After the contract is thus changed, the consumer uses energy under the changed contract type. And, after a certain period of time has passed, the customer (preferably,
Energy usage status under the changed contract type,
After a lapse of a period that can be objectively compared with the energy usage state under the contract type before the change, for example, one year later, feedback information regarding the energy usage state under the changed contract type is acquired. And
This feedback information and the customer ID for identifying itself are transmitted to the cost management server 100 via the information terminal device 200 in the same procedure as when transmitting the current information and the like for the first time.

On the other hand, the cost calculation unit 131 of the cost management server 100 monitors whether or not the feedback information or the like is received (step SA-10), and when the feedback information or the like is received via the communication control unit 120, the The cost after the contract type change is calculated based on this feedback information as in step SA-5 of step S-5.
A-11).

Further, the supplemental information updating section 136 updates the supplemental information stored in the supplemental information DB 114 based on the feedback information transmitted from the customer (step SA-12). That is, the information corresponding to each item of the supplementary information in the feedback information and this supplementary information are compared with each other and a predetermined criterion (a criterion by which it is possible to determine that the supplementary information should be updated. When the deviation rate is equal to or more than a predetermined value), the correction information is updated based on the feedback information. For example,
The mutual average value of the feedback information and the correction information is calculated, and this average value is used as new supplementary information in the supplementary information DB1.
Store in 14. By performing such processing, the supplementary information can be maintained as information that matches the actual condition of the customer after the contract type is changed, and the accuracy of the supplementary information can be improved.

Also, the charging unit 137 determines the customer based on the difference between the energy cost of the customer under the current contract type and the energy cost of the customer under the contract type selected by the contract type selecting unit 133. Perform a predetermined process for charging the. That is, the charging unit 137
Calculates the difference between the current cost calculated in step SA-5 and the cost after the contract type change calculated in step SA-11.

Then, the two are compared (step SA-1
3) If the cost after changing the contract type is lower than the current cost, calculate the billed amount based on the difference between the two (for example, 20% of the difference) and charge the difference. Create an invoice in the prescribed format and send it to the customer.
By performing such a process, it is possible to collect a consultant fee of the system operator for reducing the energy cost. In particular, since the billed amount is determined based on the difference in cost, no billing is made if the cost cannot be reduced, so that the customer can use this system without risk. Also, for the person who establishes this system, there is a merit that the greater the cost reduction effect, the larger the billing amount. As described above, the processing by this system is completed.

[Other Embodiments] Now, the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to the technical idea described in the claims. It may be implemented in various different embodiments within the scope.

For example, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case of reducing the cost of electricity, gas, and oil was illustrated, but this device is intended to reduce the cost of energy of any type used by the consumer. It can be applied similarly. Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the contract change for oil is not performed is illustrated, but the contract change for all energy can be determined and performed similarly to electricity and gas. Further, instead of acquiring the current information from the consumer, only the basic current information for calculating this current information can be acquired and the current information can be calculated in the cost management server 100.

Further, in the above embodiment, the customer can obtain the current information and the feedback information from the information terminal device 20.
Although the case of manually transmitting using 0 has been described, these pieces of information may be automatically acquired. For example, a meter (for example, an electric meter, a gas meter, various control panels, etc.) that measures the energy consumption state of a consumer energy device (electrical device, gas device, petroleum device, etc.) is measured by these measuring devices. A transmitting means for transmitting the current information including the consumption state of various types of energy is provided, and the transmitting means transmits the current information through the information terminal device 200 or the Internet 40.
Data may be directly transmitted to the cost management server 100 via 0. In this case, it is possible to automatically acquire the data and save the labor of the consumer, and also it is possible to quickly acquire the data for 24 hours, and to perform each processing in more detail and speed. be able to. In this case, the communication control unit 120 of the cost management server 100 receives the current information of the customer directly or indirectly from the weighing device that measures the energy consumption state of the energy device of the customer. Make up.

Further, in the above explanation, for simplification of the explanation, only some kinds of numerical values are extracted from the input numerical values and the output numerical values. It can be obtained as information or current information and cost can be calculated. For example, the ratio of the amount of electricity and gas used between Monday to Friday and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays during the measurement period (including holidays designated by the energy supply company), Monday to Saturday and Sundays and holidays during the measurement period (energy supply Ratio of electric power consumption and gas consumption with the days designated as company holidays, summer (July 1 to September 30) and other seasons (January 1 to 6) in the measurement period
The total number of days for each day of the week (30th of October and 31st of October to 31st of December), the ratio of power consumption and gas consumption in the nighttime period by supplier to the total consumption in the measurement period, and the measurement period The ratio of power consumption and gas consumption during the daytime by supply company to the total consumption in the period, and the ratio of power consumption and gas consumption during the peak period by supply company to the total consumption during the measurement period Can be calculated.

[0109] In addition, expected usage record values (KW / Kwh / demand / load factor / night rate) in which each data of the amount of electricity used is classified by season, time zone, day of the week, etc. defined in various contracts Etc.), the expected actual usage value (m ³ ) divided by the season, time zone, day of the week, etc. specified in various contracts, data of the private generator or on-site generator. Expected actual usage value (K) classified by season, time zone, day of the week, etc. specified in various contracts
W / Kwh / fuel consumption / unit price), fuel cell data, expected usage record (KW / Kwh /
Utilization rate), the expected actual usage value (KW / Kwh / utilization rate / electricity purchased), which is obtained by dividing the solar cell data by season, time zone, day of the week, etc. stipulated in various contracts. Expected actual usage value (KW) divided by season, time zone, day of the week, etc. defined in various contracts
・ Kwh / utilization rate / purchased electric power), heat recovery and actual utilization, and thermal efficiency by creating a heat balance,
Each can be calculated.

[0110] Also, the initial investment cost of equipment and the investment recovery period and cost, the period and cost of equipment rental / lease cost, fuel cost related, maintenance cost, the current cost per 1 Kwh, and the expected cost increase / decrease range per 1 Kwh And the increase / decrease expected value can be calculated.

Also, the following services can be provided using this system. For example, in the case where the supplier has provided a new contract type, when this information is received via the information terminal device 300 of the supplier, the cost reduction processing is automatically performed to reduce the new cost. When it is determined that there is an effect, it may be reported to the customer via the reporting unit 134 or the supply and demand contract may be changed via the contract changing unit 135. Alternatively, if a simulation result that is different from the time when the diagnosis was initially made due to fluctuations in the usage record, or if an abnormal value of the record is found,
You may report to a consumer via the report part 134, and may change a supply-and-demand contract via the contract change part 135. In addition, it is possible to obtain operation result data of a generator or the like and provide a service of an operation method linked with a supply and demand contract. In addition, the information terminal device 30 of the supplier is provided with information regarding the price fluctuation of the fuel.
It is also possible to obtain it via 0, etc., perform cost reduction processing at the time of this price fluctuation, and control and manage the operation day of the week and the operating time of the generator according to the result. In addition, individual load curves (load curves) of each customer are analyzed, combinations with high load factors are performed, and information is provided to all customers. Offers can also be made. Alternatively, the various data described so far can be stored in a database, and the data can be sold by statistically averaging the numerical values.

Further, of the processes described in the embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed may be manually performed, or described as being performed manually. All or part of the processing can be automatically performed by a known method. In addition, the processing procedure, control procedure, and
Information including parameters such as specific names, various types of registration data, and search conditions can be arbitrarily changed unless otherwise specified.

Further, the respective constituent elements of the respective devices shown in the drawings are functionally conceptual ones, and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown in the drawings. For example, all or any part of the processing functions provided in each server or each device, particularly each processing function performed by the control units 130 and 270, is C
It is realized by a program that is analyzed and executed by a PU (Central Processing Unit) and the CPU, or is realized as hardware by a wired logic. Further, this computer program may be recorded in an application program server connected to each server or each device via an arbitrary network, and it is possible to download all or part of the computer program as necessary. is there. Alternatively, each control unit 130,
It is also possible to realize all or an arbitrary part of 270 as hardware such as a wired logic.

Further, the physical form of distribution / integration of each server or each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part of them may be functionally or physically arranged in arbitrary units according to various loads. Can be distributed and integrated into Each device is a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System).
Other forms of mobile communication terminals, personal computers, workstations, home game consoles, Internet TVs, or PDAs (Personal Digita).
l Assistant), KIO installed at a convenience store
It may be configured as an SK terminal or the like.

[Network] Further, the network connecting each server or each device is not limited to the above-mentioned Internet 400, and any network can be used. For example, LAN in a limited area,
This system can be constructed using a WAN or a personal computer communication network. In addition, ground wave, C
Various data can be transmitted / received using ATV, CS, BS, a broadband network, or the like. That is, the network can include not only a wired network but also these wireless / communication networks.

The "computer-readable recording medium" means a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a CD-
Any "portable physical medium" such as ROM, MO, DVD, etc.
And ROM and R built into various computer systems
Holds the program in a short time, such as a communication line or carrier wave when transmitting the program through any "fixed physical medium" such as AM or HD, or a network typified by LAN, WAN, or the Internet. "Communication media" shall be included.

The "program" is a data processing method described in any language or description method, and may take any form such as source code or binary code. In addition,
The "program" is not necessarily limited to a single configuration, and its functions can be realized by collaborating with a distributed configuration of a plurality of modules and libraries, or a separate program represented by an OS (Operating System). Including what you achieve. Regarding the specific configuration for reading the recording medium in each device shown in the embodiments, the reading procedure, or the installation procedure after reading,
Well-known configurations and procedures can be used.

[0118]

As described above, according to the present invention, the energy cost of the customer under a plurality of contract types is calculated, and the customer can calculate the energy cost based on the energy costs under the plurality of contract types. The contract type to be adopted is selected. Therefore, the consumer can easily find a supply and demand contract for reducing his or her energy cost and can change the contract, thereby reducing the energy cost. Also, for the supplier, the balance of supply and demand is improved, so that the capacity of the load equipment can be reduced and the equipment investment can be reduced, so that the energy cost can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, of the energy costs under a plurality of contract types, the contract type with the lowest cost is selected. Therefore, the cost reduction effect can be maximized.

Further, according to the present invention, even when the complete current information cannot be obtained from the customer, the cost can be calculated by using the supplementary information appropriately determined based on the experience and the like. Will be able to do.

Further, according to the present invention, based on the selected contract type, a predetermined process for requesting the supplier to change the contract regarding the energy supply of the consumer is performed. Therefore, it is possible to easily and promptly change the contract to the contract type to reduce the cost, and it is possible to achieve the cost reduction.

Further, according to the present invention, the feedback information on the usage state of energy of the customer under the contract type selected by the type selection means is acquired, and the supplementary information is updated based on this feedback information. Therefore, the supplementary information can be maintained as the information that matches the actual condition of the consumer after the contract type is changed, and the accuracy of the supplementary information can be improved.

Also, according to the present invention, the customer is charged based on the difference between the energy cost of the customer under the current contract type and the energy cost of the customer under the selected contract type. Predetermined processing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to collect the consultant fee of the system operator for reducing the energy cost. In particular, since the billed amount is determined based on the difference in cost, no billing is made if the cost cannot be reduced, so that the customer can use this system without risk. Also, for the person who establishes this system, there is a merit that the greater the cost reduction effect, the larger the billing amount.

Further, according to the present invention, the current information of the customer is received from the information terminal device of the customer via the predetermined network. Therefore, even if there are many customers in remote areas or there are many customers, current information can be acquired easily and quickly without causing geographical problems, and consultants can be provided in a wide area.

Further, according to the present invention, the current information of the customer is directly or indirectly received from the weighing machine that measures the energy consumption state of the energy equipment of the customer. In this case, it is possible to automatically acquire the data and save the labor of the consumer, and also it is possible to quickly acquire the data for 24 hours, and to perform each processing in more detail and speed. be able to. Here, direct means receiving current information from a measuring instrument via the Internet, etc., and indirectly means receiving current information via various devices such as an information terminal device. To do.

Further, according to the present invention, the information regarding the determined contract type is transmitted to the information terminal device of the customer through the predetermined network. Therefore, the consumer
It is possible to easily and quickly grasp the contract type that should be changed.

Further, according to the present invention, the contract change request is transmitted to the information terminal device of the supplier via a predetermined network. Therefore, the customer can save the trouble of performing the contract change procedure by himself / herself, and can change the contract quickly and surely.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire energy cost reduction system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of cost reduction processing.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a current cost calculation process.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of cost calculation processing when a supply and demand contract is changed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a cost calculation process when changing to a business holiday high load power.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of cost calculation processing when contracts are combined.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information transmitted from a consumer.

8 is a diagram illustrating a method of calculating a current cost, which is performed based on the information of FIG.

9 is a diagram illustrating a method of calculating a current cost, which is performed based on the information of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a specific cost calculation method in the case of changing to a B contract by high load time period, which is performed based on the information in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of costs when contracts are combined.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 cost management server 110 storage 111 Consumer information DB 112 Contract information DB 113 Current Information DB 114 Supplementary information DB 115 WebDB 120 communication control unit 130 control unit 131 Cost Calculation Department 132 Supplementary information selection section 133 Contract type selection section 134 Report Department 135 Contract Change Department 136 Supplementary information update section 137 Billing Department 200 Information terminal device 210 RAM 220 HD 230 input device 240 Output device 250 I / O controller 260 communication control unit 270 control unit 300 information terminal device 400 Internet

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An energy cost reduction information processing device for performing information processing relating to energy cost reduction, wherein contract information regarding contract types of a plurality of supply and demand contracts regarding energy supply between an energy supplier and an energy consumer. And contract information storage means for storing the current energy usage status of the customer, and based on the current information and the contract information stored in the contract information storage means, the plurality of contracts. The contract type to be adopted by the customer is selected based on the cost calculation means for calculating the energy cost of the customer under the type and the energy cost under the plurality of contract types calculated by the cost calculation means. An energy cost reduction information processing apparatus comprising: contract type selecting means. 2. The energy cost reduction information according to claim 1, wherein the contract type selecting means selects the contract type having the lowest cost among the energy costs under the plurality of contract types. Processing equipment. 3. A supplementary information storage means for storing supplementary information that is alternative information to the current information, wherein the cost calculation means is stored in the supplementary information storage means when the current information is insufficient. The energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy cost is calculated using the supplementary information. 4. A contract changing means for performing a predetermined process for requesting a contract change of the energy supply of the consumer to the supplier based on the contract type selected by the contract type selecting means. The energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The supplementary information stored in the supplemental information storage means is obtained based on feedback information about the energy usage state of the customer under the contract type selected by the contract type selecting means. An energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: supplementary information updating means for updating information. 6. The customer is charged based on the difference between the energy cost of the customer under the current contract type and the energy cost of the customer under the contract type selected by the contract type selecting means. An energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: a charging unit that performs a predetermined process for performing the operation. 7. A reception means for receiving the current information of the customer or the current basic information for calculating the current information from an information terminal device of the customer via a predetermined network. The energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. The current information of the customer or current basic information for calculating the current information is received directly or indirectly from a measuring instrument that measures the energy consumption state of the energy equipment of the customer. The energy cost reduction information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 9. A transmission means for transmitting information regarding a contract type determined by the contract type selecting means to an information terminal device of the customer via a predetermined network, the transmission means. 8. An energy cost reduction information processing device according to any one of 8. 10. A transmission means for transmitting a contract change request by the contract change means to the information terminal device of the supplier via a predetermined network, the transmission means being any one of claims 1 to 9. The energy cost reduction information processing device according to one. 11. An information terminal device of an energy consumer, wherein the current information of the consumer or the current information is calculated with respect to a predetermined energy cost reduction information processing device that performs information processing related to energy cost reduction. An information terminal device, comprising: transmitting means for transmitting the current basic information for performing the operation via a predetermined network. 12. A measuring means for measuring the consumption state of energy by the energy equipment of the consumer is provided, and the transmitting means transmits the current information including the consumption state of energy measured by the measuring means. , The information terminal device according to claim 11. 13. An energy cost reduction method for performing information processing related to energy cost reduction, wherein contract information regarding a plurality of contract types regarding energy supply between an energy supplier and an energy consumer is provided as predetermined energy costs. The contract information storage procedure to be stored in the reduced information processing device and the current information regarding the current usage state of energy of the consumer are acquired, and based on this current information and the contract information stored in the above contract information storage procedure, Based on the cost calculation procedure to calculate the energy cost of the customer under multiple contract types and the energy cost under the multiple contract types calculated in the cost calculation procedure, the contract type to be adopted by the consumer Energy that is characterized by including a contract type selection procedure for selecting Strike reduction method. 14. The energy cost reduction method according to claim 13, wherein, in the contract type selection procedure, a contract type having the lowest cost is selected from energy costs under the plurality of contract types. . 15. A supplementary information storage procedure for storing supplementary information, which is alternative information to the current information, in a predetermined energy cost reduction information processing apparatus, and when the current information is insufficient in the cost calculation procedure, The energy cost is calculated using the supplementary information stored in the supplementary information storing procedure, The energy cost reducing method according to claim 13 or 14. 16. A contract change procedure for performing a predetermined process related to a request for a contract change concerning energy supply of the consumer to the supplier based on the contract type selected in the contract type selection procedure. The energy cost reduction method according to any one of claims 13 to 15. 17. The supplemental information stored in the supplemental information storage procedure based on the feedback information on the energy usage state of the consumer under the contract type selected in the contract type selection procedure. The supplementary information update procedure for updating information is provided, The energy cost reduction method according to any one of claims 13 to 16 characterized by things. 18. The customer is charged based on the difference between the energy cost of the customer under the current contract type and the energy cost of the customer under the contract type selected in the contract type selection procedure. An energy cost reduction method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising: a charging procedure for performing a predetermined process for performing. 19. A current information receiving procedure for receiving the current information of the customer or the current basic information for calculating the current information from an information terminal device of the customer via a predetermined network. The energy cost reduction method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, which is characterized. 20. The current information of the customer or current basic information for calculating the current information is received directly or indirectly from a measuring instrument that measures the energy consumption state of energy equipment of the customer. The current information receiving procedure for performing the energy cost reducing method according to any one of claims 13 to 18. 21. A contract type transmitting procedure for transmitting information on the contract type determined in the contract type selecting procedure to the information terminal device of the customer via a predetermined network, The energy cost reduction method as described in any one of 13-20. 22. A contract change request transmission procedure for transmitting a contract change request according to the contract change procedure to an information terminal device of the supplier via a predetermined network, according to any one of claims 13 to 21. The energy cost reduction method described in any one of 1. 23. A program for causing a computer to execute the energy cost reducing method according to any one of claims 13 to 22. 24. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a program for causing a computer to execute the energy cost reduction method according to any one of claims 13 to 22.