JP6804248B2 - Power consumption adjustment system and power consumption adjustment method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power consumption adjustment system and a power consumption adjustment method used for adjusting power consumption in a target area, and in particular, a case of encouraging a power consumer to go out and adjusting power consumption during the adjustment target period. The power consumption adjustment system and the power consumption adjustment method used in the above.

It is already well known to adjust power consumption within the target area like demand response. As a typical mechanism of demand response, there is a method of requesting a power consumer to suppress power consumption and giving a privilege (incentive) to the power consumer who responds to the request. In recent years, a new idea of a virtual power plant (virtual power plant, hereinafter referred to as VPP) has been introduced, and the construction of VPP and the creation of its utilization business are being promoted in Japan as well. VPP means to collectively control the power supply and demand in the target area by using information and communication technology. Specifically, it builds an information and communication network to generate electricity (create power), store electricity, and save electricity in the target area. It is to be managed collectively.

Furthermore, in recent years, attention has been focused on so-called negawatt transactions, in which, when power consumption is adjusted (specifically, reduced) in the target area by demand response or the like, money is obtained according to the adjusted amount. It is expected that businesses that earn profits through such negawatt transactions will appear in the future as business models that utilize VPP.

In addition, one of the demand response methods is to encourage electric power consumers to go out during the period covered by electric power adjustment. More specifically, for example, by issuing coupons that can be used at stores, facilities, etc. during the period subject to power adjustment, power consumers are encouraged to go out (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). This is aimed at minimizing the power consumed at the power consumer's home by letting the power consumer go out.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-102637 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-277174

By the way, if it is commercialized to promote the outing of electric power consumers to suppress electric power consumption and to obtain money according to the amount of reduction by negawatt trading, a mechanism for obtaining larger business profit is required. By obtaining larger income, a part of the income can be returned to the electricity consumer who responded to the power consumption adjustment, which stimulates the electricity consumer's willingness to save electricity, and as a result, Further curbing power consumption and monetary income from curbing power consumption can be expected.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to increase the profits obtained through the business when the demand response by promoting the outing of electric power consumers is commercialized. The purpose is to provide a power consumption adjustment system and a power consumption adjustment method.

According to the power consumption adjustment system of the present invention, the problem is a power consumption adjustment system used for adjusting power consumption in a target area, and the power consumption adjustment system is adjusted for a power consumer in the target area. An adjustment request device that requests power consumption adjustment during the target period, a response device that receives a power consumption adjustment request from the adjustment request device, and sends the response of the power consumer to the request, and a service provider. Has a data transmitting device for transmitting data regarding the number of the power consumers who visit the place where the service is provided, and the answering device is such that the power consumer who replied that the request is accepted provides the service. The data transmission device acquires the service promotion information that can be received under more favorable conditions, and the data transmission device obtains data regarding the number of the power consumers who received the service under the more favorable conditions based on the service promotion information. Based on the data transmitted by the data transmission device, the adjustment request device identifies and identifies the number of the power consumers who received the service under the more favorable conditions based on the service promotion information. It is decided to execute a process for billing the service provider for the amount of money corresponding to the number, and the adjustment request device is a process for distributing the service promotion information to the power consumer. Is executed, and when the adjustment request device executes the process, the service promotion information and the power consumer category previously specified by analyzing the accumulated data of the service promotion information used in the past. The problem is solved by executing so that the service promotion information having the content corresponding to the category of the electric power consumer is distributed to each of the electric power consumers based on the correspondence with the above .

In the power consumption adjustment system of the present invention configured as described above, when adjusting the power consumption during the adjustment target period, the service of the service provider is provided as a more advantageous condition for the power consumer who responds to the adjustment request. Give service promotion information that can be received at. By providing such service promotion information, it is possible to promote the outing of electric power consumers and thereby efficiently adjust the electric power consumption in the target area.
Further, in the power consumption adjustment system of the present invention, the number of power consumers who have received the service under more favorable conditions is specified by using the service promotion information. Then, the service provider is charged an amount according to the number of specified power consumers. As a result, when the demand response by promoting the outing of electric power consumers is implemented as a business, it is possible to obtain more profit by the amount paid by the service provider.

Further, in the above configuration, the answering device acquires coupon information as the service promotion information that enables the power consumer to receive the service at a lower price, and the adjustment requesting device is used. , It is preferable to execute a process for distributing the coupon information to the power consumer.
In the above configuration, coupon information is distributed as service promotion information. Then, the number of electric power consumers who received the service at a cheaper amount is specified by using the coupon information, and the amount corresponding to the number is charged to the service provider. As a result, it is possible to obtain more profit by the amount of money according to the number of users of the coupon information.

Further, in the above configuration, when the adjustment requesting device executes a process for distributing the coupon information to the power consumer, the power consumption of each of the power consumers is increased. It is preferable to execute so that the coupon information of the contents according to the attribute of the person and the power consumption status is delivered.
In the above configuration, when the coupon information is distributed to each electric power consumer, the coupon information having the content corresponding to the attribute of each electric power consumer is distributed. In this way, the content of the coupon information reflects the attributes of each electric power consumer (for example, personal information and preferences), which effectively motivates the electric power consumer to go out to receive the service. Can be stimulated. As a result, it becomes possible to efficiently realize power consumption adjustment by going out of the power consumer.
Further, in the above configuration, when the coupon information is distributed to each electric power consumer, the coupon information having the content corresponding to the electric power consumption status of each electric power consumer is distributed. By setting the content of the coupon information according to the power consumption status of each power consumer in this way, it is possible to distribute the coupon information that reflects the behavior of the power consumer (power consumption behavior). Become. As a result, the motivation of the electric power consumer to go out to receive the service can be effectively stimulated, and as a result, the electric power consumption adjustment by the electric power consumer going out can be efficiently realized.

Further, in the above configuration, when the adjustment request device executes a process for distributing the coupon information to the power consumer, the power consumption of each of the power consumers is increased. It may be executed so that the coupon information of the contents corresponding to the power consumption situation of the person is delivered.
In the above configuration, when the coupon information is distributed to each electric power consumer, the coupon information having the content corresponding to the electric power consumption status of each electric power consumer is distributed. By setting the content of the coupon information according to the power consumption status of each power consumer in this way, it is possible to distribute the coupon information that reflects the behavior of the power consumer (power consumption behavior). Become. As a result, the motivation of the electric power consumer to go out to receive the service can be effectively stimulated, and as a result, the electric power consumption adjustment by the electric power consumer going out can be efficiently realized.

Further, in the above configuration, it is installed in the house of the power consumer living in the target area, and further has a home power management device for managing the power consumption status in each house, and is used for the adjustment request. When the device executes a process for distributing the coupon information to the electric power consumer, the in-house electric power management installed in the house of the electric power consumer for each electric power consumer. It is desirable to execute so that the coupon information having the content corresponding to the information regarding the power consumption status sent from the device is delivered.
In the above configuration, when the coupon information is distributed to each electric power consumer, the coupon information having the content corresponding to the electric power consumption status of each electric power consumer is distributed. Strictly speaking, coupon information is arranged according to the information (specifically, information on the power consumption status) sent from the in-house power management device installed in each power consumer's house. By setting the content of the coupon information according to the power consumption status of each power consumer in this way, it is possible to efficiently adjust the power consumption. Further, since the power consumption status is specified from the information sent from the home power management device, the credibility of the specific result of the power consumption status is improved. As a result, the content of the coupon information set according to the power consumption status is supported by the specific result of the highly credible power consumption status.

Further, in the above configuration, the response device is configured by a client computer individually owned by each of the power consumers in the target area, and the adjustment request device consumes power in the target area. It is composed of a server computer owned by a business operator who operates a business that obtains money according to the adjustment amount by adjusting the data transmission device, and the data transmission device is installed at a place where the service provider provides the service. It is preferable to read the coupon information when the power consumer who visits the provider presents the coupon information.
With the above configuration, in a business that earns profits by implementing demand response by encouraging electricity consumers to go out, the business operator can earn more profits by the amount of money according to the number of users of coupon information. It becomes. Further, the number of users of the coupon information can be accurately grasped by reading the coupon information when the electric power consumer presents the coupon information at the service providing place.

Further, in the above configuration, the answering device provides the service promotion information that enables the power consumer who replied to respond to the request to receive the service under more favorable conditions during the adjustment target period. Acquired, the data transmission device transmits data regarding the number of the power consumers who received the service under the more favorable conditions by the service promotion information in the adjustment target period, and the adjustment request device Based on the data transmitted by the data transmission device, it is preferable to specify the number of the power consumers who received the service under the more advantageous conditions from the service promotion information during the adjustment target period.
In the above configuration, service promotion information that can be used during the adjustment target period is given to the power consumer who responds to the request for adjustment of power consumption. As a result, it is possible to promote the going out of the electric power consumer during the adjustment target period and to efficiently adjust the electric power consumption during the same period. Further, in the above configuration, the number of electric power consumers who received the service by using the service promotion information during the adjustment target period is specified, and the service provider is charged the amount corresponding to the number. As a result, it becomes possible to obtain profits according to the number of users of the service promotion information during the adjustment target period.

Further, the above-mentioned problem is a power consumption adjustment method for adjusting the power consumption in the target area according to the power consumption adjustment method of the present invention, and the adjustment request device is the power in the target area. The consumer is requested to adjust the power consumption during the adjustment target period, and the response device receives the request for power consumption adjustment from the adjustment request device and transmits the response of the power consumer to the request. , The data transmitting device transmits data regarding the number of the power consumers who visit the place where the service provider provides the service, and the power consumer who replies that the answering device responds to the request makes the adjustment. When the service promotion information that enables the service to be received under more favorable conditions in the target period is acquired and the data transmission device transmits data regarding the number of the power consumers, the service promotion information is more advantageous than the above. Data relating to the number of the power consumers who received the service is transmitted under various conditions, and the adjustment requesting device is based on the data transmitted by the data transmitting device, and the service promotion information is used to obtain the more advantageous conditions. The number of the power consumers who received the service is specified, and a process for billing the service provider for the amount corresponding to the specified number is executed , and the adjustment request device Executes a process for distributing the service promotion information to the power consumer, and analyzes the accumulated data of the service promotion information used in the past when the adjustment requesting device executes the process. Based on the correspondence between the service promotion information and the category of the power consumer, which is specified in advance, the content of the content corresponding to the category of the power consumer is given to each of the power consumers. The solution is to execute the service promotion information so that it is delivered .
With the above method, in the demand response by promoting the outing of electric power consumers, the number of electric power consumers who received the service under more favorable conditions is specified by using the service promotion information, and the number is adjusted according to the specified number. By charging the service provider the amount, you will be able to earn more revenue.

According to the power consumption adjustment system and the power consumption adjustment method of the present invention, in a business that earns profits by demand response by promoting going out of power consumers, power consumption received by service under more favorable conditions using service promotion information. By identifying the number of people and billing the service provider for the amount corresponding to the specified number, more profit can be obtained. As a result, the profits that the business operator can obtain will increase, and a part of the profits can be returned to the electric power consumers who have adjusted the electric power consumption. As a result, the willingness of electricity consumers to save electricity will be stimulated, and this will trigger further reduction of electricity consumption, and as a result, the monetary income obtained through the suppression of electricity consumption will increase.

It is a conceptual diagram of the scheme of the power consumption adjustment business. This is an example of a screen showing the content of a request for power consumption adjustment. This is an example of a screen showing coupon information. It is a figure which shows the structure of the power consumption adjustment system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the correspondence relationship between the coupon information and the delivery destination category. It is a figure which shows the structure of the operator server from the functional aspect. It is a figure which shows the flow of the preliminary procedure in power consumption adjustment (the 1). It is a figure which shows the flow of the preliminary procedure in power consumption adjustment (the 2). It is a figure which shows the flow of the procedure on the day in power consumption adjustment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the procedure at a later date in power consumption adjustment.

Hereinafter, the power consumption adjustment system and the power consumption adjustment method according to one embodiment of the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also, of course, the present invention includes its equivalents.

In the present embodiment, an area that is geographically continuous and has a plurality of houses is defined as a "target area", but a plurality of geographically dispersed areas are collectively regarded as one target area. You may handle it. Further, in the present embodiment, the inhabitants living in the target area are defined as "electricity consumers", but those who operate businesses or factories in the target area may be included in the "electricity consumers".

Further, in the present embodiment, the electric power broker (so-called aggregator) is a business operator engaged in the electric power consumption adjustment business described later. An electric power intermediary is a person who procures electric power from a contracted electric power supplier and supplies the electric power to a contracted electric power consumer (a resident of the target area, hereinafter referred to as a "contract resident"). However, the operator of the electric power consumption adjustment business is not particularly limited, and may be a person other than the electric power intermediary (for example, an electric power company).

Further, in the present embodiment, "electric power consumption" means consumption of electric power supplied from an electric power company via an electric power intermediary (that is, purchase of electric power), in other words, electric power generated by private power generation or in a house. The consumption of stored power is excluded. Further, in the present embodiment, "adjustment of power consumption" means suppression of power consumption (power saving), specifically, reduction of instantaneous power consumption (W) and power consumption (Wh) in a predetermined time. ) Is to be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the "adjustment target period" shall be a predetermined time zone of the day. However, the span of the adjustment target period is not particularly limited, and may be a relatively long period of several days or a relatively short period of several minutes to several hours.

<< About power consumption adjustment business >>
First, a power consumption adjustment project carried out using the power consumption adjustment system according to the present embodiment will be described. The power consumption adjustment business is a business that obtains money according to the amount of adjustment by adjusting the power consumption in the target area, and is operated by a power intermediary company.

Explaining the scheme of the power consumption adjustment business with reference to FIG. 1, the power intermediary company 1 requests the power consumption adjustment from the power company 2 before the day when the power supply from the power company 2 is expected to be tight. Receive. In the request for power consumption adjustment, the power company 2 predicts the power consumption in the future (for example, one week later), and the predicted value is set in advance by the power company as a specified value (specifically, as a reference value for power consumption). If there is a date and time that exceeds the specified value, the power consumption is adjusted to the specified value or less with that date and time as the adjustment target period.

Upon receiving the request for power consumption adjustment, the power brokerage company 1 takes the following measures to keep the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period below the specified value.
(1) Grasp the estimated amount of adjustment during storage battery control (2) Request for power consumption adjustment (3) Distribution of coupon information (4) Execution of storage battery control (5) Collection of advertising fees Of the above measures, (1) ~ (3) is carried out in advance of the adjustment target period, (4) is carried out during the adjustment target period, and (5) is carried out after the adjustment target period. The contents of each measure will be described below.

(Understanding the estimated adjustment amount when controlling the storage battery)
The electric power intermediary company 1 calculates the adjusted amount of power consumption when controlling the storage battery B installed in each house H in the target area during the adjustment target period, that is, the expected adjustment amount (expected power saving amount). Here, the storage battery B is a power storage device installed in the house H of each contract resident 3 in operating the power consumption adjustment business. Further, the operating state of each storage battery B is remotely controlled by a server computer owned by the electric power intermediary company 1 (specifically, a company server 10 described later).

The electric power intermediary company 1 obtains an estimated adjustment amount (expected power saving amount) when the power consumption is adjusted by discharging the storage battery B in each house H during the adjustment target period. Then, the electric power intermediary company 1 determines whether or not the electric power consumption in the target area in the adjustment target period can be suppressed to the specified value or less by the control of the storage battery B based on the obtained expected adjustment amount.

(Request for power consumption adjustment)
When the power intermediary company 1 determines that the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period exceeds the specified value even if the storage battery B is controlled, the power consumption adjustment for the contract resident 3 during the adjustment target period. To request. Specifically, the electric power intermediary company 1 transmits data (request data) for requesting electric power consumption adjustment during the adjustment target period to each contract resident 3. Each contract resident 3 has the content indicated by the above request data (that is, the request content) through a communication terminal (specifically, a user terminal 30 described later) such as a personal computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone or a tablet terminal owned by the contract resident 3. To confirm.

Specifically, the screen shown in FIG. 2 will be displayed on the communication terminal owned by the contract resident 3. Then, each contract resident 3 replies whether or not to respond to the request for power consumption adjustment through the above display screen. After that, the electric power intermediary company 1 obtains the answers of each contract inhabitant 3 and identifies the contract inhabitant 3 who responds to the request for power consumption adjustment.

If the power intermediary company 1 determines that the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period can be suppressed to the specified value or less by the control of the storage battery B, the power mediation company 1 omits the procedure for requesting the power consumption adjustment.

(Distribution of coupon information)
After identifying the contract resident 3 who responded to the request for adjustment of power consumption, the electric power intermediary company 1 performs a process for distributing coupon information to the contract resident 3 (hereinafter, coupon issuance process). .. The coupon information is service promotion information that can be used at the commercial facility 4 during the adjustment target period, and by presenting the coupon information at the corresponding store in the commercial facility 4, the service provider (strictly speaking, the service provider) at the store. , Store employees) will be able to receive services provided by more favorable conditions. To explain in an easy-to-understand manner, if the contract resident 3 presents the coupon information when receiving the service in the commercial facility 4 during the adjustment target period, the contract resident 3 can receive the service at a price lower than the regular amount.

In the present embodiment, the "service" includes a service that involves delivery of goods (that is, sale of goods) and a service that does not involve delivery of goods. Further, the commercial facility 4 corresponds to a place where the service provider provides the service during the adjustment target period, and corresponds to, for example, a department store or a shopping mall. However, the service providing place is not particularly limited, and may be a movie theater, an entertainment facility, a restaurant, a theme park, an amusement park, a sports gym, or the like.

The purpose of distributing the coupon information to the contract resident 3 who responds to the request for power consumption adjustment as described above is to encourage the contract resident 3 to go out to the commercial facility 4 during the adjustment target period. There is. That is, if the person goes out to the commercial facility 4 during the adjustment target period, the power consumption in the house H in which the person resides can be minimized during that period. With such an aim, the electric power intermediary company 1 distributes coupon information to the contract resident 3 who responds to the request for power consumption adjustment.

In the present embodiment, the coupon information is to be distributed from the coupon issuer 5. More specifically, the coupon issuer 5 receives a coupon distribution instruction from the electric power intermediary company 1 and distributes the coupon information according to the instruction. By the way, in the present embodiment, the coupon information is distributed in the form of electronic data. Then, the contract resident 3 who has received the coupon information develops the coupon information on the communication terminal owned by the contract resident 3 to display the contents of the coupon information on the screen as shown in FIG. Then, the contract resident 3 presents a screen on which the coupon information is displayed when receiving the service at the commercial facility 4. However, the method of presenting the coupon information is not limited to the above contents. For example, the contract resident 3 who received the coupon information outputs the coupon information by a printer (not shown), and the paper on which the coupon information is printed. Etc. may be presented.

Further, in the present embodiment, the coupon information is distributed from the coupon issuer 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and each store of the electric power intermediary company 1 and the commercial facility 4 (strictly speaking, the said). The store owner) may distribute the coupon information.

(Execution of battery control)
When the adjustment target period is reached, the electric power intermediary company 1 adjusts the power consumption in the target area by controlling the storage batteries B installed in each house H in the target area all at once. At this time, the remote control of each storage battery B is performed through the communication network. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to manage and adjust the power consumption in the target area by centrally controlling the storage batteries B of each distributed house H by the communication network. In other words, the power consumption adjustment business is a business utilizing VPP (virtual power plant), and the power intermediary business operator 1 acts as a business operator of the VPP construction business.

(Collection of advertising fees)
The electric power intermediary company 1 is a service provider who provides a service at the commercial facility 4 at a later date when the electric power consumption is adjusted during the adjustment target period (specifically, the owner of each store in the commercial facility 4). ) Will be charged an advertising fee. Here, the advertising fee is money paid by the service provider to the electric power intermediary company 1 for distributing coupon information about the service provided by the service provider to the contract resident 3. More specifically, the advertising fee for a certain service is set according to the number of contract residents 3 who received the certain service using the coupon information during the adjustment target period.

More specifically, when the service provider of a certain service presents the coupon information in order for the contract resident 3 to receive the certain service at a lower price during the adjustment target period, the service provider gives the coupon information to the barcode described later. Read by reader 41. By reading the coupon information, information regarding the use of the coupon information (for example, the coupon usage time and usage location) is sent to the electric power brokerage company 1. The electric power intermediary company 1 specifies the number of contract residents 3 who used the coupon information when receiving a certain service based on the sent information.

Then, the electric power intermediary company 1 performs a process for billing the above service provider as an advertising fee in an amount corresponding to the number of the specified contract residents 3. Here, the "process for billing the service provider" may be a process for transmitting data (electronic data) for billing the advertisement fee to the service provider, or , It may be a process of generating data for issuing an invoice for advertising fees.

As described above, the electric power intermediary company 1 controls the storage battery B and encourages the contract resident 3 to go out during the same period during the period when the electric power consumption in the target area needs to be adjusted (adjustment target period). Make sure that the power consumption in is below the specified value. Then, when the electric power consumption is suppressed to the specified value or less, the electric power intermediary company 1 obtains money according to the adjustment amount by negawatt trading. In addition, the electric power intermediary company 1 charges the service provider of each store in the commercial facility 4 for an advertisement fee in return for the increase in the number of visitors to the commercial facility 4 during the adjustment target period due to the distribution of the coupon information. .. As a result, the electric power intermediary company 1 can acquire further profits, and can take measures for adjusting the electric power consumption from the next time onward by using this as a resource.

<< About the configuration of the power consumption adjustment system >>
Next, the power consumption adjustment system (hereinafter referred to as the system S) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This system S is a communication system constructed for operating the above-mentioned power consumption adjustment business, and is composed of a business server 10, a home server 20, a user terminal 30, a service provider server 40, and a coupon issuing server 50. Will be done.

The operator server 10 is composed of a server computer owned by the electric power intermediary operator 1. Further, the business server 10 is connected to each of the home server 20, the user terminal 30, the service provider server 40, and the coupon issuing server 50 via a network in a communicable state. Further, the business server 10 has a function of remotely controlling the storage battery B installed in the house H of each contract resident 3 through the network.

Then, the business server 10 receives a request for power consumption adjustment from the electric power company 2 and executes various information processing in order to suppress the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period to a predetermined value or less. Specifically, when the operator server 10 receives a request for power consumption adjustment, the operator server 10 executes information processing necessary for the electric power intermediary operator 1 to implement the above-mentioned five measures.

More specifically, the business server 10 executes a process of calculating the expected adjustment amount (expected power saving amount) when the power consumption is adjusted by discharging the storage battery B in each house H during the adjustment target period. Further, when the operator server 10 determines that the power consumption in the target area in the adjustment target period cannot be suppressed to the specified value or less only by the calculated expected adjustment amount, the operator server 10 requests the power consumption adjustment in the adjustment target period. Data (request data) is sent to each contract resident 3. In this sense, the business server 10 corresponds to an adjustment request device that requests the contract resident 3 to adjust the power consumption during the adjustment target period.

In addition, the business server 10 executes a process for distributing coupon information to the contract resident 3 who responds to the request for adjustment of power consumption. Specifically, the coupon issuing server 50 is instructed to communicate with the coupon issuing server 50 and distribute the coupon information to the contract resident 3 who responds to the adjustment request. Further, as described above, the business operator server 10 collectively controls the storage battery B installed in the house H of each contract resident 3 during the adjustment target period.

Further, the business operator server 10 executes a process for charging the service provider of the commercial facility 4 for the advertisement fee after the end of the adjustment target period. Specifically, the number of contract residents 3 who presented coupon information when receiving the service provided by the service provider during the adjustment period is specified, and the amount corresponding to the number of appointments is given to the above service provider. And execute the processing for billing.

The home server 20 is composed of a home gateway installed in the house H of the contract resident 3, and constructs a so-called HEMS (Home Energy Management System) in the house H. Specifically, the home server 20 periodically acquires the measured value of the power consumption in the house from the power sensor 21 installed in the house H, and monitors the power consumption status in the house. In this sense, the home server 20 corresponds to an in-home power management device for managing the power consumption status in each house H.

Further, the home server 20 communicates with the business server 10 and transmits information on the power consumption status in each house H. Specifically, when the home server 20 receives a request for adjustment of power consumption, the home server 20 transmits the transition (change over time) of the home power consumption in the last few days to the business server 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the home server 20 may periodically communicate with the business server 10 to transmit the transition of the power consumption in the house from the previous communication to the current communication.

Further, the home server 20 communicates with the user terminal 30 owned by the inhabitants of the house H in which the home server 20 is installed, and for example, the home server 20 transfers data obtained from the outside to the user terminal 30. Specifically, when the home server 20 receives the request data from the business server 10, the home server 20 transfers the request data to the user terminal 30. Further, when the home server 20 receives the coupon information delivered from the coupon issuing server 50, the home server 20 transfers the coupon information to the user terminal 30.

Although the home server 20 is installed separately for each house H, in FIG. 2, for convenience of illustration, only one house H is shown, and in correspondence with this, the home server 20 and the power sensor are shown. 21 and the user terminal 30 are also illustrated one by one.

The user terminal 30 is a client computer individually owned by each contract resident 3, and as described above, is composed of a PC, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The user terminal 30 expands the data transferred from the home server 20 and displays the information indicated by the data on the screen. Specifically, when the user terminal 30 receives the request data from the business server 10 via the home server 20, the user terminal 30 displays the content (request content) indicated by the request data on the screen.

Here, when the content of the request is explained with reference to FIG. 2 described above, the date and time set as the adjustment target period of the power consumption and the options displayed for answering whether or not to respond to the adjustment request are displayed. To. The contract resident 3 who is the owner of the user terminal 30 selects one of the two options and inputs the selection result (for easy understanding, check the radio button provided in the selected option). .. After that, when the contract resident 3 performs a predetermined screen operation (specifically, an operation of clicking the "decision button" shown in FIG. 2), the user terminal 30 accepts the screen operation and the above selection result. Data (response information to the adjustment request) indicating the above is transmitted to the business operator server 10. In this sense, the user terminal 30 corresponds to a response device that receives a request for power consumption adjustment from the business server 10 and transmits a response from the contract resident 3 to the request.

Further, the user terminal 30 acquires the coupon information by receiving the coupon information from the coupon issuing server 50 via the home server 20. In addition, the user terminal 30 displays the acquired coupon information on the screen. In the present embodiment, only the user terminal 30 of the contract resident 3 who responds to the adjustment request is to receive the coupon information.

Here, when the coupon information is explained with reference to FIG. 3 described above, the identification code is displayed as the coupon information together with the contents of the coupon information. The content of the coupon information is information on the amount of service when the coupon information is used (specifically, the discount rate), the place where the coupon information can be used, the date and time, and the like. The identification code G is composed of a readable code (specifically, a two-dimensional bar code or the like). The identification code G is information unique to each of the contract residents 3 to which the coupon information is distributed (granted). As a result, by reading the identification code G, it becomes possible to identify the contract resident 3 who actually used the coupon information.

The service provider server 40 is a device for grasping the number of contract residents 3 who received the service by using the coupon information, and is installed for each store in the commercial facility 4. The service provider server 40 is a server computer that constitutes a so-called POS (Point of Sales System), and is connected to a barcode reader 41. The barcode reader 41 is a device for reading the identification code G in the coupon information when the contract resident 3 presents the coupon information when receiving the service.

Then, when the contract resident 3 who visited the commercial facility 4 to respond to the request for adjustment of power consumption presents the coupon information when receiving the service, the service provider server 40 uses the barcode reader 41 to identify the identification code in the coupon information. Read G. The service provider server 40 digitizes the read information, that is, information for identifying the contract resident 3 using the coupon information, and transmits the data to the business operator server 10. The business operator server 10 aggregates the data received from the service provider server 40 for each store, and calculates the number of contract residents 3 who received the service using the coupon information during the period for adjusting the power consumption for the service of each store. Identify. In this sense, the service provider server 40 corresponds to a data transmission device that transmits data regarding the number of contract residents 3 who visit the place where the service provider provides the service during the adjustment target period.

The coupon issuing server 50 distributes the coupon information to the contract resident 3 who has received the coupon distribution instruction from the business server 10 and responded to the request for adjustment of power consumption. Specifically, the coupon distribution instruction from the business server 10 includes information on the contract resident 3 to which the coupon information is distributed and identification information of the home server 20 held by the contract resident 3 (specifically, IP address) and is included. The information about the contract resident 3 is information for identifying the category to which the contract resident 3 belongs. The categories will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, the coupon issuing server 50 includes a database 51 of coupon information, and a plurality of types of coupon information that can be used in the commercial facility 4 during the period for adjusting power consumption are stored in the database 51. More specifically with reference to FIG. 5, the database 51 stores a plurality of coupon information having different available locations and discount rates for each category. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between coupon information and its delivery destination category. The correspondence in the figure shows what kind of coupon information is appropriate to be distributed to contract residents 3 in each category in order to promote going out during the adjustment target period. It is prescribed in advance for distribution.

Explaining the above correspondence in detail, what kind of coupon information was used by what kind of person (customer) in the past is investigated, and the survey result is accumulated as data (so-called POS data). Then, the above correspondence is specified by analyzing (learning) the accumulated data.

Here, the category will be described as a category set for grouping the contract residents 3. In addition, the category is determined according to the demographic attributes (for example, gender and age) of the contract residents 3 and the power consumption pattern. When the coupon issuing server 50 receives the coupon distribution instruction from the business server 10, the coupon issuing server 50 is used as information for identifying the category to which the contract resident 3 who replied that the request for adjustment of power consumption is to be responded from the instruction content belongs to. Obtain the demographic attributes and power consumption patterns of contract residents 3. Then, the coupon issuing server 50 distributes coupon information according to the demographic attributes and the power consumption pattern to the above-mentioned contract resident 3. For example, the coupon information of the store T1 of the commercial facility 4 will be distributed to the contract resident 3 who is a “male in his twenties” and whose power consumption pattern is “pattern A”.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the coupon information is distributed to the contract resident 3 who responds to the request for adjustment of power consumption, the category to which the person belongs is reflected in the content of the coupon information. Distribute the coupon information. By reflecting the content of the coupon information in this way, the contract resident 3's willingness to go out to receive the service during the adjustment target period (going out motivation) is effectively suppressed. It becomes possible to stimulate. As a result, the power consumption adjustment by going out of the contract resident 3 can be efficiently realized.

In this embodiment, the demographic attributes of the contract resident 3 and the power consumption status in the house H where the contract resident 3 resides are acquired as information supporting the category of the contract resident 3, and these acquisitions are made. Identify categories informed. As a result, the credibility of the specific result of the category is increased, and the content of the coupon information set according to the category is also supported by the highly credible information.

<< Detailed configuration of the operator server >>
Next, the detailed configuration of the operator server 10 described above will be described. The operator server 10 is composed of a server computer owned by the electric power intermediary operator 1. Further, the operator server 10 has a CPU, a memory such as ROM and RAM, a hard disk drive, a communication interface, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device such as a display as hardware devices. In addition, a program for exerting the above-mentioned function as the business server 10 (hereinafter referred to as a power consumption adjustment program) is installed in the server computer constituting the business server 10.

Explaining the configuration of the business operator server 10 again from the functional aspect, as shown in FIG. 6, the business operator server 10 has a request reception unit 11, a power saving expected amount calculation unit 12, a control unit 13, a request unit 14, and a response reception unit. It has 15, a category determination unit 16, an instruction unit 17, a user totaling unit 18, and a billing processing execution unit 19. These functional units are realized when the hardware devices constituting the operator server 10 described above cooperate with the power consumption adjustment program as software. Hereinafter, each functional unit will be described.

The request reception unit 11 receives a request for power consumption adjustment from the electric power company 2. More specifically, the request reception unit 11 communicates with a server computer (not shown) managed by the electric power company 2 and receives an adjustment request transmitted from the server computer. In the present embodiment, the power consumption adjustment request is sent from the server computer managed by the electric power company 2. However, the source of the request is not particularly limited, and for example, the target area. It may be transmitted from the administrative agency or local government that has jurisdiction over the above, or the building management company that manages the housing H in the target area.

The power saving expected amount calculation unit 12 calculates the adjusted power consumption amount when the storage battery B of each house H in the target area is controlled in the adjustment target area, that is, the power saving expected amount during the adjustment target period. As for the method of calculating the estimated power saving amount, a known method (specifically, a known method for predicting power consumption) can be used, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

The control unit 13 actually remotely controls the storage battery B of each house H in the target area during the adjustment target period. Specifically, the control unit 13 controls the magnitude of the power (discharge power) discharged from the storage battery B of each house H according to the power consumption (load) of each house H during the adjustment target period. ..

The requesting unit 14 determines whether or not the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period can be suppressed to the specified value or less based on the expected adjustment amount (expected power saving amount) calculated by the power saving expected amount calculation unit 12. Then, when the requesting unit 14 determines that the power consumption in the target area in the adjustment target period cannot be suppressed to the specified value or less only by the calculated expected adjustment amount, the request unit 14 requests the power consumption adjustment in the adjustment target period. Generate data (request data). The generated request data is transmitted by the request unit 14 to the house H of each contract resident 3 and more specifically to the home server 20 installed in the house H.

When the home server 20 receives the request data, the home server 20 transfers the request data to the user terminal 30 of the contract resident 3 who resides in the house H where the home server 20 is installed. As described above, in the present embodiment, the request data is passed through the home server 20 while being received by the user terminal 30 of the contract resident 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the request data is passed through the home server 20. It may be sent directly to the user terminal 30 without.

The response receiving unit 15 receives the response information of the contract resident 3 who responded to the request for adjustment of power consumption from the user terminal 30 owned by that person. In addition, the response receiving unit 15 calculates the number of contract residents 3 (number of households) who respond to the request for adjustment of power consumption by aggregating the received response information. By calculating the number of contract residents 3 who will respond to the power consumption adjustment request in this way, the response receiving unit 15 will calculate the overall expected adjustment amount (power saving expected amount) on the power consumption adjustment target date. Is possible. Specifically, the expected power saving amount by controlling the storage battery B of each house H (that is, the calculation result of the expected power saving amount calculation unit 12) and the contract resident 3 who responds to the request for adjustment of power consumption go out. By adding up the expected power saving amount, the overall expected power saving amount can be grasped.

The category determination unit 16 determines the category of the contract resident 3 who replied that the request for adjustment of power consumption is accepted. Specifically, the category determination unit 16 first responds to the contract resident who responds to the request for adjustment of power consumption from the database (not shown) that stores the information (personal information) of the registered contract resident 3. Read the information about 3. As a result, the demographic attributes (for example, gender and age) of the contract resident 3 who responded to the request for adjustment of power consumption are specified. Next, the category determination unit 16 communicates with the home server 20 installed in the house H of the contract resident 3 who responds to the request for adjustment of the power consumption, and information on the power consumption status in the house H for the last few days. , Specifically, acquire the transition of power consumption in the house.

Then, the category determination unit 16 identifies the power consumption pattern of the contract resident 3 who resides in the house H based on the acquired information on the power consumption status. The procedure for identifying the power consumption pattern from the power consumption status is not particularly limited, but to give an example, it captures the characteristic tendency of the power consumption status and of a plurality of power consumption patterns prepared in advance. Among them, the pattern corresponding to the characteristic tendency may be specified as the corresponding pattern.

The instruction unit 17 executes a process (hereinafter referred to as an instruction process) of instructing the coupon issuing server 50 to distribute the coupon information to the contract resident 3 who has answered that the request for adjusting the power consumption is to be accepted. Here, the instruction processing corresponds to "processing for distributing coupon information to the contract resident 3." In the instruction processing, the instruction unit 17 uses the identification information (specifically, the IP address) of the home server 20 installed in the house H where the contract resident 3 to whom the coupon information is distributed resides, and the contract resident 3 (Specifically, gender, age, and power consumption pattern) are transmitted to the coupon issuing server 50.

The coupon issuing server 50 extracts the coupon information corresponding to the category from the database 51, and transmits the extracted coupon information to the home server 20 of the contract resident 3 to which the coupon information is distributed. In other words, the instruction unit 17 responds to each contract resident 3 who responds to the request for adjustment of power consumption when executing the instruction processing, and the content according to the attribute and the power consumption status of each contract resident 3. Execute so that the coupon information is delivered.

When the home server 20 receives the coupon information, the home server 20 transfers the coupon information to the user terminal 30 of the contract resident 3 who resides in the house H where the home server 20 is installed. As described above, in the present embodiment, the coupon information is passed through the home server 20 while being received by the user terminal 30 of the contract resident 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the coupon information is passed through the home server 20. It may be sent directly to the user terminal 30 without.

The user aggregation unit 18 is the number of contract residents 3 who received the service using the coupon information during the period for adjusting the power consumption (that is, the contract residents 3 who presented the coupon information and received the service at a lower price. The number of people) is totaled for each store of the commercial facility 4. Specifically, the service provider server 40 described above is installed in each store. When the contract resident 3 who visited each store during the adjustment target period presents the coupon information when receiving the service at the store, the service provider server 40 reads the identification code G in the coupon information and the read information. (Hereinafter, read data) is transmitted to the business operator server 10. The read data is transmitted by the service provider server 40 every time the coupon information is read, in other words, every time a user of the coupon information appears.

Then, the user totaling unit 18 receives the read data transmitted for each user of the coupon information, and totals the read data for each store. As a result, it is possible to specify the number of users of coupon information during the period subject to adjustment of power consumption for each store of the commercial facility 4. In this sense, the read data is data on the number of contract residents 3 who visit each store of the commercial facility 4 during the adjustment period, and more specifically, the data of the contract residents 3 who received the service at a lower price by the coupon information. Corresponds to data on the number of people. By analyzing the read data, it is possible to identify the identification code G read at the store and further identify the identity of the user of the coupon information from the identification code G.

The billing processing execution unit 19 executes a process for billing the service provider as an advertising fee according to the number of coupon information users specified by the user totaling unit 18 (hereinafter, billing processing). In the present embodiment, the billing processing execution unit 19 executes billing processing for each service provider. More specifically, the user aggregation unit 18 specifies the number of users of coupon information during the period for which power consumption is adjusted for each store of the commercial facility 4. Correspondingly to this, the billing processing execution unit 19 executes billing processing for each store of the commercial facility 4. As a result, each store (that is, each service provider) will be charged an advertising fee of an amount corresponding to the number of coupon information users during the adjustment target period at that store.

In addition, each store (strictly speaking, employees of each store) who received the above request will carry out the procedure to deposit the amount equivalent to the invoiced amount at a later date, and the electric power intermediary company 1 will make the deposited amount. Receive.

<< About the flow of power consumption adjustment >>
Next, the flow of power consumption adjustment performed using this system S will be described. In the series of procedures described below, the power consumption adjustment method of the present invention is adopted. That is, the following description includes a description of the power consumption adjustment method of the present invention, and each step in the power consumption adjustment described below corresponds to an element constituting the power consumption adjustment method of the present invention. To do.

Procedures related to power consumption adjustment are performed before the start of the adjustment period (hereinafter, pre-procedure), during the adjustment period (hereinafter, same-day procedure), and after the end of the adjustment period. It is divided into things (hereinafter, procedures at a later date).

On the other hand, the electric power company 2 periodically predicts the power consumption (demand) in the target area in the future (for example, several days later), and determines whether there is a period in which the demand exceeds the power supply capacity to the target area. to decide. Then, when it is determined that there is a date and time when the predicted demand exceeds the power supply capacity, the procedure related to the power consumption adjustment is started from the preliminary procedure after setting the date and time as the adjustment target period. The procedure will be explained in the order of prior procedure, same-day procedure, and later procedure.

The pre-procedure is carried out according to the flow shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Specifically, as a preliminary procedure, first, the expected amount of adjustment of power consumption when the server computer constituting the operator server 10 controls the storage battery B of each house H in the target area during the adjustment target period, that is, , Calculate the expected power saving amount (S001). After the execution of step S001, the server computer constituting the operator server 10 determines whether or not the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period can be suppressed to the specified value or less based on the calculated power saving expected amount (S002). In this step S002, when it is determined that the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period can be suppressed to the specified value or less, the preliminary procedure ends.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period cannot be suppressed to the specified value or less, the server computer constituting the business server 10 requests each contract resident 3 to adjust the power consumption. Therefore, the request data is transmitted to the home server 20 installed in each house H in the target area (S003). When the home server 20 of each house H receives the request data, the home server 20 transfers the above request data to the user terminal 30 of the contract resident 3 who resides in the house H where the home server 20 is installed (S004). When the user terminal 30 receives the request data from the home server 20, it expands the request data and displays the content of the power consumption adjustment request on the screen (S005). This step corresponds to the process of receiving a request for power consumption adjustment.

The contract resident 3 confirms the content of the power consumption adjustment request (specifically, the adjustment target period, etc.) displayed on the screen of the user terminal 30, decides whether or not to comply with the request, and then determines the result of the decision. Operate the screen according to. By accepting the screen operation by the contract resident 3, the user terminal 30 acquires information indicating the response of the contract resident 3 to the power consumption adjustment request (hereinafter, response information) (S006). After that, the user terminal 30 transmits the acquired response information to the server computers constituting the business operator server 10 (S006). This step corresponds to the process of transmitting the response of the contract resident 3 to the power consumption adjustment request.

The server computer constituting the business server 10 acquires the response information from the user terminal 30 of each contract resident 3 and determines whether or not each contract resident 3 responds to the power consumption adjustment request (S007). After that, the server computer constituting the business server 10 determines the category of the contract resident 3 who replied that the request for adjustment of power consumption is accepted (S008, S010). Specifically, first, information on the contract resident 3 who answered that he / she responds to the adjustment request is read from a database (not shown) that stores the personal information of the registered contract resident 3, and the contract resident 3 is read from the read information. Identify demographic attributes (gender and age) (S008).

Next, the server computer constituting the business server 10 communicates with the home server 20 installed in the house H of the contract resident 3 who replied that the adjustment request is to be accepted. At this time, the home server 20 transmits information on the power consumption status of the house H in which the home server 20 is installed for the last few days, specifically, the transition of the power consumption in the house (S009). The server computer constituting the business server 10 acquires information on the power consumption status, and further identifies the power consumption pattern of the contract resident 3 who replied that he / she will respond to the adjustment request based on the information (S010).

After that, the server computer constituting the business operator server 10 executes the instruction processing and instructs the coupon issuing server 50 to distribute the coupon information to the contract resident 3 who has answered that the power consumption adjustment request is to be accepted (). S011). At this time, the server computer constituting the business operator server 10 responds to the request for adjustment of power consumption in the category of the contract resident 3, specifically, the gender and age of the contract resident 3 specified in step S008. In addition, the power consumption pattern of the contract resident 3 specified in step S010 is notified to the coupon issuing server 50.

The coupon issuing server 50 identifies the category of the notified contract resident 3 (that is, gender, age and power consumption pattern) (S012). Then, the coupon issuing server 50 extracts the coupon information corresponding to the above category from the database 51, and the extracted coupon information is sent to the contract resident 3 (strictly speaking, the contract resident 3). It is transmitted to the home server 20) installed in the house H where the residence resides (S013).

When the home server 20 of the contract resident 3 who responded to the request for power consumption adjustment receives the coupon information distributed from the coupon issuing server 50, the received coupon information is sent to the user terminal 30 of the contract resident 3. Transfer (S014). The user terminal 30 receives the coupon information transferred from the home server 20 (S015). This step corresponds to the process of acquiring coupon information (service promotion information). Then, the pre-procedure is completed when the above steps are completed.

After the completion of the pre-procedure, when the date and time corresponding to the period subject to adjustment of power consumption is reached, the procedure on that day is carried out according to the flow shown in FIG. Specifically, in the procedure on the day, first, the server computer constituting the business operator server 10 remotely controls the storage battery B installed in each house H in the target area (S021). As a result, the power consumption of each house H (strictly speaking, the amount of power received from the power company 2) during the adjustment target period is reduced by the amount of discharge of the storage battery B.

After that, the server computer constituting the operator server 10 determines whether or not the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period can be suppressed to the specified value or less only by remote control of the storage battery B (S022). The determination result in step S002 of the prior procedure can be used for such determination. Then, if it is determined that the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period can be suppressed to the specified value or less only by the remote control of the storage battery B, the procedure on the day ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the power consumption in the target area during the adjustment target period cannot be suppressed below the specified value only by the remote control of the storage battery B, the contract resident 3 who responded to the power consumption adjustment request goes out. Strictly speaking, the subsequent procedures are carried out according to the use of the coupon information at the commercial facility 4. Specifically, the contract resident 3 who responded to the request for power consumption adjustment visits the commercial facility 4 during the adjustment target period and heads to the store where the coupon information obtained in advance can be used. Then, the above-mentioned contract resident 3 presents the coupon information at the store and receives the service (for easy understanding, the service is received at a price lower than the regular amount by presenting the coupon information).

In a store where there is a contract resident 3 who uses the coupon information as described above, the service provider server 40 installed in the store uses the identification code G in the coupon information presented by the contract resident 3 as the barcode reader 41. And read (S023, S024). After that, the service provider server 40 generates data (read data) indicating the read information and transmits it to the operator server 10 (S025).

The server computer constituting the operator server 10 receives the read data sent from the service provider server 40 (S026). Of the steps of the same-day procedure described above, the step S024 for reading the coupon information, the step S025 for transmitting the read data, and the step S026 for receiving the read data are the users of the coupon information during the adjustment target period. Is repeated every time (S027) appears. Then, when the adjustment period ends, the procedure on the day is completed.

After the completion of the procedure on the day, that is, after the lapse of the adjustment target period, the procedure will be carried out at a later date according to the flow shown in FIG. Specifically, in the procedure at a later date, first, the server computers constituting the business server 10 aggregate the read data received in step S026 of the procedure on the day, and the number of users of the coupon information during the adjustment target period. Is specified (S031). In this step S031, the server computer constituting the business operator server 10 aggregates the read data for each store of the commercial facility 4. Therefore, the number of coupon information users during the adjustment target period is specified for each store (in other words, for each service provider).

After that, the server computer constituting the business operator server 10 executes the billing process (S032). In the billing process, data processing for billing the service provider as an advertisement fee is executed according to the number of coupon information users specified in the previous step S031. In this embodiment, billing processing is executed for each service provider (in other words, for each store of the commercial facility 4). Therefore, the billing process is executed for each of the stores where the contract resident 3 receives the service using the coupon information during the period for adjusting the power consumption. In other words, as long as there are still unbilled stores among the stores for which the contract resident 3 received the service using the coupon information during the period for adjusting the power consumption, the billing process is repeatedly executed (S033). By executing the billing process for each store in this way, each store will be charged an advertising fee of an amount corresponding to the number of coupon information users during the adjustment target period at that store.

Then, when the billing processing for all the stores is completed, the processing is completed at a later date. In addition, when the processing is completed at a later date, the procedure for one power consumption adjustment will be completed.

<< Other Embodiments >>
The power consumption adjustment system and the power consumption adjustment method of the present invention have been described above with an example. However, as an embodiment relating to the power consumption adjustment system and the power consumption adjustment method of the present invention, other than the above contents can be considered. For example, in the above embodiment, the coupon information is distributed to the contract resident 3 in order to promote the outing of the contract resident 3 during the period for which the power consumption is adjusted. However, in order to promote going out during the adjustment target period, the information is not limited to coupon information, and any information (service promotion information) that enables the service to be received under more favorable conditions may be presented, for example. The information may be such that the service can be preferentially received (easily understood, faster).

Further, in the above embodiment, the place where the coupon information can be used to receive the service is a store in the commercial facility 4, but the place is not limited to this, and the place where the coupon information is used is the same. It may be dispersed rather than within the facility. Further, the place where the coupon information is used may be fixed to a predetermined place, or the place may be changed as appropriate depending on the situation.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the coupon information is distributed to the contract resident 3, the coupon information corresponding to the category to which the contract resident 3 belongs is distributed, but the category is not limited to this. Regardless, the same coupon information may be distributed to any contract resident 3. However, if the coupon information is distributed according to the preference of the contract resident 3, it is possible to effectively stimulate the person's willingness to go out. In this respect, the above embodiment is more desirable.

Further, in the above embodiment, it is decided that the process for billing the amount of the coupon information according to the user as the advertisement fee, that is, the billing process is executed after the lapse of the adjustment target period. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the billing process may be executed during the adjustment target period (for example, immediately before the end of the period).

Further, in the above embodiment, the operator server 10 remotely controls the storage battery B of each house H during the period for which the power consumption is adjusted. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even if the operator server 10 controls the electric equipment (power consumption equipment) and the power generation device in each house H, and thereby adjusts the power consumption in each house H. Good.

1 Electric power intermediary business operator (business operator), 2 Electric power company 3 Contracted residents (electric power consumer), 4 Commercial facilities 5 Coupon issuer 10 Business operator server (device for adjustment request)
11 Request reception unit, 12 Power saving expected amount calculation unit 13 Control unit, 14 Request unit 15 Response reception unit, 16 Category discrimination unit 17 Instruction unit, 18 User aggregation unit 19 Billing processing execution unit 20 Home server 30 User terminal (for response) apparatus)
40 Service provider server (data transmitter)
50 Coupon issuing server, 51 Database B Storage battery G Identification code H Housing S This system (power consumption adjustment system)

Claims (7)

A power consumption adjustment system used to adjust power consumption within the target area.
An adjustment request device that requests power consumers in the target area to adjust power consumption during the adjustment period.
A response device that receives a power consumption adjustment request from the adjustment request device and transmits the response of the power consumer to the request, and a response device.
The service provider has a data transmission device that transmits data regarding the number of the power consumers who visit the place where the service is provided.
The answering device acquires service promotion information that enables the electric power consumer who replied to respond to the request to receive the service under more favorable conditions.
The data transmission device transmits data regarding the number of the power consumers who received the service under the more favorable conditions based on the service promotion information.
Based on the data transmitted by the data transmission device, the adjustment request device identifies the number of the power consumers who received the service under the more favorable conditions based on the service promotion information, and the specified number. It is decided to execute the process for billing the service provider the amount according to the above .
The adjustment request device executes a process for distributing the service promotion information to the power consumer, and performs a process.
When the adjustment request device executes the process,
Based on the correspondence between the service promotion information and the power consumer category, which is specified in advance by analyzing the accumulated data of the service promotion information used in the past.
A power consumption adjustment system, characterized in that the service promotion information having contents corresponding to the categories of the power consumers is distributed to each of the power consumers. The answering device acquires, as the service promotion information, coupon information that enables the electric power consumer to receive the service at a lower price.
The power consumption adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment request device executes a process for distributing the coupon information to the power consumer. When the adjustment request device executes a process for distributing the coupon information to the power consumer, the attribute and power usage status of each power consumer are given to each power consumer. The power consumption adjustment system according to claim 2, wherein the coupon information is executed so as to be distributed according to the above-mentioned contents. It is installed in the house of the power consumer who lives in the target area, and further has an in-house power management device for managing the power consumption status in each house.
The adjustment request device was installed in each of the electric power consumers' homes for each of the electric power consumers when executing a process for distributing the coupon information to the electric power consumers. The power consumption adjustment system according to claim 3 , wherein the coupon information having contents corresponding to the information regarding the power consumption status sent from the home power management device is delivered. The answering device is composed of client computers individually owned by each of the power consumers in the target area.
The adjustment request device is composed of a server computer owned by a business operator who operates a business that obtains money according to the adjustment amount by adjusting the power consumption in the target area.
The data transmission device is characterized in that the data transmission device is installed at a place where the service provider provides the service, and reads the coupon information when the power consumer who visits the service provider presents the coupon information. The power consumption adjustment system according to any one of claims 2 to 4 . The answering device acquires the service promotion information that enables the electric power consumer who replied to respond to the request to receive the service under more favorable conditions during the adjustment target period.
The data transmission device transmits data regarding the number of the power consumers who received the service under the more favorable conditions by the service promotion information during the adjustment target period.
Based on the data transmitted by the data transmission device, the adjustment request device specifies the number of the power consumers who received the service under the more favorable conditions from the service promotion information during the adjustment target period. The power consumption adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the power consumption adjustment system is characterized. It is a power consumption adjustment method for adjusting the power consumption in the target area.
The adjustment request device requests the power consumption in the target area to adjust the power consumption during the adjustment target period.
The response device receives the request for power consumption adjustment from the adjustment request device, and also transmits the response of the power consumer to the request.
The data transmitter transmits data about the number of said power consumers who visit the place where the service provider provides the service.
The answering device acquires service promotion information that enables the electric power consumer who replied to respond to the request to receive the service under more favorable conditions during the adjustment target period.
When the data transmission device transmits data regarding the number of power consumers, the service promotion information transmits data regarding the number of power consumers who have received the service under more favorable conditions.
Based on the data transmitted by the data transmitting device, the adjustment requesting device identifies the number of the power consumers who received the service under the more favorable conditions based on the service promotion information, and the specified number. It is decided to execute the process for billing the service provider the amount according to the above .
The adjustment request device executes a process for distributing the service promotion information to the power consumer,
When the adjustment requesting device executes the process,
Based on the correspondence between the service promotion information and the power consumer category, which was previously specified by analyzing the accumulated data of the service promotion information used in the past.
A power consumption adjusting method, characterized in that the service promotion information having contents corresponding to the categories of the power consumers is distributed to each of the power consumers.

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