JP7699530B2 - Demand Response System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a demand response system.

The use of distributed energy resources on the consumer side, which use electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar power generation, storage batteries, electric vehicles, fuel cells, etc., is becoming more widespread. As a result, it is becoming increasingly important to consider the balance between supply and demand of electricity, and in addition to electricity supply from conventional large-scale power plants, mechanisms are being implemented that utilize energy resources on the consumer side to adjust the balance between supply and demand of electricity. One example of such a mechanism is demand response (DR) or virtual power plant (VPP), which changes the demand pattern of electricity on the consumer side or changes the pattern of electricity supplied from the consumer side to the power grid in response to a request from the power company to the consumer side.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a supply and demand adjustment device used in demand response, which adjusts electricity demand by paying electricity consumers. In this supply and demand adjustment device, the profit for incentives for implementing demand response is calculated, and the command amount for the consumer to adjust electricity supply and demand is calculated based on the incentive that provides the largest profit out of the profits for the incentives. This makes it possible to determine the amount of electricity to be adjusted by demand response, the amount of market procurement, and the amount of market sales that are economically optimal for the energy supplier.

JP 2017-146761 A

In the demand response supply and demand adjustment device of Patent Document 1, the interests of the energy supplier are given top priority, and electricity supply and demand of consumers is adjusted through demand response. In this supply and demand adjustment device, no consideration is given to the compensation given to consumers by the energy supplier. In order to spread demand response to more consumers on an ongoing basis, it is necessary to consider the compensation given to consumers as well.

The present invention was made in consideration of these issues, and aims to provide a demand response system that can ensure the benefits of both retail electricity companies and service users, and contribute to the continued spread of this system.

One aspect of the present invention is
A demand response system for adjusting power supply and demand by an electricity retailer in response to a request for participation in a demand response from a service server managed by the electricity retailer to a plurality of service users and a participation record indicating that the plurality of service users have actually participated in the demand response in response to the participation request, the system comprising:
a participation record recording unit that records the participation records of the plurality of service users for each of the service users;
The demand response system includes a reward change unit that changes the reward given by the retail electricity supplier to each service user who participates in the demand response, in accordance with the participation history recorded for each service user by the participation history recording unit.
The demand response system of the above aspect has any one of the following configurations (1) to (4).
・Configuration (1)
The participation record recording unit is configured to record, for each of the service users, a difference occurring in the participation records of the service users when the rewards given to the service users are changed;
The reward change unit is configured to determine whether to change or maintain the reward for each of the service users based on whether the participation record of each of the service users at the time the reward was changed has changed beyond a standard change rate.
・Configuration (2)
the participation record recording unit is configured to record, for each of the service users, whether or not the participation records of the service users have decreased when the rewards given to the service users are reduced;
The reward change unit is configured to increase or maintain the reward for the service user whose participation history when the reward is lowered has fallen beyond a standard change rate, and to maintain or lower the reward for the service user whose participation history when the reward is lowered is within a standard change rate.
・Configuration (3)
The reward change unit is configured to increase the reward in intermediate periods excluding summer and winter for the service users who have a high participation record recorded for each service user in summer or winter.
・Configuration (4)
The remuneration change unit is configured to increase the remuneration for the service user whose participation record recorded by the participation record recording unit shows a downward trend.

The demand response system of the above embodiment is designed to record the participation record of the demand response for each service user and change the reward given to each service user. Specifically, the participation record recording unit records the participation record of multiple service users in the demand response for each service user. Then, the reward changing unit changes the reward given by the electricity retailer to the service users who participated in the demand response for each service user according to the participation record recorded for each service user.

This change in compensation can appropriately maintain service users' motivation to participate in demand response. Therefore, according to the demand response system of the above embodiment, it is possible to ensure the interests of both the retail electricity supplier and the service users, and contribute to the continued spread of demand response.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a demand response system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the electrical configuration of the demand response system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a time configuration of the demand response system according to the first embodiment. 11 is a graph showing how the participation record changes when the participation fee is reduced for households 1 and 2 as service users according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method of the demand response system according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing a demand response routine of FIG. 5 according to the first embodiment. An explanatory list showing the demand response profits, participation fees, and carried-over profits in summer and winter for households 1 to 3 as service users in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method of a demand response system according to a second embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method of a demand response system according to a third embodiment.

A preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned demand response system will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Embodiment 1>
As shown in FIG. 1 , the demand response system 1 of this embodiment adjusts the supply and demand of electricity by the retail electricity supplier M in response to a demand response participation request Y1 sent from a service server 2 managed by the retail electricity supplier M to a plurality of service users N, and a participation record S indicating that the plurality of service users N actually participated in the demand response in response to the participation request Y1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the demand response system 1 includes a participation record recording unit 22 and a remuneration change unit 25. The participation record recording unit 22 is configured to record the participation records S of multiple service users N for each service user N. The remuneration change unit 25 is configured to change the remuneration (referred to as participation remuneration H) given by the electricity retailer M to each service user N who participates in the demand response, according to the participation records S recorded for each service user N by the participation record recording unit 22.

The demand response system 1 of this embodiment will be described in detail below.
(Demand response system 1)
As shown in Fig. 1, the demand response system 1 of this embodiment is used for adjusting the supply and demand of electricity based on a contract concluded between a retail electricity business operator M that operates a retail electricity business and multiple service users N who are electricity consumers. The demand response system 1 adjusts the supply and demand of electricity by communicating between a service server 2 managed by the retail electricity business operator M and a terminal 3 owned or used by each service user N.

The demand response service server 2 is configured with a computer or the like managed by the retail electricity supplier M. The service server 2 may be constructed using the cloud (cloud computing). The service server 2 is communicatively connected to terminals 3, such as personal computers and smartphones, owned or used by multiple service users N, via various networks such as the Internet.

In FIG. 1, various electric power devices owned or used by multiple consumers who become service users N are indicated by reference numeral 32, and devices that store, generate, etc. are indicated by reference numeral 33. The electric power devices 32 and the devices that store and generate electricity 33 are communicatively connected to a smart meter 31 that measures electricity, and are electrically connected to the power grid 10. The service server 2 may be constructed separately into an operation server that operates the demand response, and a reward determination server that manages the participation reward H of the service users N.

Demand response is a mechanism for adjusting the balance between supply and demand of electricity P, including restricting the use of electricity P by consumers and adjusting the amount of electricity P supplied from consumers to the electricity market.

The demand response system 1 is capable of adjusting the power P supplied from the power grid 10 to the service user N, and adjusting the power P supplied to the power grid 10 from solar power generation, storage batteries, batteries for driving electric vehicles (EVs), fuel cells, etc. owned or used by the service user N.

Demand response is used to suppress the power P supplied from the power system 10 to the service user N, suppress the supply of power P from the power system 10 to a storage battery owned or used by the service user N or a battery for driving an electric vehicle, and supply power P from a storage battery owned or used by the service user N, a battery for driving an electric vehicle, a fuel cell, etc. to the power system 10.

Demand response may also be used to meet the power demand of service user N by discharging electricity from storage batteries, batteries for running electric vehicles, fuel cells, etc., instead of transmitting electricity from the power grid 10, to charge (absorb) surplus electricity generated by solar power generation, etc., into storage batteries, batteries for running electric vehicles, etc., and to utilize storage batteries, batteries for running electric vehicles, etc., to shift the peak of power supply and demand.

As shown in FIG. 2, the demand response system 1 includes a participation reservation acquisition unit 21, a participation record recording unit 22, a power adjustment estimation unit 23, a remuneration determination unit 24, and a remuneration change unit 25. The demand response system 1 confirms the intention of the service user N to participate in the demand response by the participation reservation acquisition unit 21, records the participation record S of the service user N by the participation record recording unit 22, and estimates the amount of power adjustment Pt by the service user N by the power adjustment estimation unit 23. In addition, the demand response system 1 determines a participation remuneration H for participation in the demand response for each service user N by the remuneration determination unit 24, and changes the participation remuneration H for participation in the demand response for each service user N by the remuneration change unit 25.

The participation reservation acquisition unit 21, the participation record recording unit 22, the power adjustment estimation unit 23, the remuneration determination unit 24, and the remuneration change unit 25 are constructed in software within the service server 2 operated or used by the retail electricity supplier M. A portion of each of the participation reservation acquisition unit 21, the participation record recording unit 22, the power adjustment estimation unit 23, the remuneration determination unit 24, and the remuneration change unit 25 may be constructed in an application or the like of a terminal 3 used by the service user N that cooperates with the software within the service server 2.

In general, the participation reward H paid to a service user N in response to participation in a demand response is either given uniformly to service users N who achieve a predetermined target value, or given as a reward multiplied by a common reward conversion coefficient to all service users N depending on the degree of achievement of each service user's goal, or given uniformly to service users N who have declared their participation. The reward conversion coefficient is set as a specific percentage of profits, etc. Meanwhile, the appropriate way of managing the demand response participation reward H, the frequency of issuing demand response notifications, etc., differs depending on the household characteristics, etc. of each service user N. In this embodiment of the demand response system 1, the participation reward H or reward conversion coefficient is made different for each service user N, so that it is beneficial for both the retail electricity supplier M and the service user N.

(Participation reservation acquisition unit 21)
2 and 3, the participation reservation acquisition unit 21 is configured to acquire participation reservations Y2 for participating in a demand response at participation request date and time T3 from the service server 2 to the multiple service users N, based on electronic declarations from the terminals 3 of the multiple service users N. The service server 2 issues a participation request Y1 for a demand response at a predetermined participation request date and time T3 to the multiple service users N via the Internet or the like. The service user N makes an electronic declaration for participating in the demand response at the participation request date and time T3 via the Internet or the like. The participation reservation acquisition unit 21 accepts the electronic declaration of the participation reservation Y2 from the terminal 3 of the service user N. The participation reservation acquisition unit 21 may acquire a flag of 1 when there is a participation reservation Y2, and a flag of 0 when there is no participation reservation Y2.

The participation reservation acquisition unit 21 is configured to acquire a participation reservation Y2 before a participation reservation acquisition time T1, which is several hours or more before the participation request date and time T3. The participation reservation acquisition time T1 may be, for example, before 8:00 a.m. on the day before the participation request date and time T3. The service server 2 accepts a participation reservation Y2 for demand response by the participation reservation acquisition time T1, and estimates the power adjustment amount Pt for power supply and demand adjustment by the participation request date and time T3.

(Participation record recording unit 22)
2 and 3, the participation record recording unit 22 is configured to monitor and record the participation record S of actual participation in a demand response at a participation request date and time T3 for each service user N. The participation record recording unit 22 records a demand response participation reservation Y2 that was previously electronically reported by a plurality of service users N for a past confirmation time T0, and the participation record S of actual participation in a demand response at the participation request date and time T3 when the past participation reservation Y2 was made.

The participation record recording unit 22 may store, for each service user N, the percentage of those who actually participated in the demand response in response to the demand response participation request Y1 as a participation rate as a participation record S. In addition, the participation record recording unit 22 may store, for each service user N, the amount of power adjustment Pt as a participation record S, how much the service user cooperated in power adjustment in response to the demand response participation request Y1 from the service server 2.

In other words, the participation record recording unit 22 tally up, for each service user N, the extent to which participation was actually achieved in accordance with participation reservations Y2 made in the past as participation records S for each service user N. The participation record recording unit 22 tally up and accumulates the participation records S for each participation request date and time T3 after the electricity supply and demand adjustment based on demand response is completed for each service user N.

The participation record recording unit 22 in this embodiment is configured to record, for each service user N, differences that occur in the participation record S of multiple service users N when the participation remuneration H given to the multiple service users N is changed. Some service users N place importance on the amount of the participation remuneration H obtained by participating in demand response, and their willingness to participate in demand response may change depending on the amount of the participation remuneration H. The nature of such service users N can be estimated from the change in the participation record S that occurs after the amount of the participation remuneration H is changed. Then, depending on the nature of each service user N, it can be determined whether the participation remuneration H of each service user N is changed or maintained by the remuneration changing unit 25.

More specifically, the participation record recording unit 22 in this embodiment is configured to record, for each service user N, whether or not the participation record S of the multiple service users N has decreased when the participation reward H given to the multiple service users N is reduced. A service user N whose participation record S decreases when the participation reward H obtained by participating in demand response is reduced is presumed to have a tendency to lose motivation to participate in demand response when the participation reward H is reduced. The participation record recording unit 22 then records the characteristic of this service user N, and this is used to determine whether or not the participation reward H should be changed by the reward changing unit 25.

As shown in FIG. 2, the power consumption Ps consumed by a consumer who is a service user N is measured by a smart meter 31. The power consumption Ps is transmitted to the service server 2 via the smart meter 31. The participation record S of each service user N in the demand response is calculated based on the power consumption Ps transmitted from the smart meter 31 to the service server 2. The smart meter 31 refers to a power meter that counts the power consumption Ps at shorter intervals than conventional meters and transmits it to the service server 2.

(Power adjustment estimation unit 23)
2, the power adjustment estimation unit 23 is configured to estimate a power adjustment amount Pt to be utilized for demand response based on a participation reservation Y2 for each service user N. The power adjustment amount Pt may be estimated based on, for example, the number of participation reservations Y2 made by a plurality of service users N, an actual estimated response ratio to the participation reservations Y2, and an available power adjustment capacity of each service user N who has made a participation reservation Y2. The available power adjustment capacity is determined for each service user N based on, for example, a response record for past demand responses as a capacity at which power usage can be suppressed or a capacity at which power can be supplied.

The service server 2 of this embodiment performs a demand response to suppress the amount of power supplied to the service user N from the power system 10, mainly to suppress peaks in power usage. The power adjustment amount Pt of this embodiment is estimated as the amount of power usage suppression based on the total power adjustment possible capacity of the service user N who made a participation reservation Y2 in the demand response and the actual estimated response ratio for the participation reservation Y2. As shown in FIG. 3, the power adjustment estimation unit 23 estimates the power adjustment amount Pt at an estimation time T2 that is later than the participation reservation acquisition time T1 and earlier than the participation request date and time T3.

(Remuneration Determination Unit 24)
As shown in Fig. 2, the remuneration determination unit 24 is configured to determine a participation remuneration H to be paid to the service users N who participate in the demand response. The remuneration determination unit 24 may set the same participation remuneration H for all service users N based on information such as the price from the Japan Electric Power Exchange (JEPX), the electricity selling price of the retail electricity supplier M, weather conditions, season, time period, day of the week on a calendar, and whether or not there is an event. In addition, the participation remuneration H to be paid may be set to a different amount for each service user N based on information such as the age, living arrangement, age of the building, and household characteristics of each service user N, such as weather conditions, season, time period, day of the week on a calendar, and whether or not there is an event, and response sensitivity to each of these pieces of information.

When the remuneration determination unit 24 determines the initial participation remuneration H for each service user N, it may use a user type based on the household characteristics of each service user N, such as the age group, living arrangement, age of the building, and residential area. A plurality of user types are set as groups of households with similar household characteristics. The remuneration determination unit 24 can group service users N who already have a contract to participate in demand response, service users N who will newly enter into a contract to participate in demand response, etc., according to user type and determine the participation remuneration H.

It is important that the amount of the demand response participation fee H be set appropriately in order to continually secure service users N who participate in demand response, and for the retail electricity business M to continually operate and provide the demand response service. When determining the demand response participation fee H, which differs for each service user N, it is possible to take into account the possibility of service user N's participation in demand response, the response amount (power adjustment amount Pt), etc., by referring to various information that affects service user N's participation record (response result) S, such as weather conditions, season, time of day, calendar day of the week, and the presence or absence of events. Based on each of this information, it is possible to estimate how much power P service user N is likely to use at home.

The participation fee H for demand response is generally determined based on the price set by the wholesale electricity exchange (JEPX) and the imbalance fee that arises when the target for adjusting electricity supply and demand cannot be achieved. In this case, the participation fee H is determined based on the supply and demand balance and does not directly affect the willingness of service user N to participate in demand response. This is because it is difficult to imagine that service user N will be conscious of the price set by the wholesale electricity exchange.

On the other hand, the participation reward H for the demand response of this embodiment is changed as appropriate, taking into consideration the environment in which the service user N is placed, the characteristics of the service user N, etc. This method of determining the participation reward H promotes the willingness of the service user N to participate in the demand response.

(Remuneration Change Unit 25)
2, the reward change unit 25 is configured to change the participation reward H of the demand response for each service user N determined by the reward determination unit 24. The reward change unit 25 in this embodiment is configured to determine whether to change or maintain the participation reward H of each service user N based on whether the participation record S of each service user N when the participation reward H is changed has changed beyond the reference change rate ΔXr.

Figure 4 shows how the participation record S changes when the participation reward H is reduced for households 1 and 2, which are service users N with different characteristics. For household 1, when the participation reward H is reduced by a specified amount, the change ΔX1 in the participation record S falls beyond the standard change rate ΔXr. On the other hand, for household 2, even when the participation reward H is reduced by a specified amount, the change ΔX2 in the participation record S is within the standard change rate ΔXr.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reward change unit 25 in this embodiment maintains the participation reward H for household 1 as a service user N whose participation record S, stored in the participation record recording unit 22 when the participation reward H was reduced from the base reward to the reduced reward, has decreased by more than the base change rate ΔXr. It is presumed that household 1 has a tendency to lose motivation to participate in demand response when the participation reward H is reduced. By maintaining the participation reward H obtained by participating in demand response for this household 1, the motivation to participate in demand response is not lost.

Meanwhile, the reward modification unit 25 in this embodiment reduces the participation reward H for household 2 as a service user N whose participation record S when the participation reward H is reduced from the standard reward to the reduced reward, as stored in the participation record recording unit 22, is within the standard change rate ΔXr. It is presumed that household 2 has a nature that does not lose motivation to participate in demand response even if the participation reward H is reduced. It is considered that this household 2 will not lose motivation to participate in demand response even if the participation reward H obtained by participating in demand response is reduced.

In this way, by confirming the nature of service user N by changing the participation fee H, the participation fee H paid by the electricity retailer M to the service user N can be appropriately suppressed, thereby increasing the profits of the electricity retailer M that performs the demand response, and allowing the demand response service to be continued to be provided to the service user N. In addition, it is possible to ensure that each service user N does not lose their motivation to participate in demand response, and to encourage many service users N to continue participating in demand response.

The participation record S may be the participation rate in demand response or the power adjustment amount Pt of the demand response for each service user N. The reference rate of change ΔXr may be, for example, a case where the change in the participation record S from before the change in the participation reward H to after the change is 20%, 30%, 40%, etc.

In the reward modification unit 25, how to modify the participation reward H is important. When determining the amount by which to modify the participation reward H, the expected participation rate of the service user N in the demand response, the amount of power saving obtained by the demand response (power adjustment amount Pt), etc. are taken into consideration. The amount by which the participation reward H is modified by the reward modification unit 25 may be different for each group of the user types described above.

In the reward modification unit 25, a lower limit of the participation reward H for demand response, in other words, the amount of the participation reward H that cannot be reduced any further, is set as a safety measure to not lose the desire to participate in demand response. The lower limit of the participation reward H may be set based on the wholesale electricity market price, imbalance fee, etc., or may be clearly indicated to the service user N as a specified value. The lower limit of the participation reward H may also be set as a value obtained by multiplying the average value of the participation reward H by a predetermined coefficient.

The reward modification unit 25 may set an upper limit value for the participation reward H in the same way as it sets a lower limit value for the participation reward H. The upper limit value for the participation reward H can be set in the same way as the lower limit value. Furthermore, the reward determination unit 24 and the reward modification unit 25 set the lower limit value and the upper limit value for the participation reward H so that the difference in the participation reward H between service users N is within a predetermined range. This configuration prevents extreme unfairness from occurring between service users N.

(Other configurations of the remuneration change unit 25)
The reward change unit 25 can change the participation reward H of the demand response by various configurations. For example, the reward change unit 25 may increase the participation reward H for a service user N whose participation record S stored in the participation record recording unit 22 when the participation reward H was lowered has decreased by more than the reference change rate ΔXr. In this case, the reward change unit 25 may maintain the participation reward H for a service user N whose participation record S stored in the participation record recording unit 22 when the participation reward H was lowered is within the reference change rate ΔXr.

(Other Configurations of Service Server 2)
Furthermore, the demand response service server 2 may determine and operate the participation remuneration H of each service user N according to household characteristics, etc., and may issue the participation request Y1 to only specific service users N in the demand response. For example, the service server 2 may issue the participation request Y1 only to service users N who are likely to participate in the demand response even if the level of the participation remuneration H is low. In this case, particularly when the service server 2 is likely to secure the required power adjustment amount Pt only by the service users N who participate in the demand response even if the level of the participation remuneration H is low, it is not necessary to issue the participation request Y1 to service users N who are expected not to participate in the demand response unless the level of the participation remuneration H is high. Furthermore, the service server 2 may issue the participation request Y1 preferentially to service users N who are expected to make a participation reservation Y1 even if the level of the participation remuneration H is lower.

(Control method of demand response system 1)
Next, an example of a control method of the demand response system 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. The participation remuneration H of the demand response is determined by the remuneration determination unit 24, and then changed by the remuneration change unit 25. First, a demand response is performed for each service user N when the participation remuneration H is appropriately changed, data on the participation record S of the demand response is accumulated, and the characteristics of each service user N are grasped (step S101). Specifically, when performing a demand response, the participation remuneration H of each service user N is gradually lowered by the remuneration change unit 25, and the way in which the participation record S decreases at that time is monitored, and the relationship between the participation remuneration H and the participation record S for each service user N (see FIG. 4) is obtained.

Next, the reward determination unit 24 determines a standard participation reward H for the multiple service users N, based on the characteristics of the multiple service users N, for which the participation record S is not expected to decrease significantly (step S102). Furthermore, the reward modification unit 25 sets a participation reward H lower than the standard participation reward H for a specific service user N for which it is determined that the participation record S is unlikely to decrease even if the participation reward H decreases (step S103).

Next, a predetermined number of demand responses are performed to confirm the change in the participation record S (steps S104 and S105). The content of this demand response will be described later. Next, after the predetermined number of demand responses have been performed, it is determined whether the participation record S has decreased by a predetermined value or more for a specific service user N to which a low participation reward H has been set (step S106).

Then, the reward change unit 25 maintains the participation reward H for the service user N whose participation record S has fallen by a predetermined value or more (step S107). This prevents this service user N from losing any more motivation to participate in demand response. Furthermore, the reward change unit 25 may change the participation reward H back from the low participation reward H to the standard participation reward H for the service user N whose participation record S has fallen by a predetermined value or more. This prevents this service user N from losing motivation to participate in demand response.

On the other hand, the reward change unit 25 further reduces the participation reward H for service users N whose participation record S has not decreased by more than the predetermined value (step S108). For these service users N, it is considered that the reduction in the participation reward H will not have much impact on their willingness to participate in demand response.

Even after a predetermined number of demand responses have been performed, the accumulation of participation record S and review of participation remuneration H are carried out as appropriate. By maintaining or lowering the participation remuneration H in this manner by the remuneration change unit 25, it is possible to increase the profits of the electricity retailer M while appropriately preventing service user N from ceasing to participate in demand response. This makes it possible to continue providing demand response services to service user N, who can continually obtain the participation remuneration H.

The demand response routine (demand response routine) of step S104 will be briefly described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6. When demand response is implemented, the service server 2 of the retail electricity supplier M issues a participation request Y1 to multiple service users N to ask whether or not they will participate in the demand response at a specific participation request date and time T3 (step S141). The service server 2 then determines whether or not each service user N has made an electronic declaration of participation reservation Y2, and accepts the electronic declaration of this participation reservation Y2 (step S142). When each service user N has made an electronic declaration of participation reservation Y2, the service server 2 acquires the participation reservation Y2 at the participation request date and time T3 from each service user N via the participation reservation acquisition unit 21 (step S143).

Next, the service server 2 repeatedly executes steps S142 and S143 until the participation reservation acquisition time T1, which is at least several hours before the participation request date and time T3, has passed (step S144). Then, when the participation reservation acquisition time T1 has passed, the service server 2 estimates the power adjustment amount Pt to be used for the demand response based on the participation reservations Y2 of multiple service users N using the power adjustment estimation unit 23 (step S145). Next, the service server 2 records the participation record S of each service user N who participated in the demand response using the participation record recording unit 22 (step S146).

(Action and Effect)
The demand response system 1 of this embodiment records the demand response participation record S for each service user N, and changes the demand response participation reward H appropriately for each service user N. A difference in the participation reward H is a factor that changes the willingness of at least a specific service user N to participate in demand response. Then, by determining the nature of each service user N participating in demand response, the participation reward H can be maintained or changed for each service user N.

By maintaining and changing this participation reward H, the motivation of service users N to participate in demand response can be appropriately maintained. Therefore, according to this embodiment of the demand response system 1, the interests of both the retail electricity supplier M and the service users N can be secured, and the demand response system 1 can contribute to the continued spread of demand response.

<Embodiment 2>
This embodiment shows the configuration of the reward change unit 25 that improves the participation reward H in the intermediate period. The reward change unit 25 may be configured to increase the participation reward H in the intermediate period excluding summer and winter for a service user N whose participation record S recorded for each service user N in summer or winter is relatively high. Whether the participation record S is high or not may be determined based on whether it is higher than a specific reference value.

Summer and winter are times when cooling or heating is necessary, when the demand for electricity P is tight, and when there is a high possibility that wholesale electricity market prices will soar. In these summer and winter seasons, requests Y1 to participate in demand response may be made frequently to suppress peaks in electricity demand. The summer season may be, for example, from June or July to August or September, and the winter season may be, for example, from December to February of the following year.

On the other hand, in intermediate periods such as spring and autumn, the demand for electricity P decreases, and requests Y1 to participate in demand response are less likely to be made. As a result, there is a risk that service users N will lose interest in making participation reservations Y2, or that service users N will forget about the existence of demand response. In this case, the participation record S (participation rate, power adjustment amount Pt, etc.) of each service user N in intermediate periods will decrease, and there is a risk that the participation record S in demand response will decrease even in summer and winter, when participation in demand response is most needed.

To address this concern, it is conceivable that retail electricity supplier M could carry out demand response during intermediate periods, regardless of the need to reduce electricity demand. However, it is conceivable that carrying out demand response during intermediate periods when the electricity market price is relatively low would result in economic losses for retail electricity supplier M. Furthermore, if the participation fee H for demand response were determined based on the electricity market price, it would be at an extremely low level, which could result in a decline in the profits of service user N. Therefore, it is conceivable to reserve the profits gained from demand response during the summer and winter seasons, and use these reserved profits during intermediate periods.

Specifically, for service users N whose participation record S in summer or winter is relatively high (higher than the reference value), the participation remuneration H for the intermediate period is increased. On the other hand, for service users N whose participation record S in summer or winter is relatively low (below the reference value), the participation remuneration H for the intermediate period is maintained. With this configuration, the number of participation reservations Y2 and the power adjustment amount Pt of service users N for demand response in the intermediate period can be appropriately secured while ensuring the economic rationality of the retail electricity supplier M. The amount of increase in the participation remuneration H to be raised in the intermediate period may be determined by adding a portion of the profit generated by the retail electricity supplier M in summer or winter for each service user N to the normal participation remuneration H for each service user N.

A service user N who generates profits from demand response in the summer or winter is a service user N who is willing to participate in demand response, and from the perspective of the electricity retailer M, is a service user N who is desired to continue participating in demand response. By increasing the participation fee H in the intermediate period, it is possible to increase the possibility that a good service user N will continue to participate in demand response. This makes it possible to increase the profits for both the electricity retailer M and the service user N.

Figure 7 shows, for households 1 to 3 as service users N, the profits that electricity retailer M earned through demand response in the summer or winter, the participation fee H paid by electricity retailer M to service user N for participating in demand response in the summer or winter, and the carried-over profit carried over from the summer or winter to the intermediate period. The carried-over profit is the remainder after deducting the participation fee H from the profits of the electricity retailer. The carried-over profit reflects the participation record S for each service user N, and is the source of funds for whether or not the participation fee H can be increased for service user N in the intermediate period.

In this case, for example, the standard value of the carried-over profit reflecting the participation record S for households 1 to 3 is set to 600. At this time, for household 1, the carried-over profit is 300, so the reward modification unit 25 cannot increase the participation reward H for the mid-term and maintains it. On the other hand, for households 2 and 3, the carried-over profit is 1,400,800, so the reward modification unit 25 can increase the participation reward H for the mid-term.

(Control method of demand response system 1)
An example of a control method of the demand response system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 8. The participation reward H of the demand response is determined by the reward determination unit 24. Steps S201 and S202 are similar to steps S101 and S102 of the first embodiment.

Next, the service server 2 repeats the demand response until a predetermined period of time during which the summer or winter season has passed (steps S203 to S205). The specific content of the demand response in step S203 is the same as that in step S104 in FIG. 5 (steps S141 to S146 in FIG. 6) in embodiment 1. Next, when the predetermined period of time has passed, the service server 2 calculates the carryover profit for the summer or winter season for each service user N (step S206).

Next, the service server 2 determines whether the carryover profit for the summer or winter of each service user is higher than the reference value (step S207). Next, the reward modification unit 25 increases the participation reward H for the intermediate period for a service user N whose carryover profit for the summer or winter is higher than the reference value (step S208). Since the carryover profit for this service user N is secured in the summer or winter, a portion of this carryover profit can be returned in the intermediate period.

On the other hand, for service user N whose carryover profit for the summer or winter period is below the reference value, the reward modification unit 25 maintains the participation reward H for the intermediate period (step S209). For this service user N, since the carryover profit is not sufficiently secured in the summer or winter period, it is not possible to refund part of this carryover profit in the intermediate period.

By raising and maintaining the participation remuneration H in this way using the remuneration change unit 25, it is possible to increase the profits of the electricity retailer M while appropriately maintaining the willingness of service users N to participate in demand response. The intermediate period is a time when it is not very rational for the electricity retailer M to request a demand response. Therefore, the intermediate period is also a time when there is a risk that the electricity retailer M will no longer make a request Y1 to participate in demand response. To address this issue, by introducing a mechanism that improves the participation remuneration H in the intermediate period of this embodiment, it is possible to achieve both the economic rationality of the electricity retailer M and the continuity of demand response.

Other configurations, actions, and effects of the demand response system 1 of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, components that are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

<Embodiment 3>
This embodiment shows the configuration of the reward change unit 25 with a different devise of the participation reward H from the embodiments 1 and 2. The reward change unit 25 of this embodiment is configured to increase the participation reward H for a service user N whose participation record S recorded by the participation record recording unit 22 has exceeded a predetermined reference value and is on a downward trend. On the other hand, the reward change unit 25 is configured to maintain the participation reward H for a service user N whose participation record S has not exceeded a predetermined reference value and is on a downward trend.

If demand response is continued without any special measures being taken to improve the participation reward H, there is a concern that service users N participating in the demand response will become bored, and the participation rate as measured by the participation record S will decrease. It is assumed that service users N whose participation record S as measured by the participation record recording unit 22 is on a downward trend are losing their motivation to participate in demand response for some reason.

Therefore, for service users N who have lost interest in participating, it is possible to temporarily increase the participation reward H for demand response to stimulate their interest in participating in demand response. In this case, the increase in the participation reward H may be allocated to a portion of the profits generated by the retail electricity supplier M through past demand response for multiple service users N.

In addition, the service user N for which the participation remuneration H is temporarily increased may be a service user N with a relatively high participation record S in the summer or winter. From the perspective of the electricity retailer M, a service user N with a relatively high participation record S in the summer or winter is someone who the electricity retailer M would like to continue participating in demand response, which can increase the benefits for both the electricity retailer M and the service user N.

(Control method of demand response system 1)
An example of a control method of the demand response system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 9. The participation reward H of the demand response is determined by the reward determination unit 24. Steps S301 and S302 are similar to steps S101 and S102 of the first embodiment.

The service server 2 then repeats the demand response until a predetermined period has elapsed during which a demand response has been performed enough times to tally up the participation record S (steps S303 to S305). The specific content of the demand response in step S303 is similar to that in step S104 in FIG. 5 (steps S141 to S146 in FIG. 6) in embodiment 1. Next, when the predetermined period has elapsed, the service server 2 calculates the profit of the demand response according to the participation record S of each service user N (step S306).

Next, the service server 2 determines whether the participation record S of each service user exceeds a predetermined reference value and is on a downward trend (step S307). Next, for each service user whose participation record S exceeds a predetermined reference value and is on a downward trend, the service server 2 determines whether the profit from demand response is higher than the reference value (step S308).

Next, the reward modification unit 25 increases the participation reward H for the service user N whose profit from the demand response is higher than the reference value (step S309). Since the profit from the demand response for this service user N is secured for a specified period, a part of this profit can be returned.

On the other hand, the reward modification unit 25 maintains the participation reward H for a service user N whose profit from demand response is below the reference value (step S310). For this service user N, the profit from demand response in the specified period has not been sufficiently secured, so a part of this profit cannot be returned. Also, in step S307, the service server 2 maintains the participation reward H for each service user whose participation record S has exceeded the specified reference value and is not showing a downward trend (step S310).

By raising and maintaining the participation remuneration H in this manner using the remuneration change unit 25, it is possible to increase the profits of the retail electricity supplier M while appropriately maintaining the willingness of the service users N to participate in demand response. Note that the control method of the demand response system 1 described in this embodiment is just one example, and there may be cases where this does not apply.

Other configurations, actions, and effects of the demand response system 1 of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, components that are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

The configurations of the reward modification unit 25 and other components of the demand response system 1 of embodiments 1 to 3 can be implemented in appropriate combinations.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and further different embodiments can be constructed without departing from the gist of the invention. The present invention also includes various modifications, modifications within the scope of equivalents, etc.

Reference Signs List 1 Demand response system 2 Service server 21 Participation reservation acquisition unit 22 Participation record recording unit 23 Power adjustment estimation unit 24 Remuneration determination unit 25 Remuneration change unit 3 Terminal 31 Smart meter M Electricity retailer N Service user Y1 Participation request Y2 Participation reservation S Participation record H Participation remuneration P Power Pt Power adjustment amount

Claims (4)

A demand response system for adjusting power supply and demand by an electricity retailer in response to a request for participation in a demand response from a service server managed by the electricity retailer to a plurality of service users and a participation record indicating that the plurality of service users have actually participated in the demand response in response to the participation request, the system comprising:
a participation record recording unit that records the participation records of the plurality of service users for each of the service users;
a reward change unit that changes a reward given by the electricity retailer to each of the service users who participate in the demand response in accordance with the participation record recorded for each of the service users by the participation record recording unit ,
The participation record recording unit is configured to record, for each of the service users, a difference occurring in the participation records of the service users when the rewards given to the service users are changed;
A demand response system, wherein the reward change unit is configured to determine whether to change or maintain the reward of each of the service users based on whether the participation history of each of the service users at the time the reward is changed has changed beyond a standard change rate . A demand response system for adjusting power supply and demand by an electricity retailer in response to a request for participation in a demand response from a service server managed by the electricity retailer to a plurality of service users and a participation record indicating that the plurality of service users have actually participated in the demand response in response to the participation request, the system comprising:
a participation record recording unit that records the participation records of the plurality of service users for each of the service users;
a reward change unit that changes a reward given by the electricity retailer to each of the service users who participate in the demand response in accordance with the participation record recorded for each of the service users by the participation record recording unit ,
the participation record recording unit is configured to record, for each of the service users, whether or not the participation records of the service users have decreased when the rewards given to the service users are reduced;
A demand response system, wherein the reward change unit is configured to increase or maintain the reward for the service user whose participation history when the reward is lowered has fallen beyond a standard change rate, and to maintain or lower the reward for the service user whose participation history when the reward is lowered is within a standard change rate . A demand response system for adjusting power supply and demand by an electricity retailer in response to a request for participation in a demand response from a service server managed by the electricity retailer to a plurality of service users and a participation record indicating that the plurality of service users have actually participated in the demand response in response to the participation request, the system comprising:
a participation record recording unit that records the participation records of the plurality of service users for each of the service users;
a reward change unit that changes a reward given by the electricity retailer to each of the service users who participate in the demand response in accordance with the participation record recorded for each of the service users by the participation record recording unit ,
A demand response system, wherein the reward change unit is configured to increase the reward in intermediate periods excluding summer and winter for service users who have a high participation history recorded for each service user in summer or winter . A demand response system for adjusting power supply and demand by an electricity retailer in response to a request for participation in a demand response from a service server managed by the electricity retailer to a plurality of service users and a participation record indicating that the plurality of service users have actually participated in the demand response in response to the participation request, the system comprising:
a participation record recording unit that records the participation records of the plurality of service users for each of the service users;
a reward change unit that changes a reward given by the electricity retailer to each of the service users who participate in the demand response in accordance with the participation record recorded for each of the service users by the participation record recording unit ,
A demand response system , wherein the reward change unit is configured to increase the reward for the service user whose participation record recorded by the participation record recording unit is showing a downward trend.

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