Vehicle, power adjustment system, and power device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle, a power adjustment system, and a power device. The vehicle includes a portal, a main storage battery, an auxiliary storage battery, and a communication device. The main storage battery is charged with power received by the portal. The auxiliary storage battery is configured to be chargeable with power of the main storage battery. The communication device communicates with the power device using power of the auxiliary storage battery. The main storage battery is charged with small power in a case where the vehicle does not participate in demand response and an SOC of the main storage battery is less than a threshold value when the portal is connected to the power device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to vehicles, power regulation systems, and power equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-156149 discloses an electricity (power) control system. The power control system controls the balance of electricity supply and demand in a power grid through demand response (DR). DR is a method of requesting power adjustment resources from consumers to change (e.g., increase) electricity demand. Power adjustment resources include vehicles equipped with energy storage devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The vehicle is capable of receiving power from electrical equipment connected to the power grid. Generally, the vehicle is equipped with a communication device that uses power from the vehicle's auxiliary energy storage system to communicate with the electrical equipment.

[0004] Even if the auxiliary power storage device's power decreases, it can still charge the auxiliary power storage device if the vehicle's driving power storage device has a high State of Charge (SOC). Conversely, if the driving power storage device's SOC is low, it can sometimes be difficult to charge the auxiliary power storage device from it. Therefore, when the auxiliary power storage device runs out of power, the aforementioned communication devices will cease to function. Consequently, communication between the vehicle and electrical equipment will be interrupted, preventing the exchange (sending and receiving) of various information between them.

[0005] When vehicles participate in energy regulation such as DR (Device Reduction), they can contribute to the balance of power supply and demand by receiving power from electrical equipment. Conversely, vehicles can also receive power from electrical equipment without participating in energy regulation. In this case, depending on the amount of power supplied, the power supplied from the electrical equipment to the vehicle (the vehicle receiving power) may affect the balance of power supply and demand.

[0006] In this disclosure, even when the vehicle receives power from the electrical equipment without participating in energy adjustment, it is possible to substantially prevent any impact on the balance of power supply and demand, while enabling reliable exchange of various information between the vehicle and the electrical equipment.

[0007] The vehicle disclosed herein is configured to participate in energy regulation for adjusting the balance of power supply and demand in a power grid. The vehicle includes a power receiving device, a first energy storage device, a second energy storage device, and a communication device. The power receiving device is configured to receive power supplied from power equipment connected to the power grid. The first energy storage device is configured to be charged using the power received by the power receiving device. The second energy storage device is connected to the first energy storage device and is configured to be charged using the power supplied by the first energy storage device. The communication device is configured to communicate with the power equipment using the power supplied by the second energy storage device. The first energy storage device is configured to be charged using a small amount of power, less than the power supplied when the vehicle is participating in energy regulation, when the vehicle is not participating in energy regulation and the state of charge (SOC) of the first energy storage device is less than a threshold when the power receiving device is connected to the power equipment.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the first energy storage device is charged using a small amount of power supplied from the power equipment via a power receiving device. This substantially prevents the power supply from the power equipment to the vehicle from affecting the power supply and demand balance. Furthermore, after the first energy storage device's State of Charge (SOC) increases due to continuous charging with a small amount of power, the power from the first energy storage device can be used to charge the second energy storage device. As a result, the communication device can reliably communicate with the power equipment using the power from the second energy storage device.

[0009] In the aforementioned vehicle, the threshold can also be the State of Charge (SOC) of the power consumption required to charge the communication device from the first energy storage device to the second energy storage device.

[0010] The vehicle described above may also include a control device configured to perform charging control processing, which controls the charging of the first energy storage device. The charging control processing may also include: a first charging process, charging the first energy storage device using the small amount of electricity; and a second charging process, charging the first energy storage device using a larger amount of electricity after the first charging process. The communication device may also be configured to complete a communication sequence with the power device after the first charging process to initiate the second charging process. The power consumption required for the operation of the communication device may also be the power consumption required for the communication device to complete the communication sequence.

[0011] The power regulation system disclosed herein may also include a first vehicle as described above and a second vehicle configured to receive power from the power grid and different from the first vehicle. When the second vehicle receives power from the power grid, the power received by the second vehicle when the first energy storage device is charged using the small amount of power may be less than the power received by the second vehicle when the first energy storage device is not charged using the small amount of power.

[0012] The power regulation system disclosed herein may also include a first vehicle as described above and a third vehicle configured to discharge to the power grid, and different from the first vehicle. When the third vehicle discharges power to the power grid, the discharge power of the third vehicle when the first energy storage device is charged using the small amount of power may be greater than the discharge power of the third vehicle when the first energy storage device is not charged using the small amount of power.

[0013] The power equipment disclosed herein can also be configured to supply power to a vehicle. The vehicle can also be configured to be connected to a power grid and to participate in energy regulation for adjusting the power supply and demand balance in the power grid. The vehicle may also include: a power receiving device configured to receive power supplied from the power equipment when connected to it; a first energy storage device configured to charge using the power received by the power receiving device; a second energy storage device connected to the first energy storage device configured to charge using the power of the first energy storage device; and a communication device configured to communicate with the power equipment using the power of the second energy storage device. The power equipment may also include: a power supply device configured to supply the power supplied to the power receiving device when connected to it; and a communication unit configured to obtain the State of Charge (SOC) of the first energy storage device from the vehicle. The first energy storage device may also be configured to charge using a small amount of power, less than the power supplied when the vehicle participates in the energy regulation, when the SOC of the first energy storage device is less than a threshold when the vehicle does not participate in the energy regulation and the power receiving device is connected to the power equipment.

[0014] In the aforementioned power equipment, the threshold can also be the State of Charge (SOC) of the power consumption required to charge the communication device from the first energy storage device to the second energy storage device.

[0015] The aforementioned power equipment may also include a power supply control device configured to perform power supply control processing, which controls the supply of power from the power supply device to the power receiving device. The power supply control processing may also include: a first power supply processing, which supplies power to the power receiving device using the small amount of electricity; and a second power supply processing, which, after the first power supply processing, supplies power to the power receiving device using a larger amount of electricity than the small amount of electricity. The communication device may also be configured to complete a communication sequence with the power equipment after the first power supply processing to initiate the second power supply processing. The power consumption required for the operation of the communication device may also be the power consumption required for the communication device to complete the communication sequence.

[0016] According to this disclosure, even when the vehicle receives power from the electrical equipment without participating in energy regulation, it is possible to substantially prevent any impact on the balance of power supply and demand, while enabling reliable exchange of various information between the vehicle and the electrical equipment. Hereinafter, DR is used as an example of energy regulation. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Hereinafter, the features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the configuration of the power adjustment system according to Embodiment 1.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of electrical equipment and vehicles.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a diagram illustrating the communication sequence performed between a communication device and electrical equipment.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a graph illustrating the change in SOC during micro-charging.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by the vehicle's Electronic Control Unit (ECU).

[0023] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by the control device of an electrical device.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the configuration of the power adjustment system according to Embodiment 2.

[0025] Figure 8It is a diagram showing the shift in the vehicle's received and discharged electrical power. Detailed Implementation

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Parts that are identical or equivalent to each other in the drawings will be labeled with the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0027] [Implementation Method 1]

[0028] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the configuration of the power adjustment system according to Embodiment 1. (As shown...) Figure 1 As shown, the power adjustment system 1 includes a server 10, a server 20, a power grid 40, power equipment 30, and a vehicle 50.

[0029] Server 10 is operated by the power company. Server 10 sends an Adjustment Request Signal (ARS) to Server 20 (described later) requesting adjustments to the power supply and demand balance in the power grid 40. The Adjustment Request Signal (ARS) contains information indicating the power adjustment period and the requested power quantity (RE). The power adjustment period is the period during which the power supply and demand balance is requested to be adjusted. The requested power quantity is the power quantity requested to be adjusted (e.g., increased) during the power adjustment period.

[0030] Server 20 includes a communication device 21, a storage device 22, and a processing device 26. The communication device 21 communicates with external devices of server 20, such as server 10, power equipment 30, and vehicle 50. Storage device 22 includes random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) (neither shown). ROM stores programs used by processing device 26.

[0031] Server 20 is used by the aggregator. Server 20 receives an adjustment request signal (ARS) after successfully winning the right to implement supply and demand balance adjustments in the electricity trading market. Based on the requested power supply (RE), Server 20 calculates the power supply allocated to each power adjustment resource, such as vehicle 50, and requests each resource to participate in the DR (Distribution Response). Server 20 inquires with vehicle 50's users whether vehicle 50 participates in the DR by sending a signal (SG1) to vehicle 50 requesting its participation. As a result, it determines whether vehicle 50 participates in the DR.

[0032] Electrical equipment 30 is connected to power grid 40. Electrical equipment 30 is configured to supply power to vehicle 50 when electrically connected to vehicle 50.

[0033] Vehicle 50 is an electric vehicle equipped with a main battery 34. Vehicle 50 is configured to participate in DR (Power Distribution Reduction) by receiving power from the power supply device 30 (in this example, performing external charging). External charging refers to charging the main battery 34 using power supplied from the power supply device 30. The capacity of the main battery 34 is represented by its State of Charge (SOC). When vehicle 50 participates in DR, it receives (obtains) a power supply request value RV from the server 20. In this case, vehicle 50 performs external charging according to the request value RV during the power adjustment period. The request value RV is determined by the server 20 from the perspective of power supply and demand balance adjustment. Vehicle 50 is also configured to discharge to the power grid 40 via the power supply device 30.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the detailed configuration of the electrical equipment 30 and the vehicle 50. (See diagram for example.) Figure 2 As shown, the power equipment 30 includes a power supply device 32, a communication unit 35, and a control device 36.

[0035] The power supply device 32 includes a connector (plug) 37 and a power conversion device 38. The power conversion device 38 is configured to convert the power supplied from the power grid 40 and supply the converted power to the vehicle 50 via the connector 37. The power supply device 32 supplies power to the inlet 110 when the connector 37 is connected to the inlet 110.

[0036] The communication unit 35 communicates with the vehicle 50, for example, via a Controller Area Network (CAN). The communication unit 35 obtains the SOC (hereinafter also simply referred to as "SOC") of the main battery 34 from the vehicle 50.

[0037] The control device 36 performs power supply control processing via the control communication unit 35 and the power conversion device 38. This processing controls the power supply from the power equipment 30 to the vehicle 50 (access point 110). This processing includes controlling the power conversion device 38 to supply power from the power equipment 30 to the access point 110 corresponding to the command value CMV (described later).

[0038] The vehicle 50 includes an access point 110, a main battery 34, a sensor unit 132, a power conversion device 135, an auxiliary battery 137, a communication device 150, and an ECU 180.

[0039] The inlet 110 is connected to the connector 37. The inlet 110 is configured to receive power from the power equipment 30 when connected to the power equipment 30.

[0040] The main battery 34 stores the electricity used for driving the vehicle 50. The main battery 34 is charged using electricity received from the input port 110. A power conversion device may also be provided between the main battery 34 and the input port 110. The sensor unit 132 detects the voltage, current, and temperature of the main battery 34.

[0041] The power conversion device 135 is configured to perform drain charging, which refers to converting the power from the main battery 34 and using the converted power to charge the auxiliary battery 137. The auxiliary battery 137 is configured to be charged using the power from the main battery 34 through drain charging.

[0042] The communication device 150 communicates with the power equipment 30 via CAN communication, consuming power from the auxiliary battery 137. The communication device 150 and the power equipment 30 transmit and receive a connection signal PISW, which is switched based on whether the interface 110 and connector 37 are connected or not. The communication device 150 is configured to execute a predetermined communication sequence (described later) before external charging.

[0043] ECU 180 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 182 and a memory 184. The memory 184 includes ROM and RAM (neither shown). The ROM stores programs and data executed by the CPU 182. This data includes DR participation / non-participation information 186. The DR participation / non-participation information 186 is set based on the results of the aforementioned query and includes information indicating whether vehicle 50 participates in DR, and, if vehicle 50 participates in DR, information indicating its date and time (during power adjustment period) and requested value RV.

[0044] ECU 180 calculates the State of Charge (SOC) based on the detection value of sensor unit 132. ECU 180 executes external charging control processing, which controls external charging by controlling power conversion device 135 and communication device 150. This processing includes generating a control command CC for controlling power device 30 and sending the control command CC to power device 30 via communication device 150. The control command CC contains a command value CMV for the power supplied from power device 30 to interface 110.

[0045] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the communication sequence performed between the communication device 150 and the power equipment 30. This communication sequence is performed substantially before external charging.

[0046] Reference Figure 3The communication sequence SQ includes sequence SQ1 and sequence SQ2. Sequence SQ1 is the process of exchanging various information (pre-transmitted information) between vehicle 50 and electrical equipment 30, preferably in advance, before external charging begins. The pre-transmitted information includes the specifications of the main battery 34 (maximum charging power, etc.) and the specifications of the electrical equipment 30 (maximum supply power, etc.). The pre-transmitted information is used to protect the main battery 34, the inlet 110, and the electrical equipment 30 from overheating during external charging (i.e., to prevent excessive power from being transferred between them).

[0047] Sequence SQ2 is a process that exchanges the minimum amount of information (minimum information to be transmitted) that needs to be transferred between vehicle 50 and electrical equipment 30 to initiate external charging. This information includes a power supply initiation request from vehicle 50 to electrical equipment 30. Sequence SQ2 may also include a process that sends a minimum amount of charging power from main battery 34 to electrical equipment 30. Sequence SQ2 is executed substantially after sequence SQ1.

[0048] Even if the auxiliary battery 137's power decreases, it can still be charged by draining the battery when the State of Charge (SOC) is high. However, when the SOC is low, draining the battery can be difficult. Therefore, when the auxiliary battery 137 is depleted, the communication device 150 will be unable to operate. Consequently, for example, communication between the vehicle 50 and the electrical equipment 30 may be interrupted midway through the execution of the communication sequence SQ by the communication device 150, preventing the completion of the communication sequence SQ. As a result, the following problem exists: sufficient prior information cannot be exchanged between the vehicle 50 and the electrical equipment 30, and consequently, the minimum required information cannot be exchanged.

[0049] The following problem exists: When vehicle 50 receives power from electrical equipment 30 without participating in DR, the power supply from electrical equipment 30 to vehicle 50 (power received by vehicle 50) may affect the power supply and demand balance depending on the amount of power supplied.

[0050] According to Embodiment 1, the vehicle 50 has a configuration for addressing these problems. Specifically, when the vehicle 50 is not participating in DR and the SOC is less than a threshold (described later) when the main battery 34 is connected, the ECU 180 performs a micro-charging process. The connection-time SOC is the SOC when the input 110 is connected to the electrical device 30, and corresponds to the SOC when the signal level of the connection signal PISW switches.

[0051] The micro-charging process is a process of charging the main battery 34 using a small amount of electricity less than the power supplied by the vehicle 50 when participating in DR (DR power supply). Specifically, this process corresponds to generating a command value CMV ( Figure 2The control command CC, which is a minimum value MV, is sent to the power equipment 30 via the communication device 150. The minimum value MV, which is smaller than the minimum power supplied by the DR, is pre-stored in the memory 184 of the ECU 180, for example, the minimum charging power of the main battery 34. The minimum power supplied by the DR is pre-determined according to the rules of the electricity trading market.

[0052] When the micro-charging process is performed as described above, the main battery 34 is charged using a small amount of power supplied from the power equipment 30 via the interface 110. This substantially prevents the power supply from the power equipment 30 to the vehicle 50 (the vehicle 50's power reception) from affecting the power supply and demand balance. Furthermore, after the SOC rises due to continuous charging of the main battery 34 using a small amount of power, the auxiliary battery 137 can be reliably charged by draining the charge. As a result, the depletion of the auxiliary battery 137's power can be reliably prevented. Therefore, the communication device 150 can reliably communicate with the power equipment 30 using the power from the auxiliary battery 137. Consequently, the communication device 150 can then fully exchange prior information with the power equipment 30 before external charging.

[0053] The aforementioned external charging control processing includes micro-charging processing and normal charging processing. Micro-charging processing is configured such that it does not require the completion of the entire communication sequence SQ before its execution, but only the processing of sequence SQ2. That is, when ECU180 performs micro-charging processing, it executes (starts) micro-charging processing after forcibly causing communication device 150 to skip sequence SQ1 and only execute sequence SQ2.

[0054] Therefore, charging of the main battery 34 can begin without the communication device 150 consuming the power required to execute sequence SQ1 in the auxiliary battery 137. Furthermore, since the charging power of the main battery 34 is minimal, the main battery 34, the interface 110, and the power equipment 30 are protected from overheating. In addition, in Embodiment 1, it is assumed that the power of the auxiliary battery 137 will not be depleted when only sequence SQ2 is executed.

[0055] Normal charging is a process of charging the main battery 34 using a normal power supply that is larger than the minimum power required. Regarding the normal power supply, when the vehicle 50 participates in DR (Dynamic Recharge), it is the power supply corresponding to the requested value RV. On the other hand, when the vehicle 50 does not participate in DR, it is the power supply determined according to the specifications of the vehicle 50 and the electrical equipment 30.

[0056] When the communication sequence SQ is completed after the micro-charging process, the normal charging process is executed. In other words, the communication device 150 starts and completes the communication sequence SQ after the micro-charging process to enable the ECU 180 to start the normal charging process.

[0057] The aforementioned threshold is the state of charge (SOC) required to charge the communication device 150 from the main battery 34 to the auxiliary battery 137 via drain charging. This power consumption is the power required for the communication device 150 to complete the communication sequence SQ.

[0058] When the threshold is set in this way, a micro-charging process is performed when the State of Charge (SOC) drops to a level where the auxiliary battery 137 cannot be charged by draining the battery to enable the communication device 150 to complete the communication sequence SQ. As a result, the main battery 34 is charged with a small amount of power, and therefore, the auxiliary battery 137 can be charged subsequently by draining the battery. Consequently, the auxiliary battery 137 can be reliably charged with enough power to enable the communication device 150 to complete the communication sequence SQ. Therefore, normal charging can begin after sufficient prior information has been reliably exchanged between the vehicle 50 and the electrical equipment 30. Thus, normal charging can be performed in a manner that protects the main battery 34, the inlet 110, and the electrical equipment 30 from overheating.

[0059] Figure 4 This is a graph illustrating the change in SOC during micro-charging. In this example, vehicle 50 does not participate in DR. Figure 4 As shown, SOC1 is less than the threshold TH, and SOC2 is a predetermined value above the threshold TH. The threshold TH is, for example, 20% of the full-charge SOC.

[0060] When the main battery 34 is connected and the state of charge (SOC) is SOC1, the ECU 180 performs a micro-charging process until the SOC rises from SOC1 to SOC2. When the SOC reaches SOC2, the ECU 180 ends the micro-charging process, causes the communication device 150 to execute the entire communication sequence SQ, and then performs (begins) the normal charging process.

[0061] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process performed by ECU 180 in Embodiment 1. The flowchart begins when the input port 110 is connected to connector 37. Hereinafter, the steps will be abbreviated as S.

[0062] Reference Figure 5 ECU180 uses DR participation / non-participation information 186 ( Figure 2 The process switches depending on whether vehicle 50 participates in DR (S105). If vehicle 50 participates in DR (S105: "Yes"), ECU 180 sets the instruction value CMV to the requested value RV from server 20 (S110). Then, ECU 180 participates in DR via external charging according to the requested value RV (S115) and ends the process. On the other hand, if vehicle 50 does not participate in DR (S105: "No"), the process proceeds to S120.

[0063] ECU180 determines whether the SOC of the main battery 34 is less than the threshold TH at the time of connection (S120). If the SOC is above the threshold TH at the time of connection (S120: "No"), processing proceeds to S150. On the other hand, if the SOC is less than the threshold TH at the time of connection (e.g.) Figure 4 In the case of SOC1 (S120: "Yes"), ECU180 sets the command value CMV to the small value MV (S125), and after the communication device 150 executes only the sequence SQ2, performs a small charging process according to the small value MV (S130).

[0064] ECU180 determines whether the SOC has reached a value above the threshold TH (in this example, TH). Figure 4 If the SOC does not reach SOC2 (S135: "No"), the process returns to S130. On the other hand, if the SOC reaches SOC2 (S135: "Yes"), the ECU180 ends the micro-charging process (S140) and controls the communication device 150 to start and complete the communication sequence SQ (S150), after which the normal charging process is executed (started) (S160).

[0065] [Modification of Implementation Method 1]

[0066] The power supply can also be controlled by the control device 36 of the electrical equipment 30 instead of the ECU 180. In this variation, the control device 36 performs a small power supply process when the vehicle 50 is not participating in DR and the SOC is less than the threshold TH when connected. The small power supply process is a process of controlling the power supply to charge the main battery 34 with a small amount of power (so that a small amount of power is supplied from the electrical equipment 30 to the interface 110).

[0067] The aforementioned power supply control processing of the control device 36 includes micro power supply processing and normal power supply processing. Normal power supply processing is the process of supplying power using the power conversion device 38 through the normal power supply interface 110. Micro power supply processing and normal power supply processing are performed in place of micro charging processing and normal charging processing in Embodiment 1, respectively.

[0068] The communication device 150 is configured to complete the communication sequence SQ after a minor power supply process so that the ECU 180 can begin normal power supply processing. The communication unit 35 is capable of confirming the passage of the communication sequence SQ (including the completion / incompleteness of the communication sequence SQ).

[0069] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing performed by the control device 36 in this variation. The flowchart begins when the connector 37 is connected to the interface 110. (See also...) Figure 6 Except where the control device 36 replaces ECU180 for execution, S205 and S220 are respectively related to S105 and S120 ( Figure 5 ) are the same.

[0070] Control device 36 obtains SOC and DR participation / non-participation information 186 from vehicle 50 when the main battery 34 is connected via communication unit 35. Figure 2 (S202).

[0071] Based on the acquired DR participation / non-participation information 186, the control device 36 determines whether the vehicle 50 participates in DR (S205). If the vehicle 50 participates in DR (S205: "Yes"), the control device 36 obtains the request value RV from the vehicle 50 and sets the control value CV for power supply to the request value RV (S210). Then, the control device 36 performs power supply to the vehicle 50 according to the request value RV (S215), and then ends the process. On the other hand, if the vehicle 50 does not participate in DR (S205: "No"), the process proceeds to S220.

[0072] If the SOC is above the threshold TH at the time of connection (S220: "No"), the process proceeds to S250. On the other hand, if the SOC is below the threshold TH at the time of connection (S220: "Yes"), the control device 36 obtains a small value MV from the vehicle 50 and sets the control value CV to the small value MV (S225). After executing only sequence SQ2 of sequences SQ1 and SQ2, the control device 36 performs a small power supply process based on the small value MV (S230).

[0073] Control device 36 determines whether the SOC has reached a value above the threshold TH (SOC2 in this example) (S235). If the SOC has not reached SOC2 (S235: "No"), the process returns to S230. On the other hand, if the SOC has reached SOC2 (S235: "Yes"), control device 36 ends the micro-power supply process (S240), confirms the start and completion of the communication sequence SQ (S250), and performs normal power supply processing (S260). Afterwards, Figure 6 The processing is now complete.

[0074] [Implementation Method 2]

[0075] In this second embodiment, as a vehicle different from vehicle 50, there is a receiving vehicle that can receive power from the power grid 40 through the power equipment 30, or a discharging vehicle that can discharge power to the power grid 40 through the power equipment 30.

[0076] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the configuration of the power adjustment system according to Embodiment 2. (See diagram below.) Figure 7As shown, power regulation system 1M and power regulation system 1 ( Figure 1 The difference is that it also includes vehicles 50A and 50B, as well as electrical equipment 30A and 30B.

[0077] The composition of vehicles 50A and 50B is different from that of vehicle 50 ( Figure 2 The composition is basically the same. Vehicles 50A and 50B correspond to the aforementioned receiving vehicle and discharging vehicle, respectively. Vehicles 50A and 50B are connected to power equipment 30A and 30B, respectively. Power equipment 30A and 30B are each connected to the power grid 40.

[0078] Server 20 communicates with each of the vehicles 50, 50A, and 50B. For example, when vehicle 50 begins receiving power from electrical equipment 30, server 20 obtains information (power information) representing the value of the power received by vehicle 50. Server 20 determines the start of power receiving by vehicle 50 based on the power information. This power value is, for example, a small value MV.

[0079] The power received by vehicles 50 and 50A and the power discharged by vehicle 50B are set to be equal to the charging power and discharging power of the corresponding main battery 34, respectively.

[0080] Figure 8 This is a graph showing the shift in the received power of vehicles 50 and 50A and the discharged power of vehicle 50B. In this example, vehicle 50 does not participate in DR, and the SOC of the main battery 34 of vehicle 50 is less than the threshold TH when connected.

[0081] Reference Figure 8 Line 205 represents the shift in the received power RP of vehicle 50. At time t2, which is later than time t1, the access point 110 of vehicle 50 connects to the power equipment 30, performing a micro-charging process (or micro-power supply process) on vehicle 50. As a result, the received power RP of vehicle 50 changes from 0 to MP (increases by ΔP). In response to the start of power reception, vehicle 50 sends power reception information to server 20.

[0082] Line 210 represents the shift of the power RP received by vehicle 50A under scenario A. In scenario A, vehicle 50A receives power from power grid 40, and vehicle 50B does not discharge power to power grid 40. Vehicle 50A begins receiving power at time t1, at which point the power RP is RP1. At time t2, in response to the receipt of power information, server 20 requests vehicle 50A to reduce its power RP (in this example, by a reduction of ΔP) (to RP2). As a result, vehicle 50A reduces the command value CMV of the power supplied from power equipment 30A to vehicle 50A. Consequently, the power received by vehicle 50A decreases by ΔP.

[0083] Thus, in scenario A, when vehicle 50A receives power RP from power grid 40 via electrical equipment 30, and the main battery 34 of vehicle 50 is charged with a small amount of power (after time t2), the power received by vehicle 50A will decrease by ΔP. As a result, the increase in electrical load in power grid 40 caused by the start of power receiving by vehicle 50 and the decrease in electrical load caused by the decrease in power received by vehicle 50A are offset.

[0084] Line 215 represents the shift of the discharge power DP of vehicle 50B under scenario B. In scenario B, vehicle 50A does not receive power from power grid 40, and vehicle 50B discharges power to power grid 40. Vehicle 50B begins discharging at time t1, at which point the discharge power DP is DP1. At time t2, in response to receiving the power receiving information, server 20 requests vehicle 50B to increase its discharge power DP (in this example, by increasing ΔP) (let's call the increase DP2). Thus, the discharge power DP increases by ΔP.

[0085] Thus, in scenario B, when vehicle 50B discharges power DP to the power grid 40 via electrical equipment 30, and the main battery 34 of vehicle 50 is charged with a small amount of power (after time t2), the discharge power DP of vehicle 50B will increase by ΔP. As a result, the increase in electrical load caused by the start of power reception of vehicle 50 and the increase in power supply in power grid 40 caused by the increase in discharge power of vehicle 50B offset each other.

[0086] According to embodiment 2, the impact of the start of the mini-charging process (mini-power supply process) of vehicle 50 on the power supply and demand balance can be mitigated (e.g., eliminated). Therefore, it is possible to contribute more effectively to the adjustment of the power supply and demand balance and to prevent the auxiliary battery 137 of vehicle 50 from being depleted.

[0087] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is shown by the claims rather than the foregoing description and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle configured to participate in energy regulation for adjusting the balance of power supply and demand in a power grid, characterized in that, The vehicle has the following features: The power receiving device is configured to receive power supplied from the power equipment when connected to the power grid; The first energy storage device is configured to be charged using electricity received by the power receiving device; A second energy storage device is connected to the first energy storage device and configured to charge the device using the power supplied by the first energy storage device; and The communication device is configured to communicate with the power equipment using the power supplied by the second energy storage device. The first energy storage device is configured to charge itself using a small amount of electricity, less than the power supplied when the vehicle is not participating in the energy adjustment and the power receiving device is connected to the power equipment, when the state of charge of the first energy storage device is less than a threshold. The threshold is the state of charge of the amount of power required to charge the communication device from the first energy storage device to the second energy storage device.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a control device configured to perform charging control processing, which controls the charging of the first energy storage device. The charging control process includes: The first charging process utilizes the minute amount of electricity to charge the first energy storage device; and The second charging process involves charging the first energy storage device using a larger supply power than the initial power after the first charging process. The communication device is configured to complete a communication sequence with the power equipment after the first charging process to initiate the second charging process. The power consumption required for the operation of the communication device is the power consumption required for the communication device to complete the communication sequence.

3. A power regulation system, characterized in that, have: The first vehicle as described in claim 1 or 2; and The second vehicle is configured to receive power from the power grid and is different from the first vehicle. When the second vehicle receives power from the power grid, the power received by the second vehicle when the first energy storage device is charging with the small amount of power is less than the power received by the second vehicle when the first energy storage device is not charging with the small amount of power.

4. A power regulation system, characterized in that, have: The first vehicle as described in claim 1 or 2; and The third vehicle is configured to discharge into the power grid and differs from the first vehicle. When the third vehicle discharges power to the power grid, the discharge power of the third vehicle when the first energy storage device charges using the small amount of power is greater than the discharge power of the third vehicle when the first energy storage device does not charge using the small amount of power.

5. An electrical device configured to supply power to a vehicle, The vehicle is configured to be connected to the power grid and to participate in energy regulation for adjusting the balance of power supply and demand in the power grid. The vehicle has the following features: A power receiving device configured to receive power supplied from the power equipment when connected to the power equipment; The first energy storage device is configured to be charged using electricity received by the power receiving device; A second energy storage device is connected to the first energy storage device and configured to charge the device using the power supplied by the first energy storage device; and The communication device is configured to communicate with the power equipment using the power supplied by the second energy storage device. Its features are, The power equipment includes: A power supply device configured to supply power to the power receiving device when connected to the power receiving device; and The communication unit is configured to obtain the state of charge of the first energy storage device from the vehicle. The first energy storage device is configured to charge itself using a small amount of electricity, less than the power supplied when the vehicle is not participating in the energy adjustment and the power receiving device is connected to the power equipment, when the state of charge of the first energy storage device is less than a threshold. The threshold is the state of charge of the amount of power required to charge the communication device from the first energy storage device to the second energy storage device.

6. The power equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a power supply control device configured to perform power supply control processing, which controls the power supply from the power supply device to the power receiving device. The power supply control process includes: The first power supply process utilizes the small amount of electricity to supply power to the powered device; and The second power supply process involves supplying power to the receiving device using a larger power source than the initial power supply process, following the first power supply process. The communication device is configured to complete a communication sequence with the power equipment after the first power supply process to initiate the second power supply process. The power consumption required for the operation of the communication device is the power consumption required for the communication device to complete the communication sequence.

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