Control device and control method

Abstract

The invention relates to a control apparatus and a control method. A charging control ECU (control device) is provided with a communication unit that communicates with an EVSE (power station) that performs external charging (power transmission) with an electric vehicle. The communication unit notifies the EVSE of an electric vehicle-associated ISO 15118-20 (first specification) when the user wishes to respond to the power supply / demand adjustment request, and notifies the EVSE of the electric vehicle-associated ISO 15118-2 (second specification) when the user does not wishes to respond to the power supply / demand adjustment request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control method. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-139080 discloses a vehicle and a charging device for external charging using the first to fifth charging specifications. Priority is set in advance for the first to fifth charging specifications. Connection attempt processing is performed in order from the charging specification with the highest priority. Summary of the invention

[0003] In the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-139080, as described above, the priority of the charging specifications is pre-set. In addition, although it is not recorded in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-139080, the vehicle is able to perform charging in response to a request for adjusting the power supply and demand state in the power grid (hereinafter referred to as virtual power plant (VPP) charging) and charging that does not correspond to VPP charging (non-VPP charging). Here, the charging specifications corresponding to VPP charging are pre-set to have a higher priority than the charging specifications corresponding to non-VPP charging. In this case, for example, even if the user does not want VPP charging, connection is preferentially attempted through the charging specifications corresponding to VPP charging. Therefore, it is generally believed that the time spent before establishing a connection through the charging specifications corresponding to the non-VPP charging desired by the user becomes longer.

[0004] The present disclosure is completed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a control device and a control method that can quickly establish a connection between a power station that can transmit power in response to a request for adjusting the power supply and demand status in the power grid and an electric vehicle according to the power transmission specifications desired by the user.

[0005] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a control device for controlling power transmission including at least one of charging from a power grid and discharging to a power grid, wherein the control device comprises:

[0006] an acquisition unit that acquires information related to whether a user of the electric vehicle wishes to respond to a request for adjusting a power supply and demand state in the power grid; and

[0007] The communication unit communicates with a power station that performs power transmission between the power station and the electric vehicle.

[0008] The electric vehicle can comply with a first standard and a second standard, wherein the first standard is a standard that corresponds to requested electric power transmission and the second standard is a standard that does not correspond to requested electric power transmission.

[0009] When the user wishes to respond to the request, the communication unit notifies the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the first standard.

[0010] When the user does not wish to respond to the request, the communication unit notifies the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the second standard.

[0011] In the control device of the first aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, when the user wishes to respond to the request, the power station is notified that the electric vehicle complies with the first standard, and when the user does not wish to respond to the request, the power station is notified that the electric vehicle complies with the second standard.

[0012] Thus, when the connection process between the power station and the electric vehicle is executed, the power station can be notified of the specification corresponding to whether the user wishes to respond to the request. As a result, it is possible to suppress the connection process from being executed with the specification of power transmission that does not correspond to the user's wishes. Thus, the connection between the electric vehicle and the power station can be quickly established with the specification of power transmission that corresponds to the user's wishes.

[0013] In the control device of the first aspect, preferably:

[0014] After notifying the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the first standard, the communication unit notifies the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the second standard when receiving information indicating that the power station does not comply with the first standard.

[0015] According to this configuration, even when the power station does not conform to the first standard, the power station and the electric vehicle can be quickly connected using the second standard.

[0016] In the control device of the first aspect, preferably:

[0017] When the user wishes to respond to the request, the communication unit notifies the power station that the priorities used in power transmission are in descending order of the first specification and the second specification.

[0018] If the user does not wish to respond to the request, the power station is notified that the priorities used for power transmission are in descending order of the second specification and the first specification.

[0019] According to this structure, the priority of the power transmission specification notified to the power station can be changed according to whether the user wishes to respond to the request.

[0020] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a control method for controlling power transmission including at least one of charging from a power grid and discharging to a power grid, wherein the control method comprises:

[0021] The step of obtaining information on whether the user of the electric vehicle wishes to respond to a request for adjusting the state of power supply and demand in the power grid; and

[0022] A process of notifying a power station that performs power transmission with an electric vehicle of a specification of power transmission corresponding to the electric vehicle.

[0023] The electric vehicle can comply with a first standard and a second standard, the first standard being a standard that corresponds to requested electric power transmission and the second standard being a standard that does not correspond to requested electric power transmission.

[0024] The notifying step includes notifying the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the first standard when the user wishes to respond to the request, and notifying the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the second standard when the user does not wish to respond to the request.

[0025] In the management method of the second aspect of the present disclosure, as described above, when the user wishes to respond to the request, the power station is notified that the electric vehicle corresponds to the first specification, and when the user does not wish to respond to the request, the power station is notified that the electric vehicle corresponds to the second specification. Thus, a control method can be provided that can quickly establish a connection between the power station and the electric vehicle using the specification of power transmission desired by the user.

[0026] According to the present disclosure, a connection can be quickly established between a power station capable of transmitting power in response to a request for adjusting the power supply and demand state in a power grid and an electric vehicle in accordance with the power transmission specification desired by a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0028] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the configuration of the system according to the first embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a timing chart showing control of the system according to the first embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 It is a diagram showing the configuration of a system according to the second embodiment.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a timing chart showing control of the system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0033] First Embodiment

[0034] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a system 1 according to the first embodiment. The system 1 includes an electric vehicle 100, a user terminal (smartphone, etc.) 200, an electric vehicle supply equipment (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)) 300, a system management server 400, a server 500, and a power system PG. The EVSE 300 and the power system PG are examples of a "power station" and a "power grid" in the present disclosure, respectively.

[0035] The power system PG is a power grid constructed by power plants and power transmission and distribution equipment (not shown). In this embodiment, the power company serves as both a power generation operator and a power transmission and distribution operator. The power company is equivalent to a general power transmission and distribution operator and maintains and manages the power system PG. The power company is equivalent to the manager of the power system PG.

[0036] The system management server 400 manages the power supply and demand of the power system PG (power grid). In addition, the system management server 400 belongs to the power company. The system management server 400 sends a request (power supply and demand adjustment request) for adjusting the power supply and demand state in the power system PG to the server 500 based on the generated power and power consumption of each power adjustment resource managed by the system management server 400.

[0037] The server 500 is a server managed by an integrator. An integrator is a power company that provides energy management services by integrating a plurality of power regulation resources such as a region or a predetermined facility.

[0038] The server 500 requests "external charging" of the electric vehicle 100 as a means for adjusting the power demand (power supply and demand status) of the power system PG. External charging means charging the electric vehicle 100 using the power of the power system PG. The server 500 sends a request signal for external charging to the electric vehicle 100 or the user terminal 200 owned by the user of the electric vehicle 100. In addition, external charging is an example of "power transmission" in the present disclosure.

[0039] External charging is performed between the electric vehicle 100 and the power system PG via the EVSE 300. The electric vehicle 100 includes, for example, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a battery electric vehicle (BEV), and a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). The battery (not shown) of the electric vehicle 100 is charged by external charging.

[0040] EVSE 300 means a vehicle power supply device. The electric vehicle 100 is configured to be electrically connectable to EVSE 300. For example, by connecting a charging cable (not shown) of EVSE 300 to a charging socket (not shown) of the electric vehicle 100, electric power can be exchanged between EVSE 300 and the electric vehicle 100.

[0041] In addition, the server 500 is configured to manage information of the registered electric vehicle 100 (hereinafter also referred to as "vehicle information"), information of each registered user (hereinafter also referred to as "user information"), and information of the registered EVSE 300 (hereinafter also referred to as "EVSE information"). The user information, vehicle information, and EVSE information are distinguished by identification information (ID) and stored in a memory (not shown) of the server 500.

[0042] The electric vehicle 100 includes a charging control electronic control unit (ECU) 10, a data communication module (DCM) 20, and an input device 30 (vehicle navigation, etc.). The charging control ECU 10 is an example of a "control device" in the present disclosure.

[0043] The charging control ECU 10 controls external charging between the EVSE 300 and the electric vehicle 100. The charging control ECU 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, and a communication unit 13. The processor 11 is an example of an "acquisition unit" in the present disclosure.

[0044] The processor 11 obtains the ON / OFF information of the VPP function. The ON / OFF information of the VPP function refers to information related to whether the user of the electric vehicle 100 wishes to respond to a request for adjusting the power supply and demand state in the power system PG (hereinafter referred to as the power supply and demand adjustment request). Hereinafter, the VPP function is in the ON state, which means that the user wishes to respond to the power supply and demand adjustment request. In addition, the VPP function is in the OFF state, which means that the user does not want to respond to the power supply and demand adjustment request. In addition, the processor 11 obtains the ON / OFF information of the VPP function from at least one of the DCM 20 and the input device 30.

[0045] In the memory 12 , in addition to the program executed by the processor 11 , information used in the program (for example, maps, formulas, and various parameters) is stored. The communication unit 13 includes various communication I / Fs. The processor 11 controls the communication unit 13 .

[0046] The communication unit 13 is configured to be able to communicate with the EVSE 300. The communication unit 13 exchanges information on a charging standard (charging protocol) used when external charging is performed with the EVSE 300.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the electric vehicle 100 corresponds to the charging specification ISO15118-20 and the charging specification ISO15118-2. ISO15118-20 is a specification for external charging (hereinafter referred to as VPP charging) corresponding to a power supply and demand adjustment request. ISO15118-2 is a specification for external charging (hereinafter referred to as non-VPP charging) that does not correspond to a power supply and demand adjustment request. In addition, ISO15118-20 and ISO15118-2 are examples of the "first specification" and "second specification" of the present disclosure, respectively.

[0048] Here, in EVSE, for example, the priority of the charging specification corresponding to VPP charging is preset higher than that of the charging specification corresponding to non-VPP charging. In this case, even if the user does not want VPP charging, connection is attempted with the charging specification corresponding to VPP charging with priority. Therefore, it is generally considered that the time required until connection is established with the charging specification corresponding to non-VPP charging desired by the user becomes longer.

[0049] Therefore, in the first embodiment, when the user wishes to respond to the power supply and demand adjustment request (when the VPP function is ON), the communication unit 13 notifies the EVSE 300 that the electric vehicle 100 complies with ISO15118-20. In addition, when the user does not want to respond to the power supply and demand adjustment request (when the VPP function is OFF), the communication unit 13 notifies the EVSE 300 that the electric vehicle 100 complies with ISO15118-2. As a result, it is possible to suppress the process of connecting the EVSE 300 and the electric vehicle 100 using a charging specification that does not correspond to the user's wishes (attempts). As a result, it is possible to suppress the time loss in the connection between the EVSE 300 and the electric vehicle 100.

[0050] Sequence control in the system

[0051] Reference Figure 2 , detailing the sequence control in system 1. In addition, Figure 2 The example shown is only an example and the present disclosure is not limited to Figure 2 In addition, Figure 2 The control of the illustrated electric vehicle 100 is performed by the charging control ECU 10 .

[0052] In S1 , electric vehicle 100 acquires VPP function ON / OFF information. Specifically, charging control ECU 10 acquires VPP function ON / OFF information from DCM 20 or input device 30 .

[0053] In S2, electric vehicle 100 and EVSE 300 are connected via a charging cable (not shown) (connector connection).

[0054] In S3 , electric vehicle 100 confirms the VPP function ON / OFF information acquired in S1 .

[0055] In S4, the electric vehicle 100 determines whether the information obtained in S1 indicates that the VPP function is in the ON state (a state in which external charging corresponding to the power supply and demand adjustment request is desired). If the VPP function is in the ON state ("Yes" in S4), the process proceeds to S5. If the VPP function is in the OFF state (a state in which external charging not corresponding to the power supply and demand adjustment request is desired) ("No" in S4), the process proceeds to S9.

[0056] In S5 , electric vehicle 100 requests EVSE 300 to use ISO15118-20 as the charging standard to be used via communication unit 13 .

[0057] In S6, EVSE 300 transmits a response to the request in S5 to electric vehicle 100. If EVSE 300 is compliant with ISO15118-20, EVSE 300 transmits a response (OK) approving the request in S5. If EVSE 300 is not compliant with ISO15118-20, EVSE 300 transmits a response (NG) rejecting the request in S5.

[0058] In S7, electric vehicle 100 determines whether the response in S6 is NG. If the response is NG (YES in S7), the process proceeds to S9. If the response is OK (NO in S7), the process proceeds to S13.

[0059] In S8, EVSE 300 determines whether an OK response has been sent in S6. If an OK response has been sent (YES in S8), the process proceeds to S13. If an OK response has not been sent (NO in S8), the process proceeds to S10.

[0060] In S9 , electric vehicle 100 requests EVSE 300 to use ISO15118-2 as the charging standard to be used via communication unit 13 .

[0061] In S10, EVSE 300 transmits a response to the request of S9 to electric vehicle 100. If EVSE 300 is compatible with ISO15118-2, EVSE 300 transmits a response (OK) approving the request of S9. If EVSE 300 is not compatible with ISO15118-2, EVSE 300 transmits a response (NG) rejecting the request of S9.

[0062] In S11, electric vehicle 100 determines whether the response in S10 is NG. If the response is NG ("Yes" in S11), the process ends. If the response is OK ("No" in S11), the process proceeds to S13.

[0063] In S12, EVSE 300 determines whether an OK response was sent in S10. If an OK response was sent (YES in S12), the process proceeds to S13. If an NG response was sent (NO in S12), the process ends.

[0064] In S13, the electric vehicle 100 and the EVSE 300 advance the charging sequence according to the selected charging specification. Specifically, in the case of "No" in S7 ("Yes" in S8), the charging sequence is advanced in accordance with ISO15118-20. On the other hand, in the case of "No" in S11 ("Yes" in S12), the charging sequence is advanced in accordance with ISO15118-2.

[0065] As described above, in the first embodiment, when the user wishes to respond to the power supply and demand adjustment request, the communication unit 13 of the electric vehicle 100 notifies the EVSE 300 that the electric vehicle 100 complies with ISO15118-20. In addition, when the user does not want to respond to the power supply and demand adjustment request, the communication unit 13 notifies the EVSE 300 that the electric vehicle 100 complies with ISO15118-2. As a result, when the user wishes to respond to the power supply and demand adjustment request, it is possible to suppress the connection between the electric vehicle 100 and the EVSE 300 through ISO15118-2. As a result, external charging between the electric vehicle 100 and the EVSE 300 can be smoothly performed in a form as desired by the user.

[0066] Second Embodiment

[0067] Next, refer to Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 , a second embodiment of the present disclosure is described. In the second embodiment, information on the priority of the charging specification is transmitted from the electric vehicle 100A to the EVSE 300. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0068] Figure 3 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system 2 according to a second embodiment. The system 2 is different from the system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the electric vehicle 100A is provided instead of the electric vehicle 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0069] The electric vehicle 100A is different from the electric vehicle 100 of the first embodiment in that it includes a charging control ECU 10A instead of the charging control ECU 10 of the first embodiment. The charging control ECU 10A includes a processor 11A, a memory 12A, and a communication unit 13A. In addition, the processor 11A is an example of the "acquisition unit" of the present disclosure. In addition, the charging control ECU 10A is an example of the "control device" of the present disclosure.

[0070] The electric vehicle 100A complies with charging standards such as ISO15118-20, ISO15118-2, and DIN70121. DIN70121 is a charging standard corresponding to non-VPP charging, similar to ISO15118-2. DIN70121 is an example of the "second standard" of the present disclosure.

[0071] Sequence control in the system

[0072] Reference Figure 4, the sequence control in the system 2 is described in detail. In addition, the same processing as the first embodiment described above is sometimes simplified. In addition, Figure 4 The control of the electric vehicle 100A shown is executed by the charging control ECU 10A.

[0073] S21 to S24 are respectively the same as S1 to S4 of the first embodiment (see Figure 2 ) The same process is performed. If S24 is "Yes", the process proceeds to S25. If S24 is "No", the process proceeds to S28. After S22, the process of EVSE 300 proceeds to S26.

[0074] In S25, the electric vehicle 100A notifies the EVSE 300 via the communication unit 13A that the priority of the charging specification used is in descending order of ISO15118-20, ISO15118-2, and DIN70121. That is, the priority of notifying the EVSE 300 of the charging specification corresponding to VPP charging is higher than the charging specification corresponding to non-VPP charging. In addition, the priority of notifying the EVSE 300 of ISO15118-2 is higher than DIN70121.

[0075] In S26, EVSE 300 determines whether the request in S25 is received. If the request in S25 is received ("Yes" in S26), the process proceeds to S27. If the request in S25 is not received ("No" in S26), the process proceeds to S29.

[0076] In S27, the EVSE 300 selects a charging specification according to the priority in the request in S25. Specifically, the EVSE 300 selects the charging specification with the highest priority in S25 among the charging specifications that the EVSE 300 can support. For example, when the EVSE 300 can support both ISO15118-20 and ISO15118-2, ISO15118-20 is selected. The selected charging specification is notified to the electric vehicle 100A from the EVSE 300.

[0077] On the other hand, in S28, the electric vehicle 100A notifies the EVSE 300 via the communication unit 13A that the priority of the charging specification used is in the order of ISO15118-2, DIN70121, and ISO15118-20. That is, the priority of notifying the EVSE 300 of the charging specification corresponding to non-VPP charging is higher than the charging specification corresponding to VPP charging. In addition, the priority of notifying the EVSE 300 of ISO15118-2 is higher than DIN70121.

[0078] In S29, electric vehicle 100A determines whether the request in S28 is received. If the request in S28 is received (YES in S29), the process proceeds to S30. If the request in S28 is not received (NO in S29), the process proceeds to S31.

[0079] In S30, the EVSE 300 selects a charging specification according to the priority in the request in S28. Specifically, the EVSE 300 selects the charging specification with the highest priority in S28 among the charging specifications that the EVSE 300 can support. For example, when the EVSE 300 can support both ISO15118-20 and ISO15118-2, ISO15118-2 is selected. The selected charging specification is notified to the electric vehicle 100A from the EVSE 300.

[0080] In S31 , the electric vehicle 100A and the EVSE 300 proceed with the charging sequence according to the selected charging specification.

[0081] In addition, other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment, so the description will not be repeated.

[0082] In the first embodiment, the electric vehicle 100 is shown to be compliant with only ISO15118-20 and ISO15118-2, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The electric vehicle 100 of the first embodiment may also be compliant with ISO15118-20, ISO15118-2, and DIN70121, similarly to the electric vehicle 100A of the second embodiment. In this case, Figure 2 After the response to S10 is NG, electric vehicle 100 requests EVSE 300 to comply with DIN 70121.

[0083] In the first and second embodiments described above, the process when the electric vehicle 100 (100A) is externally charged is shown by way of example, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. When the electric vehicle 100 (100A) supplies power to the power system PG through external power supply (external discharge), the same process as in the first and second embodiments described above may be performed. In addition, the above process may be performed in both external charging and external power supply.

[0084] In the first and second embodiments, the charging control ECU 10 (10A) of the electric vehicle 100 (100A) performs control to notify the EVSE 300 of the request for charging specification, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The control may be performed by a control device (server) provided independently of the electric vehicle.

[0085] The embodiments disclosed this time are merely illustrative in all points and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the embodiments above, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling power transmission including at least one of charging from a power grid and discharging to the power grid, wherein: The control device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires information related to whether a user of the electric vehicle wishes to respond to a request for adjusting a power supply and demand state in the power grid; and a communication unit that communicates with a power station that performs the power transmission between the electric vehicle and the power station, The electric vehicle can comply with a first standard and a second standard, the first standard being a standard for the electric power transmission that complies with the request, and the second standard being a standard for the electric power transmission that does not comply with the request, When the user wishes to respond to the request, the communication unit notifies the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the first standard. When the user does not wish to respond to the request, the communication unit notifies the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the second standard.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein: After notifying the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the first standard, the communication unit notifies the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the second standard when receiving information indicating that the power station does not comply with the first standard.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: When the user wishes to respond to the request, the communication unit notifies the power station that the priority used in the power transmission is in descending order of the first specification and the second specification, If the user does not wish to respond to the request, the power station is notified that the priority used in the power transmission is in descending order of the second specification and the first specification.

4. A control method for controlling power transmission including at least one of charging from a power grid and discharging to the power grid, wherein: The control method comprises: The step of obtaining information on whether the user of the electric vehicle wishes to respond to a request for adjusting the state of power supply and demand in the power grid; and a step of notifying a power station that performs the power transmission with the electric vehicle of a specification of the power transmission corresponding to the electric vehicle, The electric vehicle can comply with a first standard and a second standard, the first standard being a standard for the electric power transmission that complies with the request, and the second standard being a standard for the electric power transmission that does not comply with the request, The notification process includes the process of notifying the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the first specification when the user wishes to respond to the request, and notifying the power station that the electric vehicle complies with the second specification when the user does not wish to respond to the request.

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