Power management system

Abstract

The invention relates to a power management system. The management server executes processing; the processing includes a step of determining whether the second data has been acquired from the EVSE, a step of determining whether the first data has been acquired from the DCM when it is determined that the second data has been acquired from the EVSE, a step of calculating an offset amount when it is determined that the first data has been acquired from the DCM, a step of executing a synchronization process, and a step of executing power control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to power management systems. Background Art

[0002] A power management system for managing energy in a power grid is well known. To the power grid, for example, a vehicle equipped with a power storage device is sometimes connected via a building. In order to control the power of the power storage device mounted on the vehicle, communication is sometimes performed between a server and the vehicle according to various communication standards.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-184741 discloses, for example, a technology for controlling a device that performs communications in a format conforming to a plurality of communication standards by converting the communication format and so on. Summary of the invention

[0004] For example, between the server and the vehicle as described above, in addition to wireless communication, there is also wired communication when the power grid and the vehicle are connected by a cable, etc. In such a case of communication using multiple communication paths, it is required to appropriately process the received information.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a power management system capable of appropriately processing information acquired through different communication paths.

[0006] A power management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes:

[0007] A vehicle equipped with an electric storage device;

[0008] Transmission equipment, which transfers electricity between the power grid and the storage device; and

[0009] A server communicates with the vehicle.

[0010] The server contains:

[0011] a communication device for communicating with a first communication path for communicating between the vehicle and the server and a second communication path for communicating between the transmission device and the server; and

[0012] The control device processes the data received using the communication device.

[0013] The control device performs synchronization processing to synchronize the first data with the second data using a difference between a first time when first data including information about the power storage device is received via a first communication path when the transmission device and the vehicle are connected and a second time when second data including the information is received via a second communication path when the transmission device and the vehicle are connected.

[0014] In this way, since the difference between the first time and the second time is equivalent to the difference in communication delay, the first data and the second data can be synchronized by using the difference. As a result, control using the first data and the second data can be implemented with high accuracy. Therefore, information obtained through different communication paths can be appropriately processed.

[0015] In one embodiment, the control device synchronizes the time information in the first data with the time information in the second data using the difference.

[0016] In this way, by synchronizing with the time information in the second data having a smaller communication delay than the first data, control using the first data and the second data can be performed with higher accuracy.

[0017] In another certain embodiment, the control device uses the synchronized first data and second data to perform power control between the vehicle and the grid.

[0018] In this way, it is possible to accurately perform power control between the vehicle and the power grid using the first data and the second data.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a power management system that appropriately processes information acquired through different communication paths. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] 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 numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power management system according to the present embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication structure of a power management system according to the present embodiment;

[0023] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed by a vehicle;

[0024] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process performed by the EVSE;

[0025] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the management server;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the power management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 1It should be noted that the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the power management system 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the power management system 1 includes a vehicle 10 , a power system 40 , a building 50 , a management server 100 , and a data communication module (DCM) server 300 .

[0029] The building 50 includes a smart meter 54 , a distribution panel 56 , other loads 58 , an indoor controller 60 , and an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) 70 .

[0030] The smart meter 54 detects the amount of electric power transmitted between the power system 40 and the building 50 (more specifically, the distribution board 56). For example, the smart meter 54 detects the amount of electric power supplied from the power system 40 to the building 50. Furthermore, the smart meter 54 detects the amount of electric power supplied from the building 50 to the power system 40, for example. The smart meter 54 transmits information indicating the detected amount of electric power to the indoor controller 60.

[0031] The distribution board 56 can supply the voltage of the power supplied from the power system 40 to various electrical devices including the EVSE 70 and other loads 58. A cutoff circuit such as a circuit breaker that can cut off the power supply to the various electrical devices is provided in the distribution board 56. The other loads 58 include, for example, various electrical devices (e.g., household electrical appliances) other than the EVSE 70 installed in the building 50.

[0032] The indoor controller 60 is a control device for managing the power supplied from the power system 40 to various electrical devices in the building 50 via the distribution board 56 and the power supplied from any power source in the building 50 to the power system 40 via the distribution board 56. The indoor controller 60 is configured to be able to obtain information from the smart meter 54 and various electrical devices connected as control objects and to be able to send various control instructions to various electrical devices. The various electrical devices include, for example, the EVSE 70 described later. The various control instructions include, for example, execution instructions for charging control.

[0033] The EVSE 70 is a transmission device that can be connected to the vehicle 10 using a connector and a cable and can transmit power. The EVSE 70 supplies the power supplied from the distribution board 56 to the vehicle 10 or outputs the power supplied from the vehicle 10 to the distribution board 56 according to the control signal from the indoor controller 60. The EVSE 70 can be configured to supply DC power to the power storage device 11 mounted on the vehicle 10. Alternatively, the EVSE 70 can also be configured to supply AC power to a charging device mounted on the vehicle 10, convert the AC power into DC power in the charging device, and supply it to the power storage device 11.

[0034] The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle having a power storage device 11 formed of a rechargeable DC power supply, a drive device (not shown) formed of an electric motor, etc., and a communication device 16 including a DCM. The power storage device 11 may be, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery, a lithium-ion battery whose dielectric is a liquid or solid, or a capacitor, etc. The vehicle 10 is configured to be able to charge the power storage device 11 using the power supplied from the EVSE 70. In addition, the vehicle 10 is configured to be able to supply the power of the power storage device 11 to the EVSE 70. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the DCM server 300 (for example, wireless communication) using the communication device 16 (specifically, DCM). In addition, the vehicle 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the EVSE 70 via a connector and a cable (for example, wired communication) using the communication device 16 when the connector of the EVSE 70 is connected to the socket (not shown) of the vehicle 10. It should be noted that in Figure 1 Although the vehicle 10 is shown as a representative example in the figure, a plurality of vehicles other than the vehicle 10 may be connected to an EVSE other than the EVSE 70 .

[0035] The management server 100 receives a power supply and demand request from the power company 150 and manages the power supply and demand in the power grid formed in a predetermined area including the building 50. For example, when the management server 100 requests an increase in the supply of power from the power company 150, it sends a control command to the control objects that can supply power in the power grid, including the building 50, so as to supply power to the power system 40. Among the control objects in the power grid, the request of the power company 150 can be satisfied by increasing the power supplied to the power system 40 according to the control command.

[0036] The DCM server 300 is configured to be able to communicate with a plurality of vehicles (including the vehicle 10) equipped with the DCM. The DCM server 300 receives information related to the power storage devices installed from the plurality of vehicles equipped with the DCM, or transmits update information such as various control programs to the plurality of vehicles equipped with the DCM. The information related to the power storage devices received by the DCM server 300 includes information on the state of charge (SOC) of the power storage devices, information on the amount of electric power that can be charged, information on the amount of electric power that can be discharged, and the like.

[0037] The vehicle 10 , the indoor controller 60 , the EVSE 70 , the management server 100 , and the DCM server 300 are configured to be able to exchange various information through communication.

[0038] Figure 2 1 is a diagram showing an example of a communication structure of the power management system 1 according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle 10 includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 12, a storage device 14, and a communication device 16. The ECU 12 has a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory (read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM) etc.) not shown. Based on various information stored in the memory and various information obtained through communication, a power supply process of supplying power to the power storage device 11 to the EVSE 70 or a charging process of charging the power storage device 11 using power from the EVSE 70 is performed. Various information includes charging instructions and discharge instructions from the EVSE 70. The storage device 14 stores various information received using the communication device 16 and predetermined information. The communication device 16 includes a DCM capable of wirelessly communicating with the DCM server 300 via a communication network not shown (such as a mobile phone line etc.) and a communication unit (not shown) capable of wired communication with the EVSE 70. Wired communication includes, for example, power line communication (PLC) communication, controller area network (CAN) communication, etc.

[0039] The indoor controller 60 has a CPU and a memory (not shown). The indoor controller 60 performs processing related to the supply and demand management of electricity in the building 50 based on various information stored in the memory and various information obtained through communication with the EVSE 70 and the management server 100. The processing related to the supply and demand management of electricity in the building 50 includes, for example, a process of sending an execution instruction (charging instruction) of a charging process to the EVSE 70 and a process of sending an execution instruction (discharging instruction) of a discharging process to the EVSE 70. The indoor controller 60 sends information about the power storage device 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 that is the control object of the power management of the management server 100 in the power grid to the management server 100 in accordance with a request from the management server 100. Alternatively, the indoor controller 60 may also send the information about the power storage device 11 to the management server 100 when receiving the information about the power storage device 11 from the vehicle 10, regardless of whether there is a request from the management server 100.

[0040] The EVSE 70 includes a control device 72, a storage device 74, and a communication device 76. The control device 72 has a CPU and a memory (not shown), and sends a charging instruction to the vehicle 10 or a discharging instruction to the vehicle 10 based on various information stored in the memory and various information obtained through communication. The storage device 74 stores various information received using the communication device 76 and predetermined information. The communication device 76 is configured to be able to communicate with the indoor controller 60 or with the vehicle 10 wirelessly or by wire via a communication network.

[0041] The management server 100 includes a control device 102, a storage device 104, and a communication device 106. The control device 102 has a CPU and a memory (not shown), and performs processing related to supply and demand management in the power grid based on various information stored in the memory and various information obtained through communication. The processing related to supply and demand management in the power grid includes, for example, processing for sending a charging instruction to the indoor controller 60 and processing for sending a discharging instruction to the indoor controller 60. In addition, the management server 100 obtains information for implementing supply and demand management (for example, information related to the power storage device 11 mounted on the vehicle 10) from the indoor controller 60 and the DCM server 300.

[0042] The storage device 104 stores various information received using the communication device 106 and predetermined information. For example, the storage device 104 stores information (e.g., vehicle number, chassis number, etc.) for identifying a vehicle to be controlled in supply and demand management in the power grid. This information is used for the management server 100 to obtain information about the vehicle 10 from the DCM server 300.

[0043] The communication device 106 is configured to be able to communicate with the DCM server 300 or the indoor controller 60 wirelessly or by wire via a communication network (for example, the Internet, a dedicated line, etc.) not shown.

[0044] The DCM server 300 has a CPU and a memory (not shown). The DCM server 300 performs processing of sending and receiving information related to the power storage device with each of the plurality of vehicles based on various information stored in the memory and various information obtained through communication with the plurality of vehicles and the management server 100. The DCM server 300 transmits information about the power storage device 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 that is the control target of the power management of the management server 100 in the power grid to the management server 100 in response to a request from the management server 100. Alternatively, the DCM server 300 may transmit the information about the power storage device 11 to the management server 100 when receiving the information about the power storage device 11 from the vehicle 10, regardless of whether there is a request from the management server 100.

[0045] In the power management system 1 having the above-described communication configuration, communicable devices communicate with each other in accordance with various communication standards.

[0046] The management server 100 acquires information on power storage devices (for example, information such as the state of charge (SOC)) from a plurality of vehicles including the vehicle 10 in order to estimate the chargeable and dischargeable amounts in the plurality of vehicles in the power grid.

[0047] The information about the power storage device reaches the management server 100 via the first communication path ( Figure 1 The single-dot chain arrow) and the second communication path ( Figure 1 At least any one of the solid arrows) is sent.

[0048] For example, when the ECU 12 of the vehicle 10 is not connected to the EVSE 70, it transmits information about the power storage device 11 to the management server 100 via the first communication path. On the other hand, when the ECU 12 of the vehicle 10 is connected to the EVSE 70, it transmits information about the power storage device 11 to the management server 100 via the first communication path and the second communication path, respectively.

[0049] When data including the same information is transmitted via two paths, data may be received at different timings due to delays etc. depending on the reliability of each communication path. When a path for wireless communication such as a mobile phone line is included between the communication device 16 and the DCM server 300, if the radio wave conditions are worse than usual when the vehicle 10 is traveling in a tunnel, underground or parked, a delay etc. may occur in the communication from the communication device 16 to the DCM server 300. In this case, it is required to appropriately process the received data.

[0050] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the management server 100 operates as follows. That is, the management server 100 performs a synchronization process of synchronizing the first data with the second data using the difference between a first time when the EVSE 70 and the vehicle 10 are connected via a first communication path to receive first data including information about the power storage device 11 and a second time when the EVSE 70 and the vehicle 10 are connected via a second communication path to receive second data including the information.

[0051] Since the difference between the first time and the second time is equivalent to the difference in communication delay, the first data and the second data can be synchronized by using the difference. As a result, control using the first data and the second data can be performed with high accuracy. Therefore, information obtained through different communication paths can be appropriately processed.

[0052] In the following, regarding the processing executed by the vehicle 10 (ECU 12), reference will be made to Figure 3 While explaining. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the vehicle 10. It should be noted that Figure 3~Figure 5 The series of processing shown in the flowchart is repeatedly executed at every predetermined cycle.

[0053] In step (hereinafter referred to as S) 100, the ECU 12 determines whether the plug is connected. For example, the ECU 12 may determine that the plug is connected when the connector of the EVSE 70 is connected to the inlet of the vehicle 10. For example, the ECU 12 may determine that the connector is connected when an ON signal is received from a circuit (not shown) that outputs an ON signal when the connector is connected to the inlet. When it is determined that the plug is connected (Yes in S100), the process moves to S102.

[0054] In S102, the ECU 12 uses the communication device 16 to send first data including a sending time (hereinafter referred to as a first time) and information about the SOC of the power storage device 11 (hereinafter referred to as a first battery information) to the management server 100 via the DCM server 300. The ECU 12 sets the sending time of the first data to the DCM server 300 as the first time. The ECU 12 sets the first time using the time information counted internally. Thereafter, the process moves to S104.

[0055] In S104, ECU 12 transmits information on the SOC of power storage device 11 (hereinafter referred to as second battery information) to EVSE 70 using communication device 16. The process then ends. If it is determined that the plug is not connected (No in S100), the process ends.

[0056] Next, regarding the processing executed by the EVSE 70 (control device 72), referring to Figure 4 While explaining. Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the EVSE 70 .

[0057] In S200, the control device 72 determines whether the plug is connected. For example, the control device 72 may determine that the plug is connected when a connector is connected to the inlet of the vehicle 10. For example, the control device 72 may determine that the connector is connected when a signal indicating that the connector is connected to the inlet is received from the vehicle 10 through wired communication via a cable or through wireless communication. When it is determined that the plug is connected (Yes in S200), the process moves to S202.

[0058] In S202, control device 72 determines whether or not second battery information has been received from vehicle 10. When it is determined that second battery information has been received from vehicle 10 (YES in S202), the process proceeds to S204.

[0059] In S204, the control device 72 sends the second data including the sending time (hereinafter referred to as the second time) and the second battery information to the management server 100 via the indoor controller 60. The control device 72 sets the sending time to the indoor controller 60 as the second time. The control device 72 uses the time information of the internal timer to set the second time. Thereafter, the processing ends. It should be noted that the processing ends when it is determined that the plug is not connected (No in S200) or when it is determined that the second battery information is not received from the vehicle 10 (No in S202).

[0060] Next, regarding the processing executed by the control device 102 of the management server 100, refer to Figure 5 To explain. Figure 5This is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the management server 100 .

[0061] In S300, the control device 102 determines whether the second data has been obtained from any EVSE in the power grid. It should be noted that the control device 102 associates the time of reception with the received second data at least when the second data is first received and stores the received data in the storage device 104. If it is determined that the second data has been obtained from any EVSE in the power grid (yes in S300), the process moves to S302.

[0062] In S302, the control device 102 determines whether the first data has been obtained from the DCM server 300. The control device 102, for example, uses the second data to determine the vehicle 10 connected to the EVSE 70, and requests the DCM server 300 for the first data about the determined vehicle 10. The DCM server 300 can send the first data about the vehicle 10 to the management server 100 upon request. Alternatively, the control device 102 can also extract the first data about the vehicle 10 from various data successively received from the DCM server 300 and obtain the first data about the vehicle 10. It should be noted that the control device 102 establishes a correspondence between the time of reception and the received first data at least when the first data is initially received and stores it in the storage device 104. When it is determined that the first data has been obtained from the DCM server 300 (yes in S302), the process moves to S304.

[0063] In S304, the control device 102 calculates the deviation. The control device 102 calculates the difference between the reception time of the first data first received after the plug is connected in the vehicle 10 (hereinafter, referred to as the first reception time) and the reception time of the second data first received after the plug is connected in the vehicle 10 (hereinafter, referred to as the second reception time) as the deviation. The deviation represents the difference between the delay time from when the first data is sent from the vehicle 10 to when it is received in the management server 100 via the DCM server 300 and the delay time from when the second data is sent from the EVSE 70 to when it is received in the management server 100. In this case, the first first data is sent from the vehicle 10 at the timing when the plug is determined to be connected. In addition, the first second data is sent from the EVSE 70 at the same timing when the plug is determined to be connected. As a result, the difference between the first reception time and the second reception time represents the difference in delay time, which is calculated as the deviation. Thereafter, the process moves to S306.

[0064] In S306, the control device 102 performs synchronization processing. More specifically, the control device 102 sets the time after the reception time of the first data in the management server 100 to be backtracked by the deviation amount as the reception time after synchronization. The control device 102 performs a process of establishing a correspondence between the battery information of the first data corresponding to the reception time before synchronization and the reception time after synchronization as the synchronization process. The control device 102 performs synchronization processing on the first data received during the plug connection. Thereafter, the process moves to S308.

[0065] In S308, the control device 102 uses the synchronized first data and second data to perform power control. Power control includes power control related to supply and demand management, such as charge and discharge control of the power storage device 11. When the first data is obtained from the DCM server 300 in a manner that includes more detailed information than the second data, the control device 102 uses the first data to complement the second data. The control device 102 uses the first data and the second data to accurately estimate the SOC and SOC changes of the power storage device 11. As a result, supply and demand management of electricity in the power grid that complies with the supply and demand request from the power company 150 can be performed. Thereafter, the processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the second data is not obtained from the EVSE 70 (No in S300), the processing ends. In addition, when it is determined that the first data is not obtained from the DCM server 300 (No in S302), the processing returns to S302.

[0066] Regarding the operation of the power management system 1 according to the present embodiment based on the above-described configuration and flowchart, Figure 6 While explaining.

[0067] Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the power management system 1 . Figure 6 The horizontal axis represents time. Figure 6 The vertical axis represents the data volume of the transmission data from the DCM, the data volume of the reception data (1) from the DCM received by the management server, the data volume of the reception data (2) from the EVSE 70 received by the management server, and the data volume of the transmission data from the EVSE. Figure 6 LN1 indicates the change in the data volume of the transmission data from the DCM. Figure 6 LN2 indicates a change in the data volume of the data transmitted from the EVSE 70 . Figure 6 LN3 indicates the change in the data volume of the received data (1) before synchronization. Figure 6 LN4 indicates the change in the data volume of the received data (2). Figure 6 LN5 represents the change in the amount of received data (2) after synchronization. Figure 6In the embodiment, it is assumed that the internal timings of the vehicle 10, the management server 100, and the EVSE 70 are not synchronized (even when the same plug is connected, the timings are different). Figure 6 In FIG. 1 , it is assumed that the plug connection is performed at time T( 0 ) and the connection is released at time T( 1 ) based on the time measured in the management server 100 .

[0068] For example, if the plug connection is performed in the vehicle 10 (Yes in S100), then Figure 6 As shown in LN1 of FIG. 1 , first data including the transmission time T(2) of plug connection and first battery information is transmitted to the management server 100 via the DCM server 300 ( S102 ). Furthermore, second battery information is transmitted to the EVSE 70 via the connector and the cable ( S104 ).

[0069] In the EVSE 70, the plug connection is performed (Yes in S200), and if the second battery information is received from the vehicle 10 (Yes in S202), then Figure 6 As shown in LN2 of FIG. 1 , second data including the transmission time T( 3 ) of plug connection and the second battery information is transmitted to the management server 100 via the indoor controller 60 ( S204 ).

[0070] In the management server 100, as Figure 6 That is, if the management server 100 receives the second data at the second receiving time (Yes in S300), it receives the first data initially sent at the first receiving time (Yes in S302), and calculates the difference between the first receiving time and the second receiving time as the deviation (S304).

[0071] Then, the synchronization process (S306) is performed, so that the reception time corresponding to the battery information of the first data is set back by the deviation amount as the reception time after synchronization. Figure 6 As shown in LN5, the reception time of the first data and the reception time of the second data are synchronized. The synchronized first data and the second data are used to perform power control (S308). The management server 100 processes the first data at the synchronized reception time and the corresponding second data at the reception time as data at the same time and performs power control.

[0072] As described above, according to the power management system 1 involved in this embodiment, since the difference between the first receiving time and the second receiving time is equivalent to the difference in communication delay, the first data and the second data can be synchronized by using the difference. As a result, control using the first data and the second data can be implemented with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to provide a power management system that can appropriately process information obtained through different communication paths.

[0073] Furthermore, synchronization processing can be performed even when at least one of the internal time of the vehicle 10, the internal time of the management server 100, and the internal time of the EVSE 70 is different. Therefore, power control using the synchronized first and second data can be performed with high accuracy.

[0074] Furthermore, by synchronizing the first data with the second data having a smaller delay time, power control using the first data and the second data can be performed with high accuracy. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the case of synchronizing the first data with the second data having a smaller delay time is described as an example, but in the case where the difference in delay time is small, the second data may also be synchronized with the first data having a larger delay time.

[0075] Modifications will be described below.

[0076] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first data and the second data are synchronized. When the delay time of the first data or the delay time of the second data can be determined, the first data and the second data may be synchronized to the time of the internal clock of the management server 100. In this way, the power control using the first data and the second data can be performed with higher precision.

[0077] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the battery information includes the SOC of the power storage device 11 as an example. For example, at least one of the dischargeable capacity, the chargeable capacity, the current dischargeable power amount, and the current chargeable power amount may be included instead of or in addition to the SOC.

[0078] It should be noted that all or part of the above-mentioned modifications may be appropriately combined and implemented.

[0079] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

Claims

1. A power management system comprising: A vehicle equipped with an electric storage device; Transmission equipment for transmitting electric power between the power grid and the power storage device; and A server, in communication with the vehicle, The server comprises: a communication device for communicating with a first communication path for communicating between the vehicle and the server and a second communication path for communicating between the transmission device and the server; and a control device for processing data received using the communication device, The control device performs synchronization processing to synchronize the first data with the second data using a difference between a first time when first data including information about the power storage device is received via the first communication path when the transmission device and the vehicle are connected and a second time when second data including the information is received via the second communication path when the transmission device and the vehicle are connected.

2. The power management system according to claim 1, The control device uses the difference to synchronize the time information in the first data with the time information in the second data.

3. The power management system according to claim 1 or 2, The control device performs power control between the vehicle and the grid using the synchronized first data and the second data.

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