Storage library management device and storage library management method

Abstract

A parking lot management device (20) is provided with a chargeable number storage unit (211), a charging plan generation unit (221), a chargeable number update unit (224), and a charging plan update unit (225). A chargeable number storage unit (211) stores chargeable number information indicating, for each output power amount, the number of vehicles that can be charged at the same time within a predetermined available power amount in a parking lot (X). A charging plan generation unit (221) generates charging plan information for the plurality of vehicles on the basis of the number of chargeable vehicles. A chargeable number update unit (224) updates the chargeable number information when the power demand reduction request is acquired. A charging plan update unit (225) updates information for a predetermined period in the charging plan information using the updated number of chargeable units information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a repository management device and a repository management method. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, electric vehicles powered by battery power have been becoming popular, and along with this, it has been necessary to install charging equipment for charging the batteries of electric vehicles.

[0003] In view of this, by installing charging equipment in parking lots in apartments and large facilities, it is possible to charge while an electric vehicle is parked in the parking lot. In such a parking lot, charging processing is performed at the output power amount set for each electric vehicle based on charging plan information generated in advance in such a manner that charging processing can be performed within the contract power amount.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-173117 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] On the other hand, in an electric power company, when there is a possibility that the power supply-demand balance collapses due to weather conditions or the like, sometimes a demand for reducing power consumption is requested from power consumers.

[0009] As described above, when a power consumption reduction request is received during charging processing of an electric vehicle parked in a parking lot, there is a problem that charging processing sometimes cannot be performed according to the generated charging plan information during the period corresponding to the reduction request.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a repository management device and a repository management method that can generate charging plan information for appropriately performing charging processing on stored items according to the requested reduction amount when a power reduction request is received in a repository provided with a plurality of charging devices.

[0011] Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The repository management device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a rechargeable unit number storage unit that stores rechargeable unit number information, which is information representing the number of items that can be simultaneously charged within a predetermined available power amount in a repository where a plurality of charging devices are provided and predetermined items to be charged are stored, in terms of the output power amount required for charging one item; a charging plan generation unit that generates charging plan information for a plurality of items to be charged with a predetermined output power amount based on the rechargeable unit number information stored in the rechargeable unit number storage unit; a rechargeable unit number update unit that, when a power demand reduction request is received, updates the rechargeable unit number information according to the requested reduction amount; and a charging plan update unit that, when the rechargeable unit number information is updated by the rechargeable unit number update unit, updates information for a predetermined period in the charging plan information generated by the charging plan generation unit using the updated rechargeable unit number information.

[0013] In addition, in the repository management method according to one aspect of the present invention, rechargeable unit number information is stored, which is information representing the number of items that can be simultaneously charged within a predetermined available power amount in a repository where a plurality of charging devices are provided and predetermined items to be charged are stored, in terms of the output power amount required for charging one item; charging plan information for a plurality of items to be charged with a predetermined output power amount is generated based on the stored rechargeable unit number information; when a power demand reduction request is received, the rechargeable unit number information is updated according to the requested reduction amount; and when the rechargeable unit number information is updated, information for a predetermined period in the generated charging plan information is updated using the updated rechargeable unit number information.

[0014] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0015] According to the repository management device and the repository management method of the present invention, in a repository provided with a plurality of charging devices, when a request for reducing power consumption is received, charging plan information can be generated to appropriately perform a charging process on stored items according to the requested reduction amount. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 FIG. is a block diagram showing the configuration of a parking lot management system using a parking lot management device as a repository management device according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 FIG. is a table showing an example of the rechargeable unit number information pre-stored in the rechargeable unit number storage unit of the parking lot management device according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3It is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the parking lot management device according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 It is an example of the charging plan information generated by the charging plan generation unit of the parking lot management device according to an embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 It is a table showing an example of the rechargeable station number information updated by the rechargeable station number update unit of the parking lot management device according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 It is the first example of the charging plan information updated by the charging plan update unit of the parking lot management device according to an embodiment.

[0022] Figure 7 It is the second example of the charging plan information updated by the charging plan update unit of the parking lot management device according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 8 It is the third example of the charging plan information updated by the charging plan update unit of the parking lot management device according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 9 It is the fourth example of the charging plan information updated by the charging plan update unit of the parking lot management device according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 10 It is another example of the charging plan information updated by the charging plan update unit of the parking lot management device according to an embodiment. Detailed Embodiment

[0026] Hereinafter, as an example of a storage library management device that manages a storage library provided with a plurality of charging devices and stores predetermined items to be charged, an embodiment of a parking lot management device that manages a parking lot for storing electric vehicles will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] <Structure of Parking Lot Management System>

[0028] Figure 1 It is a block diagram showing the structure of the parking lot management system 1 that utilizes the parking lot management device 20 according to the present embodiment. The management object of the parking lot management system 1 is, for example, the parking lot X. The parking lot management system 1 includes a plurality of charging devices 10-1 to 10-n provided in the parking lot X and a parking lot management device 20. The charging devices 10-1 to 10-n are respectively provided in each parking space SP1 to SPn in the parking lot X.

[0029] Hereinafter, when it is not certain which one of the charging devices 10-1 to 10-n it is, it is described as the charging device 10. Similarly, when it is not certain which one of the parking spaces SP1 to SPn it is, it is described as the parking space SP.

[0030] Each of the charging devices 10 has a function of supplying power to an electric vehicle parked in the corresponding parking space SP and connected by a charging cable. The charging device 10 supplies power to each vehicle based on an instruction from the parking lot management device 20 at an output power amount preset according to the output power amount specified by the user or the vehicle model, etc.

[0031] The parking lot management device 20 includes a storage unit 21 and a CPU 22. The storage unit 21 has a rechargeable number storage unit 211 and a charging plan storage unit 212. The rechargeable number storage unit 211 stores rechargeable number information, and this rechargeable number information represents, according to the output power amount required for charging one vehicle, the number of vehicles that can be simultaneously charged within the available power amount in the parking lot X. That is, the rechargeable number information shows the number of vehicles that can be simultaneously charged in association with the output power amount required for charging each vehicle. The charging plan storage unit 212 stores the charging plan information generated and updated as described later.

[0032] The CPU 22 has a charging plan generation unit 221, a charging control unit 222, a power reduction request acquisition unit 223, a rechargeable number update unit 224, and a charging plan update unit 225.

[0033] The charging plan generation unit 221 generates charging plan information for a plurality of vehicles charging at a predetermined output power amount for a predetermined period based on the rechargeable number information stored in the rechargeable number storage unit 211, and stores it in the charging plan storage unit 212. The charging control unit 222 controls the charging devices 10-1 to 10-n in the parking lot X based on the charging plan information stored in the charging plan storage unit 212.

[0034] The power reduction request acquisition unit 223 acquires a power demand reduction request issued from a power company or the like. When the power reduction request acquisition unit 223 acquires a power demand reduction request, the rechargeable number update unit 224 updates the rechargeable number information in the rechargeable number storage unit 211 according to the requested reduction amount.

[0035] When the rechargeable number information is updated by the rechargeable number update unit 224, the charging plan update unit 225 uses the updated rechargeable number information to update the information for the predetermined period in the charging plan information stored in the charging plan storage unit 212.

[0036] 〈Operation of the Parking Lot Management System〉

[0037] The operation of the parking lot management system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. Figure 2 This is a table showing an example of the number of rechargeable stations information pre-stored in the rechargeable station number storage unit 211. In Figure 2 the exemplified table, the number of rechargeable stations information of one or more charging modes (in the example of the figure, modes (1) to (3)) shown according to the output power required for charging one vehicle is stored. In other words, Figure 2 the three exemplified charging modes represent the number of vehicles to be charged according to the output power required for charging.

[0038] In the present embodiment, the maximum value of the power that can be used simultaneously in the charging devices 10-1 to 10-n is 12 kVA. In the number of rechargeable stations information of mode (1), the total number of rechargeable stations at the same time is 4, and the details are 4 vehicles with an output power of 3 kWh and 0 vehicles with an output power of 6 kWh. In the number of rechargeable stations information of mode (2), the total number of rechargeable stations at the same time is 3, and the details are 2 vehicles with an output power of 3 kWh and 1 vehicle with an output power of 6 kWh. In the number of rechargeable stations information of mode (3), the total number of rechargeable stations at the same time is 2, and the details are 0 vehicles with an output power of 3 kWh and 2 vehicles with an output power of 6 kWh.

[0039] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing the processing executed by the parking lot management device 20 when the parking lot management system 1 in the present embodiment operates.

[0040] When reservation information of the charging device 10 is sent from an external device to the parking lot management device 20, the charging plan generation unit 221 acquires it. The external device is, for example, a user terminal held by a user or an operation panel provided in the parking lot X. In addition, the reservation information includes identification information of the user or vehicle, the scheduled arrival time, the scheduled departure time, and the output power during charging.

[0041] For example, when the charging plan generation unit 221 has already acquired the reservation information of the charging device 10 related to vehicles [1] to

[11] and re-acquires the reservation information of the charging device 10 related to vehicle

[12] (in step S1, "Yes"), based on the reservation information related to these vehicles [1] to

[12] and the number of rechargeable stations information stored in the rechargeable station number storage unit 211, it generates the charging plan information for a predetermined period (step S2).

[0042] Here, the charging plan generation unit 221 generates charging plan information related to vehicles [1] to

[12] from the period from the nearest 0:00 to 1:00 after the current time to the period from 23:00 to 24:00, 24 hours later, such that the number of charging stations for each one-hour period is within the number of vehicles corresponding to each output power represented by the rechargeable station number information of any mode stored in the rechargeable station number storage unit 211. Additionally, the charging time for each vehicle is within 4 hours when the output power is 3 kWh and within 2 hours when the output power is 6 kWh.

[0043] Figure 4 An example of the generated charging plan information is shown. In Figure 4 , for each vehicle, the "in" period represents the period including the scheduled arrival time, and the "out" period represents the period including the scheduled departure time. Additionally, in Figure 4 , the charging target period for each vehicle is surrounded by a thick frame, and a value representing the corresponding output power is recorded therein.

[0044] For example, the charging plan generation unit 221 adopts mode (1) for the charging mode in the period from 0:00 to 1:00 and generates charging plan information to charge a total of 4 vehicles, namely vehicles [1] to [4], with a total of 12 kWh of power at an output power of 3 kWh. Additionally, in the period from 4:00 to 5:00, mode (2) is adopted, and charging plan information is generated to charge 2 vehicles, namely vehicles [6] and [7], at an output power of 3 kWh and vehicle [5] at an output power of 6 kWh, thereby charging a total of 3 vehicles with a total of 12 kWh of power.

[0045] The charging plan information generated by the charging plan generation unit 221 is stored in the charging plan storage unit 212.

[0046] Based on the charging plan information stored in the charging plan storage unit 212, the charging control unit 222 performs the charging process of the charging device 10 for the vehicles to be charged in each period.

[0047] When performing the charging process based on the charging plan information generated as described above, if a power demand reduction request related to a predetermined period is issued by a power company or the like, the power reduction request acquisition unit 223 acquires the request. The power demand reduction request includes information on the reduction amount "50%" of the requested power and the reduction request period T1 "from 8:00 to 18:00 the next day".

[0048] When the power reduction request acquisition unit 223 acquires a power demand reduction request (Yes in step S3), the rechargeable station number update unit 224 updates the rechargeable station number information in the rechargeable station number storage unit 211 according to the requested reduction amount and the request period (step S4).

[0049] Figure 5 is a table showing an example of the rechargeable station number information updated for the reduction request period T1. In Figure 5 the table stores the rechargeable station number information for two modes (mode (4), (5)) shown by the output power amount.

[0050] Here, according to the requested reduction amount of "50%", the maximum value of the power that the charging devices 10-1 to 10-n can use simultaneously during the reduction request period T1 is 6 kVA. In the rechargeable station number information of mode (4), the total number of rechargeable stations simultaneously is 2, and the details are 2 vehicles with an output power amount of 3 kWh and 0 vehicles with 6 kWh. In the rechargeable station number information of mode (5), the total number of rechargeable stations simultaneously is 1, and the details are 0 vehicles with an output power amount of 3 kWh and 1 vehicle with 6 kWh.

[0051] Next, the charging plan update unit 225 updates the charging plan information stored in the charging plan storage unit 212 using the updated rechargeable station number information (step S5).

[0052] Figure 6 shows a first example of the updated charging plan information. In the first example, the charging plan update unit 225 adopts mode (4) or mode (5) for the charging mode during the reduction request period T1, generates and updates the charging plan information so that the simultaneously used power amount is within 6 kWh.

[0053] For example, for the charging mode in the time period from 8:00 to 9:00, mode (4) is adopted, and a total of 6 kWh of power is used to charge 2 vehicles, vehicle [8] and vehicle [9], with an output power amount of 3 kWh. In addition, for the charging mode in the time period from 10:00 to 11:00, mode (5) is adopted, and vehicle

[10] is charged with an output power amount of 6 kWh. In addition, the charging plan update unit 225 generates the charging plan information so that the simultaneously used power amount of the charging mode in the time period other than the reduction request period T1 is within 12 kWh. By generating the charging plan information in this way, it is possible to appropriately change the number of rechargeable stations for each output power amount according to whether it is during the reduction request period, and charge efficiently.

[0054] Figure 7Shows a second example of the updated charging plan information. In the second example, the charging plan update unit 225 adopts mode (4) or (5) for the charging mode during the curtailment request period T1, and shortens the charging time so that the charging time per vehicle is within 2 hours when the output power is 3 kWh and within 1 hour when the output power is 6 kWh, and generates and updates the charging plan information.

[0055] For example, mode (5) is adopted for the charging mode in the time period from 8:00 to 9:00, and the vehicle

[10] is charged with an output power of 6 kWh. At this time, the charging time for the vehicle

[10] is 1 hour. In addition, mode (4) is adopted for the charging mode in the time period from 10:00 to 12:00, and the vehicle

[12] is charged with an output power of 6 kWh. At this time, the charging time for the vehicle

[12] is 2 hours. By generating the charging plan information in this way, it is possible to charge as many vehicles as possible even during the curtailment request period.

[0056] Figure 8 Shows a third example of the updated charging plan information. The third example is the charging plan information generated by the charging plan update unit 225 when only the start time "8:00 the next day" is specified and the end time is not specified during the curtailment request period T2 included in the power demand curtailment request.

[0057] In this third example, the charging plan update unit 225 sets the end time of the curtailment request period T2 to 24:00 the next day, which is the end time of the generation period of the charging plan information, adopts mode (4) or (5) for the charging mode during the curtailment request period T2, and generates the charging plan information with the charging time per vehicle within 2 hours when the output power is 3 kWh and within 1 hour when the output power is 6 kWh.

[0058] In addition, in the third example, if within the curtailment request period T2, there is no other vehicle waiting to be charged at the charging end time point of any vehicle, or even if it overlaps with the charging of other vehicles and the simultaneous power consumption does not exceed 6 kWh, the charging plan update unit 225 adds the charging time in the same way as in normal times, that is, within 4 hours when the output power is 3 kWh and within 2 hours when the output power is 6 kWh, and generates and updates the charging plan information.

[0059] For example, regarding vehicle

[12] , after the charging for 2 hours based on the output power amount of 3 kWh is completed and there are no other vehicles waiting to be charged, the charging time is further extended by 2 hours, resulting in a total of 4 hours. Additionally, regarding vehicle [1] and vehicle [2], even if charging is extended after the charging for 2 hours based on the output power amount of 3 kWh, the simultaneous power consumption does not exceed 6 kWh. Therefore, the charging time is further extended by 2 hours, making the total 4 hours. By generating the charging plan information in this way, even during the curtailment request period, it is possible to charge for an amount of time corresponding to the user's wishes as much as possible.

[0060] Figure 9 A fourth example of the updated charging plan information is shown. Similar to the third example, in the curtailment request period T2 included in the power demand curtailment request, when only the start time "8:00 the next day" is specified and the end time is not specified, the charging plan update unit 225 generates the charging plan information.

[0061] In this fourth example, the charging plan update unit 225 only adopts mode (4) for the charging mode within the curtailment request period T2, and generates and updates the charging plan information in such a way that the charging time for each vehicle is within 2 hours. That is, in this example, even when the user desires an output power amount of 6 kWh, the charging plan information is generated by reducing it to 3 kWh during the curtailment request period T2. By generating the charging plan information in this way, even during the curtailment request period, it is possible to charge as many vehicles as possible.

[0062] When the charging plan update unit 225 updates the charging plan information stored in the charging plan storage unit 212, the charging control unit 222 executes the charging process performed by the charging device 10 that holds the corresponding vehicle based on the updated charging plan information.

[0063] In addition, when the charging plan update unit 225 generates the charging plan information, in the case where the start time of the curtailment request period included in the obtained power demand curtailment request is "immediately", that is, when a curtailment request that needs to be responded to immediately is obtained, it is determined whether the power consumption of the currently executing charging process exceeds the available power amount after curtailment of the power demand curtailment request.

[0064] Here, when it is determined that the power consumption of the currently executing charging process exceeds the reduced available power based on the power demand reduction request, the charging plan update unit 225 determines, among the vehicles being charged, any one of (i) the vehicle that has been charging for the longest time, (ii) the vehicle with the latest parking entry order, or (iii) the vehicle that has passed the changed charging time when the charging time is shortened during the reduction request period, and changes the output power of the determined vehicle for the time period corresponding to the current time to "0". At this time, the charging plan update unit 225 determines the number of vehicles whose output power is to be changed to "0" based on the excess amount of the available power.

[0065] For example, when a power demand reduction request is obtained at 7:30, and at this time, the three vehicles [7], [8], and [9] are being charged with output powers of 3 kWh each, for a total of 9 kWh, and it is necessary to reduce the power used during charging to 6 kWh, one vehicle that meets any one of the above conditions (i) to (iii) is determined from these three vehicles.

[0066] As Figure 10 shown, the charging plan update unit 225 determines that vehicle [7] meets conditions (i) and (iii). For the determined vehicle [7], it changes the output power for the time period from 7:00 to 8:00 that matches the current time to "0", and updates the charging plan information for the time period after 8:00 as in any one of the above first to fourth examples. In this way, the time period after the current time is set as the reduction request period T3, and the charging plan information is updated.

[0067] After updating the charging plan information as described above, the charging control unit 222 stops the charging of vehicle [7] based on the updated charging plan information, so that the parking lot management device 20 can respond to the immediate reduction request for power demand.

[0068] In addition, after obtaining the power demand reduction request, when the request is cancelled, the charging plan update unit 225 uses the pre-update available charging station number information to update the charging plan information stored in the charging plan storage unit 212 again.

[0069] According to the above embodiment, in a parking lot equipped with multiple charging devices, when a power usage reduction request is received, it is possible to generate and update charging plan information for appropriately executing the charging process according to the requested reduction amount.

[0070] In the above-described embodiments, the case where the storage is a parking lot and the object to be stored is an electric vehicle has been described as an example, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the storage may be a drone port and the object to be stored may be a drone equipped with a rechargeable battery. Or, the storage may be a robot docking point and the object to be stored may be a robot equipped with a rechargeable battery. It may also be that the storage is a power supply storage and the object to be stored is a portable power supply. It may also be that the storage is a container storage and the object to be stored is a container or storage box equipped with a rechargeable battery and using the power supplied by the battery for refrigeration or ventilation.

[0071] Above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, but modifications or variations of the embodiments can be made based on the above disclosure. As long as all the constituent elements of the above embodiments and all the features described in the scope of patent protection do not conflict with each other, they can also be separately extracted and combined.

[0072] Symbol Explanation

[0073] 1 Parking lot management system

[0074] 20 Parking lot management device

[0075] 21 Storage unit

[0076] 22 CPU

[0077] 211 Rechargeable number storage unit

[0078] 212 Charging plan storage unit

[0079] 221 Charging plan generation unit

[0080] 222 Charging control unit

[0081] 223 Power reduction request acquisition unit

[0082] 224 Rechargeable number update unit

[0083] 225 Charging plan update unit.

Claims

1. A storage library management device, characterized in that: have: a chargeable number storage unit storing information on the number of chargeable units, wherein the information on the number of chargeable units is information indicating the number of items that can be charged simultaneously within a predetermined usable power amount in a storage warehouse where a plurality of charging devices are provided and predetermined items to be charged are stored, as output power amount required for charging one item; a charging plan generating unit for generating charging plan information for a plurality of articles to be charged with a predetermined output power amount based on the chargeable number information stored in the chargeable number storage unit; a chargeable unit number updating unit, which updates the chargeable unit number information according to the requested reduction amount when a power demand reduction request is obtained; as well as A charging plan updating unit updates the information of the predetermined period in the charging plan information generated by the charging plan generating unit using the updated information of the number of chargeable units when the information of the number of chargeable units is updated by the updating unit for the number of chargeable units.

2. The storage library management device according to claim 1, wherein: The chargeable number storage unit stores a plurality of patterns of chargeable number information indicating the number of articles that can be charged simultaneously, for each of a plurality of output power amounts required for charging one article. The charging plan generating unit generates the charging plan information based on any one of the plurality of patterns of the chargeable unit number information stored in the chargeable unit number storage unit for each time period. When receiving a request for reduction in power demand, the chargeable unit number update unit updates the chargeable unit number information of the plurality of modes according to the requested reduction amount. When the chargeable unit number update unit updates the chargeable unit number information, the charge plan update unit updates the charge plan information generated by the charge plan generation unit using any one of the updated chargeable unit number information of the plurality of patterns.

3. The storage library management device according to claim 1, wherein: The charging plan updating unit updates the charging plan information by shortening the charging time of each item or reducing the output power amount of each item.

4. The storage library management device according to claim 1, wherein: The charging plan updating unit updates the charging plan information by immediately stopping a predetermined number of charging processes according to the excess amount when the power demand reduction request requires an immediate response and the power usage of the currently executed charging process exceeds the available power after reduction based on the power demand reduction request.

5. The storage library management device according to claim 1, wherein: After acquiring the power demand reduction request, the charging plan updating unit updates the charging plan information again using the chargeable unit number information before the update when the request is cancelled.

6. The storage library management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The object is an electric vehicle, a drone, a robot, a portable power supply device, a container or a storage box equipped with a rechargeable battery.

7. A storage library management method, characterized in that: storing information on the number of chargeable units, wherein the information on the number of chargeable units is information indicating the number of items that can be charged simultaneously within a predetermined usable power amount in a storage warehouse where a plurality of charging devices are installed and predetermined items to be charged are stored, as output power amount required for charging one item, generating charging plan information for a plurality of items to be charged with a predetermined output power amount based on the stored information on the number of chargeable units; When a request for reduction in power demand is obtained, the information on the number of chargeable units is updated according to the requested reduction amount. When the information on the number of chargeable units is updated, the information on the predetermined period in the generated charging plan information is updated using the updated information on the number of chargeable units.

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