Management device

Abstract

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a technology that enables a user to find value when using green power for a vehicle. A management server is provided with: a storage device for storing management data for managing power stored in a battery; and a computing device that gives a reward on the basis of the management data. The battery can be charged using green power obtained by renewable energy sources. The arithmetic device gives a reward on the basis of the green power stored in the battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a management device, and more particularly, to a management device that uses electricity stored in a vehicle's battery to award rewards. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-151174 (Patent Document 1) discloses a system that calculates environmental value and assigns rewards such as digital currency based on measurements of electricity generation, storage capacity, and consumption using renewable energy. Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-67753 (Patent Document 2) discloses a system that evaluates the activities of vehicle users, such as eco-friendly driving, health-managed driving, and social contribution activities, and assigns points and other rewards.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-151174

[0004] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-67753 Summary of the Invention

[0005] To achieve decarbonization, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have become widespread. Users of these vehicles can contribute to decarbonization by using green electricity generated from renewable energy sources. However, the systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not consider situations where users are specifically rewarded for using green electricity to charge their vehicles. Therefore, users cannot perceive value in using green electricity for their vehicles and are unlikely to be motivated to decarbonize.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a technology that enables users to discover value when using green electricity in vehicles.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention relates to a management device that uses electricity stored in a vehicle's battery to award rewards. The management device includes: a storage device for storing management data for managing the electricity stored in the battery; and a computing device for awarding rewards based on the management data. The battery can be charged using green electricity obtained from renewable energy sources. The computing device awards rewards based on the green electricity stored in the battery.

[0008] Invention Effects

[0009] According to the present invention, rewards are given based on the green electricity used for charging the vehicle, so that users can see value in using green electricity for the vehicle and be motivated to decarbonize. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 It is a diagram representing the structure of the management system.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal structure of a charging device.

[0012] Figure 3 This is another example of a diagram showing the internal structure of a charging device.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of management data used to manage the power stored in a battery.

[0014] Figure 5 This is another example of a diagram illustrating management data used to manage the power stored in a battery.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the change in the amount of green energy stored in a battery. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, identical or corresponding parts in the drawings will be labeled with the same symbols, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0017] [Management System Structure]

[0018] Figure 1 This is a diagram representing the structure of the management system 100. (Example) Figure 1 As shown, the management system 100 includes: vehicle 5; charging equipment 6; smart meter 7; switching device 42; router 43; management server 1; cooperative server 2; user device 3; relay server 91; and monitoring server 92.

[0019] Vehicle 5 is an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, configured to be charged using electricity supplied from charging equipment 6. Hereinafter, charging vehicle 5 will also be referred to as "vehicle charging". Vehicle 5 includes an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 50, a communication device 53, and a battery 54.

[0020] The ECU 50 includes a computing unit 51 and a storage unit 52, controlling the entire system of the vehicle 5. The computing unit 51, composed of a central processing unit (CPU) and other processors, is the main computing entity (computer) that performs prescribed processing. The storage unit 52 stores various programs or data executed by the computing unit 51.

[0021] Battery 54 includes secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries. Vehicle 5 is able to operate using the electricity stored in battery 54. The amount of electricity stored in battery 54 is also called the state of charge (SOC).

[0022] The communication device 53 includes various communication I / F (interfaces). The computing unit 51 of the ECU 50 is configured to communicate with external devices such as the charging device 6 or the management server 1 via the communication device 53.

[0023] The charging device 6 includes a charging connector 60 that can connect to a socket in a vehicle (not shown). When the charging connector 60 is connected to the socket, the charging device 6 supplies power to the battery 54 of the vehicle 5 via the charging connector 60. Figure 1 In the example, the charging device 6 is installed at the home 4 of the user of vehicle 5.

[0024] Smart meter 7 is installed in the respective power systems from the power company's power source 8 to home 4 and charging device 6. Smart meter 7 measures the amount of electricity supplied from the power company's power system to home 4 or charging device 6. Smart meter 7 sends data representing the measured amount of electricity to charging device 6. The electricity obtained from the power company's power system is not green electricity obtained through the generation of renewable energy; therefore, this electricity will be referred to below as "non-green electricity".

[0025] The switching unit 42 is, for example, a power conditioning system (PCS). Installed in home 4, the switching unit 42 converts green electricity generated using carbon-neutral fuels such as solar, wind, and biomass, or renewable energy sources such as hydropower or geothermal power, into electricity usable by the residential loads 44 within home 4. Figure 1 In the example, a solar panel 41 is shown as a structure for generating green electricity.

[0026] Non-green electricity supplied from power source 8 by the power company and green electricity supplied from solar panels 41 via switching device 42 are consumed by vehicle charging via charging equipment 6 or by residential loads 44. Figure 1In this diagram, non-green electricity supplied from power source 8 of the power company is represented by "P0", electricity supplied from charging equipment 6 to vehicle 5 is represented by "P1", green electricity supplied from solar panel 41 is represented by "P2", and electricity supplied to load 44 in the residence is represented by "P3".

[0027] Router 43 is installed in home 4 and configured to communicate with switch 42, charging device 6, and management server 1 via wired or wireless means. For example, router 43 communicates with charging device 6, receiving various data related to power exchange on a unit time basis (e.g., 1 hour), such as non-green electricity supplied from power source 8 (P0), green electricity supplied from solar panel 41 (P2), electricity consumed during vehicle charging (P1), and electricity consumed by load 44 in the home (P3), etc. Router 43 sends the received data related to power exchange to management server 1.

[0028] Management server 1 is an example of the "management device" of the present invention. Management server 1 is a cloud server equipped with a computing unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The computing unit 11 is composed of a processor such as a CPU and is the computing entity (computer) that performs prescribed processing. The storage unit 12 stores various programs or data executed by the computing unit 11. The communication unit 13 includes various communication I / Fs (interfaces). The computing unit 11 is configured to communicate with external devices such as router 43, vehicle 5, charging equipment 9 installed in shop 30, cooperative server 2, or user device 3 via the communication unit 13.

[0029] The cooperative server 2 includes a computing unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The computing unit 21, composed of a processor such as a CPU, is the main computing entity (computer) that performs prescribed processing. The storage unit 22 stores various programs or data executed by the computing unit 21. The communication unit 23 includes various communication I / Fs. The computing unit 21 is configured to communicate with external devices such as the management server 1 via the communication unit 23.

[0030] User device 3 is an information terminal that can communicate with management server 1, consisting of desktop personal computers (PCs), laptop PCs, smartphones, smartwatches, wearable devices, and tablets.

[0031] Relay server 91, for example, is a dedicated communication server for vehicle 5, consisting of a Data Communication Module server (DCM server). Relay server 91 relays communication between management server 1 and vehicle 5. Relay server 91 receives vehicle data from vehicle 5 and sends the received vehicle data to management server 1. Vehicle data includes various data such as the battery power used for vehicle 5's operation, the SOC of battery 54, the distance traveled by vehicle 5, or the travel path of vehicle 5.

[0032] The monitoring server 92 is, for example, an Energy Management System (EMS) server. The monitoring server 92 communicates with the management server 1 and manages the power generation of the solar panel 41, the power consumption of the residential load 44, and the power used for the vehicle 5, etc., based on the data received from the management server 1.

[0033] In the management system 100 configured as described above, vehicle 5, with its charging connector 60 connected to the charging device 6 located at home 4, uses the power supplied from the charging device 6 to charge battery 54. The power supplied from the charging device 6 includes green electricity supplied from solar panel 41 and non-green electricity supplied from power company 8. If vehicle 5 is in motion, vehicle data such as the amount of electricity consumed during driving is sent to management server 1 via relay server 91. With its charging connector 90 connected to the charging device 9 located at shop 30, vehicle 54 uses the power supplied from the charging device 9 to charge battery 54, or the charging device 9 discharges the power stored in battery 54 to supply power from battery 54 to shop 30. Charging device 9 is an example of "other equipment".

[0034] [Structure of charging equipment]

[0035] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal structure of the charging device 6. (See diagram for example.) Figure 2As shown, the charging device 6 includes a control circuit 61, a communication circuit 62, a power supply circuit 63, and a relay 64. The control circuit 61 generates a drive signal that outputs power from the power supply circuit 63 to the relay 64. When the control circuit 61 receives a charging command from the management server 1 while the charging connector 60 is connected to the socket, it can allow charging. The control circuit 61 outputs a drive signal to the relay 64 based on data received from the communication circuit 62. The relay 64 connects or disconnects the power path between the power supply socket and the charging connector 60 based on the drive signal from the control circuit 61. The power socket is supplied with non-green electricity from the power company's power source 8 and green electricity from the solar panel 41. With this structure, the charging device 6 can allow or disconnect the power supply to the vehicle 5 from the power socket.

[0036] Figure 3 This is another diagram showing the internal structure of charging device 6. (See diagram for example.) Figure 3 As shown, the charging device 6, in addition to a control circuit 61, a communication circuit 62, a power supply circuit 63, and a relay 64, also includes a control pilot frequency (CPLT) circuit 65 and a drive circuit 66. The CPLT circuit 65 is configured to communicate with the vehicle 5 via the signal line of the charging connector 60. The relay 64 can be connected to the power line of the charging connector 60. While communicating with the vehicle 5, the CPLT circuit 65 controls the drive circuit 66 according to control signals from the control circuit 61. When the control circuit 61 receives a charging command from the management server 1 while the charging connector 60 is connected to the socket, it can allow charging. The drive circuit 66, according to the control of the CPLT circuit 65, connects or disconnects the power path between the power supply socket and the charging connector 60. With this structure, the charging device 6 can allow or disconnect the power supply to the vehicle 5 from the power socket.

[0037] [An example of data management]

[0038] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates an example of management data used to manage the power stored in battery 54. Management server 1 generates management data based on data obtained via router 43 and stores it in storage device 12.

[0039] The management data includes the electricity consumed per unit time (e.g., 1 hour) in the residential load 44 (P3), the electricity used for vehicle charging (P1), the green electricity supplied from the solar panel 41 (P2), the electricity purchased from the power company (P0), the ratio (r) of green electricity to the supplied electricity, and the green electricity used for vehicle charging (Ere). The management server 1 stores this management data in the storage device 12 in association with the user's identification information (ID). Furthermore, regarding the electricity purchased from the power company (P0), a negative sign is assigned to the electricity when electricity is supplied to the power company (electricity sales).

[0040] When electricity is sold to the power company (P0 < 0), the ratio (r) of green electricity relative to the supplied electricity is represented by r = 1. When electricity is purchased from the power company (P0 > 0), the ratio (r) of green electricity relative to the supplied electricity is represented by P2 / (P0 + P2). Furthermore, the ratio (r) of green electricity is a value calculated per unit time (e.g., 1 hour). The amount of green electricity used for vehicle charging (Ere) is represented by P1 * r. The computing unit 11 of the management server 1 can calculate the green electricity stored in the battery 54 by multiplying the amount of electricity charged to the vehicle (P1) per unit time by the ratio (r) of green electricity relative to the supplied electricity.

[0041] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, vehicle charging takes place between 11:00 and 18:00 regardless of the ratio (r) of green electricity relative to the supplied electricity. However, the charging status can be changed depending on whether the ratio (r) of green electricity relative to the supplied electricity is above a threshold (e.g., 0.7).

[0042] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, at 2 PM, the ratio (r) is 0.75, and after 3 PM, the ratio (r) is below 0.7. When the ratio (r) is above a threshold (e.g., 0.7), the battery 54 is charged using the power supplied from the charging device 6. On the other hand, when the ratio (r) is below 0.7, the charging device 6 can disconnect the power path between the power supply socket and the charging connector 60 via the relay 64. The control circuit 61 can control the connection / disconnection of the relay 64 based on the charging device 6 according to a threshold preset by the user (0.7 in this example). Thus, vehicle charging can also be stopped after 3 PM.

[0043] Thus, when the ratio (r) of the green electricity supplied to the battery 54 is above a threshold (e.g., 0.7), the battery 54 is charged using the power supplied from the charging device 6. Therefore, when the green electricity supplied from the solar panel 41 decreases (e.g., during rain or cloudy weather, or when the sun sets), the user can stop charging the vehicle and prioritize supplying power to the load 44 in the home.

[0044] [Another example of data management]

[0045] Figure 5 This is another example of a diagram illustrating management data used to manage the power stored in battery 54. For example, according to... Figure 5 The management data shown indicates that vehicle charging took place for 3 hours, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, during which time the cumulative green electricity (Ere) was 8.76 kW. On the other hand, in Figure 5 In the example shown, the vehicle was not charged because electricity was sold to the power company during the three hours from 2 PM to 5 PM.

[0046] Figure 6 This is a graph illustrating an example of the change in the amount of green electricity stored in battery 54. (See figure.) Figure 6 As shown in (A), if the amount of electricity stored in battery 54 before vehicle charging begins at 11:00 AM is set to 6.2 kW, then at 2:00 PM after vehicle charging begins, the amount of electricity stored in battery 54 will be 14.96 kW. Furthermore, the 6.2 kW of electricity stored in battery 54 before vehicle charging uses non-green electricity supplied from power source 8 of the power company.

[0047] like Figure 6 As shown in (B), after the vehicle 5 is charged, it uses green electricity to drive towards the shop 30 and consumes 2.56kw of electricity. After arriving at the shop 30, the battery 54 has a charge of 12.4kw.

[0048] like Figure 6 As shown in (C), when vehicle 5 discharges the power stored in battery 54 and supplies 10kW of power to shop 30 through charging device 9, the power of battery 54 becomes 2.4kW. In addition, of the power discharged by vehicle 5, the green power is 6.2kW.

[0049] [Assignment of rewards]

[0050] As described above, vehicle 5 can use green electricity to charge battery 54, or use the green electricity stored in battery 54 for driving, or discharge the green electricity stored in battery 54 to charging device 9. Thus, by using green electricity obtained from renewable energy sources in vehicle 5, users can contribute to decarbonization. However, if users do not gain any benefit from using green electricity in vehicle 5, they will not find value in using green electricity in vehicle 5 and will lack the motivation for decarbonization.

[0051] Therefore, in the management system 100, the management server 1 is configured to reward users for using green electricity in vehicle 5.

[0052] Specifically, management server 1 calculates the green energy stored in battery 54 (i.e., the energy stored through vehicle charging) and sends data representing the calculated green energy to cooperating server 2. For example, in Figure 6 In the example shown, management server 1 sends data representing 8.76 kW of green electricity to partner server 2. Partner server 2 calculates rewards based on the green electricity data received from management server 1. For example, rewards may include points (coupons) for exchanging services or items, with partner server 2 awarding more rewards for higher green electricity consumption. Partner server 2 sends reward data representing the calculated rewards to management server 1. Management server 1 then sends data representing the reward data received from partner server 2 to user device 3.

[0053] Therefore, management server 1 can reward users based on the green electricity used for vehicle charging, so users can discover value in using green electricity to charge vehicle 5 and have the motivation to decarbonize.

[0054] Additionally, management server 1 can also award rewards to users based on the non-green electricity used for vehicle charging. In this case, management server 1 can award users a higher reward for using green electricity for vehicle charging than the non-green electricity used for vehicle charging.

[0055] Furthermore, management server 1 or cooperating server 2 can send recommended data on using green electricity for vehicle charging to user device 3. Moreover, management server 1 can increase the value of the reward given when the user uses green electricity to charge the vehicle according to the recommended data.

[0056] Furthermore, management server 1 calculates the green energy stored in battery 54 for the driving of vehicle 5, and sends data representing the calculated green energy to cooperating server 2. For example, in Figure 6In the example shown, management server 1 sends data representing 2.56 kW of green electricity to cooperating server 2. Cooperating server 2 calculates a reward based on the green electricity data received from management server 1. Cooperating server 2 sends reward data representing the calculated reward to management server 1. Management server 1 then sends data representing the reward data received from cooperating server 2 to user device 3.

[0057] Therefore, management server 1 can reward users based on the green electricity used for driving vehicle 5, so users can see the value in using green electricity to drive vehicle 5 and have the motivation to decarbonize.

[0058] Additionally, management server 1 can also award rewards to users based on the non-green electricity used for driving vehicle 5. In this case, management server 1 can award users higher rewards for green electricity used for driving vehicle 5 than for non-green electricity. For example, when management server 1 uses green electricity to drive vehicle 5, it can increase the number of reward points awarded compared to when using non-green electricity.

[0059] Furthermore, management server 1 or cooperating server 2 can send recommendation data on using green electricity to drive vehicle 5 to user device 3. Moreover, management server 1 can increase the value of the reward given if the user uses green electricity to drive vehicle 5 according to the recommendation data.

[0060] Furthermore, management server 1 calculates the green electricity generated from the power stored in battery 54 that is discharged to charging equipment 9 in store 30, and sends data representing the calculated green electricity to cooperating server 2. For example, in Figure 6 In the example shown, management server 1 sends data representing 6.2kW of green electricity to cooperating server 2. Cooperating server 2 calculates a reward based on the green electricity data received from management server 1. Cooperating server 2 sends reward data representing the calculated reward to management server 1. Management server 1 then sends data representing the reward data received from cooperating server 2 to user device 3.

[0061] Therefore, the management server 1 can reward users based on the green electricity discharged to the charging device 9, so users can discover value in using the vehicle 5 to supply green electricity to other devices and have the motivation to decarbonize.

[0062] Additionally, management server 1 can also award rewards to users based on the non-green electricity discharged to charging device 9. In this case, management server 1 can award users a higher reward than the non-green electricity discharged to charging device 9 for the green electricity discharged to charging device 9.

[0063] Furthermore, management server 1 or cooperating server 2 can send recommended data on using green electricity to discharge charging device 9 to user device 3. Moreover, management server 1 can increase the value of the reward given when the user uses green electricity to discharge charging device 9 according to the recommended data.

[0064] In the above embodiments, management server 1 is an example of a "management device", but cooperative server 2 can have the functions of management server 1, and ECU 50 of vehicle 5 can also have the functions of management server 1.

[0065] The embodiments disclosed herein are considered illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is defined not by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0066] Symbol Explanation

[0067] 1-Management server, 2-Cooperation server, 3-User device, 4-Home, 5-Vehicle, 6, 9-Charging equipment, 7-Smart meter, 8-Power supply, 11, 21, 51-Computing device, 12, 22, 52-Storage device, 13, 23, 53-Communication device, 30-Shop, 41-Solar panel, 42-Switching device, 43-Router, 44-Residential load, 54-Battery, 60, 90-Charging connector, 61-Control circuit, 62-Communication circuit, 63-Power supply circuit, 64-Relay, 65-Circuit, 66-Driver circuit, 91-Relay server, 92-Monitoring server, 100-Management system.

Claims

1. A management device that uses electricity stored in a vehicle's battery to award rewards, the management device being characterized by comprising: A storage device that stores management data for managing the power stored in the battery; and A computing device that assigns the reward based on the management data. The battery can be charged using green electricity obtained from renewable energy sources. The computing device assigns the reward based on the green electricity stored in the battery.

2. The management device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The computing device sends reward data representing the reward to the user device.

3. The management device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rewards include points that can be used to exchange for services or items.

4. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The battery is charged using power supplied from a charging device. The supplied electricity includes the green electricity and non-green electricity obtained from the power company's power system. The computing device calculates the green power stored in the battery based on the ratio of the green power to the supplied power.

5. The management device according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the ratio is above a threshold, the battery is charged using the supplied power from the charging device.

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