Power supply control device and power supply control method

Abstract

To provide a power supply control device and power supply control method, which may reduce errors in a procurement plan formulated by a specific business operator.SOLUTION: A power supply control device is provided, comprising a control unit for controlling distributed power supplies installed in a facility, and a transmission unit for transmitting control commands for controlling the distributed power supplies to the distributed power supplies, where the control unit formulates a control plan for the distributed power supplies according to a specific market price of power procured by a specific business operator selling power to the facility from the electric power market.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply control device and a power supply control method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a technology (e.g., VPP (Virtual Power Plant)) that uses a power storage device as a distributed power source to maintain the power supply and demand balance in a power grid has become known. In a VPP, the power storage device is controlled by a power management device that manages two or more facilities having the power storage device.

[0003] Furthermore, a method has been proposed for formulating a charge / discharge plan for an electricity storage device based on the needs of a facility, such as the economic value of the facility, the environmental value of the facility, and the BCP (Business Continuity Plan) value of the facility (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-17970 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in cases where a specific business operator (e.g., a retail electricity business operator) that sells electricity to a facility procures electricity from the electricity market or a power generation business operator and then sells the electricity to the facility, it is anticipated that the entity that develops the charging and discharging plan (e.g., a VPP operator) may be different from the retail electricity business operator.

[0006] After careful consideration, the inventors have found that in such a case, if an electricity retailer formulates an electricity procurement plan without understanding the control plan for the distributed power source (e.g., the charging and discharging plan for a storage device), there is a possibility that errors in the procurement plan will occur due to the control of the distributed power source.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a power supply control device and a power supply control method that can reduce errors in procurement plans formulated by specific businesses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the disclosure is a power supply control device that includes a control unit that controls a distributed power supply installed in a facility, and a transmission unit that transmits a control command to the distributed power supply to control the distributed power supply, wherein the control unit formulates a control plan for the distributed power supply based on a specific market price for electricity procured from the electricity market by a specific business operator that sells electricity to the facility.

[0009] One aspect of the disclosure is a power supply control method comprising step A of controlling a distributed power supply installed in a facility, step B of transmitting a control command to the distributed power supply to control the distributed power supply, and step C of formulating a control plan for the distributed power supply based on a specific market price for electricity procured from the electricity market by a specific business operator selling electricity to the facility. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power supply control device and a power supply control method that can reduce errors in procurement plans formulated by specific businesses. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a power supply control system 1 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a facility 100 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a VPP server 200 according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a retail server 300 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a power supply control method according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a power supply control method according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a power supply control method according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the designation of the charging time zone and the discharging time zone according to the first modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic.

[0013] [Embodiment] (Power supply control system) A power supply control system according to an embodiment will be described below.

[0014] 1, the power supply control system 1 includes a facility 100. The power supply control system 1 includes a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) server 200 and a retail server 300.

[0015] Here, the facility 100, the VPP server 200, and the retail server 300 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network 11. The network 11 may include the Internet, a dedicated line such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN), or a mobile communication network.

[0016] The facility 100 is connected to the power system 12 and may receive power from the power system 12 or may supply power to the power system 12. Power from the power system 12 to the facility 100 may be referred to as forward flow power. Power from the facility 100 to the power system 12 may be referred to as reverse flow power. In FIG. 1, facilities 100A to 100C are illustrated as examples of the facility 100.

[0017] Although not particularly limited, the facility 100 may be a facility such as a residence, a facility such as a store, or a facility such as an office. The facility 100 may be an apartment building including two or more residences. The facility 100 may be a complex including at least two or more of the following facilities: a residence, a store, and an office. Details of the facility 100 will be described later (see FIG. 2).

[0018] The VPP server 200 is a server managed by a business operator (e.g., a VPP business operator) that controls distributed power sources (e.g., a power storage device 120 described later) installed in the facility 100. The VPP server 200 may be read as the VPP business operator. Details of the VPP server 200 will be described later (see FIG. 3).

[0019] In the embodiment, the VPP server 200 constitutes a power supply control device that controls the distributed power supplies installed in the facility 100.

[0020] The retail server 300 is a server managed by a business entity (e.g., a retail electricity business entity) that sells electricity to the facility 100. The retail electricity business entity may procure electricity from an electricity market or a power generation business entity, and sell the procured electricity to the facility 100. The retail server 300 may be read as a retail electricity business entity. Details of the retail server 300 will be described later (see FIG. 4).

[0021] In an embodiment, the retail electricity supplier may be an example of a specified supplier that sells electricity to the facility 100.

[0022] Although not particularly limited, the electricity market may be a market in which electricity is traded for a target period (e.g., one day from 0:00 to 24:00). The electricity market may be a market in which electricity rates are determined for each unit period (e.g., 30 minutes) that constitutes the target period. The electricity market may include a spot market in which trading is closed the day before the target period (e.g., 12:00 the day before the target period). The electricity market may include an advance market in which trading is closed just before (e.g., one hour before) a unit period that constitutes the target period. The electricity market may include a forward market or a forward electricity market in which electricity is traded for a specific future period (e.g., one year, one month, one week).

[0023] Although not limited to this, the power generation company may include a company that trades electricity in the electricity market, and may also include a company that trades electricity directly with a retail electricity company.

[0024] (facility) A facility according to an embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 2, the facility 100 includes a solar cell device 110, a power storage device 120, a fuel cell device 130, a load device 140, and an EMS (Energy Management System) 160. The facility 100 may also include a measuring device 190.

[0025] The solar cell device 110 is a distributed power source that generates power in response to light such as sunlight. For example, the solar cell device 110 is configured with a PCS (Power Conditioning System) and a solar panel. Here, installation may mean that the solar cell device 110 and the power grid 12 are connected.

[0026] The power storage device 120 is a distributed power source that charges and discharges power. For example, the power storage device 120 is configured with a PCS and a power storage cell. Here, the term "installed" may mean that the power storage device 120 and the power grid 12 are connected to each other.

[0027] The fuel cell device 130 is a distributed power source that generates power using fuel. For example, the fuel cell device 130 is composed of a PCS and a fuel cell. Here, "installation" may mean that the fuel cell device 130 and the power system 12 are connected.

[0028] For example, the fuel cell device 130 may be a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC; Solid Oxide Fuel Cell), a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC; Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC; Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell), or a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC; Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell).

[0029] The load device 140 is a device that consumes electric power. For example, the load device 140 may include an air conditioner, a heat pump water heater, a lighting device, and the like.

[0030] The EMS 160 manages the power related to the facility 100. The EMS 160 may control the solar cell device 110, the power storage device 120, the fuel cell device 130, and the load devices 140. In the embodiment, the EMS 160 is illustrated as an example of a device that receives a control command from the VPP server 200, but such a device may be referred to as a gateway or simply as a control unit. The control command may be an instruction or command to control a distributed power source (e.g., the power storage device 120). To distinguish the EMS 160 from the VPP server 200, the EMS 160 may be referred to as a Local EMS (LEMS), a Home EMS (HEMS), or a VPP controller.

[0031] The measuring device 190 measures forward flow power (hereinafter also referred to as demand power) from the power system 12 to the facility 100. The measuring device 190 may measure reverse flow power from the facility 100 to the power system 12. For example, the measuring device 190 may be a smart meter belonging to a power company. The measuring device 190 may transmit an information element indicating a measurement result (an integrated value of forward flow power or reverse flow power) in a first interval (e.g., 30 minutes) to the EMS 160 at the first interval. The measuring device 190 may transmit an information element indicating a measurement result in a second interval (e.g., 1 minute) shorter than the first interval to the EMS 160.

[0032] (VPP server) The VPP server according to the embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG.

[0033] The communication unit 210 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, LTE, 5G, and 6G, or may be a wired communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.3.

[0034] The communication unit 210 may receive facility information of the facility 100. The facility information may include information indicating the configuration of the distributed power source possessed by the facility 100, or may include information indicating the specifications of the distributed power source possessed by the facility 100. The communication unit 210 may receive a planned value of power consumption of the facility 100, or may receive an actual value of power consumption of the facility 100. The communication unit 210 may receive a planned value of power generation of the distributed power source installed in the facility 100, or may receive an actual value of power generation of the distributed power source installed in the facility 100. The communication unit 210 may receive a planned value of power demand of the facility 100, or may receive an actual value of power demand of the facility 100. The power demand is a value obtained by subtracting power consumption from power generation. When the distributed power source is the power storage device 120, the communication unit 210 may receive information indicating the remaining amount of power storage (e.g., SOC; State Of Charge) of the power storage device 120 (hereinafter, referred to as remaining amount of power storage information).

[0035] In the embodiment, the communication unit 210 constitutes a transmission unit that transmits to the facility 100 a control command for controlling a distributed power source (e.g., the power storage device 120) installed in the facility 100. The communication unit 210 may constitute a reception unit that receives a market price predicted by the retail server 300 from the retail server 300 (electricity retailer). The communication unit 210 may transmit a control plan for the distributed power source (e.g., a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120) formulated by the VPP server 200 to the retail server 300 (electricity retailer).

[0036] The management unit 220 is configured with a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a non-volatile memory.

[0037] For example, the management unit 220 may manage information about the facility 100 having a distributed power source controlled by the VPP server 200. For example, the information about the facility 100 may include the type of the distributed power source (the solar cell device 110, the power storage device 120, or the fuel cell device 130) provided in the facility 100, the specifications of the distributed power source (the solar cell device 110, the power storage device 120, or the fuel cell device 130) provided in the facility 100, and the like. The specifications may include the rated power generation of the solar cell device 110, the rated charging power of the power storage device 120, the rated discharging power of the power storage device 120, and the rated output power of the fuel cell device 130. The specifications may include the rated capacity of the power storage device 120, the maximum charging and discharging power, and the like.

[0038] The control unit 230 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured by a single integrated circuit (IC), or may be configured by a plurality of circuits (such as integrated circuits and / or discrete circuits) communicatively connected to each other.

[0039] In the embodiment, the control unit 230 constitutes a control unit that controls a distributed power source (e.g., the power storage device 120) installed in the facility 100. In detail, the control unit 230 formulates a control plan for the distributed power source, and then instructs the communication unit 210 to transmit a control command in accordance with the formulated control plan.

[0040] In the following, a case where the distributed power source controlled by the VPP server 200 is the power storage device 120 will be illustrated.

[0041] The control unit 230 formulates a control plan (hereinafter, a charge / discharge plan) for the power storage device 120 for each planning unit period (e.g., 30 minutes) constituting a planning target period (e.g., one day). The charge / discharge plan includes an operation mode (e.g., a discharge mode, a charge mode, a standby mode) of the power storage device 120. The charge / discharge plan may include the discharge power and the charge power of the power storage device 120.

[0042] Specifically, the control unit 230 formulates a charge / discharge plan for each planning unit period constituting the planning period, based on a predicted value of the power consumption of the facility 100, a predicted value of the power generation of the distributed power sources (for example, the solar cell device 110 and / or the fuel cell device 130), a predicted value of the power demand of the facility 100, a predicted value of the remaining amount of stored power of the power storage device 120, and the like. The predicted value of the power consumption of the facility 100 may be specified based on a planned value or an actual value of the power consumption. The predicted value of the power demand of the facility 100 may be specified based on a planned value or an actual value of the power demand. The predicted value of the power generation of the solar cell device 110 may be specified based on a planned value or an actual value of the power generation, or may be specified based on information (for example, weather information) that affects the power generation of the solar cell device 110. The predicted value of the power generation of the fuel cell device 130 may be specified based on a planned value or an actual value of the power generation, or may be specified on the assumption that the fuel cell device 130 outputs rated power. The predicted value of the remaining amount of stored power of the power storage device 120 may be determined based on remaining amount of stored power information received from the facility 100.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 230 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 based on the market price. The control unit 230 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 so that the power storage device 120 is charged when the market price is relatively low and the power storage device 120 is discharged when the market price is relatively high. Such a function may be called an arbitrage function or an arbitrage trading function. The arbitrage function allows the cost of a retail electricity supplier to procure electricity from the electricity market to be reduced.

[0044] For example, the control unit 230 may formulate a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 so that charging of the power storage device 120 is performed in a time period when the market price is lower than a first threshold value, assuming that the market price is relatively low. The first threshold value may be set by the electricity retailer. The control unit 230 may formulate a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 so that discharging of the power storage device 120 is performed in a time period when the market price is higher than a second threshold value, assuming that the market price is relatively high. The second threshold value may be set by the electricity retailer. The control unit 230 may have a table that associates the first threshold value with charging, and may have a table that associates the second threshold value with discharging.

[0045] In this context, the control unit 230 formulates a control plan (e.g., a charge / discharge plan) for the distributed power source (e.g., the power storage device 120) based on a specified market price, which is the price of electricity procured from the electricity market by a specified business operator (e.g., a retail electricity business operator) that sells electricity to the facility 100. The following options are possible as the specified market price to be referenced in formulating the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120.

[0046] In option 1-1, the specific market price may be a market price predicted by a retail electricity supplier. The price used to predict the market price may be the market price of electricity in the forward market. The specific market price may be considered to be a market price predicted as a market price in the spot market. The market price predicted by a retail electricity supplier may be received from the retail server 300 (retail electricity supplier). That is, the control unit 230 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 using the market price received from the retail server 300 (retail electricity supplier) as the specific market price. In option 1-1, the control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120. In option 1-1, the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 may not be transmitted from the VPP server 200 to the retail server 300.

[0047] In option 1-2, the specific market price may be a market price predicted by the VPP server 200 (control unit 230). The price used to predict the market price may be the market price of electricity in the forward market. The specific market price may be considered to be a market price predicted as a market price in the spot market. In other words, the control unit 230 predicts the market price of electricity procured by the retail electricity supplier from the electricity market, and uses the predicted market price as the specific market price to formulate a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120. In option 1-2, the control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120.

[0048] In options 1-3, the specific market price may be a moving average of the market price specified by the VPP server 200 (control unit 230). The price used to specify the moving average of the market price may be the actual market price (e.g., the market price in the time-ahead market). The specific market price is a moving average of the actual market price for a certain period (e.g., 7 days, 14 days, etc.) before the moving average of the market price is calculated. The specific market price may be considered to be a market price predicted as a market price in the spot market. That is, the control unit 230 predicts a moving average of the market price of the electricity procured by the retail electricity supplier from the electricity market, and uses the predicted moving average as the specific market price to formulate a charging and discharging plan for the power storage device 120. In options 1-3, the charging and discharging plan for the power storage device 120 may not be transmitted from the VPP server 200 to the retail server 300.

[0049] Although not particularly limited, the control unit 230 may modify the charge / discharge plan of the power storage device 120 based on the market price in the hourly market. The control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit the modified charge / discharge plan.

[0050] (Retail Server) The retail server according to the embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG.

[0051] The communication unit 310 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, LTE, 5G, and 6G, or may be a wired communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.3.

[0052] For example, when the above-described option 1-1 is assumed, the communication unit 310 may transmit the market price predicted by the retail server 300 to the VPP server 200. The communication unit 310 may receive a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 from the VPP server 200.

[0053] For example, when the above-described option 1-2 is assumed, the communication unit 310 may receive a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 from the VPP server 200.

[0054] The management unit 320 is configured with a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a non-volatile memory.

[0055] For example, the management unit 320 may manage information related to the facility 100 to which the electricity retailer sells electricity. For example, the information related to the facility 100 may include the type of distributed power source (the solar cell device 110, the power storage device 120, or the fuel cell device 130) provided in the facility 100, the specifications of the distributed power source (the solar cell device 110, the power storage device 120, or the fuel cell device 130) provided in the facility 100, and the like. The specifications may include the rated power generation of the solar cell device 110, the rated charging power of the power storage device 120, the rated discharging power of the power storage device 120, and the rated output power of the fuel cell device 130. The specifications may include the rated capacity of the power storage device 120, the maximum charging and discharging power, and the like.

[0056] The control unit 330 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured by a single integrated circuit (IC), or may be configured by a plurality of circuits (such as integrated circuits and / or discrete circuits) communicatively connected to each other.

[0057] For example, the control unit 330 formulates a procurement plan for power to be procured from a power market (for example, a spot market) in a target period. In an embodiment, the operation of procuring power from the spot market may be referred to as "bidding."

[0058] Specifically, the control unit 330 formulates a procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the electricity market for each unit period constituting the target period, based on the predicted value of power consumption of the facility 100, the predicted value of power generation of the distributed power sources (e.g., the solar cell device 110 and / or the fuel cell device 130), the predicted value of power demand of the facility 100, and the charge and discharge plan of the electricity storage device 120. Note that the target period for which the procurement plan is formulated may be considered to be a term indicating a period similar to the planned target period for which the charge and discharge plan is formulated.

[0059] Here, the procurement plan is submitted to the third party by the day before the target period (for example, by 12:00 on the day before the target period). If the electricity actually procured from the spot market deviates from the procurement plan submitted to the third party, a penalty may be imposed on the retail electricity supplier.

[0060] In this context, the following options are considered as the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 to be referred to in formulating the procurement plan.

[0061] In option 2-1, the above-mentioned option 1-1 may be assumed. Specifically, the control unit 330 may formulate a procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the electricity market (e.g., spot market) based on the charge / discharge plan received from the VPP server 200. As described above, the charge / discharge plan received from the VPP server 200 may be formulated based on the market price (specific market price) transmitted from the retail server 300 to the VPP server 200. Alternatively, the control unit 330 may formulate a procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the electricity market (e.g., spot market) based on the charge / discharge plan estimated by the retail server 300. The charge / discharge plan may be estimated based on the market price (specific market price) transmitted to the VPP server 200.

[0062] In option 2-1, when the electricity retailer has a power storage device or the like that can be controlled by the retail server 300, the control unit 330 may formulate a procurement plan for power to be procured from the power market (e.g., the spot market) based on the market price transmitted from the retail server 300 to the VPP server 200. For example, the control unit 330 may increase the amount of power procured from the power market when the market price is relatively low, and decrease the amount of power procured from the power market when the market price is relatively high.

[0063] In option 2-2, the above-mentioned option 1-2 may be assumed. Specifically, the control unit 330 formulates a procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the electricity market (e.g., the spot market) based on the charge / discharge plan received from the VPP server 200. As described above, the charge / discharge plan received from the VPP server 200 is formulated based on the market price (specific market price) predicted by the VPP server 200.

[0064] In option 2-2, when the electricity retailer has a power storage device or the like that can be controlled by the retail server 300, the control unit 330 may formulate a procurement plan for power to be procured from the power market (e.g., the spot market) based on the market price predicted by the retail server 300. For example, the control unit 330 may increase the amount of power to be procured from the power market when the market price is relatively low, and decrease the amount of power to be procured from the power market when the market price is relatively high.

[0065] In option 2-3, the above-mentioned options 1-3 may be assumed. Specifically, the control unit 330 predicts the power demand of the facility 100 in the target period, and formulates a procurement plan for power to be procured from the power market (e.g., the spot market) based on the predicted power demand. The power demand of the facility 100 in the target period may be predicted based on the past power demand of the facility 100. The power demand of the facility 100 in the target period may be predicted using a learning model generated by learning the correlation between various parameters (weather, temperature, day of the week, etc.) and the power demand. The learning may include machine learning or deep learning.

[0066] Although not particularly limited, the control unit 330 may formulate a procurement plan for power to be procured from the hour-ahead market when the charging / discharging plan is revised based on the market price in the hour-ahead market. In an embodiment, the operation of procuring power from the hour-ahead market may be referred to as “re-bidding.”

[0067] (Power supply control method) A power supply control method according to an embodiment will be described below.

[0068] First, the above-mentioned options 1-1 and 2-1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0069] 5, in step S11, the retail server 300 predicts the market price. For example, the market price in the spot market may be predicted based on past market prices in the spot market.

[0070] In step S12, the retail server 300 transmits to the VPP server 200 the market price predicted in step S11 (predicted market price).

[0071] In step S13, the VPP server 200 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 using the predicted market price as the specific market price.

[0072] In step S14, the VPP server 200 transmits the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 to the retail server 300.

[0073] In step S15, the retail server 300 formulates a procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the spot market based on the charge / discharge plan received in step S14. In other words, the retail electricity supplier submits a bid for the spot market. The retail server 300 may formulate the procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the spot market based on the market price predicted in step S11.

[0074] In step S16, the VPP server 200 modifies the charge / discharge plan of the power storage device 120 based on the market price in the hour-ahead market, and transmits the modified charge / discharge plan to the retail server 300. Note that, when the charge / discharge plan is not modified based on the market price in the hour-ahead market, step S16 may be omitted.

[0075] In step S17, the retail server 300 formulates a procurement plan for power to be procured from the hour-ahead market, based on the charge / discharge plan received in step S16. In other words, the electricity retailer re-bids on the hour-ahead market.

[0076] In step S18, the VPP server 200 transmits a control command to the facility 100 in accordance with the charge / discharge plan formulated in step S13 or the charge / discharge plan modified in step S16.

[0077] Here, the communication between the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300 may be performed in a manner conforming to Open ADR (Automated Demand Response). For example, in steps S12, S14, and S16, messages such as a registration request for various reports (oadrRegisterReport), a registration response corresponding to the registration request (oadrRegistered), various reports (oadrCreatedReport), and a response to the various reports (oadrResponse) may be used.

[0078] Secondly, the above-mentioned Option 1-2 and Option 2-2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 6, in step S21, the retail server 300 predicts the market price. For example, the market price in the spot market may be predicted based on the market price in the forward market. Note that, if the market price is not referred to in formulating the procurement plan, the process of step S21 may be omitted.

[0080] In step S22, the VPP server 200 predicts the market price. For example, the market price in the spot market may be predicted based on the market price in the forward market.

[0081] In step S23, the VPP server 200 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 by using the market price predicted by the VPP server 200 as the specific market price.

[0082] In step S24, the VPP server 200 transmits the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 to the retail server 300.

[0083] In step S25, the retail server 300 formulates a procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the spot market based on the charge / discharge plan received in step S24. In other words, the retail electricity supplier submits a bid for the spot market. The retail server 300 may formulate a procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the spot market based on the market price predicted in step S21.

[0084] In step S26, the VPP server 200 modifies the charge / discharge plan of the power storage device 120 based on the market price in the afore-hour market, and transmits the modified charge / discharge plan to the retail server 300. Note that, when the charge / discharge plan is not modified based on the market price in the afore-hour market, step S26 may be omitted.

[0085] In step S27, the retail server 300 formulates a procurement plan for power to be procured from the hour-ahead market, based on the charge / discharge plan received in step S26. In other words, the electricity retailer re-bids on the hour-ahead market.

[0086] In step S28, the VPP server 200 transmits a control command to the facility 100 in accordance with the charge / discharge plan formulated in step S23 or the charge / discharge plan modified in step S26.

[0087] Here, the communication between the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300 may be performed in a manner conforming to Open ADR. For example, in steps S24 and S26, messages such as a registration request for various reports (oadrRegisterReport), a registration response corresponding to the registration request (oadrRegistered), various reports (oadrCreatedReport), and a response to the various reports (oadrResponse) may be used.

[0088] Thirdly, the above-mentioned options 1-3 and 2-3 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0089] 7, in step S31, the retail server 300 predicts a market price. For example, the market price in the spot market may be predicted based on the market price in the forward market. Alternatively, the market price in the spot market may be predicted based on a moving average of the market price history (for example, the market price in the time-ahead market).

[0090] In step S32, the VPP server 200 predicts the market price in the spot market based on a moving average of the market price history (for example, the market price in the time-ahead market).

[0091] In step S33, the VPP server 200 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 using the market price predicted in step S32 (the moving average of the market price performance) as the specific market price.

[0092] In step S35, the retail server 300 predicts the power demand of the facility 100 in the target period, and formulates a procurement plan for power to be procured from the spot market based on the predicted power demand. In other words, the retail electricity supplier submits a bid for the spot market. The retail server 300 may formulate a procurement plan for power to be procured from the spot market based on the market price predicted in step S31.

[0093] In step S37, the retail server 300 formulates a procurement plan for power to be procured from the hour-ahead market, based on the charge / discharge plan received in step S36. In other words, the electricity retailer re-bids on the hour-ahead market.

[0094] In step S38, the VPP server 200 transmits a control command to the facility 100 in accordance with the charge / discharge plan formulated in step S33 or the charge / discharge plan modified in step S36.

[0095] Here, the communication between the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300 may be performed in a manner conforming to Open ADR. For example, in step S36, messages such as a registration request for various reports (oadrRegisterReport), a registration response corresponding to the registration request (oadrRegistered), various reports (oadrCreatedReport), and a response to the various reports (oadrResponse) may be used.

[0096] (Action and Effects) In the embodiment, the VPP server 200 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 based on a specific market price for electricity procured by the electricity retailer from the electricity market (e.g., spot market). According to such a configuration, by clarifying the specific market price used in formulating the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120, it becomes easy for the retail server 300 to grasp the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120, and therefore it is possible to reduce errors in the procurement plan formulated by the electricity retailer based on the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120.

[0097] For example, according to Option 1-1 and Option 2-1, the market price predicted by the electricity retailer is used as the specified market price. According to such a configuration, the specified market price used in formulating the charge / discharge plan of the power storage device 120 is shared between the VPP business operator and the electricity retailer, so that the electricity retailer can formulate a procurement plan taking into account the charge / discharge plan of the power storage device 120. Therefore, it is possible to reduce errors in the procurement plan formulated by the electricity retailer. Furthermore, when the market price predicted by the electricity retailer is referred to in formulating the procurement plan, the market prices referred to in the procurement plan and the charge / discharge plan are similar, so that it is possible to further reduce errors in the procurement plan formulated by the electricity seller.

[0098] For example, according to Option 1-2 and Option 2-2, the market price predicted by the VPP operator is used as the specific market price, but the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 is transmitted from the VPP operator to the electricity retailer, so the electricity retailer can formulate a procurement plan taking into account the charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120. Therefore, it is possible to reduce errors in the procurement plan formulated by the electricity retailer without sharing the market price referenced in formulating the charge / discharge plan between the VPP operator and the electricity retailer.

[0099] For example, according to options 1-3 and 2-3, a moving average of the market price is used as the specific market price. According to such a configuration, the daily fluctuation of the specific market price used in formulating the charge / discharge plan of the power storage device 120 becomes gentle, so that even if the market price and the charge / discharge plan referred to in formulating the charge / discharge plan are not shared between the VPP operator and the electricity retailer, the daily fluctuation of the charge / discharge plan referred to in formulating the procurement plan also becomes gentle, and it is possible to reduce errors in the procurement plan formulated by the electricity retailer.

[0100] [Change Example 1] Modification 1 of the embodiment will be described below, focusing mainly on the differences from the above-described embodiment.

[0101] 8, in the first modification, the retail server 300 may specify at least one of a charging time zone and a discharging time zone of the power storage device 120. In other words, the VPP server 200 receives specification information specifying at least one of a charging time zone and a discharging time zone of the power storage device 120, and formulates a charging / discharging plan for the power storage device 120 based on the specification information received from the retail server 300.

[0102] For example, the VPP server 200 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 so that charging of the power storage device 120 is performed during a charging time period designated by the retail server 300. Similarly, the VPP server 200 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 so that discharging of the power storage device 120 is performed during a discharging time period designated by the retail server 300.

[0103] In the first modification, the retail server 300 may specify at least one of the charging time zone and the discharging time zone of the power storage device 120 based on the amount of power demand of the facility 100. The amount of power demand of the facility 100 may be a value obtained by subtracting the amount of power generated by the facility 100 from the amount of power consumed by the facility 100.

[0104] In the first modification, the retail server 300 may specify at least one of the charging time period and the discharging time period of the power storage device 120 based on the market price. The market price may be the market price in the spot market or the market price in the hourly market.

[0105] [Other embodiments] Although the present invention has been described by the above-mentioned embodiment, the description and drawings forming a part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0106] In the above disclosure, a case has been exemplified in which the distributed power source controlled by the VPP server 200 is the power storage device 120. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The distributed power source controlled by the VPP server 200 may be a fuel cell device 130 or a diesel generator.

[0107] In the above disclosure, a case has been described in which the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300 are separate servers. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The VPP server 200 and the retail server 300 may be one server. In such a case, the function corresponding to the VPP server 200 may be referred to as a VPP function, and the function corresponding to the retail server 300 may be referred to as a retail function. It may be considered that the transmission and reception of information shown in Figures 5 and 6 is performed between the VPP function and the retail function.

[0108] Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, a program may be provided that causes a computer to execute each process performed by the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300. The program may also be recorded in a computer-readable medium. Using the computer-readable medium, it is possible to install the program in a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transient recording medium. The non-transient recording medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

[0109] Alternatively, a chip may be provided that is configured with a memory that stores programs for executing the processes performed by the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300, and a processor that executes the programs stored in the memory.

[0110] [Note] The above disclosure may be expressed as follows:

[0111] The first feature is that the power supply control device comprises a control unit that controls a distributed power source installed in a facility, and a transmission unit that transmits a control command to the distributed power source to control the distributed power source, and the control unit formulates a control plan for the distributed power source based on a specified market price for electricity procured from the electricity market by a specified business operator selling electricity to the facility.

[0112] A second feature is that, in the first feature, the power supply control device further includes a receiving unit that receives from the specified business operator a market price predicted by the specified business operator as the market price of electricity that the specified business operator will procure from the electricity market, and the control unit uses the market price received from the specified business operator as the specified market price to formulate a control plan for the distributed power source.

[0113] A third feature is a power supply control device in the first feature, wherein the control unit predicts a market price of electricity that the specified business operator will procure from the electricity market, and formulates a control plan for the distributed power source using the predicted market price as the specified market price, and the transmission unit transmits the control plan for the distributed power source to the specified business operator.

[0114] A fourth feature is a power supply control device in which, in the first feature, the control unit identifies a moving average of the market price of electricity that the specified business operator procures from the electricity market, and formulates a control plan for the distributed power source by using the identified moving average as the specified market price.

[0115] A fifth feature is a power supply control device that, in at least one of the first to fourth features, when the distributed power source is a power storage device, includes a receiving unit that receives designation information from the specified business operator that designates at least one of a charging time period and a discharging time period of the power storage device, and the control unit formulates a charging and discharging plan for the power storage device based on the designation information.

[0116] A sixth feature is a power supply control method comprising: step A of controlling a distributed power supply installed in a facility; step B of transmitting a control command to the distributed power supply to control the distributed power supply; and step C of formulating a control plan for the distributed power supply based on a specified market price for electricity procured from the electricity market by a specified business operator selling electricity to the facility. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 1...power supply control system, 11...network, 12...power system, 100...facility, 110...solar cell device, 120...energy storage device, 130...fuel cell device, 140...load equipment, 160...EMS, 190...measuring device, 200...VPP server, 210...communication unit, 220...management unit, 230...control unit, 300...retail server, 310...communication unit, 320...management unit, 330...control unit

Claims

1. A control unit that controls the distributed power sources installed in the facility; a transmitter that transmits a control command for controlling the distributed power source to the distributed power source, The control unit formulates a control plan for the distributed power source based on a specific market price for electricity procured from an electricity market by a specific business operator selling electricity to the facility.

2. a receiving unit that receives from the specified business operator a market price predicted by the specified business operator as a market price of electricity that the specified business operator will procure from the electricity market, The power supply control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit uses the market price received from the specific business operator as the specific market price to formulate a control plan for the distributed power supply.

3. The control unit predicts a market price of the electricity that the specified business operator will procure from the electricity market, and uses the predicted market price as the specified market price to formulate a control plan for the distributed power source; The power supply control device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit transmits the control plan for the distributed power supply to the specific business operator.

4. 2. The power supply control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit identifies a moving average of a market price of electricity procured by the specified business operator from the electricity market, and formulates a control plan for the distributed power source by using the identified moving average as the specified market price.

5. a receiving unit that receives, when the distributed power source is a power storage device, designation information that designates at least one of a charging time period and a discharging time period of the power storage device from the specified business operator; The power supply control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit formulates a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device based on the designation information.

6. Step A of controlling a distributed power source installed in a facility; A step B of transmitting a control command to the distributed power source to control the distributed power source; A power supply control method comprising: a step C of formulating a control plan for the distributed power supply based on a specific market price for electricity procured from an electricity market by a specific business operator selling electricity to the facility.

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