Operation method, operation device, operation system, and operation program of battery

Abstract

To provide an operation method of a battery for performing appropriate operation of a battery in a use mode of charging / discharging the battery in SOC ranges with a relatively small SOC width while appropriately reducing progress of deterioration of the battery.SOLUTION: In an operation method of a battery, one of a plurality of SOC ranges shifted from one another is selected as an operation SOC range and the battery is operated in the SOC range selected as the operation SOC range. In the operation method, the SOC range to be selected as the operation SOC range is sequentially switched among the plurality of SOC ranges.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a battery operation method, an operation device, an operation system, and an operation program. [Background technology]

[0002] Batteries such as secondary batteries are charged and discharged in a relatively narrow SOC range, such as a range of 50% or less, depending on the usage mode. When the battery is repeatedly charged and discharged only in a specific SOC range with a relatively narrow SOC range, depending on the type of electrode active material used in the battery, the deterioration of the battery may progress more quickly than when the battery is repeatedly charged and discharged in an SOC range of 0 to 100%. In battery operation, even in a usage mode in which the battery is charged and discharged in a relatively narrow SOC range, it is required to appropriately reduce the deterioration of the battery. In addition, in a usage mode in which the battery is charged and discharged in a relatively narrow SOC range, it is required to appropriately operate the battery while appropriately reducing the deterioration of the battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 220214 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2022 / 209343 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2022 / 264698 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2021 / 205642 [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Yo Kobayashi et al., “Unexpected capacity fade and recovery mechanism of LiFePO4 / graphite cells for grid operation” Journal of Power Sources. 449, (2020) 227502 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery operation method, operation device, operation system, and operation program that appropriately reduces the progression of battery deterioration and appropriately operates the battery in a usage mode in which the battery is charged and discharged in an SOC range with a relatively narrow SOC width. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the battery operation method of the embodiment, one of a plurality of SOC ranges that are offset from one another is selected as an operating SOC range, and the battery is operated in the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range. In the operation method, the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range is switched between the plurality of SOC ranges in sequence. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a plurality of SOC ranges set by a processing circuit or the like of the operation device in the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a switching process of a SOC range selected as an operating SOC range, which is performed by a processing circuit or the like of the operation device in the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for operating a battery, which is performed by a processing circuit and the like of the operation device in the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation system according to a modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a vehicular SOC range and a non-vehicular SOC range set by a processing circuit or the like of the operation device in the modified example of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for operating a battery, which is performed by a processing circuit and the like of the operation device in the modified example of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the change over time in the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity in each of Comparative Example 1, Example 1, and Example 2, as a verification result in the first verification. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the change over time in the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity in each of Comparative Example 2, Example 3, and Example 4, as a verification result in the second verification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 shows an example of an operation system 1 according to an embodiment. The operation system 1 includes a battery 2 and an operation device 3. The battery 2 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery. The battery 2 may be formed from a single cell (single battery), or may be a battery module or a cell block formed by electrically connecting a plurality of single cells. When the battery 2 is formed from a plurality of single cells, the plurality of single cells may be electrically connected in series in the battery 2, or may be electrically connected in parallel in the battery 2. In addition, the battery 2 may be formed with both a series connection structure in which a plurality of single cells are connected in series, and a parallel connection structure in which a plurality of single cells are connected in parallel. In addition, the battery 2 may be any of a battery string, a battery array, and a storage battery in which a plurality of battery modules are electrically connected.

[0010] For the battery 2, the charge amount (charge amount) and the SOC value are specified as parameters indicating the charging state. The real-time charge amount for the battery 2 is calculated based on the charge amount at a predetermined time point and the change in current over time from the predetermined time point, etc. For example, the real-time charge amount for the battery 2 is calculated by adding the time-integrated value of the current from the predetermined time point to the charge amount at the predetermined time point.

[0011] Furthermore, for the battery 2, a lower limit voltage Vmin and an upper limit voltage Vmax are specified for the voltage. For the battery 2, a state in which the voltage during discharge or charging under specified conditions becomes the lower limit voltage Vmin is specified as a state in which the SOC value is 0%, and a state in which the voltage during discharge or charging under specified conditions becomes the upper limit voltage Vmax is specified as a state in which the SOC value is 100%. For the battery 2, a charge capacity (amount of charge charge) from when the SOC value becomes 0% to 100% during charging under specified conditions, or a discharge capacity (amount of discharge charge) from when the SOC value becomes 100% to 0% during discharging under specified conditions is specified as the battery capacity. For the battery 2, the ratio of the remaining charge (remaining capacity) until the SOC value becomes 0% to the battery capacity becomes the SOC value.

[0012] Since the SOC value of the battery 2 is specified as described above, it is possible to calculate the real-time SOC value of the battery 2 while the battery 2 is in operation, for example by charging and discharging the battery 2. It is also possible to calculate the real-time SOC value of the battery 2 from the real-time open-circuit voltage of the battery 2 based on the relationship between the open-circuit voltage and the SOC value of the battery 2. It is also possible to use the calculation of the SOC value using the time-integrated value of the current in combination with other SOC value calculation methods, such as the calculation of the SOC value based on the open-circuit voltage. In this case, a more accurate SOC value can be calculated.

[0013] The battery 2 also includes a positive electrode active material and a negative electrode active material as electrode active materials. In one embodiment, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) is used as the positive electrode active material of the battery 2. In this case, for example, any one of carbonaceous material, titanium-containing oxide, and silicon-based negative electrode material, or a mixture of these, is used as the negative electrode active material. In one example, the battery 2 is operated in a state where it is mounted in a battery-mounted device (not shown). Examples of the battery-mounted device on which the battery 2 is mounted include a large-scale power storage device for a power system, a smartphone, a vehicle, a stationary power supply device, a robot, and a drone.

[0014] In the example of FIG. 1, the operation system 1 is provided with a current measurement circuit 5 and a voltage measurement circuit 6. The current measurement circuit 5 measures the current flowing through the battery 2, and the voltage measurement circuit 6 measures the voltage of the battery 2. In the operation system 1, the current measurement circuit 5, the voltage measurement circuit 6, etc. configure a measurement unit, and the measurement unit measures parameters related to the battery 2, including the current and voltage. In one example, the measurement unit may include a temperature sensor or the like in addition to the current measurement circuit 5 and the voltage measurement circuit 6, and may measure the temperature of the battery 2 in addition to the current and voltage of the battery 2. The measurement unit periodically measures parameters related to the battery 2, such as the current and voltage of the battery 2. Therefore, as a measurement result in the measurement unit, it is possible to obtain time changes in parameters related to the battery 2, including the time change (time history) of the current of the battery 2 and the time change (time history) of the voltage of the battery 2. In addition, when the battery 2 is configured with a plurality of single cells connected in series, a cell balancer that adjusts the SOC difference between the plurality of single cells may be introduced together with the voltage measurement circuit 6. In addition, when the battery 2 is configured by connecting multiple single cells in parallel and connecting these parallel cells in series, a cell balancer that adjusts the SOC difference between the multiple parallel cells may be introduced together with the voltage measurement circuit 6.

[0015] The operation system 1 is also provided with a drive circuit 7, and the battery 2 is electrically connected to a power source and a load (neither shown) through the drive circuit 7. The battery 2 is charged by inputting power from a power source or the like to the battery 2 through the drive circuit 7. Then, the battery 2 is discharged by outputting power from the battery 2 to a load or the like through the drive circuit 7.

[0016] The operation device 3 performs processing related to the operation of the battery 2, for example, controlling the charging and discharging of the battery 2, and managing the operation SOC range, which is the SOC range in which the battery 2 is operated. In one example, the operation device 3 is composed of a processing device (computer) such as a server, and includes a processing circuit 11 and a storage medium 12. The processing circuit 11 is composed of a processor or an integrated circuit, and the processor constituting the processing circuit 11 includes any of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a microcomputer, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The processing circuit 11 may be composed of one processor or a plurality of processors. The storage medium 12 is either a main storage device such as a memory or an auxiliary storage device. The operation device 3 may be provided with only one memory or a plurality of memories serving as the storage medium 12.

[0017] The processing circuit 11 performs processing by executing programs and the like stored in the storage medium 12. In the example of Fig. 1, a data management program 15 and an operation program 16 are stored in the storage medium 12 as programs executed by the processing circuit 11. The processing circuit 11 writes data to the storage medium 12 and reads data from the storage medium 12 by executing the data management program 15. The processing circuit 11 also executes the operation program 16 to perform processing related to the operation of the battery 2, which will be described later.

[0018] In one example, the operation device 3 is configured from multiple processing devices (computers) such as multiple servers, and the processors of the multiple processing devices work together to perform the processing described below regarding the operation of the battery 2. In another example, the operation device 3 is configured from a cloud server in a cloud environment. The infrastructure of the cloud environment is configured from a virtual processor such as a virtual CPU and a cloud memory. Therefore, when the operation device 3 is configured from a cloud server, the virtual processor performs the processing described below regarding the operation of the battery 2 instead of the processing circuit 11. And the cloud memory has the function of storing programs, data, etc., similar to the storage medium 12.

[0019] The processing circuit 11 controls the driving of the drive circuit 7 to control charging, discharging, etc. of the battery 2. The processing circuit 11 controls the driving of the drive circuit 7 to switch between a state in which power is input to the battery 2 and a state in which power is output from the battery 2. In addition, when power is input to the battery 2, the processing circuit 11 controls the driving of the drive circuit 7 to adjust the magnitude of the charging current, which is the current input to the battery 2. In addition, when power is output from the battery 2, the processing circuit 11 controls the driving of the drive circuit 7 to adjust the magnitude of the discharging current, which is the current output from the battery 2.

[0020] The processing circuit 11 acquires the measurement results of the measurement unit for parameters related to the battery 2. To this end, the processing circuit 11 acquires the measurement results of the current of the battery 2 from the current measurement circuit 5 and the measurement results of the voltage of the battery 2 from the voltage measurement circuit 6. Then, based on the measurement results of the current, voltage, etc. of the battery 2, the processing circuit 11 controls the driving of the drive circuit 7 and controls the charging, discharging, etc. of the battery 2. For example, the processing circuit 11 calculates the time change of the current of the battery 2 and the time change of the voltage of the battery 2 from the measurement results of the measurement unit. Then, the processing circuit 11 controls the charging, discharging, etc. of the battery 2 based on the time change of the current of the battery 2 and the time change of the voltage of the battery 2, etc.

[0021] Furthermore, the processing circuit 11 uses the measurement results of the current and voltage of the battery 2 to calculate the real-time SOC value of the battery 2 and the time change (time history) of the SOC value of the battery 2. The SOC value of the battery 2 is calculated using any of the methods described above. The processing circuit 11 controls the driving of the driving circuit 7 and controls the charging and discharging of the battery 2 based on the calculation results of the real-time SOC value and the time change of the SOC value.

[0022] Also, in one example, a user interface (not shown) is provided in the operation system 1. In this case, in the user interface, operations related to the operation of the battery 2 are input by a user of the operation system 1 or the like. For this reason, the user interface is provided with any of a button, a mouse, a touch panel, a keyboard, or the like as an operation unit through which operations are input by the user or the like. The user interface is also provided with a notification unit that notifies information related to the operation of the battery 2. The notification unit notifies information by either a screen display or sound emission, etc. Note that the user interface may be integrated with a processing device that constitutes the operation device 3, or may be provided separately from the processing device that constitutes the operation device 3.

[0023] The following describes the processing performed by the processing circuit 11 and the like of the operation device 3 in operating the battery 2. The processing described below is performed by the processing circuit 11 executing the operation program 16. In this embodiment, in operating the battery 2, the processing circuit 11 sets a plurality of mutually offset SOC ranges X as options for the operating SOC range for operating the battery 2. It is preferable to set three or more SOC ranges X as options for the operating SOC range.

[0024] For each of the multiple SOC ranges X that are set, a median SOC value ηc, an upper limit SOC value ηu, and a lower limit SOC value ηl are specified. For each SOC range X, the upper limit SOC value ηu is the upper limit of the SOC range, and the lower limit SOC value ηl is the lower limit of the SOC range. For each SOC range X, the median SOC value ηc is the center of the SOC range, and corresponds to the average value of the upper limit SOC value ηu and the lower limit SOC value ηl. The processing circuit 11 and the like set the SOC ranges X such that the median SOC value ηc, the upper limit SOC value ηu, and the lower limit SOC value ηl are different among the multiple SOC ranges X.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows an example of a plurality of SOC ranges X set by the processing circuit 11 of the operating device 3 in the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 2, three SOC ranges X1 to X3 are set as options for the operating SOC range. The median SOC value ηc2 of the SOC range X2 is lower than the median SOC value ηc1 of the SOC range X1, and the median SOC value ηc3 of the SOC range X3 is higher than the median SOC value ηc1 of the SOC range X1. In addition, the upper limit SOC value ηu2 of the SOC range X2 is lower than the upper limit SOC value ηu1 of the SOC range X1, and the upper limit SOC value ηu3 of the SOC range X3 is higher than the upper limit SOC value ηu1 of the SOC range X1. In addition, the lower limit SOC value ηl2 of the SOC range X2 is lower than the lower limit SOC value ηl1 of the SOC range X1, and the lower limit SOC value ηl3 of the SOC range X3 is higher than the lower limit SOC value ηl1 of the SOC range X1.

[0026] Since the SOC ranges X1 to X3 are set as described above, the SOC ranges X1 to X3 are offset from one another in the example of Fig. 2. Also, in the example of Fig. 2, the SOC range X3 is the highest SOC range Xmax among the set SOC ranges X1 to X3. And the SOC range X2 is the lowest SOC range Xmin among the set SOC ranges X1 to X3.

[0027] For each of the options for the operating SOC range and the set SOC range X, an SOC width Δη is defined, which corresponds to the width from the upper limit SOC value ηu to the lower limit SOC value ηl. In the example of Fig. 2, an SOC width Δη1 for SOC range X1, an SOC width Δη2 for SOC range X2, and an SOC width Δη3 for SOC range X3 are defined. When setting the SOC range X, the SOC width Δη may be the same for multiple SOC ranges X, or the SOC width Δη may be different for multiple SOC ranges X.

[0028] Depending on the usage of the battery 2, the battery 2 may be charged and discharged in a relatively small SOC range, such as a range of 50% or less. In such a case, in each of the multiple SOC ranges X that are options for the operational SOC range, the SOC range Δη is set to a relatively small value, for example, any value between 10% and 50%. In one example, in each of the SOC ranges X, the SOC range Δη is set to any value between 25% and 35%.

[0029] In a preferred example, the processing circuit 11 etc. sets the SOC ranges Δη to be the same among a plurality of SOC ranges X. In this example, when SOC ranges X1 to X3 are set as in the example of FIG. 2, the SOC ranges Δη1 to Δη3 are the same with respect to each other.

[0030] In another preferred example, the processing circuit 11 etc. sets a larger SOC range Δη for a lower SOC range among the multiple SOC ranges X. In this example, when SOC ranges X1 to X3 are set as in the example of FIG. 2, the SOC range Δη1 is larger than the SOC range Δη3, and the SOC range Δη2 is larger than the SOC range Δη1.

[0031] In one preferred example, a first SOC range Xa and a second SOC range Xb are set as the multiple SOC ranges X that are options for the operating SOC range, and the median SOC value ηcb of the second SOC range Xb is higher than the upper limit SOC value ηua of the first SOC range Xa. In another preferred example, a first SOC range Xa and a third SOC range Xc are set as the multiple SOC ranges X that are options for the operating SOC range, and the median SOC value ηcc of the third SOC range Xc is lower than the lower limit SOC value ηla of the first SOC range Xa. More preferably, in addition to the first SOC range Xa, both the second SOC range Xb and the third SOC range Xc are set as the multiple SOC ranges X.

[0032] For example, suppose SOC ranges X1 to X3 are set as shown in the example of Fig. 2. In this case, it is preferable that the median SOC value ηc3 of SOC range X3 is higher than the upper limit SOC value ηu1 of SOC range X1. It is also preferable that the median SOC value ηc2 of SOC range X2 is lower than the lower limit SOC value ηl1 of SOC range X1. It is more preferable that the median SOC value ηc3 is higher than the upper limit SOC value ηu1 and the median SOC value ηc2 is lower than the lower limit SOC value ηl1.

[0033] In one preferred example, in a maximum SOC range Xmax, which is the highest of multiple SOC ranges X that are options for the operating SOC range, the upper limit SOC value ηumax is set to any SOC value between 95% and 100%. In another preferred example, in a minimum SOC range Xmin, which is the lowest of the multiple SOC ranges X, the lower limit SOC value ηlmin is set to any SOC value between 0% and 5%. It is more preferred that the upper limit SOC value ηumax of the maximum SOC range Xmax is set to any SOC value between 95% and 100%, and the lower limit SOC value ηlmin of the minimum SOC range Xmin is set to any SOC value between 0% and 5%.

[0034] For example, assume that SOC ranges X1 to X3 are set as shown in the example of Fig. 2. In this case, the upper limit SOC value ηu3 of SOC range X3, which is the highest SOC range Xmax, is preferably set to any SOC value between 95% and 100%. Also, the lower limit SOC value ηl2 of SOC range X2, which is the lowest SOC range Xmin, is preferably set to any SOC value between 0% and 5%. And, it is more preferable that the upper limit SOC value ηu3 is set to any SOC value between 95% and 100%, and the lower limit SOC value ηl2 is set to any SOC value between 0% and 5%.

[0035] In operating the battery 2, the processing circuit 11 etc. selects (assigns) one of the multiple SOC ranges X set as described above as an operational SOC range. Then, the processing circuit 11 etc. operates the battery 2 in the SOC range X selected as the operational SOC range. Therefore, charging and discharging of the battery 2 is controlled so that the SOC value of the battery 2 falls within the SOC range X selected as the operational SOC range. Furthermore, when charging and discharging of the battery 2 is not being performed, the SOC value of the battery 2 is held at any SOC value in the SOC range X selected as the operational SOC range.

[0036] For example, assume that SOC ranges X1 to X3 are set as shown in the example of Fig. 2, and SOC range X1 is selected as the operating SOC range. In this case, the processing circuit 11 etc. charges the battery 2 in a state where the SOC value of the battery 2 does not exceed the upper limit SOC value ηu1 of the SOC range X1. Then, the processing circuit 11 etc. discharges the battery 2 in a state where the SOC value of the battery 2 does not fall below the lower limit SOC value ηl1 of the SOC range X1. Furthermore, in a state where the battery 2 is not being charged or discharged, the processing circuit 11 etc. holds the SOC value of the battery 2 at any SOC value that is equal to or greater than the lower limit SOC value ηl1 and equal to or less than the upper limit SOC value ηu1 of the SOC range X1.

[0037] In operating the battery 2, the processing circuit 11 and the like sequentially switches the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range between the multiple SOC ranges X set as options. As a result, the SOC range X that becomes the operating SOC range is rotated between the multiple SOC ranges X. Note that, as long as the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range is sequentially switched, the order of selection as the operating SOC range is not particularly limited. Also, each of the multiple SOC ranges X that are options may be selected as the operating SOC range periodically or non-periodically.

[0038] 3 shows an example of a switching process of the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range, which is performed by the processing circuit 11 of the operating device 3 in the embodiment. In FIG. 3, a graph is shown in which the horizontal axis represents time based on the start of operation, etc., and the vertical axis represents the SOC value. Also, in FIG. 3, the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range is indicated by diagonal hatching. In the example of FIG. 3, similar to the example of FIG. 2, SOC ranges X1 to X3 are set as options for the operating SOC range. In the example of FIG. 3, the operating SOC range is switched in the order of SOC range X1, SOC range X3, SOC range X1, SOC range X2, SOC range X1, SOC range X3, ...

[0039] Here, when SOC ranges X1 to X3 are set as options for the operating SOC range, the order in which they are selected as the operating SOC range is not limited to the order shown in Fig. 3. In one example, the operating SOC range is switched in the following order: SOC range X1, SOC range X2, SOC range X3, SOC range X1, SOC range X2, SOC range X3, .... In another example, the operating SOC range is switched in the following order: SOC range X1, SOC range X2, SOC range X3, SOC range X2, SOC range X1, SOC range X2, ...

[0040] In one example, in the operation of the battery 2, the processing circuit 11 etc. calculates the elapsed period T from the start of operation in the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range in real time. Then, the processing circuit 11 etc. switches the SOC range X as the operating SOC range based on the fact that the elapsed period T is equal to or greater than the specified period Tref. Therefore, the processing circuit 11 etc. switches the SOC range X as the operating SOC range in response to the fact that the specified period Tref or more has elapsed from the start of operation in the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range in real time. In one example of FIG. 3, the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range is switched among a plurality of SOC ranges X1 to X3 for each specified period Tref. Switching the SOC range X as the operating SOC range based on time information such as the elapsed period T is suitable, for example, when the operation of the battery 2 is constant throughout a year. The specified period Tref is set to an appropriate value corresponding to the strength of the operation of the battery 2. For example, in a case where charging and discharging are repeated frequently with large input / output, the specified period Tref is set to a shorter period (e.g., one month) than in a case where the input / output is small and the frequency of charging and discharging is low. In addition, in a case where the input / output is small and the frequency of charging and discharging is low, the specified period Tref is set to a longer period (e.g., three months) than in a case where charging and discharging are repeated frequently with large input / output.

[0041] In another example, in the operation of the battery 2, the processing circuit 11 etc. calculates an integrated value P of the amount of power input and output to the battery 2 from the start of operation in the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range in real time. The integrated value P corresponds to the sum of the integrated value of the input power (charging power) to the battery 2 and the integrated value of the output power (discharging power) from the battery 2, starting from the start of operation in the selected SOC range. The integrated value P of the amount of power is calculated based on the time change of the current of the battery 2 and the time change of the voltage of the battery 2. In this example, the processing circuit 11 etc. switches the SOC range X that is the operating SOC range based on the integrated value P of the amount of power becoming equal to or greater than the specified power amount Pref. For this reason, the processing circuit 11 etc. switches the SOC range X that is the operating SOC range in response to the integrated value P of the amount of power input and output to the battery 2 from the start of operation in the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range in real time becoming equal to or greater than the specified power amount Pref. Switching the SOC range X, which is the operating SOC range based on the integrated value of the amount of power, is suitable, for example, when the operation of the battery 2 varies greatly from season to season or month to month.

[0042] FIG. 4 shows an example of processing for operating the battery 2, which is performed by the processing circuit 11 of the operation device 3 in the embodiment. When the processing of the example of FIG. 4 is started, the processing circuit 11 acquires information on a plurality of SOC ranges X that are options for the operating SOC range (S51). The plurality of SOC ranges X are set in a state where they are shifted from each other, and are set in the same manner as any of the examples described above. Then, the processing circuit 11 selects the SOC range X to be the initial operating SOC range from the plurality of SOC ranges X (S52). Then, the processing circuit 11 operates the battery 2 in the selected SOC range X (S53). At this time, for example, the processing circuit 11 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 2 so that the SOC value of the battery 2 falls within the selected SOC range X.

[0043] Then, if the operation of the battery 2 is to be continued (S54-Yes), the processing circuit 11 etc. calculates the elapsed period T from the start of operation in the SOC range X selected (assigned) as the operating SOC range in real time (S55). Then, the processing circuit 11 etc. determines whether the calculated elapsed period T is equal to or longer than the specified period Tref (S56). If the elapsed period T is shorter than the specified period Tref (S56-No), the process returns to S53, and the processing circuit 11 etc. sequentially performs the processes from S53 onward. As a result, the processing circuit 11 etc. continues the operation of the battery 2 in the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range in real time. On the other hand, if the elapsed period T is equal to or longer than the specified period Tref (S56-Yes), the processing circuit 11 etc. switches the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range (S57). Then, the process returns to S53, and the processing circuit 11 etc. operate the battery 2 in the SOC range X newly selected as the operating SOC range.

[0044] In one example, instead of the processes of S55 and S56, the processing circuit 11 etc. calculates an integrated value P of the amount of power input and output to the battery 2 from the start of operation in the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range in real time. Then, the processing circuit 11 etc. determines whether the calculated integrated value P of the amount of power is equal to or greater than the specified power amount Pref. If the integrated value P of the amount of power is smaller than the specified power amount Pref, the processing circuit 11 etc. continues the operation of the battery 2 in the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range in real time. On the other hand, if the integrated value P of the amount of power is equal to or greater than the specified power amount Pref, the processing circuit 11 etc. switches the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range. Then, the processing circuit 11 etc. operates the battery 2 in the SOC range X newly selected as the operating SOC range.

[0045] Here, when the battery 2 is charged and discharged in a relatively narrow SOC range, such as a range where the SOC range is 50% or less, repeated charging and discharging of the battery only in one specific SOC range may accelerate the progression of deterioration of the battery 2 depending on the type of electrode active material used in the battery 2. For example, in a battery 2 that uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as the positive electrode active material, charging and discharging the battery 2 only in one SOC range where the SOC range is relatively narrow tends to accelerate the progression of deterioration of the battery 2.

[0046] In this embodiment, one of a plurality of SOC ranges X that are offset from one another is selected as an operating SOC range, and the battery 2 is operated in the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range. Then, the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range is sequentially switched between the plurality of SOC ranges X. Therefore, even in a usage mode in which the battery 2 is charged and discharged in a SOC range with a relatively small SOC width, such as a range with an SOC width of 50% or less, the battery 2 is not continuously operated in only one specific SOC range X, but the SOC range X is sequentially switched to charge and discharge the battery 2. That is, by sequentially switching the operating SOC range between the plurality of SOC ranges X, it is effectively prevented that the battery 2 is operated only in a specific SOC range. As a result, even in a usage mode in which the battery 2 is charged and discharged in a SOC range with a relatively small SOC width, the progress of deterioration of the battery 2 is appropriately reduced.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the SOC range X, which is the operating SOC range, is sequentially switched over to reduce the progression of deterioration of the battery 2, so there is no need to perform recovery processing of the battery 2 by, for example, interrupting the operation of the battery 2. For example, in a usage mode in which the battery 2 is charged and discharged in an SOC range with a relatively narrow SOC width, there is no need to perform recovery processing of the battery 2 by, for example, repeating a charge / discharge cycle between an SOC value of 0% and an SOC value of 100%. Since the operation of the battery 2 is not interrupted by recovery processing or the like, the battery 2 is operated appropriately.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, multiple SOC ranges X are set such that the median SOC value ηc, the upper limit SOC value ηu, and the lower limit SOC value ηl are different among the multiple SOC ranges X. Therefore, multiple SOC ranges X that are offset from one another are appropriately set as options for the operating SOC range.

[0049] In one example of this embodiment, in addition to the first SOC range Xa, at least one of a second SOC range Xb having a median SOC value ηcb higher than the upper limit SOC value ηua of the first SOC range Xa and a third SOC range Xc having a median SOC value ηcc lower than the lower limit SOC value ηla of the first SOC range Xa is set as the multiple SOC ranges X. When the SOC ranges X are set in this manner, the operating SOC range is sequentially switched between the multiple SOC ranges X, so that the battery 2 is operated over a wide SOC range. This further appropriately reduces the progress of deterioration of the battery 2.

[0050] In a more preferred example, in addition to the first SOC range Xa, both the second SOC range Xb and the third SOC range Xc are set as the multiple SOC ranges X. When the SOC ranges X are set in this manner, the operating SOC range is sequentially switched between the multiple SOC ranges X, thereby operating the battery 2 in an even wider SOC range. This further appropriately reduces the progression of deterioration of the battery 2.

[0051] In one example of this embodiment, the upper limit SOC value ηumax of the highest SOC range Xmax among the multiple SOC ranges X is set to any SOC value between 95% and 100%. In this case, by sequentially switching the operating SOC range between the multiple SOC ranges X, the battery 2 can be operated even in a range where the SOC value is 95% or more, and the battery 2 can be operated in an even wider SOC range. This further appropriately reduces the progress of deterioration of the battery 2.

[0052] In one example of this embodiment, the lower limit SOC value ηlmin of the lowest SOC range Xmin, which is the lowest among the multiple SOC ranges X, is set to any SOC value between 0% and 5%. In this case, by sequentially switching the operating SOC range between the multiple SOC ranges X, the battery 2 can be operated even when the SOC value is in the range of 5% or less, and the battery 2 can be operated in an even wider SOC range. This further appropriately reduces the progress of deterioration of the battery 2.

[0053] In a more preferred example, the upper limit SOC value ηumax of the highest SOC range Xmax is set to an SOC value between 95% and 100%, and the lower limit SOC value ηlmin of the lowest SOC range Xmin is set to an SOC value between 0% and 5%. In this case, by sequentially switching the operating SOC range between a plurality of SOC ranges X, the battery 2 is operated in both a range of SOC values ​​of 95% or more and a range of SOC values ​​of 5% or less, and the battery 2 is operated in an even wider SOC range. This further appropriately reduces the progress of deterioration of the battery 2.

[0054] In addition, in one example of this embodiment, the SOC width Δη from the upper limit SOC value ηu to the lower limit SOC value ηl is the same among the multiple SOC ranges X. When the battery 2 is operated by sequentially switching the operating SOC range among the multiple SOC ranges X, the progression of deterioration of the battery 2 is further appropriately reduced by making the SOC widths Δη the same among the multiple SOC ranges X.

[0055] In addition, in one example of this embodiment, the lower the SOC range among the multiple SOC ranges X, the larger the SOC width Δη from the upper limit SOC value ηu to the lower limit SOC value ηl. In the battery 2, the voltage decreases with a decrease in the SOC value. Therefore, by making the SOC width Δη larger for the lower SOC range, the variation among the multiple SOC ranges X in the amount of power when charging with the same current from the lower limit SOC value ηl to the upper limit SOC value ηu is reduced. Similarly, by making the SOC width Δη larger for the lower SOC range, the variation among the multiple SOC ranges X in the amount of power when discharging with the same current from the upper limit SOC value ηu to the lower limit SOC value ηl is reduced.

[0056] In one example of this embodiment, the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range is switched in response to the passage of a prescribed period Tref or more from the start of operation in the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range. This makes the length of the operation period from the start to the end of operation in the selected SOC range X uniform among multiple operation periods. For this reason, the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range is switched periodically.

[0057] In one example of this embodiment, the SOC range X that becomes the operating SOC range is switched in response to the integrated value P of the amount of power input and output to the battery 2 from the start of operation in the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range becoming equal to or greater than the specified amount of power Pref. This suppresses variation among a plurality of operation periods in the amount of power input and output to the battery 2 during the operation period from the start to the end of operation in the selected SOC range X.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows an example of an operation system 1 according to a certain modification. As shown in FIG. 5, in this modification, a battery 2 is mounted on a vehicle 10. Examples of the vehicle 10 include railroad cars, electric buses, electric cars, plug-in hybrid cars, and electric motorcycles. In this modification, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, the operation system 1 includes an operation device 3, a current measurement circuit 5, a voltage measurement circuit 6, and a drive circuit 7, and the operation device 3 includes a processing circuit 11 and a storage medium 12. In addition, a data management program 15 and an operation program 16 are stored in the storage medium 12 as programs executed by the processing circuit 11. In the example of FIG. 5, the operation device 3 is configured from a computer mounted on the vehicle 10. However, the operation device 3 may be configured from a computer outside the vehicle 10, or may be configured from a cloud server in a cloud environment.

[0059] In this modification, the battery 2 is electrically connected to a drive mechanism 21 of the vehicle 10 via a drive circuit 7. The processing circuit 11 controls the drive of the drive circuit 7, thereby controlling the supply of power from the battery 2 to the drive mechanism 21. The drive mechanism 21 includes a traveling drive unit (not shown), which includes an electric motor for traveling and the like. The traveling drive unit is driven by the power supplied from the battery 2 to the drive mechanism 21, causing the vehicle 10 to perform a traveling operation.

[0060] Furthermore, in this modification, the battery 2 can be electrically connected to a load 22 and power sources 23, 25, etc., outside the vehicle 10, via the drive circuit 7. When the battery 2 is electrically connected to the load 22, the processing circuit 11 controls the drive of the drive circuit 7 to control the supply of power from the battery 2 to the load 22. When the battery 2 is electrically connected to each of the power sources 23, 25, the processing circuit 11 controls the drive of the drive circuit 7 to control the supply of power from each of the power sources 23, 25 to the battery 2.

[0061] Here, examples of the load 22 include household electrical appliances and electrical appliances to which power can be supplied from the battery 2 via a power grid. Examples of the power source 23 include a power source mounted on a charger for an electric vehicle, and examples of the power source 25 include a power source used at home and a power source capable of receiving and transmitting power to and from the battery 2 via a power grid. As the battery 2 is used as described above, in this modification, the battery 2 is used as a power source for driving the vehicle 10 and is also used as a stationary power source for V2H (Vehicle to Home) or V2G (Vehicle to Grid).

[0062] In this modification, similarly to the above-described embodiment, a plurality of mutually shifted SOC ranges X are set as options for the operating SOC range of the battery 2. Then, the processing circuit 11 etc. select one of the plurality of SOC ranges X as the operating SOC range, and operate the battery 2 in the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range. In this modification, a vehicular SOC range Xp and a non-vehicular SOC range Xq are set as the plurality of mutually shifted SOC ranges X.

[0063] Fig. 6 shows an example of the vehicle SOC range Xp and the non-vehicle SOC range Xq set by the processing circuit 11 of the operation device 3 in this modification. In Fig. 6, the horizontal axis indicates either the vehicle SOC range Xp or the non-vehicle SOC range Xq, and the vertical axis indicates the SOC value. As shown in Fig. 6, in this modification, the median SOC value ηcp of the vehicle SOC range Xp is higher than the median SOC value ηcq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq, and the upper limit SOC value ηup of the vehicle SOC range Xp is higher than the upper limit SOC value ηuq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. And the lower limit SOC value ηlp of the vehicle SOC range Xp is higher than the lower limit SOC value ηlq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. Therefore, when setting the vehicle SOC range Xp and the non-vehicle SOC range Xq, the processing circuit 11 etc. sets the median SOC value ηc, the upper limit SOC value ηu, and the lower limit SOC value ηl higher in the vehicle SOC range Xp than in the non-vehicle SOC range Xq.

[0064] In this modification, as shown in an example of FIG. 6, it is preferable to set the lower limit SOC value ηlp of the vehicle SOC range Xp to be equal to or greater than the upper limit SOC value ηuq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. By setting the vehicle SOC range Xp and the non-vehicle SOC range Xq in this manner, the vehicle SOC range Xp does not overlap any part of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. In the example of FIG. 6, the lower limit SOC value ηlp of the vehicle SOC range Xp is the same as the upper limit SOC value ηuq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. In one example, a SOC range of 40% or more and 90% or less is set to the vehicle SOC range Xp, and a SOC range of 0% or more and 40% or less is set to the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. In another example, a SOC range of 40% or more and 100% or less is set to the vehicle SOC range Xp, and a SOC range of 0% or more and 40% or less is set to the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. In the example of FIG. 6, the lower limit SOC value ηlq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq is 0%.

[0065] In this modification, the lower limit SOC value ηlp of the vehicle SOC range Xp may be set lower than the upper limit SOC value ηuq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. In this case, the median SOC value ηc, the upper limit SOC value ηu, and the lower limit SOC value ηl are set higher in the vehicle SOC range Xp than in the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. When the lower limit SOC value ηlp of the vehicle SOC range Xp is lower than the upper limit SOC value ηuq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq, it is preferable that the lower limit SOC value ηlp of the vehicle SOC range Xp is higher than the median SOC value ηcq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. In one example, a SOC range of 35% or more and 100% or less is set in the vehicle SOC range Xp, and a SOC range of 0% or more and 40% or less is set in the non-vehicle SOC range Xq.

[0066] In this modification, the processing circuit 11 monitors the operating state of the vehicle 10. The processing circuit 11 determines whether or not a condition for permitting power supply from the battery 2 to the outside of the vehicle 10 is satisfied based on the operating state of the vehicle 10 and the like. In one example, the processing circuit 11 determines that a condition for permitting power supply to the outside of the vehicle 10 is satisfied in response to the fact that the traveling operation of the vehicle 10 has been stopped continuously for a specified time or more. In another example, the processing circuit 11 determines that a condition for permitting power supply to the outside of the vehicle 10 is satisfied in response to the fact that the driving of all the driving units, including the traveling driving unit, in the driving mechanism 21 has been stopped continuously for a specified time or more. Note that, in a state in which all the driving units of the driving mechanism 21 are stopped, the traveling operation of the vehicle 10 is stopped, and the operation of the air conditioning equipment, audio equipment, and the like mounted on the vehicle 10 is also stopped. Note that the condition determined by the processing circuit 11 to be satisfied or not, i.e., the condition for permitting power supply to the outside of the vehicle 10, may be set by a user or the like via a user interface. In this case, a program for creating an environment in which the above-mentioned conditions can be set by a user, etc. is stored in the storage medium 12, or a processing circuit, etc. for performing processing to create an environment in which the above-mentioned conditions can be set by a user, etc. is separately provided in the operation system 1.

[0067] In this modification, when the conditions for permitting power supply from the battery 2 to the outside of the vehicle 10 are not met, the processing circuit 11 selects the vehicle SOC range Xp as the operating SOC range, and operates the battery 2 in the vehicle SOC range Xp. Therefore, power is supplied from the battery 2 to the drive mechanism 21 of the vehicle 10 when the SOC value of the battery 2 falls within the vehicle SOC range Xp selected as the operating SOC range. Therefore, the vehicle 10 performs operations such as running when the SOC value of the battery 2 falls within the vehicle SOC range Xp. Then, when the conditions for permitting power supply to the outside of the vehicle 10 are not met, the battery 2 is charged by power input from the charger (power source 23) when the SOC value of the battery 2 falls within the vehicle SOC range Xp selected as the operating SOC range.

[0068] Furthermore, when the conditions for permitting power supply from the battery 2 to the outside of the vehicle 10 are met, the processing circuit 11 selects the non-vehicle SOC range Xq as the operating SOC range and operates the battery 2 in the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. Therefore, when the SOC value of the battery 2 falls within the non-vehicle SOC range Xq selected as the operating SOC range, power discharged from the battery 2 is supplied to the load 22 outside the vehicle 10. Then, when the conditions for permitting power supply to the outside of the vehicle 10 are met, the battery 2 is charged by power input from the power source 25 outside the vehicle 10, when the SOC value of the battery 2 falls within the non-vehicle SOC range Xq selected as the operating SOC range.

[0069] As described above, in this modification, the processing circuit 11 and the like switch the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range between the vehicular SOC range Xp and the non-vehicular SOC range Xq set as options in response to the operating state of the vehicle 10. Therefore, in this modification, as in the above-described embodiment, the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range of the battery 2 is switched sequentially between multiple SOC ranges X.

[0070] FIG. 7 shows an example of processing for operating the battery 2 performed by the processing circuit 11 of the operation device 3 in this modified example. When the processing of the example in FIG. 7 is started, the processing circuit 11 etc. acquires information on a plurality of SOC ranges X that are options for the operating SOC range (S61). In this modified example, the processing circuit 11 etc. acquires information on the vehicle SOC range Xp and the non-vehicle SOC range Xq that are set as the plurality of SOC ranges X. Then, the processing circuit 11 etc. acquires information on the operating state of the vehicle 10 (S62). Then, the processing circuit 11 etc. determines whether or not a condition for allowing the supply of power from the battery 2 to the outside of the vehicle 10 is satisfied (S63). At this time, it is determined whether or not a condition for allowing the supply of power to the outside of the vehicle 10 is satisfied in the same manner as in any of the above-mentioned examples.

[0071] If the conditions for permitting the supply of power to the outside of the vehicle 10 are not met (S63-No), the processing circuit 11 etc. selects the vehicle SOC range Xp as the operating SOC range, and operates the battery in the vehicle SOC range Xp (S64). At this time, for example, the processing circuit 11 etc. causes the battery 2 to supply power to the drive mechanism 21 of the vehicle 10 when the SOC value of the battery 2 falls within the vehicle SOC range Xp. Then, if the operation of the battery 2 is to be continued (S65-Yes), the process returns to S62, and the processing circuit 11 etc. sequentially performs the processes from S62 onwards.

[0072] On the other hand, if the condition for permitting power supply to the outside of the vehicle 10 is satisfied (S63-Yes), the processing circuit 11 etc. selects the non-vehicle SOC range Xq as the operating SOC range, and operates the battery in the non-vehicle SOC range Xq (S66). At this time, for example, the processing circuit 11 etc. causes the battery 2 to supply power to the load 22 outside the vehicle 10 when the SOC value of the battery 2 falls within the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. Also, the processing circuit 11 etc. causes power to be input from the power source 25 outside the vehicle 10 to the battery 2 when the SOC value of the battery 2 falls within the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. Then, if the operation of the battery 2 is to be continued (S67-Yes), the process returns to S62, and the processing circuit 11 etc. sequentially performs the processes from S62 onwards.

[0073] 7 is performed, so long as operation of the battery 2 continues, it is determined whether or not a condition for permitting power supply to the outside of the vehicle 10 is satisfied in accordance with the operating state of the vehicle 10. Then, based on the determination result as to whether the condition for permitting power supply to the outside of the vehicle 10 is satisfied, one of the vehicular SOC range Xp and the non-vehicle SOC range Xq is selected as the operating SOC range of the battery 2, and the battery 2 is operated in the selected SOC range.

[0074] In this modification, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, one of a plurality of SOC ranges X that are offset from one another is selected as an operating SOC range, and the battery 2 is operated in the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range. Then, the SOC range X selected as the operating SOC range is switched between the plurality of SOC ranges X in sequence. Therefore, this modification also achieves the same effects and advantages as the above-mentioned embodiment. That is, in this modification, the operating SOC range is switched between the plurality of SOC ranges X in sequence, effectively preventing the battery 2 from being operated only in a specific SOC range. As a result, the progression of deterioration of the battery 2 is appropriately reduced even in a usage mode in which the battery 2 is charged and discharged in an SOC range with a relatively narrow SOC width.

[0075] In this modification, the median SOC value ηc, the upper limit SOC value ηu, and the lower limit SOC value ηl are set higher in the vehicle SOC range Xp than in the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. As a result, when the battery 2 is operated in the vehicle SOC range Xp as the operating SOC range, the battery 2 is operated in a region with a relatively high SOC value. Therefore, when the vehicle 10 is operating using power supplied from the battery 2 to the drive mechanism 21, a shortage of power supplied to the drive mechanism 21 is effectively prevented, and a power shortage state is effectively prevented.

[0076] In a preferred example of this modification, the lower limit SOC value ηlp of the vehicle SOC range Xp is set to be equal to or greater than the upper limit SOC value ηuq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. By setting the vehicle SOC range Xp and the non-vehicle SOC range Xq in this manner, when the battery 2 is operated with the non-vehicle SOC range Xq as the operating SOC range, the battery 2 is operated in a relatively low SOC value range, unlike when the vehicle 10 is in operation. Therefore, by sequentially switching the operating SOC range between the vehicle SOC range Xp and the non-vehicle SOC range Xq, the battery 2 is operated in a wide SOC range. This further appropriately reduces the progression of deterioration of the battery 2.

[0077] In one example of this modified example, the processing circuit 11 etc. calculates the ratio ξ of the operation time in the non-vehicle SOC range Xq to the operation time in the vehicle SOC range Xp. Then, when the ratio ξ is greater than 1, the processing circuit 11 etc. performs a process to bring the ratio ξ closer to 1. In this example, the processing circuit 11 etc. operates the battery 2 in the vehicle SOC range Xp instead of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq during part or all of the operation time during which power is supplied to the outside of the vehicle 10, as a process to bring the ratio ξ closer to 1. Also, the processing circuit 11 etc. may operate the battery 2 in the SOC range Xr including the vehicle SOC range Xp instead of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq during part or all of the operation time during which power is supplied to the outside of the vehicle 10, as a process to bring the ratio ξ closer to 1. In this case, the SOC range Xr is wider than the vehicle SOC range Xp. The upper limit SOC value ηur of the SOC range Xr is equal to or greater than the upper limit SOC value ηup of the vehicle SOC range Xp, and the lower limit SOC value ηlr of the SOC range Xr is equal to or less than the lower limit SOC value ηlp of the vehicle SOC range Xp.

[0078] In addition, in one example of this modified example, when the aforementioned ratio ξ is smaller than 1, the processing circuit 11 etc. performs processing to bring the ratio ξ closer to 1. In this example, the processing circuit 11 etc. operates the battery 2 in a non-vehicle SOC range Xq rather than a vehicular SOC range Xp during part or all of the operation time during which power is supplied to the drive mechanism 21 of the vehicle 10, for example, as processing to bring the ratio ξ closer to 1. Furthermore, the processing circuit 11 etc. may operate the battery 2 in an SOC range Xs including the non-vehicle SOC range Xq rather than the vehicular SOC range Xp during part or all of the operation time during which power is supplied to the drive mechanism 21 of the vehicle 10, as processing to bring the ratio ξ closer to 1. In this case, the SOC range Xs is wider than the non-vehicle SOC range Xq. The upper limit SOC value ηus of the SOC range Xs is equal to or greater than the upper limit SOC value ηuq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq, and the lower limit SOC value ηls of the SOC range Xs is equal to or less than the lower limit SOC value ηlq of the non-vehicle SOC range Xq.

[0079] As a specific example, when the ratio ξ is greater than 1, the processing circuit 11 etc. operate the battery 2 in the non-vehicle SOC range Xq during operation to supply power to the outside of the vehicle 10 from Monday to Friday. However, when the ratio ξ is greater than 1, the processing circuit 11 etc. operate the battery 2 in the SOC range Xr including the vehicle SOC range Xp during operation to supply power to the outside of the vehicle 10 on Saturday and Sunday. This brings the ratio ξ closer to 1. In one example, an SOC range of 40% or more and 90% or less is set as the vehicle SOC range Xp, and an SOC range of 0% or more and 100% or less is set as the SOC range Xr.

[0080] Also, in a specific example, when the ratio ξ is smaller than 1, the processing circuit 11 etc. operates the battery 2 in the vehicle SOC range Xp on Saturdays and Sundays when supplying power to the drive mechanism 21 of the vehicle 10. However, when the ratio ξ is smaller than 1, the processing circuit 11 etc. operates the battery 2 in the SOC range Xs including the non-vehicle SOC range Xq from Monday to Friday when supplying power to the drive mechanism 21 of the vehicle 10. This brings the ratio ξ closer to 1. In one example, an SOC range of 0% or more and 40% or less is set as the non-vehicle SOC range Xq, and an SOC range of 0% or more and 100% or less is set as the SOC range Xs.

[0081] In addition, the following first and second verifications were performed as verifications related to the above-mentioned embodiments. In the first verification, the battery was operated in three patterns, namely, Comparative Example 1, Example 1, and Example 2. A cylindrical battery cell with a diameter of 26 mm and a height of 650 mm was used as the battery. That is, a 26650 type cylindrical battery cell was used as the battery. As the electrode active materials of the battery, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) was used as the positive electrode active material, and graphite, which is a type of carbonaceous material, was used as the negative electrode active material.

[0082] The battery capacity of the battery used was 2500mAh in the initial state at the start of use. The battery had a charge cut-off voltage of 3.6V, which was set as the voltage corresponding to a 100% SOC value. The battery had a discharge cut-off voltage of 2.0V, which was set as the voltage corresponding to a 0% SOC value. The first verification was performed at an ambient temperature of 25°C. In the first verification, the real-time SOC value of the battery was calculated as described above in the embodiment.

[0083] In Comparative Example 1, only charge and discharge cycles between SOC values ​​of 35% and 65%, which are 30% SOC range, were repeated. In one cycle, the battery was charged from SOC value 35% to SOC value 65% at a charge rate of 2C, and discharged from SOC value 65% to SOC value 35% at a discharge rate of 2C. In Comparative Example 1, the battery was discharged to SOC value 0% at a discharge rate of 0.3C every 50 cycles. Then, after charging from SOC value 0% to SOC value 35% at a charge rate of 0.3C, the next cycle was started.

[0084] In Example 1, the following SOC ranges were set: SOC range Xα between a lower limit SOC value of 10% and an upper limit SOC value of 40%, where the SOC range is 30%, SOC range Xβ between a lower limit SOC value of 22.5% and an upper limit SOC value of 52.5%, where the SOC range is 30%, SOC range Xγ between a lower limit SOC value of 47.5% and an upper limit SOC value of 77.5%, where the SOC range is 30%, and SOC range Xε between a lower limit SOC value of 60% and an upper limit SOC value of 90%, where the SOC range is 30%. Then, one of the SOC ranges Xα, Xβ, Xγ, and Xε was selected as the operating SOC range to operate the battery.

[0085] The battery was operated by performing a charge / discharge cycle between the lower limit SOC value and the upper limit SOC value of the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range. In one cycle, the battery was charged from the lower limit SOC value to the upper limit SOC value at a charge rate of 2C, and discharged from the upper limit SOC value to the lower limit SOC value at a discharge rate of 2C.

[0086] In Example 1, the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range was switched between the SOC ranges Xα, Xβ, Xγ, and Xε every 50 cycles. The operating SOC range was switched every 50 cycles in the order of Xα → Xβ → Xγ → ​​Xε → Xγ → ​​Xβ → Xα, and the switching of the operating SOC range every 50 cycles in the above-mentioned order was repeated. In Example 1, the battery was discharged to an SOC value of 0% at a discharge rate of 0.3C every 50 cycles. Then, the battery was charged from an SOC value of 0% to the lower limit SOC value of the next cycle at a charge rate of 0.3C, and then the next cycle was started.

[0087] In Example 2, as in Example 1, four SOC ranges Xα, Xβ, Xγ, and Xε were set. Then, one of the SOC ranges Xα, Xβ, Xγ, and Xε was selected as the operating SOC range to operate the battery. In Example 2, the battery was operated by performing a charge / discharge cycle between the lower limit SOC value and the upper limit SOC value of the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range. Then, in one cycle, the battery was charged at a charge rate of 2C from the lower limit SOC value to the upper limit SOC value, and discharged at a discharge rate of 2C from the upper limit SOC value to the lower limit SOC value.

[0088] In Example 2, unlike Example 1, the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range was switched between the SOC ranges Xα, Xβ, Xγ, and Xε every 25 cycles. The operating SOC range was switched every 25 cycles in the order of Xα → Xβ → Xγ → ​​Xε → Xγ → ​​Xβ → Xα, and the switching of the operating SOC range every 25 cycles in the above-mentioned order was repeated. In Example 2, the battery was discharged to an SOC value of 0% at a discharge rate of 0.3C every 25 cycles. Then, the battery was charged from an SOC value of 0% to the lower limit SOC value of the next cycle at a charge rate of 0.3C, and then the next cycle was started.

[0089] In addition, in each of the comparative example, example 1, and example 2, the battery capacity of the battery was measured at each of a plurality of time points while the battery was operated as described above. Then, for each time point when the battery capacity was measured, the capacity maintenance rate of the battery capacity relative to the battery capacity (2500mAh) in the initial state was calculated, and the time change of the capacity maintenance rate of the battery capacity was calculated. In measuring the battery capacity of the battery, the battery was charged at a charge rate of 0.1C up to an SOC value of 100%. Then, the battery was discharged at a discharge rate of 0.1C from an SOC value of 100% to an SOC value of 0%, and the discharge capacity from an SOC value of 100% to an SOC value of 0% was measured as the battery capacity of the battery.

[0090] In each of the comparative example, example 1, and example 2, the cumulative value of the discharge capacity of the battery from the start of the operation of the battery (start of the first cycle) was calculated at each time point when the battery capacity was measured. Then, for each time point when the battery capacity was measured, the cumulative value of the discharge capacity of the battery was divided by the battery capacity in the initial state (2500 mAh) to calculate an equivalent cycle value. The equivalent cycle value corresponds to a value indicating how many cycles (how many times) the charge / discharge cycle was performed between an SOC value of 0% and an SOC value of 100%, which is the SOC range of 100%.

[0091] Fig. 8 shows the time change of the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity in each of Comparative Example 1, Example 1, and Example 2 as the verification result of the first verification. In Fig. 8, the horizontal axis shows the equivalent cycle value described above, and the vertical axis shows the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity. In Fig. 8, the change of the capacity retention rate in Example 1 is shown by a solid line and a circle plot, the change of the capacity retention rate in Example 2 is shown by a dashed line and a triangle plot, and the change of the capacity retention rate in Comparative Example 1 is shown by a dashed line and a square plot.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 8 etc., in each of Example 1 and Example 2, the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity was maintained at 95% or more even when the equivalent cycle value was 2000 or more. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, when the equivalent cycle value was about 1000, the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity fell below 85%. And when the equivalent cycle value was about 1500, the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity fell below 80%.

[0093] The first verification described above demonstrated that in a battery using lithium iron phosphate as the positive electrode active material, the progression of battery degradation accelerates when charging and discharging are continued only in one SOC range with a relatively small SOC range. It was also demonstrated that even when the SOC ranges of each of the multiple SOC ranges are relatively small, the progression of battery degradation can be appropriately reduced by sequentially switching the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range among multiple SOC ranges that are shifted from each other.

[0094] In the second verification, a cylindrical 26650 type battery cell similar to that in the first verification was used as the battery. In the second verification, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) was used as the positive electrode active material and graphite was used as the negative electrode active material. In the second verification, the battery capacity in the initial state was 2500mAh. In the battery used, the charge end voltage of 3.6V was set as the voltage corresponding to a state where the SOC value was 100%, and the discharge end voltage of 2.0V was set as the voltage corresponding to a state where the SOC value was 0%. In the second verification, the environmental temperature was also 25°C.

[0095] In the second verification, the battery was operated in three patterns, Comparative Example 2, Example 3, and Example 4. In Comparative Example 2, only charge and discharge cycles between SOC values ​​of 35% and 100% were repeated. In one cycle, the battery was charged from SOC value 35% to SOC value 100% at a charge rate of 2C, and discharged from SOC value 100% to SOC value 35% at a discharge rate of 2C. In Comparative Example 2, the battery capacity was measured every 150 cycles. At this time, the battery was charged at a charge rate of 0.1C to SOC value 100%. Then, the battery was discharged from SOC value 100% to SOC value 0% at a discharge rate of 0.1C, and the discharge capacity from SOC value 100% to SOC value 0% was measured as the battery capacity.

[0096] In Example 3, an SOC range Xμ between a lower limit SOC value of 35% and an upper limit SOC value of 100%, and an SOC range Xν between a lower limit SOC value of 0% and an upper limit SOC value of 40% were set. Then, one of the SOC ranges Xμ and Xν was selected as the operating SOC range to operate the battery. In Example 3, the battery charge / discharge process Ya was repeatedly performed. In one charge / discharge process Ya, 25 charge / discharge cycles were performed in the SOC range Xμ, and then 8 charge / discharge cycles were performed in the SOC range Xν. In one charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xμ, the battery was charged at a charge rate of 2C from the lower limit SOC value of 35% to the upper limit SOC value of 100%, and discharged at a discharge rate of 2C from the upper limit SOC value of 100% to the lower limit SOC value of 35%. In addition, in one charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xν, the battery was charged at a charge rate of 2C from the lower limit SOC value of 0% to the upper limit SOC value of 40%, and discharged at a discharge rate of 2C from the upper limit SOC value of 40% to the lower limit SOC value of 0%.

[0097] In the state where the charge / discharge process Ya of the battery is repeatedly performed, when switching from the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xμ to the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xν, the battery is discharged from the SOC value 35% to the SOC value 0%, and then the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xν is started. Also, when switching from the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xν to the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xμ, the battery is charged from the SOC value 0% to the SOC value 35%, and then the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xμ is started. In the third embodiment, the battery capacity of the battery was measured every time the above-mentioned charge / discharge process Ya was repeated six times. At this time, the battery was charged at a charge rate of 0.1C up to the SOC value of 100%. Then, the battery was discharged at a discharge rate of 0.1C from the SOC value of 100% to the SOC value of 0%, and the discharge capacity from the SOC value of 100% to the SOC value of 0% was measured as the battery capacity of the battery.

[0098] In Example 4, two SOC ranges Xμ and Xν were set, similarly to Example 3. Then, one of the SOC ranges Xμ and Xν was selected as the operating SOC range to operate the battery. In Example 4, instead of the charge / discharge process Ya, the charge / discharge process Yb of the battery was repeatedly performed. In one charge / discharge process Yb, 25 charge / discharge cycles were performed in the SOC range Xμ, and then 4 charge / discharge cycles were performed in the SOC range Xν. In each of the charge / discharge cycles in the SOC range Xμ and the charge / discharge cycles in the SOC range Xν, the battery was charged and discharged in the same manner as in Example 3. By performing the above-mentioned charge / discharge process Yb, in Example 4, the ratio of the number of charge / discharge cycles in the SOC range Xν to the number of charge / discharge cycles in the SOC range Xμ was lower than in Example 3. And, in Example 3, the above-mentioned ratio became closer to 1 than in Example 4.

[0099] In addition, in the state where the charge / discharge process Yb of the battery is repeatedly performed, when switching from the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xμ to the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xν, the battery is discharged from the SOC value 35% to the SOC value 0%, and then the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xν is started. Then, when switching from the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xν to the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xμ, the battery is charged from the SOC value 0% to the SOC value 35%, and then the charge / discharge cycle in the SOC range Xμ is started. In the fourth embodiment, the battery capacity of the battery was measured every time the above-mentioned charge / discharge process Yb was repeated six times. At this time, the battery was charged at a charge rate of 0.1C up to the SOC value of 100%. Then, the battery was discharged at a discharge rate of 0.1C from the SOC value of 100% to the SOC value of 0%, and the discharge capacity from the SOC value of 100% to the SOC value of 0% was measured as the battery capacity of the battery.

[0100] In the second verification, the time change of the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity was calculated for each of Comparative Example 2, Example 3, and Example 4. In this case, similar to the first verification, the time change of the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity was calculated by calculating the capacity retention rate of the measured battery capacity relative to the battery capacity (2500mAh) in the initial state for each of the multiple time points at which the battery capacity was measured. In addition, in each of Comparative Example 2, Example 3, and Example 4 of the second verification, the equivalent cycle value was calculated at each time point at which the battery capacity was measured. The equivalent cycle value was defined as described above in the first verification, and was calculated in the same manner as in the first verification.

[0101] Fig. 9 shows the time change of the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity in each of Comparative Example 2, Example 3, and Example 4 as the verification result of the second verification. In Fig. 9, the horizontal axis shows the equivalent cycle value described above, and the vertical axis shows the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity. In Fig. 9, the change of the capacity retention rate in Example 3 is shown by a solid line and a circle plot, the change of the capacity retention rate in Example 4 is shown by a dashed line and a triangle plot, and the change of the capacity retention rate in Comparative Example 2 is shown by a dashed line and a square plot.

[0102] As shown in Fig. 9 etc., in each of Example 3 and Example 4, the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity was maintained at 90% or more even when the equivalent cycle value reached 2000 or more. On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, the capacity retention rate of the battery capacity fell below 90% when the equivalent cycle value reached about 2000. In addition, in Example 3, the ratio of the number of charge / discharge cycles in the SOC range Xν to the number of charge / discharge cycles in the SOC range Xμ was set to a value closer to 1 than in Example 4, thereby suppressing the decrease in the capacity retention rate compared to Example 4.

[0103] The second verification described above demonstrated that in a battery using lithium iron phosphate as a positive electrode active material, the progression of battery deterioration accelerates when charging and discharging are continued only in the SOC range corresponding to the vehicle SOC range described above. It was also demonstrated that the progression of battery deterioration is appropriately reduced by sequentially switching the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range between the SOC range corresponding to the vehicle SOC range described above and the SOC range corresponding to the non-vehicle SOC range described above. It was also demonstrated that the progression of battery deterioration is further appropriately reduced by bringing the ratio of the operation time in the SOC range corresponding to the non-vehicle SOC range to the operation time in the SOC range corresponding to the vehicle SOC range closer to 1.

[0104] In at least one of the above-mentioned embodiments or examples, one of a plurality of SOC ranges that are offset from one another is selected as an operating SOC range, and the battery is operated in the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range. Then, the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range is switched between the plurality of SOC ranges in sequence. This makes it possible to provide a battery operating method, operating device, operating system, and operating program that appropriately reduces the progression of battery deterioration and appropriately operates the battery in a usage mode in which the battery is charged and discharged in an SOC range with a relatively narrow SOC width.

[0105] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims.

[0106] The following are additional notes. [1] selecting one of a plurality of SOC ranges that are offset from one another as an operational SOC range, and operating a battery in the SOC range selected as the operational SOC range; Sequentially switching the SOC range selected as the operational SOC range among the plurality of SOC ranges; A method of operating a battery comprising the steps of: [2] The operating method of [1], further comprising setting the multiple SOC ranges such that a median SOC value, an upper limit SOC value, and a lower limit SOC value differ among the multiple SOC ranges. [3] An operating method according to [2], in which, in setting the multiple SOC ranges, a first SOC range is set, and at least one of a second SOC range in which the median SOC value is higher than the upper limit SOC value of the first SOC range, and a third SOC range in which the median SOC value is lower than the lower limit SOC value of the first SOC range is set. [4] The operating method of [2] or [3], in which, in setting the multiple SOC ranges, the SOC range from the upper limit SOC value to the lower limit SOC value is made the same among the multiple SOC ranges. [5] The operating method of [2] or [3], in which, in setting the multiple SOC ranges, the lower the SOC range among the multiple SOC ranges, the wider the SOC range from the upper limit SOC value to the lower limit SOC value. [6] Any one of the operational methods of [2] to [5], in setting the multiple SOC ranges, at least one of setting the upper limit SOC value of a highest SOC range among the multiple SOC ranges to any SOC value between 95% and 100%, and setting the lower limit SOC value of a lowest SOC range among the multiple SOC ranges to any SOC value between 0% and 5%. [7] Any one of the operating methods [1] to [6], in which the SOC range that becomes the operating SOC range is switched in response to a specified period of time having elapsed since the start of operation in the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range, or in response to the integrated value of the amount of power input and output to the battery from the start of operation in the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range becoming equal to or greater than a specified amount of power. [8] For a battery mounted on a vehicle, the method further includes setting a vehicular SOC range and a non-vehicular SOC range as the plurality of SOC ranges that are offset from each other; when a condition for permitting power supply from the battery to an outside of the vehicle is not satisfied, the vehicle SOC range is set as the operating SOC range and the battery is operated to supply power from the battery to a drive mechanism of the vehicle; When the condition for permitting the supply of power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle is satisfied, the non-vehicle SOC range is set as the operating SOC range and the battery is operated to input power from the outside of the vehicle to the battery and to supply power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle. Any one of the operation methods [1] to [6]. [9] The operating method of [8], in setting the vehicular SOC range and the non-vehicular SOC range, the median SOC value, the upper limit SOC value and the lower limit SOC value are each set higher in the vehicular SOC range than in the non-vehicular SOC range.

[10] The operating method of claim [9], wherein in setting the vehicular SOC range and the non-vehicular SOC range, the lower limit SOC value of the vehicular SOC range is set to be equal to or higher than the upper limit SOC value of the non-vehicular SOC range.

[11] Any one of the operating methods according to [1] to

[10] , wherein a battery using lithium iron phosphate as a positive electrode active material is operated within a SOC range selected as the operating SOC range.

[12] Selecting one of a plurality of SOC ranges that are offset from one another as an operational SOC range, and operating the battery in the SOC range selected as the operational SOC range; Sequentially switching the SOC range selected as the operational SOC range among the plurality of SOC ranges; A battery operation device comprising a processor.

[13] the processor, For a battery mounted on a vehicle, a vehicular SOC range and a non-vehicular SOC range are set as the plurality of SOC ranges that are shifted from each other; When a condition for permitting power supply from the battery to an outside of the vehicle is not satisfied during operation of the battery, the vehicle SOC range is set as the operating SOC range to operate the battery, thereby supplying power from the battery to a drive mechanism of the vehicle; When the condition for permitting the supply of power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle is satisfied, the non-vehicle SOC range is set as the operating SOC range and the battery is operated to input power from the outside of the vehicle to the battery and to supply power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle.

[12] Operational equipment.

[14]

[12] or

[13] , the battery is operated in a SOC range selected by the processor as the operating SOC range from among the plurality of SOC ranges, and the operating SOC range is switched between the plurality of SOC ranges in sequence; A battery operation system comprising:

[15] The operating system of

[14] , wherein the battery comprises lithium iron phosphate as a positive electrode active material.

[16] To the computer, selecting one of a plurality of SOC ranges as an operational SOC range, the SOC ranges being offset from one another; and operating the battery in the SOC range selected as the operational SOC range; switching the SOC range selected as the operational SOC range among the plurality of SOC ranges in sequence; Battery operation program.

[17] To the computer, For a battery mounted on a vehicle, a vehicular SOC range and a non-vehicular SOC range are set as the plurality of SOC ranges that are shifted from each other; When a condition for permitting power supply from the battery to an outside of the vehicle is not satisfied during operation of the battery, the vehicle SOC range is set as the operating SOC range to operate the battery, thereby supplying power from the battery to a drive mechanism of the vehicle; When the condition for permitting the supply of power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle is satisfied, the non-vehicle SOC range is set as the operating SOC range and the battery is operated to input power from the outside of the vehicle to the battery and to supply power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle.

[16] Operational Program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1...operation system, 2...battery, 3...operation device, 10...vehicle, 11...processing circuit, 12...storage medium, 15...data management program, 16...operation program, 21...drive mechanism

Claims

1. selecting one of a plurality of SOC ranges that are offset from one another as an operational SOC range, and operating the battery in the SOC range selected as the operational SOC range; Sequentially switching an SOC range selected as the operating SOC range among the plurality of SOC ranges; A method of operating a battery comprising the steps of:

2. The operating method according to claim 1 , further comprising: setting the plurality of SOC ranges such that a median SOC value, an upper limit SOC value, and a lower limit SOC value differ among the plurality of SOC ranges.

3. 3. The operating method of claim 2, wherein in setting the multiple SOC ranges, a first SOC range is set, and at least one of a second SOC range in which the median SOC value is higher than the upper limit SOC value of the first SOC range and a third SOC range in which the median SOC value is lower than the lower limit SOC value of the first SOC range is set.

4. The operating method according to claim 2 , wherein in setting the plurality of SOC ranges, an SOC width from the upper limit SOC value to the lower limit SOC value is made the same among the plurality of SOC ranges.

5. 3. The operating method according to claim 2, wherein, in setting the plurality of SOC ranges, an SOC width from the upper limit SOC value to the lower limit SOC value is increased for a lower SOC range among the plurality of SOC ranges.

6. 3. The operating method of claim 2, wherein in setting the multiple SOC ranges, at least one of setting the upper limit SOC value of a highest SOC range among the multiple SOC ranges to an SOC value of 95% or more and 100% or less, and setting the lower limit SOC value of a lowest SOC range among the multiple SOC ranges to an SOC value of 0% or more and 5% or less is performed.

7. 7. The operating method according to claim 1, wherein the SOC range that becomes the operating SOC range is switched in response to a specified period of time having elapsed since the start of operation in the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range, or in response to an integrated value of the amount of power input and output to the battery from the start of operation in the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range becoming equal to or greater than a specified amount of power.

8. and setting a vehicular SOC range and a non-vehicular SOC range as the plurality of SOC ranges that are shifted from each other for a battery mounted on the vehicle; When a condition for permitting power supply from the battery to an outside of the vehicle is not satisfied, the battery is operated with the vehicle SOC range as the operating SOC range, thereby supplying power from the battery to a drive mechanism of the vehicle; When the condition for permitting the supply of power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle is satisfied, the battery is operated with the non-vehicle SOC range as the operating SOC range, thereby inputting power from the outside of the vehicle to the battery and supplying power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle.

7. The operating method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The operating method according to claim 8 , wherein in setting the vehicular SOC range and the non-vehicular SOC range, a median SOC value, an upper limit SOC value and a lower limit SOC value are set higher in the vehicular SOC range than in the non-vehicular SOC range.

10. The operating method according to claim 9 , wherein in setting the vehicular SOC range and the non-vehicular SOC range, the lower limit SOC value of the vehicular SOC range is set to be equal to or higher than the upper limit SOC value of the non-vehicular SOC range.

11. The operating method according to claim 1 , wherein a battery using lithium iron phosphate as a positive electrode active material is operated in an SOC range selected as the operating SOC range.

12. selecting one of a plurality of SOC ranges that are offset from one another as an operational SOC range, and operating the battery in the SOC range selected as the operational SOC range; Sequentially switching the SOC range selected as the operating SOC range among the plurality of SOC ranges; A battery operation device comprising a processor.

13. The processor, For a battery mounted on a vehicle, a vehicular SOC range and a non-vehicular SOC range are set as the plurality of SOC ranges that are shifted from each other; When a condition for permitting power supply from the battery to an outside of the vehicle is not satisfied during operation of the battery, the battery is operated with the vehicle SOC range as the operating SOC range, thereby supplying power from the battery to a drive mechanism of the vehicle; When the condition for permitting the supply of power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle is satisfied, the battery is operated with the non-vehicle SOC range as the operating SOC range, thereby inputting power from the outside of the vehicle to the battery and supplying power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle. The operation device of claim 12.

14. An operation device according to claim 12 or 13; the battery is operated in an SOC range selected by the processor as the operating SOC range from among the plurality of SOC ranges, and the operating SOC range is switched sequentially among the plurality of SOC ranges; A battery operation system comprising:

15. The operational system of claim 14 , wherein the battery comprises lithium iron phosphate as a positive electrode active material.

16. On the computer, selecting one of a plurality of SOC ranges that are offset from one another as an operational SOC range, and operating the battery in the SOC range selected as the operational SOC range; The SOC range selected as the operating SOC range is switched between the plurality of SOC ranges in sequence. Battery operation program.

17. On the computer, For a battery mounted on a vehicle, a vehicular SOC range and a non-vehicular SOC range are set as the plurality of SOC ranges that are shifted from each other; When a condition for permitting power supply from the battery to an outside of the vehicle is not satisfied during operation of the battery, the battery is operated with the vehicle SOC range as the operating SOC range, thereby supplying power from the battery to a drive mechanism of the vehicle; When the condition for permitting the supply of power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle is satisfied, the battery is operated with the non-vehicle SOC range as the operating SOC range, thereby inputting power from the outside of the vehicle to the battery and supplying power from the battery to the outside of the vehicle. The operation program of claim 16.

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