Controller, power controller, operation device, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a controller capable of reducing user's operation for producing a charge / discharge schedule of an on-vehicle storage battery; and to provide a power controller, an operation device, and a computer program therefor.SOLUTION: A controller comprises: an input unit for inputting a vehicle use schedule concerning use of a vehicle in which a storage battery is installed; a generation unit for generating a charge / discharge schedule of the storage battery using the input vehicle use schedule; a determination unit for determining whether or not a next day profit concerning power obtained by change of an external factor is larger than a predetermined threshold value; and a notification unit for outputting a notice of requiring setting of the vehicle use schedule by receiving the determination by the determination unit that the profit is larger than the predetermined threshold value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a power control device, an operation device, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] A power conversion system that supplies power to home electrical appliances using an on-board storage battery installed in an electric vehicle is known as V2H (Vehicle to Home). A system that includes V2H and a solar power generation system is also known. In such a system, if the battery capacity of the on-board storage battery decreases due to power supply from the on-board storage battery to the home, the vehicle cannot travel to the destination. In addition, if the on-board storage battery is fully charged or close to being fully charged, surplus power from solar power generation cannot be stored in the on-board storage battery.

[0003] A technology capable of resolving such inconveniences is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1. Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses that various charging modes for electric vehicles are prepared taking into consideration solar power generation and the cheaper unit price of late-night electricity, and that the user can combine various modes for each time period to set the charging and discharging settings of the electric vehicle. According to Patent Document 1, since the charging mode desired by the user can be set for each time period, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the on-board storage battery runs out of battery capacity and the vehicle cannot travel to the destination, or the on-board storage battery is fully charged and cannot be charged with surplus power from solar power generation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 159369 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the user must take into account the schedule for the next day and make detailed settings for each time period every day, which is troublesome for the user.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a control device, a power control device, an operation device, and a computer program that can reduce user operations for generating a charge / discharge schedule for an in-vehicle storage battery. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an input unit that inputs a vehicle usage schedule for the use of a vehicle equipped with a storage battery, a generation unit that uses the input vehicle usage schedule to generate a charging and discharging schedule for the storage battery, a determination unit that determines whether the next day's benefit regarding electricity gained due to a change in external factors is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and a notification unit that outputs a notification requesting the setting of a vehicle usage schedule when the determination unit determines that the benefit is greater than the threshold value. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a control device, a power control device, an operation device, and a computer program that can reduce user operations for generating a charge / discharge schedule for an in-vehicle storage battery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a power control system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the controller shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main unit shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the power control device related to generation of a charge / discharge schedule. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control circuit of the power control device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a screen for requesting the setting of a vehicle usage schedule. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen for selecting a vehicle use schedule. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a behavior pattern registration screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of input to the behavior pattern registration screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a registration screen for a vehicle use schedule. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the charge amount of the in-vehicle storage battery. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the power control device according to the first modification. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a controller according to the second modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the server shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a server related to generation of a charge / discharge schedule. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] The contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described below. At least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any combination.

[0011] (1) A control device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes an input unit for inputting a vehicle usage schedule for the use of a vehicle equipped with a storage battery, a generation unit for generating a charging / discharging schedule for the storage battery using the input vehicle usage schedule, a determination unit for determining whether or not the profit for the next day related to the power obtained due to a change in an external factor is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and a notification unit for outputting a notification requesting the setting of the vehicle usage schedule when the determination unit determines that the profit is greater than the threshold value. This makes it possible to secure in the on-board storage battery the amount of power required for using the vehicle according to the vehicle usage schedule. Also, it is possible to reduce user operations for generating the charging / discharging schedule for the on-board storage battery.

[0012] (2) In the above (1), the control device may further include a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the storage battery based on a charge and discharge schedule. This allows the on-board storage battery to be appropriately charged in accordance with the use of the vehicle by the user.

[0013] (3) In the above (1) or (2), the control device may further include an acquisition unit that acquires weather information for the next day, and a calculation unit that calculates the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device for the next day based on the weather information and calculates the effect of reducing electricity charges as a benefit based on the calculated amount of power generation, and the generation unit may generate a charging and discharging schedule for the storage battery based on the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device and the vehicle use schedule for the next day. This makes it possible to generate an appropriate vehicle use schedule for maximizing the effect of reducing electricity charges for the next day in the facility where the photovoltaic power generation device is installed.

[0014] (4) In the above (3), the weather information may include forecast information on the amount of solar radiation and the temperature. This makes it possible to generate an appropriate vehicle use schedule that takes solar power generation into consideration.

[0015] (5) In the above (1), the control device may further include an acquisition unit that acquires forecast information of the power supply and demand balance in the commercial power grid for the next day, and a calculation unit that calculates, based on the forecast information, a cooperation reward that is obtained by discharging the storage battery to cooperate in adjusting the power supply and demand balance, as a profit, and the generation unit may generate a charge and discharge schedule for the storage battery based on the discharge amount for obtaining the cooperation reward and the vehicle use schedule. This makes it possible to generate an appropriate vehicle use schedule for maximizing the cooperation reward for the next day in the facility where the photovoltaic power generation device is installed.

[0016] (6) In the above (1), the control device may further include an acquisition unit that acquires forecast information on the weather for the next day and forecast information on the power supply and demand balance in the commercial power grid for the next day, a first calculation unit that calculates the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device for the next day based on the forecast information on the weather and calculates the effect of reducing electricity charges based on the calculated amount of power generation, and a second calculation unit that calculates a cooperation reward to be obtained by discharging the storage battery to cooperate in adjusting the power supply and demand balance based on the forecast information on the power supply and demand balance, and the determination unit may determine whether the sum of the reduction effect and the cooperation reward is greater than a predetermined threshold value. This makes it possible to generate an appropriate vehicle use schedule for maximizing the sum of the effect of reducing electricity charges for the next day and the cooperation reward in the facility where the photovoltaic power generation device is installed.

[0017] (7) In any one of (1) to (6) above, the vehicle use schedule may include a periodic behavior pattern for using the vehicle periodically and an aperiodic behavior pattern for using the vehicle non-periodic, and the generation unit may generate a charge / discharge schedule such that the storage battery is charged by the time the periodic behavior pattern is executed on the next day, so that a first charge amount required for executing the periodic behavior pattern is secured in the storage battery, and the storage battery is charged by commercial power during a time period when the time-based electricity rate for commercial power is cheap on the previous day, so that a second charge amount required for executing the aperiodic behavior pattern is secured in the storage battery. This makes it possible to accommodate aperiodic use of the vehicle.

[0018] (8) In the above (7), the control device may further include a charge amount calculation unit that calculates the first charge amount and the second charge amount, and an acquisition unit that acquires weather information for the next day, and the weather information may include forecast information on the amount of solar radiation and temperature, and the charge amount calculation unit may calculate the first charge amount from the electricity consumption of the vehicle and a mileage of the vehicle specified by a periodic behavior pattern included in the vehicle use schedule, and calculate the second charge amount from the electricity consumption and a mileage of the vehicle specified by a non-periodic behavior pattern included in the vehicle use schedule, and the electricity consumption may be determined based on the forecast information on temperature acquired by the acquisition unit. This makes it possible to accurately calculate the charge amount of the on-board storage battery required for the user to use the vehicle on the next day.

[0019] (9) In any one of the above (1) to (8), when the determination unit determines that the setting is not required or the input unit does not acquire the setting, the generation unit may use a default vehicle use schedule to generate the charge / discharge schedule. This can reduce user operations for generating the charge / discharge schedule for the in-vehicle storage battery.

[0020] (10) In the above (3) or (4), the control device may further include a monitoring unit that monitors the connection between the storage battery and a charging device for charging and discharging the storage battery, and the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device, and the generation unit may change the charge / discharge schedule based on the monitoring results by the monitoring unit. This makes it possible to appropriately control the charging and discharging of the on-board storage battery according to the actual use of the vehicle and the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device.

[0021] (11) A power control device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a control device according to any one of (1) to (10) above, and a charge / discharge circuit that charges and discharges a storage battery according to a charge / discharge schedule under the control of the control device. This makes it possible to ensure in the on-board storage battery the amount of power required to use the vehicle according to the vehicle use schedule. Also, it is possible to reduce user operations for generating a charge / discharge schedule for the on-board storage battery.

[0022] (12) In the above (11), the power control device may further include an operation unit that accepts a user's operation, and the input unit may input the vehicle use schedule via the operation unit. This allows the user to efficiently register the vehicle use schedule.

[0023] (13) In the above (12), the power control device may further include a storage unit that stores a plurality of vehicle use schedules received by the operation unit, and the operation unit may request the setting by requesting selection of a vehicle use schedule to be used for generating the charge / discharge schedule by the generation unit from the plurality of vehicle use schedules stored in the storage unit. This reduces user operations for generating a charge / discharge schedule for the in-vehicle storage battery.

[0024] (14) An operation device according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is an operation device that communicates with any one of the control devices (1) to (10) above, and includes a display unit that displays an input screen for a vehicle use schedule related to the use of a vehicle equipped with a storage battery, an input receiving unit that receives an input of the vehicle use schedule via the input screen, a transmission unit that transmits the vehicle use schedule received by the input receiving unit to the control device, and a setting request unit that displays the input screen on the display unit and requests the user to set the vehicle use schedule upon receiving a notification from the control device requesting setting of the vehicle use schedule. This allows the control device to secure in the on-board storage battery the amount of power required to use the vehicle according to the vehicle use schedule. In addition, it is possible to reduce user operations for generating a charge / discharge schedule for the on-board storage battery.

[0025] (15) In the above (14), the operation device may further include a storage unit that stores a plurality of vehicle use schedules, and the setting request unit may request the setting by requesting selection of a vehicle use schedule to be used for generating the charge / discharge schedule by the generating unit from the plurality of vehicle use schedules stored in the storage unit. This allows the control device to generate a charge / discharge schedule for the in-vehicle device using the vehicle use schedule selected by the user, and to appropriately charge the in-vehicle storage battery according to the use of the vehicle by the user.

[0026] (16) A computer program according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure includes an input function for inputting a vehicle usage schedule for the use of a vehicle equipped with a storage battery, a generation function for generating a charging / discharging schedule for the storage battery using the input vehicle usage schedule, a determination function for determining whether the profit for the next day related to the power obtained due to a change in an external factor is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and a notification function for outputting a notification requesting the setting of the vehicle usage schedule when the determination function determines that the profit is greater than the threshold value. This makes it possible to secure the amount of power required for using the vehicle in accordance with the vehicle usage schedule in the on-board storage battery. Also, it is possible to reduce user operations for generating a charging / discharging schedule for the on-board storage battery.

[0027] (17) A computer program according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer mounted on a mobile terminal device that communicates with any one of the control devices (1) to (10) to realize a display function for displaying an input screen for a vehicle use schedule for use of a vehicle equipped with a storage battery, an input reception function for receiving an input of the vehicle use schedule via the input screen, a transmission function for transmitting the vehicle use schedule received by the input reception function to the control device, and a setting request function for displaying the input screen by the display function and requesting a user to set the vehicle use schedule upon receiving a notification requesting setting of the vehicle use schedule from the control device. This enables the power control device to handle non-periodic use of the vehicle and to secure in the on-board storage battery the amount of power required to use the vehicle according to the vehicle use schedule. In addition, the user's operation for generating a charge / discharge schedule for the on-board storage battery can be reduced.

[0028] (18) In the above (17), the computer may further realize a storage function for storing a plurality of the vehicle use schedules, and the setting request function may request the setting by requesting the generation unit to select a vehicle use schedule to be used for generating the charge / discharge schedule from the plurality of vehicle use schedules stored by the storage function. This allows the user to register a plurality of periodic behavior patterns and a plurality of non-periodic behavior patterns, select a desired behavior pattern from among them, and easily generate a vehicle use schedule.

[0029] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same, so detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0030] (First embodiment) (System Configuration) Referring to FIG. 1, a power control system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure includes a power control device 102, an electric vehicle 104, and a solar power generation system 106. The power control device 102 includes a main body device 108 and a controller 110. The main body device 108 includes a power measurement circuit 112, a control circuit 114, and a charge / discharge circuit 116. The electric vehicle 104 includes a control circuit 120 and a storage battery 122. Of the power control device 102, the main body device 108 is installed outdoors of a house 900, and the controller 110 is installed indoors of the house 900. The solar power generation system 106 includes a PV (Photovoltaic) panel 130 and a PCS (Power Conditioning System) 132. The PV panel 130 is installed on the roof of the house 900, and the PCS 132 is installed indoors of the house 900.

[0031] The electric vehicle 104 is an electric vehicle such as an EV (Electric Vehicle) or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) compatible with V2H. The storage battery 122, which is an on-board storage battery of the electric vehicle 104, is a rechargeable storage battery such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. The storage battery 122 functions as a DC power source. The storage battery 122 is connected to a control circuit 120. The control circuit 120 manages the state of the storage battery 122. The control circuit 120 has a function of calculating the current charge amount (i.e., SOC: State Of Charge) of the storage battery 122, a function of preventing overcharging and overdischarging of the storage battery 122, and the like. The control circuit 120 is, for example, a BMS (Battery Management System). The storage battery 122 is connected to the PCS 132, a commercial power system 902, and a load 906 via a charge / discharge circuit 116 of the main device 108. The load 906 is an electric device (such as a home appliance) in the house 900. The commercial power grid 902 is a system for supplying commercial power from a retail electricity supplier. As a result, the storage battery 122 can supply power to the load 906 or the commercial power grid 902 by discharging, and can be charged by power generated by the PV panel 130 or commercial power from the commercial power grid 902.

[0032] The PV panel 130 of the photovoltaic power generation system 106 is a structure in which a plurality of solar cell cells connected in series are arranged on a plane and sealed with tempered glass or the like. The PV panel 130 functions as a DC power source. The PV panel 130 is connected to a commercial power system 902 and a load 906 via a PCS 132. The PCS 132 has a function as a DC / AC converter, and converts DC power generated by the PV panel 130 into AC power and supplies it to the load 906. The PCS 132 can supply (i.e., sell) surplus power of the PV panel 130 to the commercial power system 902. For example, if a demand response (hereinafter also referred to as DR (Demand Response)) contract is concluded, the power control system 100 receives a request from an electric utility via a communication network 904 and supplies power from the PCS 132 and the storage battery 122 to the commercial power system 902. This can contribute to maintaining the balance between power supply and demand in the commercial power system 902. Demand response refers to the adjustment of power supply and demand in which power consumption patterns are changed so that power consumers are restricted or encouraged to use power in response to fluctuations in the amount of power supplied by the electric power company.

[0033] The charge / discharge circuit 116 of the main device 108 functions as a bidirectional DC / AC converter. The charge / discharge circuit 116 is connected to the storage battery 122, converts DC power output from the storage battery 122 into AC power, and supplies the AC power to the load 906. The charge / discharge circuit 116 is connected to a commercial power system 902, converts AC power supplied from the commercial power system 902 into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the storage battery 122. This charges the storage battery 122 with commercial power. When AC power generated by the solar power generation system 106 and converted by the PCS 132 is input to the charge / discharge circuit 116, the charge / discharge circuit 116 generates DC power for charging the storage battery 122 and supplies the DC power to the storage battery 122. That is, the storage battery 122 is charged with the power generated by the solar power generation system 106. If the PCS 132 is capable of outputting DC power and the charge / discharge circuit 116 has a function as a DC / DC converter, the storage battery 122 may be configured to be charged with DC power generated by the PV panel 130.

[0034] The power measurement circuit 112 of the main device 108 measures the power supplied from the commercial power system 902 by the power sensor 140, and measures the power output from the PCS 132 (i.e., the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106) by the power sensor 142. The power measurement circuit 112 is connected to the control circuit 114, and outputs the measured value (i.e., the power value) to the control circuit 114. This allows the control circuit 114 to determine whether or not there is surplus power in the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106. That is, assuming that the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106 is W1 and the power supplied from the commercial power system 902 is W2, if W1>0 and W2=0, the control circuit 114 determines that there is surplus power. In other cases, the control circuit 114 determines that there is no surplus power.

[0035] The control circuit 114 is connected to the charge / discharge circuit 116. The control circuit 114 controls the operation of the charge / discharge circuit 116 based on the measured value input from the power measurement circuit 112. As a result, as described above, it is possible to supply power to the load 906 by discharging the storage battery 122, and to charge the storage battery 122 by the photovoltaic power generation system 106 or the commercial power system 902. In addition, when there is surplus power in the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106, the control circuit 114 can stop the charge / discharge circuit 116 and sell the power to the commercial power system 902. The control circuit 114 is also connected to the controller 110 and the control circuit 120. The control circuit 114 acquires the charge amount (i.e., SOC) of the storage battery 122 via the control circuit 120. As described later, the control circuit 114 uses the SOC acquired from the control circuit 120 of the electric vehicle 104 to generate a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122. The control circuit 114 executes charge / discharge control of the storage battery 122 according to the generated charge / discharge schedule.

[0036] The controller 110 is connected to a communication network 904 by wireless communication or wired communication. The communication network 904 is, for example, the Internet. A server computer (hereinafter, simply referred to as a server) that provides meteorological information, a server of an electricity retailer, and a server that provides power supply and demand forecasts (none of which are shown in the figures) are connected to the communication network 904. The server that provides meteorological information is, for example, a server of the Japan Meteorological Agency, and provides forecast information on solar radiation and temperature for each region, as will be described later. The server of the electricity retailer transmits predetermined information (such as a request) to a customer with a DR contract implemented by the electricity retailer.

[0037] (Controller configuration) 2, the controller 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 200, a memory 202, a communication unit 204, an operation unit 206, and a display unit 208. The CPU 200 controls each unit to realize the functions of the controller 110. The memory 202 is configured of a rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory. The memory 202 may include a large-capacity storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The memory 202 stores a program to be executed by the CPU 200, and the CPU 200 reads and executes the program to realize the functions of the controller 110, which will be described later. The memory 202 is also used as a video memory.

[0038] The communication unit 204 is connected to the communication network 904 by wired or wireless communication. The communication unit 204 also communicates with the main device 108 (specifically, the control circuit 114) by wired or wireless communication. The communication unit 204 also acquires information from a server connected to the communication network 904 as described above under the control of the CPU 200 which receives instructions from the control circuit 114 as described below. The CPU 200 transmits the information acquired via the communication unit 204 to the control circuit 114.

[0039] The operation unit 206 is a touch panel or the like, and accepts user operations. The display unit 208 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and reads and displays an image from the memory 202. The operation unit 206 and the display unit 208 may be formed integrally. The operation unit 206 and the display unit 208 may be, for example, a touch panel display in which the operation unit 206 is disposed on the display surface of the display unit 208. In this way, the display unit 208 presents information, and the user can operate the operation unit 206 to input instructions. Information generated by the operation of the operation unit 206 (for example, touched position information) is output from the operation unit 206 to the CPU 200. The CPU 200 can identify an operation on an image displayed on the display unit 208 based on the input position information. The CPU 200 stores information identifying an instruction by the user in the memory 202.

[0040] (Control circuit hardware configuration) 3, the control circuit 114 of the main device 108 includes a CPU 220, a memory 222, a communication unit 224, and a timer 226. The CPU 220 controls each unit to realize the function of the control circuit 114. The memory 222 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The memory 222 may include a large-capacity storage device such as a HDD. The memory 222 stores a program to be executed by the CPU 220, and the function of the control circuit 114 is realized by the CPU 220 reading and executing the program. The timer 226 outputs information indicating the current time (hereinafter simply referred to as the current time) to the CPU 220 upon receiving a request from the CPU 220. The CPU 220 appropriately acquires the current time from the timer 226 and executes a charging / discharging schedule for the storage battery 122.

[0041] The communication unit 224 communicates with the controller 110 and the electric vehicle 104 by wired communication or wireless communication. Thus, the CPU 220 acquires information (such as weather information and power supply and demand forecast) transmitted from the controller 110 via the communication unit 224 and stores it in the memory 222. The CPU 220 also acquires information (i.e., SOC of the storage battery 122) transmitted from the electric vehicle 104 (specifically, the control circuit 120) via the communication unit 224 and stores the acquired information in the memory 222. The communication unit 224 also communicates with the power measurement circuit 112 and the charge / discharge circuit 116. The CPU 220 acquires measured values ​​(i.e., power values) from the power measurement circuit 112 via the communication unit 224 and stores the acquired measured values ​​in the memory 222. The CPU 220 causes the charge / discharge circuit 116 to execute a charging operation or a discharging operation of the storage battery 122 according to a charging / discharging schedule via the communication unit 224.

[0042] (Control circuit functional configuration) 4, a description will be given of functions of the control circuit 114 related to generation of a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122. The control circuit 114 includes an acquisition unit 150, a calculation unit 152, a determination unit 154, a charge amount calculation unit 156, a charge / discharge schedule generation unit 158, an input unit 160, and a vehicle usage schedule storage unit 162.

[0043] The acquisition unit 150 acquires forecast information of the amount of solar radiation and temperature for each hour of the next day in the area where the power control system 100 is installed, as external factors of the fluctuation of the amount of power generated in the power control system 100, from the communication network 904 via the controller 110. Furthermore, when the household where the power control system 100 is installed subscribes to a wholesale market price linked menu or participates in a program such as DR and power saving points, the acquisition unit 150 acquires forecast information (for example, a time period of tight power) regarding the power supply and demand situation (power supply and demand balance) of the commercial power system 902 for the next day. The acquisition unit 150 outputs the acquired information to the calculation unit 152 and the charge amount calculation unit 156. The acquisition unit 150 is realized by the communication unit 224 shown in FIG. 3.

[0044] The calculation unit 152 calculates the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106 and the electricity charge reduction effect by using the information input from the acquisition unit 150, and outputs the calculation result to the determination unit 154. The calculation unit 152 is realized by the CPU 220 shown in FIG. 3. The calculation unit 152 calculates the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106 from forecast information of the amount of solar radiation and temperature for each hour of the next day. Since the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system has an almost linear relationship with the amount of solar radiation, the amount of power generated for each hour of the next day can be calculated by taking into account the specifications and performance of the PV panel 130 of the photovoltaic power generation system 106. A solar cell has a characteristic that the generated voltage decreases when the temperature rises due to the outside air temperature and sunlight. Therefore, the amount of power generated may be calculated with higher accuracy by taking into account the temperature characteristics of the PV panel 130. For this purpose, forecast information of the temperature for each hour of the next day is used. The calculation unit 152 calculates the electricity charge reduction effect obtained by charging and discharging the storage battery 122 by taking into account the calculated amount of power generated for the next day. The electricity charge reduction effect is expressed, for example, by a monetary amount (in yen). For example, when surplus power is expected to be generated in photovoltaic power generation based on the calculated value of the power generation amount for the next day, the amount of power purchased from the commercial power grid 902 can be reduced by charging the storage battery 122 with the surplus power and discharging the storage battery 122 during the time period when photovoltaic power generation is not performed, thereby reducing the power charge. The calculation unit 152 calculates this reduced power charge (positive value) as the electricity charge reduction effect.

[0045] Furthermore, there are cases where a household in which the power control system 100 is installed has subscribed to a wholesale market price linked menu, or has participated in a program such as DR and power saving points. In such cases, the calculation unit 152 calculates a cooperation reward to be obtained when cooperating with power supply and demand adjustment from forecast information on the power supply and demand situation of the commercial power system 902 for the next day. The cooperation reward is expressed, for example, by an amount (in yen). The calculation unit 152 outputs the calculated cooperation reward to the determination unit 154.

[0046] The determination unit 154 determines whether the calculation result by the calculation unit 152 is greater than a predetermined threshold value. The calculation unit 152 is realized by the CPU 220 shown in FIG. 3. That is, the determination unit 154 determines whether the electricity fee reduction effect input from the calculation unit 152 is greater than a threshold value. When the electricity fee reduction effect and the cooperation reward are input from the calculation unit 152, the determination unit 154 determines whether the total value of the electricity fee reduction effect and the cooperation reward is greater than a threshold value. The determination unit 154 outputs the determination result to the charge amount calculation unit 156. When it is determined that the total value is greater, the determination unit 154 outputs a predetermined value (e.g., “1”) and the electricity fee reduction effect and the cooperation reward to the charge amount calculation unit 156. Otherwise, the determination unit 154 outputs a value different from the predetermined value (e.g., “0”) to the charge amount calculation unit 156. The threshold value is set, for example, by a user operating the operation unit 206 of the controller 110 shown in FIG. 2. The set threshold value is transmitted from the controller 110 to the control circuit 114. The threshold value to be compared with the electricity fee reduction effect and the threshold value to be compared with the total value of the electricity fee reduction effect and the cooperation reward may be set to the same value or to different values.

[0047] The charge amount calculation unit 156 reads out a vehicle use schedule corresponding to the information input from the determination unit 154 from the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162, and calculates the required charge amount (i.e., SOC) of the storage battery 122 based on the vehicle use schedule. The charge amount calculation unit 156 is realized by the CPU 220 shown in FIG. 3. A plurality of vehicle use schedules are stored in the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162. As described below, the vehicle use schedule is input by a user operating the operation unit 206 of the controller 110 shown in FIG. 2, and is transmitted from the controller 110 to the input unit 160. The input unit 160 is realized by the communication unit 224 shown in FIG. 3, and the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162 is realized by the memory 222 shown in FIG. 3. The vehicle use schedule is a schedule related to the use (i.e., driving) of the electric vehicle 104 on the next day, and includes information that allows the time period during which the electric vehicle 104 is used and the driving distance to be calculated. The vehicle usage schedule makes it possible to identify time periods during which the electric vehicle 104 is not present at the installation location of the power control system 100 and the storage battery 122 of the electric vehicle 104 cannot be used by the power control system 100.

[0048] The input unit 160 also accepts the setting of a vehicle use schedule. Specifically, the input unit 160 accepts a user's operation to set one vehicle use schedule from among a plurality of vehicle use schedules stored in the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162 via the controller 110 shown in FIG. 2, as described below. Specifically, the input unit 160 receives information for identifying the vehicle use schedule set by the user from the controller 110. The input unit 160 outputs the received information to the charge amount calculation unit 156.

[0049] If the information input from the determination unit 154 is a predetermined value (e.g., "1"), the charging amount calculation unit 156 requests the user to set a vehicle use schedule, and reads out the vehicle use schedule set by the user from the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162. Specifically, the charging amount calculation unit 156 transmits the request together with the electricity fee reduction effect and the cooperation reward to the controller 110. The user's setting is performed via the controller 110 shown in FIG. 2 as described above, and the charging amount calculation unit 156 can specify the vehicle use schedule to be read out from the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162 based on the information input from the input unit 160 to the charging amount calculation unit 156. If the information input from the determination unit 154 is not a predetermined value (e.g., "0"), the charging amount calculation unit 156 reads out a default vehicle use schedule, which will be described later, from the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162. As will be described later, the vehicle use schedule may include a periodic behavior pattern and an aperiodic behavior pattern. An aperiodic behavior pattern means a behavior pattern that is not periodic, that is, an irregular behavior pattern. The charge amount calculation unit 156 calculates the required SOC of the storage battery 122 from the driving distance of the electric vehicle 104 obtained from each behavior pattern included in the read vehicle use schedule. That is, it is necessary for the storage battery 122 to have the calculated SOC before starting to use the electric vehicle 104. The power consumption (driving distance (km) per kWh) of an EV or the like depends on the temperature, and the power consumption decreases as the temperature decreases. Therefore, the charge amount calculation unit 156 may calculate the SOC of the storage battery 122 taking into account the forecast information of the temperature for the next day acquired from the acquisition unit 150. The charge amount calculation unit 156 outputs the calculated SOC of the storage battery 122 and the vehicle use schedule read from the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162 to the charge / discharge schedule generation unit 158.

[0050] The charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​generates a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122 based on the information input from the charge amount calculating unit 156 and the acquiring unit 150. The charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​is realized by the CPU 220 shown in FIG. 3. The charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​specifies, from the information input from the charge amount calculating unit 156 (SOC and vehicle use schedule), during which time period the electric vehicle 104 will be used and how much SOC is required for that purpose. Therefore, the charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​generates a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122 so that the storage battery 122 is charged overnight so that the SOC required for the use of the electric vehicle 104 the next day is secured in the storage battery 122. Overnight charging is performed, for example, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning.

[0051] Furthermore, when it is expected that the solar power generation system 106 will generate surplus power before the electric vehicle 104 is started to be used based on the forecast information of the solar radiation amount and temperature for the next day acquired from the acquisition unit 150, the charge / discharge schedule generation unit 158 ​​may generate a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122 so that the SOC required for the use of the electric vehicle 104 is secured by the surplus power. For example, when it is expected that the SOC required for the use of the electric vehicle 104 cannot be secured by the surplus power of the solar power generation system 106, a charge / discharge schedule may be generated for charging the storage battery 122 at night so that the shortfall is secured in the storage battery 122. Furthermore, when the electric vehicle 104 is not scheduled to be used the next day and it is expected that the solar power generation system 106 will generate surplus power, a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122 may be generated so that overnight charging of the storage battery 122 is suppressed so that the storage battery 122 can be charged by the surplus power.

[0052] The control circuit 114 controls the charge / discharge circuit 116 while acquiring the current time from the timer 226 (see FIG. 3) in accordance with the charge / discharge schedule generated by the charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158, and causes the charge / discharge circuit 116 to charge / discharge the storage battery 122. This makes it possible to ensure in the storage battery 122 the SOC required for use of the electric vehicle 104 on the next day.

[0053] In the above, a case has been described in which the storage battery 122 is charged at night in order to ensure that the storage battery 122 has an SOC necessary for executing the vehicle usage schedule, but this is not limiting. The storage battery 122 may be charged with power supplied from the commercial power grid 902 during a time period in a day when the time-of-day electricity rate unit price of the commercial power grid 902 is low and during a time period before the use of the electric vehicle 104 begins. Note that a low time-of-day electricity rate unit price means that the time-of-day electricity rate unit price is lower than the highest time-of-day electricity rate unit price among multiple time-of-day electricity rate unit prices. For example, the lowest time-of-day electricity rate unit price among multiple time-of-day electricity rate unit prices may be set as the low-cost time-of-day electricity rate unit price.

[0054] (Control circuit operation) The operation of the control circuit 114 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The process shown in Fig. 5 is realized by the CPU 220 of the control circuit 114 reading and executing a program stored in the memory 222. The process shown in Fig. 5 is executed, for example, before the start of overnight charging of the storage battery 122 (for example, before 10 p.m.). It is assumed that the home in which the power control system 100 is installed is subscribed to a wholesale market price linked menu, or participates in a program such as DR and power saving points.

[0055] In step 300, the CPU 220 acquires forecast information of the amount of solar radiation and temperature for the next day in the area where the power control system 100 is installed via the communication unit 224, and calculates the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106 for the next day. This corresponds to the functions of the acquisition unit 150 and the calculation unit 152 shown in FIG. 4. Thereafter, control proceeds to step 302. The forecast information is acquired via the controller 110. Specifically, the CPU 220 requests the forecast information from the controller 110 via the communication unit 224. The controller 110 acquires the requested forecast information from the above-mentioned server via the communication network 904 and transmits it to the CPU 220.

[0056] In step 302, the CPU 220 acquires information relating to a time period during which a power shortage is expected in the commercial power system 902 on the following day via the communication unit 224. This corresponds to the function of the acquisition unit 150 shown in FIG. 4. Thereafter, control proceeds to step 304. Specifically, the CPU 220 requests information relating to a time period during which a power shortage is expected from the controller 110 via the communication unit 224. The controller 110 acquires the requested information from the above-mentioned server via the communication network 904 and transmits it to the CPU 220.

[0057] In step 304, the CPU 220 calculates the electricity fee reduction effect S1 from the amount of power generation calculated in step 300, and calculates the cooperation reward S2 from the information on the time period when the power shortage is expected obtained in step 302. This corresponds to the function of the calculation unit 152 shown in Fig. 4. After that, the control proceeds to step 306.

[0058] In step 306, the CPU 220 judges whether the sum (S1+S2) of the electricity fee reduction effect S1 and the cooperation reward S2 calculated in step 304 is greater than a threshold value. This corresponds to the function of the judgment unit 154 shown in Fig. 4. If it is judged that S1+S2>threshold value, the control proceeds to step 308. If not, the control proceeds to step 312.

[0059] In step 308, the CPU 220 requests the user to set a vehicle use schedule for the electric vehicle 104. This corresponds to the function of the charge amount calculation unit 156 shown in FIG. 4. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the CPU 220 instructs the controller 110 via the communication unit 224 to display a screen 402 requesting the user to set a vehicle use schedule on the display unit 208. The CPU 220 transmits data (variable data such as amount) required for the controller 110 to create the screen 402 to the controller 110 via the communication unit 224. Fixed image data displayed on the display unit 208 is stored in the memory 202 of the controller 110.

[0060] Screen 402 displays the electricity fee reduction effect and the cooperation reward calculated in step 304. Instead of the electricity fee reduction effect, surplus electricity generated by photovoltaic power generation may be converted into a monetary amount and displayed. Screen 402 displays menu 404 for setting AAA as the vehicle use schedule, menu 406 for setting BBB, and menu 408 for setting other schedules. When the user operates menu 404 or menu 406 (for example, by pressing the touch panel), the corresponding registered vehicle use schedule is set. When menu 408 is operated, screen 410 for setting the schedule is displayed with reference to FIG. 7. Note that the user may ignore screen 410. In that case, a default vehicle use schedule is set as described below.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a state in which a plurality of vehicle use schedules are displayed as a pull-down menu on the screen 410 by operating the button 414 by the user. In addition to the vehicle use schedules AAA, BBB, and CCC registered in advance by the user, the screen 410 displays a menu 416, a menu 418, and a menu 420. The menu 416 represents a schedule for fully charging the storage battery 122 by overnight charging. The menu 418 represents that the electric vehicle 104 is not scheduled to be used. The menu 420 is for setting a detailed schedule. When the user selects any of the items displayed as the pull-down menu, the selected item is displayed in the cell 412. When the user operates the button 430 in a state in which an item other than the menu 420 is selected, the information displayed in the cell 412 is set as the vehicle use schedule. Information specifying the set vehicle use schedule (hereinafter, referred to as setting information) is transmitted from the controller 110 to the CPU 220 of the control circuit 114. The button 432 is a button for editing the selected schedule. Button 434 is a button for canceling the input made to screen 410 .

[0062] The vehicle use schedule is registered in advance by the user as follows: In order to efficiently register the vehicle use schedule, several behavior patterns are registered in advance.

[0063] (Registering behavior patterns) When the button 430 or the button 432 is operated while the menu 420 is selected, a screen 500 for registering a behavior pattern is displayed on the display unit 208 with reference to FIG. 8. In the cell 502, a title representing the behavior pattern is input as text information. In the area 504, two check boxes are displayed, and it is possible to specify whether the behavior pattern to be registered is regular or non-regular. For behavior such as commuting that is likely to use the electric vehicle 104 at a fixed time period every week, "regular" is selected. For behavior such as shopping that is not at a fixed time period but is used as needed, "non-regular" is selected. By distinguishing the behavior pattern as regular or non-regular in this way, it is possible to easily determine whether the behavior pattern is highly likely to be used, and it becomes easier for the controller 110 to create a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the user's operation for generating a charge / discharge schedule for the in-vehicle storage battery.

[0064] An address that is a destination of travel by the electric vehicle 104 can be inputted into the cell 506. When the button 508 is operated, a map is displayed, and the address to be inputted into the cell 506 can be specified on the displayed map. Map data (including road map data) is stored in the memory 202. This makes it possible to calculate the distance from the home to the destination (i.e., the distance along the road), and to calculate the SOC of the storage battery 122 required for the electric vehicle 104 to travel. The cell 510 and the cell 512 make it possible to specify a time period during which the electric vehicle 104 is used. That is, a scheduled time at which the use of the electric vehicle 104 (i.e., the travel of the electric vehicle 104) starts is inputted into the cell 510. This scheduled time represents a scheduled time at which the electric vehicle 104 cannot be used by the power control system 100. A scheduled time at which the use of the electric vehicle 104 ends (the electric vehicle 104 returns to the house 900) is inputted into the cell 512. This scheduled time represents a scheduled time at which the electric vehicle 104 is again available for use by the power control system 100. It is possible to set multiple time periods for using the electric vehicle 104. When button 520 is operated with information entered on screen 500, the information is registered as a behavior pattern. When button 522 is operated, the information entered on screen 500 is discarded, screen 500 is cleared, and, for example, screen 410 shown in Fig. 7 is displayed.

[0065] FIG. 9 shows an example of a behavior pattern. In FIG. 9, "commuting" is input as a title representing the behavior pattern, the behavior pattern is set to "regularly", and the destination of the behavior (driving by vehicle) is input as the location. In addition, a time period with a start time of 8:10 and an end time of 12:00 and a time period with a start time of 12:50 and an end time of 17:10 are input as the vehicle use time period. For example, the schedule shown in FIG. 9 shows a behavior pattern in which an electric vehicle 104 is used for commuting. That is, the destination is a workplace, and the user drives the electric vehicle 104 to leave home (i.e., the residence 900) at 8:10 for commuting, and returns home by the electric vehicle 104 at 12:10 during a lunch break. After lunch, the user drives the electric vehicle 104 to leave home at 12:50, and returns home by the electric vehicle 104 at 17:10 after finishing work. In this way, by making it possible to set a plurality of time periods to one behavior pattern, it is not necessary to set a behavior pattern for each time period, and the user can reduce the effort required to register a behavior pattern. For a behavior pattern set to "non-periodic," it is expected that the time period during which the behavior will be performed will be undetermined, so there is no need to set a time period.

[0066] (Registering vehicle usage schedule) After some behavior patterns are registered, a vehicle use schedule is registered. Referring to Fig. 10, the vehicle use schedule can be inputted through a screen 540. For example, the screen 540 is displayed by operating the button 520 on the screen 500 shown in Fig. 9. That is, the screen 540 is displayed when the registration of the behavior pattern is completed. In the case where a behavior pattern is to be registered even after the screen 540 is displayed, the screen 500 of Fig. 8 is displayed by operating the button 572 displayed on the screen 540.

[0067] In the screen 540, a title representing the vehicle use schedule is input as text information in a cell 542. An interface for specifying a period during which the vehicle use schedule can be executed is displayed below the cell 542. A radio button 544 displayed at the left end of each item is for selecting one of the items. When a radio button 544 is selected, a black dot is displayed in the center of a circle, and the item is selected. When the radio button to the left of the "Specify day of the week" item is selected, Monday to Sunday and holidays can be selected by selecting a square check box. When the radio button to the left of the "Every month" item is selected, a date can be input in the corresponding cell. When the radio button to the left of the "Specified date" item is selected, a year, month, and date can be input in the corresponding cell. When the "Reference" button is operated, a calendar is displayed, and the year, month, and date can be input in the cell by selecting the year, month, and date on the calendar. When the "Add input date" button is operated, a cell for inputting a new specified date and the "Reference" button are added.

[0068] In the screen 540, the portion below the horizontal line segment near the center is an area for setting a behavior pattern included in the vehicle use schedule displayed in the cell 542. The button 550 is a button for adding a selected behavior pattern. When the button 552 is operated, a pull-down menu including items of regular and non-regular is displayed. An item selected from the pull-down menu is displayed in the cell 554. FIG. 10 shows a state in which "regular" is selected. When the button 556 is operated in this state, a pull-down menu including a behavior pattern that satisfies the condition displayed in the cell 554 (in FIG. 10, a behavior pattern that is regular) is displayed. A behavior pattern selected from the pull-down menu is displayed in the cell 558. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the behavior pattern "commuting" is selected. When the button 550 is operated in this state, the behavior pattern displayed in the cell 558 is added in the frame 560. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the behavior pattern "commuting" is added in the frame 560 by operating the button 550. In the frame 560, "XX supermarket" is displayed, which represents a non-periodic behavior pattern that was added before the "commuting" behavior pattern was added. When the check box in front of each behavior pattern displayed in the frame 560 is selected and the "Delete behavior" button is operated, the selected behavior pattern is deleted from the frame 560.

[0069] The check box displayed at the left end of the area 562 is for setting the vehicle usage schedule to be registered as the default vehicle usage schedule. When the check box is selected, the vehicle usage schedule to be registered by operating the button 570 as described below is set as the default vehicle usage schedule. When the user has not set a vehicle usage schedule, that is, when the determination result of step 306 or step 310 shown in FIG. 5 is NO, the default vehicle usage schedule is set as the vehicle usage schedule for the next day.

[0070] When the button 570 is operated, the information inputted into the screen 540 is registered as a vehicle use schedule. The registered vehicle use schedule includes all of the behavior patterns included in the frame 560. When the button 572 is operated, the information inputted into the screen 540 is discarded, the screen 540 is erased, and, for example, the screen 410 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. As described above, by selecting a behavior pattern registered in advance from a list and combining a plurality of selected behavior patterns to create a vehicle use schedule, the user can reduce the effort of repeatedly registering location information and time period information, and can efficiently register a vehicle use schedule.

[0071] Returning to Fig. 5, in step 310, the CPU 220 determines whether or not a vehicle use schedule has been set by the user. This corresponds to the functions of the input unit 160 and the charge amount calculation unit 156 shown in Fig. 4. The CPU 220 waits for setting information from the controller 110 for a predetermined time. If it is determined that the setting information has been received, control proceeds to step 314. If not, control proceeds to step 312.

[0072] In step 312, the CPU 220 sets the above-mentioned default vehicle use schedule as the vehicle use schedule for the next day. This corresponds to the function of the charge amount calculation unit 156 shown in Fig. 4. Thereafter, the control proceeds to step 314.

[0073] In step 314, the CPU 220 calculates the SOC required for the storage battery 122 on the next day from the vehicle use schedule set in step 310 or step 312 and the electricity consumption of the electric vehicle 104 predicted from the forecast information of the temperature for the next day. The vehicle use schedule set by the user is used as the vehicle use schedule used to calculate the electricity consumption. If the vehicle use schedule is not set by the user, the default vehicle use schedule set in step 312 is used. Since the vehicle use schedule may include periodic and non-periodic behavior patterns, the CPU 220 calculates the SOC of the storage battery 122 required to execute each behavior pattern. This corresponds to the function of the charge amount calculation unit 156 shown in FIG. 4. Thereafter, control proceeds to step 316.

[0074] In step 316, the CPU 220 generates a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122 using the SOC calculated in step 314, the vehicle usage schedule used in calculating the SOC, and forecast information on the amount of solar radiation and temperature for the next day. This corresponds to the function of the charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​shown in FIG. 4. Thereafter, this program ends. As described above, the control circuit 114 controls the charge / discharge circuit 116 according to the generated charge / discharge schedule while obtaining the current time from the timer 226 (see FIG. 3), and causes the charge / discharge circuit 116 to charge and discharge the storage battery 122.

[0075] With reference to FIG. 11, the SOC secured in the storage battery 122 according to the vehicle use schedule will be described. The vehicle use schedule may include two types of behavior patterns, regular and non-regular, as described above. For a regular behavior pattern, it is expected that the time period during which the behavior (i.e., driving the electric vehicle 104) is performed and the SOC required for the behavior will be as set to a certain extent. Therefore, the storage battery 122 may be charged so that the SOC required by the scheduled time at which the behavior is to be started (hereinafter referred to as the scheduled start time) (see the charge amount SOC1 in FIG. 11) is secured in the storage battery 122. If sufficient power generation by the photovoltaic power generation system 106 is expected by the scheduled start time of the behavior, the surplus power of the photovoltaic power generation system 106 is used to charge the storage battery 122. If the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106 is insufficient, priority is given to charging the storage battery 122 during a time period when the time-of-day electricity rate unit price is cheap (for example, overnight charging), and the required SOC is secured in the storage battery 122 by the scheduled start time of the behavior.

[0076] For non-periodic behavioral patterns, the time at which the behavior is performed is considered to be uncertain in many cases. Therefore, on the day before the electric vehicle 104 is used, the storage battery 122 is charged with priority during a time period when the time-of-day electricity rate unit price is cheap, and the SOC required for the behavior (see the charge amount SOC2 in FIG. 11) is secured in the storage battery 122. Considering the use of the vehicle in an emergency or the like in addition to the behavioral patterns included in the vehicle use schedule, the storage battery 122 may be charged so as to secure a margin (see the charge amount SOC3 in FIG. 11). This margin is, for example, an SOC required to drive the electric vehicle 104 to the nearest quick charging spot. The margin may be freely set by the user. The charge amount SOC4 shown in FIG. 11 is secured so that the storage battery 122 is charged with surplus power from the solar power generation system 106 on the next day.

[0077] As described above, the SOC required to use the electric vehicle 104 can be calculated by having the user register the vehicle usage schedule. This allows the required SOC to be secured in the storage battery 122 using surplus power from the solar power generation system 106 and commercial power during time periods when the time-based electricity rate is cheap. Also, when an electricity rate reduction effect is expected, or when an electricity rate reduction effect and a cooperation reward can be expected, a request is made to set a vehicle usage schedule. The charging and discharging of the storage battery 122 is controlled according to a charging and discharging schedule generated in consideration of the set vehicle usage schedule. This is expected to reduce the electricity rate of the commercial power grid 902 and increase the cooperation reward.

[0078] As described above, the vehicle usage schedule can include non-periodic behavioral patterns, making it possible to accommodate non-periodic use of the electric vehicle 104, and to generate a charging / discharging schedule for the storage battery 122 that takes non-periodic use into account.

[0079] In the above, the case where the household in which the power control system 100 is installed is subscribed to the wholesale market price linked menu or participates in programs such as DR and power saving points has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For household appliances that are not subscribed to the wholesale market price linked menu and are not participating in programs such as DR and power saving points, step 302 shown in FIG. 5 may not be performed. In this case, the cooperation reward is not calculated in step 304, and the electricity bill reduction effect S1 is compared with a corresponding threshold value in step 308. Note that, even if the household in which the power control system 100 is installed is subscribed to the wholesale market price linked menu or participates in programs such as DR and power saving points, the electricity bill reduction effect S1 may be compared with a corresponding threshold value in step 308. Also, the cooperation reward S2 may be compared with a corresponding threshold value in step 308. That is, the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system 100 on the next day may not be calculated in step 300, and the electricity bill reduction effect S1 may not be calculated in step 304.

[0080] As described above, the control circuit 114 acquires forecast information on the amount of solar radiation and temperature for the next day, calculates the amount of power generation for the next day based on the forecast information, calculates the electricity bill reduction effect based on the calculated amount of power generation, and uses the calculated electricity bill reduction effect to generate a charge / discharge schedule. This makes it possible to secure in the storage battery 122 the amount of power required to maximize the effect of reducing the electricity bill for the next day in the house 900 in which the photovoltaic power generation system 106 is installed.

[0081] As described above, the control circuit 114 further acquires forecast information (e.g., a time period of tight power supply) of the power supply and demand balance in the commercial power grid for the next day, and calculates a cooperation reward that can be obtained by discharging the storage battery to cooperate in adjusting the power supply and demand balance based on the forecast information. The control circuit 114 uses the electricity fee reduction effect and the cooperation reward to generate a charge and discharge schedule. This makes it possible to secure in the vehicle storage battery the amount of power required to maximize the sum of the electricity fee reduction effect and the cooperation reward for the next day in the facility where the solar power generation device is installed.

[0082] As described above, when an electricity fee reduction effect is expected, or when an electricity fee reduction effect and cooperation reward are expected, the control circuit 114 requests selection of a vehicle usage schedule to be used for generating a charge / discharge schedule from among a plurality of registered vehicle usage schedules. This reduces the user's operations for generating a charge / discharge schedule for the in-vehicle storage battery. A charge / discharge schedule for the in-vehicle device can be generated using the vehicle usage schedule selected by the user, and the in-vehicle storage battery can be appropriately charged according to the user's use of the vehicle on the next day.

[0083] As described above, the control circuit 114 calculates the charge amount SOC1 (see FIG. 11) from the electricity cost of the electric vehicle 104 and the distance traveled by the electric vehicle 104 specified by the periodic behavior pattern included in the vehicle use schedule. The control circuit 114 also calculates the charge amount SOC2 (see FIG. 11) from the electricity cost of the electric vehicle 104 and the distance traveled by the electric vehicle 104 specified by the non-periodic behavior pattern included in the vehicle use schedule. The electricity cost is determined based on forecast information of temperature. This makes it possible to accurately calculate the charge amount of the on-board storage battery required for the user to use the vehicle on the next day.

[0084] As described above, when neither the electricity fee reduction effect nor the cooperation reward is expected to be significant (the determination result in step 306 is NO), or when the vehicle use schedule is not set by the user (the determination result in step 310 is NO), the control circuit 114 uses the default vehicle use schedule to generate the charge / discharge schedule. This reduces the user's operations for generating the charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122.

[0085] In the above, the case where the program in Fig. 5 is executed before the start of overnight charging has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The program in Fig. 5 may be executed so that the storage battery 122 can be charged during a time period when the time-of-day electricity rate is cheap, according to the charge / discharge schedule generated in step 316.

[0086] As described above, the controller 110, upon receiving an instruction from the control circuit 114, displays on the display unit 208 a screen 402 (see FIG. 6 ) for accepting the setting of the next day's vehicle use schedule for the electric vehicle 104. When the vehicle use schedule is set, the controller 110 transmits information for identifying the set vehicle use schedule to the control circuit 114. This enables the control circuit 114 to handle non-periodic use of the vehicle and to ensure in the storage battery 122 the amount of power required to use the electric vehicle 104 in accordance with the vehicle use schedule. In addition, the user's operations for generating a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122 can be reduced.

[0087] The control circuit 114 also has a function for registering periodic behavior patterns for regular use of the vehicle and non-periodic behavior patterns for non-periodic use of the vehicle, and a function for generating a vehicle use schedule by combining the registered periodic and non-periodic behavior patterns. This allows the user to register multiple periodic and non-periodic behavior patterns, select a desired behavior pattern from among them, and easily generate a vehicle use schedule.

[0088] In the above, a case has been described in which a behavior pattern and a vehicle use schedule are registered when the control circuit 114 instructs the controller 110 to request the selection of a vehicle use schedule, but this is not limiting. The timing for registering a behavior pattern and a vehicle use schedule is free. The user may operate the operation unit 206 of the controller 110 to register a behavior pattern and a vehicle use schedule at any time. The registered behavior pattern and vehicle use schedule may be transmitted from the controller 110 to the control circuit 114 as appropriate and stored in the memory 222 (see FIG. 3).

[0089] In the above, the power control system 100 has been described as displaying a screen requesting the selection of a vehicle use schedule on the display unit 208 of the controller 110, but is not limited thereto. The power control system 100 may display a screen requesting the selection of a vehicle use schedule on a mobile terminal device (such as a smartphone) of a user via the controller 110 and accept an operation by the user. In this case, a predetermined application program is pre-installed in the mobile terminal device. The mobile terminal device displays a screen similar to the screens shown in Figs. 6 to 9. The mobile terminal device may execute the above-mentioned process (selection of a vehicle use schedule, and registration of a behavior pattern and a vehicle use schedule) in response to an operation by the user. Fixed image data displayed on the mobile terminal device is generated by an application program. Data required for the mobile terminal device to create a screen (variable data such as an amount of money) is transmitted from the control circuit 114 to the mobile terminal device via the controller 110. Information input to the mobile terminal device by the user's operation of the mobile terminal device is transmitted to the controller 110 by the application program. The controller 110 transmits the information received from the mobile terminal device to the control circuit 114.

[0090] When a screen requesting the selection of a vehicle use schedule is displayed on the display unit 208 of the controller 110, it may take some time for the user to become aware of the screen display. In contrast, if a screen requesting the selection of a vehicle use schedule is displayed on the user's mobile terminal device, the user can be notified immediately.

[0091] If the actual use of the electric vehicle 104 on the next day differs from the vehicle use schedule, for example, the electric vehicle 104 may be used urgently. If the actual amount of power generated by the solar power generation system 106 on the next day differs from the value calculated from the forecast information of the amount of solar radiation and temperature, for example, the amount of power generated by the solar power generation system 106 may be less than expected. As described above, this can be dealt with by securing a margin of charge amount SOC3 in the storage battery 122. Also, instead of controlling the charge and discharge of the storage battery 122 so as to secure the SOC required for the action in the storage battery 122 immediately before the scheduled start time of the regular action, charging may be performed at the rated output as much as possible, or charging may be completed earlier, such as 30 minutes or 1 hour before the scheduled start time of the regular action.

[0092] (First Modification) At regular time intervals (e.g., every 30 minutes), the connection state between the electric vehicle 104 and the main device 108 and the power generation state of the solar power generation system 106 may be monitored to determine whether or not it is necessary to change the charge / discharge schedule of the storage battery 122. When it becomes necessary to change the charge / discharge schedule, the charge / discharge schedule may be automatically changed so as to secure the SOC required for the vehicle use schedule and maximize the electricity fee reduction effect and the cooperation reward. With reference to FIG. 12, the control circuit 114A according to the first modification is obtained by adding a monitoring unit 164 to the control circuit 114 shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 12, the components with the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4 have the same functions as those in FIG. 4. The control circuit 114A has the same configuration as the control circuit 114 shown in FIG. 3, and replaces the control circuit 114 in the power control system 100 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, hereinafter, the overlapping description will not be repeated, and differences will be mainly described.

[0093] The monitoring unit 164 acquires information regarding whether the electric vehicle 104 is connected to the main device 108 and the power generation state of the solar power generation system 106 via the communication unit 224. The monitoring unit 164 can know the power generation state of the solar power generation system 106 from the measurement result of the power sensor 142 acquired by the power measurement circuit 112. The monitoring unit 164 can know whether the electric vehicle 104 is connected to the main device 108 by attempting to communicate with the control circuit 120 of the electric vehicle 104.

[0094] When it becomes necessary to change the charge / discharge schedule, the monitoring unit 164 causes the charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​to change the current charge / discharge schedule. For example, the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106 on the day may be less than the amount of power generated calculated from forecast information on the amount of solar radiation and temperature, or the amount of power consumed by the load 906 of the house 900 may be greater than usual, leaving little surplus power in the photovoltaic power generation system 106. In such cases, the charge amount SOC1 (see FIG. 11) required for periodic behavior may not be secured. By monitoring the power generation state of the photovoltaic power generation system 106, the charge / discharge schedule may be changed so that the storage battery 122 is charged with power purchased not only from the surplus power of the photovoltaic power generation system 106 but also from the commercial power system 902, thereby eliminating the shortage of the charge amount SOC1. In addition, when the vehicle is driven a distance greater than the distance of the behavior pattern included in the vehicle use schedule, the charge / discharge schedule may be changed so that the storage battery 122 is charged with power purchased not only from the surplus power of the photovoltaic power generation system 106 but also from the commercial power system 902.

[0095] This makes it possible to appropriately control the charging and discharging of the on-board storage battery according to the actual use of the vehicle and the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device.

[0096] Furthermore, the control circuit 114 may accept a change in the vehicle use schedule from the user even on the current day via the controller 110. When the vehicle use schedule is changed, the control circuit 114 may execute the processes of steps 314 and 316 again to change the charging / discharging schedule of the storage battery 122 on the current day.

[0097] (Second Modification) The above-mentioned function of the control circuit 114 may be realized by the controller 110. In the second modification, the controller 110 generates a charge / discharge schedule. In the second modification, the configurations of the power control system 100, the power control device 102, the electric vehicle 104, and the solar power generation system 106 are the same as those in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 13, the controller 110 includes an acquisition unit 150, a calculation unit 152, a determination unit 154, a charge amount calculation unit 156, a charge / discharge schedule generation unit 158, an input unit 160, and a vehicle use schedule storage unit 162. FIG. 13 is configured such that the controller 110 executes each function shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 13, the functions of the elements with the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4 are the same as those in FIG. 4. Therefore, hereinafter, the overlapping description will not be repeated, and the different points will be mainly described.

[0098] (Controller function configuration) 13, the acquisition unit 150 is realized by the CPU 200 and the communication unit 204 of the controller 110 shown in Fig. 2. As described above, the acquisition unit 150 acquires, from the communication network 904, forecast information on the amount of solar radiation and temperature for each hour of the next day in the area where the power control system 100 is installed, as well as prediction information (for example, a time period of tight power) on the power supply and demand situation (power supply and demand balance) of the commercial power system 902 for the next day.

[0099] The calculation unit 152 is realized by the CPU 200 of the controller 110 shown in Fig. 2. As described above, the calculation unit 152 calculates the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106 and the electricity bill reduction effect by using the information input from the acquisition unit 150, and outputs the calculation result to the determination unit 154. The controller 110 receives information required for the calculation (such as the specifications and performance of the PV panel 130 of the photovoltaic power generation system 106) from the control circuit 114 of the main device 108 in advance.

[0100] The determination unit 154 is realized by the CPU 200 of the controller 110 shown in Fig. 2. As described above, the determination unit 154 determines whether the calculation result by the calculation unit 152 is greater than a predetermined threshold value or not, and outputs information corresponding to the determination result to the charge amount calculation unit 156.

[0101] The charge amount calculation unit 156 is realized by the CPU 200 of the controller 110 shown in Fig. 2. As described above, the charge amount calculation unit 156 reads out a vehicle use schedule corresponding to the information input from the determination unit 154 from the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162, and calculates the required charge amount (i.e., SOC) of the storage battery 122 based on the vehicle use schedule. The vehicle use schedule storage unit 162 stores a plurality of vehicle use schedules set by the user via the input unit 160. The input unit 160 is realized by the operation unit 206 shown in Fig. 2, and the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162 is realized by the memory 202 shown in Fig. 2.

[0102] As described above, the input unit 160 accepts the setting of a vehicle use schedule by a user's operation on the screen displayed on the display unit 208. When the input unit 160 accepts the setting operation, it outputs information (setting information) for identifying the set vehicle use schedule to the charge amount calculation unit 156.

[0103] The charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​is realized by the CPU 200 of the controller 110 shown in Fig. 2. As described above, the charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​generates a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122 based on information input from the charge amount calculating unit 156 and the acquiring unit 150. The charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​transmits the generated charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122 to the main device 108 (specifically, the control circuit 114) via the communicating unit 204 shown in Fig. 2.

[0104] The control circuit 114 controls the charge / discharge circuit 116 while acquiring the current time from the timer 226 (see FIG. 3) in accordance with the received charge / discharge schedule, and causes the charge / discharge circuit 116 to charge / discharge the storage battery 122. This ensures that the storage battery 122 has the SOC required for use of the electric vehicle 104 the next day.

[0105] Second embodiment The function for generating a charge / discharge schedule by the control circuit (see FIG. 4) may be realized by a server. Referring to FIG. 14, the system according to the second embodiment includes a power control system 100 including a power control device 102, an electric vehicle 104, and a solar power generation system 106, and a server 170. FIG. 14 is obtained by adding the server 170 to FIG. 1. The configurations of the power control system 100, the power control device 102, the electric vehicle 104, and the solar power generation system 106 are the same as those in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. Therefore, redundant description will not be repeated.

[0106] (Server hardware configuration) 15, server 170 includes CPU 240, memory 242, and communication unit 244. CPU 240 controls each unit to realize the function of server 170. Memory 242 is configured of a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory. Memory 242 may include a large-capacity storage device such as a HDD. Programs executed by CPU 240 are stored in memory 242, and functions of server 170 described below are realized by CPU 240 reading and executing the programs. Communication unit 244 is connected to communication network 904 by wired or wireless communication and communicates with controller 110. Server 170 also includes an operating device and a display device (neither shown). The operating device is a keyboard and mouse for a computer, or the like. The display device is a liquid crystal display, or the like.

[0107] (Server Functionality Configuration) With reference to Fig. 16, server 170 includes an acquisition unit 150, a calculation unit 152, a determination unit 154, a charge amount calculation unit 156, a charge / discharge schedule generation unit 158, an input unit 160, and a vehicle use schedule storage unit 162. Fig. 16 is configured so that server 170 executes each function shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 16, the functions of elements with the same reference numerals as in Fig. 4 are the same as those in Fig. 4. Therefore, hereinafter, the same description will not be repeated, and differences will mainly be described.

[0108] The acquiring unit 150 is realized by the CPU 240 and the communication unit 244 of the server 170 shown in Fig. 15. As described above, the acquiring unit 150 acquires, from the communication network 904, forecast information on the amount of solar radiation and temperature for each hour of the next day in the area where the power control system 100 is installed, as well as prediction information (e.g., a time period of tight power) regarding the power supply and demand situation (power supply and demand balance) of the commercial power system 902 for the next day. To this end, the main device 108 (specifically, the control circuit 114) transmits information identifying the area where the power control system 100 is installed (hereinafter referred to as area identification information) to the server 170 via the controller 110. The area identification information is received by the acquiring unit 150.

[0109] The calculation unit 152 is realized by the CPU 240 of the server 170 shown in FIG. 15. As described above, the calculation unit 152 calculates the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation system 106 and the effect of reducing electricity charges by using the information input from the acquisition unit 150, and outputs the calculation result to the determination unit 154. In addition, when the household in which the power control system 100 is installed subscribes to a wholesale market price linked menu, or participates in a program such as DR and power saving points, the calculation unit 152 calculates a cooperation reward. To this end, the main device 108 (specifically, the control circuit 114) transmits information required for the calculation (such as the specifications and performance of the PV panel 130 of the photovoltaic power generation system 106) to the server 170 via the controller 110. The information required for the calculation is received by the acquisition unit 150 and output to the calculation unit 152.

[0110] The determination unit 154 is realized by the CPU 240 of the server 170 shown in Fig. 15. As described above, the determination unit 154 determines whether or not the calculation result by the calculation unit 152 is greater than a predetermined threshold value, and outputs information corresponding to the determination result to the charge amount calculation unit 156. To this end, the main device 108 (specifically, the control circuit 114) transmits the threshold value to the server 170 via the controller 110. The threshold value is received by the acquisition unit 150 and output to the determination unit 154.

[0111] The charge amount calculation unit 156 is realized by the CPU 240 of the server 170 shown in FIG. 15. As described above, the charge amount calculation unit 156 reads out the vehicle use schedule corresponding to the information input from the determination unit 154 from the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162, and calculates the required charge amount (i.e., SOC) of the storage battery 122 based on the vehicle use schedule. As described above, the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162 stores a plurality of vehicle use schedules set by the user via the controller 110. For this purpose, the main device 108 (specifically, the control circuit 114) transmits the vehicle use schedule to the server 170 via the controller 110. The vehicle use schedule is received by the input unit 160 and output to the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162. The input unit 160 and the vehicle use schedule storage unit 162 are realized by the communication unit 244 and the memory 242 of the server 170 shown in FIG. 15, respectively.

[0112] As described above, when the information input from the determination unit 154 includes information indicating that the calculation result by the calculation unit 152 is greater than the threshold value, the charge amount calculation unit 156 transmits the calculation result by the calculation unit 152 (electricity fee reduction effect and cooperation reward) to the controller 110. In response to this, the controller 110 displays a screen (see FIG. 6) on the display unit 208 as described above, and accepts the setting of a vehicle use schedule by the user's operation of the operation unit 206 on the screen. Upon accepting the setting operation, the controller 110 transmits information (setting information) for identifying the set vehicle use schedule to the server 170. The setting information is received by the input unit 160 and output to the charge amount calculation unit 156.

[0113] The charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​is realized by the CPU 240 of the server 170 shown in Fig. 15. As described above, the charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​generates a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122 based on information input from the charge amount calculating unit 156 and the acquiring unit 150. The charge / discharge schedule generating unit 158 ​​transmits the generated charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery 122 to the controller 110. The controller transmits the received charge / discharge schedule to the main device 108 (specifically, the control circuit 114).

[0114] The control circuit 114 controls the charge / discharge circuit 116 while acquiring the current time from the timer 226 (see FIG. 3) in accordance with the received charge / discharge schedule, and causes the charge / discharge circuit 116 to charge / discharge the storage battery 122. This ensures that the storage battery 122 has the SOC required for use of the electric vehicle 104 the next day.

[0115] In the above, as shown in Fig. 1, a case has been described in which main device 108 is installed outdoors of house 900, and PCS 132 and controller 110 are installed indoors of house 900. However, main device 108, PCS 132, and controller 110 may be installed in any location. For example, main device 108 may be installed indoors of house 900. Controller 110 and PCS 132 may be installed outdoors of house 900.

[0116] In the above, as shown in Fig. 1, the main device 108 and the PCS 132 of the solar power generation system 106 are configured as separate devices. However, they may be combined into an integrated configuration. For example, the PCS 132 may be incorporated in the main device 108 and configured as an integrated configuration.

[0117] In the above, the controller 110 is external to the main device 108, but the present invention is not limited to this. The main device 108 may include the controller 110.

[0118] Although the present disclosure has been described above by explaining the embodiments, the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to only the above-mentioned embodiments. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims in the claims, taking into consideration the description of the detailed description of the invention, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 100 Power Control System 102 Power control device 104 Electric Vehicles 106 Photovoltaic Power Generation System 108 Main Unit 110, 110A Controller 112 Power measurement circuit 114, 114A, 120 Control circuit 116 Charge / discharge circuit 122 Battery 130 PV panels 132 PCS 140, 142 Power sensor 150 Acquisition Department 152 Calculation section 154 Judgment section 156 Charge amount calculation section 158 Charge / Discharge Schedule Generation Unit 160 Input section 162 Vehicle use schedule storage unit 164 Monitoring Department 170 Servers 200, 220, 240 CPU 202, 222, 242 Memory 204, 224, 244 Communications Department 206 Operation section 208 Display section 226 Timer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316 steps 402, 410, 500, 540 screens 404, 406, 408, 416, 418, 420 Menu 412, 502, 506, 510, 512, 542, 554, 558 cells 414, 430, 432, 434, 508, 520, 522, 550, 552, 556, 570, 572 Buttons 504, 562 area 544 Radio Buttons 560 frames 900 Housing 902 Commercial power system 904 Communication Network 906 Load SOC1, SOC2, SOC3, SOC4 Charge amount

Claims

1. an input unit for inputting a vehicle usage schedule regarding the usage of a vehicle equipped with a storage battery; a generation unit that generates a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery by using the input vehicle use schedule; A determination unit that determines whether the next day's profit regarding power obtained due to the change in the external factor is greater than a predetermined threshold value; a notification unit that outputs a notification requesting setting of the vehicle use schedule in response to the determination by the determination unit that the profit is greater than the threshold value.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the storage battery based on the charging and discharging schedule.

3. An acquisition unit for acquiring weather information for the next day; a calculation unit that calculates an amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device on the next day based on the weather information, and calculates an effect of reducing an electricity charge as the benefit based on the calculated amount of power generation, 3 . The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the generation unit generates a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery based on an amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device on the next day and the vehicle use schedule.

4. The control device according to claim 3 , wherein the weather information includes forecast information of an amount of solar radiation and a temperature.

5. An acquisition unit that acquires forecast information of the power supply and demand balance in the commercial power system for the next day; and a calculation unit that calculates, as the benefit, a cooperation reward that is obtained by discharging the storage battery in order to cooperate in adjusting the power supply and demand balance based on the prediction information, The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the generation unit generates a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery based on a discharge amount for obtaining the cooperation reward and the vehicle use schedule.

6. an acquisition unit that acquires forecast information regarding the weather for the next day and forecast information regarding the power supply and demand balance in a commercial power grid for the next day; a first calculation unit that calculates an amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device for the next day based on the forecast information on the weather, and calculates an effect of reducing an electricity charge based on the calculated amount of power generated; and a second calculation unit that calculates a cooperation reward that is obtained by discharging the storage battery in order to cooperate in adjusting the power supply and demand balance based on the prediction information regarding the power supply and demand balance, The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines whether or not a sum of the reduction effect and the cooperation reward is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

7. the vehicle use schedule includes a periodic behavior pattern in which the vehicle is used periodically and an aperiodic behavior pattern in which the vehicle is used non-periodic; The generation unit is The storage battery is charged by the time the periodic behavior pattern is executed on the next day, and a first charge amount necessary for executing the periodic behavior pattern is secured in the storage battery; and 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the charge / discharge schedule is generated so that the storage battery is charged by commercial power during a time period when the time-of-day electricity rate for commercial power on the previous day is cheap, and a second charge amount required for executing the non-periodic behavior pattern is secured in the storage battery.

8. a charge amount calculation unit that calculates the first charge amount and the second charge amount; and an acquisition unit for acquiring weather information for the next day, The weather information includes forecast information of solar radiation and temperature, The charge amount calculation unit is Calculating the first charging amount based on an electricity cost of the vehicle and a travel distance of the vehicle specified by the periodic behavior pattern included in the vehicle use schedule; Calculating the second charging amount from the electricity cost and a travel distance of the vehicle specified by the non-periodic behavior pattern included in the vehicle use schedule; The control device according to claim 7 , wherein the electricity consumption is determined based on forecast information of the temperature acquired by the acquisition unit.

9. 3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when the determination result by the determination unit is negative or the input unit does not acquire the setting, the generation unit uses a default vehicle usage schedule to generate the charge / discharge schedule.

10. The solar power generation system further includes a monitoring unit that monitors a connection between the storage battery and a charging device for charging and discharging the storage battery, and an amount of power generated by the solar power generation system; The control device according to claim 3 , wherein the generation unit changes the charge / discharge schedule based on a result of monitoring by the monitoring unit.

11. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, a charge / discharge circuit that charges and discharges the storage battery according to the charge / discharge schedule under the control of the control device.

12. Further comprising an operation unit for receiving an operation from a user, The power control device according to claim 11 , wherein the input unit inputs the vehicle use schedule via the operation unit.

13. a storage unit configured to store the vehicle use schedules received by the operation unit; 13. The power control device according to claim 12, wherein the operation unit requests the setting by requesting selection of a vehicle usage schedule to be used for generating the charge / discharge schedule by the generation unit from among the plurality of vehicle usage schedules stored in the storage unit.

14. An operating device that communicates with the control device according to claim 1 or 2, a display unit that displays an input screen for a vehicle usage schedule regarding the use of a vehicle equipped with a storage battery; an input receiving unit that receives an input of the vehicle use schedule via the input screen; a transmission unit that transmits the vehicle use schedule accepted by the input acceptance unit to the control device; an operation device including a setting request unit that, upon receiving a notification from the control device requesting setting of the vehicle use schedule, displays the input screen on the display unit and requests a user to set the vehicle use schedule.

15. Further comprising a storage unit for storing a plurality of the vehicle use schedules, The operation device according to claim 14 , wherein the setting request unit requests the setting by requesting selection of a vehicle usage schedule to be used for generating the charge / discharge schedule by the generation unit from among the plurality of vehicle usage schedules stored in the storage unit.

16. On the computer, an input function for inputting a vehicle usage schedule regarding the use of a vehicle equipped with a storage battery; a generation function of generating a charge / discharge schedule for the storage battery by using the input vehicle use schedule; a decision function for determining whether the next day benefit in terms of electricity gained due to the change in the external factor is greater than a predetermined threshold; a notification function that outputs a notification requesting setting of the vehicle usage schedule when the determination function determines that the profit is greater than the threshold value.

17. A computer installed in an operating device that communicates with the control device according to claim 1 or 2, A display function for displaying an input screen for a vehicle usage schedule regarding the use of a vehicle equipped with a storage battery; an input reception function for receiving an input of the vehicle use schedule via the input screen; a transmission function for transmitting the vehicle use schedule received by the input reception function to the control device; A computer program that, upon receiving a notification from the control device requesting the setting of the vehicle use schedule, displays the input screen using the display function and realizes a setting request function that requests the user to set the vehicle use schedule.

18. The computer includes: A storage function for storing a plurality of the vehicle use schedules is further realized, 18. The computer program product according to claim 17, wherein the setting request function requests the setting by requesting selection of a vehicle usage schedule to be used in generating the charge / discharge schedule by the generation unit from among the plurality of vehicle usage schedules stored by the storage function.

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