Charge control device, charge control system and charge control program

Abstract

To provide a billing support device for contributing to realization of carbon neutrality by effectively using renewable energy while easing shortage of power supply.SOLUTION: A charge control device 300 includes an acquisition unit 311, a determination unit 312 and a charge control unit 313. The acquisition unit 311 acquires market procurement price information indicating a market procurement price of power. The determination unit 312 determines a value of charge current outputted to a charger 200 of an electric vehicle 100 based on market procurement price information acquired by the acquisition unit 311. The charge control unit 313 transmits the value of charge current determined by the determination unit 312 to the charger 200 connected through a network and controls charging of the electric vehicle 100 by the charger 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charge control device, a charge control system, and a charge control program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the introduction of electric vehicles has been promoted in order to realize a low-carbon society. Accordingly, devices and services for charging electric vehicles have been provided. Furthermore, in recent years, technologies for reducing the charging costs of electric vehicles have also been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-15521 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned prior art technologies simply refer to the fee structure based on the contract with the power company and select the time period when the electricity rate is cheap to charge. The power contract is determined independently by each company and is not directly linked to the tightness of the power supply or power generation by renewable energy. Therefore, they do not directly contribute to solving the problem of tight power supply, which has become an issue in recent years, or to the effective use of renewable energy and the realization of carbon neutrality.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a charging control device, a charging control system, and a charging control program that can alleviate the power supply shortage while effectively utilizing renewable energy and contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The charging control device has an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a charging control unit. The acquisition unit acquires market procurement price information indicating the market procurement price of electricity. The determination unit determines a value of a charging current to be output by a charger for the electric vehicle based on the market procurement price information acquired by the acquisition unit. The charging control unit transmits the value of the charging current determined by the determination unit to a charger connected via a network, and controls charging of the electric vehicle by the charger.

[0007] The charging control system includes the charging control device described above, and a charger that is connected to the charging control device via a network and outputs a charging current determined by the charging control device to charge the connected electric vehicle.

[0008] The charge control program is configured to cause the information processing device to function as the charge control device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The charging control device acquires market procurement price information (next-day trading) (same below) indicating the market procurement price of electricity. Based on the acquired market procurement price information, the charging control device determines the value of the charging current to be output by the charger of the electric vehicle. The charging control device transmits the determined charging current value to the charger connected via the network, and controls the charging of the electric vehicle by the charger. This makes it possible to alleviate the tightness of the power supply while effectively utilizing renewable energy and contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charge control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charger. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing device; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an external server. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a smart meter. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 7] 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control unit of the information processing device. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process executed by the information processing device. [Figure 9A] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen output by an information processing device. [Figure 9B] This is a continuation of Figure 9A. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen output by an information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the drawings may be exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0012] <Charging control system configuration> First, a charge control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a charge control system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the charging control system 1 includes an electric vehicle 100, a charger 200, an information processing device 300, an external server 400, a smart meter 500, and a user terminal 600. The electric vehicle 100 and the charger 200 are connected by a dedicated charging cable. The charger 200, the information processing device 300, the external server 400, the smart meter 500, and the user terminal 600 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network such as the Internet. Note that the connection between each component is not limited to the above example, and each component may be connected to each other by any method.

[0015] Each component will be described in detail below.

[0016] <100 Electric Vehicles> The electric vehicle 100 is any vehicle that can run using electric power charged by a charger 200. The electric vehicle 100 may be a so-called electric vehicle (EV) that can run using only electric power, or may be a so-called hybrid type vehicle that can run using energy other than electric power. There are no particular limitations on the type of electric vehicle 100, and it may be any vehicle, such as a car with one, two, three, four, or five or more wheels, a motorcycle, a scooter, a kickboard, or a skateboard.

[0017] <Charger 200> Charger 200 is a charging device for charging the battery of electric vehicle 100, and is provided in the homes and offices of users who are consumers, various stores, parking lots, etc. Charger 200 can be controlled from a remote location via a network.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the charger 200. As shown in FIG.

[0019] 2, the charger 200 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, a communication unit 230, and a charging unit 240. The components are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other. Also, the components may be connected to the information processing device 300 directly via a network without using the bus.

[0020] The control unit 210 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the above-mentioned components and executes various types of arithmetic processing in accordance with a program.

[0021] The storage unit 220 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various programs and various data in advance, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores programs and data as a working area, and the like.

[0022] The communication unit 230 includes an interface for communicating with other terminals or devices via a network. The communication unit 230 transmits and receives various data to and from the information processing device 300, for example.

[0023] The charging unit 240 charges the battery of the electric vehicle 100 with the current value transmitted and set by the information processing device 300, using power supplied via a household outlet (for example, 200V) or the like.

[0024] <Information processing device 300> The information processing device 300 is a server provided by a business operator or the like that provides a charging control service that appropriately controls the charger 200. In this embodiment, the information processing device 300 functions as a charging control device.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the information processing device 300. As shown in FIG.

[0026] 3, the information processing device 300 includes a control unit 310, a storage unit 320, a communication unit 330, and an operation display unit 340. The components are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0027] The configurations of the control unit 310, the storage unit 320, and the communication unit 330 of the information processing device 300 are similar to the corresponding configurations of the charger 200, and therefore overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0028] The operation display unit 340 is a component for displaying various information and accepting input from the user, and is configured, for example, by a touch panel display. The operation display unit 340 may be configured by a combination of a liquid crystal display, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, etc.

[0029] The storage unit 320 stores a program for causing the control unit 310 to function as an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a charging control unit. The storage unit 320 also stores various information required for each unit to execute the process. The functions of the information processing device 300 will be described in detail later.

[0030] <External Server 400> The external server 400 is a server provided by a business operator that provides and operates the wholesale electricity trading market or a business operator that obtains and uses information from the business operator.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the external server 400. As shown in FIG.

[0032] 4, the external server 400 includes a control unit 410, a storage unit 420, a communication unit 430, and an operation display unit 440. The components are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0033] The control unit 410, storage unit 420, communication unit 430, and operation display unit 440 of the external server 400 are similar to the corresponding components of the information processing device 300, and therefore will not be described again.

[0034] <Smart Meter 500> The smart meter 500 is an automatic meter reading device for measuring the amount of electricity used, which is installed in facilities such as homes of electricity consumers by an electricity supplier such as an electric power company. The smart meter 500 is electrically connected to a distribution board or the like of the facility to measure the amount of electricity used, and notifies the measured amount of electricity used to a server or the like of the electricity supplier connected via a network.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the smart meter 500. As shown in FIG.

[0036] 5, the smart meter 500 includes a control unit 510, a storage unit 520, a communication unit 530, an operation display unit 540, and a measurement unit 550. The components are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0037] The configurations of the control unit 510, the storage unit 520, the communication unit 530, and the operation display unit 540 of the smart meter 500 are similar to the corresponding configurations of the information processing device 300, and therefore overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0038] The measurement unit 550 is electrically connected to a distribution board or the like installed in the facility to measure the amount of power used in the facility. The measured amount of power used is notified via the communication unit 530. The measurement unit 550 measures the amount of power used in the facility, for example, every 30 minutes.

[0039] <User terminal 600> The user terminal 600 is an information terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet PC, or a notebook PC that is used by a user who charges the electric vehicle 100.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the user terminal 600. As shown in FIG.

[0041] 6, the user terminal 600 includes a control unit 610, a storage unit 620, a communication unit 630, and an operation display unit 640. The components are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0042] The configurations of the control unit 610, storage unit 620, communication unit 630, and operation display unit 640 of the user terminal 600 are similar to the corresponding configurations of the information processing device 300, and therefore overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0043] <Functions of the information processing device 300> FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control unit of the information processing device.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7, the information processing device 300 functions as an acquisition unit 311, a determination unit 312, and a charging control unit 313 by the CPU of the control unit 310 reading a program stored in the storage unit 320 and executing the process.

[0045] The acquisition unit 311 acquires market procurement price information indicating the market procurement price of electricity.

[0046] The determination unit 312 determines the value of the charging current to be output by the charger 200 of the electric vehicle 100 based on the market procurement price information acquired by the acquisition unit 311 .

[0047] The charging control unit 313 transmits the value of the charging current determined by the determination unit 312 to the charger 200 connected via the network, and controls the charging of the electric vehicle 100 by the charger 200 .

[0048] Moreover, the acquisition unit 311 further acquires upper limit value information on the upper limit value of the charging current output by the charger 200. In this case, the determination unit 312 further takes into consideration the above-mentioned upper limit value information to determine the value of the charging current.

[0049] The acquisition unit 311 also acquires target information related to a target charging power. In this case, the determination unit 312 determines the value of the charging current by further taking the target information into consideration.

[0050] The acquisition unit 311 also acquires in advance, as the market procurement price information, a determined value of the market procurement price of electricity for each time slot from the next day onwards. In this case, the determination unit 312 determines the value of the charging current to be output by the charger 200 for each time slot based on the determined value.

[0051] The acquisition unit 311 also acquires budget information related to the budget available for charging and fee information indicating the electricity fee set in relation to the market procurement price. In this case, the determination unit 312 further considers the budget information and fee information to determine the value of the charging current so that the cost of charging falls within the budget.

[0052] The acquisition unit 311 further acquires contract information related to an upper limit of the amount of available power set by a contract with a power supplier. In this case, the determination unit 312 further considers the contract information and determines the value of the charging current so as not to exceed the upper limit of the amount of available power.

[0053] The acquisition unit 311 further acquires the value of the currently available amount of power, which is calculated as the difference between the upper limit of the available amount of power and the amount of power currently being used, from the smart meter 500 installed at the target location. In this case, the determination unit 312 determines the value of the charging current so as not to exceed the value of the currently available amount of power.

[0054] Moreover, the acquisition unit 311 further acquires target information for each of the multiple chargers 200. In this case, the determination unit 312 determines the value of the charging current for each of the multiple chargers 200 by further considering the target information, budget information, fee information, and the value of the currently available power amount for each of the multiple chargers 200. Specifically, the determination unit 312 determines the value of the charging current for each of the multiple chargers 200 so that each of the multiple chargers 200 can obtain the target charging power, so that the target charging power is within the budget, and so that the target charging power amount does not exceed the upper limit of the available power amount.

[0055] The acquisition unit 311 further acquires target utilization rate information related to the target utilization rate of renewable energy. In this case, the determination unit 312 further considers the target utilization rate information and determines the value of the charging current so that the target utilization rate can be achieved.

[0056] <System processing flow> FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process executed by the information processing device. FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 10 are diagrams showing an example of a setting screen output by the information processing device. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is stored as a program in the storage unit 320 of the information processing device 300, and is executed by the CPU of the control unit 310 controlling each unit. The screens shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 10 are displayed on the operation display unit 640 of the user terminal 600, for example, by the user terminal 600 acquiring information for displaying the screen from the information processing device 300. The screen of FIG. 9B is a diagram continuing from the lower part of the screen of FIG. 9A.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, the information processing device 300 acquires various information (step S101). For example, the information processing device 300 connects to an external server 400 and acquires market procurement price information indicating the market procurement price of electricity from the external server 400. The external server 400 is, for example, a web server or the like that holds market procurement price information provided by JEPX (Japan Electric Power eXchange). For example, the information processing device 300 acquires in advance a determined value of the market procurement price of electricity for each time slot from the next day onwards. As the market procurement price of electricity for each time slot, for example, a value of the market procurement price of electricity for each 30 minutes is acquired as shown in the lower part of the screen shown in FIG. 9A and the screen shown in FIG. 9B.

[0058] Furthermore, in the process of step S101, the information processing device 300 may obtain upper limit information on the upper limit of the charging current output by the charger 200. For example, the information processing device 300 obtains the upper limit information by receiving information on the settings and specifications from the charger 200. Alternatively, the information processing device 300 may obtain the upper limit information by accepting an input from a user on a user terminal using a screen such as that shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B. For example, in the example of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the upper limit information indicates a value of "40A" in an item called "Charger Upper Limit."

[0059] Furthermore, in the process of step S101, the information processing device 300 may acquire target information regarding the target charging power based on an input from a user terminal or the like. For example, in the example of Fig. 9A and Fig. 9B, a value of "30 kWh" is set in the item "target kWh" as the target information. Note that the target information may be set to a value such as "150 km" in a unit indicating a distance obtained by converting the amount of power into a traveling distance of the electric vehicle 100, in addition to the unit indicating the amount of power as described above. In this case, the information processing device 300 can convert the amount of power into the distance by acquiring in advance information indicating the distance that the electric vehicle 100 can travel per unit of power.

[0060] Next, the information processing device 300 determines the value of the charging current to be output by the charger 200 based on the market procurement price information acquired in the process of step S101 (step S102). For example, the information processing device 300 sets the value of the charging current to zero when the value of the market procurement price indicated by the market procurement price information is greater than a predetermined threshold, and sets the value of the charging current to a predetermined value when the value of the market procurement price is less than the predetermined threshold.

[0061] When the determined value of the market procurement price of electricity for each time slot from the next day onwards is acquired as the market procurement price information, the information processing device 300 determines the value of the charging current to be output by the charger 200 for each time slot based on the determined value. For example, the information processing device 300 selects a time slot of the required length in ascending order of the market procurement price value for each time slot, sets the charging current to a predetermined value in the selected time slot, and sets the charging current to zero outside the selected time slot.

[0062] Furthermore, in the processing of step S101, if upper limit value information of the charging current of the charger 200 is acquired, the information processing device 300 can take the upper limit value information into consideration and set the above-mentioned specified value to the upper limit value of the charging current of the charger 200 or a value not exceeding the upper limit value.

[0063] Furthermore, in the processing of step S101, if target information has been acquired, the information processing device 300 takes the target information into consideration and determines the value of the charging current to be output by the charger 200 so that the target charging power can be achieved by a specified time.

[0064] For example, the part below the description of "next charging" in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B show an example of determining the value of the charging current to be output by the charger 200 in consideration of the determined value of the market procurement price of electricity for each time slot from the next day onwards (market procurement price information), the upper limit value information, and the target information. In the examples of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the determined value of the market procurement price of electricity for each time slot from the next day onwards is shown for each 30-minute time slot, such as "0:00-0:30 32.54" and "0:30-1:00 32.88". In addition, the "rank" is given in ascending order of the determined value of the market procurement price. In addition, a value of "charger upper limit 40A" is shown as the upper limit value information, and the output when used at 200V is 8kW. In addition, a value of "target kWh 30kWh" is set as the target information. In order to set the charging current of the charger 200 to the upper limit value of 40A and the output to 8kW, and to achieve the target of 30kWh, 3.75 hours are required. To achieve a charging time of 3.75 hours, eight 30-minute time slots are required. The information processing device 300 selects eight time slots in ascending order of market procurement price, sets the charging current to 40A in the selected time slots, and sets the charging current to zero outside the selected time slots. In the example of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the time slots with the ranks "1 to 8" are selected in ascending order of rank. The selected time slots are indicated by a background color in the rank column. Specifically, eight time slots, "3:30 to 4:00", "4:30 to 5:00", "5:00 to 5:30", "5:30 to 6:00", "6:00 to 6:30", "7:30 to 8:00", "22:30 to 23:00", and "23:30 to 24:00", are selected.

[0065] Next, the information processing device 300 transmits the value of the charging current determined in the processing of step S102 to the charger 200 connected via the network, and controls the charging of the electric vehicle 100 by the charger 200 (step S103).

[0066] <Variation 1> In the process of step S101 in FIG. 8, the information processing device 300 may further acquire budget information on the budget that can be used for charging and fee information indicating the electricity fee set in relation to the market procurement price. For example, the information processing device 300 acquires the budget information by accepting an input from a user terminal. In the example of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, a value of "budget 959.56 yen" is set as the budget information. The electricity fee set in relation to the market procurement price is, for example, a fee set by adding the power supplier's fee and the renewable energy surcharge to the market procurement price. The information processing device 300 can acquire the fee information by acquiring information from a server of the power supplier with which the user has a contract, or by accepting an input from the user terminal. In the example of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the power supplier's fee called "transportation fee and service charge" and the "renewable energy surcharge" are shown. The above-mentioned "transportation fee and service charge" and "renewable energy surcharge" are added to the "market procurement price", for example, and charged to the user as the electricity fee. In this case, the electricity price indicated by the electricity rate information will be the "market procurement price" plus "transportation charges / service charges" and "renewable energy surcharge."

[0067] In this case, in the process of step S102, the information processing device 300 further considers the budget information and the fee information to determine the value of the charging current of the charger 200 so that the cost of charging falls within the budget. In the example of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, the information processing device 300 calculates the electricity fee by adding the "market procurement price" of each selected time slot to the "transportation fee / service fee" and the "renewable energy surcharge", and determines the value of the charging current so that the expected electricity fee does not exceed the budget value. If the electricity fee exceeds the budget value, the information processing device 300 can notify the user and encourage him to change the budget information or the target information, or suggest the user to charge halfway that day and charge the remaining part on the next day.

[0068] <Variation 2> In the process of step S101 in FIG. 8, the information processing device 300 may further acquire contract information related to an upper limit of the amount of available power set by a contract with a power supplier. For example, the information processing device 300 may acquire the contract information from a server of the power supplier or a smart meter provided by the power supplier, or may acquire the contract information by receiving an input from a user from a user terminal. In this case, in the process of step S102, the information processing device 300 may determine the value of the charging current of the charger 200 so as not to exceed the upper limit of the amount of available power, further taking into consideration the contract information. For example, if the upper limit of the amount of power indicated by the contract information is 50 A, the information processing device 300 determines the value of the charging current of the charger 200 within a range not exceeding 50 A.

[0069] <Modification 3> In the process of step S101 in FIG. 8, the information processing device 300 may acquire the value of the amount of power used for purposes other than charging by the charger 200 at a target location, such as the house of a consumer who performs charging, from a smart meter installed at the target location. The information processing device 300 can acquire the value of the currently available amount of power by calculating the difference between the upper limit value of the available amount of power acquired in the above-mentioned modification example 2 and the value of the amount of power used for purposes other than charging by the charger 200 (such as use of home appliances). In this case, in the process of step S102, the information processing device 300 can determine the value of the charging current of the charger 200 so as not to exceed the upper limit value of the currently available amount of power calculated as described above. For example, if the upper limit value of the available amount of power based on the contract with the power supplier is 70 A and the value of the amount of power used for purposes such as use of home appliances other than charging by the charger 200 is 40 A, the upper limit value of the currently available amount of power is calculated to be 30 A. In this case, the information processing device 300 determines the value of the charging current of the charger 200 within a range not exceeding 30 A. When the information processing device 300 has determined in advance the value of the charging current of the charger 200 for the next day or the like, the information processing device 300 may refer to the value of the available power at that time from time to time and determine whether the upper limit of the available power will be exceeded when the determined charging current is output by the charger 200. If the upper limit of the available power will be exceeded, the information processing device 300 may change the determined value of the charging current of the charger 200 so as not to exceed the upper limit of the available power.

[0070] <Variation 4> In addition to the processes of the above-mentioned modified examples 1 to 3, the information processing device 300 may acquire target information on the target charging power for each of the multiple chargers 200 in the process of step S101 in FIG. 8. For example, the information processing device 300 acquires target information such as the amount of power "20 kWh" and the mileage "100 km" for each of the two chargers 200. In this case, in the process of step S102, the information processing device 300 determines the value of the charging current for each of the two chargers 200 by considering the target information for each of the two chargers 200 and further considering the budget information, the fee information, and the value of the currently available amount of power, as in the modified examples 1 to 3. For example, the information processing device 300 selects a time slot for performing charging in each of the multiple chargers 200 as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B so that each of the multiple chargers 200 can obtain the target charging power. At this time, the information processing device 300 selects a time slot for performing charging while considering that the calculated electricity fee falls within the budget and does not exceed the upper limit of the available amount of power, and determines the value of the charging current for each charger 200. The screen in Fig. 10 is a screen for controlling and monitoring charging by each charger 200 in an environment where four electric vehicles 100 can be charged using four chargers 200. The example in Fig. 10 shows how charging of four vehicles is controlled and monitored using four chargers 200. The screen in Fig. 10 shows the charging current setting value, output value, and change over time of the output value for the multiple chargers 200.

[0071] <Variation 5> The information processing device 300 may further acquire target utilization rate information related to the target utilization rate of renewable energy in the process of step S101 in Fig. 8. For example, the information processing device 300 acquires the target utilization rate information by accepting a user's input from a user terminal. In this case, in the process of step S102, the information processing device 300 determines the value of the charging current of the charger 200 so as to achieve the target utilization rate, further taking into consideration the target utilization rate information. For example, the information processing device 300 can acquire information related to the utilization rate of renewable energy for each time period from a power supplier or the like, and determine the value of the charging current of the charger 200 for each time period so as to achieve the target utilization rate of renewable energy.

[0072] As described above, the information processing device 300 of this embodiment acquires market procurement price information indicating the market procurement price of electricity. The information processing device 300 determines the value of the charging current to be output by the charger 200 of the electric vehicle 100 based on the acquired market procurement price information. The information processing device 300 transmits the determined value of the charging current to the charger 200 connected via a network, and controls charging of the electric vehicle 100 by the charger 200. This makes it possible to alleviate the tightness of the power supply while effectively utilizing renewable energy and contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality.

[0073] Previously, technologies had been proposed that would refer to the electricity rate system based on contracts with electric power companies and select charging times when electricity rates are low, but such technologies were primarily intended to reduce costs and did not contribute to resolving the recent problem of tight power supplies, or to making effective use of renewable energy and achieving carbon neutrality.

[0074] In contrast, the present embodiment directly refers to the procurement price (market procurement price) of electricity from a free power company or the like, and controls the charging current of the charger based on the market procurement price, with the aim of resolving the tight power supply problem, effectively utilizing renewable energy, and achieving carbon neutrality. For example, since the time period when the market procurement price is low is the time period when the amount of power generated by renewable energy is large, selecting the time period when the market procurement price is low to charge an electric vehicle leads to effective utilization of renewable energy and can contribute to carbon neutrality. Conversely, since the time period when the market procurement price is high is the time period when the power supply from renewable energy is insufficient and the amount of power generated using fossil fuels is large, charging an electric vehicle by avoiding the time period when the market procurement price is high also contributes to carbon neutrality. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the value of the charging current to be output by the charger 200 of the electric vehicle 100 is determined based on market procurement price information, and the presence or absence of charging and the amount of charging are controlled, thereby contributing to resolving the tight power supply problem, effectively utilizing renewable energy, and achieving carbon neutrality.

[0075] Moreover, the information processing device 300 further acquires upper limit information on the upper limit of the charging current output by the charger 200, and determines the value of the charging current by further considering the acquired upper limit information. This allows charging to be performed by considering the upper limit of the current that the charger 200 can output, and therefore allows the charger 200 to maximize its performance while avoiding placing an excessive load on the charger 200, thereby enabling charging to be performed efficiently and safely.

[0076] Furthermore, the information processing device 300 further acquires target information related to the target charging power, and determines the value of the charging current by further considering the acquired target information. This allows the charging to be appropriately controlled so that the charging power required by the user can be obtained. Therefore, charging can be controlled so that the user's convenience is improved while easing the tightness of the power supply and contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality by effectively utilizing renewable energy.

[0077] Furthermore, the information processing device 300 acquires in advance the determined value of the market procurement price of electricity for each time slot from the next day onwards as market procurement price information, and determines the value of the charging current to be output by the charger for each time slot based on the acquired determined value. This makes it possible to determine in advance a charging schedule taking into consideration the determined value of the market procurement price of electricity for each time slot from the next day onwards. Therefore, the user only needs to instruct charging to perform, and an appropriate charging schedule is automatically set, making it possible to charge the electric vehicle 100 while easing the tightness of the power supply and contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality by effectively utilizing renewable energy.

[0078] Furthermore, the information processing device 300 acquires budget information on the budget available for charging and fee information indicating the electricity fee set in relation to the market procurement price. The information processing device 300 further considers the acquired budget information and fee information to determine the value of the charging current so that the cost of charging falls within the budget. This allows the user to automatically set an appropriate charging schedule that allows charging to be performed within the budget simply by setting the budget available for charging. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately control the cost of charging an electric vehicle, alleviate the tightness of the power supply, and effectively utilize renewable energy to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality.

[0079] Moreover, the information processing device 300 further acquires contract information related to the upper limit of the available power amount set by the contract with the power supplier, and further considers the acquired contract information to determine the value of the charging current of the charger 200 so as not to exceed the upper limit of the available power amount. Conventionally, for example, when a user installs the charger 200 in a house, it was necessary to significantly increase the number of amperes contracted with the power supplier in accordance with the peak of power usage. According to the information processing device 300 of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform charging by adjusting the charging current of the charger 200 within the range of the available power amount. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently perform charging of the electric vehicle 100 without significantly increasing the number of amperes contracted.

[0080] The information processing device 300 further acquires the value of the currently available amount of power, which is calculated as the difference between the upper limit of the available amount of power and the amount of power used for purposes other than charging by the charger 200, from the smart meter 500 installed at the target location. The information processing device 300 determines the value of the charging current so as not to exceed the acquired value of the currently available amount of power. Conventionally, as described above, when the charger 200 is installed, it is necessary to significantly increase the contracted ampere number with the power supplier in accordance with the peak of the power usage. According to the information processing device 300 of the present embodiment, it is possible to acquire information from the smart meter 500, calculate the value of the currently available amount of power, and adjust the charging current of the charger 200 within the range of the currently available amount of power to perform charging. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently perform charging of the electric vehicle 100 without increasing the contracted ampere number.

[0081] The information processing device 300 further acquires target information for each of the multiple chargers 200. The information processing device 300 further considers the target information for each of the multiple chargers 200, budget information, fee information, and the value of the currently available power amount, and determines a value of the charging current for each of the multiple chargers 200 so that each of the multiple chargers 200 can obtain the target charging power, stay within the budget, and do not exceed the upper limit of the available power amount. As a result, even when multiple electric vehicles 100 are charged using multiple chargers 200, the charging current of each charger 200 can be controlled so that each electric vehicle 100 can obtain the required charging power, within the budget and within the range of the available power amount.

[0082] In addition, the information processing device 300 further acquires target utilization rate information related to the target utilization rate of the renewable energy, and determines the value of the charging current so as to achieve the target utilization rate by further considering the acquired target utilization rate information. This can support the achievement of the target utilization rate of the renewable energy, and contribute to the effective use of renewable energy and the realization of carbon neutrality.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and each modified example, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0084] For example, the information processing device 300 can execute an appropriate combination of the processes described separately in the above-mentioned embodiment and each of the modified examples.

[0085] In addition, each of the components of the electric vehicle 100, the charger 200, the information processing device 300, the external server 400, the smart meter 500, and the user terminal 600 in the charging control system 1 may include components other than those described above, or may not include some of the components described above.

[0086] In addition, the functions of each component may be realized by other components. For example, some of the functions described as those of the information processing device 300 may be executed by other components such as the electric vehicle 100, the charger 200, the external server 400, the smart meter 500, or the user terminal 600.

[0087] Furthermore, the electric vehicle 100, the charger 200, the information processing device 300, the external server 400, the smart meter 500, and the user terminal 600 may each be configured by multiple devices, or may be configured by a single device.

[0088] In addition, the processing in the system according to the above embodiment may include steps other than those in the above flowchart, or may not include some of the above steps. The order of the steps is not limited to the above embodiment. Furthermore, each step may be combined with other steps and executed as one step, may be included in other steps and executed, or may be divided into multiple steps and executed.

[0089] In addition, some steps may be omitted from the above-described flowcharts or sequence charts, and other steps may be added. Some of the steps may be executed simultaneously, and one step may be divided into a plurality of steps and executed.

[0090] The means and methods for performing various processes in the system according to the above-mentioned embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The above-mentioned program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The above-mentioned program may be provided as a standalone application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the device as one function of the system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1. Charging control system, 100 electric vehicles, 200 charger, 210 control section, 220 storage section, 230 Communications Department, 240 live parts, 300 Information processing device, 310 control section, 311 Acquisition Department; 312 Decision Section, 313 Charging control unit, 320 storage section, 330 Communications Department, 340 Operation display section, 400 External Server, 410 control section, 420 storage section, 430 Communications Department, 440 Operation display section, 500 smart meters, 510 control section, 520 storage section, 530 Communications Department, 540 Operation display section, 550 Measuring unit, 600 user terminals, 610 control section, 620 storage section, 630 Communications Department, 640 Operation display section.

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires market procurement price information indicating a market procurement price of electricity; a determination unit that determines a value of a charging current to be output by a charger of the electric vehicle based on the market procurement price information acquired by the acquisition unit; a charging control unit that transmits the value of the charging current determined by the determination unit to the charger connected via a network and controls charging of the electric vehicle by the charger; A charging control device having the above configuration.

2. The acquisition unit further acquires upper limit value information regarding an upper limit value of a charging current output by the charger, The charge control device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines the value of the charging current by further taking into account the upper limit value information.

3. The acquisition unit further acquires target information related to a target charging power, The charge control device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit determines the value of the charging current by further taking the target information into consideration.

4. The acquisition unit acquires in advance, as the market procurement price information, a determined value of the market procurement price of electricity for each time period from the next day onwards; The charge control device according to claim 3 , wherein the determination unit determines a value of the charging current to be output by the charger for each time period based on the determination value.

5. The acquisition unit acquires budget information regarding a budget that can be used for charging and rate information indicating an electricity rate that is set in relation to the market procurement price, The charging control device according to claim 4 , wherein the determination unit determines the value of the charging current so that the cost of charging falls within the budget, further taking into consideration the budget information and the fee information.

6. The acquisition unit further acquires contract information related to an upper limit of available power amount set by a contract with a power supplier, The charge control device according to claim 5 , wherein the determination unit determines the value of the charging current so as not to exceed the upper limit of the available power amount, further taking into consideration the contract information.

7. The acquisition unit further acquires, from a smart meter installed at a target location, a value of a currently available amount of power, which is calculated as a difference between an upper limit value of an available amount of power and a value of an amount of power used for purposes other than charging by the charger; The charge control device according to claim 6 , wherein the determination unit determines the value of the charging current so as not to exceed the value of the currently available power amount.

8. The acquisition unit further acquires the target information regarding each of the plurality of chargers; 8. The charging control device according to claim 7, wherein the determination unit determines a value of the charging current for each of the plurality of chargers so that each of the plurality of chargers can obtain a target charging power, stay within the budget, and do not exceed an upper limit of the available power amount, by further taking into consideration the target information for each of the plurality of chargers, the budget information, the fee information, and the value of the currently available power amount.

9. The acquisition unit further acquires target utilization rate information regarding a target utilization rate of renewable energy, The charge control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination unit determines the value of the charging current so as to achieve the target utilization rate, further taking into consideration the target utilization rate information.

10. A charging control device according to claim 1 or 2, a charger that is connected to the charging control device via a network and outputs a charging current determined by the charging control device to charge a connected electric vehicle; A charging control system having the same.

11. A charge control program for causing an information processing device to function as the charge control device according to claim 1 or 2.

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