Charging management system, charging management method, and program

Abstract

To provide a charging management system, a charging management method, and a program capable of suppressing a decrease in user convenience by correcting a charging schedule.SOLUTION: A charging management system comprises: a determination unit for determining whether or not a charging schedule needs to be corrected based on whether or not charging of each electric vehicle can be performed as indicated in the charging schedule created for each electric vehicle; and a charging schedule correction unit for correcting the charging schedule if it is determined that the charging schedule needs to be corrected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, various techniques have been proposed for charging the battery of an electric vehicle based on a charging schedule prepared in advance.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a technology for setting a battery charging schedule and automatically charging the battery based on schedule information indicating the user's planned use of an electric vehicle and price information indicating the price at which electricity is purchased from a commercial power source. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-95983 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology of Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the case where the charging of the electric vehicle is not performed according to the charging schedule. If the charging of the electric vehicle is not performed according to the charging schedule, there is a risk that the remaining charge of the battery will be insufficient for the user's planned use, and the user's convenience will be reduced. For this reason, it is desirable to modify the charging schedule depending on whether the charging of the electric vehicle can be performed according to the charging schedule.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a charge management system, a charge management method, and a program capable of suppressing a decrease in convenience for a user by modifying a charge schedule. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a charging management system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a charging management system including: a determination unit that determines whether or not a charging schedule needs to be modified based on whether charging of each electric vehicle can be performed as indicated in a charging schedule created for each electric vehicle; and a charging schedule modification unit that modifies the charging schedule when it is determined that modification of the charging schedule is necessary.

[0008] A charging management method according to one aspect of the present invention is a charging management method executed by a computer, the method including: a determination step of determining whether or not a charging schedule needs to be modified based on whether or not charging of each electric vehicle can be performed as indicated by a charging schedule created for each electric vehicle; and a charging schedule modification step of modifying the charging schedule when it is determined that modification of the charging schedule needs to be performed.

[0009] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a determination means for determining whether or not a charging schedule needs to be modified, based on whether or not charging of each electric vehicle can be performed as indicated in a charging schedule created for each electric vehicle, and a charging schedule modification means for modifying the charging schedule when it is determined that modification of the charging schedule is necessary. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in user convenience due to the modification of the charging schedule. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electric vehicle charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of fluctuations in electricity prices according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3]10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of an optimization timing and a range of a charging schedule according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a power price prediction server according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a charging schedule management server according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow related to creating a charging schedule in the electric vehicle charging system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow related to correction of a charging schedule in the electric vehicle charging system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a process for correcting a charging schedule when an electricity price is determined according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of a process for correcting a charging schedule after a predetermined time has elapsed according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] <1. Electric vehicle charging system configuration> First, the configuration of an electric vehicle charging system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electric vehicle charging system according to this embodiment.

[0014] The electric vehicle charging system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a system for charging electric vehicles (EVs). In the electric vehicle charging system 1, a schedule indicating when the electric vehicle is to be charged (hereinafter also referred to as a "charging schedule") is created for each electric vehicle. The created charging schedule is notified to users who are the users of each electric vehicle. The users charge their own electric vehicles according to the notified charging schedule. The users are, for example, corporations (private companies) or local governments (government agencies), but may also be general consumers. In addition, the number of electric vehicles owned by the users is not particularly limited. In the following description, it is assumed that the user uses the electric vehicle for business purposes, and the electric vehicle is not used on Saturdays and Sundays, which are holidays, but is used on weekdays.

[0015] The charging schedule is information that indicates a plan for whether or not to charge the electric vehicle at each predetermined time interval during a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period may be set to any period, for example, one week. The start timing of the predetermined period may also be set to any period, for example, depending on how the user uses the electric vehicle during the predetermined period. As an example, in the case of a user who often uses the electric vehicle on weekdays, where the predetermined period is one week, the start timing of the week is set to, for example, Friday night (for example, 9 p.m.) after the end of use of the electric vehicle on weekdays. This is to allow for a charging schedule that enables the user to charge the electric vehicle on holidays (Saturday and Sunday) in advance with the amount of power required for using the electric vehicle on weekdays. In this case, since electricity prices on holidays tend to be lower than electricity prices on weekdays, it is also possible to reduce the electricity costs required for charging the electric vehicle. Note that, if there is a time period during which charging is possible on weekdays (a time period during which the electric vehicle is not used), charging may be scheduled to be performed during that time period. The predetermined time interval may be any time interval, for example, 30 minutes. This 30 minutes interval is the time interval during which the price of electricity fluctuates. In this way, by setting a time interval that matches the fluctuation of the price of electricity as the predetermined time interval, it becomes possible to determine a charging schedule that takes into account the electricity cost required for charging an electric vehicle.

[0016] In this embodiment, the minimum unit of the predetermined time interval is 30 minutes. In the charging schedule, this minimum unit of 30 minutes is also expressed as one frame. In this embodiment, the amount of charge that can be made to the battery in the unit time of 30 minutes for each electric vehicle may vary depending on individual differences in the battery, and is calculated for each electric vehicle. On the other hand, the amount of charge that can be made to the battery in the unit time of 30 minutes may be calculated as a constant without considering individual differences in the battery, to simplify the calculation. Furthermore, when a home charger is used to charge an electric vehicle, it is difficult to control the amount of power to be charged. For this reason, in this embodiment, control of charging an electric vehicle is not performed by specifying the amount of charge, but only control of whether charging is turned on or off at predetermined time intervals is possible. For this reason, the charging schedule according to this embodiment indicates whether charging of the electric vehicle is turned on or off every 30 minutes.

[0017] 1, an electric vehicle charging system 1 includes a user terminal 10, a charging management device 20, an electric vehicle 21, and a charging management system 30 (an electricity price prediction server 40 and a charging schedule management server 50). The network NW may be configured to transmit and receive information using, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network (a mobile phone network, a landline telephone network, etc.), a regional Internet Protocol (IP) network, the Internet, etc.

[0018] (1) User terminal 10 The user terminal 10 is a terminal used by a user of the electric vehicle 21. The user terminal 10 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0019] The user terminal 10 accepts input of information (hereinafter also referred to as "charging demand information") from the user indicating the user's demand for charging the electric vehicle 21. The charging demand information is information indicating, for example, chargeable time information, electric vehicle usage amount information, minimum charging amount information, etc. The chargeable time information is information indicating the time when charging is possible within the range for which a charging schedule is created (i.e., the time when the user does not use the electric vehicle 21). The user sets the chargeable time for the next week (48 frames per day x 7 days) in 30-minute increments, for example. In the example of this embodiment, the user sets the chargeable time for one week in 30-minute increments starting on Friday night. The electric vehicle usage information is information indicating the expected usage amount of the electric vehicle 21 within the range for which the charging schedule is created. The user sets the expected usage amount of the electric vehicle 21 for the next one week (seven days), for example. The electric vehicle usage amount is, in other words, the charging amount required for the use of the electric vehicle 21 within the range for which the charging schedule is created. Therefore, the charging amount to be charged to the electric vehicle 21 can be known from the electric vehicle usage information input by the user. The minimum charge amount information is information that indicates the lower limit of the charge amount (i.e., the minimum charge amount). The user sets the lower limit of the charge amount so that the charge amount does not always fall below the minimum charge amount. This allows a margin of charge amount to be provided, and allows the user to prepare for sudden use of the electric vehicle 21 other than the expected use.

[0020] The user terminal 10 is communicably connected to a charging management device 20 and a charging schedule management server 50 via a network NW. The user terminal 10 receives, for example, information indicating the remaining charge of an electric vehicle 21 owned by a user (hereinafter also referred to as "remaining charge information") in communication with the charging management device 20. The user terminal 10 also receives information indicating a charging schedule (hereinafter also referred to as "charging schedule information") in communication with the charging schedule management server 50. The user terminal 10 displays the remaining charge based on the received remaining charge notification and the charging schedule based on the received charging schedule information. This allows the user to check the remaining charge and the charging schedule of the electric vehicle 21 that the user uses by checking the display on the user terminal 10.

[0021] (2) Charging management equipment 20 The charging management device 20 is a device that manages the charging of the electric vehicle 21. In this embodiment, the number of charging management devices 20 is not particularly limited, and may be one or more. The charging management device 20 is communicatively connected to a charger (not shown) and controls the on / off of charging of the electric vehicle 21. By turning on charging, the charging management device 20 starts the supply of power from the charger to the electric vehicle 21 and charges the battery mounted on the electric vehicle 21. On the other hand, by turning off charging, the charging management device 20 stops the supply of power from the charger to the electric vehicle 21 and stops charging of the battery mounted on the electric vehicle 21.

[0022] The charging management device 20 is communicatively connected to the electric vehicle 21 and receives information about the electric vehicle 21 (hereinafter also referred to as "electric vehicle information"). The charging management device 20 may be capable of receiving the electric vehicle information from the electric vehicle 21 via the charger. The electric vehicle information is, for example, maximum charge amount information, remaining charge information, vehicle type information, and the like. The maximum charge amount information is information indicating the upper limit of the charge amount (i.e., the maximum charge amount). The user sets the upper limit of the charge amount so that the charge amount does not always exceed the maximum charge amount. The maximum charge amount can be calculated from the maximum capacity of the battery mounted on the electric vehicle 21. The remaining charge information is information indicating the remaining charge of the electric vehicle 21. The remaining charge information is, for example, information indicating the remaining charge in an initial state of the electric vehicle 21 (i.e., the initial charge amount). For example, the initial charge amount is set to the charge amount in the first period (first 30 minutes) of the first day in the range for which the charging schedule is created. The vehicle type information is information that indicates the vehicle type of the electric vehicle 21.

[0023] The charging management device 20 is communicably connected to the user terminal 10 and the charging schedule management server 50 via the network NW. In communication with the user terminal 10, the charging management device 20 transmits remaining charge information of the electric vehicle 21 for which charging is managed by the charging management device itself. In communication with the charging schedule management server 50, the charging management device 20 also transmits information indicating that connection of the electric vehicle 21 to a charger has been detected (hereinafter also referred to as "charging connection detection information") and electric vehicle information of the electric vehicle 21 connected to the charger. In communication with the charging schedule management server 50, the charging management device 20 also receives information for controlling on / off of charging based on the charging schedule (hereinafter also referred to as "charging control information").

[0024] The charging management device 20 may include maximum chargeable vehicle number information and maximum charging count information in the electric vehicle information transmitted to the charging schedule management server 50. The maximum chargeable vehicle number information is information indicating the number of electric vehicles 21 that can be charged simultaneously. The number of electric vehicles 21 that can be charged simultaneously has an upper limit according to the number of chargers and the amount of available power. The maximum charging count information is information indicating the upper limit of the number of charging times for one electric vehicle 21. Frequent switching of charging on and off may lead to charger failure or increased usage of API (Application Programming Interface) that remotely controls charging. For this reason, by setting an upper limit of the number of charging times, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of charger failure and increased usage of API (Application Programming Interface).

[0025] (3) Electric Vehicles 21 The electric vehicle 21 is an electric vehicle used by a user. In this embodiment, the number of electric vehicles 21 is not particularly limited, and may be either one or more. The electric vehicle 21 is connected to a charger by a user. This connection allows the electric vehicle 21 to receive power from the charger and charge the battery. In addition, the electric vehicle 21 is connected to the charging management device 20 so as to be able to communicate with the charging management device 20, and transmits remaining charge information, vehicle type information, and the like to the charging management device 20.

[0026] (4) Charging management system 30 The charging management system 30 is a system that manages the charging of the electric vehicle 21 in the electric vehicle charging system 1. The charging management system 30 is configured with one or more servers, and may be, for example, a cloud server. As shown in FIG. 1, the charging management system 30 includes an electricity price prediction server 40 and a charging scheduling management server 50.

[0027] (4-1) Electricity price prediction server 40 The power price prediction server 40 is a server for performing processes related to power prices. The power price prediction server 40 is configured with one or more servers, and may be, for example, a cloud server.

[0028] The power price prediction server 40 is communicably connected to the charging schedule management server 50 via the network NW. In communication with the charging schedule management server 50, the electricity price prediction server 40 transmits information indicating the predicted electricity price (hereinafter also referred to as "predicted electricity price information") and information indicating the confirmed electricity price (hereinafter also referred to as "confirmed electricity price information"). The predicted electricity price information is information that indicates predicted fluctuations in electricity prices for the period of the charging schedule based on weather forecasts, past market prices, and other data. The confirmed electricity price information is information that indicates fluctuations in confirmed electricity prices. The confirmed electricity price information is, for example, the spot market price. The spot market price is the confirmed market price of electricity. The spot market price is published every day and indicates fluctuations in the market price of electricity up to midnight the following day at 30-minute intervals.

[0029] (4-2) Charging scheduling management server 50 The charging schedule management server 50 is a server for performing processes related to charging scheduling. The charging schedule management server 50 is configured with one or more servers, and may be, for example, a cloud server.

[0030] The charging scheduling management server 50 is communicably connected to the user terminal 10, the charging management device 20, and the power price prediction server 40 via the network NW. The charging schedule management server 50 receives charging demand information and transmits charging schedule information in communication with the user terminal 10. The charging schedule management server 50 receives charging connection detection information and electric vehicle information in communication with the charging management device 20, and transmits charging control information. The charging schedule management server 50 receives the predicted power price information and the confirmed power price information through communication with the power price prediction server 40 .

[0031] Here, fluctuations in power prices according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of fluctuations in power prices according to this embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an example of the fluctuations in electricity prices (yen / kWh) from "00:00" to "24:00" on weekdays, and the fluctuations in electricity prices (yen / kWh) from "00:00" to "24:00" on holidays. In the example shown in Figure 2, electricity prices tend to be cheaper overall on holidays than on weekdays. Weekday electricity prices tend to be higher in the mornings and evenings, and lower during the day and at night. Holiday electricity prices tend to be lower during the day, and higher in the mornings, evenings, and nights. In this example, when creating a charging schedule that prioritizes electricity prices, charging during the day on a holiday can reduce the electricity cost most. When it is necessary to create a charging schedule for weekdays as well, charging during the day or night on a weekday can reduce the electricity cost even more. In this manner, in the present embodiment, an initial charging schedule in which the power cost is optimized is created in consideration of fluctuations in the power price. Hereinafter, creating the charging schedule is also referred to as "initial optimization."

[0033] Here, the optimization timing and schedule range of the charging schedule will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the optimization timing and schedule range of the charging schedule according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, whether or not the charging schedule needs to be modified is determined depending on whether or not charging of the electric vehicle 21 can be performed as indicated by the charging schedule. If it is determined that the charging schedule needs to be modified, the charging schedule is modified using the latest data of the necessary data among the data used to create the charging schedule. This allows the charging schedule to be optimized in accordance with the latest data. Hereinafter, modifying the charging schedule is also referred to as "modification optimization."

[0034] FIG. 3 shows an example of creating a charging schedule (initial optimization) with the start timing of the charging schedule set to 9 p.m. on Friday. In this case, the range of the created charging schedule is from 9 p.m. on Friday to 9 p.m. on the following Friday. The charging schedule is created and the user is notified around 8 p.m. on Friday. In this way, the charging schedule is created once a week, with the schedule range being one week starting one hour after the start of the schedule.

[0035] FIG. 3 also shows an example of optimizing the correction of the charging schedule, in which the timing for correcting the charging schedule is set to when the electricity price for the next day is determined and when a shortage in the charging amount is expected. The electricity price for the next day is fixed at the time when the spot market price (fixed electricity price) is made public (for example, at 10:30). Figure 3 shows an example in which the charging schedule is corrected and optimized between 10:00 and 21:00 on Monday based on the spot market price and other latest data made public at 10:30, and the corrected charging schedule is notified to the user. In this case, the range of the corrected charging schedule is from 11:00 on Monday to 21:00 on Friday of the same week. In this way, the charging schedule is corrected once a day when the power price of the next day is determined (calculation date), starting from 30 minutes after the start of the implementation, and is corrected and optimized within the range of the initial optimization. In addition, in this embodiment, the correction and optimization is performed within the range of the initial optimization, but this is not limited to this, and the correction range may be set to 7 days from the calculation date. In other words, the correction and optimization is performed within the range of the initial optimization within the 7 days from the calculation date, and the range thereafter is initially optimized, so that a 7-day charging schedule may be created regardless of the calculation date. For example, as shown in the example of FIG. 3, when the correction and optimization is performed at 10:00 on Monday for a charging schedule that was initially optimized (created) at 20:00 on Friday, the correction and optimization is performed on the existing charging schedule from 11:00 on Monday to 21:00 on Friday of the same week, and further, a new charging schedule is created by the initial optimization for the range from 21:00 on Friday to 11:00 on Monday of the following week.

[0036] The time when the charging amount is assumed to be insufficient is a timing when the charging amount is assumed to be insufficient based on a determination made at the lapse of a predetermined time (for example, at 30-minute intervals, which are time intervals at which the electricity price fluctuates). FIG. 3 shows an example in which, for example, a determination made at 21:00 on Friday determines that the charging schedule needs to be modified (optimized), the charging schedule is modified by 21:30, and the modified charging schedule is notified to the user. In this case, the range of the modified charging schedule is from 21:30 on Friday to 21:00 on the following Friday. Similarly, an example is shown in which a determination made at 21:30 on Friday determines that the charging schedule needs to be modified, the charging schedule is modified by 22:00, and the modified charging schedule is notified to the user. In this case, the range of the modified charging schedule is from 22:00 on Friday to 21:00 on the following Friday. In this way, the charging schedule is adjusted when an insufficient charge level is anticipated only when it is determined that adjustment is necessary in the assessment made at 30-minute intervals, and the adjustment range is from 30 minutes after the start of implementation to the end of the week.

[0037] <2. Functional configuration of the electricity price prediction server> The configuration of the electric vehicle charging system 1 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the power price prediction server 40 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the power price prediction server 40 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the power price prediction server 40 includes a communication unit 410, a storage unit 420, and a control unit 430.

[0038] (1) Communications Department 410 The communication unit 410 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. In communication with the charging schedule management server 50, the communication unit 410 transmits predicted power price information and confirmed power price information.

[0039] (2) Storage section 420 The storage unit 420 has a function of storing various information. The storage unit 420 is configured by a storage medium provided as hardware in the power price prediction server 40, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a random access read / write memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or any combination of these storage media. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 420 includes a prediction information storage unit 421, a predicted power price information storage unit 422, and a confirmed power price information storage unit 423.

[0040] (2-1) Prediction information storage unit 421 The prediction information storage unit 421 has a function of storing prediction information. The prediction information is information used to predict a predicted power price, such as information indicating a weather forecast, information indicating a past market price, and information indicating other data.

[0041] (2-2) Predicted power price information storage unit 422 The predicted power price information storage unit 422 has a function of storing predicted power price information. The predicted power price information is information indicating a predicted power price predicted by a power price prediction unit 432, which will be described later.

[0042] (2-3) Confirmed electricity price information storage unit 423 The confirmed power price information storage unit 423 has a function of storing confirmed power price information. The confirmed power price information is confirmed power price information acquired by the confirmed power price information acquisition unit 433, which will be described later.

[0043] (3) Control unit 430 The control unit 430 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the power price prediction server 40. The control unit 430 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided as hardware in the power price prediction server 40 to execute a program. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 430 includes a predicted information acquisition unit 431, a power price prediction unit 432, a confirmed power price information acquisition unit 433, and an output processing unit 434.

[0044] (3-1) Prediction information acquisition unit 431 The prediction information acquisition unit 431 has a function of acquiring prediction information. The prediction information acquisition unit 431 acquires, for example, information indicating a weather forecast, information indicating past market prices, and other data as prediction information by input by the administrator of the power price prediction server 40 or by searching on the Internet. The prediction information acquisition unit 431 stores the acquired prediction information in the prediction information storage unit 421.

[0045] (3-2) Electricity Price Forecasting Department 432 The power price prediction unit 432 has a function of predicting a predicted power price. The power price prediction unit 432 predicts a predicted power price based on the prediction information acquired by the prediction information acquisition unit 431. The power price prediction unit 432 stores predicted power price information indicating the predicted power price in the predicted power price information storage unit 422.

[0046] (3-3) Confirmed electricity price information acquisition unit 433 The confirmed power price information acquisition unit 433 has a function of acquiring confirmed power price information. The confirmed power price information acquisition unit 433 acquires, for example, information indicating a spot market price published on a website of the wholesale power market as the confirmed power price information. The confirmed power price information acquisition unit 433 stores the acquired confirmed power price information in the confirmed power price information storage unit 423.

[0047] (3-4) Output processing unit 434 The output processing unit 434 has a function of controlling the output of various information. For example, the output processing unit 434 transmits, as power price information, predicted power price information indicating the predicted power price predicted by the power price prediction unit 432 and confirmed power price information acquired by the confirmed power price information acquisition unit 433 from the communication unit 410 to the charging schedule management server 50.

[0048] <3. Functional configuration of the charging scheduling management server> The functional configuration of the power price prediction server 40 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional configuration of the charging schedule management server 50 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the charging schedule management server 50 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the charging schedule management server 50 includes a communication unit 510, a storage unit 520, and a control unit 530.

[0049] (1) Communications Unit 510 The communication unit 510 has a function of transmitting and receiving various information. In communication with the user terminal 10, the communication unit 510 receives charging demand information and transmits charging schedule information. In communication with the charging management device 20, the communication unit 510 receives charging connection detection information and electric vehicle information and transmits charging control information. In communication with the power price prediction server 40, the communication unit 510 receives predicted power price information and confirmed power price information.

[0050] (2) Storage section 520 The storage unit 520 has a function of storing various information. The storage unit 520 is configured by a storage medium provided as hardware in the charging schedule management server 50, such as an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, an EEPROM, a RAM, a ROM, or any combination of these storage media. As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 520 includes a charging demand information storage unit 521, an electric vehicle information storage unit 522, a power price information storage unit 523, and a charging schedule information storage unit 524.

[0051] (2-1) Charging demand information storage unit 521 The charging demand information storage unit 521 has a function of storing charging demand information. The charging demand information is charging demand information acquired by a charging demand information acquisition unit 531, which will be described later.

[0052] (2-2) Electric vehicle information storage unit 522 The electric vehicle information storage unit 522 has a function of storing electric vehicle information. The electric vehicle information is electric vehicle information acquired by the electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532, which will be described later.

[0053] (2-3) Electricity price information storage unit 523 The power price information storage unit 523 has a function of storing power price information. The power price information is power price information acquired by a power price information acquisition unit 533, which will be described later.

[0054] (2-4) Charging schedule information storage unit 524 The charging schedule information storage unit 524 has a function of storing charging schedule information. The charging schedule information is information indicating a charging schedule created by a charging schedule creation unit 535 described later, or information indicating a charging schedule corrected (optimized) by a charging schedule correction unit 537 described later. The correction in this embodiment is a correction including initial optimization, but is not limited to this, and may be only correction optimization.

[0055] (3) Control unit 530 The control unit 530 has a function of controlling the overall operation of the charging schedule management server 50. The control unit 530 is realized, for example, by causing a CPU provided as hardware in the charging schedule management server 50 to execute a program. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 530 includes a charging demand information acquisition unit 531, an electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532, an electricity price information acquisition unit 533, an electric vehicle information processing unit 534, a charging schedule creation unit 535, a real-time control unit 536, a charging schedule correction unit 537, and an output processing unit 538.

[0056] (3-1) Charging demand information acquisition unit 531 The charging demand information acquisition unit 531 has a function of acquiring charging demand information. The charging demand information acquisition unit 531 acquires the charging demand information received by the communication unit 510 from the user terminal 10. The charging demand information acquisition unit 531 stores the acquired charging demand information in the charging demand information storage unit 521.

[0057] (3-2) Electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532 The electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532 has a function of acquiring electric vehicle information. The electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532 acquires the electric vehicle information received by the communication unit 510 from the charging management device 20. The electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532 stores the acquired electric vehicle information in the electric vehicle information storage unit 522. Furthermore, the electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532 acquires information indicating the charging characteristics of the electric vehicle 21 (hereinafter also referred to as "charging characteristic information") as electric vehicle information. The electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532 stores the electric vehicle information including the acquired charging characteristic information in the electric vehicle information storage unit 522. The charging characteristic information is input by, for example, an administrator of the charging schedule management server 50.

[0058] (3-3) Electricity price information acquisition unit 533 The power price information acquisition unit 533 has a function of acquiring power price information. The power price information acquisition unit 533 acquires the power price information received by the communication unit 510 from the power price prediction server 40. The power price information acquisition unit 533 stores the acquired power price information in the power price information storage unit 523.

[0059] (3-4) Electric vehicle information processing unit 534 The electric vehicle information processing unit 534 has a function of performing processing based on the electric vehicle information. For example, the electric vehicle information processing unit 534 predicts the charging efficiency and charging time of the electric vehicle 21 based on the electric vehicle information. The charging efficiency can be predicted, for example, from charging characteristic information and remaining charge information included in the electric vehicle information. The charging time is the time required to charge the amount of charge requested by the user, and can be predicted, for example, from the electric vehicle information, the charge amount, the charging efficiency, etc.

[0060] (3-5) Charging schedule creation unit 535 The charging schedule creation unit 535 has a function of creating a charging schedule (initial optimization). The charging schedule creation unit 535 sets a charging time or a non-charging time for each frame in the charging schedule. As an example, when one frame is 30 minutes as in the present embodiment and charging for one hour is required, the charging schedule creation unit 535 sets two consecutive frames as the charging time. In this case, the charging control unit 5361 described later turns on charging of the target electric vehicle 21 at the start times of the two consecutive frames and turns off charging of the target electric vehicle 21 at the end times of the two consecutive frames.

[0061] The charging schedule creation unit 535 creates a charging schedule based on the charging demand information acquired by the charging demand information acquisition unit 531, the electric vehicle information acquired by the electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532, and the power price information acquired by the power price information acquisition unit 533. For example, the charging schedule creation unit 535 creates a charging schedule based on the chargeable time indicated by the charging demand information, the charging time predicted from the electric vehicle information by the electric vehicle information processing unit 534, and the predicted power price and confirmed power price indicated by the power price information.

[0062] Specifically, the charging schedule creation unit 535 creates a charging schedule based on the chargeable time, the charging time, the predicted electricity price, and the confirmed electricity price so as to satisfy predetermined conditions. In the present embodiment, as an example, the charging schedule creation unit 535 creates a charging schedule so as to satisfy four conditions. The first condition is that "charging should always be above the minimum charge amount and below the maximum charge amount during the period for which the charging schedule is created." The second condition is that "charging should not occur outside of the hours when electric vehicles can be charged." The third condition is that "the total number of charging times in one week should be below the maximum number of charging times." The fourth condition is that "the number of electric vehicles being charged at the same time should not exceed the maximum number that can be charged."

[0063] The charging schedule creation unit 535 creates a charging schedule that satisfies these four conditions and further minimizes the total electricity price. Regarding the electricity price used in creating the charging schedule, a confirmed electricity price is used to determine the schedule up to the next day, and a predicted electricity price is used to determine the schedule from the day after that onwards.

[0064] (3-6) Real-time control unit 536 The real time control unit 536 has a function of controlling the charging of the electric vehicle 21 in real time. As shown in FIG. 5, the real time control unit 536 includes a charging control unit 5361 and a determination unit 5362.

[0065] (3-6-1) Charging control unit 5361 The charging control unit 5361 has a function of controlling the on / off of charging. The charging control unit 5361 checks the control timing of charging based on the charging schedule. If it is the control timing, the charging control unit 5361 generates charging control information so that charging can be switched on or off at the control timing, and transmits the information from the communication unit 510 to the charging management device 20.

[0066] Even if the charging schedule is created by the charging schedule creation unit 535 as described above, there is a possibility that a difference will occur between the situation assumed when the charging schedule was created and the actual situation during the period of the charging schedule. For example, regarding the price of electricity, a difference may occur between the predicted electricity price used to create the charging schedule and the confirmed electricity price corresponding to the predicted electricity price. In this case, if charging is performed according to the existing charging schedule, electricity costs may increase. Regarding the amount of charge, it may happen that the electric vehicle 21 to be charged is not connected to a charger and the expected amount of charge is not reached, or that the user uses the electric vehicle 21 more than expected and the expected amount of charge is not reached. In this case, if charging is performed according to the existing charging schedule, the amount of charge in the electric vehicle 21 may be insufficient. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to achieve both "minimization of power costs" and "avoiding the release of electric vehicles 21 with insufficient charge", a determination unit 5362 described later determines whether or not the charging schedule needs to be modified as necessary, and a charging schedule modification unit 537 modifies (optimizes) the charging schedule when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

[0067] (3-6-2) Judgment section 5362 The determination unit 5362 has a function of determining whether or not the charging schedule needs to be revised. The determination unit 5362 determines whether or not the charging schedule needs to be revised based on whether or not it is possible to charge each electric vehicle 21 as indicated in the charging schedule created for each electric vehicle 21. At a predetermined timing, the determination unit 5362 first determines whether or not it is possible to charge each electric vehicle 21 as indicated in the charging schedule, based on a change in the data used to create the charging schedule. The predetermined timing is when the electricity price for the next day is determined and when a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0068] If the specified timing is the time when the power price of the next day is fixed, the data used to create the charging schedule is data indicating the power price (power price information). In this case, the determination unit 5362 checks whether the data indicating the power price used to create the charging schedule has been updated. At this time, the determination unit 5362 checks whether the predicted power price used when creating the charging schedule is different from the fixed power price corresponding to the predicted power price (whether a difference has occurred). If the prices are different, the determination unit 5362 determines that the data has been updated. On the other hand, if the prices are not different, the determination unit 5362 determines that the data has not been updated. When the data indicating the electricity price used to create the charging schedule has been updated, the determination unit 5362 determines that charging of each electric vehicle 21 cannot be performed as indicated by the charging schedule, and determines that the charging schedule needs to be revised. On the other hand, when the data indicating the electricity price used to create the charging schedule has not been updated, the determination unit 5362 determines that charging of each electric vehicle 21 can be performed as indicated by the charging schedule, and determines that the charging schedule does not need to be revised.

[0069] When the predetermined timing is the lapse of a predetermined time, the data used to create the charging schedule is data indicating the remaining charge of the electric vehicle 21 (remaining charge information). In this case, the determination unit 5362 checks whether the amount of charge of the electric vehicle 21 is insufficient from a change in the data indicating the remaining charge of the electric vehicle 21 used to create the charging schedule. At this time, the determination unit 5362 checks whether the amount of change in the remaining charge corresponds to the schedule, from the remaining charge used when creating the charging schedule and the latest remaining charge. When the amount of change in the remaining charge does not correspond to the schedule, the determination unit 5362 determines that charging is not performed according to the charging schedule and assumes that the amount of charge of the electric vehicle 21 is insufficient. On the other hand, when the amount of change in the remaining charge corresponds to the schedule, the determination unit 5362 determines that charging is performed according to the charging schedule and assumes that the amount of charge of the electric vehicle 21 is not insufficient. When it is expected that the charge amount of the electric vehicles 21 will be insufficient, the determination unit 5362 determines that charging of each electric vehicle 21 cannot be performed as indicated by the charging schedule, and determines that the charging schedule needs to be revised. On the other hand, when it is not expected that the charge amount of the electric vehicles 21 will be insufficient, the determination unit 5362 determines that charging of each electric vehicle 21 can be performed as indicated by the charging schedule, and determines that revision of the charging schedule is not necessary.

[0070] Furthermore, the determination unit 5362 monitors the charging schedule to monitor whether charging of the electric vehicle 21 is being performed as indicated by the charging schedule. When it is determined that charging is not being performed as indicated by the charging schedule, the determination unit 5362 determines that the charging schedule needs to be revised.

[0071] (3-7) Charging schedule correction unit 537 The charging schedule correction unit 537 has a function of correcting (correcting and optimizing) the charging schedule. When the determination unit 5362 determines that the charging schedule needs to be corrected, the charging schedule correction unit 537 corrects the charging schedule. In this case, the charging schedule correction unit 537 corrects the charging schedule based on the latest data at the timing when it is determined that the correction is necessary. The latest data is, for example, the latest chargeable time, charging time, predicted power price, confirmed power price, and remaining charge amount. The charging schedule correction unit 537 corrects the charging schedule based on these latest data, taking into account predetermined elements. In the present embodiment, as an example, the charging schedule correction unit 537 creates a charging schedule taking into account four elements.

[0072] The first element is the "price of electricity." The charging schedule correction unit 537 corrects the charging schedule so as to reduce the cost of electricity. The second element is "whether the charging schedule to be added is adjacent to an existing charging schedule (whether the number of charging times does not need to be increased)." The charging schedule correction unit 537 corrects the charging schedule so as not to increase the number of charging times (switching charging on or off). The third element is "the margin for the number of vehicles that can be charged simultaneously." The charging schedule correction unit 537 adds a charging schedule to a time period in which there is a margin for the number of vehicles that can be charged simultaneously. The fourth element is "freedom of selection." The charging schedule correction unit 537 takes into consideration that the amount of charging that is insufficient and the time period in which a charging schedule can be added differ depending on the user, and therefore the correction options differ depending on the user. Which of the above four elements is emphasized can be set or changed using hyperparameters.

[0073] In the case of correction when the electricity price for the next day is determined, the charging schedule correction unit 537 corrects the charging schedule based on the updated electricity price with an emphasis on reducing the electricity cost required for charging the electric vehicle 21, with the aim of minimizing the electricity cost. In this case, the charging schedule correction unit 537 may rearrange the charging schedule according to the latest electricity price, or may move a charging schedule set for a time when the electricity price is high to a time when the electricity price is lower. This makes it possible to minimize the electricity cost. In the case of correction after a predetermined time has elapsed, the charging schedule correction unit 537 corrects the charging schedule with an emphasis on preventing the amount of charge from becoming insufficient, with the aim of not letting an electric vehicle 21 with an insufficient amount of charge go out. In this case, the charging schedule correction unit 537 adds a plan to perform charging to make up for the insufficient amount of charge to the charging schedule of the electric vehicle 21 that is expected to have an insufficient amount of charge. This makes it possible to prevent an electric vehicle 21 with an insufficient amount of charge from going out.

[0074] In addition, the charging schedule correction unit 537 may determine the charging schedule after correction so that the amount of change from the section in which charging is performed in the charging schedule is small when it is determined that the charging schedule needs to be corrected as a result of the charging schedule monitoring by the determination unit 5362, with the aim of suppressing a decrease in user convenience. For example, the charging schedule correction unit 537 determines the charging schedule after correction so that the number of charging times within the chargeable period in the charging schedule does not increase and the power cost is reduced. In this case, when adding a charging execution plan, the charging schedule correction unit 537 selects a necessary number of time slots in descending order of the power price from among time slots adjacent to the existing charging schedule (time slots before and after), and adds the charging schedule. As a result, although the length of the charging schedule in the existing charging schedule is changed, the time slot is not moved, so that the impact on the user due to the change in the charging schedule can be suppressed. In addition, by adding a new charging schedule before and after the existing charging schedule, the number of times to switch on and off charging does not increase, so that the occurrence of breakdowns of electrical appliances and an increase in the usage of API can be suppressed.

[0075] (3-8) Output processing unit 538 The output processing unit 538 has a function of controlling the output of various information. For example, the output processing unit 538 transmits charging control information generated by the charging control unit 5361 from the communication unit 510 to the charging management device 20. In addition, the output processing unit 538 transmits charging schedule information indicating the charging schedule created by the charging schedule creation unit 535 from the communication unit 510 to the user terminal 10. In addition, the output processing unit 538 transmits charging schedule information indicating the charging schedule corrected by the charging schedule correction unit 537 from the communication unit 510 to the user terminal 10.

[0076] <4. Processing flow> The functional configuration of the charging schedule management server 50 according to this embodiment has been described above. Next, the flow of processing according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0077] (1) Process flow for creating a charging schedule Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow related to the creation of a charging schedule in the electric vehicle charging system according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 shows the processing related to the registration of various information to the creation of a charging schedule.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 6, a user inputs charging demand information in advance to the user terminal 10 (step S101). When the user terminal 10 accepts the input of the charging demand information, the user terminal 10 transmits the input charging demand information to the charging schedule management server 50 (step S102). The charging demand information acquisition unit 531 of the charging schedule management server 50 acquires the charging demand information received by the communication unit 510 from the user terminal 10, and stores the charging demand information in the charging demand information storage unit 521 (step S103).

[0079] The charging management device 20 transmits the electric vehicle information of the electric vehicle 21 for which charging is being managed to the charging schedule management server 50 (step S104). The electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532 of the charging schedule management server 50 acquires the electric vehicle information received by the communication unit 510 from the charging management device 20, and stores the electric vehicle information in the electric vehicle information storage unit 522 (step S105). The electric vehicle information processing unit 534 of the charging schedule management server 50 performs electric vehicle information processing based on the electric vehicle information acquired by the electric vehicle information acquisition unit 532 (step S106). Specifically, the electric vehicle information processing unit 534 first predicts the charging efficiency of the electric vehicle 21. Next, the electric vehicle information processing unit 534 uses the predicted charging efficiency to predict a charging time corresponding to the amount of charging requested by the user.

[0080] The prediction information acquisition unit 431 of the power price prediction server 40 acquires the prediction information (step S107). The power price prediction unit 432 of the power price prediction server 40 predicts a predicted power price based on the prediction information acquired by the prediction information acquisition unit 431, and stores the predicted power price information indicating the predicted power price in the predicted power price information memory unit 422 (step S108). The confirmed power price information acquisition unit 433 of the power price prediction server 40 acquires the confirmed power price information, and stores the acquired confirmed power price information in the confirmed power price information storage unit 423 (step S109). The output processing unit 434 of the power price prediction server 40 transmits the power price information including the predicted power price information and the confirmed power price information from the communication unit 410 to the charging schedule management server 50 (step S110). The power price information acquisition unit 533 of the charging schedule management server 50 acquires the power price information received by the communication unit 510 from the power price prediction server 40, and stores the acquired power price information in the power price information storage unit 523 (step S111).

[0081] The charging schedule creation unit 535 of the charging schedule management server 50 checks whether it is time to create a charging schedule (step S112). A charging schedule is created, for example, once a week, at 8 p.m. on Friday. In this case, the charging schedule creation unit 535 checks that 8 p.m. on Friday is the creation timing. If it is time to create a charging schedule (step S112 / YES), the charging schedule creation unit 535 creates a charging schedule (step S113). On the other hand, if it is not time to create a charging schedule (step S112 / NO), the charging schedule is not created.

[0082] (2) Processing flow for modifying charging schedule Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing flow related to correction of a charging schedule in the electric vehicle charging system according to this embodiment. Fig. 7 shows processing related to a process from confirmation of a created charging schedule to correction of the charging schedule.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 7, the output processing unit 538 of the charging schedule management server 50 transmits the charging schedule created by the charging schedule creation unit 535 from the communication unit 510 to the user terminal 10 (step S201). The user terminal 10 displays the charging schedule received from the charging schedule management server 50 (step S202). The user checks the charging schedule displayed on the user terminal 10 (step S203). The user connects the electric vehicle 21 to the charger according to the confirmed charging schedule (step S204). The charging management device 20 detects that the electric vehicle 21 is connected to the charger (step S205). After the detection, the charging management device 20 transmits charging connection detection information to the charging schedule management server 50 (step S206).

[0084] The charging control unit 5361 of the charging schedule management server 50 checks whether it is control timing for charging the electric vehicle 21 based on the charging schedule (step S207). If it is control timing (step S207 / YES), the process proceeds to step S208. On the other hand, if it is not control timing (step S207 / NO), the process proceeds to step S210.

[0085] When the process proceeds to step S208, the charging control unit 5361 generates charging control information and transmits it from the communication unit 510 to the charging management device 20 (step S208). The charging management device 20 controls the on / off of charging of the electric vehicle 21 based on the charging control information received from the charging schedule management server 50 (step S209).

[0086] When the process proceeds to step S210, the determination unit 5362 of the charging schedule management server 50 determines whether or not the charging schedule needs to be modified (step S210). When the modification is necessary (step S210 / YES), the charging schedule modification unit 537 modifies the charging schedule (step S211). On the other hand, when the modification is not necessary (step S210 / NO), the charging schedule is not modified.

[0087] (3) Flow of charging schedule modification process when electricity prices are finalized Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the charging schedule correction process when the power price is determined according to this embodiment. Fig. 8 shows details of the processes performed when the power price of the next day is determined for steps S210 and S211 shown in Fig. 7.

[0088] 8, the determination unit 5362 of the charging schedule management server 50 checks whether it is time to determine the power price for the next day (step S301). If it is time to determine the power price for the next day (step S301 / YES), the process proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, if it is not time to determine the power price for the next day (step S301 / NO), the process ends. When the process proceeds to step S302, the determining unit 5362 acquires the latest confirmed power price information stored in the power price information storage unit 523 (step S302). After the acquisition, the determination unit 5362 checks whether the predicted power price used when creating the charging schedule is different from the confirmed power price indicated by the acquired confirmed power price information (step S303). If the predicted power price and the confirmed power price are different (step S303 / YES), the determination unit 5362 determines that the charging schedule needs to be revised, and proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if the predicted power price and the confirmed power price are the same (step S303 / NO), the determination unit 5362 determines that the charging schedule does not need to be revised, and ends the process. When the process proceeds to step S304, the charging schedule correction unit 537 of the charging schedule management server 50 corrects the charging schedule (step S304).

[0089] (4) Flow of correction process for charging schedule after a specified time has elapsed Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the correction process of the charging schedule when a predetermined time has elapsed according to this embodiment. Fig. 9 shows details of the processes performed when a predetermined time has elapsed for steps S210 and S211 shown in Fig. 7.

[0090] 9, the determination unit 5362 of the charging schedule management server 50 checks whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S401). If the predetermined time has elapsed (step S401 / YES), the process proceeds to step S402. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S401 / NO), the process ends. When the process proceeds to step S402, the determination unit 5362 acquires the latest remaining charge information stored in the electric vehicle information storage unit 522 (step S402). After the acquisition, the determination unit 5362 checks whether there is any electric vehicle 21 that is expected to have an insufficient charge amount, based on the remaining charge amount used when creating the charging schedule and the remaining charge amount indicated by the acquired latest remaining charge amount information (step S403). If there is any electric vehicle 21 that is expected to have an insufficient charge amount (step S403 / YES), the determination unit 5362 determines that the charging schedule needs to be revised, and proceeds to step S404. On the other hand, if there is no electric vehicle 21 that is expected to have an insufficient charge amount (step S403 / NO), the determination unit 5362 determines that the charging schedule does not need to be revised, and ends the process. When the process proceeds to step S404, the charging schedule correction unit 537 of the charging schedule management server 50 corrects the charging schedule (step S404).

[0091] As described above, the charging management system 30 according to this embodiment includes the determination unit 5362 that determines whether or not the charging schedule needs to be modified, based on whether or not charging of each electric vehicle 21 can be performed as indicated by the charging schedule created for each electric vehicle 21, and the charging schedule modification unit 537 that modifies the charging schedule when it is determined that modification of the charging schedule is necessary.

[0092] With this configuration, if a user is unable to charge the electric vehicle as indicated by the existing charging schedule, the user can charge the electric vehicle as indicated by the revised charging schedule, thereby enabling the user to charge the electric vehicle while minimizing any loss of convenience even if there is a change in the charging schedule. Therefore, the charging management system 30 according to the present embodiment makes it possible to suppress a decrease in user convenience by correcting the charging schedule.

[0093] The above describes the embodiment of the present invention. Note that the electric vehicle charging system 1, the user terminal 10, the charging management device 20, the charging management system 30, the power price prediction server 40, and the charging schedule management server 50 in the above-mentioned embodiment may be partly or entirely realized by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to realize the function. Note that the "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" may also include a medium that dynamically holds a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and a medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that is a server or client in that case. Furthermore, the above program may be for realizing part of the functions described above, or may be capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system, or may be realized using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0094] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design changes, etc. are possible within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1...electric vehicle charging system, 10...user terminal, 20...charging management device, 21...electric vehicle, 30...charging management system, 40...power price prediction server, 50...charging scheduling management server, 410...communication unit, 420...storage unit, 421...prediction information storage unit, 422...predicted power price information storage unit, 423...confirmed power price information storage unit, 430...control unit, 431...prediction information acquisition unit, 432...power price prediction unit, 433...confirmed power price information acquisition unit, 434...output processing unit, 510...communication unit, 520... Memory unit, 521... charging demand information memory unit, 522... electric vehicle information memory unit, 523... power price information memory unit, 524... charging schedule information memory unit, 530... control unit, 531... charging demand information acquisition unit, 532... electric vehicle information acquisition unit, 533... power price information acquisition unit, 534... electric vehicle information processing unit, 535... charging schedule creation unit, 536... real-time control unit, 537... charging schedule correction unit, 538... output processing unit, 5361... charging control unit, 5362... determination unit, NW... network

Claims

1. a determination unit that determines whether or not a correction of the charging schedule is necessary based on whether or not charging of each electric vehicle can be performed as indicated in the charging schedule created for each electric vehicle; a charging schedule correction unit that corrects the charging schedule when it is determined that the charging schedule needs to be corrected; A charging management system comprising:

2. the determination unit determines whether or not charging of each electric vehicle can be performed as indicated by the charging schedule, based on a change in data used to create the charging schedule; the charging schedule correction unit corrects the charging schedule based on the latest data when the determination unit determines that the charging schedule needs to be corrected. The charge management system according to claim 1 .

3. the determination unit, when data indicating an electricity price used to create the charging schedule has been updated, determines that charging of each electric vehicle cannot be performed as indicated by the charging schedule and determines that correction of the charging schedule is necessary; the charging schedule correction unit corrects the charging schedule based on the updated electricity price so as to reduce an electricity cost required for charging the electric vehicle. The charge management system according to claim 2 .

4. when it is expected that the charge amount of the electric vehicle will be insufficient based on a change in data indicating a remaining charge amount of the electric vehicle used to create the charging schedule, the determination unit determines that charging of each electric vehicle cannot be performed as indicated by the charging schedule and determines that correction of the charging schedule is necessary; The charging schedule correction unit corrects the charging schedule so that the charging amount does not become insufficient. The charge management system according to claim 2 or 3.

5. the determination unit monitors a charging schedule to monitor whether charging of the electric vehicle is being performed as indicated by the charging schedule, and when it is determined that charging is not being performed as indicated by the charging schedule, determines that correction of the charging schedule is necessary; the charging schedule correction unit determines a corrected charging schedule such that an amount of change from a section in which charging is performed in the charging schedule is reduced. The charge management system according to claim 1 .

6. the charging schedule correction unit determines a corrected charging schedule so as to prevent an increase in the number of charging times within a chargeable period in the charging schedule and to reduce a power cost. The charge management system according to claim 5 .

7. a determination step of determining whether or not a correction of the charging schedule is required based on whether or not charging of each electric vehicle can be performed as indicated by the charging schedule created for each electric vehicle; a charging schedule modification step of modifying the charging schedule when it is determined that modification of the charging schedule is necessary; 23. A computer-implemented charge management method comprising:

8. Computer, a determination means for determining whether or not a correction of the charging schedule is necessary based on whether or not charging of each electric vehicle can be performed as indicated in the charging schedule created for each electric vehicle; a charging schedule correcting means for correcting the charging schedule when it is determined that the charging schedule needs to be corrected; A program to function as a

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