Power supply system, computer program, and method for charging electric vehicle

Abstract

To efficiently utilize power generated by the solar power generation device in a power supply system capable of simultaneously charging a plurality of electric vehicles with power generated by a solar power generation device.SOLUTION: A power supply system 10 includes a plurality of charging devices 50 that charge electric power generated by a solar power generation device 20 to on-board batteries 110 of a plurality of electric vehicles 100, a power generation amount prediction unit 61 that predicts the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 20, a remaining amount acquisition unit 62 that acquires the remaining amount of power in each of the on-board batteries 110, a driving schedule acquisition unit 63 that acquires the driving schedule of each electric vehicle 100, a plan creation unit 64 that creates a distribution plan for charging the electric power generated by the solar power generation device 20 to each of the electric vehicles 100 on the basis of the predicted amount of power generation, the remaining amount of power in each on-board battery 110, and the driving schedule of each electric vehicle 100, and a charging control unit 65 that charges the multiple electric vehicles 100 on the basis of the created distribution plan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply system, a computer program for operating the power supply system, and a method for charging an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a charging control device that controls charging of a plug-in vehicle equipped with a battery. The charging control device described in Patent Document 1 is configured to switch between power supply to the plug-in vehicle from a commercial power source and power supply to the plug-in vehicle from a solar power source. The charging control device is configured to calculate the amount of power required from input information about the destination and the like, calculate the amount of power generated by solar power generation from information about the weather and sunrise and sunset times, and charge the shortfall from the commercial power source.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a battery charging system that creates a charging schedule for multiple electric vehicles. The system described in Patent Document 2 is configured to integrate the charging schedule and the vehicle operation schedule of each electric vehicle and adjust each schedule.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a charging control system for charging multiple electric vehicles, which gives priority to charging electric vehicles that are below a charge level required to travel the minimum usable distance. The charging system described in Patent Document 3 gives priority to charging electric vehicles that reach a charge level first. Patent Document 3 claims that such prioritization can increase the operating rate of electric vehicles at business operators. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5472069 [Patent Document 2] JP 2010-231258 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2012-147651 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Here, an object of the present invention is to efficiently utilize the electric power generated by a solar power generation device in a power supply system capable of simultaneously charging a plurality of electric vehicles with the electric power generated by the solar power generation device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The power supply system proposed here includes a solar power generation device, and a plurality of charging devices, each connected to the solar power generation device and configured to be connectable to an electric vehicle equipped with an on-board battery, and configured to charge the on-board battery of the connected electric vehicle with power generated by the solar power generation device, a power generation amount prediction unit that predicts the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device, a remaining amount acquisition unit that acquires the remaining amount of power in the on-board battery of each electric vehicle, a driving schedule acquisition unit that acquires the driving schedule of each electric vehicle, a plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the on-board battery of each electric vehicle with the power generated by the solar power generation device based on the amount of power generation predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit, the remaining amount of power in each on-board battery acquired by the remaining amount acquisition unit, and the driving schedule of each electric vehicle acquired by the driving schedule acquisition unit, and a charging control unit that controls the plurality of charging devices to charge the plurality of electric vehicles based on the distribution plan created by the plan creation unit.

[0008] According to the power supply system, the power generated by the solar power generation device can be systematically distributed to each electric vehicle based on the predicted amount of power generated by the solar power generation device, the remaining power of each on-board battery, and the driving schedule of each electric vehicle, thereby enabling efficient use of the power generated by the solar power generation device.

[0009] In addition, the computer program proposed here is configured to cause a computer to realize: a charging control unit that is configured to be able to connect each of electric vehicles equipped with an on-board battery, and that issues a command to a plurality of charging devices connected to a solar power generation device to charge the on-board battery of the connected electric vehicle with electricity generated by the solar power generation device; a power generation amount prediction unit that predicts the amount of electricity generated by the solar power generation device; a remaining amount acquisition unit that acquires the remaining amount of electricity in the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles; a driving schedule acquisition unit that acquires the driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles; and a plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the electricity generated by the solar power generation device to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles, based on the amount of electricity generated by the power generation amount prediction unit, the remaining amount of electricity in each of the on-board batteries acquired by the remaining amount acquisition unit, and the driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles acquired by the driving schedule acquisition unit.

[0010] The charging method for electric vehicles proposed here is a method of charging the on-board batteries of multiple electric vehicles using multiple charging devices connected to a solar power generation device, and includes a power generation amount prediction step of predicting the amount of power generation by the solar power generation device, a remaining amount acquisition step of acquiring the remaining power in the on-board batteries of each of the electric vehicles, a driving schedule acquisition step of acquiring the driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles, a plan creation step of creating a distribution plan for charging the on-board batteries of each of the electric vehicles with the power generated by the solar power generation device based on the predicted power generation amount, the acquired remaining power amount of each of the on-board batteries, and the acquired driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles, and a charging step of charging the multiple electric vehicles based on the distribution plan.

[0011] The computer program and charging method described above can also provide the same effects as those of the power supply system described above. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a power supply system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a distribution plan. [Diagram 3] 1 is a graph showing the amount of stored electricity in an in-vehicle battery over time on a cloudy day and the day before. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the power supply system disclosed herein will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described herein is, of course, not intended to limit the present invention in particular. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be appropriately used for members and parts that perform the same function, and duplicated descriptions will be appropriately omitted.

[0014] [Power supply system configuration] Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a power supply system 10 according to one embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the power supply system 10 according to this embodiment includes a solar power generation device 20, a power conversion device 30, a power storage device 40, a plurality of charging devices 50 each connected to an electric vehicle 100, a control device 60, and a terminal 70 for checking the state of the power supply system 10. The power supply system 10 is connected to a commercial grid 200.

[0015] The power supply system 10 is, for example, a system that charges a plurality of electric vehicles 100 for delivery owned by a delivery company. However, the electric vehicles 100 charged by the power supply system 10 are not limited to electric vehicles for delivery, and may be, for example, rental cars rented by a rental car company to a customer or electric vehicles for company use owned by a company. The electric vehicle 100 is equipped with an on-board battery 110. The on-board battery 110 is equipped with a power storage device, for example, a lithium ion secondary battery. However, the power storage device equipped in the on-board battery 110 is not limited to a lithium ion secondary battery. The electric vehicle 100 may include vehicles in general that use electric power as an energy source, for example, an electric automobile, a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, and the like. The electric vehicle 100 may be a four-wheeled vehicle or a two-wheeled vehicle.

[0016] Each of the charging devices 50 is connected to the solar power generation device 20 via a power conversion device 30. Each of the charging devices 50 is configured to be connectable to an electric vehicle 100 equipped with an on-board battery 110. Each charging device 50 charges the on-board battery 110 of the connected electric vehicle 100 with power generated by the solar power generation device 20. The power conversion device 30 converts the power generated by the solar power generation device 20 into a form that can be stored in the on-board battery 110.

[0017] The power storage device 40 is connected to the power conversion device 30 and is capable of storing the power generated by the solar power generation device 20. The power conversion device 30 is also connected to a commercial grid 200. The power conversion device 30 flows surplus power out of the power generated by the solar power generation device 20 back to the commercial grid 200. Furthermore, when the power generated by the solar power generation device 20 is insufficient, the power conversion device 30 supplies the power supplied from the commercial grid 200 to the electric vehicle 100 or stores the power in the power storage device 40.

[0018] The control device 60 controls the power conversion device 30 to charge the electric vehicle 100 with power from the solar power generation device 20 or the commercial grid 200. When surplus power is generated by the solar power generation device 20, the control device 60 controls the power conversion device 30 to cause the surplus power to flow backward to the commercial grid 200. As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 60 includes a power generation amount prediction unit 61, a remaining amount acquisition unit 62, a driving schedule acquisition unit 63, a plan creation unit 64, and a charging control unit 65. A computer program configured to cause a computer to realize these processing units is installed in the control device 60. The control device 60 controls the power supply system 10 in accordance with the computer program.

[0019] In this embodiment, the server of the control device 60 is provided at an external server installation location. The functions of the control device 60 may be performed by a computer on the cloud. Some or all of the functions of the control device 60 may be performed by equipment installed in the business establishment or the like where the charging device 50 is installed. The installation location and manner of the control device 60 are not particularly limited.

[0020] The power generation amount prediction unit 61 predicts the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 20. In detail, the power generation amount prediction unit 61 acquires weather forecast information and predicts the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 20 based on the acquired weather forecast information. The amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 20 is high on sunny days with high levels of solar radiation and low on cloudy days or at night with low levels of solar radiation. Here, the power generation amount prediction unit 61 estimates the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 20 for each time period from the weather forecast information for each time period.

[0021] The remaining amount acquiring unit 62 acquires the remaining amount of power in the on-board battery 110 of each electric vehicle 100. Here, the remaining amount acquiring unit 62 acquires the remaining amount of power in the on-board battery 110 connected to the charging device 50 via the charging device 50. The charging device 50 includes a vehicle identification device that identifies the connected electric vehicle 100, and an energy amount acquiring device that acquires the remaining amount of power in the on-board battery 110 (both not shown).

[0022] The travel schedule acquisition unit 63 acquires a travel schedule for each electric vehicle 100. Although the method of acquiring the travel schedule is not limited, here, the travel schedule acquisition unit 63 acquires a delivery schedule including the delivery destination of the delivery item and the electric vehicle 100 used for delivery from a computer (not shown) that manages the delivery schedule. The travel schedule acquisition unit 63 calculates the planned travel distance of each electric vehicle 100 from the acquired delivery schedule. The travel schedule acquisition unit 63 calculates the required storage amount Vn (see FIG. 3) that must be stored in the on-board battery 110 at the time of departure of each electric vehicle 100 from the planned travel distance of each electric vehicle 100.

[0023] The plan creation unit 64 creates a distribution plan for charging the electric power generated by the solar power generation device 20 to the on-board battery 110 of each electric vehicle 100, based on the amount of electric power predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit 61, the remaining amount of electric power of each on-board battery 110 acquired by the remaining amount acquisition unit 62, and the driving schedule of each electric vehicle 100 acquired by the driving schedule acquisition unit 63. Here, the plan creation unit 64 predicts the amount of electric power required to charge the on-board battery 110 of each electric vehicle 100 to execute the driving schedule, and creates a distribution plan that maximizes the number of electric vehicles 100 whose on-board batteries 110 are charged with the predicted amount of electric power by the scheduled start time of use. In this way, the plan creation unit 64 makes as many electric vehicles 100 as possible operable.

[0024] The plan creation unit 64 may create a plan for distributing power by the photovoltaic power generation device 20 using, for example, a linear programming method, a genetic algorithm, or Adam (Adaptive Moment Estimation) or other method.

[0025] The plan creation unit 64 includes a first plan creation unit 64A, a determination unit 64B, and a second plan creation unit 64C. The first plan creation unit 64A creates a distribution plan for charging the in-vehicle battery 110 of each electric vehicle 100 within a range equal to or less than a standard charge amount Vs (see FIG. 3) that is less than the charge amount in a fully charged state. The standard charge amount Vs is an upper limit value of the charge amount in a normal state. Here, the standard charge amount Vs is a ratio (%) to the charge amount in a fully charged state, so-called SOC (State of Charge). The in-vehicle battery 110 deteriorates due to a continuous full charge state or a state close to full charge (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "state close to full charge"). From the viewpoint of the life of the in-vehicle battery 110, it is desirable that the in-vehicle battery 110 is not brought to a state close to full charge. In this embodiment, the standard charge amount Vs of the in-vehicle batteries 110 is preset according to the type, specifications, years of use, etc. of the in-vehicle battery 110.

[0026] The determination unit 64B determines whether each electric vehicle 100 can travel according to the travel schedule by storing each in-vehicle battery 110 up to the standard power storage amount Vs, based on the power generation amount predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit 61. For example, even if the power storage amount of the in-vehicle battery 110 is set to the standard power storage amount Vs by the previous day, if it is predicted that the predicted power generation amount for that day is low or the predicted power consumption (travel distance) is high, and therefore the amount of power that allows the electric vehicle 100 to travel according to the travel schedule will not be charged to the in-vehicle battery 110 at the scheduled time of use of the electric vehicle 100, the determination unit 64B determines that the electric vehicle 100 cannot travel according to the travel schedule.

[0027] The second plan creation unit 64C creates a distribution plan for charging the electric vehicle 100 determined by the determination unit 64B to be unable to travel according to the travel schedule with a provisional storage amount Vt (see FIG. 3) that is greater than the standard storage amount Vs and allows the electric vehicle 100 to travel according to the travel schedule. This makes it possible to avoid the inconvenience of the electric vehicle 100 being unable to travel according to the travel schedule due to insufficient charge in the in-vehicle battery 110. In this case, the second plan creation unit 64C increases the maximum storage amount of the in-vehicle battery 110 on the previous day from the standard storage amount Vs to the provisional storage amount Vt. This allows the in-vehicle battery 110 to store an amount of power that allows the electric vehicle 100 to travel as scheduled at the scheduled time of use, even if the predicted amount of power generation on the day is small or the predicted amount of power consumption is large. In addition, this setting change reduces the number of cases where insufficient power must be supplied from the commercial grid 200 on the day.

[0028] Considering the life of the in-vehicle battery 110, the plan creation unit 64 sets the scheduled charge end time with respect to the scheduled use start time earlier when the expected temperature at the scheduled start time of use of each electric vehicle 100 is higher than a predetermined reference temperature than when the expected temperature is lower. When the temperature is high, it is preferable to charge the in-vehicle battery 110 and then use the electric vehicle 100 after the in-vehicle battery 110 has cooled down. When the temperature is high, it also takes a long time to cool the in-vehicle battery 110. Conversely, when the temperature is low, it may be preferable to use the electric vehicle 100 before the in-vehicle battery 110 has cooled down after charging the in-vehicle battery 110. Even when it is preferable to cool the in-vehicle battery 110, the time required for cooling is short when the temperature is low.

[0029] The charging control unit 65 controls the multiple charging devices 50 so as to charge the multiple electric vehicles 100 based on the distribution plan set by the plan creation unit 64.

[0030] The terminal 70 is connected to the control device 60, and is configured to be able to check the state of each part of the power supply system 10 and the prediction results. The terminal 70 may be placed at a business establishment, or may be carried by a user of the power supply system 10 (e.g., an employee of a delivery company). The terminal 70 may be a dedicated operation terminal, or may be a general terminal with an app installed, such as a smartphone. The terminal 70 may be able to not only check the state of the power supply system 10, but also change settings of the power supply system 10 (e.g., change the standard power storage amount Vs) and operate the power supply system 10.

[0031] [Power supply system operation] [When predicted power generation exceeds predicted usage] First, an example of the operation of the power supply system 10 on a day when the vehicle battery 110 can be charged only by power generation by the solar power generation device 20 will be described below. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a distribution plan. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the multiple electric vehicles 100 are composed of three electric vehicles 101, 102, and 103, and there are three or more charging devices 50 so that the electric vehicles 101, 102, and 103 can be charged simultaneously.

[0032] In this example, the scheduled start time of use of the first electric vehicle 101 is 14:00, the scheduled start time of use of the second electric vehicle 102 is 15:00, and the scheduled start time of use of the third electric vehicle 103 is 16:00. Also, the remaining power amount of the on-board battery 111 of the first electric vehicle 101, the remaining power amount of the on-board battery 112 of the second electric vehicle 102, and the remaining power amount of the on-board battery 113 of the third electric vehicle 103 are all equivalent to a travel distance of 10 km. Furthermore, the scheduled travel distance of the first electric vehicle 101 is 30 km, the scheduled travel distance of the second electric vehicle 102 is 20 km, and the scheduled travel distance of the third electric vehicle 103 is 20 km. The predicted power generation amount by the solar power generation device 20 is equivalent to 5 km per hour, and charging can be started from 7:00.

[0033] Under the above conditions, the plan creation unit 64 creates a distribution plan as shown in Fig. 2, for example. As shown in Fig. 2, in the distribution plan, power equivalent to 3 km per hour is supplied to the first electric vehicle 101 for 7 hours from 7:00. As a result, at 14:00, which is the scheduled start time of use of the first electric vehicle 101, power equivalent to 21 km is charged to the first electric vehicle 101. As a result of this charging, power equivalent to 31 km, including the remaining power before charging, is charged to the first electric vehicle 101. Therefore, the first electric vehicle 101 can travel 30 km, which is the travel distance in the travel schedule.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2, power equivalent to 2 km per hour is supplied to the second electric vehicle 102 for six hours from 7:00. As a result, at 13:00, two hours before 15:00, which is the scheduled start time of use of the second electric vehicle 102, the second electric vehicle 102 is charged with power equivalent to 12 km. This charging charges the second electric vehicle 102 with power equivalent to 22 km, including the remaining power before charging. Therefore, the second electric vehicle 102 can travel 20 km, which is the travel distance on the travel schedule.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 2, power equivalent to 3 km per hour is supplied to the third electric vehicle 103 for one hour from 13:00 when charging of the second electric vehicle 102 is completed. Furthermore, power equivalent to 5 km per hour is supplied for two hours from 14:00 when charging of the first electric vehicle 101 is also completed. As a result, at 16:00, when the use of the third electric vehicle 103 is scheduled to start, power equivalent to 13 km is charged to the third electric vehicle 103. Due to this charging, power equivalent to 23 km, including the remaining power before charging, is charged to the third electric vehicle 103. Therefore, the third electric vehicle 103 can travel 20 km, which is the travel distance on the travel schedule.

[0036] Such a distribution plan can be planned by acquiring the predicted power generation amount by the photovoltaic power generation device 20, and the travel schedules and remaining power amounts of the electric vehicles 101-103. As a result, in this example, it was possible to charge all of the electric vehicles 101-103 with enough power to keep to their travel schedules. If the travel schedules and remaining power amounts of the electric vehicles 101-103 had not been acquired, excessive charging would have to be performed on all of the electric vehicles 101-103, in which case there is a risk that power supply from the commercial grid 200 would have to be received to charge some or all of the electric vehicles 100.

[0037] Moreover, this distribution plan can suppress deterioration of the in-vehicle batteries 111-113 due to rapid charging. Furthermore, the distribution plan can ensure the time from the end of charging to the start of use (cooling time for the in-vehicle batteries 110) for more electric vehicles 100. The above example is a simplified example, but as long as there is a surplus of supplied power, the amount of charge per hour can be adjusted to make the time from the end of charging to the start of use a predetermined time for all electric vehicles 100.

[0038] The time from the end of charging of the electric vehicles 101-103 to the start of use can be set appropriately for each vehicle. When the predicted temperature at the planned start of use of each of the electric vehicles 101-103 is higher than a predetermined reference temperature, the time may be set longer than when the predicted temperature is lower. The time may be set in two stages, for example, for high temperature and other temperatures, or in three or more stages. More simply, the time may be set according to the date, for example by making it longer in the summer.

[0039] [When the predicted power generation amount falls short of the predicted usage amount] Next, an example of a day (hereinafter also referred to as a cloudy day) when it is predicted that the vehicle-mounted battery 110 cannot be charged by power generation only by the solar power generation device 20, and an example of the operation of the power supply system 10 on the day before will be described. In the following example, a case will be described in which the power required on a cloudy day can be covered by only the power generated by the solar power generation device 20, by charging the vehicle-mounted battery 110 with power exceeding the standard power storage amount Vs on the previous day.

[0040] Graph G1 in Fig. 3 is a graph showing the amount of stored power in the in-vehicle battery 110 on a cloudy day and the day before in chronological order. As shown in graph G1, in this embodiment, since the day is a cloudy day, the maximum amount of stored power in the in-vehicle battery 110 on the previous day is raised to the provisional amount of stored power Vt. As a result, the amount of stored power in the in-vehicle battery 110 during the daytime of the previous day (time when power generation is possible) is maintained at the provisional amount of stored power Vt (period T1 in Fig. 3). Note that the provisional amount of stored power Vt may change depending on the predicted amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 20 and the travel schedule of the electric vehicle 100. Thereafter, the power stored in the in-vehicle battery 110 in period T2 is consumed, resulting in the remaining amount of stored power Vr.

[0041] Because it is cloudy on the day, the increase in the amount of stored power in the vehicle battery 110 during the period T3 is slow. However, since the remaining amount of stored power Vr in the vehicle battery 110 at the end of the period T2 is large due to the setting of the provisional amount of stored power Vt, the amount of stored power in the vehicle battery 110 can reach the required amount of stored power Vn required for the electric vehicle 100 to run according to the running schedule by the time period T4 in which the electric vehicle 100 is used. Therefore, the electric vehicle 100 can run as scheduled. In addition, in this example, it is not necessary to receive power from the commercial grid 200 to make the electric vehicle 100 run according to the running schedule. Note that a graph in the case where the amount of stored power in the vehicle battery 110 on the previous day is set to the standard amount of stored power Vs is shown in G2. As shown in the graph G2, if the amount of stored power in the vehicle battery 110 on the previous day is set to the standard amount of stored power Vs, the amount of power charged to the vehicle battery 110 by the start of the period T4 does not reach the required amount of stored power Vn.

[0042] When it is predicted that the electric vehicle 100 can travel according to the travel schedule, the power supply system 10 sets the upper limit of the storage amount of the in-vehicle battery 110 to the standard storage amount Vs, thereby suppressing deterioration of the in-vehicle battery 110. On the other hand, as in the above example, when it is predicted that the electric vehicle 100 cannot travel according to the travel schedule, the maximum storage amount of the in-vehicle battery 110 is raised to the provisional storage amount Vt.

[0043] [Effects of the embodiment] The following describes the effects that can be achieved by the power supply system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0044] The power supply system 10 according to this embodiment is configured to be connectable to a solar power generation device 20, a plurality of charging devices 50 each connected to the solar power generation device 20 and equipped with an on-board battery 110, and configured to charge the on-board battery 110 of the connected electric vehicle 100 with power generated by the solar power generation device 20, a power generation amount prediction unit 61 that predicts the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 20, a remaining amount acquisition unit 62 that acquires the remaining amount of power in the on-board battery 110 of each electric vehicle 100, and a driving schedule acquisition unit 63 that acquires the driving schedule of each electric vehicle 100. The solar power generation system includes a power generation amount prediction unit 63, a plan creation unit 64 that creates a distribution plan for charging the on-board battery 110 of each electric vehicle 100 with the power generated by the solar power generation device 20 based on the power generation amount predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit 61, the remaining power amount of each on-board battery 110 acquired by the remaining amount acquisition unit 62, and the driving schedule of each electric vehicle 100 acquired by the driving schedule acquisition unit 63, and a charging control unit 65 that controls the multiple charging devices 50 to charge the multiple electric vehicles 100 based on the distribution plan created by the plan creation unit 64.

[0045] According to the power supply system 10, the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device 20 can be systematically distributed to each electric vehicle 100 based on the prediction of the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device 20, the remaining power amount of each on-board battery 110, and the travel schedule of each electric vehicle 100. Therefore, the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device 20 can be efficiently used. For example, as described above, if the travel schedule and the remaining power amount of the multiple electric vehicles 100 are not acquired, excessive charging must be performed on all of the multiple electric vehicles 100, and the number of cases where power supply from the commercial grid 200 must be received increases. According to the power supply system 10 of this embodiment, such a situation can be avoided. Furthermore, according to the power supply system 10 of this embodiment, when it is predicted that the power generation capacity of the photovoltaic power generation device 20 will exceed the power consumption, the amount of power charged to the on-board battery 110 can be increased, and the amount of power flowing back to the commercial grid 200 can be reduced.

[0046] In this embodiment, the plan creation unit 64 predicts the amount of power required to charge the on-board battery 110 of each electric vehicle 100 to execute the travel schedule, and creates a distribution plan that maximizes the number of electric vehicles 100 whose on-board batteries 110 are charged with the predicted amount of power by the scheduled start time of use. With this configuration, it is possible to maximize the number of electric vehicles 100 that can travel according to the travel schedule using only power generated by the solar power generation device 20.

[0047] In this embodiment, the plan creation unit 64 includes a first plan creation unit 64A that creates a distribution plan for charging the in-vehicle battery 110 of each electric vehicle 100 within a range equal to or less than a standard power storage amount Vs that is less than the power storage amount in a fully charged state. With this configuration, the power storage amount of the in-vehicle battery 110 is made less than that in a fully charged state, so that deterioration of the in-vehicle battery 110 can be suppressed.

[0048] Furthermore, the power supply system 10 according to this embodiment includes a determination unit 64B that determines whether each electric vehicle 100 can travel according to the travel schedule by storing each in-vehicle battery 110 up to the standard storage amount Vs based on the power generation amount predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit 61. The plan creation unit 64 includes a second plan creation unit 64C that creates a distribution plan for charging an electric vehicle 100 determined by the determination unit 64B to be unable to travel according to the travel schedule with a provisional storage amount Vt that is greater than the standard storage amount Vs and enables the electric vehicle 100 to travel according to the travel schedule. With this configuration, while suppressing deterioration of the in-vehicle battery 110 in principle, when the standard storage amount Vs is insufficient, the provisional storage amount Vt is temporarily set, so that the electric vehicle 100 can travel according to the travel schedule.

[0049] In this embodiment, when the predicted air temperature at the planned start of use of each electric vehicle 100 is higher than a predetermined reference temperature, the plan creation unit 64 sets the planned charging end time earlier than the planned start of use time than when the predicted air temperature is lower. With this configuration, when the air temperature is high, the time from the planned charging end time to the planned start of use time of the electric vehicle 100 becomes longer, and the in-vehicle battery 110 is cooled during this time. This prevents the temperature of the in-vehicle battery 110 from becoming too high, which causes deterioration of the in-vehicle battery 110.

[0050] [Other embodiments] An embodiment of the power supply system 10 proposed herein has been described above. However, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the system may be embodied in other manners. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 20 and the amount of power consumed by the traveling of the electric vehicle 100 are predicted by the power supply system 10. However, the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device 20 and the amount of power consumed by the electric vehicle 100 may be predicted by another system or a person. A part of the calculations or controls performed by the power supply system 10 in the above embodiment may be performed by another system or a person.

[0051] The power management method disclosed herein is a method for charging on-board batteries of a plurality of electric vehicles by a plurality of charging devices connected to a photovoltaic power generation device, and includes a power generation prediction step, a remaining amount acquisition step, a driving schedule acquisition step, a plan creation step, and a charging step. In the power generation prediction step, the amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device is predicted. In the remaining amount acquisition step, the remaining amount of power in the on-board battery of each electric vehicle is acquired. In the driving schedule acquisition step, the driving schedule of each electric vehicle is acquired. In the plan creation step, a distribution plan is created for charging the on-board battery of each electric vehicle with the power generated by the photovoltaic power generation device based on the predicted power generation amount, the acquired remaining amount of power in each on-board battery, and the acquired driving schedule of each electric vehicle. In the charging step, the plurality of electric vehicles are charged based on the distribution plan. There is no particular limitation on the entity that performs each of the above steps.

[0052] The method may further include updating the standard charge based on a function related to the aging of the vehicle battery.

[0053] In addition, the above-described embodiments do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the technology disclosed herein can be modified in various ways, and the components and processes described herein can be omitted or combined as appropriate, provided that no particular problems arise.

[0054] This specification includes the disclosures set forth in the following sections:

[0055] Section 1: A solar power generation device; a plurality of charging devices each connected to the solar power generation device and configured to be connectable to an electric vehicle equipped with an on-board battery, the charging devices charging the on-board battery of the connected electric vehicle with electric power generated by the solar power generation device; a power generation prediction unit for predicting the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device; a remaining power acquisition unit that acquires a remaining power amount of the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles; a driving schedule acquisition unit that acquires a driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles; a plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the electric power generated by the solar power generation device to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles, based on the electric power generation amount predicted by the electric power generation amount prediction unit, the remaining electric power amount of each of the on-board batteries acquired by the remaining amount acquisition unit, and the driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles acquired by the driving schedule acquisition unit; and A charging control unit that controls the plurality of charging devices so as to charge the plurality of electric vehicles based on the distribution plan created by the plan creation unit. Power supply system.

[0056] Section 2: the plan creation unit predicts an amount of power required to be charged to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles in order to execute a travel schedule, and creates a distribution plan that maximizes the number of the electric vehicles whose on-board batteries are charged with the predicted amount of power by a scheduled start time of use. Item 1. The power supply system according to item 1.

[0057] Section 3: The plan creation unit includes a first plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles within a range equal to or less than a standard storage amount that is less than a storage amount in a fully charged state. Item 1 or 2. The power supply system according to item 1 or 2.

[0058] Section 4: a determination unit that determines whether each of the electric vehicles can travel according to a travel schedule by charging each of the on-board batteries up to the standard charge amount based on the power generation amount predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit, The plan creation unit includes a second plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the electric vehicle determined by the determination unit to be unable to travel according to a travel schedule with a provisional storage amount that is greater than the standard storage amount and enables the electric vehicle to travel according to a travel schedule. Item 3. The power supply system according to item 3.

[0059] Section 5: the plan creation unit sets the scheduled charging end time with respect to the scheduled use start time earlier when the predicted temperature at the time when use of each of the electric vehicles is scheduled to start is higher than a predetermined reference temperature than when the predicted temperature is lower. 5. The power supply system according to any one of items 1 to 4.

[0060] Item 6: a charging control unit that issues commands to a plurality of charging devices that are configured to be connectable to electric vehicles each having an on-board battery and are connected to a solar power generation device to charge the on-board batteries of the connected electric vehicles with electricity generated by the solar power generation device; a power generation prediction unit for predicting the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device; a remaining power acquisition unit that acquires a remaining power amount of the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles; a driving schedule acquisition unit that acquires a driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles; a plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the electric power generated by the solar power generation device to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles, based on the electric power generation amount predicted by the electric power generation amount prediction unit, the remaining electric power amount of each of the on-board batteries acquired by the remaining amount acquisition unit, and the driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles acquired by the driving schedule acquisition unit; and A computer program configured to cause a computer to execute the above.

[0061] Section 7: the plan creation unit predicts an amount of power required to be charged to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles in order to execute a travel schedule, and creates a distribution plan that maximizes the number of the electric vehicles whose on-board batteries are charged with the predicted amount of power by a scheduled start time of use. Item 7. The computer program according to item 6.

[0062] Section 8: The plan creation unit includes a first plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles within a range equal to or less than a standard storage amount that is less than a storage amount in a fully charged state. Item 8. The computer program according to item 6 or 7.

[0063] Section 9: a determination unit that determines whether each of the electric vehicles can travel according to a travel schedule by charging each of the in-vehicle batteries up to the standard storage amount based on the power generation amount predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit, The plan creation unit includes a second plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the electric vehicle determined by the determination unit to be unable to travel according to a travel schedule with a provisional storage amount that is greater than the standard storage amount and enables the electric vehicle to travel according to a travel schedule. Item 9. The computer program according to item 8.

[0064] Section 10: the plan creation unit sets the scheduled charging end time with respect to the scheduled use start time earlier when the predicted temperature at the time when use of each of the electric vehicles is scheduled to start is higher than a predetermined reference temperature than when the predicted temperature is lower. Item 10. The computer program according to any one of Items 6 to 9.

[0065] Section 11: A method for charging on-board batteries of a plurality of electric vehicles by a plurality of charging devices connected to a solar power generation device, comprising: a power generation prediction step of predicting a power generation amount by the solar power generation device; a remaining amount acquiring step of acquiring a remaining amount of power of the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles; a travel schedule acquisition step of acquiring a travel schedule of each of the electric vehicles; a plan creation step of creating a distribution plan for charging the electric power generated by the solar power generation device to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles based on the predicted electric power generation amount, the acquired remaining electric power amount of each of the on-board batteries, and the acquired driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles; A charging step of charging the plurality of electric vehicles based on the distribution plan. Methods for charging electric vehicles.

[0066] Section 12: In the plan creation step, an amount of power required to be charged to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles in order to execute a travel schedule is predicted, and a distribution plan is created so as to maximize the number of the electric vehicles whose on-board batteries are charged with the predicted amount of power by a scheduled start time of use. Item 12. A method for charging an electric vehicle according to item 11.

[0067] Section 13: a setting step of setting a standard storage amount, which is less than a storage amount in a fully charged state, for the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles; and determining whether each of the electric vehicles can travel according to a travel schedule by charging each of the on-board batteries up to the standard charge amount based on the power generation amount predicted in the power generation amount prediction step, In the plan creation step, a distribution plan is created in which the electric vehicles determined in the determination step to be capable of traveling according to the travel schedule are charged with power equal to or less than the standard storage amount, and the electric vehicles determined in the determination step to be unable to travel according to the travel schedule are charged with a provisional storage amount greater than the standard storage amount and enabling the electric vehicles to travel according to the travel schedule. Item 13. A method for charging an electric vehicle according to item 11 or 12.

[0068] Section 14: In the plan creation step, when the predicted temperature at the time when use of each of the electric vehicles is scheduled to start is higher than a predetermined reference temperature, a scheduled charging end time is set earlier than a scheduled use start time when the predicted temperature is lower than a predetermined reference temperature. 14. A method for charging an electric vehicle according to any one of items 11 to 13. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 10. Power Supply System 20. Solar power generation equipment 30 Power conversion device 40 Energy storage device 50 Charging device 60 Control device 61 Power Generation Prediction Section 62 Remaining amount acquisition section 63 Driving Schedule Acquisition Unit 64 Planning Department 64A 1st Planning Department 64B Judgment section 64C 2nd Planning Department 65 Charging control unit 70 Terminals 100 Electric Vehicles 110 Vehicle Battery 200 commercial lines Vn Required storage amount Vr remaining power storage amount Vs Standard storage capacity Vt Temporary storage amount

Claims

1. A solar power generation device; a plurality of charging devices each connected to the solar power generation device and configured to be connectable to an electric vehicle equipped with an on-board battery, the charging devices charging the on-board battery of the connected electric vehicle with electric power generated by the solar power generation device; a power generation prediction unit for predicting the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device; a remaining power acquisition unit that acquires a remaining power amount of the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles; a driving schedule acquisition unit that acquires a driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles; a plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the electric power generated by the solar power generation device to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles, based on the electric power generation amount predicted by the electric power generation amount prediction unit, the remaining electric power amount of each of the on-board batteries acquired by the remaining amount acquisition unit, and the driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles acquired by the driving schedule acquisition unit; and A charging control unit that controls the plurality of charging devices so as to charge the plurality of electric vehicles based on the distribution plan created by the plan creation unit. Power supply system.

2. the plan creation unit predicts an amount of power required to be charged to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles in order to execute a travel schedule, and creates a distribution plan that maximizes the number of the electric vehicles whose on-board batteries are charged with the predicted amount of power by a scheduled start time of use. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

3. The plan creation unit includes a first plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles within a range equal to or less than a standard storage amount that is less than a storage amount in a fully charged state. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

4. a determination unit that determines whether each of the electric vehicles can travel according to a travel schedule by charging each of the in-vehicle batteries up to the standard charge amount based on the power generation amount predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit, the plan creation unit includes a second plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the electric vehicle determined by the determination unit to be unable to travel according to a travel schedule with a provisional storage amount that is greater than the standard storage amount and enables the electric vehicle to travel according to a travel schedule, The power supply system according to claim 3 .

5. the plan creation unit sets the scheduled charging end time with respect to the scheduled use start time earlier when the predicted temperature at the time when use of each of the electric vehicles is scheduled to start is higher than a predetermined reference temperature than when the predicted temperature is lower. The power supply system according to claim 1 .

6. a charging control unit that issues commands to a plurality of charging devices that are configured to be connectable to electric vehicles each having an on-board battery and are connected to a solar power generation device to charge the on-board batteries of the connected electric vehicles with electricity generated by the solar power generation device; a power generation prediction unit for predicting the amount of power generated by the solar power generation device; a remaining power acquisition unit that acquires a remaining power amount of the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles; a driving schedule acquisition unit that acquires a driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles; a plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the electric power generated by the solar power generation device to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles, based on the electric power generation amount predicted by the electric power generation amount prediction unit, the remaining electric power amount of each of the on-board batteries acquired by the remaining amount acquisition unit, and the driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles acquired by the driving schedule acquisition unit; and A computer program configured to cause a computer to execute the above.

7. the plan creation unit predicts an amount of power required to be charged to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles in order to execute a travel schedule, and creates a distribution plan that maximizes the number of the electric vehicles whose on-board batteries are charged with the predicted amount of power by a scheduled start time of use.

7. A computer program according to claim 6.

8. The plan creation unit includes a first plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles within a range equal to or less than a standard storage amount that is less than a storage amount in a fully charged state.

7. A computer program according to claim 6.

9. a determination unit that determines whether each of the electric vehicles can travel according to a travel schedule by charging each of the in-vehicle batteries up to the standard storage amount based on the power generation amount predicted by the power generation amount prediction unit, the plan creation unit includes a second plan creation unit that creates a distribution plan for charging the electric vehicle determined by the determination unit to be unable to travel according to a travel schedule with a provisional storage amount that is greater than the standard storage amount and enables the electric vehicle to travel according to a travel schedule, 9. A computer program according to claim 8.

10. the plan creation unit sets the scheduled charging end time with respect to the scheduled use start time earlier when the predicted temperature at the time when use of each of the electric vehicles is scheduled to start is higher than a predetermined reference temperature than when the predicted temperature is lower.

7. A computer program according to claim 6.

11. A method for charging on-board batteries of a plurality of electric vehicles by a plurality of charging devices connected to a solar power generation device, comprising: a power generation prediction step of predicting a power generation amount by the solar power generation device; a remaining amount acquiring step of acquiring a remaining amount of power of the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles; a travel schedule acquisition step of acquiring a travel schedule of each of the electric vehicles; a plan creation step of creating a distribution plan for charging the electric power generated by the solar power generation device to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles based on the predicted electric power generation amount, the acquired remaining electric power amount of each of the on-board batteries, and the acquired driving schedule of each of the electric vehicles; A charging step of charging the plurality of electric vehicles based on the distribution plan. Methods for charging electric vehicles.

12. In the plan creation step, an amount of power required to be charged to the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles in order to execute a travel schedule is predicted, and a distribution plan is created so as to maximize the number of the electric vehicles whose on-board batteries are charged with the predicted amount of power by a scheduled start time of use. The method for charging an electric vehicle according to claim 11.

13. a setting step of setting a standard charge amount, which is less than a charge amount in a fully charged state, for the on-board battery of each of the electric vehicles; and determining whether each of the electric vehicles can travel according to a travel schedule by charging each of the on-board batteries up to the standard charge amount based on the power generation amount predicted in the power generation amount prediction step, In the plan creation step, a distribution plan is created in which the electric vehicles determined in the determination step to be capable of traveling according to the travel schedule are charged with power equal to or less than the standard storage amount, and the electric vehicles determined in the determination step to be unable to travel according to the travel schedule are charged with a provisional storage amount greater than the standard storage amount and enabling the electric vehicles to travel according to the travel schedule. The method for charging an electric vehicle according to claim 11.

14. In the plan creation step, when the predicted temperature at the time when use of each of the electric vehicles is scheduled to start is higher than a predetermined reference temperature, a scheduled charging end time is set earlier than a scheduled use start time when the predicted temperature is lower than a predetermined reference temperature. The method for charging an electric vehicle according to claim 11.

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