Power storage facility, information processing device, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a power storage facility, an information processing device, and a computer program.SOLUTION: A power storage facility comprises: a plurality of power storage elements; and a control unit which controls charge and discharge of the plurality of power storage elements. The control unit calculates an index concerning economic profit to be obtained by selling electricity for each of the plurality of power storage elements. The control unit selects one or more power storage elements to be charged and discharged by referring to the calculated index. The control unit controls charge and discharge by targeting the one or more selected power storage elements.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power storage device, an information processing apparatus, and a computer program.

Background Art

[0002] Power storage devices that store power supplied from power generation facilities such as solar power generation facilities and wind power generation facilities and supply the stored power to loads such as factories and office buildings as needed are widespread. The power storage device is equipped with a number of power storage elements (power storage modules or banks).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventionally, charge-discharge control has been performed based on the amount of power stored in the power storage device, and charge-discharge control has not been performed from the perspective of operational economy.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a power storage device, an information processing apparatus, and a computer program that can perform charge-discharge control from the perspective of operational economy.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The power storage device of the present disclosure includes a plurality of power storage elements and a control unit that controls the charge and discharge of the plurality of power storage elements. The control unit calculates an index related to the economic benefit obtained by selling electricity for each of the plurality of power storage elements. The control unit selects one or more power storage elements to be charged and discharged with reference to the calculated index. The control unit controls the charge and discharge of the selected one or more power storage elements.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] In the present disclosure, charge and discharge control can be performed from the perspective of operational economy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (1) The power storage facility of the present disclosure is a power storage facility including a plurality of power storage elements and a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the plurality of power storage elements. The control unit calculates an index related to the economic benefit obtained by selling electricity for each of the plurality of power storage elements, selects one or more power storage elements to be charged and discharged with reference to the calculated index, and controls charging and discharging for the selected one or more power storage elements.

[0010] The power storage facility is installed in parallel with a power generation facility such as a solar power generation facility or a wind power generation facility, stores the power supplied from the power generation facility, and supplies the stored power to a load. An example of the power storage facility is an ESS (Energy Storage System). Alternatively, the power storage facility may be a power conditioner, a backup power supply device, or the like.

[0011] The power storage device includes a plurality of power storage elements connected in parallel. The power storage element is, for example, a module formed by connecting a plurality of power storage cells in series, or a bank formed by connecting a plurality of modules in series. In the following embodiments, the configuration of a power storage device including a plurality of banks will be described.

[0012] In a large-scale power storage device for an ESS, a much larger power storage capacity is required compared to an electric vehicle or the like, and a large number of power storage cells are installed. An example of a power storage cell is a lithium-ion secondary battery. The production volume of lithium, which is one of the important raw materials for lithium secondary batteries, has not been increasing steadily in recent years. In order to construct a large-scale battery system that requires more batteries, simply increasing the production volume of lithium is insufficient, and the utilization of reused batteries becomes essential.

[0013] A power storage device such as an ESS performs charge and discharge control based on the estimated result of the amount of power that can be supplied as a power storage device. When utilizing reused batteries, the power storage device needs to grasp the degradation state of the reused batteries. Without performing charge and discharge control from the viewpoints of energy efficiency and operation economy in addition to the amount of power that can be supplied, it is impossible to expect an improvement in the selling electricity margin.

[0014] According to the power storage device in (1) above, the power storage element for charge and discharge is selected based on the index related to economic benefits, and the charge and discharge of the selected power storage element are controlled. Therefore, the charge and discharge of the power storage element can be controlled from the viewpoint of the operation economy of the power storage device. For example, when the power storage device includes a power storage element with little degradation (new product) and a power storage element with advanced degradation (reused product), by making the power storage element with little degradation the control target of charge and discharge, an improvement in the selling electricity margin can be expected.

[0015] The energy storage element of a reused product not only cannot generate as much power as a new energy storage element, but also has a large heat generation amount due to an increase in internal resistance caused by deterioration. Therefore, when operating the energy storage element of a reused product, in order to cool the energy storage element, it is necessary to increase the output of the air conditioning equipment. In a system in which an energy storage element with less deterioration and an energy storage element with advanced deterioration are mixed, by not setting the energy storage element with advanced deterioration as a control target, an increase in the output of the air conditioning equipment can be suppressed, and the reduction cost of CO2 required for securing the power supply of the air conditioning equipment can be suppressed.

[0016] (2) In the energy storage facility according to (1) above, the control unit may acquire deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration of each energy storage element and operation information of the energy storage facility, and calculate an index related to the economic benefit of each energy storage element based on the acquired deterioration information and operation information.

[0017] The economic benefit obtained by selling electricity depends on deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration of each energy storage element and operation information such as charge and discharge cycles. According to the energy storage facility in (2) above, an index related to the economic benefit of each energy storage element can be calculated based on the deterioration information of the energy storage element and the operation information of the energy storage facility.

[0018] (3) In the energy storage facility according to (1) or (2) above, the control unit may calculate the index for each set period, and select one or more energy storage elements to be charged and discharged for each period with reference to the index calculated for each period.

[0019] In the energy storage facility of the present disclosure, only the selected energy storage element can be charged and discharged, and the unselected energy storage element can be rested. Assuming that the energy storage element that has been repeatedly charged and discharged deteriorates, and the energy storage element that has not been charged and discharged does not deteriorate, the index related to the economic benefit may reverse over time. According to the energy storage facility in (3) above, since the control unit calculates the index for each set period and selects the energy storage element to be charged and discharged, when the index related to the economic benefit reverses, the reduction in the selling electricity margin can be suppressed by changing the control target.

[0020] (4) In the power storage facility according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the plurality of power storage elements may include a first power storage element and a second power storage element having a different degree of degradation from the first power storage element.

[0021] According to the power storage facility of (4) above, since it includes power storage elements with different degrees of degradation, an index related to the economic benefit for each power storage element can be calculated according to the level of the degree of degradation of each power storage element.

[0022] (5) In the power storage facility according to any one of (1) to (4) above, when the economic benefit of the first power storage element targeted for charge and discharge becomes lower than the economic benefit of the second power storage element not targeted for charge and discharge, the control unit may change the target of charge and discharge from the first power storage element to the second power storage element.

[0023] According to the power storage facility of (5) above, since the control unit selects the power storage element targeted for charge and discharge based on the calculated index related to the economic benefit, when the index related to the economic benefit is reversed, by changing the control target, a decrease in the selling electricity margin can be suppressed.

[0024] (6) In the power storage facility according to any one of (1) to (5) above, each power storage element may be a bank or module composed of a plurality of power storage cells with a substantially uniform degree of degradation.

[0025] According to the power storage facility of (6) above, since each bank or each module does not include power storage elements with different degrees of degradation, the target of charge and discharge can be selected in units of banks or modules.

[0026] (7) The information processing apparatus of the present disclosure includes a calculation unit that calculates an index related to the economic benefit obtained by selling electricity for each of a plurality of power storage elements in a power storage facility including the plurality of power storage elements and a control unit that controls the charge and discharge of the plurality of power storage elements, a selection unit that selects one or more power storage elements to be charged and discharged with reference to the calculated index, and an output unit that outputs information on the selected one or more power storage elements.

[0027] According to the information processing apparatus of (7) above, a power storage element to be charged and discharged is selected based on an index related to economic benefits, and the charging and discharging of the selected power storage element are controlled. Therefore, the charging and discharging of the power storage element can be controlled from the viewpoint of the operational economy of the power storage facility.

[0028] (8) The computer program of the present disclosure calculates, for each power storage element in a power storage facility including a plurality of power storage elements and a control unit that controls the charging and discharging of the plurality of power storage elements, an index related to economic benefits obtained by selling electricity, selects one or more power storage elements to be charged and discharged with reference to the calculated index, and outputs information on the selected one or more power storage elements. It is a computer program for causing a computer to execute the process.

[0029] According to the computer program of (8) above, a power storage element to be charged and discharged is selected based on an index related to economic benefits, and the charging and discharging of the selected power storage element are controlled. Therefore, the charging and discharging of the power storage element can be controlled from the viewpoint of the operational economy of the power storage facility.

[0030] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on the drawings showing its embodiments. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a power storage system including a power storage facility. The power storage system according to the embodiment includes a power storage facility 1, a power generation facility 2, and a load 3. The power storage facility 1 is, for example, an ESS, stores the power supplied from the power generation facility 2, and supplies the stored power to the load 3. The power generation facility 2 includes a solar power generation facility 21, a wind power generation facility 22, and the like. The load 3 includes power consumption facilities such as factories, office buildings, schools, hospitals, restaurants, and airports.

[0031] A power converter 20 is installed between the power storage facility 1, the power generation facility 2, and the load 3. The power converter 20 is also called a PCS (Power Conditioning System). The power converter 20 converts the power (alternating current power or direct current power) supplied from the power generation facility 2 into direct current power of a predetermined magnitude, and supplies the converted direct current power to the power storage facility 1. The power storage facility 1 stores the power supplied from the power generation facility 2 via the power converter 20.

[0032] The power storage device 1 supplies the stored power to the load 3 in response to a request from the outside. The power supplied from the power storage device 1 to the load 3 is converted from DC power to AC power by the power converter 20.

[0033] Alternatively, the power storage device 1 may store the power supplied from the power grid 4, and may supply the stored power to the power grid 4.

[0034] The power storage system includes a monitoring server 5 that remotely monitors the power storage device 1. The power storage device 1 and the monitoring server 5 are communicably connected via a communication network NW. The communication network NW may be a general line such as the Internet, or may be a dedicated line. The power storage device 1 transmits and receives information to and from the monitoring server 5 via the communication network NW.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the power storage device 1. The power storage device 1 includes a container body 10 (see FIG. 1), and a battery board 11 and a control board 12 housed in the container body 10. FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the battery board 11 and the control board 12 housed in the container body 10. The number of battery boards 11 included in the power storage device 1 may be two or more. In addition to the battery board 11 and the control board 12, auxiliary equipment such as an air conditioner and a lighting device may be housed in the container body 10.

[0036] The battery board 11 includes a plurality of banks 111 and a management unit 112. Each bank 111 is configured by electrically connecting a plurality of power storage modules BT in series. In the example of FIG. 2, the battery board 11 includes three banks 111, and each bank 111 is configured by electrically connecting a total of 18 power storage modules BT in two columns in the vertical direction in series. These three banks 111 are connected in parallel to each other. A configuration in which a plurality of banks 111 are connected in parallel is also called a domain. The number of banks 111 included in the battery board 11 and the number of power storage modules BT constituting each bank 111 are arbitrarily selected.

[0037] The power storage module BT is configured by connecting a plurality of power storage cells in series. In one example, the power storage cell is a battery cell using a lithium-ion secondary battery. Alternatively, the power storage cell may be a battery cell using an all-solid-state battery, a lead battery, a redox flow battery, a zinc-air battery, an alkaline manganese battery, a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-sulfur battery, a silver oxide zinc battery, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a molten salt thermal battery, etc., or may be a capacitor. The number of power storage cells constituting the power storage module BT is arbitrarily selected.

[0038] In the present embodiment, it is preferable that the degree of deterioration of the power storage cells in one bank 111 is substantially uniform. Conversely, it is not preferable to mix and use power storage cells with advanced deterioration and power storage cells with no advanced deterioration in one bank 111. On the other hand, the degree of deterioration may be different between the banks 111. For example, one bank 111 may be configured using only new power storage cells, and the other bank 111 may be configured using only reused power storage cells with substantially equal degrees of deterioration.

[0039] The management unit 112 is a device for monitoring the state of the bank 111. The management unit 112 is provided for each bank 111. In the example of FIG. 2, the management unit 112 is provided above each bank 111. Hereinafter, the management unit 112 provided in the battery storage panel 11 is referred to as a bank BMU (Battery Management Unit) 112. The bank BMU 112 monitors the state of the corresponding bank 111 and notifies the obtained information of the bank 111 to the upper management unit (domain BMU 121 shown in FIG. 3).

[0040] Hereinafter, a configuration in which the power storage facility 1 includes one battery storage panel 11 and the battery storage panel 11 includes three banks 111 will be described as an example.

[0041] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the circuit configuration of the power storage device 1. As described above, the battery pack 11 of the power storage device 1 includes three banks 111 and three bank BMUs 112 provided corresponding to each bank 111. The control panel 12 of the power storage device 1 includes a domain BMU 121 and a communication interface 122. The bank BMU 112 and the domain BMU 121 are communicably connected. Existing communication standards such as CAN (Controller Area Network) are used for communication between the bank BMU 112 and the domain BMU 121. Alternatively, communication standards such as LIN (Local Interconnect Network), ECHONET (registered trademark), and ECHONETLight (registered trademark) may be used.

[0042] The bank 111 is connected to an external current supply source or current supply destination via the main circuit MC. The external current supply source is the power generation facility 2 (or the power grid 4), and the external current supply destination is the load 3 (or the power grid 4).

[0043] Hereinafter, when the three banks 111 are separately described, the bank 111 is also denoted as bank 111-1, 111-2, 111-3. Similarly, when the three bank BMUs 112 are separately described, the bank BMU 112 is also denoted as bank BMU 112-1, 112-2, 112-3.

[0044] The main circuit MC includes one current path P0 connected to a current supply source or current supply destination, and three current paths P1 to P3 branched from this current path P0 and connected to each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3. The main circuit MC further includes circuit breakers B1 to B3 that cut off the current flowing through each of the current paths P1 to P3, and current sensors S1 to S3 that measure the current flowing through each of the current paths P1 to P3. The opening and closing of the circuit breakers B1 to B3 are controlled by the domain BMU 121 described later. The current sensors S1 to S3 are existing current sensors such as Hall sensors. The measurement results of the current sensors S1 to S3 are output to the domain BMU 121 through each of the bank BMUs 112-1 to 112-3.

[0045] Domain BMU121 is a device for monitoring the state of the domain (the entire bank). Domain BMU121 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The CPU included in Domain BMU121 reads and executes the computer program stored in the ROM, causing Domain BMU121 to function as the information processing device of the present application. The RAM temporarily stores data generated during the execution of the computer program and data acquired from the outside.

[0046] In an embodiment, Domain BMU121 acquires deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration of Bank 111 and operation information of the power storage facility 1, and calculates an index related to the economic benefit of each Bank 111 based on the acquired deterioration information and operation information. As the index, any value indicating the level of economic benefit obtained by selling electricity is used. In one example, Domain BMU121 calculates, as an index, a value obtained by multiplying the amount of discharged electric power within a set period by the selling price per unit amount of electric power (for example, 10 yen per 1 kWh) and the energy efficiency (a factor that changes according to the deterioration state). Alternatively, Domain BMU121 may calculate, as an index, a value obtained by multiplying the amount of discharged electric power within a set period by the selling price per unit amount of electric power. Further, Domain BMU121 may calculate, as an index, the ratio of the selling amount of each Bank 111 to the total selling amount of the power storage facility 1.

[0047] Domain BMU121 selects the bank 111 for charging and discharging with reference to the calculated index related to the economic benefit. Among the three banks 111 provided in the power storage facility 1, if it is possible to operate with one bank 111 rested, a combination of the two banks 111 with the highest economic benefit can be derived using the index calculated above, and the derived combination can be selected as the target for charging and discharging. Domain BMU121 controls the charging and discharging for the selected bank 111.

[0048] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the method of selecting bank 111. In FIG. 4, for simplicity, the configuration of two banks will be described. For example, it is assumed that bank A is composed of new storage cells. When the charge-discharge control range in bank A is set from SOC 10% to 90% at the initial stage of operation, the energy efficiency is 0.8. The discharge power amount is a value calculated based on the charge-discharge cycle (operation information) of the power storage facility 1 using an RC equivalent circuit or the like. A known method is used for the calculation method of the discharge power amount. The selling electricity price is an amount determined by a purchasing company or the like according to the overall power generation capacity of the power storage facility 1 and the like. When the discharge power amount for the set period (for example, three months) is 7200 kWh and the selling electricity price is 10 yen / kWh, the index is calculated as, for example, 0.8×7200×10 = 57600 yen.

[0049] It is assumed that bank B is composed of reused storage cells. When the charge-discharge control range in bank B is set from SOC 15% to 85% at the initial stage of operation, the energy efficiency is 0.7. When the discharge power amount for the set period (for example, three months) is 6300 kWh and the selling electricity price is 10 yen / kWh, the index is calculated as, for example, 0.7×63000×10 = 44100 yen.

[0050] At the initial stage of operation, since the index related to the economic benefit of bank A is higher than that of bank B, the domain BMU 121 selects bank A as the object of charge and discharge. In this case, charge and discharge are not performed on bank B that has been excluded from the selection.

[0051] In the 10th year of operation, since the deterioration of the storage cells constituting bank A has progressed, when the charge-discharge control range is set from SOC 20% to 80%, the energy efficiency drops to 0.6. When the discharge power amount for the set period is 5850 kWh and the selling electricity price is 10 yen / kWh, the index is calculated as 0.6×5850×10 = 35100 yen.

[0052] In the initial stage of operation, since it was not selected as the object of charge and discharge, assuming that the deterioration of the storage cells constituting Bank B has not progressed, the energy efficiency in the 10th year of operation is maintained at 0.7. When the amount of discharged electric energy during the set period (for example, 3 months) is 6300 kWh and the selling price of electricity is 10 yen / kWh, the index is calculated as, for example, 0.7×63000×10 = 44100 yen.

[0053] In the 10th year of operation, since the index related to the economic benefit of Bank A is lower than that of Bank B, the domain BMU121 changes the object of charge and discharge from Bank A to Bank B. The same applies to the selection method in the 10th year of operation. As long as the index related to the economic benefit of Bank A is still lower than that of Bank B, the object of charge and discharge is maintained at Bank B.

[0054] Figure 5 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the process executed by the power storage device 1. The domain BMU121 acquires deterioration information indicating the degree of deterioration of each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3 and operation information of the power storage device 1 (step S101). The deterioration information may be the above-mentioned energy efficiency or the control range of the SOC. The operation information is information on the charge and discharge cycles of each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3. These pieces of information may be pre-stored in the memory within the domain BMU121 or acquired from the monitoring server 5 via the communication network NW.

[0055] Based on the acquired deterioration information and operation information, the domain BMU121 calculates an index related to the economic benefit obtained by selling electricity for each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3 (step S102). The domain BMU121 calculates the energy efficiency × amount of discharged electric energy × selling price of electricity as the index related to the economic benefit for each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3. Alternatively, the domain BMU121 may calculate the amount of discharged electric energy × selling price of electricity as the index related to the economic benefit.

[0056] Domain BMU121 selects one or more banks 111 to be charged and discharged with reference to the indicators related to the economic benefits for each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3 calculated in step S102 (step S103). For example, when it is possible to meet the user's power supply and demand requirements by operating two banks and resting one bank, Domain BMU121 selects the bank 111 with the highest calculated indicator and the second highest one as the banks 111 to be charged and discharged. When operating only one bank, Domain BMU121 may select the bank 111 with the highest calculated indicator as the bank 111 to be charged and discharged.

[0057] Domain BMU121 controls the charging and discharging for the one or more banks 111 selected in step S103 (step S104). For example, when selecting banks 111-1 and 111-2 as the banks to be charged and discharged and bank 111-3 as the bank not to be charged and discharged, Domain BMU121 outputs an instruction to bank BMU112-1 and 112-2 to charge and discharge banks 111-1 and 111-2, and outputs an instruction to bank BMU112-3 not to charge and discharge bank 111-3. Bank BMU112-1 and 112-2 that receive the instruction from Domain BMU121 charge and discharge banks 111-1 and 111-2 respectively according to the pre-set charge and discharge cycles.

[0058] As described above, in Embodiment 1, since the banks 111 to be charged and discharged are selected based on the indicators related to the economic benefits, and the charging and discharging of the selected banks 111 are controlled, the charging and discharging of the banks 111 can be controlled from the perspective of the operational economy of the power storage facility 1. When the power storage facility 1 includes banks 111 with no advanced deterioration and banks 111 with advanced deterioration, by making the banks 111 with no advanced deterioration the control targets for charging and discharging, an improvement in the selling electricity margin can be expected.

[0059] The deteriorated bank 111 has a large heat generation amount because its internal resistance has increased due to deterioration. Therefore, when operating the deteriorated bank 111, it is necessary to increase the output of the air conditioning equipment for cooling the bank 111. In a system where non-deteriorated banks 111 and deteriorated banks 111 coexist, by not setting the deteriorated banks 111 as control targets, it is possible to suppress the increase in the output of the air conditioning equipment and suppress the CO2 reduction cost required for securing the power supply of the air conditioning equipment.

[0060] (Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 2, a configuration in which the monitoring server 5 executes the selection process of the bank 111 will be described. Since the overall configuration of the power storage system and the internal configuration of the power storage facility 1 are the same as those in Embodiment 1, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the monitoring server 5. The monitoring server 5 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, an operation unit 54, a display unit 55, and the like.

[0062] The control unit 51 is, for example, an arithmetic circuit including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU included in the control unit 51 reads and executes various computer programs stored in the ROM and the storage unit 52, functions as an information processing device that selects the bank 111 to be controlled, and outputs the selection result. In the embodiment, the control unit 51 selects the bank 111 to be controlled in the power storage facility 1 based on the information obtained from the power storage facility 1.

[0063] Alternatively, the control unit 51 may be any arithmetic circuit including a plurality of CPUs, a multi-core CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a microcomputer, a volatile or non-volatile memory, and the like. The control unit 51 may have functions such as a timer that measures the elapsed time from when a measurement start instruction is given to when a measurement end instruction is given, a counter that counts numbers, and a clock that outputs date and time information.

[0064] The storage unit 52 includes a storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk. Various computer programs and data are stored in the storage unit 52. The computer program stored in the storage unit 52 includes a selection processing program PG for causing a computer to execute a process of selecting a bank 111 to be charged and discharged based on information obtained from the power storage facility 1. The data stored in the storage unit 52 includes parameters used in the selection processing program PG and data generated by the control unit 51, etc.

[0065] The computer program including the selection processing program PG is provided by a non-temporary recording medium RM on which the computer program is readably recorded. The recording medium RM is a portable memory such as a CD-ROM, a USB memory, or an SD (Secure Digital) card. The control unit 51 reads a desired computer program from the recording medium RM using a reading device (not shown in the figure) and stores the read computer program in the storage unit 52. Alternatively, the computer program including the selection processing program PG may be provided by communication.

[0066] The communication unit 53 includes a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various information. The communication unit 53 acquires, for example, degradation information indicating the degree of degradation of the bank 111 and operation information of the power storage facility 1 from the power storage facility 1.

[0067] The operation unit 54 includes input devices such as various switches and buttons and receives operations by an administrator. The display unit 55 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display device and displays information to be notified to the administrator. Alternatively, the monitoring server 5 may be configured to receive necessary operations through an external computer and transmit information to be notified to the administrator to the external computer. In this case, the operation unit 54 and the display unit 55 may not be mounted on the monitoring server 5.

[0068] In the embodiment, the monitoring server 5 may be a single computer or a computer system composed of a plurality of computers, peripheral devices, etc. The monitoring server 5 may be a virtual machine whose entity is virtualized or a cloud.

[0069] In the embodiment, the selection processing program PG may be a single computer program or a program group composed of a plurality of computer programs. The selection processing program PG may be executed in cooperation by a plurality of computers.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of the process executed by the monitoring server 5. The control unit 51 of the monitoring server 5 acquires, through the communication unit 53, the degradation information indicating the degree of degradation of each bank 111-1 to 111-3 in the power storage facility 1 and the operation information of the power storage facility 1 (step S201).

[0071] Based on the degradation information and operation information acquired from the power storage facility 1, the control unit 51 calculates, for each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3, an index related to the economic benefit obtained by selling electricity (step S202). The control unit 51 calculates, as an index related to the economic benefit, energy efficiency × discharge power amount × selling electricity price for each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3. Alternatively, the control unit 51 may calculate the discharge power amount × selling electricity price as an index related to the economic benefit.

[0072] The control unit 51 refers to the index related to the economic benefit for each of the banks 111-1 to 111-3 calculated in step S202 and selects one or more banks 111 for charging and discharging (step S203). For example, when it is possible to meet the user's power supply and demand requirements by operating two banks and resting one bank, the control unit 51 selects the one with the highest calculated index and the second highest one as the banks 111 for charging and discharging. When operating only one bank, the control unit 51 may select the one with the highest calculated index as the bank 111 for charging and discharging.

[0073] The control unit 51 outputs information on one or more selected banks 111 (step S204). For example, the control unit 51 may give an instruction to the power storage facility 1 via the communication network NW so that one or more selected banks 111 are to be charged and discharged.

[0074] As described above, in the second embodiment, by acquiring the degradation information of the bank 111 and the operation information of the power storage facility 1 via the communication network NW, the external monitoring server 5 can select the bank 111 to be charged and discharged.

[0075] The disclosed embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0076] For example, in the embodiment, the power storage facility 1 includes one battery board 11, and this battery board 11 includes three banks 111. Alternatively, the power storage facility 1 may include a plurality of battery boards 11, and each battery board may include one or more banks 111.

[0077] In the embodiment, a power converter 20 is provided separately from the power storage facility 1. Alternatively, the power storage facility 1 may include the power converter 20. The power storage facility 1 may be a backup power supply device such as a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) or a DC power supply device.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0078] 1 Power storage facility 2 Power generation facility 3 Load 4 Power system 5 Monitoring server 11 Battery board 12 Control panel 111 Bank 112 Bank BMU 121 Domain BMU 122 Communication Interface

Claims

1. A power storage facility comprising a plurality of power storage elements and a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the plurality of power storage elements, wherein the control unit calculates an index related to the economic benefit obtained by selling electricity for each of the plurality of power storage elements, selects one or more power storage elements to be charged and discharged with reference to the calculated index, and controls charging and discharging for the selected one or more power storage elements power storage facility.

2. The control unit acquires degradation information indicating the degree of degradation of each power storage element and operation information of the power storage facility, and calculates an index related to the economic benefit of each power storage element based on the acquired degradation information and operation information The power storage facility according to claim 1.

3. The control unit calculates the index for each set period, and selects one or more power storage elements to be charged and discharged for each period with reference to the index calculated for each period The power storage facility according to claim 1.

4. The plurality of power storage elements include a first power storage element and a second power storage element having a different degree of degradation from the first power storage element The power storage facility according to claim 1.

5. The control unit changes the charging and discharging target from the first power storage element to the second power storage element when the economic benefit of the first power storage element targeted for charging and discharging becomes lower than the economic benefit of the second power storage element not targeted for charging and discharging The power storage facility according to claim 1.

6. Each power storage element is a bank or module composed of a plurality of power storage cells having a substantially uniform degree of degradation The power storage facility according to claim 1.

7. For a power storage facility comprising a plurality of power storage elements and a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the plurality of power storage elements, a calculation unit that calculates an index related to the economic benefit obtained by selling electricity for each of the power storage elements, a selection unit that selects one or more power storage elements to be charged and discharged with reference to the calculated index, and an output unit that outputs information on the selected one or more power storage elements information processing device.

8. For a power storage facility comprising a plurality of power storage elements and a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the plurality of power storage elements, an index related to the economic benefit obtained by selling electricity is calculated for each of the power storage elements, one or more power storage elements to be charged and discharged are selected with reference to the calculated index, and information on the selected one or more power storage elements is output A computer program for causing a computer to execute the process.

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