Power management device, power management system, power management method and program

Abstract

To supply power to a power demand point while suppressing a power loss amount during power transmission / distribution.SOLUTION: In a power management device 10, a supply point identification section 113 calculates an index value indicating a power loss amount, which is lost by power transmission / distribution for supplying power to a power demand point, for each of a plurality of candidates and identifies a power supply point from which power is supplied to the power demand point from among the plurality of candidates on the basis of the calculated index value. A supply control section 114 supplies power from the power supply point, which is identified by the supply point identification section 113, to the power demand point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power management device, a power management system, a power management method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for managing the power transfer between multiple points are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power source management system that manages the source of the received power of one or more facilities and controls the ratio of the renewable energy power included in the received power.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Power transfer between multiple points involves power transmission and distribution losses, which are power losses that occur during power transmission and distribution. From the perspectives of environmental contribution and economy, it is required to supply power to power demand points while suppressing the amount of power lost due to such power transmission and distribution losses as much as possible.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a power management device and the like that can supply power to a power demand point while suppressing the amount of power loss during power transmission and distribution.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, the power management device according to the present disclosure is For each of a plurality of candidates, an index value indicating the amount of power loss incurred during power transmission and distribution when supplying power to a power demand point is calculated, and based on the calculated index value, a power supply point specifying means for specifying a power supply point that supplies power from among the plurality of candidates to the power demand point; Supply control means for supplying power from the power supply point specified by the supply point specifying means to the power demand point.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] In the present disclosure, for each of a plurality of candidates, an index value indicating the amount of power loss incurred during power transmission and distribution when supplying power to a power demand point is calculated, and based on the calculated index value, a power supply point is specified from among the plurality of candidates, and power is supplied from the specified power supply point to the power demand point. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to supply power to a power demand point while suppressing the amount of power loss during power transmission and distribution.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a power management system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The power management system 1 is a system that manages the power transfer between a plurality of locations. Here, a location means a place such as a piece of land or a building where a facility capable of power demand or supply is provided. Examples of locations include the sites of consumers A to C and the sites of retail electricity providers X and Y.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the power management system 1 includes a plurality of storage batteries 3, a plurality of management terminals 5, and a power management device 10. The plurality of storage batteries 3, the plurality of management terminals 5, and the power management device 10 are communicably connected to each other via an information communication network N1, which is a wide area communication network. Also, the plurality of storage batteries 3 are connected to each other via a power transmission and distribution network N2 so as to be able to transmit power to each other.

[0012] The consumers A to C shown in Fig. 1 are, for example, residents such as ordinary households, enterprises, factories, etc., and business operators. Also, the retail electricity providers X and Y are operators who can sell electricity to the consumers A to C. Although not shown in the figure, load devices that consume electricity are provided within the respective sites of the consumers A to C. The load devices are devices that consume electricity and operate, and are, for example, electrical devices such as televisions, air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators, lighting fixtures, and cookers. Each of the consumers A to C needs the electricity consumed by such load devices, so their sites can be power demand locations.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, within the respective sites of the consumers A to C, one storage battery 3 and one management terminal 5 are provided. The storage battery 3 is a stationary storage battery installed within the respective sites of the consumers A to C, and is, for example, a nickel-cadmium battery, nickel-metal hydride battery, lithium-ion battery, or lead-acid battery. Note that the storage battery 3 may be provided within an electric vehicle (EV). The storage battery 3 stores the electricity supplied from the power transmission and distribution network N2. Also, the storage battery 3 can discharge the stored electricity and consume it within the same consumer's site, or supply it to the sites of other consumers via the power transmission and distribution network N2. Since each of the consumers A to C has a storage battery 3 that can supply electricity externally, their sites can be power supply locations.

[0014] Note that in the power management system 1, there may be more consumers or retail electricity providers, not limited to the consumers A to C and the retail electricity providers X and Y. Each of the consumers and retail electricity providers is connected through the power transmission and distribution network N2 and can exchange electricity with each other.

[0015] More specifically, since retail electricity providers own facilities for supplying electricity to the outside, the sites of retail electricity providers can be power supply points, just like the customers who own the storage battery 3. Also, some customers may not need to own the storage battery 3. The sites of customers who do not own the storage battery 3 cannot be power supply points, but can be power demand points that require electricity from the outside. In contrast, the sites of customers who own the storage battery 3 can be either power demand points or power supply points.

[0016] The management terminal 5 is a terminal device that operates and monitors the storage battery 3 installed within the site of the same customer. The management terminal 5 is a communication terminal operated by a user, such as a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, etc. Although not shown in the figure, the management terminal 5 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a communication interface, and a readable and writable non-volatile semiconductor memory, etc. The management terminal 5 communicates with the power management device 10 via the information communication network N1. Also, the management terminal 5 communicates with the storage battery 3 via a communication network constructed within the customer's site, and controls and monitors the storage battery 3.

[0017] Although not shown in the figure, each customer's site is provided with a wattmeter for measuring electricity. The wattmeter of each customer measures the electricity received or transmitted across the entire site of one customer, the electricity received or transmitted for each load device within the site of one customer, and the electricity charged or discharged in the storage battery 3 of one customer. The measurement information of the electricity measured by the wattmeter is transmitted to the power management device 10 through the information communication network N1.

[0018] The power management device 10 is a device that manages the power management system 1. The power management device 10 is an information processing device such as a PC or a cloud server, and is installed under the management of the operator of the power management system 1. As shown in Figure 2, the power management device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13.

[0019] The control unit 11 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU, also called a central processing unit, a central arithmetic unit, a processor, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, etc., functions as a central arithmetic processing unit that executes processes and calculations related to the control of the power management device 10. In the control unit 11, the CPU reads programs and data stored in the ROM, and uses the RAM as a work area to comprehensively control the power management device 10.

[0020] The storage unit 12 includes a non-volatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and serves as a so-called secondary storage device or auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 12 stores programs and data used by the control unit 11 to perform various processes. It also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 11 when performing various processes. For example, as will be described in detail later, the storage unit 12 stores a location management table 121 and attribute information 122.

[0021] The communication unit 13 includes a communication interface for the power management device 10 to communicate with an external device. The communication unit 13 communicates with an external device through the information communication network N1. For example, the communication unit 13 communicates with the management terminals 5 of a plurality of consumers under the management of the power management device 10 and the servers of a plurality of retail electricity suppliers.

[0022] Next, the functional configuration of the power management device 10 will be described. Functionally, the power management device 10 includes, in the control unit 11, an information management unit 111 which is an example of information acquisition means, a demand location specifying unit 112 which is an example of demand location specifying means, a supply location specifying unit 113 which is an example of supply location specifying means, and a supply control unit 114 which is an example of supply control means. Each of these functions is realized in the control unit 11 by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are described as programs and stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12. Then, in the control unit 11, the CPU executes the programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12 to realize each function shown in FIG. 2.

[0023] The information management unit 111 manages information regarding a plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10. Specifically, the information management unit 111 communicates with the management terminals 5 of a plurality of customers and the servers of a plurality of retail electricity providers via the communication unit 13, and acquires state information indicating the operation mode, remaining amount, etc. of the storage batteries 3 at each location. Then, based on the acquired state information, the information management unit 111 updates the location management table 121 and the attribute information 122 stored in the storage unit 12.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the location management table 121 has items of "location ID", "location type", "location location", "controllability", "battery state", "number of holding power lists", and "holding power lists 1 to n". The storage unit 12 stores a location management table 121 as shown in FIG. 3 for each location to be managed in the power management system 1, that is, for each of a plurality of customers and a plurality of retail electricity providers that can be at least one of a power supply location and a power demand location.

[0025] In the location management table 121, the "location ID" is identification information for uniquely identifying the target location. The "location type" is information indicating whether the target location is a customer or a retail electricity business operator. The "location place" is information indicating the location of the target location. The location place is, for example, GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates represented by latitude and longitude, an address, or the like.

[0026] The "controllability" is information indicating whether control from the power management device 10 for the target location is permitted. The controls permitted by the controllability are power transfer between multiple locations, status monitoring of load devices, data acquisition, etc. These are permitted by the contract between the operator of the power management device 10 and the customer. Note that the power management device 10 cannot forcibly control the retail electricity business operator and can only request control. For example, the power management device 10 requests control of the following content to the retail electricity business operator: "Request the supply of XXX kWh of electric energy to customer A". Such control is transferred to execution after passing through the consent process on the side of the retail electricity business operator.

[0027] The "battery state" is information indicating whether the battery 3 at the target location is charging, discharging, or in standby (neither of them). The battery state is also referred to as the operation mode.

[0028] The "number of retained power lists" is the number of retained power lists at the target location. The "retained power list" is a list of power retained at the target location, that is, a list of power stored in the battery 3 at the target location. In the example of FIG. 3, the location management table 121 has information on n retained power lists 1 to n. One retained power list corresponds to a unit of charging when the power of the battery 3 at the target location is charged. That is, the existence of n retained power lists 1 to n in the location management table 121 indicates that the power currently stored in the battery 3 at the target location is the power charged n times.

[0029] More specifically, for each of the n holding power lists 1 to n, the location management table 121 has information on the amount of power and the attribute information ID. The amount of power indicates the amount of power charged to the storage battery 3 in each of the holding power lists 1 to n. The attribute information ID is identification information for uniquely identifying the attribute information 122 corresponding to each of the holding power lists 1 to n. Here, the attribute information 122 is information indicating the attribute of the holding power list.

[0030] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, for each of the n holding power lists 1 to n, the attribute information 122 has items of (a) "attribute information ID", (b) "location of power generation source", (c) "source of power", and (d) "transmission and distribution loss". (a) The "attribute information ID" is identification information for uniquely identifying the attribute information 122 of each holding power list, and is information for associating with the holding power list in the location management table 121.

[0031] (b) The "location of power generation source" is information indicating the location of the power generation source where the power of the holding power list is generated. For example, when the power generation source is a thermal power plant or a solar power plant, the location of the power generation source is the location of that thermal power plant or solar power plant. Also, when the power generation source is solar power generation equipment installed within the premises of a customer, the location of the power generation source is the location of the premises of that customer. The location of the power generation source is represented by GPS coordinates, address, etc., similar to the "location" in the location management table 121.

[0032] (c) The "source of power" is information indicating the source of the power of the holding power list, and is information indicating what kind of energy was used for power generation at the power generation source of that power. The source of power is represented by the type of primary energy, such as thermal power, solar power, hydraulic power, wind power, nuclear power, etc. Alternatively, the source of power may be represented by renewable energy, fossil energy, depleted energy, etc. Note that the information on the source of power may include information on environmental value certificates.

[0033] (E) "Transmission and distribution loss" refers to the total amount of power loss incurred during transmission and distribution when the power in the retained power list is supplied from the power generation source where it was generated to the currently charged battery 3. For example, if the power in the retained power list is generated by a power generation facility at a location far from the location of the currently charged battery 3, the value of "transmission and distribution loss" increases as the distance between the power generation facility and the battery 3 increases. On the other hand, when both a solar power generation facility and the battery 3 are installed at a certain location and the battery 3 is charged with the power generated by the solar power generation facility, the "transmission and distribution loss" is "0.00 kWh".

[0034] In the location management table 121 and the attribute information 122, the n retained power lists 1 to n are arranged in the order of priority during consumption. The power stored in the battery 3 is consumed in the order of the numbers of the retained power lists 1 to n. That is, the power of the battery 3 is consumed in the order of the retained power list 1, the retained power list 2, the retained power list 3,.... When new power is charged into the battery 3 while the n retained power lists 1 to n are recorded in the location management table 121, the retained power list indicating the information of the newly charged power is, by default, added as the retained power list n + 1 at the end of the existing retained power lists 1 to n.

[0035] The order of the retained power lists, that is, the priority order of the power consumed from the battery 3, can be changed by the consumer operating the management terminal 5. As an example, Fig. 5 shows the management screen of the battery 3 displayed on the display unit of the management terminal 5. On the management screen, a plurality of retained power lists of the power stored in the battery 3 are displayed in order from No. 1. The consumer can change the priority order of the consumed power by operating the operation unit of the management terminal 5 to rearrange the plurality of retained power lists displayed on the management screen.

[0036] In the management screen shown in FIG. 5, "Power transfer: Allowed" is an item for switching "Controllability" in the location management table 121. As described above, the controllability by the power management device 10 is determined by the contract between the operator of the power management device 10 and the consumer. On the other hand, the consumer can temporarily change the controllability according to their own convenience by selecting the item "Power transfer: Allowed" on the management screen.

[0037] Also, on the management screen, when the consumer selects the item "Want to buy power", the management terminal 5 displays the power purchase screen shown in FIG. 6. On the purchase screen, the consumer can specify the amount of power they want to purchase from outside. Furthermore, on the management screen, when a consumer who owns the storage battery 3 selects the item "Want to sell power", the management terminal 5 displays the power sale screen shown in FIG. 7. On the sale screen, the consumer can specify the amount of power they want to sell to the outside from the power stored in their own storage battery 3.

[0038] The consumer can specify the amount of power they want to purchase in FIG. 6 and the amount of power they want to sell in FIG. 7, respectively, within the range not exceeding the upper limit displayed on the screen. Here, the upper limit of the amount of power the consumer wants to purchase corresponds to the amount of power that can be charged into the consumer's storage battery 3. The upper limit of the amount of power the consumer wants to purchase is calculated by "Storage capacity of the storage battery 3 - Current remaining storage amount of the storage battery 3". For example, when the storage capacity of the storage battery 3 is 6 kWh and the current remaining storage amount of the storage battery 3 is 5.6 kWh, the upper limit of the amount of power the consumer wants to purchase is 0.4 kWh. Also, the upper limit of the amount of power the consumer wants to sell in FIG. 7 corresponds to the current remaining storage amount of the consumer's storage battery 3. When the amount of power the consumer wants to sell is specified, the power stored in the consumer's storage battery 3 is sold in the order of the holding power lists 1 to n until the specified amount of power is reached.

[0039] The information management unit 111 acquires status information from the management terminal 5 owned by the consumer and the server owned by the retail electricity business operator, and generates and updates the location management table 121 and the attribute information 122 based on the acquired status information. Specifically, the information management unit 111 executes the following processes (1) to (4).

[0040] (1) First, the information management unit 111 issues and transmits an inquiry command to the management terminal 5 of each customer and the server of each retail electricity business operator, asking about the battery state, which is the operation mode of the storage battery 3, and the remaining charge amount, which is the remaining amount of power stored in the storage battery 3.

[0041] (2) When the management terminal 5 of each customer and the server of each retail electricity business operator receive the inquiry command from the power management device 10, they transmit state information indicating the battery state and the remaining charge amount to the power management device 10. Here, the battery state is information on whether the current state of the storage battery 3 is charging, discharging, or standby (neither charging nor discharging).

[0042] Here, when a customer owns a power generation facility such as a solar power generation facility or a wind power generation facility, the storage battery 3 may be charged by the generated power of the power generation facility. To determine whether the charging of the storage battery 3 is due to generated power, in addition to the battery state and the remaining charge amount, the information management unit 111 further acquires the measurement information of the power measured by the power meter at each location as state information.

[0043] The information management unit 111 periodically transmits such an inquiry command to each location to acquire the state information of the storage battery 3 at each location. Alternatively, when the operation state of the storage battery 3 changes, the management terminal 5 of each customer or the server of each retail electricity business operator may spontaneously notify the power management device 10 of the state information of the storage battery 3.

[0044] For each of a plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10, when the battery state is charging, the information management unit 111 executes the process of (3) below, and when the battery state is discharging, the information management unit 111 executes the process of (4) below.

[0045] (3) When the battery state is charging (3)-1. Update of the location management table 121 When the state of charge of a storage battery at a certain location is in the charging state, the information management unit 111 calculates the increase in the remaining charge amount due to the charging. Specifically, the information management unit 111 calculates the difference between the remaining charge amount at the first time point when the state of the storage battery changes from a non-charging state to a charging state and the remaining charge amount at the second time point when the state of the storage battery changes from a charging state to a non-charging state again. Then, the information management unit 111 updates the holding power list in the location management table 121 at that location with the calculated difference as the increase in the remaining charge amount due to the charging.

[0046] (3)-2. Update of Attribute Information 122 When the storage battery 3 at a certain location is charged, the information management unit 111 acquires information on (a) "location of the power generation source", (c) "source of the power", and (e) "transmission and distribution loss" from the attribute information 122 of the holding power list corresponding to the charging power at the power supply location, which is the location of the source of the charging power. Then, the information management unit 111 updates the attribute information 122 of the holding power list corresponding to the charging power at the location where the storage battery 3 is charged based on the acquired information on (a) "location of the power generation source", (c) "source of the power", and (e) "transmission and distribution loss".

[0047] (a) As a first example, the case where the storage battery 3 is charged by the power supplied from a retail electricity provider will be described. Note that this is not limited to the case where the power supply source of the charging power is a retail electricity provider, and the same applies when the power supply source of the charging power is another customer.

[0048] The information management department 111 obtains information on (a) "location of the power generation source", (c) "source of the power", and (e) "transmission and distribution loss" from the attribute information 122 of the holding power list corresponding to the charging power of the retail electricity provider, which is the source of the charging power. Alternatively, the information management department 111 may obtain this information from the server of the retail electricity provider through communication. When the power charged in the storage battery 3 is the power generated by the power generation facility owned by the retail electricity provider, (a) the "location of the power generation source" is the location of the retail electricity provider. In contrast, when the power charged in the storage battery 3 is the power generated by a power generation facility at a location different from the retail electricity provider, (a) the "location of the power generation source" is the location of that different location. And (c) the "source of the power" becomes "solar power" if the power generation facility is a solar power generation facility, and "thermal power" if it is a thermal power generation facility.

[0049] Furthermore, the information management department 111 updates the (e) "transmission and distribution loss" at the location of the supply destination of the charging power based on the (e) "transmission and distribution loss" of the retail electricity provider, which is the source of the charging power. Specifically, the information management department 111 adds the amount of power lost due to transmission and distribution when supplying power from the source of the charging power to the supply destination to the value of the (e) "transmission and distribution loss" of the source of the charging power. As a result, the value of the (e) "transmission and distribution loss" at the supply destination of the charging power is updated to the total amount of lost power lost due to transmission and distribution until it is supplied from the power generation source to the current location.

[0050] Note that the information management department 111 may obtain the daily plan of (a) "location of the power generation source" and (c) "source of the power" from the server of the retail electricity provider. If (a) the "location of the power generation source" or (c) the "source of the power" is changed after obtaining the daily plan, the information management department 111 registers the information on the charged portion before the change in the existing holding power list and registers the information after the change in the new holding power list.

[0051] (b) As a second example, a case where a consumer owns power generation equipment such as solar power generation equipment and wind power generation equipment within its own site, and the battery 3 of the consumer is charged with the power generated by the power generation equipment will be described. In this case, when the battery 3 at any location is being charged, the information management unit 111 measures the current power generation power by referring to the measurement information of the power measured by the power meter at that location. Then, when the current power generation power is equal to or greater than the current charging power as shown in the following (Equation 1), the information management unit 111 determines that the battery 3 is being charged by the power generation power. Power generation power ≥ Charging power …(Equation 1)

[0052] In this case, (a) "Location of power generation source" in the attribute information 122 becomes the location of the consumer's site, and (c) "Source of power" becomes "Solar power" if the power generation equipment owned by the consumer is solar power generation equipment. Also, (e) "Transmission and distribution loss" is regarded as 0 because both the power generation equipment and the battery 3 are within the consumer's site. When the battery 3 is charged with the power generated by the power generation equipment owned by the consumer itself, the information management unit 111 updates the attribute information 122 of the corresponding holding power list with such information.

[0053] Note that when the power generation equipment owned by the consumer is solar power generation equipment, the amount of power generation changes according to the weather, so the above (Equation 1) may not be satisfied during charging. In this case, the information management unit 111 registers the charging information until the power generation power becomes smaller than the charging power in the existing holding power list, and registers the information after the power generation power becomes smaller than the charging power in a new holding power list.

[0054] Even when the above (Formula 1) is not satisfied, if a part of the charging power is supplied by the power generation power, such as when the power generation power is 50% of the charging power, the holding power list may be divided into charging by power generation and charging by other than power generation. Specifically, the information management unit 111 registers a holding power list M associated with the attribute information 122 by the power generation of the power generation facility owned by the consumer, a holding power list (M + 1) associated with the attribute information 122 by the power supplied from the power transmission and distribution network N2, and the two holding power lists.

[0055] (4) When the state of the storage battery is discharging When the state of the storage battery at a certain point is discharging, the information management unit 111 calculates the decrease amount of the remaining charge amount due to the discharge. Specifically, the information management unit 111 calculates the difference between the remaining charge amount at the first point in time when the state of the storage battery changes from other than discharging to discharging and the remaining charge amount at the second point in time when the state of the storage battery changes from discharging to other than discharging again. Then, the information management unit 111 updates the holding power list in the location management table 121 at that point with the calculated difference as the decrease amount of the remaining charge amount due to the discharge.

[0056] As an example, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 8, a case where the remaining charge amount decreases by 6.0 kWh due to discharge in a state where 2.0 kWh of power is held in each of the holding power list 1 and the holding power list 2 of the location management table 121 will be described. In this case, the information management unit 111 deletes the information of the holding power list 1, changes the information of the holding power list 2 from 4.0 kWh to 2.0 kWh, and re-registers the holding power list 2 as the holding power list 1. As a result, the holding power list of the location management table 121 is updated to the state shown in the lower part of FIG. 8. In this way, the information management unit 111 subtracts the power of the holding power list in order from the younger number, and updates the number of the holding power lists as necessary.

[0057] As described above, the information management unit 111 acquires the state information of the storage battery 3 from each of a plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10, and updates the location management table 121 and the attribute information 122 based on the acquired state information. The information management unit 111 repeatedly executes such acquisition and update processes at an appropriate timing, thereby keeping the location management table 121 and the attribute information 122 in the latest state.

[0058] Returning to FIG. 2, the power demand location specifying unit 112 specifies a power demand location from among a plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10. The power demand location is a location that demands power from the outside. As described above, since the premises of a plurality of consumers including Consumers A to C demand the power consumed by the load devices, they are candidates for the power demand location. Therefore, the power demand location specifying unit 112 specifies the premises of the consumers that demand power from among the plurality of consumers as the power demand location.

[0059] Specifically, the power demand location specifying unit 112 specifies, as the power demand location, a location among a plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10 where the storage battery 3 is not being charged and the remaining charge amount of the storage battery 3 is less than the threshold value T1. The power demand location specifying unit 112 refers to the state of charge and the remaining charge amount of the storage battery 3 in the location management table 121 of a plurality of consumers. Then, the power demand location specifying unit 112 specifies consumers whose state of charge of the storage battery is not "charging", that is, "discharging" or "standby", and further specifies consumers among them whose remaining charge amount is less than the threshold value T1. The remaining charge amount is calculated by the sum of the power amounts in the holding power lists 1 to n.

[0060] The threshold value T1 is individually set in advance for each location to a value at which, if the current state continues, there is a risk of switching from the power use of the storage battery 3 to the power use by purchasing power from the commercial power system. More specifically, the threshold value T1 is set to a remaining charge amount value that is assumed to be 0 after a predetermined time when the power consumption continues as it is for each of a plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10. The predetermined time is a predetermined time such as 30 minutes or 1 hour.

[0061] Further, the demand location specifying unit 112 may specify, as a power demand location, a location where a customer is required to purchase power among a plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10. Specifically, when power purchase is requested from a customer on the power purchase screen shown in FIG. 6, the demand location specifying unit 112 may preferentially specify the site of the customer as the power demand location.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 2, the supply location specifying unit 113 specifies, from among a plurality of candidates, a power supply location that supplies power to the power demand location specified by the demand location specifying unit 112 based on a predetermined criterion. The power supply location is a location where equipment capable of supplying power externally is provided. As described above, the site of a customer who owns the storage battery 3 and the site of a retail electricity business operator among a plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10 are candidates for the power supply location. The supply location specifying unit 113 specifies, from among such a plurality of candidates for the power supply location, a location that meets a predetermined criterion as the power supply location.

[0063] Specifically, the supply location specifying unit 113 refers to the location management table 121 and searches for locations other than the power demand location specified by the demand location specifying unit 112 among a plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10. Then, the supply location specifying unit 113 selects, as candidate locations that are candidates for the power supply location, a plurality of locations in the location management table 121 where control is possible and the remaining power storage amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value T2.

[0064] The threshold value T2 is set to a value that is assumed to allow a certain margin for the location where power has been supplied, even if the current state continues and power is supplied to the power demand location. As an example, when the difference between the threshold value T1 of the power demand location and the current remaining power storage amount R of the power demand location is represented as "X" as in the following (Equation 2), the threshold value T2 of the candidate location is set to a value obtained by adding the difference X to three times the threshold value T1 of the candidate location as in the following (Equation 3).

[0065] Differential X = Threshold value T1 of the power demand location - Current remaining power storage R at the power demand location... (Equation 2) Threshold value T2 of the candidate location = Threshold value T1 of the candidate location × 3 + Differential X... (Equation 3)

[0066] Figure 9 shows the relationship between the threshold value T1 of the power demand location and the threshold values T1 and T2 of the candidate locations that are candidates for the power supply location. Figure 9 shows two cases: when W1 ≤ W2 and when W1 > W2, where the threshold value T1 of the power demand location is represented as "W1" and the threshold value T1 of the candidate location is represented as "W2". Thus, the threshold value T2 of the candidate location is set based on the threshold value T1 of the candidate location and the differential X between the threshold value T1 of the power supply location and the current remaining power storage R at the power supply location.

[0067] Next, for each of the selected multiple candidates, the supply location specifying unit 113 calculates an index value indicating the amount of power loss incurred during power transmission and distribution when supplying power from the candidate locations to the power demand location specified by the demand location specifying unit 112. Then, based on the calculated index value, the supply location specifying unit 113 specifies the power supply location from among the multiple candidates.

[0068] The index value is a value that directly or indirectly indicates the amount of power loss incurred during power transmission and distribution. Specifically, the supply location specifying unit 113 calculates, as the index value, the distance from each of the multiple candidates to the power demand location specified by the demand location specifying unit 112. Generally, the longer the distance between the locations where power is transmitted and received, the greater the amount of power loss incurred during power transmission and distribution. Therefore, the distance between the locations can be used as an index value for the amount of power loss due to power transmission and distribution between those locations.

[0069] Specifically, the supply location specifying unit 113 refers to the "location" in the location management table 121. Then, based on the GPS coordinates or addresses of each of the multiple candidates and the power demand location, the supply location specifying unit 113 calculates the straight-line distance from each of the multiple candidates to the power demand location.

[0070] When calculating the straight-line distance, the power supply point specifying unit 113 specifies, as the power supply point, a point among a plurality of candidates that satisfies a first criterion, which is a predefined distance as the calculated index value. Since the longer the distance, the greater the amount of power loss during power transmission, the power supply point specifying unit 113 specifies, as the power supply point, a candidate with the shortest calculated distance among the plurality of candidates.

[0071] As an example of the first criterion, among a plurality of candidates, the power supply point specifying unit 113 determines that a candidate with the shortest calculated distance as the index value is a candidate that satisfies the first criterion, and specifies that candidate as the power supply point.

[0072] As another example of the first criterion, among a plurality of candidates, the power supply point specifying unit 113 determines that a candidate with a calculated distance less than or equal to a reference value satisfies the first criterion, and specifies that point as the power supply point. The reference value is a threshold value for ensuring that a point as close as possible to the power demand point is specified as the power supply point. The reference value may be a preset fixed value or a value dynamically set based on at least one calculated distance as the index value. Hereinafter, the case where a candidate with a distance less than or equal to the reference value satisfies the first criterion will be described.

[0073] When there are two or more candidates among the plurality of candidates whose calculated index values satisfy the first criterion, the power supply point specifying unit 113 specifies, as the power supply point, a candidate that satisfies a second criterion among the two or more candidates. In other words, when there are two or more candidates among the plurality of candidates whose distances to the power demand point are less than or equal to the reference value, the power supply point specifying unit 113 specifies, as the power supply point, a candidate that satisfies a second criterion different from the first criterion among the two or more candidates.

[0074] Specifically, the power supply location identification unit 113 identifies the power supply location from among two or more candidates based on at least one of (a) "location of the power generation source", (c) "source of the power", and (e) "transmission and distribution loss", which are the power attribute information 122 held in each of the two or more candidates. Hereinafter, the case of identifying the power supply location based on (c) "source of the power" among the attribute information 122 will be described.

[0075] For each of the two or more candidates, the power supply location identification unit 113 refers to the item of "source of the power" in the attribute information 122. At this time, when there are a plurality of held power lists in the location management table 121 of any one of the candidates, the power supply location identification unit 113 refers to the item of "source of the power" in the attribute information 122 of the held power list with the highest priority among the plurality of held power lists.

[0076] Then, the power supply location identification unit 113 identifies, as the power supply location, the candidate among the two or more candidates whose source of power is renewable energy. Here, the renewable energy is, for example, solar power, hydro power, wind power, geothermal energy, etc. On the other hand, the energy other than renewable energy is, for example, thermal power, nuclear power, etc. When there are two or more candidates whose index values satisfy the first criterion, if there is a candidate among the two or more candidates whose source of the held power corresponds to renewable energy, the power supply location identification unit 113 identifies that candidate as the power supply location. Thereby, it becomes possible to suppress the transmission and distribution loss and also lead to environmental contribution.

[0077] Note that the power supply location identification unit 113 may identify, as the power supply location, the location where power is required to be sold by the consumer among the plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10. Specifically, when power sale is requested from the consumer on the power sale screen shown in FIG. 7, the power supply location identification unit 113 may preferentially identify the site of the consumer as the power supply location.

[0078] Returning to FIG. 2, the supply control unit 114 causes power to be supplied from the power supply point specified by the supply point specifying unit 113 to the power demand point specified by the demand point specifying unit 112. Specifically, when the power supply point is specified by the supply point specifying unit 113, the supply control unit 114 calculates the power transmission amount P for transmitting power from the power supply point to the power demand point. The supply control unit 114 calculates the power transmission amount P based on the remaining battery level and threshold T1 at the power supply point and the remaining battery level and threshold T1 at the power demand point.

[0079] As an example, if the threshold T1 at the power demand point is represented as "W1" and the threshold T1 at the power supply point is represented as "W2", the supply control unit 114 calculates the power transmission amount P as shown in the following (Equation 4) and (Equation 5). Note that "X" represents the difference between the threshold T1 at the power supply point and the current remaining battery level R at the power supply point, as shown in FIG. 9 and (Equation 3).

[0080] When W1 ≤ W2, transmission power amount P = W1 + X... (Equation 4) When W1 > W2, transmission power amount P = W2 + X... (Equation 5) However, in either case, the upper limit of the power transmission amount P is set to the chargeable amount at the power demand point.

[0081] After calculating the power transmission amount P, the supply control unit 114 generates a command for instructing power reception at the power demand point and charging the battery 3, and transmits it to the management terminal 5 at the power demand point via the communication unit 13. Further, the supply control unit 114 generates a command for instructing discharge of the power transmission amount P from the battery 3 and transmission of power to the power demand point at the power supply point, and transmits it to the management terminal 5 or the server at the power supply point. Thereby, the supply control unit 114 causes power of the power transmission amount P to be supplied from the power supply point to the power demand point.

[0082] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the flow of the power management process executed by the power management device 10 will be described. The power management process shown in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed by the control unit 11 when the power management device 10 is operating normally. The power management process shown in FIG. 10 is an example of a power management method.

[0083] When starting the power management process, the control unit 11 acquires status information from each location (step S1). Specifically, the control unit 11 transmits a command to inquire about the status information at each location at regular time intervals, and acquires status information indicating the battery state, remaining charge amount, and measurement information of the power meter from each location. Alternatively, the control unit 11 acquires the status information spontaneously transmitted from each location.

[0084] When acquiring the management information, the control unit 11 updates the location management table 121 and the attribute information 122 (step S2). Specifically, when power is charged to the battery 3 at any location, or when power is discharged from the battery 3 at any location, the control unit 11 updates the stored power list in the location management table 121 according to the increase or decrease amount of the remaining charge amount. Further, when power is charged to the battery 3 at any location, the control unit 11 acquires information on (a) "location of the power generation source", (c) "source of the power", and (e) "transmission and distribution loss" from the attribute information 122 of the stored power list corresponding to the charging power at the location of the charging power supply source. Then, the control unit 11 updates (a) "location of the power generation source", (c) "source of the power", and (e) "transmission and distribution loss" of the attribute information 122 of the stored power list corresponding to the charging power at the location of the charging power supply destination based on the acquired information. In steps S1 and S2, the control unit 11 functions as the information management unit 111.

[0085] When acquiring the status information, the control unit 11 searches for power demand locations among a plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10 (step S3). Specifically, when there is a location among the plurality of locations where the battery 3 is not being charged and the remaining amount of the battery 3 is less than a predetermined threshold value T1, the control unit 11 identifies that location as a power demand location. Further, when a power purchase is requested from any consumer, the control unit 11 identifies the location of that consumer as a power demand location.

[0086] When searching for the power demand location, the control unit 11 determines whether a power demand location exists (step S4). If no power demand location exists (step S4; NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S1 without executing the processes after step S5. In steps S3 and S4, the control unit 11 functions as the demand location specifying unit 112.

[0087] If a power demand location exists (step S4; YES), the control unit 11 searches for a power supply location (step S5). The details of the power supply location search process in step S5 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. If there are multiple power demand locations, the control unit 11 executes the processes after step S5 for each of the multiple power demand locations.

[0088] When starting the power supply location search process shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 11 selects a plurality of candidate locations that are candidates for the power supply location from among the plurality of locations under the management of the power management device 10 (step S51). Specifically, when there is a location among the plurality of locations where power transfer is permitted and the remaining amount of the storage battery 3 is equal to or greater than the threshold value T2, the control unit 11 selects that location as a candidate location. In addition, when the control unit 11 is requested to sell power from any consumer or retail electricity business operator, the control unit 11 specifies the location of that consumer or retail electricity business operator as a candidate location.

[0089] If there is only one candidate location that satisfies such conditions among the plurality of locations, the control unit 11 specifies that one candidate location as the power supply location. If there is no candidate location that satisfies such conditions among the plurality of locations, the control unit 11 determines that no power supply location exists. In these cases, the control unit 11 ends the power supply location search process shown in FIG. 11 without executing the processes after step S3.

[0090] When a plurality of candidate points are selected, the control unit 11 calculates an index value indicating the amount of power loss when supplying power from each candidate point to the power demand point identified in step S3 (step S52). Specifically, the control unit 11 calculates, as the index value, the straight-line distance from each of the candidate points to the power demand point by referring to the information of "point location" in the point management table 121.

[0091] After calculating the index value, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a candidate point whose index value satisfies the first criterion (step S53). Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a candidate point among the plurality of candidate points whose calculated straight-line distance (i.e., the index value) is less than or equal to the reference value.

[0092] If there is no candidate point whose index value satisfies the first criterion (step S53; NO), the control unit 11 determines that there is no power supply point (step S54). On the other hand, if there is a candidate point whose index value satisfies the first criterion (step S53; YES), next, the control unit 11 determines whether there are two or more candidate points whose index values satisfy the first criterion (step S55).

[0093] If there is only one candidate point whose index value satisfies the first criterion (step S55; NO), the control unit 11 identifies the corresponding one candidate point, that is, the one candidate point whose index value satisfies the first criterion, as the power supply point (step S56).

[0094] On the other hand, if there are two or more candidate points whose index values satisfy the first criterion (step S55; YES), the control unit 11 identifies the power supply point based on the second criterion (step S57). Specifically, the control unit 11 identifies the power supply point from among the two or more candidates based on the origin of the power held by each of the two or more candidates. Thus, the search process for the power supply point shown in FIG. 11 ends.

[0095] Returning to FIG. 10, when searching for a power supply point in step S5, the control unit 11 determines whether a power supply point has been found (step S6). If no power supply point is found (step S6; NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S1 without executing the process of supplying power to the power demand point after step S7. In steps S5 and S6, the control unit 11 functions as the supply point specifying unit 113.

[0096] If a power supply point is found (step S6; YES), the control unit 11 calculates the power transmission amount P to transmit power from the power supply point to the power demand point (step S7). Specifically, the control unit 11 calculates the power transmission amount P from the remaining battery level and threshold T1 of the power supply point and the remaining battery level and threshold T1 of the power demand point according to the above-described (Equation 4) or (Equation 5).

[0097] After calculating the power transmission amount P, the control unit 11 instructs the supply of power (step S8). Specifically, the control unit 11 transmits an instruction command to the power demand point and the power supply point, and causes the power supply point to supply the power of the power transmission amount P calculated in step S7 to the power demand point. In steps S7 and S8, the control unit 11 functions as the supply control unit 114.

[0098] Thereafter, the control unit 11 returns the process to step S1 and executes the processes of steps S1 to S8. As a result, when a power demand point is found among a plurality of points, the control unit 11 searches for a power supply point suitable for supplying power to the power demand point, and repeats the process of supplying power from the power supply point to the power demand point.

[0099] As described above, for each of the plurality of candidates, the power management device 10 according to Embodiment 1 calculates an index value indicating the amount of power loss incurred when supplying power to the power demand location, and based on the calculated index value, identifies the power supply location from among the plurality of candidates. Then, the power management device 10 according to Embodiment 1 causes power to be supplied from the identified power supply location to the power demand location. In this way, since the power management device 10 according to Embodiment 1 identifies the power supply location based on the index value indicating the amount of power loss incurred when supplying power to the power demand location, it is possible to supply power to the power demand location while suppressing the amount of power loss during power transmission and distribution. Since the power lost during power transmission and distribution simply becomes a wasteful loss, by suppressing this as much as possible, merits can be obtained from the perspectives of environmental contribution, economic aspects, etc.

[0100] (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. Appropriate descriptions of the configurations and functions similar to those of Embodiment 1 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0101] In the above Embodiment 1, the "location" in the location management table 121 represented the GPS coordinates or address information of the target location. And the supply location identification unit 113 calculated the straight-line distance from each of the plurality of candidates to the power demand location based on the GPS coordinates or address of each of the plurality of candidates and the power demand location, as an index value of the amount of power loss due to power transmission and distribution. In contrast, in Embodiment 2, the supply location identification unit 113 calculates, as an index value indicating the amount of power loss due to power transmission and distribution, the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network N2 from each of the plurality of candidates to the power demand location.

[0102] In Embodiment 2, the "location" in the location management table 121 represents the position information of the target location on the power transmission and distribution network N2. And the supply location identification unit 113 calculates, based on the position information on the power transmission and distribution network N2 of each of the plurality of candidates and the power demand location, the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network N2 from each of the plurality of candidates to the power demand location, as an index value of the amount of power loss.

[0103] Fig. 12 shows an example where the location of customer A is specified as the power demand point, and the locations of customers B and C are selected as candidate points that are candidates for the power supply point. The straight-line distance between the locations of customer A and customer B is 3 km, and the straight-line distance between the locations of customer A and customer C is shorter than 5 km. Therefore, when based on the straight-line distance as in Embodiment 1, the supply point specifying unit 113 preferentially specifies the location of customer B as the power supply point.

[0104] In contrast, in Embodiment 2, the supply point specifying unit 113 calculates the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network N2 from each of the plurality of candidates to the power demand point. Specifically, the supply point specifying unit 113 calculates the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network N2 between customer A and customer B as "0.1 + 2.1 + 2.5 + 0.1 = 4.8 km", and calculates the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network N2 between customer A and customer C as "0.2 + 1.8 + 2.5 + 0.1 = 4.6 km". Thus, when comparing by the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network N2, since the distance between customer A and customer C is shorter than the distance between customer A and customer B, the supply point specifying unit 113 preferentially specifies the location of customer C as the power supply point.

[0105] Such route information on the power transmission and distribution network N2 is obtained from a power company, a retail electricity business operator, etc., and stored in advance in the storage unit 12. The supply point specifying unit 113 refers to the route information on the power transmission and distribution network N2 stored in the storage unit 12, and calculates the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network N2 from each of the plurality of candidates to the power demand point. Then, the supply point specifying unit 113 specifies the power supply point from among the plurality of candidates based on the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network N2 calculated for each of the plurality of candidates.

[0106] The specific method for identifying the power supply point based on the distance of the route on the secondary power transmission and distribution network N2 is the same as the method for identifying the power supply point based on the straight-line distance described in Embodiment 1. Specifically, the supply point identification unit 113 identifies, among a plurality of candidates, a candidate whose route distance on the secondary power transmission and distribution network N2 satisfies the first criterion as the power supply point. And when there are two or more candidates that satisfy the first criterion, the supply point identification unit 113 identifies the power supply point from among the two or more candidates based on the second criterion.

[0107] As described above, the power management device 10 according to Embodiment 2 calculates, as an index value indicating the power loss amount due to power transmission and distribution, the distance of the route on the secondary power transmission and distribution network N2 from each of a plurality of candidates to the power demand point. Since the distance of the route on the secondary power transmission and distribution network N2 is closer to the actual power transmission distance than the simple straight-line distance, by using the distance of the route on the secondary power transmission and distribution network N2 as the index value, the power loss amount due to power transmission and distribution can be estimated more accurately.

[0108] (Embodiment 3) Next, Embodiment 3 will be described. The description of the same configurations and functions as those in Embodiments 1 and 2 will be omitted as appropriate.

[0109] In the above Embodiments 1 and 2, the supply point identification unit 113 calculated, for each of a plurality of candidates for the power supply point, an index value indicating the power loss amount lost due to power transmission and distribution when supplying power to the power demand point, and based on the calculated index value, identified the power supply point from among the plurality of candidates. In contrast, in Embodiment 3, the supply point identification unit 113 identifies the power supply point from among the plurality of candidates based on a second index value in addition to the index value described in Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0110] The second index value is an index value indicating the power loss amount lost due to power transmission and distribution when power is supplied from its power generation source to the current storage battery 3. For the purpose of distinguishing from the second index value, the index value used in Embodiments 1 and 2 is referred to as the first index value.

[0111] The power supply location specifying unit 113 calculates, as the second index value, the distance from the power generation source to each of the plurality of candidates for the power supply location. To do this, the power supply location specifying unit 113 refers to the item of "(a) Location of the power generation source" in the attribute information 122 and the item of "Location of the site" in the site management table 121 for each of the plurality of candidates, and calculates the distance between them. At this time, if there are a plurality of held power lists in the site management table 121 of any of the candidates, the power supply location specifying unit 113 refers to the item of "Location of the power generation source" in the attribute information 122 of the held power list with the highest priority among the plurality of held power lists. Note that the distance calculated as the second index value may be the straight-line distance described in Embodiment 1, or may be the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network N2 described in Embodiment 2.

[0112] The power supply location specifying unit 113 calculates the sum of the first index value and the second index value for each of the plurality of candidates. Then, the power supply location specifying unit 113 specifies the power supply location from among the plurality of candidates based on the sum calculated for each of the plurality of candidates. The specific method of specifying the power supply location based on the sum of the first index value and the second index value is the same as the method of specifying the power supply location based on the index value described in Embodiment 1. Specifically, the power supply location specifying unit 113 specifies, as the power supply location, a candidate among the plurality of candidates whose sum of the first index value and the second index value satisfies the first criterion. And when there are two or more candidates that satisfy the first criterion, the power supply location specifying unit 113 specifies the power supply location from among the two or more candidates based on the second criterion.

[0113] Figs. 13 and 14 show an example when the location of the consumer A is specified as the power demand location and the locations of the consumers B and C are selected as candidate locations that are candidates for the power supply location. In this case, the power supply location specifying unit 113 calculates the sum of the first index value and the second index value for each of the locations of the consumers B and C that are candidates for the power supply location. Then, the power supply location specifying unit 113 specifies the power supply location from among the locations of the consumers B and C based on the calculated sum.

[0114] In the example of Fig. 13, the power generation source of the power stored in the storage batteries 3 of the consumers B and C is a remote thermal power plant. In this case, the supply location specifying unit 113 calculates the sum of the distance of 3 km between the consumer A and the consumer B and the distance of 20 km between the consumer B and the thermal power plant as 23 km. Also, the supply location specifying unit 113 calculates the sum of the distance of 5 km between the consumer A and the consumer C and the distance of 15 km between the consumer C and the thermal power plant as 18 km. When comparing the calculated sums of the distances, since the distance for the consumer C is shorter than that for the consumer B, the supply location specifying unit 113 preferentially specifies the location of the consumer C as the power supply location.

[0115] In the example of Fig. 14, the consumer C has a solar power generation facility within its site, and the power generation source of the power stored in the storage battery 3 of the consumer C is the solar power generation facility. In this case, the distance between the consumer C and the solar power generation facility can be regarded as 0 km. Therefore, the supply location specifying unit 113 calculates the sum of the distance of 5 km between the consumer A and the consumer C and the distance of 0 km between the consumer C and the solar power plant as 5 km. On the other hand, the power generation source of the power stored in the storage battery 3 of the consumer B is a remote thermal power plant as in Fig. 13. Therefore, as in Fig. 13, the supply location specifying unit 113 calculates the sum of the distance of 3 km between the consumer A and the consumer B and the distance of 20 km between the consumer B and the thermal power plant as 23 km. When comparing the calculated sums of the distances, since the distance for the consumer C is shorter than that for the consumer B, the supply location specifying unit 113 preferentially specifies the location of the consumer C as the power supply location.

[0116] As described above, the power management device 10 according to the third embodiment specifies the power supply location based on, in addition to the first index value indicating the amount of lost power lost due to power transmission and distribution to the power demand location, the second index value indicating the amount of lost power lost due to power transmission and distribution from the power generation source. Thereby, considering the distance from the power generation source, it is possible to minimize the power transmission and distribution losses, and thus greater merits can be obtained from the viewpoints of environmental contribution, economic aspects, etc.

[0117] Note that in Embodiment 3, the supply point specifying unit 113 may use the value of "(e) Transmission and distribution loss" in the attribute information 122 as the second index value. Specifically, for each of the plurality of candidates for the power supply point, the supply point specifying unit 113 converts the amount of power of "(e) Transmission and distribution loss" in the attribute information 122 into distance, and calculates the sum of the converted distance and the distance which is the first index value. Alternatively, for each of the plurality of candidates for the power supply point, the supply point specifying unit 113 converts the distance which is the first index value into the amount of power, and calculates the sum of the converted amount of power and the amount of power of "(e) Transmission and distribution loss". Then, the supply point specifying unit 113 uses the calculated sum in the same manner as the sum of the first index value and the second index value described above to specify the power supply point from among the plurality of candidates. In this way, by using the value of "(e) Transmission and distribution loss", it is also possible to minimize the transmission and distribution loss in consideration of the distance from the power generation source, similar to the case of using "(a) Location of the power generation source".

[0118] (Modification example) As described above, the embodiments have been explained, but it is possible to combine the embodiments or appropriately modify or omit each embodiment.

[0119] For example, in the above embodiment, when there are two or more candidates whose calculated index value satisfies the first criterion, the supply point specifying unit 113 specifies the power supply point from among the two or more candidates based on "(c) Source of power". However, the supply point specifying unit 113 may specify, as the power supply point, the candidate in which "(a) Location of the power generation source" is closest to the power demand point among the two or more candidates. Alternatively, the supply point specifying unit 113 may specify, as the power supply point, the candidate in which "(e) Transmission and distribution loss" is the smallest among the two or more candidates. This also makes it possible to suppress the transmission and distribution loss and contribute to the environment, similar to the case based on "(c) Source of power". Further, the supply point specifying unit 113 may specify, as the power supply point, the candidate with the largest remaining charge amount among the two or more candidates.

[0120] In the above-described embodiment, the supply point specifying unit 113 calculated the straight-line distance or the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network N2 as an index value indicating the amount of power loss lost due to power transmission and distribution. However, as long as the supply point specifying unit 113 is a parameter capable of directly or indirectly estimating the amount of power loss lost due to power transmission and distribution, any parameter other than the distance may be used as the index value.

[0121] In the above-described embodiment, the functions of each of the information management unit 111, the demand point specifying unit 112, the supply point specifying unit 113, and the supply control unit 114 are not limited to being provided in one device, and the functions of each unit may be divided and exist in different devices independent of each other in the power management system 1. For example, the management terminal 5 of each consumer or the server of each retail electricity business operator may have a part of the functions of each unit. Further, the location management table 121 or the attribute information 122 is not limited to being stored in the power management device 10, and may be stored in the management terminal 5 of each consumer or the server of each retail electricity business operator.

[0122] In the above-described embodiment, in the control unit 11 of the power management device 10, the CPU executed the programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12, thereby functioning as each of the information management unit 111, the demand point specifying unit 112, the supply point specifying unit 113, and the supply control unit 114. However, the control unit 11 may be dedicated hardware. The dedicated hardware is, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. When the control unit 11 is dedicated hardware, the functions of each unit may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each unit may be realized by a single piece of hardware together.

[0123] Further, among the functions of each part, some may be realized by dedicated hardware, and some others may be realized by software or firmware. Thus, the control unit 11 can realize each of the above functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0124] By applying the program that defines the operation of the power management device 10 to an existing computer such as a personal computer or an information terminal device, it is also possible to make the computer function as the power management device 10.

[0125] Also, the distribution method of such a program is arbitrary. For example, it may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), or a memory card, or it may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0126] The present disclosure can be implemented in various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Also, the above-described embodiments are for explaining this disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the embodiments. And various modifications made within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the meaning of the disclosure equivalent thereto are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0127] Hereinafter, various aspects of the present disclosure will be summarized and described as appendices.

[0128] (Appendix 1) Supply point specifying means for calculating, for each of a plurality of candidates, an index value indicating the amount of power loss lost due to power transmission and distribution when supplying power to a power demand point, and specifying, based on the calculated index value, a power supply point that supplies power to the power demand point from among the plurality of candidates; Supply control means for supplying power from the power supply point specified by the supply point specifying means to the power demand point, Power management device. (Supplementary Note 2) The supply point specifying means calculates, as the index value, the distance from each of the plurality of candidates to the power demand point. The power management device according to Supplementary Note 1. (Supplementary Note 3) The supply point specifying means calculates, as the index value, the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network from each of the plurality of candidates to the power demand point. The power management device according to Supplementary Note 2. (Supplementary Note 4) When there are two or more candidates among the plurality of candidates whose index value satisfies a first criterion, the supply point specifying means specifies, as the power supply point, a candidate that satisfies a second criterion among the two or more candidates. The power management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3. (Supplementary Note 5) The supply point specifying means specifies the power supply point from among the two or more candidates based on the attribute information of the power held in each of the two or more candidates. The power management device according to Supplementary Note 4. (Supplementary Note 6) The supply point specifying means specifies the power supply point from among the two or more candidates based on the origin of the power held in each of the two or more candidates. The power management device according to Supplementary Note 5. (Supplementary Note 7) The supply point specifying means specifies, as the power supply point, a candidate among the two or more candidates whose origin of the power is renewable energy. The power management device according to Supplementary Note 6. (Supplementary Note 8) The supply location specifying means specifies the power supply location from among the plurality of candidates based on the index value calculated for each of the plurality of candidates and a second index value indicating the amount of power loss lost due to power transmission and distribution when power is supplied from a power generation source to each of the plurality of candidates. The power management device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) For each of the plurality of candidates, calculate an index value indicating the amount of power loss lost due to power transmission and distribution when supplying power to a power demand location, and based on the calculated index value, identify a power supply location for supplying power to the power demand location from among the plurality of candidates, the supply location specifying means; Supply control means for supplying power from the power supply location specified by the supply location specifying means to the power demand location. Power management system. (Appendix 10) For each of the plurality of candidates, calculate an index value indicating the amount of power loss lost due to power transmission and distribution when supplying power to a power demand location. Based on the calculated index value, identify a power supply location for supplying power to the power demand location from among the plurality of candidates. Supply power from the identified power supply location to the power demand location. Power management method. (Appendix 11) A computer For each of the plurality of candidates, calculate an index value indicating the amount of power loss lost due to power transmission and distribution when supplying power to a power demand location, and based on the calculated index value, identify a power supply location for supplying power to the power demand location from among the plurality of candidates, the supply location specifying means. Function as supply control means for supplying power from the power supply location specified by the supply location specifying means to the power demand location. Program.

Explanation of symbols

[0129] 1 Power management system, 3 Storage battery, 5 Management terminal, 10 Power management device, 11 Control unit, 12 Memory unit, 13 Communication unit, 111 Information management unit, 112 Demand location identification unit, 113 Supply location identification unit, 114 Supply control unit, 121 Location management table, 122 Attribute information, N1 Information communication network, N2 Power transmission and distribution network

Claims

1. For each of a plurality of candidates, calculate an index value indicating the amount of power loss incurred due to power transmission and distribution when supplying power to a power demand location, and based on the calculated index value, identify a power supply location for supplying power from among the plurality of candidates to the power demand location; a supply location identification means, Supply control means for supplying power from the power supply location identified by the supply location identification means to the power demand location; and A power management device.

2. The supply location identification means calculates, as the index value, the distance from each of the plurality of candidates to the power demand location. The power management device according to claim 1.

3. The supply location identification means calculates, as the index value, the distance of the route on the power transmission and distribution network from each of the plurality of candidates to the power demand location. The power management device according to claim 2.

4. When there are two or more candidates among the plurality of candidates whose index value satisfies a first criterion, the supply location identification means identifies, as the power supply location, a candidate that satisfies a second criterion among the two or more candidates. The power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The supply location identification means identifies the power supply location from among the two or more candidates based on the attribute information of the power held by each of the two or more candidates. The power management device according to claim 4.

6. The supply location identification means identifies the power supply location from among the two or more candidates based on the origin of the power held by each of the two or more candidates. The power management device according to claim 5.

7. The supply location identification means identifies, as the power supply location, a candidate among the two or more candidates whose origin of the power is renewable energy. The power management device according to claim 6.

8. The supply location identification means identifies the power supply location from among the plurality of candidates based on the index value calculated for each of the plurality of candidates and a second index value indicating the amount of power loss incurred due to power transmission and distribution when power is supplied from a power generation source to each of the plurality of candidates. The power management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. For each of a plurality of candidates, calculate an index value indicating the amount of power loss incurred due to power transmission and distribution when supplying power to a power demand point, and based on the calculated index value, identify a power supply point that supplies power from among the plurality of candidates to the power demand point, as supply point identification means; Supply control means for causing power to be supplied from the power supply point identified by the supply point identification means to the power demand point; A power management system.

10. For each of a plurality of candidates, calculate an index value indicating the amount of power loss incurred due to power transmission and distribution when supplying power to a power demand point; Based on the calculated index value, identify a power supply point that supplies power from among the plurality of candidates to the power demand point; Cause power to be supplied from the identified power supply point to the power demand point; A power management method.

11. A computer; For each of a plurality of candidates, calculate an index value indicating the amount of power loss incurred due to power transmission and distribution when supplying power to a power demand point, and based on the calculated index value, identify a power supply point that supplies power from among the plurality of candidates to the power demand point, as supply point identification means; Function as supply control means for causing power to be supplied from the power supply point identified by the supply point identification means to the power demand point; A program.

Images