Charging facility usage management system and charging facility usage management method

Abstract

To provide a charging facility usage management system and method that effectively utilize surplus power in the power system and adjust supply-demand balance while ensuring interests of a business operator that provides a charging facility and a user.SOLUTION: A charging facility usage management system 1 includes a plurality of charging facilities, a common server 100, and business operator devices 200 of a plurality of business operators that provide charging power. The common server acquires, from each of the business operator devices, a charge menu, which is information indicating a charging facility usage charge system that is set according to a mode of usage of the charging facility, presents a charge menu of the plurality of business operators to the user of the charging facility via the charging facility and receives selection of the charge menu from the user, notifies the business operator device of the business operator that has presented the received charge menu of the charge menu selected by the user, and acquires a usage history of the charging facility by the user to provide the usage history to the business operator device. The business operator device requests, on the basis of the charge menu selected by the user and the usage history, a charging facility usage charge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a charging facility usage management system and a charging facility usage management method. [Background technology]

[0002] With the recent spread of electric vehicles (EVs), it is expected that the need for inexpensive and convenient charging services not only at home but also on the go will become even more apparent in the future.

[0003] Regarding the provision of charging services, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an electric vehicle charging system configured for the purpose of charging electric vehicle batteries at lower electricity rates at consumer homes. The charging system acquires the details of the electricity rate menu contracted by the consumer home from a database that stores information including electricity rates by time period in the electricity rate menu contracted by the consumer home, and calculates the charging start time based on the details of the contract so that the electricity rate required for charging will be lower. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-118652 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In electric vehicle charging services, charging equipment from each operator is installed at the charging station, and each operator's charging management server, which communicates with the charging equipment, individually authenticates each pre-registered user. However, this type of operation poses issues such as reduced convenience for users and limited freedom of operator choice, and a high capital investment risk for operators, as they must install individual charging equipment.

[0006] On the other hand, with the spread of renewable energy power generation facilities (solar power generation facilities, wind power generation facilities, etc.), it is becoming more difficult to balance supply and demand in the power grid. In light of this situation, efforts are underway to develop a system that uses storage batteries installed in electric vehicles to make effective use of surplus electricity and adjust the supply and demand balance in the power grid.

[0007] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 describes that the details of the electricity rate contract subscribed to by the consumer's home are acquired, and the charging start time is calculated based on the details of the contract so that the electricity fee required for charging is reduced. However, the document does not disclose a mechanism for improving the convenience of users of the charging facility, making effective use of surplus electricity, or adjusting the supply and demand balance.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above background, and aims to provide a charging facility usage management system and a charging facility usage management method that are capable of effectively utilizing surplus power in the power grid and adjusting the supply and demand balance while ensuring the interests of businesses that provide charging facilities and users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One of the present inventions for achieving the above-mentioned object is a charging facility usage management system that includes charging facilities installed in a region, a common server that is an information processing device that is communicatively connected to the charging facilities, and operator devices that are information processing devices of each of a plurality of operators that are communicatively connected to the charging facilities and the common server and that provide a service of providing charging power via the charging facilities, wherein the common server obtains from each of the operator devices a rate menu that is information indicating a usage fee structure for the charging facilities that is set according to the usage mode of the charging facilities and presented by the operators, presents the rate menus of each of the plurality of operators to a user of the charging facilities via the charging facilities, accepts a selection of the rate menu from the user, notifies the operator device of the operator that presented the accepted rate menu of the rate menu selected by the user, obtains a usage history of the charging facilities by the user from the charging facilities and provides it to the operator device, and the operator device calculates a usage fee for the charging facilities for the user based on the rate menu selected by the user and the usage history.

[0010] Other problems and solutions disclosed in the present application will be made clear in the detailed description and drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively utilize surplus power in a power grid and adjust the supply and demand balance while ensuring the benefits of businesses that provide charging facilities and users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a charging facility usage management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main functions of a common server. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main functions of a business operator device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main functions of a supply and demand adjustment server. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main functions of the charging facility. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a charging facility usage management process. [Figure 7A] 10 is an example of a notification screen for raising DR implementation. [Figure 7B] 10 is an example of DR information. [Figure 7C] 10 is an example of a fee menu selection screen. [Figure 7D] 10 is an example of a price menu selection result. [Figure 7E] 10 is an example of a usage history. [Figure 8] 1 is an example of an information processing device constituting a charging facility usage management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the letter "S" before a reference numeral denotes a processing step.

[0014] In the following description, when there are multiple components having the same or similar functions, they may be described using the same reference numeral with different subscripts, or when there is no need to distinguish between these multiple components, the subscripts may be omitted.

[0015] 1 shows a schematic configuration of a charging facility usage management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the charging facility usage management system 1 includes a common server 100, a plurality of business operator devices 200, a plurality of charging facilities 400 connected to a power grid 3, and a user device 7.

[0016] The power system 3 includes power transmission and distribution facilities (power transmission lines, distribution lines, substation facilities, etc.) and various power generation facilities 6 (traditional power generation facilities such as thermal power generation facilities, and renewable energy power generation facilities (photovoltaic power generation facilities (PV) and wind power generation facilities, etc.)). The power system 3 may also include functions as a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) or a microgrid. The power system 3 is also provided with a supply and demand adjustment server 300 that manages information related to supply and demand adjustment in the power system 3.

[0017] The common server 100, the business operator device 200, the charging facility 400, and the supply and demand adjustment server 300 are all configured using information processing devices (computers), and are connected to each other via a communication network 5 so that they can communicate with each other bidirectionally. The communication network 5 is a communication infrastructure that realizes wired or wireless communication, and is realized by, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a wireless LAN, a power line communication network, various public communication networks, a dedicated line, or the like.

[0018] The supply and demand adjustment server 300 is operated, for example, by an operator (such as an aggregator) of the power system 3. The supply and demand adjustment server 300 acquires the real-time supply amount of power from each power generation facility connected to the power system 3 and the real-time power usage amount based on measurements from smart meters or the like installed in consumers connected to the power system 3, and adjusts the supply and demand balance of the power system 3 (load leveling, absorbing an excess supply of renewable energy, supplying necessary power during a power shortage, etc.) based on the acquired supply and usage amounts. The supply and demand adjustment server 300 also attempts to adjust the supply and demand balance of power in the power system 3 by issuing an adjustment command for the supply and demand balance in the power system 3 (hereinafter referred to as "DR" (Demand Response)) to consumers (in this embodiment, operators of the common server 100, the business operator device 200, the charging facility 400, etc.) (for example, by calling on consumers to participate in DR).

[0019] The charging equipment 400 is electric vehicle supply equipment, and charges a storage battery mounted on a vehicle 4 (EV (Electric Vehicle)), which is an electric vehicle, with power supplied from the power grid 3. The charging equipment 400 is provided, for example, in various locations in an area where the power grid 3 is deployed. The charging equipment 400 includes charging equipment (permanent location) 400a provided at a permanent location of the vehicle 4 (such as a parking lot of an organization such as a company, or a parking lot at home), and charging equipment (away location) 400b provided at a charging station or the like at a destination (away location) of the vehicle 4. The charging equipment 400 controls the supply of charging power to the vehicle 4 (hereinafter referred to as "charging control") in accordance with control instructions sent from the common server 100 and the business operator device 200.

[0020] The charging facility 400 generates information related to the usage history of the charging facility 400 (hereinafter referred to as "usage history information") and provides (transmits) the generated usage history information to the common server 100 and the business operator device 200. The usage history information includes information used to calculate the usage fee for the charging facility 400 of the user, such as identification information of the user of the charging facility 400 (hereinafter referred to as "user ID"), identification information of the charging facility 400 used by the user (hereinafter referred to as "charging facility ID"), the amount of power required for charging, the time required for charging, the time period during which charging was performed, etc.

[0021] The charging facility 400 acquires information about the user (hereinafter referred to as "user information") and information about the object to be charged (vehicle 4 or storage battery installed in vehicle 4) (such as the model of vehicle 4, the manufacturer of vehicle 4, the manufacturer of the storage battery, and the specifications of the storage battery; hereinafter referred to as "charging object information"), and provides (transmits) the acquired user information and charging object information to the common server 100 and the business operator device 200. The charging facility 400 performs authentication processing when a user uses the charging facility 400.

[0022] The user device 7 is an information processing device operated by a user of the charging facility 400, and is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, or the like. The user operates the user device 7 to input authentication information to the charging facility 400. Note that the user may also operate the charging facility 400 directly to input the authentication information.

[0023] The business operator device 200 is operated, for example, by a business operator (e.g., an electric power company, an aggregator, a charging station operator, or an electric vehicle manufacturer) that provides a service of providing charging power via the charging facility 400. The business operator device 200 of each business operator manages a price menu to be presented to a user when the user uses the charging facility 400. The business operator device 200 transmits the price menu created by the business operator to the common server 100.

[0024] The fee menus created by each operator include those that calculate the fee according to the amount of electricity (kWh) provided to the user via the charging equipment 400, those that calculate the fee according to the charging time (h), those that vary depending on the time of day the charging equipment 400 is used, those that offer lower (discounted) usage fees depending on the communication service (mobile phone, internet, etc.) to which the user subscribes (contracts), those that offer lower (discounted) usage fees depending on the manufacturer of the vehicle 4 to be charged, and those that offer lower (discounted) usage fees the lower the carbon dioxide emissions (CO2 emissions) of the vehicle 4 to be charged.

[0025] The rate menus created by each business operator also include a rate menu in which the usage fee is reduced (discounted) when the user uses the charging facility 400 in a manner that is expected to reduce surplus power (for example, surplus power generated by a renewable energy power generation facility) in the power grid 3 that provides charging power, or to adjust the supply-demand balance, such as when the user participates in DR (Demand Response) (upward DR, downward DR). Such rate menus also include a rate menu in which the usage fee is set lower, for example, the higher the contribution of the user's usage of the charging facility 400 to DR. The contribution is set lower, for example, the longer the overlap between the time period specified in the DR and the time period during which the user uses the charging facility to charge. When a user selects such a rate menu and uses the charging facility 400 in a manner consistent with the selected rate menu, the reduction of surplus power in the power grid 3 and the adjustment of the supply-demand balance are achieved.

[0026] The common server 100 is operated, for example, by a business operator (such as an organization that oversees multiple businesses, a power company, or an aggregator) that provides charging power through the charging facility 400. The common server 100 receives rate menus sent from the business operator device 200 of each business operator and presents the received rate menu to a user, for example, via the charging facility 400, in a selectable state. The common server 100 also transmits the rate menu selected by the user to the business operator device 200 of the business operator that provided (created) the rate menu selected by the user. The business operator device 200 calculates the user's usage fee for the charging facility 400 based on the rate menu selected by the user.

[0027] 2 is a block diagram illustrating the main functions of common server 100. As shown in the figure, common server 100 includes a storage unit 110, a carrier rate menu receiving unit 120, a rate menu selection screen presenting unit 125, a rate menu selection accepting unit 130, and a carrier-device cooperation processing unit 135.

[0028] Of the above functions, the storage unit 110 stores information such as a rate menu for each operator 111, a rate menu selection result 112, and link information 113.

[0029] The per-enterprise fee menu 111 is a fee menu that is created or edited by each operator and sent from the operator device 200 of each party.

[0030] The price menu selection result 112 includes information indicating which price menu was selected from the price menus of each operator presented to the user by the price menu selection screen presentation unit 125 (hereinafter referred to as the "price menu selection result").

[0031] Of the above functions, the operator rate menu receiving unit 120 receives rate menus sent from the operator device 200 of each operator, and manages the received rate menus in the storage unit 110 as an operator-specific rate menu 111 .

[0032] The rate menu selection screen presentation unit 125 presents the rate menu of each business operator in a selectable state to the user via the charging facility 400. For example, the rate menu selection screen presentation unit 125 generates a web page in which the rate menu of each business operator is displayed in a selectable state and transmits the web page to the charging facility 400, thereby presenting the rate menu of each business operator in a selectable state to the user via the charging facility 400.

[0033] The price menu selection receiving unit 130 receives a price menu selection from the user, and manages information specifying the received price menu as a price menu selection result 112 in the storage unit 110 .

[0034] The business operator-device cooperation processing unit 135 generates information (hereinafter referred to as "cooperation information") necessary for the business operator device 200 to provide charging power to the user of the charging facility 400, such as information indicating the rate menu selected by the user and information related to the charging facility 400 for which the user selected the rate menu. The business operator-device cooperation processing unit 135 manages the generated cooperation information as cooperation information 114, and transmits it to the business operator device 200 of the business operator that provided the rate menu selected by the user.

[0035] 3 is a block diagram illustrating the main functions of the business operator device 200. As shown in the figure, the business operator device 200 includes the following functions: a storage unit 210, a user authentication processing unit 220, a DR information management unit 225, a fee menu editing unit 230, a fee menu transmission unit 235, a common server cooperation processing unit 240, a charging control unit 245, a usage history acquisition unit 250, and a usage fee management unit 255.

[0036] Of the above functions, the storage unit 210 stores the following information: user information 211, DR information 212, fee menu 213, cooperation information 214, usage history 215, and usage fee for each user 216.

[0037] Of these, user information 211 includes the user information described above, such as information used to authenticate a user who intends to use charging facility 400 (e.g., user ID, password, biometric information (fingerprint, face, etc.), user name, address, information regarding payment of the usage fee for charging facility 400, etc.).

[0038] The DR information 212 includes information about DR sent from the supply and demand adjustment server 300 (for example, information about DR implementation plans and invitations to participate, hereinafter referred to as "DR information"), the user IDs of users who have expressed their intention to participate in DR, etc.

[0039] The fee menu 213 is a fee menu 213 edited by the fee menu editing unit 230.

[0040] The cooperation information 214 is the above-mentioned cooperation information that the common server cooperation processing unit 240 receives from the common server 100 .

[0041] The usage history 215 is the actual usage of the charging facility 400 by the user (charge amount, charging time, charging time zone, etc., hereinafter referred to as "usage history") acquired by the usage history acquisition unit 250 from the charging facility 400.

[0042] The per-user usage fee 216 is the usage fee for the charging facility 400 for each user, which is calculated by the usage fee management unit 255 based on the rate menu selected by the user and the usage history of the user.

[0043] Among the above functions, the user authentication processing unit 220 authenticates the user of the charging facility 400. The user authentication processing unit 220 performs the above authentication by, for example, comparing authentication information (e.g., user ID, password, biometric information) acquired via the charging facility 400 with the user information 211.

[0044] The DR information management unit 225 acquires DR information from the supply and demand adjustment server 300 and manages the acquired DR information as DR information 212 in the storage unit 210 .

[0045] The fee menu editing unit 230 edits the fee menu and manages the edited fee menu in the storage unit 210 as the fee menu 213. The fee menu editing unit 230 edits the fee menu, for example, through interactive processing with the user, and the user edits the fee menu while referring to the DR information 212, for example.

[0046] The fee menu transmission unit 235 transmits the fee menu edited by the fee menu editing unit 230 to the common server 100.

[0047] The common server cooperation processing unit 240 receives cooperation information from the common server 100 and manages the received cooperation information as cooperation information 214 in the storage unit 210 .

[0048] The charging control unit 245 communicates with the charging facility 400 and controls (supplies, stops, etc.) the supply of charging power to the vehicle 4 by the charging facility 400. Furthermore, when a user is participating in an "increased driving demand," the charging control unit 245 restricts the provision of charging power to the user. For example, the charging control unit 245 restricts charging outside the time period designated for the "increased driving demand" in which the user plans to participate (for example, charging using the charging facility (regular location) 400a at home on the day before the "increased driving demand" is implemented).

[0049] The usage history acquisition unit 250 receives the usage history of the user from the charging facility 400 and manages the received usage history as the usage history 215 in the storage unit 210 .

[0050] The usage fee management unit 255 calculates the usage fee for the charging facility 400 for the user based on at least one of the DR information 212, the usage history 215, the linkage information 214, and the fee menu 213, and manages the calculated usage fee as per-user usage fee 216 in the storage unit 210. The usage fee management unit 255 provides (transmits) the per-user usage fee 216 to, for example, a system of a financial institution that settles the usage fee.

[0051] 4 is a block diagram illustrating the main functions of the supply and demand adjustment server 300. As shown in the figure, the supply and demand adjustment server 300 has the functions of a storage unit 310 and a supply and demand balance adjustment unit 325.

[0052] Of the above functions, the storage unit 110 stores power supply and demand status information 311. The power supply and demand status information 311 includes, for example, time series information on the amount of power supplied from various power generation facilities connected to the power grid 3, and time series information on the amount of power used based on measurement values ​​sent from smart meters of consumers.

[0053] The supply and demand balance adjustment unit 325 determines whether or not adjustment of the supply and demand balance is necessary based on the power supply and demand status information 311. When it is determined that adjustment of the supply and demand balance is necessary, the supply and demand balance adjustment unit 325, for example, plans a method for adjusting the supply and demand balance (a control method) based on the power supply and demand status information 311, generates an adjustment command (for example, a DR command) based on the planned adjustment method, and notifies the consumer (such as a user of the charging facility 400 or a business operator that operates the charging facility 400).

[0054] 5 is a block diagram illustrating the main functions of the charging facility 400. As shown in the figure, the charging facility 400 has the following functions: a storage unit 410, an information transmitting / receiving unit 420, an information presenting unit 425, an information accepting unit 430, a charging control instruction receiving unit 435, a charging control unit 440, a usage history acquiring unit 445, and a usage history transmitting unit 450.

[0055] Of the above functions, the storage unit 410 stores the following information: received information 411, accepted information 412, charge control instruction 413, and usage history 414.

[0056] Of these, the received information 411 is various information (hereinafter referred to as "received information") that the information transmission / reception unit 420 receives from the common server 100 and the business operator device 200, and is, for example, information on a screen (e.g., a web page) for presenting each business operator's fee menu to the user.

[0057] The reception information 412 is various information (hereinafter referred to as "reception information") received by the information transmitting / receiving unit 420 from the user, and is, for example, information specifying the price menu selected by the user.

[0058] The charging control instruction 413 is information sent from the common server 100 or the business operator device 200, and is information relating to an instruction to control the supply of charging power to the vehicle 4 (hereinafter referred to as a "charging control instruction").

[0059] The usage history 414 includes information indicating the usage history of the charging facility 400 by the user.

[0060] Of the above functions, the information transmitting / receiving unit 420 performs processing related to the transmission and reception of information between the common server 100 and the business operator device 200. For example, the information transmitting / receiving unit 420 receives reception information from the common server 100 and manages the received reception information in the storage unit 410 as reception information 411. Also, for example, the information transmitting / receiving unit 420 transmits reception information to the common server 100.

[0061] The information presentation unit 425 displays (for example, by a Web browser) information based on the received information 411 (for example, a fee menu or a fee menu selection screen) and presents it to the user.

[0062] The information receiving unit 430 receives reception information from the user and manages it as reception information 412 .

[0063] The charge control instruction receiving unit 435 receives a charge control instruction sent from the business operator device 200 and manages the received charge control instruction in the storage unit 410 as a charge control instruction 413 .

[0064] The charging control unit 440 controls the supply of charging power to the vehicle 4 (charging control) in accordance with a charging control instruction sent from the business operator device 200. For example, when a user participates in an "increased DR," the charging control unit 440 permits the supply of charging power to the vehicle 4 during the time period specified in the "increased DR," and stops the supply of charging power to the vehicle 4 outside the time period.

[0065] The usage history acquisition unit 445 acquires the usage history of the user of the charging facility 400 and manages the acquired usage history as the usage history 414 in the storage unit 410 .

[0066] The usage history transmission unit 450 transmits the acquired usage history to the business operator device 200.

[0067] 6 is an inter-device cooperation flow diagram (system flow diagram) that explains the processing (hereinafter referred to as "charging facility usage management processing S600") that is performed in the charging facility usage management system 1 when a user uses the charging facility 400 to charge the vehicle 4. The charging facility usage management processing S600 will be explained below with reference to this diagram.

[0068] The charging equipment usage management process S600 includes processing performed before the day when the user plans to use the charging equipment (destination) 400b while away from home (hereinafter referred to as the "planned usage date"), and processing performed on the day of the planned usage date.

[0069] It is assumed that when the charging equipment usage management process S600 is performed, the business operator device 200 has received a notification from the supply and demand adjustment server 300 on or before the day before the scheduled usage date that an "upward DR" will be implemented (a notification (implementation plan for "upward DR") that an "upward DR" will be implemented in the power system 3 during a specified time period on the scheduled usage date (hereinafter referred to as the "DR time period")).

[0070] First, the process performed on the day before the scheduled use date will be described.

[0071] As shown in the figure, the business operator device 200 confirms with the user (prospective user) of the charging facility 400 whether or not he / she wishes to participate (declares) in the "Raised DR" to be implemented on the planned use date on or before the previous day (S611-S612), and manages (stores) the confirmation result (information indicating whether or not to participate in the "Raised DR") as DR information 212 in association with the user's identification information (hereinafter referred to as "user ID") (S613). The confirmation may be performed, for example, by communication between the business operator device 200 and the user device 7, or may be performed via the charging facility (permanent parking location) 400a. The user declares his / her participation in the "Raised DR" by, for example, using an application running on the user device 7.

[0072] 7A shows an example of a screen (hereinafter referred to as a "raised DR participation surface screen 710") that the charging facility (permanent location) 400a or the user device 7 presents to the user during the above confirmation. As shown in the figure, the illustrated raised DR participation surface screen 710 has a display field 711 for the DR management number, a display field 712 for the scheduled DR implementation date, a display field 713 for the scheduled implementation time period, a display field 714 for the user ID, a participation surface setting field 715, and a send button 716. When the user selects participation or non-participation in the participation surface setting field 715 and operates the send button 716, the business operator device 200 is notified of the user's selection.

[0073] 7B shows an example of the DR information 212. As shown in the figure, the illustrated DR information 212 is made up of one or more records having the following items: a DR management number 2121, a planned implementation date 2122, a planned implementation time period 2123, and an attendance itinerary (user ID) 2124.

[0074] 6, next, the business operator device 200 restricts the user's use of the charging facility 400a (regular location) on the day before the scheduled use date, for example, to encourage the user to use the charging facility 400 away from home during the time period specified in the "upward DR" on the scheduled use date (S614-S615). The manner of this restriction is not necessarily limited, but examples include preventing the supply of charging power, or supplying only the amount of power until the storage battery reaches a predetermined SOC (State Of Charge), etc.

[0075] Next, the process performed on the scheduled date of use will be described.

[0076] On the day of the planned use, the user drives vehicle 4 to a charging station or the like where charging facility (destination) 400b is installed and starts using charging facility (destination) 400b (for example, the user inputs the desired amount of charge and desired charging time into charging facility 400 and attaches the charging connector (charging plug) to vehicle 4). When this occurs, a price menu selection screen is transmitted from common server 100 to charging facility (destination) 400b (S621), and the common server 100 accepts the selection of a price menu from the user via charging facility (destination) 400b (S622). Then, common server 100 manages the accepted result as price menu selection result 112 in storage unit 110 (S623-S624).

[0077] FIG. 7C shows an example of a price menu selection screen (hereinafter referred to as "price menu selection screen 720"). As shown in the figure, the illustrated price menu selection screen 720 displays price menus 721 of each business operator. The user can select a price menu by operating a selection button 722 provided on the price menu of each business operator. Note that the price menu selection screen 720 may also display additional information, such as how the price menu of each business operator changes when the desired charging amount or desired charging time is modified.

[0078] 7D shows an example of the rate menu selection result 112. As shown in the drawing, the rate menu selection result 112 shown is made up of records having items such as a rate menu ID 1121, which is identification information of the rate menu, a business operator ID 1122, a user ID 1123, and a charging facility ID 1124.

[0079] 6, upon receiving the above notification, the common server 100 generates association information and transmits the generated association information to the business operator device 200 of the business operator that edited the rate menu selected by the user (S625). The association information includes, for example, the content of the rate menu selection result 112.

[0080] When the business operator device 200 receives the link information (S626), it performs authentication processing of the user via the user device 7 (S631 to S634). The business operator device 200 performs authentication by comparing the authentication information input by the user with the user information 211.

[0081] If the authentication is successful, the business operator device 200 transmits a control instruction to the charging facility (away) 400b (S635), and the charging facility (away) 400b starts providing charging power to the vehicle 4 (S636).

[0082] When charging of the vehicle 4 is completed (the SOC of the storage battery of the vehicle 4 reaches a predetermined SOC), the charging facility (away) 400b stops supplying charging power to the vehicle 4.

[0083] Next, the business operator device 200 acquires a usage history from the charging facility (away) 400b, and manages the acquired usage history as the usage history 215 in the storage unit 410 (S637 to S638).

[0084] 7E shows an example of the usage history 215. As shown in the drawing, the illustrated usage history 215 is made up of one or more records each having the following items: a user ID 2151, a charging facility ID 2152, a usage period 2153, and an amount of power used 2154.

[0085] Returning to FIG. 6, next, the business operator device 200 calculates the usage fee for the user's charging facility 400 based on the usage history 414, bills the user for the calculated usage fee via a settlement institution such as a financial institution, and performs processing for settling the usage fee for the user's charging facility 400 (S640 to S641).

[0086] <Example of information processing device> FIG. 8 shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device used to realize the common server 100, the business operator device 200, the charging facility 400, and the user device 7. As shown in FIG.

[0087] The illustrated information processing device 10 includes a processor 11, a main memory device 12, an auxiliary memory device 13, an input device 14, an output device 15, and a communication device 16. Specific examples of the information processing device 10 include personal computers, office computers, various common servers, general-purpose machines, etc. All or part of the information processing device 10 may be realized using virtual information processing resources provided using virtualization technology, such as a virtual server provided by a cloud system.

[0088] The common server 100 and the business operator device 200 may be realized using a plurality of information processing devices 10 that are communicably connected. The charging facility 400 may be compatible with a plurality of types of charging connectors with different specifications.

[0089] In the same figure, the processor 11 is configured using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an AI (Artificial Intelligence) chip, etc.

[0090] The main memory device 12 is a device that stores programs and data, and is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a non-volatile memory (NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM)).

[0091] The auxiliary storage device 13 is, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk drive, an optical storage device (CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.), a storage system, a reading / writing device for a recording medium such as an IC card, an SD card, or an optical recording medium, a storage area of ​​a cloud server, etc. Programs and data can be read into the auxiliary storage device 13 via a recording medium reading device or a communication device 16. The programs and data stored (memorized) in the auxiliary storage device 13 are read into the main storage device 12 as needed.

[0092] The input device 14 is an interface that accepts input from the outside, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a card reader, a pen-input tablet, a voice input device, or the like.

[0093] The output device 15 is an interface that outputs various information such as the progress of processing and the results of processing. The output device 15 is, for example, a display device (LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), graphic card, etc.) that visualizes the various information, a device that converts the various information into audio (audio output device (speaker, etc.)), or a device that converts the various information into text (printer, etc.). Note that, for example, the information processing device 10 may be configured to input and output information to and from other devices via the communication device 16.

[0094] The input device 14 and the output device 15 constitute a user interface that receives information from the user and presents information to the user.

[0095] The communication device 16 is a device that realizes communication (wired communication or wireless communication) with other devices via a communication infrastructure such as a communication network 5, and is configured using, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), a wireless communication module, a USB module, etc.

[0096] The information processing device 10 may be equipped with, for example, an operating system, a file system, a DBMS (DataBase Management System) (relational database, NoSQL, etc.), a KVS (Key-Value Store), etc.

[0097] The functions of the common server 100, the business operator device 200, the charging facility 400, and the user device 7 are realized by the processor 11 of the information processing device 10 reading and executing a program stored in the main memory device 12, or by the functions of the hardware (FPGA, ASIC, AI chip, etc.) that constitutes them. The common server 100, the business operator device 200, the charging facility 400, and the user device 7 store the various pieces of information (data) described above, for example, as database tables or files managed by a file system.

[0098] <Technical effects, etc.> As described above, in the charging facility usage management system 1 of this embodiment, the common server 100 acquires price menus sent from the business operator device 200 of each business operator, presents the acquired price menus of each business operator to users via the charging facility 400, and accepts selection of a price menu from the user. This eliminates the need for each business operator to individually manage the charging facility 400, thereby reducing capital investment risk and the operational load of the charging facility 400. Furthermore, each business operator can provide users with distinctive services that are different from those of other businesses, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the businesses. Furthermore, users can compare price menus presented by multiple businesses and select a price menu that suits their needs, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in selecting a usage mode for the charging facility 400.

[0099] In addition, the operator device 200 calculates the usage fee for the charging facility 400 for the user according to the extent to which the user has used the charging facility 400 in accordance with the usage pattern of the rate menu selected by the user (such as the degree of overlap between the time period in which the user used the charging facility 400 and the time period for the "upward DR"), and therefore, for example, can encourage the user to use the charging facility 400 in accordance with the usage pattern of the rate menu selected by the user.

[0100] Furthermore, the operator can set the fee menu so that the usage fee becomes cheaper (discounted) when the user uses the charging equipment 400 in a manner that is expected to reduce surplus power in the power grid 3 and adjust the supply and demand balance of the power grid 3, thereby encouraging users to use the charging equipment 400 in a manner that is expected to reduce surplus power in the power grid 3 and adjust the supply and demand balance of the power grid 3.

[0101] Furthermore, by using the charging equipment 400 in the manner described above, users can use the charging equipment 400 inexpensively, while businesses can enjoy profits by purchasing electricity during times when the market price is low (when surplus electricity is more likely to occur), for example.

[0102] In addition, the incentive for users to charge at charging facility (away location) 400b when they are out (for example, an incentive to refrain from charging at charging facility (permanent location) 400a at home at night as much as possible and to charge at a location away from home during the day the next day) can be increased, which can reduce surplus power in power system 3 and adjust the supply and demand balance of power system 3.

[0103] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the above description is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. For example, the above embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace some of the configurations of the above embodiments with other configurations.

[0104] For example, common server 100 may present the user with the optimal rate menu determined by automatically comparing the rate menus of each operator based on the user's attribute information (charging needs of vehicle 4 (charge amount, charging time), manufacturer of user's vehicle 4, user's charging history, communication services subscribed (contracted) by the user (mobile phone, internet, etc.)). In this case, for example, common server 100 selects the optimal rate menu for the user using a machine learning model that has learned information indicating the correspondence between each user's attribute information and the rate menu selected by each user as learning data (teaching data). [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 Charging facility usage management system, 3 Power system, 4 Vehicle, 6 Power generation facility, 7 User device, 100 Common server, 110 Memory unit, 111 Rate menu for each business operator, 112 Rate menu selection result, 113 Linkage information, 120 Business operator rate menu receiving unit, 125 Rate menu selection screen presentation unit, 130 Rate menu selection reception unit, 135 Business operator device linkage processing unit, 200 Business operator device, 210 Memory unit, 211 User information, 212 DR information, 213 Rate menu, 214 Linkage information, 215 Usage history, 216 Usage fee for each user, 220 User authentication processing unit, 225 DR information management unit, 230 Rate menu editing unit, 235 Rate menu transmission unit, 240 Common server linkage processing unit, 245 Charging control unit, 250 Usage history acquisition unit, 255 Usage fee management unit, 300 Supply and demand adjustment server, 310 Memory unit, 311: Power supply and demand status information, 325: Supply and demand balance adjustment unit, 400: Charging equipment, 410: Memory unit, 411: Received information, 412: Accepted information, 413: Charging control instruction, 414: Usage history, 420: Information transmitting and receiving unit, 425: Information presentation unit, 430: Information acceptance unit, 435: Charging control instruction receiving unit, 440: Charging control unit, 445: Usage history acquisition unit, 450: Usage history transmission unit, S600: Charging equipment usage management processing

Claims

1. Charging facilities will be installed in the area, a common server that is an information processing device communicably connected to the charging facility; business operators' devices that are communicatively connected to the charging facility and the common server and that are information processing devices of a plurality of businesses that provide a service of providing charging power via the charging facility; Including, The common server acquiring, from each of the business operator devices, a fee menu which is information indicating a usage fee system for the charging facility set according to a usage mode of the charging facility and presented by the business operator; presenting the rate menus of the plurality of businesses to a user of the charging facility via the charging facility; Accepting a selection of the fee menu from the user; notifying the business operator device of the business operator that presented the accepted price menu of the price menu selected by the user; acquiring a usage history of the charging facility by the user from the charging facility and providing the usage history to the business operator device; The business operator device calculating a usage fee for the charging facility for the user based on the rate menu selected by the user and the usage history; Charging equipment usage management system.

2. The charging facility utilization management system according to claim 1, The business operator device comparing the fee menu selected by the user with the usage history of the user; calculating a usage fee for the charging facility of the user in accordance with the degree to which the user has used the charging facility in accordance with the usage mode of the fee menu; Charging equipment usage management system.

3. The charging facility utilization management system according to claim 2, The rate menu is set so that the usage fee is lower when the user uses the charging facility in a usage manner that can be expected to have an effect of reducing surplus power in the power grid that provides the charging power or in a usage manner that can be expected to have an effect of adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power grid. Charging equipment usage management system.

4. The charging facility utilization management system according to claim 3, The rate menu is set so that the usage fee becomes cheaper as the user's usage mode of the charging facility contributes more to the demand response performed in the power grid. Charging equipment usage management system.

5. The charging facility utilization management system according to claim 4, The contribution level is set so that the longer the overlap between the time period specified in the demand response and the time period in which the user charges using the charging facility, the lower the usage fee. Charging equipment usage management system.

6. Charging facilities will be installed in the area, a common server that is an information processing device communicably connected to the charging facility; business operators' devices that are communicatively connected to the charging facility and the common server and that are information processing devices of a plurality of businesses that provide a service of providing charging power via the charging facility; In a charging facility usage management system comprising: The common server: acquiring, from each of the business operator devices, a fee menu which is information indicating a fee system for use of the charging facility set according to a usage mode of the charging facility and presented by the business operator; presenting the rate menus of the plurality of businesses to a user of the charging facility via the charging facility; a step of accepting a selection of the fee menu from the user; a step of notifying the business operator device of the business operator that presented the accepted price menu of the price menu selected by the user; and acquiring a usage history of the charging facility by the user from the charging facility and providing the usage history to the business operator device; Run The business operator device, calculating a usage fee for the charging facility of the user based on the rate menu selected by the user and the usage history; To execute Charging equipment usage management method.

7. The charging facility utilization management method according to claim 6, The business operator device, A step of comparing the fee menu selected by the user with the usage history of the user; and calculating a usage fee for the charging facility of the user in accordance with the degree to which the user has used the charging facility in accordance with the usage mode of the fee menu; The charging facility utilization management method further executes the above.

8. The charging facility utilization management method according to claim 7, The rate menu is set so that the usage fee is lower when the user uses the charging facility in a usage manner that can be expected to have an effect of reducing surplus power in the power grid that provides the charging power or in a usage manner that can be expected to have an effect of adjusting the supply and demand balance of the power grid. Charging equipment usage management method.

9. The charging facility utilization management method according to claim 8, The rate menu is set so that the usage fee becomes cheaper as the user's usage mode of the charging facility contributes more to the demand response performed in the power grid. Charging equipment usage management method.

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