Processing device, processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a processing device and the like capable of appropriately estimating an electricity rate.SOLUTION: A processing device (control device 50) includes: a commercial power amount acquisition section (communication section 51) that acquires a first power amount of commercial power supplied from a system power supply 120; a generated power amount acquisition section (communication section 51) that acquires a second power amount of generated power generated in a photovoltaic power generation facility; an EV charging power acquisition section (communication section 51) that acquires a third power amount of EV charging power required for charging an electric vehicle; a storage section 52 that stores a power purchase unit price associated with power supply from the system power supply 120 and a power selling unit price associated with power supply to the system power supply 120; an EV electricity rate estimation section 57 that estimates an electricity rate required for charging the electric vehicle on the basis of the first power amount, the second power amount, the third power amount, and the power purchase unit price, and the power selling unit price; and an output section that outputs presentation information for presenting an estimated result to a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a program for processing information related to charging an electric vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, systems have been developed that supply energy from a residential power source to the secondary battery of an electric vehicle (EV). Patent Document 1 discloses a residential power supply system that supplies energy from the EV back to the home in an emergency, enabling the use of residential electrical equipment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-178234 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there are cases where the power required to charge an electric vehicle is a combination of power supplied from a grid power supply and power generated by a solar power generation facility. In such cases, it may not be possible to properly estimate the electricity fee required for the power used to charge the electric vehicle (EV charging power).

[0005] The present invention provides a processing device and the like that can appropriately estimate electricity charges related to charging an electric vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a commercial power amount acquisition unit that acquires a first amount of commercial power supplied from a grid power source, a generated power amount acquisition unit that acquires a second amount of power generated by a solar power generation facility, an EV charging power acquisition unit that acquires a third amount of EV charging power required to charge an electric vehicle, a memory unit that stores a power purchase price associated with power supply from the grid power source and a power sale price associated with power supply to the grid power source, an EV electricity fee estimation unit that estimates an electricity fee required to charge the electric vehicle based on the first amount of power, the second amount of power, the third amount of power, the power purchase price, and the power sale price, and an output unit that outputs presentation information to present the estimation result to a user.

[0007] A processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is a processing method executed by a computer, and includes the steps of: acquiring a first amount of power of commercial power supplied from a grid power source; acquiring a second amount of power generated by a solar power generation facility; acquiring a third amount of power of EV charging power required to charge an electric vehicle; reading out the power purchase price and the power sale price from a memory unit that stores the power purchase price associated with power supply from the grid power source and the power sale price associated with power supply to the grid power source; estimating the electricity fee required to charge the electric vehicle based on the first amount of power, the second amount of power, the third amount of power, the power purchase price, and the power sale price; and outputting presentation information to present the estimation result to a user.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the processing method described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately estimate the electricity fee associated with charging an electric vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a charging system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram relating to the estimation of electricity charges for charging an electric vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a presentation of the estimated electricity charges for charging an electric vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim that represents a superordinate concept will be described as optional components.

[0012] It should be noted that the drawings are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily strict illustrations. In addition, in the drawings, substantially the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0013] (Embodiment) [Charging system configuration] First, the configuration of the charging system according to the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the charging system according to the embodiment.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the charging system 100 includes a solar power generation facility 10, a power conditioner 20, a distribution board 40, a control device 50, an electric vehicle 60, a router 70, a weather forecast information distribution server 80, and an electricity unit price management server 90. Fig. 1 also shows a grid power supply 120 and the Internet 130. Each of the components included in the charging system 100, except for the weather forecast information distribution server 80 and the electricity unit price management server 90, is provided in a facility 110. The facility 110 is an example of a consumer (dwelling unit).

[0015] The solar power generation facility 10 is installed on the roof of a facility 110 or the like, and generates electricity by converting sunlight into electricity. Specifically, the solar power generation facility 10 is realized by a solar cell module including a PV (PhotoVoltaic) panel.

[0016] The power conditioner 20 is a power conversion device for using the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 within the facility 110. Specifically, the power conditioner 20 can use the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 as EV charging power for charging the electric vehicle 60 via the charger 61, or can use the power as self-consumption power consumed by the consumer in addition to EV charging power via the distribution board 40. The power conditioner 20 can also supply the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 to the grid power supply 120. In other words, the solar power generation facility 10 can sell the generated power. Specifically, the power conditioner 20 is realized by an inverter circuit or the like.

[0017] The distribution board 40 is a device that distributes power supplied from the grid power supply 120 or the power conditioner 20. Specifically, the distribution board 40 distributes power to a plurality of branch circuits branching off from a main line 41. Electrical equipment (electrical equipment not shown, excluding the charger 61 for the electric vehicle 60) installed in the facility 110 is connected to the branch circuits. Furthermore, the distribution board 40 can supply power supplied from the power conditioner 20 to the grid power supply 120, and can also supply power supplied from the grid power supply 120 to the power conditioner 20. The power supplied from the grid power supply 120 to the distribution board 40 is power purchased by consumers who pay a power purchase fee calculated based on the power purchase price. Furthermore, the power supplied from the distribution board 40 to the grid power supply 120 is power sold to consumers who pay a power sale fee calculated based on the power sale price.

[0018] The distribution board 40 has a power measurement element for each branch circuit. Specifically, the power measurement element is a current transformer (CT), but it may also be a Rogowski circuit or a GMR element. By providing a power measurement element for each branch circuit, the distribution board 40 can measure the power consumption for each branch circuit.

[0019] The distribution board 40 also has a wireless communication module for wireless communication, and is capable of wireless communication with the control device 50 via a router. In other words, the wireless communication module is a wireless communication circuit. This allows the distribution board 40 to transmit the power consumption of each branch circuit measured by the power measurement element to the control device 50. The power consumption of each branch circuit is stored as power consumption history information in a memory unit 52 provided in the control device 50.

[0020] It is not essential that the distribution board 40 has a power measurement function and a communication function. For example, the charging system 100 may include a smart meter (that is, a power meter with a communication function) in addition to the distribution board 40.

[0021] The control device 50 is a device that manages the power consumption (more specifically, the power consumption and the amount of power consumption) in the facility 110, in other words, a power management device. Specifically, the control device 50 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, a control unit 53, and an EV electricity fee estimation unit 57. Although not shown, the control device 50 may also include a user interface that accepts user operations, and a display unit that displays an image that allows the user to check the power consumption and the amount of power consumption in the facility 110.

[0022] In this embodiment, the control device 50 is also an example of a processing device. Specifically, the control device 50 functions as a processing device using some of its functions.

[0023] The communication unit 51 is a wireless communication module that enables the control device 50 to communicate with the distribution board 40 and the charger 61 of the electric vehicle 60. In other words, the wireless communication module is a wireless communication circuit. The communication unit 51 acquires, for example, the power consumption in the facility 110 measured by the distribution board 40 from the distribution board 40. The power consumption is acquired, for example, in a manner that allows the power consumption of each branch circuit to be distinguished (recognized). The power consumption may be acquired in real time or may be acquired periodically in a lump. The communication standard for the wireless communication performed by the communication unit 51 is, for example, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), but is not particularly limited and may be another communication standard.

[0024] The communication unit 51 also has functions as an acquisition unit, such as an electricity unit price acquisition unit that acquires the electricity purchase price and the electricity selling price, a current time acquisition unit that acquires the current time, an EV use schedule acquisition unit that acquires a future use schedule for the electric vehicle 60, and an electric energy acquisition unit. Each of these functions of the communication unit 51 as an acquisition unit for various types of information will be described later.

[0025] The storage unit 52 stores the power consumption acquired by the communication unit 51 in association with the date and time (timestamp) when the power consumption was measured as power consumption history information. The power consumption is stored, for example, by the control unit 53. The date and time associated with the power consumption may be provided by the distribution board 40 or may be provided by the control unit 53 of the control device 50. The storage unit 52 also stores some of the various information acquired by the communication unit 51 (information that does not require real-time performance).

[0026] The storage unit 52 also stores a control program executed by the control unit 53. Specifically, the storage unit 52 is a storage device such as a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 52 may be separate from the control device 50.

[0027] The control unit 53 performs various information processing in the control device 50, such as storing the power consumption information acquired by the communication unit 51 in the storage unit 52. Specifically, the control unit 53 is realized by a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit. The control unit 53 may also be realized by a combination of two or more of the processor, the microcomputer, and the dedicated circuit.

[0028] The control unit 53 also includes a prediction unit 54, a planning unit 55, and an execution unit 56. These components perform a process of creating a schedule for charging the electric vehicle 60 and a process of executing charging of the electric vehicle 60. The process of creating a schedule for charging the electric vehicle 60 and the process of executing charging of the electric vehicle 60 will be described later.

[0029] The EV electricity fee estimator 57 performs information processing to estimate the electricity fee required to charge the electric vehicle 60. In this embodiment, the EV electricity fee estimator 57 is integrated into the control device 50, but the EV electricity fee estimator 57 may be arranged independently of the control device 50, for example, on a cloud server. The EV electricity fee estimator 57 may be realized in any form as long as it is capable of inputting and outputting the various information described in this embodiment. The estimation of the electricity fee by the EV electricity fee estimator 57 will be described later.

[0030] The electric vehicle 60 is a vehicle that runs on electricity as an energy source, using an electric motor such as a motor as a power source. Specifically, the electric vehicle 60 is equipped with a secondary battery, and runs on the electric power stored in the secondary battery (i.e., EV charging power) as an energy source.

[0031] The charger 61 is a charging device for charging the electric vehicle 60 (more specifically, for charging the secondary battery provided in the electric vehicle 60). The charger 61 is equipped with a charging gun (in other words, a charging plug) and charges the secondary battery of the electric vehicle 60 connected to the charging gun. The charger 61 can also discharge the power charged in the electric vehicle 60 to the power conditioner 20 (which can ultimately be used as power for self-consumption within the consumer). The charger 61 can be switched between a charging state in which the electric vehicle 60 is charged, a discharging state in which power is discharged from the electric vehicle 60 to the power conditioner 20, and a standby state in which neither charging nor discharging takes place, and can operate according to the state.

[0032] The charger 61 also includes a wireless communication module for communicating with the control device 50. The charger 61 may also include a user interface that accepts user operations, and a display unit that displays an image showing the charging status of the electric vehicle 60.

[0033] The charger 61 can charge the electric vehicle 60 using power supplied from the power conditioner 20. The power conditioner 20 can be supplied with power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 and power supplied from the grid power supply 120 via the distribution board 40, and the charger 61 charges the secondary battery of the electric vehicle 60 using either one of these power sources. In other words, the electric vehicle 60 can be charged with commercial power supplied from the grid power supply 120 or with power generated by the solar power generation facility 10.

[0034] When charging using commercial power, the electricity bill can be calculated based on the electricity purchase price and the amount of power (first amount of power). On the other hand, when charging using generated power, there is no charge for obtaining the power, so the electricity bill is often free, but in reality, this leads to a loss of opportunity to sell the generated power. In other words, when charging using generated power, the opportunity to receive the electricity bill for selling the power, which can be calculated based on the electricity selling price and the amount of power (second amount of power), is lost. In other words, it can be considered that the amount of electricity bill for selling the power that would have been received is paid, and the electric vehicle 60 is being charged.

[0035] When calculated from this perspective, the estimated electricity rate can be a more reasonable and appropriate rate. From this perspective, the EV electricity rate estimation unit 57 estimates the electricity rate as follows. First, the communication unit 51 communicates with the distribution board 40 and / or the power conditioner 20 to acquire a first amount of power, which is the amount of commercial power, a second amount of power, which is the amount of generated power, and a third amount of power, which is the amount of EV charging power required to charge the electric vehicle 60. In other words, the communication unit 51 functions as a commercial power amount acquisition unit, a generated power amount acquisition unit, and an EV charging power acquisition unit. The acquisition of these various amounts of power is periodically repeated. Furthermore, as described above, the communication unit 51 functions as an electricity unit price acquisition unit, and acquires the power purchase price and the power sale price. As will be described in detail later, of the power purchase price and the power sale price, the power sale price is a fixed value that is stored in the storage unit and is read out and used from there. Furthermore, the electricity purchase price is also fixed for a period corresponding to the update cycle, so after acquisition it is stored in a storage unit and is read out and used within that period.

[0036] The EV electricity fee estimation unit 57 uses the acquired first amount of electricity, second amount of electricity, third amount of electricity, electricity purchase price, and electricity sale price to estimate the electricity fee required to charge the electric vehicle 60 by calculation using the following formula.

[0037]

number

[0038] The above formula shows the integration of the function of the electricity rate per unit time in the time domain. The function per unit time can be divided into a first term for the generated power and a second term for the commercial power. In the first term, the total power consumption at the consumer for that unit time is calculated by adding the second power amount to the first power amount and subtracting the sold power amount. The calculated value obtained by subtracting the sold power amount from the second power amount is then divided by the total power consumption to calculate the ratio of the power consumed by the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 to the total power consumption. Multiplying this ratio by the third power amount calculates the portion of the third power amount that was supplied from the generated power. This is then multiplied by the power selling price to calculate the electricity bill for the power that would have been earned. In the second term, the first power amount is divided by the total power consumption to calculate the ratio of the power consumed by the commercial power supplied from the grid power source 120 to the total power consumption. Multiplying the third amount of electricity by this ratio allows you to calculate the portion of the third amount of electricity supplied from commercial electricity. This is then multiplied by the electricity purchase price to calculate the electricity bill for purchased electricity paid. Note that the amount of electricity consumed includes the amount of electricity for self-consumption and the amount of electricity for EV charging.

[0039] The router 70 is a communication relay device that enables the power conditioner 20, the distribution board 40, the control device 50, and the electric vehicle 60 to communicate wirelessly with each other. Each of the power conditioner 20, the distribution board 40, the control device 50, and the electric vehicle 60 can also be connected to the Internet 130 via the router 70. The Internet 130 is an example of a communication network.

[0040] The weather forecast information distribution server 80 is an information processing device that distributes weather forecast information to the control device 50. The weather forecast information distribution server 80 distributes weather forecast information for the next 24 hours, for example, every three hours. In other words, the weather forecast information distribution server 80 periodically distributes weather forecast information, and the communication unit 51 of the control device 50 periodically receives the weather forecast information via the Internet 130 and the router 70. As will be described later, the weather forecast information is used to predict the power generation amount of the solar power generation facility 10.

[0041] Note that a plurality of servers may be used to realize functions equivalent to the weather forecast information distribution server 80. For example, a dedicated distribution server for weather forecast information and a management server for the control device 50 may be used to realize functions equivalent to the weather forecast information distribution server 80. In this case, the management server acquires weather forecast information from the dedicated distribution server and distributes the acquired weather forecast information to the control device 50.

[0042] The electricity unit price management server 90 is an information processing device that distributes the electricity purchase price to the control device 50. For example, the electricity unit price management server 90 divides a day into multiple periods, such as daytime, daily life, and nighttime, and distributes the electricity purchase price for each period. In other words, the electricity unit price management server 90 is the source of the electricity purchase price by functioning as an electricity unit price acquisition unit. The electricity unit price management server 90 periodically distributes the electricity purchase price each time the above-mentioned period changes, and the communication unit 51 of the control device 50 periodically receives the electricity purchase price according to the current date and time via the Internet 130 and the router 70. As an example, the control device 50 measures the current date and time using its own processor, or uses its function as a current time acquisition unit to acquire the current date and time from a time management server (not shown) outside the facility 110 via the router 70 and the Internet 130, and automatically receives the electricity purchase price according to the acquired current date and time.

[0043] Note that a plurality of servers may be used to realize functions equivalent to the electricity unit price management server 90. For example, a dedicated distribution server for the electricity purchase price and a management server for the control device 50 may be used to realize functions equivalent to the electricity unit price management server 90. In this case, the management server acquires the electricity purchase price from the dedicated distribution server and distributes the acquired electricity purchase price to the control device 50.

[0044] The electricity purchase price is obtained from the electricity price management server 90 as described above, but the electricity selling price is a price specific to each consumer at the time the consumer enters into a contract to sell electricity. Therefore, the electricity selling price is obtained by the control device 50 when the user inputs the price to the control device 50 using, for example, a user interface of the control device 50 or a function of an electricity price obtaining unit, using an information terminal (not shown) connected via the router 70. The obtained electricity selling price is stored in the memory unit 52.

[0045] The use schedule of the electric vehicle 60 is acquired by a user inputting data into the control device 50 using a user interface of the control device 50 or the function of the EV use schedule acquisition unit described above, using an information terminal (not shown) connected via the router 70. The user can input the use date, use start time, and target charge amount of the electric vehicle 60 into the control device 50 as the use schedule of the electric vehicle 60. In other words, the use schedule of the electric vehicle 60 acquired by user input includes the use date, use start time, and target charge amount of the electric vehicle 60. Alternatively, the control device 50 may accept input of the use time as the use schedule of the electric vehicle 60, and estimate the target charge amount from the accepted use time.

[0046] Since it is necessary to secure a target amount of electric power at the start time of use on the day when the electric vehicle 60 is to be used, the charger 61 charges the electric vehicle 60 using generated power or commercial power in response to instructions from the control device 50.

[0047] [Charging system operation] Next, the operation of the charging system 100 will be described. Based on weather forecast information, the charging system 100 predicts, at night, the time transition of surplus power for the following daytime, and creates a schedule (charging schedule) of operations for charging the electric vehicle 60. The surplus power means the power generated by the solar power generation equipment 10 minus the power consumption of the facility 110. More precisely, the power consumption of the facility 110 means the power consumption of the entire facility 110 (total power consumption) minus the power consumption for charging the electric vehicle 60.

[0048] Therefore, first, the weather forecast information distribution server 80 distributes weather forecast information. As described above, the weather forecast information distribution server 80 distributes weather forecast information, for example, periodically. The communication unit 51 of the control device 50 acquires the weather forecast information via the Internet 130 and the router 70. The acquired weather forecast information is stored, for example, in the memory unit 52.

[0049] Next, the control device 50 prioritizes charging the electric vehicle 60 with surplus power (generated power) based on the charging schedule and EV usage schedule, but if the target charging amount cannot be reached with the surplus power, the control device 50 charges the electric vehicle 60 using commercial power.

[0050] [Charging schedule creation process] Next, the charging schedule creation process will be described in detail.

[0051] The process of creating a charging schedule is performed, for example, at night. First, the prediction unit 54 included in the control unit 53 of the control device 50 predicts the power generation amount for the next day by the solar power generation equipment 10 provided in the facility 110. The prediction unit 54 predicts the power generation amount for a time period based on, for example, acquired weather forecast information.

[0052] Note that historical information about the power generation may be used to predict the power generation. In this case, the communication unit 51, for example, periodically acquires generated power information indicating the power generation from the power conditioner 20. The generated power information includes information indicating the date and time when power generation was performed. The control unit 53 associates the acquired generated power information with weather forecast information for the corresponding date and time and stores it as historical information about the power generation. In this case, the power conditioner 20, for example, includes a wireless communication module and transmits the generated power information to the communication unit 51 via the router 70.

[0053] This allows the prediction unit 54 to predict the power generation amount for a certain time period on the next day based on the power generation history information and the acquired weather forecast information. For example, the prediction unit 54 can use the average value of the power generation amount for the same time period in the past when the weather was the same as the predicted value of the power generation amount for a certain time period on the next day.

[0054] Next, the prediction unit 54 predicts the power consumption at the facility 110 for the next day. As described above, the memory unit 52 stores historical information about the power consumption at the facility 110. The prediction unit 54 reads the historical information about the power consumption from the memory unit 52 and predicts the power consumption for the next day based on the read historical information. For example, the prediction unit 54 can use an average value of the power consumption for a certain time period on the next day at the facility 110 in the same time period in the past.

[0055] The power consumption in the facility 110 tends to differ greatly between weekdays (Monday to Friday) and holidays (Saturday and Sunday). Therefore, if the prediction target is a weekday, the average value of the power consumption on weekdays in the history information should be used, and if the prediction target is a holiday, the average value of the power consumption on holidays in the history information should be used.

[0056] Next, the prediction unit 54 predicts the time transition of the surplus power. Specifically, the prediction unit 54 can predict the time transition of the surplus power by subtracting the predicted power consumption from the predicted power generation.

[0057] Next, the planning unit 55 creates a schedule for charging the electric vehicle 60 provided in the facility 110 with the surplus power during the period when the surplus power is predicted to be generated.

[0058] [Electricity charge presentation processing] Next, the process of presenting electricity charges will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a sequence diagram relating to estimation of electricity charges for charging an electric vehicle. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of presentation of the estimated results of electricity charges for charging an electric vehicle.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 50 inquires of the distribution board 40 and / or the power conditioner 20 about various amounts of power via the communication unit 51. Then, the distribution board 40 and / or the power conditioner 20 each transmit the various amounts of power to the control device 50 in response to the inquiry. In this way, the control device 50 (communication unit 51) acquires the various amounts of power. The control device 50 stores the acquired various amounts of power in the memory unit 52 or the like (S11). This series of operations of inquiring about the various amounts of power, transmitting and acquiring the various amounts of power, and storing them in the memory unit 52 is performed periodically, although not shown in the following figures. Therefore, the memory unit 52 accumulates the various amounts of power at each point in time.

[0060] For example, the user can request charging of the electric vehicle 60 by operating the control device 50. The request to charge the electric vehicle 60 may be input as a charging schedule, an EV usage schedule, or a forced charging input that starts charging immediately at that time. Here, the input is described as a forced charging input. When the request to charge the electric vehicle 60 is received, the control device 50 transmits an EV charging instruction to the charger 61. The charger 61 receives the EV charging instruction and performs control to start charging of the electric vehicle 60 (S12).

[0061] The charger 61 transmits an EV charging start notification to the control device 50 notifying that charging of the electric vehicle 60 has started. The control device 50 is able to recognize from the EV charging start notification that charging of the electric vehicle 60 has started normally. Thereafter, when the storage battery of the electric vehicle 60 becomes fully charged, the charger 61 performs control to stop charging of the electric vehicle 60 (S13). The charger 61 transmits an EV charging completion notification to the control device 50 notifying that charging of the electric vehicle 60 has stopped. The control device 50 is able to recognize from the EV charging completion notification that charging of the electric vehicle 60 has completed normally. In this way, the electric vehicle 60 is charged by the supply of power that is available at the time, according to the charging schedule and EV usage schedule, or forced charging by the user, etc.

[0062] Meanwhile, the control device 50 acquires the unit price of the electricity charge and stores it in the storage unit 52 (S14). The unit price of the electricity charge is the electricity selling price and the electricity purchasing price, and as described above, the electricity selling price is acquired by user input, and the electricity purchasing price is acquired by inquiring with the electricity unit price management server 90.

[0063] When the user performs an electricity charge display operation on the control device 50, the EV electricity charge estimating unit 57 of the control device 50 calculates (estimates) the electricity charge from the stored various amounts of power and the unit price of electricity (S15). The control device 50 then outputs presentation information for presenting the calculation result (estimated result) of the electricity charge. Here, the control device 50 outputs the presentation information directly from the EV electricity charge estimating unit 57 to its own display unit (not shown). Therefore, the display unit of the control device 50 presents the electricity charge to the user by displaying a display image on the screen. In other words, the output unit is integrated as one of the functions of the EV electricity charge estimating unit 57.

[0064] It should be noted that the presentation may be performed using a display unit of a terminal device owned by the user instead of the display unit of the control device 50. In this case, the control device 50 outputs the presentation information to the outside from the communication unit 51, and causes the presentation information to be presented on the router 70 or on a terminal device connected for communication via the router 70 and the Internet 130. In other words, the output unit is integrated into the communication unit 51 as one of its functions.

[0065] An image as shown in Fig. 3 is displayed on the display unit of the control device 50 or the terminal device. This image shows the amount of power (18 kWh) when the vehicle was charged and the calculated electricity rate (288 yen) for that amount of power. Note that the image also shows the result of an integral calculation of the electricity rate function using the above-mentioned formula, which includes the first term for the generated power and the second term for the commercial power. Therefore, it is possible to consider the electricity rate that would have been earned from selling the power as being lost due to charging the electric vehicle 60, and to present a more appropriately estimated and more convincing electricity rate.

[0066] Alternatively, the presented information may be configured to separately present the result of an integral calculation of the function of the electricity rate that includes only the first term for the generated power and the result of an integral calculation of the function of the electricity rate that includes only the second term for the commercial power. In this way, the user can use the presented information as a reference for how to use the generated power, etc.

[0067] In addition to the electricity fee, a reset button is also displayed in Fig. 3. When the user presses the reset button, the electricity fee calculation up to that point is reset, and the electricity fee from that point on is newly calculated. In other words, EV electricity fee estimator 57 estimates the electricity fee for the period from when the reset operation was received until the present.

[0068] [Effects, etc.] As described above, the processing device (control device 50) according to the first embodiment includes a commercial power amount acquisition unit (communication unit 51) that acquires a first amount of commercial power supplied from the grid power source 120, a generated power amount acquisition unit (communication unit 51) that acquires a second amount of power generated by a solar power generation facility, an EV charging power acquisition unit (communication unit 51) that acquires a third amount of EV charging power required to charge the electric vehicle, a memory unit 52 that stores the power purchase price associated with power supply from the grid power source 120 and the power sale price associated with power supply to the grid power source 120, an EV electricity fee estimation unit 57 that estimates the electricity fee required to charge the electric vehicle based on the first amount of power, the second amount of power, the third amount of power, the power purchase price, and the power sale price, and an output unit that outputs presentation information to present the estimation result to a user.

[0069] Such a processing device can calculate the electricity rate by taking into account the portion of the electricity generated by the solar power generation facility 10 that is sold out of the electricity required to charge the electric vehicle 60. The portion of the electricity sold corresponds to the electricity rate that would have been earned if the electricity had been sold, and using that portion of the electricity sold for charging can be considered a loss. In other words, the loss of not receiving the electricity rate for the electricity that would have been earned can be considered as a payment of the electricity rate, making it possible to estimate a more appropriate electricity rate.

[0070] Also, for example, the processing device according to the second aspect is the processing device described in the first aspect, in which the EV electricity rate estimation unit 57 accepts a reset operation of the estimated electricity rate, and estimates the electricity rate for the period from when the reset operation was accepted to the present based on the first amount of electricity, the second amount of electricity, the third amount of electricity, the electricity purchase price, and the electricity sale price.

[0071] This allows you to estimate the electricity bill from the time it was reset to the present.

[0072] Also, for example, the processing device according to the third aspect is the processing device described in the first or second aspect, and the EV electricity fee estimation unit 57 includes as part of the electricity fee a calculated value obtained by multiplying the amount of electricity supplied from the generated power by the selling price of electricity, out of the third amount of electricity.

[0073] As a result, the calculated value obtained by multiplying the amount of power supplied from the generated power, out of the third amount of power, by the power selling price can be included as part of the electricity bill.

[0074] Furthermore, for example, a processing device according to a fourth aspect is a processing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, and the EV electricity fee estimation unit 57 includes a calculated value obtained by multiplying the amount of electricity supplied from commercial power, out of the third amount of electricity, by the electricity purchase price, as part of the electricity fee.

[0075] This allows the calculated value obtained by multiplying the amount of the third amount of power supplied from commercial power by the unit price of purchased power to be included as part of the electricity bill.

[0076] Furthermore, for example, a processing device according to a fifth aspect is the processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and the processing device is integrated with a control device 50 that controls charging of the electric vehicle 60.

[0077] This makes it possible to realize a processing device integrated with the control device 50 that controls the charging of the electric vehicle 60.

[0078] Also, for example, a processing device according to a sixth aspect is a processing device according to the fifth aspect, in which the control device 50 has a display unit for displaying an image, and the output unit outputs presentation information to be displayed as an image on the display unit.

[0079] This allows the presentation information to be presented by displaying it as an image on a display unit that the control device 50 has.

[0080] Also, for example, a processing device according to a seventh aspect is a processing device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the processing device is a terminal device owned by a user and is capable of communicating with a terminal device having a display unit for displaying images, and the output unit outputs presentation information to be displayed as an image on the display unit.

[0081] This allows the presentation information to be presented by displaying it as an image on a display unit of the terminal device.

[0082] Furthermore, for example, a processing method according to an eighth aspect is a processing method executed by a computer, and includes the steps of: acquiring a first amount of power of commercial power supplied from the grid power source 120; acquiring a second amount of power of power generated by the solar power generation facility 10; acquiring a third amount of power of EV charging power required to charge the electric vehicle 60; reading out the power purchase price and power sale price from a memory unit 52 that stores the power purchase price associated with power supply from the grid power source 120 and the power sale price associated with power supply to the grid power source 120; estimating the electricity fee required to charge the electric vehicle 60 based on the first amount of power, the second amount of power, the third amount of power, the power purchase price, and the power sale price; and outputting presentation information to present the estimation result to a user.

[0083] This makes it possible to achieve the same effects as the processing apparatus described above.

[0084] Furthermore, for example, a program according to a ninth aspect is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to the eighth aspect.

[0085] According to this, by causing a computer to execute the process, it is possible to achieve the same effect as the processing device described above.

[0086] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0087] For example, the communication method between devices described in the above embodiment is just an example. The communication method between devices arranged in a facility is not particularly limited. Wireless communication between devices is performed using a communication standard such as ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), specified low-power radio, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0088] Furthermore, instead of wireless communication, wired communication such as communication using power line communication (PLC) or a wired LAN may be performed between devices located in a facility.

[0089] Furthermore, for example, the processing performed by a specific processing unit in the above-described embodiments may be performed by another processing unit. Furthermore, the charging system may be realized as a client-server system. For example, the charging system may be realized by a server device having the functions of the control device of the above-described embodiments and a client device corresponding to a charger.

[0090] In the above embodiments, components such as the control unit may be realized by executing a software program suitable for the component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0091] Furthermore, components such as the control unit may be realized by circuits or integrated circuits. These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or may be separate circuits. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0092] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Furthermore, the present invention may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. For example, the present invention may be realized as the charging system according to the above-described embodiment, as a program for causing a computer to execute the charging method, or as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0093] The order of the processes in the operation of the charging system described in the above embodiment is an example. The order of the processes may be changed, or the processes may be executed in parallel.

[0094] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 10. Solar power generation facilities 20 Power Conditioner 40 Distribution board 41 Main line 50 Control device 51 Communication unit (functions as commercial power acquisition unit, generated power acquisition unit, and EV charging power acquisition unit) 52 Storage section 53 Control Unit 54 Prediction Department 55 Planning Department 56 Executive Department 57 EV Electricity Cost Estimation Department 60 Electric Vehicles 61 Charger 70 Router 80 Weather forecast information distribution server 90 Electricity unit price management server 100 Charging System 110 facilities 120 Grid power supply 130 Internet

Claims

1. a commercial power amount acquisition unit that acquires a first amount of commercial power supplied from a grid power supply; a generated power amount acquisition unit that acquires a second amount of power generated by the photovoltaic power generation facility; an EV charging power acquisition unit that acquires a third amount of EV charging power required to charge the electric vehicle; a storage unit that stores a power purchase price associated with power supply from the grid power source and a power selling price associated with power supply to the grid power source; an EV electricity fee estimation unit that estimates an electricity fee required for charging the electric vehicle based on the first amount of power, the second amount of power, the third amount of power, the power purchase price, and the power sale price; an output unit that outputs presentation information for presenting the estimation result to a user; Processing equipment.

2. The EV electricity fee estimation unit Accepting a reset operation of the estimated electricity rate; The electricity rate for the period from when the reset operation was received to the present is estimated based on the first amount of power, the second amount of power, the third amount of power, the power purchase price, and the power sale price. The processing device of claim 1 .

3. The EV electricity fee estimation unit includes a calculated value obtained by multiplying the amount of power supplied from the generated power among the third amount of power by the power selling price as part of the electricity fee. The processing device of claim 1 .

4. The EV electricity fee estimation unit includes a calculated value obtained by multiplying the amount of electricity supplied from the commercial power by the electricity purchase price, among the third amount of electricity, as part of the electricity fee. The processing device of claim 1 .

5. The processing device is integrated with a control device that controls charging of the electric vehicle. The processing device of claim 1 .

6. the control device has a display unit for displaying an image, The output unit outputs the presentation information to be displayed as the image on the display unit. The processing device according to claim 5 .

7. the processing device is capable of communicating with a terminal device owned by the user and having a display unit for displaying images; The output unit outputs the presentation information to be displayed as the image on the display unit. The processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A computer-implemented processing method comprising: acquiring a first amount of commercial power supplied from a grid power supply; acquiring a second amount of power generated by the solar power generation facility; acquiring a third amount of EV charging power required to charge the electric vehicle; reading out the power purchase price and the power selling price from a storage unit that stores the power purchase price associated with power supply from the grid power source and the power selling price associated with power supply to the grid power source; estimating an electricity fee required for charging the electric vehicle based on the first amount of power, the second amount of power, the third amount of power, the power purchase price, and the power sale price; and outputting presentation information for presenting the estimation result to a user. Processing method.

9. A method for causing the computer to execute the processing method according to claim 8. program.

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