Information terminal device, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide an information terminal device capable of proposing reviewing the electricity tariff plan to users who have installed a vehicle charger, at an appropriate time.SOLUTION: In an information terminal device 40 capable of referring to the amount of electricity supplied to the electric vehicle from the vehicle charger, an operation reception unit 411 receives input of user information including the model of the electric vehicle, and the location of residence of the electric vehicle owner. An integration processing unit 413 performs processing in conjunction with the electricity cost simulation system. A display control unit 412 is configured so as to, when user information is registered or updated, display a recommendation to perform an electricity cost simulation using an electricity rate plan different from the current electricity tariff plan on the display screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information terminal device, a control method, and a control program that cooperate with an electricity rate simulation system that compares multiple electricity rate plans offered by multiple electric power companies. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs and PHEVs) have become popular among ordinary households. For households that own electric vehicles, the proportion of electricity costs incurred for charging the vehicle in their electricity bills is increasing. In recent years, an increasing number of electric power companies are offering electricity rate plans that offer preferential treatment to electric vehicle owners.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an energy planning system that proposes the introduction of photovoltaic power generation equipment and storage battery equipment based on electricity consumption measurement data of residents. However, it does not disclose a specific mechanism to help users who have installed a vehicle charger at home select a plan that suits their needs from multiple electricity rate plans offered by multiple power companies. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-81143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technology that suggests to users who have installed vehicle chargers that they should review their electricity rate plans at an appropriate time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, an information terminal device of one aspect of the present disclosure is an information terminal device that can refer to the amount of vehicle electricity used by an electric vehicle supplied from a vehicle charger, and includes an operation reception unit that receives input of user information including the model of the electric vehicle and the place of residence of the user who owns the electric vehicle, a coordination processing unit that coordinates processing with an electricity rate simulation system, and a display control unit that, when the user information is registered or updated, displays on a screen a recommendation encouraging the user to run an electricity rate simulation with an electricity rate plan other than the currently subscribed electricity rate plan.

[0007] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the expression of the present disclosure into an apparatus, system, method, computer program, etc., are also valid aspects of the present disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suggest to a user who has installed a vehicle charger that they review their electricity rate plan at an appropriate time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration related to an electricity rate simulation system linked to a vehicle charger according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electricity rate simulation system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portable information terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a data collection process sequence of the electricity rate simulation system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram for explaining a processing sequence of an electricity rate simulation by a mobile information terminal device and an electricity rate simulation system according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a subroutine of the electricity rate simulation in step S37 of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a subroutine for sorting electricity rate plans in step S41 of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a My Page screen displayed during execution of a power management application program installed in a portable information terminal device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information setting screen displayed during execution of a power management application program. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user information registration completion screen displayed during execution of a power management application program. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for an electricity rate simulation displayed during execution of a power management application program. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an output screen of a collective simulation of electricity rate simulations that is displayed during execution of a power management application program. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an output screen of an individual electricity rate simulation that is displayed during execution of a power management application program. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simulation details screen displayed during execution of a power management application program. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of the overall configuration related to an electricity rate simulation system 30 linked to a vehicle charger 10 according to an embodiment. The vehicle charger 10 is a home charging facility, and in this embodiment, a standard charger is assumed. A standard charger is a charger that charges an electric vehicle 20 using AC power over a relatively long period of time, and models with a rating of, for example, 6 kW (30 A / 200 V (single phase)) or 3 kW (16 A / 200 V (single phase)) are commonly used.

[0011] The vehicle charger 10 includes a relay RY1, a current measurement circuit 11, a voltage measurement circuit 12, a control unit 13, and communication units 14 and 15. The vehicle charger 10 is connected to a distribution board 3. A commercial power system 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as system 2) and a load 4 are connected to the distribution board 3. The load 4 is a general term for loads within the home.

[0012] The vehicle charger 10 and the electric vehicle 20 can be connected with an AC charging cable. A user can connect the vehicle charger 10 and the electric vehicle 20 by inserting the connector at the end of the AC charging cable into a standard AC charging port on the electric vehicle 20.

[0013] In the vehicle charger 10, a relay RY1 is installed on a power line branched from the distribution board 3. A semiconductor switch (e.g., IGBT, MOSFET) may be used instead of the relay RY1. A CT sensor 11a is installed on the power line downstream of the relay RY1 as viewed from the system 2.

[0014] The current measurement circuit 11 measures a voltage corresponding to the current flowing in the power line based on the secondary current generated by the CT sensor 11a, and outputs the voltage to the control unit 13. For example, the current measurement circuit 11 includes a shunt resistor connected to a coil wound around the magnetic core of the CT sensor 11a, and outputs the voltage across the shunt resistor to the control unit 13 as a voltage corresponding to the current flowing in the power line. Note that instead of the CT method, a Hall element method, a Rogowski coil method, or the like may also be used. Also, instead of the CT sensor 11a, a shunt resistor may be directly connected to the power line.

[0015] The voltage measurement circuit 12 measures the voltage of the power line and outputs the voltage to the control unit 13. For example, the voltage measurement circuit 12 includes a voltage dividing resistor and an error amplifier, and outputs the voltage of the power line to the control unit 13 after reducing the voltage of the power line.

[0016] The control unit 13 includes at least one microcontroller and controls the entire vehicle charger 10. The control unit 13 multiplies the current flowing from the grid 2 toward the electric vehicle 20, measured by the current measurement circuit 11, by the voltage measured by the voltage measurement circuit 12, to calculate the charging power charged to the electric vehicle 20 (hereinafter referred to as vehicle power usage in this specification). The control unit 13 adds up the vehicle power usage calculated at each time to calculate the amount of vehicle power usage for a predetermined period (for example, 30 minutes). Note that the vehicle charger 10 may be a specified meter.

[0017] The electric vehicle 20 includes a storage battery 21, a DC / AC converter 22, a control unit 23, and a communication unit 24. The electric vehicle 20 is an EV that is not equipped with an internal combustion engine and is powered only by an electric motor, or a PHEV that is equipped with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. In the following, the present embodiment will be described assuming an EV that is not equipped with an internal combustion engine.

[0018] The storage battery 21 is a chargeable and dischargeable storage battery configured by connecting a plurality of cells in series or in series-parallel. The cells may be lithium-ion battery cells, nickel-metal hydride battery cells, etc. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the storage battery 21 is connected to a three-phase AC motor (not shown) via an inverter (not shown).

[0019] During power running, the inverter converts DC power supplied from the storage battery 21 into AC power and supplies it to the three-phase AC motor. The three-phase AC motor rotates according to the AC power supplied from the inverter. During regeneration, the three-phase AC motor converts rotational energy generated by deceleration into AC power and supplies it to the inverter. The inverter converts AC power supplied from the three-phase AC motor into DC power to charge the storage battery 21.

[0020] The DC side of DC / AC converter 22 is connected to storage battery 21, and the AC side is connected to a normal charging port into which an AC charging cable is inserted. DC / AC converter 22 converts AC power supplied from vehicle charger 10 into DC power and charges storage battery 21. DC / AC converter 22 also converts DC power supplied from storage battery 21 into AC power, which can be consumed by load 4 via the AC charging cable, vehicle charger 10, and distribution board 3.

[0021] The control unit 23 includes a BMU (Battery Management Unit) that manages the storage battery 21 and an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that manages the vehicle. The control unit 23 acquires the voltage, current, and temperature from the storage battery 21 as monitoring data, and manages the storage battery 21 based on the acquired voltage, current, and temperature.

[0022] The control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10 is equipped with a CPLT (Control Pilot Circuit) function and performs charging control after establishing a session with the control unit 13 of the electric vehicle 20. The communication unit 14 controls communication with the communication unit 24 of the electric vehicle 20 while the vehicle charger 10 and the electric vehicle 20 are connected via an AC charging cable. The communication unit 14 of the vehicle charger 10 and the communication unit 24 of the electric vehicle 20 may be connected by a communication line within the AC charging cable or by power line communication (PLC).

[0023] The electric vehicle 20, the control unit 23, and the vehicle charger 10 and the control unit 13 control charging in accordance with a charging sequence that complies with the charging connection standard, for example, specified in IEC 61851-1 Annex A. In this charging sequence, communication is performed in a format in which the control unit 23 of the electric vehicle 20 transmits request information and the control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10 returns response information.

[0024] After a session is established between the control unit 23 of the electric vehicle 20 and the control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10 through a predetermined setup procedure, the control unit 23 of the electric vehicle 20 transmits request information including the state of charge (SOC) of the storage battery 21, the charging method, the allowable charging current value, the amount of power, the voltage value, etc. The control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10 replies with response information including the rated current value, the voltage value, the maximum amount of power that can be supplied, the time period during which power can be supplied, etc.

[0025] Based on the response information from the control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10, the control unit 23 of the electric vehicle 20 determines the target voltage, target current, and charging schedule, and transmits a charging start request including a charging profile. Upon receiving the charging start request, the control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10 turns on the relay RY1. The control unit 23 of the electric vehicle 20 sets a current command value corresponding to the target current or a voltage command value corresponding to the target voltage in the DC / AC converter 22. During CC charging, the DC / AC converter 22 controls the duty ratio so that the charging current of the storage battery 21 maintains the current command value, and during CV charging, controls the duty ratio so that the charging voltage of the storage battery 21 maintains the voltage command value.

[0026] During charging, the control unit 23 of the electric vehicle 20 periodically requests the current charging status from the control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10. In response to the request, the control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10 replies with the current charging status. When the capacity of the storage battery 21 reaches the target capacity, the control unit 23 of the electric vehicle 20 transmits a request to end charging. Upon receiving the request to end charging, the control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10 turns off the relay RY1.

[0027] The control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10 is equipped with a protection function that turns off the relay RY1 to cut off the electrical circuit if it detects a leakage current between the vehicle charger 10 and the electric vehicle 20 based on the current measured by the current measurement circuit 11.

[0028] By connecting the vehicle charger 10 to the router device 6, the vehicle charger 10 can be connected to the network 5 via the router device 6. The network 5 is an external communication network such as the Internet, a dedicated line, or a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

[0029] The vehicle charger 10 and the router device 6 are connected via a LAN cable, and the communication unit 15 of the vehicle charger 10 executes communication processing in accordance with Ethernet (registered trademark). The vehicle charger 10 and the router device 6 may also be connected wirelessly (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), low-power wireless). If a communication device that can access a mobile communication network (4G / 5G) is used as the communication unit 15 of the vehicle charger 10, the vehicle charger 10 can be directly connected to the network 5.

[0030] The electricity rate simulation system 30 is a system that provides a service for comparing multiple electricity rate plans offered by multiple electric power companies. In this embodiment, the electricity rate simulation system 30 is built on a cloud server installed in a data center managed by a cloud service provider. A business that provides a service for comparing electricity rate plans (referred to as a comparison service business) uses the cloud server by entering into a contract with the cloud service provider. The comparison service business may be a manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle charger 10, or may be a business independent of the manufacturer or distributor of the vehicle charger 10. The electricity rate simulation system 30 may be built on the comparison service business's own server installed in its own facility or data center.

[0031] The administrator terminal device 70 is a terminal device that allows the administrator of the comparison service provider to access the electricity rate simulation system 30. The administrator terminal device 70 may be, for example, a PC.

[0032] The electric power company A server 50a, the electric power company B server 50b, etc. are servers of the electric power companies participating in the electricity rate plan comparison service provided by the electricity rate simulation system 30. As of 2024, many retail electricity companies in Japan offer a variety of electricity rate plans to general consumers.

[0033] The power consumption statistics server 60 is a server that publishes statistical data on power consumption by region. In Japan, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy publishes the amount of power demand by prefecture on a monthly basis. In addition, the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy publishes the amount of power demand by city, town, and village on a monthly basis, with a delay from the publication of the amount by prefecture.

[0034] The mobile information terminal device 40 is held by the owner of the vehicle charger 10 (who is usually also the owner of the electric vehicle 20). The user can refer to the amount of vehicle power consumption supplied from the vehicle charger 10 to the electric vehicle 20 from the mobile information terminal device 40. In this embodiment, a smartphone is assumed as the mobile information terminal device 40. Note that the mobile information terminal device 40 may be any terminal device that can connect to the network 5, and may be a tablet terminal device, a portable game console, a portable music player, or the like that is equipped with a communication device that can access Wi-Fi or a mobile communication network (4G / 5G).

[0035] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electricity rate simulation system 30 according to an embodiment. The electricity rate simulation system 30 includes a processing unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33. The communication unit 33 is an external communication interface for connecting to the network 5 via a wired or wireless connection.

[0036] The processing unit 31 includes a user information acquisition unit 311, a vehicle energy usage acquisition unit 312, an energy usage information acquisition unit 313, a plan information acquisition unit 314, a statistical data acquisition unit 315, an electricity fee prediction unit 316, and a notification unit 317. The functions of the processing unit 31 can be realized by a combination of hardware resources and software resources, or by hardware resources alone. As hardware resources, a CPU, ROM, RAM, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), NPU (Neural network Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and other LSIs can be used. As software resources, programs such as an operating system and applications can be used.

[0037] The storage unit 32 includes a non-volatile recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various data. The storage unit 32 includes a user information storage unit 321, a vehicle energy usage storage unit 322, and an electricity rate plan information storage unit 323.

[0038] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mobile information terminal device 40 according to an embodiment. The mobile information terminal device 40 includes a processing unit 41, a storage unit 42, a communication unit 43, a display unit 44, and an operation unit 45. The communication unit 43 is equipped with a wireless communication device for performing mobile communication (4G / 5G), Wi-Fi communication, and Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, and performs various types of wireless signal processing.

[0039] The display unit 44 includes a display such as an organic EL display, a liquid crystal display, or a mini LED display, and reproduces and displays image data input from the processing unit 41. The operation unit 45 accepts user operations via a touch panel or physical buttons, converts the physical stimulus into an electrical operation signal, and outputs it to the processing unit 41. The display unit 44 and the operation unit 45 may be configured as a touch panel display capable of accepting touch operations by the user.

[0040] The processing unit 41 includes an operation reception unit 411, a display control unit 412, and a cooperative processing unit 413. The functions of the processing unit 41 can be realized by a combination of hardware resources and software resources, or by hardware resources alone. As hardware resources, a CPU, ROM, RAM, GPU, NPU, ASIC, FPGA, and other LSIs can be used. As software resources, programs such as an operating system and applications can be used.

[0041] The storage unit 42 includes a large-capacity nonvolatile recording medium, such as a built-in NAND flash memory or an external semiconductor memory card (such as an SD card).

[0042] In this embodiment, it is assumed that a power management application program for the owner of the vehicle charger 10 is installed in the mobile information terminal device 40. The user of the mobile information terminal device 40 (mainly the owner of the vehicle charger 10) downloads and installs the power management application program from an app store into the mobile information terminal device 40. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the user uses the electricity rate plan comparison service provided by the electricity rate simulation system 30 via the power management application program installed in the mobile information terminal device 40.

[0043] The user information acquisition unit 311 of the electricity rate simulation system 30 acquires the user information input by the user to the mobile information terminal device 40 from the mobile information terminal device 40 via the network 5. The user information acquisition unit 311 stores the user information acquired from the mobile information terminal device 40 in the user information storage unit 321.

[0044] User information includes user ID, password, email address, address (prefecture), and number of people living together. User information may include information that can identify an individual, such as name, gender, age, and detailed address, or it may not include information that can identify an individual.

[0045] A user who owns a vehicle charger 10 can register the manufacturer and model name of the vehicle charger 10 that they own as user information. A user who owns an electric vehicle 20 can register the manufacturer and model name of the electric vehicle 20 that they own as user information. A user can register the name of the power company, the contract plan, and the contract capacity (amperes) as information related to the electricity rate plan that they currently have a contract with as user information.

[0046] The user information storage unit 321 stores the user information acquired from each portable information terminal device 40 via the network 5 for each user ID.

[0047] The vehicle energy usage acquisition unit 312 acquires the amount of vehicle energy usage measured by the vehicle charger 10 from the vehicle charger 10 via the network 5. The vehicle energy usage acquisition unit 312 stores the amount of vehicle energy usage acquired from the vehicle charger 10 in the vehicle energy usage storage unit 322. The vehicle energy usage acquisition unit 312 acquires the amount of vehicle energy usage periodically (for example, once a day) or when an event occurs (for example, when charging of the electric vehicle 20 is completed). The control unit 13 of the vehicle charger 10 has a buffer memory for temporarily storing the amount of vehicle energy usage for a certain period, and the vehicle energy usage acquisition unit 312 acquires the amount of vehicle energy usage for the certain period stored in the buffer memory all at once.

[0048] The vehicle power usage storage unit 322 accumulates the vehicle power usage acquired from each vehicle charger 10 via the network 5 for each vehicle charger 10 .

[0049] The plan information acquisition unit 314 acquires plan information for multiple electricity rate plans offered by multiple electric power companies. The plan information includes the electric power company name, plan name, plan features, plan description, basic fee for each contract capacity (number of amperes), metered rate unit price, fuel cost adjustment unit price, and renewable energy power generation promotion levy unit price.

[0050] In rate plans with time-of-day pricing, the unit price varies depending on the time of day. For example, there are many plans that set the unit price for nighttime periods such as 11 PM to 7 AM the next day, 11 PM to 8 AM the next day, 10 PM to 8 AM the next day, 9 PM to 9 AM the next day, and 8 PM to 10 AM the next day, cheaper than the daytime unit price. There are also many rate plans that set different unit prices for different energy usage categories. For example, XX yen for the first XXX kWh, XX yen for up to XXX kWh beyond XXX kWh, and XX yen for any additional kWh beyond XXX kWh. Generally, the higher the energy usage category, the higher the unit price.

[0051] The plan features include features that can be used as a basis for a user's decision when selecting an electricity rate plan, other than simple price comparison. In this embodiment, the multiple electricity rate plans include an EV-only plan, a renewable energy plan, and a limited plan, which are electricity rate plans that are not simply cheap but have non-monetary plan features.

[0052] An EV-only plan is a specific electricity rate plan prepared for owners of electric vehicles 20, in which the unit price for EV use to charge the electric vehicle 20 is set separately from the unit price for normal use. Typical EV-only plans set the unit price for EV use lower than the unit price for normal use, giving preferential treatment to owners of electric vehicles 20. For example, there are EV-only plans in which the unit price for EV use is set more than 30% lower than the unit price for normal use. There are plans in which the unit price for EV use varies depending on the time of day, and plans in which the unit price does not change depending on the time of day.

[0053] Renewable energy plans are plans that use non-fossil certificates designated for renewable energy sources (such as solar and wind power) to achieve a 100% renewable energy power generation ratio and zero CO2 emissions. Many renewable energy plans donate a portion of the electricity bill to environmental conservation organizations.

[0054] The limited plans are plans that can only be contracted through this power management application program. The limited plans may be plans that also serve as EV-only plans, plans that also serve as renewable energy plans, plans that serve as both EV-only plans and renewable energy plans, or plans that are neither EV-only plans nor renewable energy plans.

[0055] When initially registering the electricity rate plans offered by each electric power company in the electricity rate simulation system 30, the person in charge of the comparison service provider inputs plan information for the electricity rate plan from the administrator terminal device 70. The plan information acquisition unit 314 acquires the plan information input by the person in charge into the administrator terminal device 70 from the administrator terminal device 70 via the network 5. If the electricity rate simulation system 30 is built on the company's own server, the plan information acquisition unit 314 acquires the plan information via the company's internal LAN. The plan information acquisition unit 314 saves the plan information acquired from the administrator terminal device 70 in the electricity rate plan information storage unit 323.

[0056] The electricity rate plan information storage unit 323 stores plan information for each electricity rate plan provided by the power company.

[0057] Among the fee items in the electricity rate plan, the fuel cost adjustment unit price is updated monthly in accordance with fluctuations in fuel prices. The renewable energy generation promotion surcharge unit price is updated annually. The basic charge and metered charge unit prices are revised at any time in accordance with the policies of each electric power company.

[0058] The plan information acquisition unit 314 periodically (for example, once a month) queries the electric power company A server 50a, the electric power company B server 50b, ... to see if there is any updated information on the electricity rate plan (mainly updated information on the rate unit price). If the plan contents of the electricity rate plan have been updated, the plan information acquisition unit 314 acquires the updated information on the electricity rate plan from the server 50 of the electric power company that updated the plan contents. The plan information acquisition unit 314 additionally saves or overwrites the acquired updated information on the electricity rate plan in the electricity rate plan information storage unit 323.

[0059] The statistical data acquisition unit 315 acquires, via the network 5, from the power usage statistics server 60, statistical data on the amount of power usage in the area where the user who performed the electricity rate simulation resides.

[0060] The operation reception unit 411 of the mobile information terminal device 40 receives user operations input to the operation unit 45. When the power management application program is started by a user operation, the link processing unit 413 starts linking processing with the electricity rate simulation system 30, and the display control unit 412 displays a screen of the power management application program on the display unit 44. When the application is started for the first time, the display control unit 412 displays a screen for setting and registering user information.

[0061] The operation reception unit 411 receives input of user information including the manufacturer and model of the vehicle charger 10, the manufacturer and model of the electric vehicle 20, and the place of residence on the user information setting and registration screen. The collaboration processing unit 413 transmits the input user information to the electricity rate simulation system 30. When changing the user information, the user selects user information on the My Menu screen to display the user information setting and registration screen, and updates the user information from the user information setting and registration screen. The collaboration processing unit 413 transmits the updated user information to the electricity rate simulation system 30.

[0062] The display control unit 412 displays an electricity rate simulation button on the home screen of the power management application program, etc. When the electricity rate simulation button is pressed by a user, the display control unit 412 displays an input screen for the electricity rate simulation.

[0063] The display control unit 412 displays an item for inputting the electricity charge or amount of energy used for a certain month on the input screen for the electricity charge simulation. The user refers to a paper or online electricity charge meter reading slip for any past month and inputs the electricity charge or amount of energy used for the selected month. The collaboration processing unit 413 sends a simulation start instruction including the electricity charge or amount of energy used for the selected month to the electricity charge simulation system 30.

[0064] The electricity usage information acquisition unit 313 of the electricity rate simulation system 30 acquires the electricity rate or the amount of electricity usage for the selected month. When the electricity rate for the selected month is acquired, the electricity rate prediction unit 316 acquires the plan information of the electricity rate plan currently subscribed to by the user stored in the user information storage unit 321, and estimates the amount of electricity usage for the selected month based on the electricity rate for the selected month and the plan information of the electricity rate plan.

[0065] Consider an example of predicting the electricity fee for an EV-only plan. The electricity fee prediction unit 316 reads the vehicle energy usage amount of the user for the target period from the vehicle energy usage amount storage unit 322. In this embodiment, the target period is one year.

[0066] The electricity fee prediction unit 316 identifies the user's non-vehicle electricity usage for the selected month based on the user's electricity usage for the selected month and the user's vehicle electricity usage for the selected month. Essentially, the non-vehicle electricity usage can be calculated by subtracting the vehicle electricity usage from the electricity usage for the selected month. The electricity fee prediction unit 316 predicts the electricity fees for one year if the user switches to the EV-only plan based on plan information including the vehicle electricity usage for the selected month, the non-vehicle electricity usage for the selected month, the unit price for EV use under the EV-only plan, and the unit price for normal use.

[0067] Here, the vehicle energy usage and non-vehicle energy usage for the selected month may be simply multiplied by 12 to estimate the vehicle energy usage and non-vehicle energy usage for the year, but this does not take seasonal fluctuation factors into account, and if the selected month is summer or winter, the prediction accuracy may decrease. Below, we will explain a calculation method that takes into account the user's lifestyle and improves the prediction accuracy of electricity charges.

[0068] The electricity fee prediction unit 316 reads the user's vehicle energy usage over the past year from the vehicle energy usage storage unit 322. The electricity fee prediction unit 316 multiplies the read vehicle energy usage over the past year by the unit price for EV use in the EV-only plan, and predicts the user's vehicle energy usage fee for the past year.

[0069] The electricity fee prediction unit 316 predicts the electricity fee for one year in the case of switching to a specific EV-only plan, based on the non-vehicle electricity fee for one year and the vehicle electricity fee for one year.

[0070] A more specific explanation follows. The statistical data acquisition unit 315 acquires statistical data on power usage for the selected month and the past year for the area where the user resides (for example, prefecture) from the power usage statistics server 60. The electricity charge prediction unit 316 calculates a seasonally adjusted conversion coefficient R based on the statistical data on power usage for the selected month and the past year for the area. As shown in the following (Equation 1), the electricity charge prediction unit 316 multiplies the amount of power usage WD for the selected month by the seasonally adjusted conversion coefficient R to calculate the amount of power usage WT for one year. WT=WD×R (Formula 1)

[0071] The seasonally adjusted conversion coefficient R is defined as the ratio of the electricity usage WDr for the selected month in the area where the user resides to the electricity usage WTr for the past year, as shown in the following (Equation 2). Note that the ratio between the two may be calculated after converting them into average values ​​per person or per household. R=WTr / WDr (Formula 2)

[0072] The electricity fee prediction unit 316 calculates the amount of non-vehicle electricity used for one year WH based on the amount of electricity used for one year WT calculated using the above (Equation 1) and the amount of electricity used for the vehicle for the past year WE, as shown in the following (Equation 3). WH = WT - WE (Equation 3)

[0073] The display control unit 412 of the mobile information terminal device 40 displays an item for inputting the time period when the user will be at home on the input screen for the electricity rate simulation. For example, an item for selecting whether the user will be at home in the morning, afternoon, or evening is displayed. The user inputs information about the time period when the user will be at home. For example, the user checks the time period when the user will be at home out of the morning, afternoon, and evening. The link processing unit 413 transmits the input information about the time period when the user will be at home to the electricity rate simulation system 30.

[0074] The electricity fee prediction unit 316 estimates the user's power usage rate for each time period based on information about the time period when the user is at home. For example, the time periods are from 3:00 to 11:00 in the morning, from 11:00 to 18:00 in the afternoon, and from 18:00 to 3:00 the next day. The power usage rate in the morning is α, the power usage rate in the afternoon is β, and the power usage rate in the evening is γ.

[0075] A conversion table is prepared in advance that associates the combinations of α, β, and γ (α+β+γ=1) with the combinations of morning, afternoon, and evening checks selected by the user. In the conversion table, the values ​​of α, β, and γ are set so that the contribution of the time period when the user is at home is high.

[0076] The electricity fee prediction unit 316 calculates the amount of non-vehicle electricity used WH×α between 3:00 and 11:00, the amount of non-vehicle electricity used WH×β between 11:00 and 18:00, and the amount of non-vehicle electricity used WH×γ between 18:00 and 3:00 the next day.

[0077] In this way, the electricity fee prediction unit 316 calculates the user's annual non-vehicle energy usage amount WH by time slot based on the user's energy usage ratio by time slot. The electricity fee prediction unit 316 calculates the user's annual non-vehicle energy usage fee based on the energy usage amount by time slot of the non-vehicle energy usage amount WH and the time slot unit price of the regular rate for the EV-only plan.

[0078] The electricity fee prediction unit 316 calculates the following (Equation 4) to predict the electricity fee for the EV-only plan for one year. Electricity charge = basic charge + energy charge + renewable energy generation promotion surcharge (Equation 4)

[0079] The basic charge in the above formula (4) is calculated by multiplying the monthly basic charge by 12. In the rate plans of electric power companies that use the ampere system, the basic charge is set according to the number of amperes contracted.

[0080] The electricity charge in (Equation 4) above is calculated using (Equation 5) below. Energy charge = normal energy usage unit price × non-vehicle energy usage WH + EV energy usage unit price × vehicle energy usage WE ± fuel cost adjustment unit price × energy usage WT (Equation 5)

[0081] The term (normal energy usage rate x non-vehicle energy usage WH) can be calculated by multiplying the energy usage rate by time of day by the non-vehicle energy usage by time of day WH x α, WH x β, and WH x γ, respectively, to calculate the energy usage rate by time of day, and then adding these up. It is assumed that the non-vehicle energy usage by time of day WH x α, WH x β, and WH x γ is consumed at a constant rate during each time of day. If the EV energy usage rate is set by time of day, it is assumed that all charging will occur during the cheapest time of day.

[0082] The renewable energy generation promotion levy in (Equation 4) above is calculated using (Equation 6) below. Renewable energy power generation promotion levy = Renewable energy power generation promotion levy unit price × Amount of electricity used WT (Equation 6)

[0083] For plans other than EV-only plans, the term (EV electricity usage unit price x vehicle electricity usage WE) in the above (Equation 5) disappears, and non-vehicle electricity usage WH is replaced with electricity usage TW.

[0084] In principle, when the electricity rate simulation system 30 receives a simulation start instruction from the mobile information terminal device 40, the electricity rate prediction unit 316 predicts the electricity rates for the applicable period of all electricity rate plans registered in the electricity rate plan comparison service provided by the electricity rate simulation system 30. The electricity rate prediction unit 316 also predicts the electricity rates for the applicable period of the electricity rate plan to which the user currently subscribes.

[0085] The electricity fee prediction unit 316 calculates the difference between the electricity fee for the applicable period of the electricity rate plan currently subscribed to by the user and the electricity fee for the applicable period of each electricity rate plan. If the latter is cheaper, the difference is the amount of savings that can be achieved by switching to that electricity rate plan.

[0086] The notification unit 317 notifies the mobile information terminal device 40 of plan information including the electricity rates for the applicable period for all electricity rate plans. The plan information for each electricity rate plan includes the name of the electric power company, the plan name, plan features, plan description, predicted electricity rates for the applicable period, the amount of savings when switching from the current electricity rate plan, link information, etc.

[0087] In the above description, an example has been assumed in which the electricity rate simulation is started in response to the pressing of an electricity rate simulation button displayed on the home screen of the power management application program on the mobile information terminal device 40.

[0088] In this regard, when user information is registered or updated, the display control unit 412 may display on the screen a recommendation to run an electricity rate simulation for an electricity rate plan other than the currently subscribed electricity rate plan. For example, the display control unit 412 may display an electricity rate simulation run button on the registration completion screen or update completion screen of the user information.

[0089] When user information is registered or updated, if a predetermined period (e.g., six months or one year) has not passed since the last change in electricity rate plan, the display control unit 412 may hide the recommendation urging the user to perform an electricity rate simulation. Frequent changes in electricity rate plans are not desirable for electric power companies that have registered their electricity rate plans with the electricity rate plan comparison service, so it is not desirable to frequently urge users to perform simulations of electricity rate plans.

[0090] In this embodiment, the premise for executing the electricity rate simulation is that measurement data of the vehicle's energy usage for a certain period or more has been accumulated. For example, if there is measurement data of the vehicle's energy usage for one month, the electricity rate prediction unit 316 can estimate the vehicle's energy usage for one year by multiplying the vehicle's energy usage for one month by a seasonally adjusted conversion coefficient for the vehicle's energy usage for each month by a region that has been prepared in advance.

[0091] If the registered vehicle charger 10 has already been used at the time of initial registration of user information and measurement data of one month or more of vehicle energy usage has been stored in the memory of the vehicle charger 10, the vehicle charger 10 and the electricity rate simulation system 30 can cooperate to enable the electricity rate simulation system 30 to acquire measurement data of one month or more of vehicle energy usage. In this case, the display control unit 412 displays a button for executing an electricity rate simulation on the initial registration completion screen of the user information.

[0092] The display control unit 412 can display an electricity rate collective simulation execution button and an individual simulation execution button on the input screen for the electricity rate simulation. The individual simulation execution button displays the name of the electric power company and the plan name. The user can operate the operation unit 45 to switch the electricity rate plan of a specific electric power company that is the target of the individual simulation. When the operation reception unit 411 receives an operation to switch the individual simulation, the display control unit 412 switches the electric power company name and plan name to be displayed on the individual simulation execution button.

[0093] The electricity rate plans that are the subject of the individual simulation may be limited to EV-only plans, limited plans, or EV-only and limited plans.

[0094] In this embodiment, whether the execute batch simulation button or the execute individual simulation button is pressed on the input screen for the electricity rate simulation, the electricity rate simulation system 30 will predict the electricity rates for all electricity rate plans registered in the electricity rate plan comparison service.

[0095] The cooperation processing unit 413 acquires plan information including predicted electricity rates for all electricity rate plans registered in the electricity rate plan comparison service from the electricity rate simulation system 30. The display control unit 412 switches between displaying the acquired plan information including predicted electricity rates for the multiple electricity rate plans collectively or individually, depending on the user's operation on the input screen for the electricity rate simulation. When the collectively simulate button is pressed, the display control unit 412 displays the plan information including predicted electricity rates for the multiple acquired electricity rate plans collectively. When the individual simulation button is pressed, the display control unit 412 displays the plan information including predicted electricity rates for the electricity rate plans of the specific selected electric power company individually.

[0096] When the batch simulation execution button is pressed, the display control unit 412 displays plan information including predicted electricity rates for the acquired multiple electricity rate plans on the screen in an order. The display control unit 412 can display the plans in order of price or recommendation. When price order is selected, the display control unit 412 sorts the plan information including predicted electricity rates for the multiple electricity rate plans in order of cheapest, using price as a key, and displays it. When recommendation order is selected, the display control unit 412 sorts the multiple electricity rate plans with priority given to the presence or absence of non-monetary plan features, and displays plan information including predicted electricity rates for the multiple electricity rate plans.

[0097] The electricity rate plans registered in the electricity rate plan comparison service provided by the electricity rate simulation system 30 include plans with multiple non-monetary plan features. Priorities for sorting are set in advance among the multiple non-monetary plan features. As described above, in this embodiment, limited plans, EV-only plans, and renewable energy plans are included as non-monetary plan features.

[0098] In this embodiment, the display control unit 412 sorts multiple electricity rate plans having non-monetary plan features by setting the limited plan as the first priority key, the EV-only plan as the second priority key, and the renewable energy plan as the third priority key.

[0099] First, the display control unit 412 extracts an electricity rate plan that is a limited plan from among the multiple electricity rate plans obtained from the electricity rate simulation system 30. If multiple electricity rate plans that are limited plans are extracted, the display control unit 412 extracts from among them an electricity rate plan that is also an EV-only plan. If multiple electricity rate plans that are limited plans and EV-only plans are extracted, the display control unit 412 extracts from among them an electricity rate plan that is also a renewable energy plan. If multiple electricity rate plans that are limited plans and EV-only plans and renewable energy plans are extracted, the display control unit 412 sorts them in descending order of the electricity rate. In other words, among multiple electricity rate plans that have the same conditions for multiple non-monetary plan features, the display control unit 412 sorts them using the rate as a key.

[0100] Next, the display control unit 412 extracts an electricity rate plan that is an EV-only plan from among the multiple electricity rate plans that are not limited plans. If multiple electricity rate plans that are EV-only plans are extracted, the display control unit 412 extracts from among them an electricity rate plan that is also a renewable energy plan. If multiple electricity rate plans that are both EV-only plans and renewable energy plans are extracted, the display control unit 412 sorts them in descending order of the electricity rate.

[0101] Next, the display control unit 412 extracts a renewable energy electricity rate plan from among multiple electricity rate plans that are neither limited plans nor EV-only plans. If multiple renewable energy electricity rate plans are extracted, the display control unit 412 sorts them in descending order of the electricity rate. Finally, the display control unit 412 sorts the multiple electricity rate plans that do not have non-monetary plan features in descending order of the electricity rate.

[0102] Note that setting the limited plan as the first priority key, the EV-only plan as the second priority key, and the renewable energy plan as the third priority key is just an example, and a different order may be used. For example, the EV-only plan may be the first priority key, the limited plan may be the second priority key, and the renewable energy plan may be the third priority key.

[0103] 4 is a diagram illustrating a data collection process sequence of the electricity rate simulation system 30 according to the embodiment. The administrator terminal device 70 transmits plan information for the electricity rate plans of each electric power company input by a person in charge of the comparison service provider to the electricity rate simulation system 30 (S10). The plan information acquisition unit 314 of the electricity rate simulation system 30 acquires the plan information for the electricity rate plans of each electric power company transmitted from the administrator terminal device 70, and stores the acquired plan information in the electricity rate plan information storage unit 323 (S11).

[0104] The plan information acquisition unit 314 periodically (for example, once a month) queries the electric power company A server 50a, the electric power company B server 50b, ... to see if there is any updated information on the electricity rate plan (mainly updated information on the rate unit price) (S12). If the contents of the electricity rate plan have been updated, the electric power company A server 50a transmits the updated information on the electricity rate plan to the electricity rate simulation system 30 (S13). When the plan information acquisition unit 314 acquires the updated information on the electricity rate plan from the electric power company A server 50a, it stores the acquired updated information on the electricity rate plan of electric power company A in the electricity rate plan information storage unit 323 and updates it to the latest plan information (S14).

[0105] If the contents of the electricity rate plan have been updated, the electric power company B server 50b transmits updated information about the electricity rate plan to the electricity rate simulation system 30 (S15). When the plan information acquisition unit 314 acquires the updated information about the electricity rate plan from the electric power company B server 50b, it stores the acquired updated information about the electricity rate plan of electric power company B in the electricity rate plan information storage unit 323 and updates it to the latest plan information (S16). The same applies to the electricity rate plans of other electric power companies.

[0106] The statistical data acquisition unit 315 periodically (for example, once a month) inquires of the power usage statistics server 60 whether the statistical data of power usage for each region has been updated (S17). If the statistical data of power usage for each region has been updated, the power usage statistics server 60 transmits the latest statistical data of power usage for each region to the electricity rate simulation system 30 (S18). When the statistical data acquisition unit 315 acquires the latest statistical data of power usage for each region from the power usage statistics server 60, it stores the acquired statistical data in a statistical data storage unit (not shown) and updates the statistical data to the latest statistical data (S19).

[0107] In addition, the statistical data storage unit may not be provided, and the statistical data acquisition unit 315 may acquire statistical data on electricity usage in the area where the user who performed the electricity rate simulation resides from the electricity usage statistics server 60 each time the electricity rate simulation is performed.

[0108] The vehicle energy usage acquisition unit 312 periodically (for example, once a day) inquires of the vehicle charger 10 about whether or not the vehicle energy usage has increased (S20). If the vehicle energy usage has increased since the previous inquiry due to charging of the electric vehicle 20, the vehicle charger 10 transmits the increased vehicle energy usage to the electricity rate simulation system 30 (S21). When the vehicle energy usage acquisition unit 312 acquires the current vehicle energy usage from the vehicle charger 10, it stores the acquired vehicle energy usage in the vehicle energy usage storage unit 322 (S22).

[0109] 5 is a diagram illustrating the processing sequence of an electricity rate simulation by the mobile information terminal device 40 and the electricity rate simulation system 30 according to the embodiment. The operation reception unit 411 of the mobile information terminal device 40 receives, on the setting registration screen, registration or change input of user information including the manufacturer and model of the vehicle charger 10, the manufacturer and model of the electric vehicle 20, and place of residence. The cooperation processing unit 413 transmits the input user information to the electricity rate simulation system 30 (S30).

[0110] The user information acquisition unit 311 of the electricity rate simulation system 30 acquires user information from the mobile information terminal device 40 and registers the acquired user information in the user information storage unit 321, or updates the user information of the corresponding user in the user information storage unit 321 with the acquired user information (S31). The user information acquisition unit 311 transmits a user information registration / update completion notification to the mobile information terminal device 40 (S32).

[0111] When the cooperation processing unit 413 receives a user information registration / update completion notification from the electricity rate simulation system 30, the display control unit 412 displays a user information registration / update completion screen including an electricity rate simulation execution button that prompts the user to execute an electricity rate simulation (S33). The operation accepting unit 411 accepts an operation to start an electricity rate simulation on the user information registration / update completion screen (S34).

[0112] The display control unit 412 displays an input screen for an electricity rate simulation that includes a month selection field, an input field for the electricity rate for the selected month, an input field for the time period when the user is at home, a button for executing a collective electricity rate simulation, and a button for executing an individual simulation. The operation reception unit 411 receives the electricity rate for the selected month, the time period when the user is at home, and a selection of either a collective simulation or an individual simulation on the input screen for the electricity rate simulation (S35). The collaboration processing unit 413 transmits an instruction to start the electricity rate simulation, including the input electricity rate for the selected month and the time period when the user is at home, to the electricity rate simulation system 30 (S36).

[0113] The electricity rate prediction unit 316 predicts the electricity rates for the target period of all the electricity rate plans registered in the electricity rate plan comparison service provided by the electricity rate simulation system 30 (S37).

[0114] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the subroutine of the electricity rate simulation in step S37 of Figure 5. The electricity rate prediction unit 316 reads the user's vehicle energy usage over the past year from the vehicle energy usage storage unit 322 (S371). The electricity rate prediction unit 316 acquires plan information for the user's currently subscribed electricity rate plan stored in the user information storage unit 321, and estimates the energy usage for the selected month based on the electricity rate for the selected month and the plan information for the electricity rate plan (S372).

[0115] The electricity charge prediction unit 316 calculates a seasonally adjusted conversion coefficient based on the statistical data of electricity usage for the selected month and the past year for the area where the user resides, which data is obtained from the electricity usage statistics server 60 (S373). The electricity charge prediction unit 316 estimates the electricity usage for one year by multiplying the electricity usage for the selected month by the seasonally adjusted conversion coefficient (S374). The electricity charge prediction unit 316 estimates the non-vehicle electricity usage for one year by subtracting the vehicle electricity usage for the past year from the electricity usage for one year (S375).

[0116] The electricity charge prediction unit 316 estimates the user's electricity usage ratio by time period based on information about the time periods when the user is at home (S376). The electricity charge prediction unit 316 estimates the user's non-vehicle electricity usage amount by time period for one year based on the user's electricity usage ratio by time period and the user's non-vehicle electricity usage amount for one year (S377). The electricity charge prediction unit 316 reads the normal usage unit price by time period and the EV usage unit price for each electricity rate plan from the electricity rate plan information storage unit 323 (S378). The electricity charge prediction unit 316 predicts the electricity charge for one year for each electricity rate plan based on the non-vehicle electricity usage amount by time period for one year, the normal usage unit price by time period, the vehicle electricity usage amount for one year, and the EV usage unit price (S379).

[0117] Returning to Fig. 5, the notification unit 317 notifies the mobile information terminal device 40 of plan information including the predicted electricity rates for one year for all electricity rate plans (S38). The collaboration processing unit 413 acquires the plan information including the predicted electricity rates for one year for all electricity rate plans from the electricity rate simulation system 30. The display control unit 412 determines whether a batch simulation or an individual simulation was selected in step S35 (S39).

[0118] If a batch simulation has been selected (Batch in S39), the display control unit 412 determines whether recommendation order or price order has been selected (S40). If recommendation order has been selected (Recommendation order in S40), the display control unit 412 sorts the multiple electricity rate plans based on the plan features (S41).

[0119] Figure 7 is a diagram showing the subroutine for sorting electricity rate plans in step S41 in Figure 5. The display control unit 412 sets the first priority key to a limited plan, the second priority key to an EV-only plan, the third priority key to a renewable energy plan, and the fourth priority key to the cheapest electricity rate, and sorts all of the electricity rate plans obtained from the electricity rate simulation system 30 (S411).

[0120] Returning to Figure 5, the display control unit 412 displays the plan information including the predicted electricity rates for the multiple electricity rate plans in the order of recommendation sorted in step S41 (S42). If price order was selected in step S40 (price order in S40), the display control unit 412 displays the plan information including the predicted electricity rates for the multiple electricity rate plans in order of cheapest (S43). If individual simulation was selected in step S39 (individual in S39), the display control unit 412 displays only the plan information including the predicted electricity rates for the electricity rate plans of the specific electric power company that was selected (S44).

[0121] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a My Page screen 44a that is displayed during execution of a power management application program installed in the mobile information terminal device 40. When the user selects User Information 44b in the My Menu on the My Page screen 44a, the screen transitions to a user information setting screen.

[0122] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a user information setting screen 44c that is displayed during execution of a power management application program. When the user inputs user information into each item field and selects the update button 44d, the screen transitions to a user information registration completion screen.

[0123] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a user information registration completion screen 44e that is displayed while the power management application program is running. An electricity rate plan simulation button 44f is displayed on the registration completion screen 44e. When the electricity rate plan simulation button 44f is selected by the user, the screen transitions to an input screen for an electricity rate simulation.

[0124] 11 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen 44g for an electricity rate simulation that is displayed while a power management application program is running. The input screen 44g for an electricity rate simulation displays an item field for inputting the electricity rate for a certain month, a field for selecting the time period when the user is at home, a batch simulation button 44h, and an individual simulation button 44i. The individual simulation button 44i can be used to switch to another electricity rate plan by selecting the left or right arrow mark.

[0125] When the user selects the collective simulation button 44h, the screen transitions to an output screen for collective simulation of the electricity rate simulation. When the user selects the individual simulation button 44i, the screen transitions to an output screen for individual simulation of the electricity rate simulation.

[0126] 12 is a diagram showing an example of an output screen 44j of a collective simulation of electricity rate simulations that is displayed during execution of a power management application program. The output screen 44j of the collective simulation of electricity rate simulations displays plan information for multiple electricity rate plans, sorted in order of recommendation or price. The plan information for each electricity rate plan includes the amount of savings that can be achieved by switching from the current electricity rate plan to that electricity rate plan.

[0127] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an output screen 44k of an individual electricity rate simulation that is displayed during execution of a power management application program. The output screen 44k of the individual electricity rate simulation displays the name of the electric power company that offers the selected electricity rate plan, a comparison between the current electricity rate plan and the selected electricity rate plan, and a breakdown of the simulation. When the user selects the "Show all details" button 44l, the screen transitions to a simulation breakdown screen. When the user selects the "Show other plans" button 44m, the screen transitions to the output screen 44j of the collective simulation shown in FIG. 12.

[0128] 14 is a diagram showing an example of a simulation details screen 44n that is displayed during execution of a power management application program. The simulation details screen 44n displays the current power rate plan and details of each rate item of the power rate plan.

[0129] As described above, this embodiment can assist the user who has installed the vehicle charger 10 in selecting an electricity rate plan that meets their needs. Furthermore, since the electricity rate is predicted based on the vehicle energy usage measured by the vehicle charger 10, the electricity rate or energy usage for the selected month, the unit price for EV use under the EV-only plan, and the unit price for normal use, the electricity rate for the EV-only plan can be predicted with high accuracy. Since the unit price for EV use varies greatly depending on the electric power company for the EV-only plan, simulating at least the vehicle energy usage based on measured values ​​allows for more accurate comparison between EV-only plans.

[0130] Furthermore, by calculating a seasonally adjusted conversion coefficient to be multiplied by the amount of electricity used in the selected month based on statistical data on electricity usage in the area where the user lives, it is possible to estimate the user's annual electricity usage with high accuracy. Furthermore, by estimating the user's non-vehicle electricity usage by time of day based on information about the time of day the user is at home, it is possible to predict with high accuracy the electricity charges for rate plans with time-of-day rate units. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately compare multiple electricity rate plans with various plan features.

[0131] Furthermore, when user information is registered or updated, a recommendation is displayed on the screen to encourage the user to run an electricity rate simulation for an electricity rate plan other than the currently subscribed electricity rate plan, thereby making it possible to suggest a review of the electricity rate plan at an appropriate time to the user who has installed the vehicle charger 10. The timing when the user information is initially registered is the timing when the electricity rate plan comparison service is used for the first time, and is therefore an appropriate time to run an electricity rate simulation.

[0132] Furthermore, the timing when user information is updated is also a suitable time to run an electricity rate simulation, as it is the time when some kind of change occurs in the user's lifestyle. For example, if a person moves and changes their place of residence, the electric power company providing service in the area including their place of residence will also change, providing a good opportunity to review their electricity rate plan. Also, if the number of people living in the household changes due to children going to school or other reasons, the amount of electricity consumed within the household can change significantly. Since the optimal electricity rate plan changes depending on the amount of electricity used, this is a good opportunity to review your electricity rate plan.

[0133] Furthermore, even if user information is registered or updated, if a specified period of time has not passed since the last change in electricity rate plan, the recommendation to run an electricity rate simulation will be hidden, thereby creating a policy that does not encourage frequent changes in electricity rate plans.

[0134] In addition, by switching between displaying all plan information, including the electricity rates of multiple electricity rate plans for which rate simulations were performed, in one place, and displaying plan information, including the electricity rates of the selected EV-only plan, in separate places according to the user's operation, a simulation result screen that is easy for the user to view can be displayed. When displaying all plans in one place, it is easy to compare which electricity rate plan is the cheapest. When displaying plans individually, the plan information of the electricity rate plan in which the user is interested can be displayed in a large size.

[0135] By requiring that electricity rate plans be EV-specific plans as a condition for individual simulations, it is possible to encourage each power company to develop plans specifically for EVs. If multiple power companies offer EV-specific plans, it will be easier to provide electricity rate plans that are advantageous to EV owners, which is expected to reduce the number of users switching from electric vehicles to gasoline-powered vehicles.

[0136] When displaying plan information for multiple electricity rate plans all at once, sorting by the presence or absence of non-monetary plan features as a priority key makes it possible to display a simulation results screen that is easy to view for users who prioritize non-monetary factors such as whether the plan is exclusively for EVs or has a high renewable energy usage rate. In addition, by assigning priorities to multiple plan features, it is possible to prioritize the display of more recommended electricity rate plans.

[0137] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments. The embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible in the combination of the respective components and processing steps, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0138] In the above-described embodiment, an example is assumed in which an electricity rate plan comparison service provided by the electricity rate simulation system 30 is used by executing a power management application program installed on the mobile information terminal device 40. In this regard, the electricity rate plan comparison service may be implemented as a website. In this case, the website for the electricity rate plan comparison service is accessed using a browser installed on the mobile information terminal device 40.

[0139] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the mobile information terminal device 40 is used as the information terminal device with which the user accesses the electricity rate simulation system 30. In this regard, a fixed information terminal device (for example, a PC) may also be used as the information terminal device with which the user accesses the electricity rate simulation system 30.

[0140] In the above-described embodiment, the user's annual energy usage is estimated by multiplying the energy usage for the selected month by a seasonally adjusted conversion coefficient. In this regard, a home energy management system (HEMS) controller installed in the home may be linked with the electricity rate simulation system 30 to obtain the user's energy usage or non-vehicle energy usage for the past year. Alternatively, the user may download the energy usage for the past year from the server of the electricity rate plan to their own information terminal device and transmit it to the electricity rate simulation system 30. Alternatively, the user may permit the server of the electricity rate plan to be linked with the electricity rate simulation system 30, and the energy usage for the past year may be downloaded from the server of the electricity rate plan to the electricity rate simulation system 30. In these cases, inputting the electricity rate or energy usage for the selected month and calculating the seasonally adjusted conversion coefficient based on statistical data on energy usage in the area where the user resides can be omitted.

[0141] If the amount of electricity usage over the past year obtained from the HEMS controller or the server of the currently subscribed electricity rate plan is data in minutes or hours, the electricity rate prediction unit 316 can aggregate the data in minutes or hours and estimate the user's electricity usage ratio by time period. In this case, it is possible to omit inputting information about the time periods when the user is at home.

[0142] In the above-described embodiment, the electricity rate simulation system 30 predicts the electricity rates for all electricity rate plans registered in the electricity rate plan comparison service, regardless of whether the batch simulation execution button or the individual simulation execution button is pressed on the input screen for the electricity rate simulation. In this regard, when the individual simulation execution button is pressed, the cooperation processing unit 413 of the mobile information terminal device 40 may send an instruction to start a simulation of the electricity rate plan selected by the user to the electricity rate simulation system 30. In this case, the electricity rate prediction unit 316 of the electricity rate simulation system 30 predicts only the electricity rate of the electricity rate plan selected by the user, and the notification unit 317 notifies the mobile information terminal device 40 of plan information including the predicted electricity rate of the electricity rate plan selected by the user.

[0143] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the display control unit 412 of the mobile information terminal device 40 sorts a plurality of electricity rate plans for which a rate simulation has been performed in order of recommendation or price. In this regard, the electricity rate prediction unit 316 of the electricity rate simulation system 30 may sort a plurality of electricity rate plans for which electricity rates have been predicted in order of recommendation or price, and the notification unit 317 may notify the mobile information terminal device 40 of the plan information of the plurality of electricity rate plans in the sorted state.

[0144] In the above-described embodiment, a normal charger has been described as an example of the vehicle charger 10. However, a V2H (Vehicle to Home) converter capable of rapid charging with DC power may be used as the vehicle charger 10. In this case, the current measurement circuit 11 measures the current flowing in the electrical path on the system 2 side of the DC / DC converter, and the voltage measurement circuit 12 measures the voltage of the electrical path on the system 2 side of the DC / DC converter. This allows for more accurate measurement of the amount of power drawn from the system 2 to the vehicle charger 10.

[0145] The embodiment may be specified by the following items.

[0146] [Item 1] An information terminal device (40) capable of referring to the amount of electric power used by an electric vehicle (20) supplied from a vehicle charger (10), an operation reception unit (411) that receives input of user information including the model of the electric vehicle (20) and the place of residence of the user who owns the electric vehicle (20); a cooperation processing unit (413) for carrying out cooperation processing with the electricity rate simulation system (30); a display control unit (412) that, when the user information is registered or updated, displays on a screen a recommendation to run an electricity rate simulation for an electricity rate plan other than the currently subscribed electricity rate plan; An information terminal device (40) comprising: This allows a user who has installed the vehicle charger (10) to be offered the opportunity to review his or her electricity rate plan at an appropriate time. [Item 2] When the user information is registered or updated, if a predetermined period of time has not elapsed since the last change in the electricity rate plan, the display control unit (412) hides the recommendation to prompt the user to run the electricity rate simulation. Item 1. The information terminal device (40) according to item 1. This would allow for a policy that discourages frequent changes in electricity rate plans. [Item 3] The display control unit (412) displays an execution button for the electricity rate simulation on the registration completion screen or the update completion screen of the user information. Item 1. The information terminal device (40) according to item 1. This allows the user to easily run an electricity rate simulation. [Item 4] The user information includes the number of people living together. Item 1. The information terminal device (40) according to item 1. This provides a good opportunity to review your electricity rate plan, as the amount of electricity consumed within the home may change significantly. [Item 5] The electricity rate simulation system (30) a vehicle power usage acquisition unit (312) that acquires the amount of vehicle power usage measured by the vehicle charger (10) and supplied to the electric vehicle (20) from the vehicle charger (10); a storage unit (322) that accumulates the acquired vehicle power usage amount for each vehicle charger (10); an electricity usage information acquisition unit (313) that acquires the electricity charge or the amount of electricity usage of the user for a certain month from the information terminal device (40); a plan information acquisition unit (314) for acquiring plan information of an electricity rate plan in which a rate unit for electric vehicle use is set separately from a normal rate unit; an electricity charge prediction unit (316) that identifies the amount of non-electric vehicle energy usage of the user for the month based on the amount of energy usage estimated or acquired from the user's electricity charge for the month and the amount of energy usage of the user's vehicle for the month stored in the storage unit (322), and predicts the electricity charge for a target period in the event of switching to the electricity rate plan based on plan information including the unit price for electric vehicle use and the unit price for normal use of the electricity rate plan; a notification unit (317) that notifies the information terminal device (40) of plan information including the predicted electricity rate for the target period of the electricity rate plan; The cooperation processing unit (413) acquires the electricity rate for the target period of the electricity rate plan from the electricity rate simulation system (30), The display control unit (412) displays the electricity rate for the target period of the acquired electricity rate plan on a screen. Item 1. The information terminal device (40) according to item 1. This makes it possible to accurately predict electricity bills if you switch to a specific EV-specific plan. [Item 6] A control method for an information terminal device (40) capable of referring to an amount of vehicle power consumption supplied from a vehicle charger (10) to an electric vehicle (20), comprising: a step of receiving input of user information including a model of the electric vehicle (20) and a place of residence of a user who owns the electric vehicle (20); A step of processing in cooperation with an electricity rate simulation system (30); When the user information is registered or updated, a recommendation is displayed on a screen to encourage the user to run an electricity rate simulation for an electricity rate plan other than the currently subscribed electricity rate plan; A control method comprising: This allows a user who has installed the vehicle charger (10) to be offered the opportunity to review his or her electricity rate plan at an appropriate time. [Item 6] A control program for an information terminal device (40) capable of referring to an amount of vehicle power consumption supplied from a vehicle charger (10) to an electric vehicle (20), comprising: A process of accepting input of user information including the model of the electric vehicle (20) and the place of residence of the user who owns the electric vehicle (20); A process of processing in cooperation with an electricity rate simulation system (30); When the user information is registered or updated, a process of displaying on a screen a recommendation to run an electricity rate simulation for an electricity rate plan other than the currently subscribed electricity rate plan; A control program that causes a computer to execute the above. This allows a user who has installed the vehicle charger (10) to be offered the opportunity to review his or her electricity rate plan at an appropriate time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 2 system, 3 distribution board, 4 load, 5 network, 6 router device, 10 vehicle charger, RY1 relay, 11 current measurement circuit, 11a CT sensor, 12 voltage measurement circuit, 13 control unit, 14, 15 communication unit, 20 electric vehicle, 21 storage battery, 22 DC / AC converter, 23 control unit, 24 communication unit, 30 electricity rate simulation system, 31 processing unit, 311 user information acquisition unit, 312 vehicle energy usage acquisition unit, 313 energy usage information acquisition unit, 314 plan information acquisition unit, 315 statistical data acquisition unit, 316 electricity rate prediction unit, 317 notification unit, 32 memory unit, 321 user information storage unit, 322 vehicle energy usage storage unit, 323 electricity rate plan information storage unit, 33 Communication unit, 40 mobile information terminal device, 41 processing unit, 411 operation reception unit, 412 display control unit, 413 collaboration processing unit, 42 memory unit, 43 communication unit, 44 display unit, 45 operation unit, 50a electric power company A server, 50b electric power company B server, 60 power usage statistics server, 70 administrator terminal device.

Claims

1. An information terminal device capable of referring to the amount of electric power used by an electric vehicle supplied from a vehicle charger, an operation receiving unit that receives input of user information including the model of the electric vehicle and the place of residence of the user who owns the electric vehicle; a link processing unit that performs link processing with the electricity rate simulation system; a display control unit that, when the user information is registered or updated, displays on a screen a recommendation that encourages the user to run an electricity rate simulation for an electricity rate plan other than the currently subscribed electricity rate plan; An information terminal device comprising:

2. the display control unit, when the user information is registered or updated, does not display the recommendation prompting the user to perform the electricity rate simulation if a predetermined period of time has not elapsed since the previous change in the electricity rate plan.

2. The information terminal device according to claim 1.

3. the display control unit displays an execution button for the electricity rate simulation on a registration completion screen or an update completion screen for the user information.

2. The information terminal device according to claim 1.

4. The user information includes the number of people living together.

2. The information terminal device according to claim 1.

5. The electricity rate simulation system includes: a vehicle power usage acquisition unit that acquires the vehicle power usage measured by the vehicle charger and supplied to the electric vehicle from the vehicle charger; a storage unit that stores the acquired vehicle power usage amount for each vehicle charger; an electricity usage information acquisition unit that acquires the electricity charge or the amount of electricity usage of the user for a certain month from the information terminal device; a plan information acquisition unit that acquires plan information of an electricity rate plan in which a rate unit price for electric vehicle use is set separately from a normal rate unit price; an electricity rate prediction unit that identifies the amount of non-electric vehicle electricity usage of the user for the month based on the amount of electricity usage estimated or acquired from the user's electricity rate for the month and the user's vehicle electricity usage for the month stored in the storage unit, and predicts the electricity rate for a target period in the event of switching to the electricity rate plan based on plan information including the unit price for electric vehicle use and the unit price for normal use of the electricity rate plan; a notification unit that notifies the information terminal device of plan information including the predicted electricity rate for the target period of the electricity rate plan, the cooperation processing unit acquires the electricity rate for the target period of the electricity rate plan from the electricity rate simulation system, the display control unit displays the electricity rate for the target period of the acquired electricity rate plan on a screen.

2. The information terminal device according to claim 1.

6. A control method for an information terminal device capable of referencing vehicle power usage supplied from a vehicle charger to an electric vehicle, comprising: receiving input of user information including a model of the electric vehicle and a place of residence of the user who owns the electric vehicle; A step of processing in cooperation with an electricity rate simulation system; When the user information is registered or updated, a recommendation is displayed on a screen to encourage the user to perform an electricity rate simulation for an electricity rate plan other than the currently subscribed electricity rate plan; A control method comprising:

7. A control program for an information terminal device capable of referring to an amount of electric power used by an electric vehicle supplied from a vehicle charger, a process of receiving input of user information including a model of the electric vehicle and a place of residence of the user who owns the electric vehicle; A process for linking with an electricity rate simulation system; When the user information is registered or updated, a process of displaying on a screen a recommendation to run an electricity rate simulation for an electricity rate plan other than the currently subscribed electricity rate plan; A control program that causes a computer to execute the above.

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