Power supply control device and power supply control method

Abstract

To provide a power supply control device and a power supply control method capable of suppressing deterioration of a distributed power supply accompanying a DR request.SOLUTION: A power supply control device includes: a reception part configured to receive, from a power management device, an adjustment request for requesting supply and demand adjustment of a power system for a predetermined period configured by two or more unit periods; a control part configured to control a distributed power supply installed in a facility in accordance with the adjustment request; and a transmission part configured to transmit, to the power management device, information regarding a remaining number of times that is the number of unit periods in which the distributed power supply can adjust power in the predetermined period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power supply control device and a power supply control method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a system using distributed power sources such as power storage devices (hereinafter referred to as VPP (Virtual Power Plant)) has been attracting attention in order to stabilize the balance of power supply and demand in a power grid (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] In a VPP, an adjustment request (hereinafter referred to as a DR request) to reduce forward flow power or generated power is expected. For example, a power supply control device that controls distributed power sources on behalf of a power management device controls the distributed power sources installed in a facility in response to the DR request received from the power management device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 041010 Brochure [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2016 / 084396 Brochure Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Controlling distributed power sources in response to demand for demand response (DR) may cause degradation of the distributed power sources, which may cause disadvantages to the owners of the distributed power sources installed in the facilities.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a power supply control device and a power supply control method that make it possible to suppress deterioration of distributed power sources due to DR requests. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The disclosed aspect is a power supply control device that includes: a receiving unit that receives an adjustment request from a power management device to request adjustment of supply and demand in a power system for a predetermined period consisting of two or more unit periods; a control unit that controls a distributed power source installed in a facility in response to the adjustment request; and a transmitting unit that transmits information to the power management device regarding the remaining number of unit periods in which the distributed power source can adjust power during the predetermined period.

[0008] The disclosed aspect is a power supply control method comprising the steps of receiving an adjustment request from a power management device requesting adjustment of supply and demand in a power system for a predetermined period consisting of two or more unit periods; controlling a distributed power source installed in a facility in response to the adjustment request; and transmitting information to the power management device regarding the remaining number of unit periods in which the distributed power source can adjust power during the predetermined period. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a power supply control device and a power supply control method that can suppress deterioration of a distributed power supply due to a DR request. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a power supply control system 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a facility 100 according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the RA server 200 according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the AC server 300 according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a power supply control method according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a power supply control method according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic.

[0012] [Embodiment] (Power supply control system) A power supply control system according to an embodiment will be described below. 1, the power supply control system 1 includes a facility 100. The power supply control system 1 includes an RA (Resource Aggregator) server 200 and an AC (Aggregation Coordinator) server 300.

[0013] Here, the facility 100, the RA server 200, and the AC server 300 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via a network 11. The network 11 may include the Internet, a dedicated line such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network), or a mobile communication network.

[0014] The facility 100 is connected to the power grid 12 and may receive power from the power grid 12 or may supply power to the power grid 12. Power from the power grid 12 to the facility 100 may be referred to as forward flow power. Power from the facility 100 to the power grid 12 may be referred to as reverse flow power. In FIG. 1 , facilities 100A to 100C are illustrated as examples of the facility 100.

[0015] Although not particularly limited, facility 100 may be a facility such as a residence, a facility such as a store, or a facility such as an office. Facility 100 may also be an apartment building including two or more residences. Facility 100 may also be a complex including at least two or more of the following facilities: a residence, a store, and an office. Details of facility 100 will be described later (see FIG. 2).

[0016] The RA server 200 is a server managed by a business operator (e.g., a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) business operator) that controls distributed power sources (e.g., the power storage device 120 described later) installed in the facility 100. The RA server 200 may be interpreted as a VPP business operator. The RA server 200 may also be referred to as a first server or a subordinate server. Details of the RA server 200 will be described later (see FIG. 3).

[0017] In the embodiment, the RA server 200 constitutes a power supply control device that controls the distributed power supplies installed in the facility 100 in place of the power management device (AC server 300).

[0018] The AC server 300 is a server managed by a business operator (e.g., a retail electricity supplier) that sells electricity to the facility 100. The AC server 300 is an example of a power management device belonging to a retail electricity supplier that sells electricity to the facility 100. The retail electricity supplier may procure electricity from an electricity market or a power generation company and sell the procured electricity to the facility 100. The AC server 300 may be read as a retail electricity supplier. The AC server 300 may also be referred to as a second server or an upper server. Details of the AC server 300 will be described later (see FIG. 4).

[0019] Although not particularly limited, the electricity market may be a market in which electricity is traded for a target period (e.g., one day from 0:00 to 24:00). The electricity market may be a market in which electricity rates are determined for each unit period (e.g., 30 minutes) that constitutes the target period. The electricity market may include a spot market in which trading closes the day before the target period (e.g., 10:00 the day before the target period). The electricity market may also include an advance market in which trading closes just before (e.g., one hour before) the unit period that constitutes the target period. The electricity market may include a forward market, a forward electricity market, a futures market, a capacity market, or an adjustment market in which electricity is traded for a specific future period (e.g., one year, one month, one week).

[0020] Although not particularly limited, power generation companies may include companies that trade electricity in the electricity market, and may also include companies that trade electricity directly with retail electricity companies.

[0021] The AC server 300 may transmit an adjustment request requesting adjustment of supply and demand in the power grid 12 for a predetermined period consisting of two or more unit periods. The adjustment request may be referred to as a DR (Demand Response) request. The DR request may include an upward DR request requesting an increase in the power demand of the facility 100 from a reference value, or may include a downward DR request requesting a decrease in the power demand of the facility 100 from a reference value.

[0022] The reference value is the power demand of the facility 100 before the DR request. The reference value is a value that reflects the power consumption of the facility 100 (power consumption of the load devices 140), as well as the power generated by power generation devices (e.g., the solar cell device 110 and the fuel cell device 130) and the charging power and discharging power of the power storage device 120. The reference value may be considered as a baseline power. The baseline power may be an average value of the power demand for a certain period before the issuance of the DR request is announced. The certain period may be determined according to the actual situation of the negawatt trading, or may be determined between the RA server 200 and the AC server 300. The baseline power may be calculated based on a predicted value of the power demand of the facility 100, a predicted value of the power generation of the facility 100, or both the power demand and the power generation.

[0023] When the power demand of the facility 100 is increased or decreased in response to the DR request, a reward may be given according to the degree to which the DR request was complied with. The reward may be given to the AC server 300 or the facility 100. When the power demand of the facility 100 is not increased or decreased in response to the DR request, a penalty may be imposed according to the degree to which the DR request was not complied with. The penalty may be imposed on the AC server 300 or the facility 100. The penalty may be imposed only on the facility 100 that responded that it would comply with the DR request. The reward and penalty may be monetary.

[0024] (facility) A facility according to an embodiment will be described below. As shown in Fig. 2, the facility 100 includes a solar cell device 110, a power storage device 120, a fuel cell device 130, a load device 140, and an EMS (Energy Management System) 160. The facility 100 may also include a measuring device 190.

[0025] The solar cell device 110 is a distributed power source that generates electricity in response to light such as sunlight. For example, the solar cell device 110 is configured by a PCS (Power Conditioning System) and a solar panel. Here, installation may mean connecting the solar cell device 110 to the power grid 12.

[0026] The power storage device 120 is a distributed power source that charges and discharges power. For example, the power storage device 120 is configured by a PCS and a power storage cell. Here, "installed" may mean that the power storage device 120 is connected to the power grid 12.

[0027] The fuel cell device 130 is a distributed power source that generates electricity using fuel. For example, the fuel cell device 130 is composed of a PCS and a fuel cell. Here, "installed" may mean that the fuel cell device 130 and the power grid 12 are connected.

[0028] For example, the fuel cell device 130 may be a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC; Solid Oxide Fuel Cell), a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC; Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC; Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell), or a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC; Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell).

[0029] The load devices 140 are devices that consume power. For example, the load devices 140 may include air conditioners, heat pump water heaters, lighting devices, and the like.

[0030] The EMS 160 manages the power related to the facility 100. The EMS 160 may control the solar cell device 110, the power storage device 120, the fuel cell device 130, and the load devices 140. In the embodiment, the EMS 160 is illustrated as an example of a device that receives control commands from the RA server 200, but such a device may also be referred to as a gateway or simply as a control unit. The control command may be an instruction or command to control a distributed power source (e.g., the power storage device 120). To distinguish the EMS 160 from the RA server 200, the EMS 160 may also be referred to as a local EMS (LES), a home EMS (HEMS), or a demand-side resource-energy-management system (DSR-MS).

[0031] The measuring device 190 measures forward flow power (hereinafter also referred to as demand power) from the power grid 12 to the facility 100. The measuring device 190 may measure reverse flow power from the facility 100 to the power grid 12. For example, the measuring device 190 may be a smart meter belonging to a power company. The measuring device 190 may transmit an information element indicating a measurement result (an integrated value of forward flow power or reverse flow power) at a first interval (e.g., 30 minutes) to the EMS 160 at the first interval. The measuring device 190 may transmit an information element indicating a measurement result at a second interval (e.g., 1 minute) shorter than the first interval to the EMS 160.

[0032] (RA server) The RA server according to the embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG.

[0033] The communication unit 210 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, LTE, 5G, or 6G, or may be a wired communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.3.

[0034] First, the communication unit 210 may receive a DR request for a supply-demand adjustment of the power grid 12 for a predetermined period consisting of two or more unit periods. As described above, the DR request may include a downward DR requesting a decrease in the power demand of the facility 100, or an upward DR requesting an increase in the power demand of the facility 100.

[0035] Second, the communication unit 210 may receive facility information about the facility 100. The facility information may include information indicating the configuration of the distributed power sources that the facility 100 has, or may include information indicating the specifications of the distributed power sources that the facility 100 has.

[0036] Furthermore, the facility information may include the following information. Since the information below changes from moment to moment, the communication unit 210 may receive the facility information including the information below periodically, or may receive it in response to a request from the RA server 200.

[0037] For example, the communication unit 210 may receive a planned value for the power consumption of the facility 100, or may receive an actual value for the power consumption of the facility 100. The communication unit 210 may receive a planned value for the power generated by a distributed power source installed in the facility 100, or may receive an actual value for the power generated by the distributed power source installed in the facility 100. The communication unit 210 may receive a planned value for the power demand of the facility 100, or may receive an actual value for the power demand of the facility 100. Note that when the power consumption is expressed as a value greater than or equal to 0 and the power generation is expressed as a value less than or equal to 0, the power demand is a value expressed as the sum of the power consumption and the power generation. Therefore, when the absolute value of the power generation is greater than the absolute value of the power consumption, the power demand can take a negative value. When the distributed power source is a power storage device 120, the communication unit 210 may receive information indicating the remaining amount of power stored in the power storage device 120 (e.g., SOC; State Of Charge) (hereinafter referred to as remaining power storage information).

[0038] For example, the facility information may include information for identifying a reference value to be referenced in the DR request. The information for identifying the reference value may include information indicating an actual value of the power demand of the facility 100. The information for identifying the reference value may include information indicating an actual value of the power generation of the facility 100. The information for identifying the reference value may include information indicating an actual value of the power consumption of the facility 100.

[0039] For example, the facility information may include information indicating the amount of power that can be adjusted in response to a DR request (hereinafter referred to as adjustable power amount). The facility information may include information indicating the adjustable power amount for each unit period (e.g., 30 minutes) that constitutes the target period. The adjustable power amount for each unit period may include information indicating the adjustable amount of generated power, or may include information indicating the adjustable amount of demanded power.

[0040] Third, the communication unit 210 may transmit to the facility 100 a control command for controlling the distributed power source installed in the facility 100. The distributed power source controlled by the control command, i.e., the distributed power source controlled by the RA server 200, may be a power storage device.

[0041] In the embodiment, the communication unit 210 constitutes a receiving unit that receives, from the AC server 300, a DR request requesting supply and demand adjustment of the power grid 12 for a predetermined period configured of two or more unit periods.

[0042] The management unit 220 is configured by a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a nonvolatile memory.

[0043] For example, the management unit 220 may manage information about the facility 100 that has a distributed power source controlled by the RA server 200. For example, the information about the facility 100 may include the type of the distributed power source (solar cell device 110, power storage device 120, or fuel cell device 130) installed in the facility 100, the specifications of the distributed power source (solar cell device 110, power storage device 120, or fuel cell device 130) installed in the facility 100, etc. The specifications may include the rated power generation of the solar cell device 110, the rated charging power of the power storage device 120, the rated discharging power of the power storage device 120, and the rated output power of the fuel cell device 130. The specifications may include the rated capacity of the power storage device 120, the maximum charging and discharging power, etc.

[0044] The control unit 230 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured by a single integrated circuit (IC), or may be configured by multiple circuits (such as integrated circuits and / or discrete circuits) that are communicatively connected.

[0045] The control unit 230 controls the distributed power sources (for example, the power storage devices 120) installed in the facility 100. In detail, the control unit 230 formulates a control plan for the distributed power sources for a target period (hereinafter referred to as the planned period), and then instructs the communication unit 210 to transmit control commands in accordance with the formulated control plan. The control commands may be transmitted all at once before the planned period for the entire planned period, or may be transmitted sequentially for each planned unit period, or may be transmitted in real time at intervals shorter than the planned unit period.

[0046] In the following, a case where the distributed power source controlled by the RA server 200 is the power storage device 120 will be exemplified.

[0047] The control unit 230 formulates a control plan (hereinafter referred to as a charge / discharge plan) for the power storage device 120 for each planning unit period (e.g., 30 minutes) that constitutes a planning period (e.g., one day). The charge / discharge plan includes an operation mode (e.g., a discharge mode, a charge mode, a standby mode) of the power storage device 120. The charge / discharge plan may include the discharge power and the charge power of the power storage device 120. Although not particularly limited, the control unit 230 may formulate a charge / discharge plan for the power storage device 120 so as to maximize the profits of the facility 100.

[0048] Under such a premise, in response to the DR request, the control unit 230 controls the power storage device 120 installed in the facility 100. Furthermore, the control unit 230 executes the following operations in relation to the DR request.

[0049] The control unit 230 controls the communication unit 210 to transmit information regarding the remaining number of times, which is the number of unit periods in which the power storage device 120 can adjust the power in a predetermined period, to the AC server 300. That is, the communication unit 210 transmits information regarding the remaining number of times, which is the number of unit periods in which the power storage device 120 can adjust the power in a predetermined period, to the AC server 300.

[0050] Here, the predetermined period may be a target period during which trading is conducted in the electricity market (for example, one day from 0:00 to 24:00). However, the predetermined period may be longer or shorter than the target period.

[0051] The remaining number of times is a number that is reset at every predetermined period. For example, assuming a DR request that requests a reduction in the power demand of the facility 100, the remaining number of times may be the number of times that the power storage device 120 can continuously discharge at the rated discharge power. For example, assuming a DR request that requests an increase in the power demand of the facility 100, the remaining number of times may be the number of times that the power storage device 120 can continuously charge at the rated charge power.

[0052] The maximum number of times that the power storage device 120 can be continuously discharged or charged at the rated power (rated discharge power or rated charge power) in a predetermined period may be referred to as the maximum number. The maximum number may be considered to be the initial value of the remaining number of times in the predetermined period. In other words, the remaining number of times is a value obtained by subtracting the number of unit periods corresponding to DR requests in the predetermined period from the maximum number of times.

[0053] The maximum number of times may be determined within an allowable range for deterioration of the power storage device 120 in a predetermined period of time. For example, the maximum number of times is determined by the charge / discharge cycles allowed for the power storage device 120 in the predetermined period of time. A charge / discharge cycle is a cycle in which the power storage device 120 is fully charged from a state in which the SOC of the power storage device 120 is 0% and fully discharged from a state in which the SOC of the power storage device 120 is 100%. Therefore, the maximum number of times the power storage device 120 can be continuously discharged at the rated discharge power in a predetermined period of time may be a value obtained by dividing the SOC of the power storage device 120 by the rated discharge power of the power storage device. Similarly, the maximum number of times the power storage device 120 can be continuously charged at the rated charge power in a predetermined period of time may be a value obtained by dividing the SOC of the power storage device 120 by the rated charge power of the power storage device.

[0054] Here, a case is assumed in which the RA server 200 controls two or more power storage devices 120. Therefore, a case is assumed in which the maximum number of times is different for each of the two or more power storage devices 120. The control unit 230 may identify the maximum number of times for each power storage device 120 and identify a representative value of the maximum number of times for each power storage device 120. For example, the representative value may be the worst value of the maximum number of times, the average value of the maximum number of times, or the most frequent value of the maximum number of times. However, the representative value may be set arbitrarily as long as it is a value between the worst value of the maximum number of times and the best value of the maximum number of times.

[0055] Before receiving a DR request, the control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit information regarding the remaining number of times. Before receiving a DR request, the control unit 230 may be at a stage of transmitting the amount of power that can be adjusted in response to the DR request (adjustable amount of power) to the AC server 300.

[0056] After receiving the DR request, the control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit information regarding the remaining number of times. After receiving the DR request, the control unit 230 may proceed to a stage where it transmits information regarding whether or not the DR request can be handled to the AC server 300. After receiving the DR request, the control unit 230 may proceed to a stage where it transmits a control result regarding the DR request to the AC server 300.

[0057] When the remaining number of times falls below a predetermined number of times, the control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit, as information regarding the remaining number of times, information indicating that a DR request cannot be responded to or information indicating that the remaining number of times has fallen below a predetermined number. In other words, when the remaining number of times falls below a predetermined number of times, the communication unit 210 transmits, as information regarding the remaining number of times, information indicating that a DR request cannot be responded to or information indicating that the remaining number of times has fallen below a predetermined number. The predetermined number of times may be zero or may be a number greater than zero.

[0058] The control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit information indicating at least one of a predetermined period, the remaining number of times, and the maximum number of remaining times as information regarding the remaining number of times. That is, the communication unit 210 may transmit information indicating at least one of a predetermined period, the remaining number of times, and the maximum number of remaining times as information regarding the remaining number of times. The number of times a DR request has been responded to (hereinafter, the participation number) can be grasped by the AC server 300, and therefore does not need to be transmitted from the RA server 200 to the AC server 300. However, the participation number may be transmitted from the RA server 200 to the AC server 300.

[0059] The control unit 230 may specify the maximum number of times based on the degradation state (for example, SOH (State Of Health)) of the power storage device 120. The degradation state of the power storage device 120 is a parameter that affects the charge / discharge cycles allowed for the power storage device 120 in a predetermined period, and the more the degradation of the power storage device 120 progresses, the smaller the number of times may be specified as the maximum number of times.

[0060] Here, the power that can be adjusted at one time may be the sum of the rated powers of the power storage devices 120 whose remaining number of times is not 0. It is assumed that the sum of the rated powers of the power storage devices 120 whose remaining number of times is not 0 is sufficiently larger than the expected power expected to be requested in the DR request, and it is not necessary to consider the power that can be adjusted at one time.

[0061] The control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit information indicating that the DR request cannot be accommodated when the total rated power of the power storage devices 120 whose remaining number of times is not 0 is lower than the estimated power. That is, the communication unit 210 may transmit information indicating that the DR request cannot be accommodated when the total rated power of the power storage devices 120 whose remaining number of times is not 0 is lower than the estimated power.

[0062] In the embodiment, the control unit 230 configures a control unit that controls the distributed power sources (for example, the power storage devices 120) installed in the facility 100 in response to a DR request.

[0063] (AC server) The AC server according to the embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG.

[0064] The communication unit 310 is configured by a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, LTE, 5G, or 6G, or may be a wired communication module conforming to standards such as IEEE802.3.

[0065] For example, the communication unit 310 receives, from the RA server 200, a planned value (reference value) related to the power demand of the facility 100 in which the distributed power sources controlled by the RA server 200 are installed. The communication unit 310 receives, from the RA server 200, the amount of power that can be adjusted in response to the DR request (adjustable amount of power). The adjustable amount of power may be calculated in each of the facilities 100, transmitted from each of the facilities 100 to the RA server 200, aggregated and / or processed by the RA server 200, and then reported to the AC server 300. The communication unit 310 may transmit the DR request to the RA server 200.

[0066] The management unit 320 is configured by a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a nonvolatile memory.

[0067] For example, the management unit 320 may manage information related to the facility 100 to which the electricity retailer sells electricity. For example, the information related to the facility 100 may include the type of distributed power source (solar cell device 110, power storage device 120, or fuel cell device 130) installed in the facility 100, the specifications of the distributed power source (solar cell device 110, power storage device 120, or fuel cell device 130) installed in the facility 100, etc. The specifications may include the rated power generation of the solar cell device 110, the rated charging power of the power storage device 120, the rated discharging power of the power storage device 120, and the rated output power of the fuel cell device 130. The specifications may include the rated capacity of the power storage device 120, the maximum charging and discharging power, etc.

[0068] The control unit 330 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured by a single integrated circuit (IC) or may be configured by multiple circuits (such as integrated circuits and / or discrete circuits) communicatively connected.

[0069] For example, the control unit 330 may formulate a planned value for the power demand of the facility 100 to which the AC server 300 (retail electricity supplier) sells electricity (i.e., a planned value for the procured power) based on a planned value (reference value) for the power demand of the facility 100 received from the RA server 200.

[0070] For example, the control unit 330 may instruct the communication unit 310 to send a DR request based on information about the remaining number of times received from the RA server 200. The information about the remaining number of times may include information indicating at least one of a predetermined period, the remaining number of times, and the maximum number of remaining times.

[0071] (Power supply control method) The power supply control method according to the embodiment will be described below, taking the case where the distributed power supply controlled by the RA server 200 is the power storage device 120 as an example.

[0072] First, the operation regarding a DR request will be described with reference to FIG.

[0073] 5, in step S10, the RA server 200 receives facility information from the facility 100. The facility information may include the remaining charge (SOC) of the power storage device 120 and the state of health (SOH) of the power storage device 120. The facility information may also include a planned value related to the power demand of the facility 100.

[0074] In step S11, the RA server 200 transmits the amount of power that can be adjusted in response to the DR request (adjustable amount of power) to the AC server 300. At this stage, the RA server 200 may transmit to the AC server 300 information regarding the remaining number of times.

[0075] In step S12, the AC server 300 transmits a DR request to the RA server 200. For example, the AC server 300 transmits the DR request based on the remaining number of times.

[0076] In step S13, the RA server 200 determines whether or not the DR request can be accommodated.

[0077] In step S14, the RA server 200 transmits whether or not the DR request can be handled to the AC server 300. At this stage, the RA server 200 may transmit to the AC server 300 information regarding the remaining number of times.

[0078] In step S15, the RA server 200 transmits to the facility 100 a control command for controlling the power storage device 120 based on the amount of power adjustment requested in the DR request.

[0079] In step S16, the RA server 200 receives from the facility 100 the control result based on the control command.

[0080] In step S17, the RA server 200 transmits the control result for the DR request to the AC server 300. At this stage, the RA server 200 may transmit to the AC server 300 information regarding the remaining number of times.

[0081] Secondly, the operation relating to the information on the remaining number of times will be described with reference to FIG.

[0082] 6, in step S20, the AC server 300 transmits a report registration to the RA server 200. The report registration is a message used to register the contents that can be reported from the RA server 200 (for example, the maximum number of times, the remaining number of times, and a predetermined period). For example, when a protocol conforming to Open ADR (Automated Demand Response) is adopted, the report registration may be OadrRegisterReport.

[0083] In step S21, the AC server 300 transmits a report request to the RA server 200. The report request is a message requesting a report of at least one of the reportable contents registered in step S20 (for example, the maximum number of times, the remaining number of times, or a predetermined period). The report request may include information specifying the timing of transmitting the report. For example, the timing of transmitting the report may be step S11, step S14, step S17, or the like shown in FIG. 5. For example, if a protocol conforming to Open ADR is adopted, the report request may be OadrCreateReport.

[0084] In step S22, the RA server 200 transmits a report to the AC server 300. The report is a message used to report the report contents (e.g., maximum number of times, remaining number of times, predetermined period). For example, if a protocol conforming to Open ADR is adopted, the report may be OadrUpdateReport.

[0085] (Action and effect) In the embodiment, the RA server 200 transmits to the AC server 300 information regarding the remaining number of times, which is the number of unit periods in which the power storage device 120 can adjust power in a predetermined period. The remaining number of times is a value obtained by subtracting the number of participations from the maximum number of times, and the maximum number of times may be determined within an allowable range of deterioration of the power storage device 120 in the predetermined period. With this configuration, deterioration of the power storage device 120 is taken into consideration in the DR request, and therefore excessive deterioration of the power storage device 120 due to the DR request can be suppressed.

[0086] Furthermore, by adopting a simple parameter that converts the number of unit periods, namely, "the remaining number of times, which is the number of unit periods in which the power storage device 120 can adjust the power in a specified period," as a parameter for suppressing excessive deterioration of the power storage device 120, the AC server 300 can send an appropriate DR request with a simple configuration while taking into account the deterioration of the power storage device 120.

[0087] [Other embodiments] Although the present invention has been described by the above-mentioned embodiments, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0088] In the above disclosure, when the remaining number of times falls below a predetermined number, the RA server 200 may transmit, as information regarding the remaining number of times, information indicating that it is not possible to respond to the DR request or information indicating that the remaining number of times falls below a predetermined number. In such a case, "when the remaining number of times falls below a predetermined number" may be read as "when the number of participations reaches the maximum number."

[0089] Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, the remaining number of times, the maximum number of times, the number of times of participation, etc. may be managed separately for the downward DR request and the upward DR request. For example, the RA server 200 may transmit information regarding the remaining number of times for the downward DR request and information regarding the remaining number of times for the upward DR request to the AC server 300 separately.

[0090] In the above disclosure, the amount of electric energy may be expressed in kWh, etc. Power is the amount of electric energy per unit time, and may be expressed in kW, etc. When there is no particular influence of the time factor, the amount of electric energy and power may be interpreted interchangeably.

[0091] In the above disclosure, the case where the distributed power source controlled by the RA server 200 is the power storage device 120 has been exemplified. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The distributed power source controlled by the RA server 200 may be a fuel cell device 130 or a diesel generator.

[0092] In the above disclosure, a case has been described in which the RA server 200 and the AC server 300 are separate servers. However, the above disclosure is not limited to this. The RA server 200 and the AC server 300 may be a single server. In such a case, the function corresponding to the RA server 200 may be referred to as a VPP function, and the function corresponding to the AC server 300 may be referred to as a retail function.

[0093] Although not specifically mentioned in the above disclosure, a program may be provided that causes a computer to execute each process performed by the RA server 200. The program may also be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Using the computer-readable medium, the program can be installed on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

[0094] Alternatively, a chip may be provided that is configured by a memory that stores programs for executing the processes performed by the RA server 200 and a processor that executes the programs stored in the memory.

[0095] [Note] The above disclosure may be expressed as follows: The first feature is a power supply control device that includes a receiving unit that receives an adjustment request from a power management device to request adjustment of supply and demand in a power system for a predetermined period consisting of two or more unit periods, a control unit that controls a distributed power source installed in a facility in response to the adjustment request, and a transmitting unit that transmits information to the power management device regarding the remaining number of unit periods in which the distributed power source can adjust power during the predetermined period.

[0096] A second feature is the power supply control device according to the first feature, wherein the transmission unit transmits information regarding the remaining number of times to the power management device before receiving the adjustment request.

[0097] A third feature is the power supply control device according to the first feature, wherein, after receiving the adjustment request, the transmission unit transmits information regarding the remaining number of times to the power management device.

[0098] A fourth feature is a power supply control device that, in at least one of the first feature to the third feature, when the remaining number of times falls below a predetermined number of times, transmits, as information regarding the remaining number of times, information indicating that it is not possible to respond to the adjustment request or information indicating that the remaining number of times has fallen below the predetermined number of times.

[0099] A fifth feature is a power supply control device according to the fourth feature, wherein the transmitting unit transmits, as the information regarding the remaining number of times, information indicating at least one of the specified period, the remaining number of times, and the maximum number of remaining times.

[0100] A sixth feature is the power supply control device according to at least one of the first to fifth features, wherein the control unit specifies the maximum remaining number of times based on a degradation state of the distributed power supply.

[0101] A seventh feature is a power supply control method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a power management device, an adjustment request for adjusting supply and demand in a power system for a predetermined period consisting of two or more unit periods; controlling a distributed power source installed in a facility in response to the adjustment request; and transmitting information to the power management device regarding the remaining number of unit periods in which the distributed power source can adjust power during the predetermined period. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 1...power supply control system, 11...network, 12...power system, 100...facility, 110...solar cell device, 120...power storage device, 130...fuel cell device, 140...load equipment, 160...EMS, 190...measuring device, 200...RA server, 210...communication unit, 220...management unit, 230...control unit, 300...AC server, 310...communication unit, 320...management unit, 330...control unit

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives an adjustment request from a power management device for requesting adjustment of supply and demand in the power system for a predetermined period configured by two or more unit periods; a control unit that controls the distributed power sources installed in the facility in response to the adjustment request; a transmitter that transmits to the power management device information regarding a remaining number of times, which is the number of unit periods during which the distributed power source can adjust power in the predetermined period.

2. The power supply control device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit transmits information about the remaining number of times to the power management device before receiving the adjustment request.

3. The power supply control device according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission unit transmits information about the remaining number of times to the power management device after receiving the adjustment request.

4. 2. The power supply control device according to claim 1, wherein, when the remaining number of times falls below a predetermined number of times, the transmitting unit transmits, as information regarding the remaining number of times, information indicating that the adjustment request cannot be responded to or information indicating that the remaining number of times has fallen below the predetermined number of times.

5. The power supply control device according to claim 4 , wherein the transmission unit transmits, as the information about the remaining number of times, information indicating at least one of the predetermined period, the remaining number of times, and the maximum number of times about the remaining number of times.

6. The power supply control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit specifies the maximum remaining number of times based on a degradation state of the distributed power supply.

7. receiving, from a power management device, an adjustment request for adjusting supply and demand in the power system for a predetermined period consisting of two or more unit periods; controlling the distributed power sources installed in the facility in response to the adjustment request; transmitting information to the power management device regarding the remaining number of times, which is the number of unit periods during which the distributed power source can adjust power in the predetermined period.

Images