Storage battery management apparatus, storage battery system, storage battery management method, and program

Abstract

To efficiently operate a storage battery and properly adjust the return of a consumer, who is a user.SOLUTION: A virtual instruction acquisition unit 101 acquires virtual instruction information indicating an instruction to charge / discharge a virtual storage battery 250, which is a virtual storage battery associated with a physical storage battery, from a terminal device 400 used by a consumer who operates the virtual storage battery 250. A virtual charging / discharging control unit 102 controls charging / discharging the virtual storage battery 250 based on the virtual instruction information. A physical instruction acquisition unit 103 acquires physical instruction information indicating an instruction to charge / discharge the physical storage battery. A physical charging / discharging control unit 104 controls charging / discharging the physical storage battery, based on the physical instruction information, independent from controlling, by the virtual charging / discharging control unit 102, charging / discharging the virtual storage battery 250. A fee calculation unit 106 calculates electricity charges to be paid by the consumer to a storage battery business operator, based on the contents of control of the virtual charging / discharging control unit 102 for charging / discharging the virtual storage battery 250.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a storage battery management device, a storage battery system, a storage battery management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, rechargeable storage batteries are used to prepare for power outages, adjust the balance between power supply and demand, save on electricity bills, etc. Such storage batteries are sometimes shared by multiple consumers.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which each area of ​​a physical storage battery is assigned to each consumer as a virtual storage battery. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, charging and discharging of the physical storage battery are controlled in accordance with instructions from consumers to charge and discharge the virtual storage battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-009864 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the timing of charging and discharging a physical storage battery is specified by the consumer, which may result in the physical storage battery not being operated efficiently. On the other hand, consumers often want to operate their own storage batteries and enjoy the benefits that come with operating a storage battery. Therefore, there is a demand for technology that can operate a storage battery efficiently while appropriately adjusting the benefits of the consumer user.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery management device, a battery system, a battery management method, and a program that operate storage batteries efficiently while appropriately adjusting the interests of users (consumers). [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the storage battery management device according to the present disclosure includes: A battery management device used by a battery operator that operates a physical storage battery, which is a physical storage battery, adjusts the power supplied from an electric utility to a consumer, and pays the electric utility an electricity fee corresponding to the power used by the consumer, a virtual instruction acquisition means for acquiring, from a terminal device used by the consumer that operates the virtual storage battery, virtual instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for a virtual storage battery that is a virtual storage battery associated with the physical storage battery; a virtual charge / discharge control means for controlling charging / discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the virtual instruction information acquired by the virtual instruction acquisition means; a physical instruction acquisition means for acquiring physical instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the physical storage battery; a physical charge / discharge control means for controlling the charge / discharge of the physical storage battery independently of the control of the charge / discharge of the virtual storage battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means based on the physical instruction information acquired by the physical instruction acquisition means; and a fee calculation means for calculating an electricity fee to be paid by the consumer to the battery company based on the content of the charge / discharge control of the virtual battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the present disclosure, the charge and discharge of the physical storage battery is controlled independently of the charge and discharge control of the virtual storage battery, and the electricity charges paid by the consumer to the storage battery provider are calculated based on the content of the charge and discharge control of the virtual storage battery. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to operate the storage battery efficiently while appropriately adjusting the benefits of the consumer, who is the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a battery storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]An explanatory diagram of the role of a battery management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a battery management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] Functional configuration diagram of a battery management device according to an embodiment [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing a battery management process executed by a battery management device according to an embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of a display update process according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of a virtual battery control process according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of a physical storage battery control process according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a user presentation screen according to an embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an administrator presentation screen according to an embodiment; [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the unit price of electricity, where (A) is a diagram showing the unit price of electricity purchased, and (B) is a diagram showing the unit price of electricity sold. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the amount of power consumption of a consumer A and a consumer B, respectively. [Figure 14] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the amount of power generated by a consumer A and a consumer B, respectively. [Figure 15] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the amount of charge and discharge power of a storage battery, where (A) is a diagram showing the amount of charge and discharge power of a physical storage battery A, (B) is a diagram showing the amount of charge and discharge power of a virtual storage battery A, and (C) is a diagram showing the amount of charge and discharge power of a virtual storage battery B. [Figure 16] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the remaining amount of power stored in storage batteries, where (A) is a diagram showing the remaining amount of power stored in physical storage battery A, (B) is a diagram showing the remaining amount of power stored in virtual storage battery A, and (C) is a diagram showing the remaining amount of power stored in virtual storage battery B. [Figure 17]1A and 1B are diagrams showing the amount of power sold and purchased, where (A) is a diagram showing the amount of power sold and purchased that has increased or decreased due to charging and discharging of a physical storage battery A, (B) is a diagram showing the amount of power sold and purchased by a consumer A, and (C) is a diagram showing the amount of power sold and purchased by a consumer B. [Figure 18] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing income and expenditure amounts, where (A) is a diagram showing the income and expenditure amounts resulting from the charging and discharging of a physical storage battery A, (B) is a diagram showing the income and expenditure amounts of a consumer A, and (C) is a diagram showing the income and expenditure amounts of a consumer B. [Figure 19] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing accumulated profits, where (A) is a diagram showing accumulated profits resulting from charging and discharging of a physical storage battery A, (B) is a diagram showing accumulated profits resulting from charging and discharging of a virtual storage battery A, and (C) is a diagram showing accumulated profits resulting from charging and discharging of a virtual storage battery B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0011] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a storage battery system 1000 according to an embodiment. The storage battery system 1000 is a system for providing a service that uses storage batteries to consumers who consume power supplied by an electric utility. The electric utility is, for example, an electric power company. The storage battery system 1000 is constructed, for example, as business facility managed by a storage battery business. The storage battery business is a business that operates physical storage batteries 220, which are physical storage batteries, and adjusts the power supplied from the electric utility to consumers. The storage battery business collects electricity fees from consumers corresponding to the power used by the consumers and pays the fees to the electric utility. The storage battery business is, for example, an aggregator that adjusts the power supplied from the electric utility to consumers.

[0012] The battery system 1000 includes a battery management device 100 and a power storage device 200. The battery management device 100 is a device that manages a physical storage battery 220 and a virtual storage battery (described later). The battery management device 100 has functions such as a function to charge and discharge the physical storage battery 220, a function to charge and discharge the virtual storage battery, and a function to present the status of the physical storage battery 220, the virtual storage battery, etc.

[0013] The power storage device 200 is a device that stores power. The power storage device 200 includes a bidirectional inverter 210 and a physical storage battery 220. The bidirectional inverter 210 converts AC power to DC power and converts DC power to AC power under the control of the battery management device 100. The bidirectional inverter 210 converts AC power supplied from the commercial power source 60 or the power generation device 420 into DC power in accordance with a charge instruction from the battery management device 100, and charges the physical storage battery 220 with the DC power. Furthermore, the bidirectional inverter 210 converts DC power discharged by the physical storage battery 220 into AC power in accordance with a discharge instruction from the battery management device 100, and supplies the AC power to the electrical device 410, which is a load.

[0014] The physical storage battery 220 is a physically existing storage battery. The physical storage battery 220 is a battery that can be charged and discharged. The physical storage battery 220 is charged in accordance with the control of the storage battery management device 100. The physical storage battery 220 also discharges in accordance with the control of the storage battery management device 100.

[0015] In this embodiment, residence A and residence B are included as demand areas that consume power supplied from an electric utility. User A resides in residence A, and user B resides in residence B. Terminal device 400A is a terminal device used by user A. Terminal device 400B is a terminal device used by user B. Residence A is provided with electric device 410A, power generation device 420A, and distribution board 430A. Residence B is provided with electric device 410B, power generation device 420B, and distribution board 430B.

[0016] Hereinafter, user A, user B, etc. will be referred to simply as "user" as appropriate. A user corresponds to a consumer. Furthermore, terminal device 400A, terminal device 400B, etc. will be collectively referred to as terminal device 400, and electric equipment 410A, electric equipment 410B, etc. will be collectively referred to as electric equipment 410 as appropriate. Furthermore, power generation device 420A, power generation device 420B, etc. will be collectively referred to as power generation device 420, and distribution board 430A, distribution board 430B, etc. will be collectively referred to as distribution board 430 as appropriate.

[0017] The terminal device 400 has a function of communicating with the storage battery management apparatus 100. When the terminal device 400 receives an instruction from a user to charge or discharge the virtual storage battery, it instructs the storage battery management apparatus 100 to charge or discharge the virtual storage battery. The terminal device 400 also presents the status of the virtual storage battery to the user. The terminal device 400 is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a laptop computer, or the like. The electric device 410 is an apparatus that operates by consuming power. In this embodiment, the electric device 410 operates on AC power supplied from a commercial power source 60, a physical storage battery 220, or a power generation device 420.

[0018] The power generation device 420 is a device that generates power. In this embodiment, the power generation device 420 includes a power generation panel that converts solar energy into electrical energy, and a power conditioner that converts DC power supplied from the power generation panel into AC power. The AC power generated by the power generation device 420 may be consumed by the electrical equipment 410, may be reverse-flowed to the commercial power source 60, or may be stored in the physical storage battery 220. The distribution board 430 is a case that houses a wiring board for supplying AC power supplied from a supply source to a supply destination, a breaker for limiting the supplied power, and the like.

[0019] The power meter 70 measures the power supplied from the electric utility to the storage battery operator or the consumer. In other words, the power meter 70 measures the power obtained by subtracting the power flowed backward from the power generation device 420 of each consumer to the commercial power source 60 from the total power of the power supplied from the commercial power source 60 to the physical storage battery 220 and the power supplied from the commercial power source 60 to the electrical equipment 410 of each consumer. In this embodiment, the storage battery operator pays the electricity charges associated with the power consumption and backward flow of each consumer in a lump sum to the electric utility. The power meter 70 measures the power corresponding to the electricity charges paid by the storage battery operator to the electric utility. The power meter 70 measures the amount of power every 30 minutes. The power meter 70 outputs power amount information indicating the amount of power every 30 minutes.

[0020] The power meter 80A measures the power supplied to consumer A from the electric utility or the storage battery provider. That is, the power meter 80A measures the power supplied to the electrical device 410A from the commercial power source 60 or the physical storage battery 220, or the power supplied from the power generation device 420A to the commercial power source 60 or the physical storage battery 220. When a virtual storage battery is not used, the power meter 80A measures the power corresponding to the electricity fee paid by consumer A to the storage battery provider, or the electricity fee paid by the storage battery provider to consumer A. The power meter 80A measures the amount of power every 30 minutes. The power meter 80A outputs power amount information indicating the amount of power every 30 minutes.

[0021] The power meter 80B measures the power supplied to consumer B from the electric utility or the storage battery provider. That is, the power meter 80B measures the power supplied to the electrical device 410B from the commercial power source 60 or the physical storage battery 220, or the power supplied from the power generation device 420B to the commercial power source 60 or the physical storage battery 220. When a virtual storage battery is not used, the power meter 80B measures the power corresponding to the electricity fee paid by consumer B to the storage battery provider, or the electricity fee paid by the storage battery provider to consumer B. The power meter 80B measures the amount of power every 30 minutes. The power meter 80B outputs power amount information indicating the amount of power every 30 minutes. Hereinafter, the power meters 80A, 80B, etc. will be collectively referred to as the power meter 80, as appropriate.

[0022] The unit price information server 500 is a server that provides unit price information indicating the unit price of electricity, which is the unit price of electricity charges. This unit price information is information indicating the unit price of electricity purchased by the battery operator from the electric utility company for each time period and the unit price of electricity sold by the battery operator to the electric utility company for each time period. In this embodiment, the unit price of electricity between the battery operator and the electric utility company is the same as the unit price of electricity between the battery operator and the consumer. In other words, the unit price of electricity purchased by the battery operator from the electric utility company for each time period is the same as the unit price of electricity purchased by the consumer from the battery operator. Similarly, the unit price of electricity sold by the battery operator to the electric utility company for each time period is the same as the unit price of electricity sold by the consumer to the battery operator.

[0023] As described above, in this embodiment, the battery provider pays the electricity charges associated with the power consumption and reverse flow of each consumer to the electric utility in a lump sum. Therefore, when power is supplied from the electric utility to a consumer, the consumer pays the electricity charge to the battery provider, and the battery provider pays this electricity charge to the electric utility. Similarly, when power flows reversely from a consumer to the electric utility, the consumer receives the electricity charge from the battery provider, and the battery provider receives this electricity charge from the electric utility. Therefore, if the physical storage battery 220 and the virtual storage battery are not used, the electricity charge that the battery provider receives from the consumer is the same as the electricity charge that the battery provider pays to the electric utility.

[0024] Next, with reference to FIG. 2 , the role of the storage battery management device 100 according to the embodiment will be described. An administrator of a storage battery system 1000 at a storage battery provider uses the storage battery management device 100 to operate the physical storage battery 220. For example, the administrator executes an operation to instruct the storage battery management device 100 to charge or discharge the physical storage battery 220. The storage battery management device 100 charges or discharges the physical storage battery 220 in accordance with the administrator's instructions, and displays information indicating the status of the physical storage battery 220. The storage battery management device 100 also calculates the income and expenditure of the storage battery provider and displays information relating to the income and expenditure. The administrator can operate the physical storage battery 220 without considering the operational status of the virtual storage battery 250.

[0025] A user of the storage battery system 1000 corresponding to a consumer uses a terminal device 400 to operate the virtual storage battery 250. For example, the user executes an operation to instruct the terminal device 400 to charge or discharge the virtual storage battery 250. The terminal device 400 instructs the storage battery management device 100 to charge or discharge the virtual storage battery 250. The storage battery management device 100 charges or discharges the virtual storage battery 250 in accordance with this instruction. The terminal device 400 also displays information indicating the state of the virtual storage battery 250.

[0026] 2 shows that user A, user B, user C, user D, user E, and user F operate terminal device 400A, terminal device 400B, terminal device 400C, terminal device 400D, terminal device 400E, and terminal device 400F, respectively, to control charging and discharging of the corresponding virtual storage battery 250. The users can operate the virtual storage battery 250 without being aware of the existence of the physical storage battery 220, the correspondence between the physical storage battery 220 and the virtual storage battery 250, and the like.

[0027] The virtual storage battery 250 is a virtual storage battery that does not physically exist. The virtual storage battery 250 is a battery that can virtually charge and discharge within a predetermined capacity range. In this embodiment, one virtual storage battery 250 is assigned to each consumer. In FIG. 2, the virtual storage battery 250A, the virtual storage battery 250B, the virtual storage battery 250C, the virtual storage battery 250D, the virtual storage battery 250E, and the virtual storage battery 250F are assigned to user A, user B, user C, user D, user E, and user F, respectively.

[0028] 2, virtual storage batteries 250A, 250B, 250C, and 250D are assigned to physical storage batteries 220A and 220B, respectively, and virtual storage batteries 250E and 250F are assigned to physical storage battery 220C. Assigning virtual storage batteries 250 to physical storage batteries 220 corresponds to associating the area of ​​physical storage battery 220 with the area of ​​virtual storage battery 250. The association between physical storage batteries 220 and virtual storage batteries 250 takes into consideration, for example, the area where physical storage battery 220 is installed, the area of ​​the demand area of ​​the consumer who operates virtual storage battery 250, and the like. For example, a physical storage battery 220 installed in a certain area is associated with a virtual storage battery 250 operated by a consumer in a demand area belonging to that area.

[0029] Here, the storage battery business operator can obtain profits by operating the physical storage battery 220. Also, the consumers can obtain profits by operating the virtual storage battery 250. Ultimately, the storage battery business operator can obtain profits corresponding to the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of profits obtained by each consumer by operating the virtual storage battery 250 from the profits obtained by operating the physical storage battery 220.

[0030] Note that if the reverse flow of power other than power obtained by power generation is not permitted, the storage battery business operator cannot earn profits by operating the physical storage battery 220 alone. For example, the storage battery business operator is not permitted to earn profits by charging the physical storage battery 220 with power supplied from the commercial power source 60 during a time period when the unit price of power purchase is low, and discharging the physical storage battery 220 for reverse flow during a time period when the unit price of power purchase is high. However, by controlling a large number of consumers, the storage battery business operator can use the electrical devices 410 of each consumer as loads that consume the power discharged from the physical storage battery 220. For example, the storage battery business operator can earn profits by charging the physical storage battery 220 with power supplied from the commercial power source 60 during a time period when the unit price of power purchase is low, and supplying the power discharged from the physical storage battery 220 to the electrical devices 410 of each consumer during a time period when the unit price of power purchase is high.

[0031] On the other hand, consumers can earn profits by operating the virtual storage battery 250. For example, consumers can earn profits by charging the virtual storage battery 250 during a time period when the unit price of electricity purchased is low, and supplying the discharged electricity from the virtual storage battery 250 to the electrical device 410 during a time period when the unit price of electricity purchased is high. The reason for this is that the electricity price during the charging period is lower than the unit price during the discharging period, and therefore the electricity fee paid by the consumers to the storage battery operator is lower when the virtual storage battery 250 is used than when the virtual storage battery 250 is not used. Note that the storage battery operator can ultimately earn profits if it can earn profits by operating the physical storage battery 220 that are greater than the total amount of profits earned by each consumer by operating the virtual storage battery 250.

[0032] Next, the configuration of the battery management device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the battery management device 100 includes a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation reception unit 14, a first communication unit 15, a second communication unit 16, a third communication unit 17, and a data processing unit 18.

[0033] The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), RTC (Real Time Clock), etc. The CPU is also called a central processing unit, central arithmetic unit, processor, microprocessor, microcomputer, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., and functions as a central processing unit that executes processes and calculations related to the control of the battery management device 100. In the control unit 11, the CPU reads programs and data stored in the ROM and uses the RAM as a work area to perform overall control of the battery management device 100. The RTC is, for example, an integrated circuit with a timekeeping function. The CPU can determine the current date and time from the time information read from the RTC.

[0034] The control unit 11 acquires physical instruction information from the operation acceptance unit 14, and supplies control information corresponding to the physical instruction information to the first communication unit 15. The physical instruction information is information that instructs the physical storage battery 220 to charge, discharge, stop, etc. The control information is information for controlling the physical storage battery 220, and is information that instructs the physical storage battery 220 to charge, discharge, stop, etc. The control unit 11 supplies the physical storage battery registration information and user registration information acquired from the operation acceptance unit 14 to the data processing unit 18. The physical storage battery registration information is information indicating the identification information, area to which the physical storage battery 220 belongs, storage capacity, etc. The user registration information is information indicating the association between the consumer and the virtual storage battery 250, the area to which the consumer belongs, etc.

[0035] The control unit 11 supplies the data processing unit 18 with status information of the physical storage battery 220 acquired from the first communication unit 15. The status information of the physical storage battery 220 is information indicating the remaining amount of power stored in the physical storage battery 220, the charge / discharge state, etc. The control unit 11 supplies the data processing unit 18 with virtual instruction information acquired from the second communication unit 16. The virtual instruction information is information instructing the virtual storage battery 250 to charge, discharge, stop, etc.

[0036] The control unit 11 supplies the basic information and status information of the virtual storage battery 250 acquired from the data processing unit 18 to the second communication unit 16. The basic information of the virtual storage battery 250 is information indicating the identification information, storage capacity, correspondence with the physical storage battery 220, etc. of the virtual storage battery 250. The status information of the virtual storage battery 250 is information indicating the remaining amount of storage, charge / discharge state, dischargeable power, required charging time, etc. of the virtual storage battery 250. The control unit 11 supplies the display information acquired from the data processing unit 18 to the display unit 13. The display information is information indicating the content to be displayed on the display unit 13.

[0037] The storage unit 12 includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc., and serves as a so-called auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 12 stores programs and data used by the control unit 11 to execute various processes. The storage unit 12 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 11 as a result of executing various processes.

[0038] The storage unit 12 has constructed therein a physical storage battery database 12A, a virtual storage battery database 12B, a consumer database 12C, and an electricity charge database 12D. The physical storage battery database 12A stores basic information about each physical storage battery 220 and status information about each physical storage battery 220. The virtual storage battery database 12B stores basic information about each virtual storage battery 250 and status information about each virtual storage battery 250. The consumer database 12C stores user registration information. The electricity charge database 12D stores unit price information and balance information. The balance information is information indicating the amount of income from consumers, the amount of expenditure to the electric utility, etc.

[0039] The display unit 13 displays various images under the control of the control unit 11. For example, the display unit 13 displays a screen for receiving various operations from the administrator. The display unit 13 includes a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, an LED (Light Emitting Diode), etc. The display unit 13 displays display information. The display information includes the storage capacity, remaining storage amount, and charge / discharge state of each physical storage battery 220, the storage capacity, remaining storage amount, and charge / discharge state of each virtual storage battery 250, the amount of income from each consumer, the amount of expenditure to the electric utility, the balance of income, etc.

[0040] The operation acceptance unit 14 accepts various operations from the administrator and supplies information indicating the content of the accepted operations to the control unit 11. The operation acceptance unit 14 includes a touch screen, buttons, levers, etc. The operation acceptance unit 14 accepts an operation from the administrator instructing charging or discharging of the physical storage battery 220 and supplies physical instruction information corresponding to this operation to the control unit 11. The operation acceptance unit 14 accepts an operation from the administrator instructing registration of information related to the physical storage battery 220 and supplies physical storage battery registration information corresponding to this operation to the control unit 11. The operation acceptance unit 14 accepts an operation from the administrator instructing registration of information related to a user and supplies user registration information corresponding to this operation to the control unit 11.

[0041] The first communication unit 15 communicates with the power storage device 200 in accordance with control by the control unit 11. The first communication unit 15 has a communication interface that complies with various communication standards. The first communication unit 15 supplies control information acquired from the control unit 11 to the power storage device 200 that includes the physical storage battery 220 to be controlled. The first communication unit 15 supplies state information acquired from the power storage device 200 to the control unit 11.

[0042] The second communication unit 16 communicates with the terminal device 400 under the control of the control unit 11. The second communication unit 16 has a communication interface that complies with various communication standards. The second communication unit 16 supplies basic information and status information of the virtual storage battery 250 acquired from the control unit 11 to the terminal device 400 associated with the virtual storage battery 250 to be controlled. The second communication unit 16 supplies virtual instruction information acquired from the terminal device 400 to the control unit 11.

[0043] The third communication unit 17 communicates with the unit price information server 500 under the control of the control unit 11. The third communication unit 17 has a communication interface that complies with various communication standards. The third communication unit 17 supplies the unit price information acquired from the unit price information server 500 to the control unit 11.

[0044] The data processing unit 18 processes various types of data stored in the storage unit 12. The data processing unit 18 has, for example, the same configuration as the control unit 11. The data processing unit 18 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an RTC, and the like.

[0045] The data processing unit 18 stores the status information of the physical storage battery 220 acquired from the control unit 11 in the physical storage battery database 12A. The data processing unit 18 updates the status information of the virtual storage battery 250 based on the virtual instruction information acquired from the control unit 11, and stores the status information of the virtual storage battery 250 in the virtual storage battery database 12B. The data processing unit 18 stores the physical storage battery registration information acquired from the control unit 11 in the physical storage battery database 12A as basic information of the physical storage battery 220. The data processing unit 18 stores the consumer registration information acquired from the control unit 11 in the consumer database 12C.

[0046] The data processing unit 18 creates basic information for the virtual storage battery 250 and stores the created basic information for the virtual storage battery 250 in the virtual storage battery database 12B. The data processing unit 18 creates the basic information for the virtual storage battery 250 so that the consumer and the physical storage battery 220 belong to the same area. The data processing unit 18 stores the unit price information acquired from the control unit 11 in the electricity rate database 12D. The data processing unit 18 calculates the amount of income from the consumer and the amount of expenditure to the electric utility based on the unit price information, the basic information and status information of the physical storage battery 220, the basic information and status information of the virtual storage battery 250, and the consumer registration information. The data processing unit 18 stores income and expenditure information including the amount of income from the consumer, the amount of expenditure to the electric utility, and the income and expenditure amount which is the difference between the amount of income and the amount of expenditure in the electricity rate database 12D.

[0047] In accordance with instructions from the control unit 11, the data processing unit 18 reads basic information and status information of the physical storage battery 220 from the physical storage battery database 12A, reads basic information and status information of the virtual storage battery 250 from the virtual storage battery database 12B, reads consumer registration information from the consumer database 12C, and reads balance information from the electricity rate database 12D. The data processing unit 18 generates display information for the storage battery management device 100 based on this information, and supplies the generated display information for the storage battery management device 100 to the control unit 11. The data processing unit 18 supplies the basic information and status information of the virtual storage battery 250 read from the virtual storage battery database 12B to the control unit 11.

[0048] Next, the configuration of the terminal device 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the terminal device 400 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a display unit 43, an operation reception unit 44, a communication unit 45, and a data processing unit 48.

[0049] The control unit 41 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an RTC, etc. In the control unit 41, the CPU reads out programs and data stored in the ROM and controls the terminal device 400 by using the RAM as a work area.

[0050] The control unit 41 supplies the virtual instruction information acquired from the operation reception unit 44 to the communication unit 45 and the data processing unit 48. The control unit 41 supplies the basic information and status information of the virtual storage battery 250 acquired from the communication unit 45 to the data processing unit 48. The control unit 41 supplies the display information for the terminal device 400 acquired from the data processing unit 48 to the display unit 43.

[0051] The storage unit 42 includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM, and serves as a so-called auxiliary storage device. The storage unit 42 stores programs and data used by the control unit 41 to execute various processes. The storage unit 42 also stores data generated or acquired by the control unit 41 executing various processes. A display information database 42A is constructed in the storage unit 42. The display information database 42A stores display information for the terminal device 400.

[0052] The display unit 43 displays various images under the control of the control unit 41. For example, the display unit 43 displays a screen for receiving various operations from a user. The display unit 43 includes a touch screen, a liquid crystal display, an LED, etc. The display unit 43 displays display information for the terminal device 400. The display information for the terminal device 400 includes the storage capacity, remaining storage amount, charge / discharge state, dischargeable power, required charging time, etc. of the virtual storage battery 250.

[0053] The operation reception unit 44 receives various operations from the user and supplies information indicating the contents of the received operations to the control unit 41. The operation reception unit 44 includes a touch screen, buttons, levers, etc. The operation reception unit 44 supplies virtual instruction information obtained from the user to the control unit 41.

[0054] The communication unit 45 communicates with the battery management device 100 under the control of the control unit 41. The communication unit 45 has a communication interface that complies with various communication standards. The communication unit 45 supplies virtual instruction information acquired from the control unit 41 to the battery management device 100. The communication unit 45 supplies basic information and status information of the virtual battery 250 acquired from the battery management device 100 to the control unit 41.

[0055] The data processing unit 48 processes various data stored in the storage unit 42. The data processing unit 48 has, for example, the same configuration as the control unit 41. The data processing unit 48 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an RTC, and the like.

[0056] The data processing unit 48 acquires virtual instruction information, basic information and status information of the virtual storage battery 250 from the control unit 41. The data processing unit 48 generates display information for the terminal device 400 based on the acquired information, and stores the generated display information for the terminal device 400 in the display information database 42A. The data processing unit 48 reads the display information for the terminal device 400 from the display information database 42A in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 41, and supplies the read display information for the terminal device 400 to the control unit 41.

[0057] Next, the functions of the battery management device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The battery management device 100 functionally includes a virtual instruction acquisition unit 101, a virtual charge / discharge control unit 102, a physical instruction acquisition unit 103, a physical charge / discharge control unit 104, a status information acquisition unit 105, a fee calculation unit 106, an information transmission unit 107, and a display control unit 108. Each of these functions is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the ROM, storage unit 12, etc. The CPU then executes the programs stored in the ROM, storage unit 12, etc. to realize each of these functions. In other words, each of these functions is realized by the control unit 11, data processing unit 18, etc.

[0058] The virtual instruction acquisition unit 101 acquires virtual instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the virtual storage battery 250, which is a virtual storage battery associated with the physical storage battery 220, from a terminal device 400 used by a consumer that operates the virtual storage battery 250. The virtual instruction information is, for example, information indicating a charge instruction, a discharge instruction, an instruction to stop charging / discharging, etc. for the virtual storage battery 250. The virtual instruction acquisition unit 101 is an example of a virtual instruction acquisition means.

[0059] The virtual charge / discharge control unit 102 controls the charge / discharge of the virtual storage battery 250 based on the virtual instruction information acquired by the virtual instruction acquisition unit 101. Note that since the virtual storage battery 250 is a virtual storage battery, physical control is not required. Therefore, the virtual charge / discharge control unit 102 only needs to change the state information of the virtual storage battery 250 stored in the storage unit 12, for example. The virtual charge / discharge control unit 102 is an example of a virtual charge / discharge control means.

[0060] The physical instruction acquisition unit 103 acquires physical instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the physical storage battery 220. For example, the physical instruction acquisition unit 103 acquires the physical instruction information based on an operation by an administrator on the operation reception unit 14. The physical instruction information is information indicating, for example, a charge instruction, a discharge instruction, an instruction to stop charging / discharging, etc. for the physical storage battery 220. The physical instruction acquisition unit 103 is an example of a physical instruction acquisition means.

[0061] The physical charge / discharge control unit 104 controls the charge / discharge of the physical storage battery 220 based on the physical instruction information acquired by the physical instruction acquisition unit 103, independently of the charge / discharge control of the virtual storage battery 250 by the virtual charge / discharge control unit 102. In other words, the physical charge / discharge control unit 104 controls the state of the physical storage battery 220 based on the physical instruction information without considering the state of the virtual storage battery 250. The physical instruction information may be information that instructs the start, end, etc. of charging, discharging, etc. in real time, which is acquired when controlling the physical storage battery 220, or may be schedule information that indicates the timing of the start, end, etc. of charging, discharging, etc., which is acquired in advance before controlling the physical storage battery 220. The physical charge / discharge control unit 104 is an example of a physical charge / discharge control means.

[0062] The state information acquisition unit 105 acquires state information of the physical storage battery 220. For example, the state information acquisition unit 105 acquires state information from the physical storage battery 220, including the remaining amount of power stored in the physical storage battery 220, the charge / discharge state, and the like.

[0063] The fee calculation unit 106 calculates the electricity fee that the consumer will pay to the storage battery business operator based on the content of the control of charging and discharging of the virtual storage battery 250 by the virtual charge and discharge control unit 102. For example, when the virtual storage battery 250 is controlled so that the virtual storage battery 250 is charged during a time period when the unit price of electricity purchase is low and discharged during a time period when the unit price of electricity purchase is high, the fee calculation unit 106 calculates the electricity fee so that the electricity fee that the consumer will pay to the storage battery business operator will be low. The fee calculation unit 106 is an example of fee calculation means.

[0064] The information transmitting unit 107 transmits remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of stored power of the virtual storage battery 250, which is independent of the remaining amount of stored power of the physical storage battery 220, to the terminal device 400. Charging and discharging control of the physical storage battery 220 is independent of charging and discharging control of the virtual storage battery 250. Therefore, the remaining amount of stored power of the virtual storage battery 250 is independent of the remaining amount of stored power of the physical storage battery 220. Note that the user of the terminal device 400 only needs to consider the remaining amount of stored power of the virtual storage battery 250, without considering the remaining amount of stored power of the physical storage battery 220. The information transmitting unit 107 is an example of information transmitting means.

[0065] The display control unit 108 causes the display unit 13, which is a display device, to display the remaining amount of power stored in the physical storage battery 220, which is independent of the remaining amount of power stored in the virtual storage battery 250. The administrator can determine the content of charge / discharge control for the physical storage battery 220 by considering the remaining amount of power stored in the physical storage battery 220, without considering the remaining amount of power stored in the virtual storage battery 250. The display control unit 108 is an example of a display control means.

[0066] The fee calculation unit 106 can calculate the amount of income from the consumer by adding the second amount to the first amount and subtracting the third amount. The first amount is the electricity fee corresponding to the consumer's power consumption and reverse flow power. In other words, the first amount is the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of power sales based on the reverse flow of generated power in each time period from the total amount of power purchases based on power consumption in each time period. The first amount may be a negative value. The first amount corresponds to the amount paid by the battery storage business operator to the electric utility on behalf of the consumer for the power consumed and reverse flowed by the consumer.

[0067] The second amount is the sum of the virtual increase in the amount of power purchased and the virtual decrease in the amount of power sold due to charging the virtual storage battery 250. In order to charge the virtual storage battery 250, it is necessary to procure virtual power for charging the virtual storage battery 250. To procure this virtual power, the virtual amount of power purchased increases or the virtual amount of power sold decreases. The second amount is the sum of the virtual increase in the amount of power purchased and the virtual decrease in the amount of power sold based on the unit price of electricity in each time period. Note that "virtual" refers to, for example, a case in which the charging and discharging of the virtual storage battery 250 and the charging and discharging of the physical storage battery 220 are considered to be the same.

[0068] The third amount is the sum of the virtual reduction in the amount of electricity purchased and the virtual increase in the amount of electricity sold due to the discharge of the virtual storage battery 250. When the virtual storage battery 250 is discharged, virtual electricity is obtained from the virtual storage battery 250. When this virtual electricity is utilized, the virtual amount of electricity purchased decreases or the virtual amount of electricity sold increases. The third amount is the sum of the virtual reduction in the amount of electricity purchased and the virtual increase in the amount of electricity sold based on the electricity unit price in each time period. The amount obtained by subtracting the second amount from the third amount is the amount of profit the consumer obtains from the operation of the virtual storage battery 250.

[0069] The display control unit 108 causes the income amount calculated by the fee calculation unit 106 to be displayed on the display unit 13, which is a display device. The display control unit 108 causes the income amount obtained from each consumer to be displayed on the display unit 13. The administrator can refer to the information displayed by the display unit 13 to understand the income amount obtained from each consumer.

[0070] The fee calculation unit 106 can calculate the amount of expenditure to the electric utility by adding the fifth amount to the fourth amount and subtracting the sixth amount. The fourth amount is the electricity fee corresponding to the power consumption and reverse flow power of each consumer. The fourth amount is the total amount of the electricity fee that each consumer must pay to the electric utility for the power consumption and reverse flow. In other words, the fourth amount is the total of the first amounts for each consumer.

[0071] The fifth amount is the total of the increase in the amount of electricity purchased and the decrease in the amount of electricity sold due to charging the physical storage battery 220. In order to charge the physical storage battery 220, it is necessary to procure electricity for charging the physical storage battery 220. To procure this electricity, the amount of electricity purchased increases or the amount of electricity sold decreases. The fifth amount is the total of the increase in the amount of electricity purchased and the decrease in the amount of electricity sold due to charging the physical storage battery 220 in each time period.

[0072] The sixth amount is the sum of the decrease in the amount of electricity purchased and the increase in the amount of electricity sold due to the discharge of the physical storage battery 220. When the physical storage battery 220 is discharged, electricity is obtained from the physical storage battery 220. When this electricity is utilized, the amount of electricity purchased decreases or the amount of electricity sold increases. The sixth amount is the sum of the decrease in the amount of electricity purchased and the increase in the amount of electricity sold due to the discharge of the physical storage battery 220 in each time period. The amount obtained by subtracting the fifth amount from the sixth amount is the amount of profit the consumer obtains from the operation of the physical storage battery 220.

[0073] The display control unit 108 displays the expenditure amount calculated by the fee calculation unit 106 on the display unit 13, which is a display device. The display control unit 108 displays the expenditure amount obtained from each consumer on the display unit 13. The manager can understand the expenditure amount to be paid to the electric utility by referring to the information displayed by the display unit 13. The balance amount, which is the amount of profit that the storage battery operator ultimately obtains, is the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of income from each consumer from the amount of expenditure to the electric utility.

[0074] Here, the fourth amount is the total of the first amounts for each consumer. Therefore, the balance is the amount obtained by subtracting the fifth amount from the sixth amount, and then subtracting the total of the amounts obtained by subtracting the second amount from the third amount for each consumer. In other words, the balance is the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of profits obtained by each consumer from the operation of the virtual storage battery 250 from the amount of profit obtained by the consumer from the operation of the physical storage battery 220. Therefore, if the profit obtained by the storage battery operator from the operation of the physical storage battery 220 exceeds the profit obtained by each consumer from the operation of the virtual storage battery 250, the balance of the storage battery operator is positive. The fee calculation unit 106 calculates the balance by subtracting the expenditure amount from the income amount. The display control unit 108 displays the balance calculated by the fee calculation unit 106 on the display unit 13, which is a display device.

[0075] Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 6, the battery management system 100 executes the battery management process. The storage battery management process is executed, for example, after the storage battery management device 100 is powered on.

[0076] First, the battery management device 100 determines whether the current time is the display update timing (step S101). The display update timing is the timing to update the display by the battery management device 100 or the terminal device 400, and is the timing that arrives at a predetermined cycle. If the battery management device 100 determines that the current time is the display update timing (step S101: YES), it acquires status information from the physical storage battery 220 (step S102).

[0077] Upon completing the processing of step S102, the battery management device 100 displays the status information and basic information of the physical storage battery 220 (step S103). Upon completing the processing of step S103, the battery management device 100 acquires unit price information from the unit price information server 500 (step S104). Upon completing the processing of step S104, the battery management device 100 calculates the income amount and the expenditure amount (step S105).

[0078] The battery management device 100 can calculate the amount of income from each consumer based on, for example, the power amount information, unit price information, and the history of charge / discharge instructions to the virtual storage battery 250, all of which are acquired from the power meter 80. The battery management device 100 can also calculate the amount of expenditure to the electric utility based on, for example, the power amount information, unit price information, and the like, all of which are acquired from the power meter 70. Upon completing the processing of step S105, the battery management device 100 displays the amount of income and the amount of expenditure (step S106). Upon completing the processing of step S106, the battery management device 100 transmits status information and basic information of the virtual storage battery 250 to the terminal device 400 (step S107). The terminal device 400 displays the status information and basic information of the virtual storage battery 250.

[0079] When the storage battery management device 100 completes the processing of step S107 or when it determines that the current time is not the display update timing (step S101: NO), it determines whether or not there is a charge / discharge control instruction for the virtual storage battery 250 (step S108). For example, the storage battery management device 100 determines whether or not virtual instruction information has been received from the terminal device 400. When the storage battery management device 100 determines that there is a charge / discharge control instruction for the virtual storage battery 250 (step S108: YES), it updates the state of the virtual storage battery 250 (step S109).

[0080] For example, the battery management device 100 controls charging and discharging of the virtual battery 250 in accordance with instructions indicated by the virtual instruction information. That is, the battery management device 100 updates the charging and discharging state indicated by the status information of the virtual battery 250. The battery management device 100 also updates the remaining amount of stored power indicated by the status information of the virtual battery 250. The amount of change per unit time in the remaining amount of stored power due to charging and discharging is based on the dischargeable power, the required charging time, etc.

[0081] Upon completing the process of step S109, the battery management device 100 transmits status information and basic information of the virtual storage battery 250 to the terminal device 400 (step S110). The terminal device 400 displays the status information and basic information of the virtual storage battery 250. When the battery management device 100 determines that there is no charge / discharge control instruction for the virtual storage battery 250 (step S108: NO), or when the process of step S110 is completed, the battery management device 100 determines whether there is a charge / discharge control instruction for the physical storage battery 220 (step S111). For example, the battery management device 100 determines whether the operation receiving unit 14 has received an operation from the administrator to instruct charge / discharge control of the physical storage battery 220.

[0082] When the battery management device 100 determines that there is a charge / discharge control instruction for the physical storage battery 220 (step S111: YES), it controls the charge / discharge of the physical storage battery 220 (step S112). For example, the battery management device 100 supplies control information corresponding to the physical instruction information to the power storage device 200. Upon completing the process of step S112, the battery management device 100 acquires status information from the physical storage battery 220 (step S113). Upon completing the process of step S113, the battery management device 100 displays the status information and basic information of the physical storage battery 220 (step S114).

[0083] When the battery management device 100 determines that there is no charge / discharge control instruction for the physical storage battery 220 (step S111: NO) or when the processing of step S114 is completed, the battery management device 100 determines whether there is a registration request from the administrator (step S115). Registration requests include a registration request for the physical storage battery 220 and a registration request from a consumer. When the battery management device 100 determines that there is a registration request from the administrator (step S115: YES), it registers the registration details in the database (step S116).

[0084] For example, the battery management device 100 stores the identification information, the area to which the physical storage battery 220 belongs, the storage capacity, etc. in the physical storage battery database 12A. Also, for example, the battery management device 100 stores the correspondence between the consumer and the virtual storage battery 250, the area to which the consumer belongs, etc. in the consumer database 12C. If the battery management device 100 determines that there is no registration request from the administrator (step S115: NO) or if the processing of step S116 is completed, the processing returns to step S101.

[0085] Next, the flow of the display update process will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 7. The display update process basically corresponds to the processes from step S101 to step S107 in Fig. 6.

[0086] First, in step S11, the control unit 11 requests the first communication unit 15 for status information of the physical storage battery 220. In step S12, the first communication unit 15 requests the physical storage battery 220 for status information of the physical storage battery 220. In step S13, the physical storage battery 220 replies with the status information of the physical storage battery 220 to the first communication unit 15. For example, the physical storage battery 220 replies with status information indicating the remaining amount of power stored and the charge / discharge state to the first communication unit 15.

[0087] In step S14, the first communication unit 15 supplies the status information of the physical storage battery 220 to the control unit 11. In step S15, the control unit 11 supplies the status information of the physical storage battery 220 to the data processing unit 18. In step S16, the data processing unit 18 updates the status information of the physical storage battery 220. That is, the data processing unit 18 stores the status information of the physical storage battery 220 in the physical storage battery database 12A. In step S17, the data processing unit 18 supplies display information to the control unit 11. In step S18, the control unit 11 supplies the display information to the display unit 13. The display unit 13 displays the display information.

[0088] In step S21, the control unit 11 requests the third communication unit 17 for electricity unit price information. The third communication unit 17 requests the unit price information of electricity from the unit price information server 500. In step S22, the third communication unit 17 returns the electricity unit price information to the control unit 11. In step S23, the control unit 11 supplies the electricity unit price information to the data processing unit 18. In step S24, the data processing unit 18 updates the electricity unit price information. That is, the data processing unit 18 stores the electricity unit price information in the electricity rate database 12D. In step S25, the data processing unit 18 returns a message to the control unit 11 indicating that the unit price information has been updated.

[0089] In step S26, the control unit 11 instructs the data processing unit 18 to update the income and expenditure information. In step S27, the data processing unit 18 updates the income and expenditure information. That is, the data processing unit 18 calculates the income amount, the expenditure amount, and the income and expenditure amount, and stores the income and expenditure information indicating the income amount, the expenditure amount, and the income and expenditure amount in the electricity charge database 12D. The data processing unit 18 also generates display information. In step S28, the data processing unit 18 supplies the display information to the control unit 11. In step S29, the control unit 11 supplies the display information to the display unit 13. The display unit 13 displays the display information.

[0090] In step S31, the control unit 11 instructs the data processing unit 18 to update the status information of the virtual storage battery 250. In step S32, the data processing unit 18 updates the status information of the virtual storage battery 250. That is, the data processing unit 18 updates the status information of the virtual storage battery 250 and stores the updated status information of the virtual storage battery 250 in the virtual storage battery database 13B. The data processing unit 18 generates display information. In step S33, the data processing unit 18 supplies the display information to the control unit 11. In step S34, the control unit 11 supplies the display information to the second communication unit 16. The second communication unit 16 transmits the display information to the terminal device 400. The terminal device 400 displays the display information.

[0091] Next, a flow of the charge / discharge control process of the virtual storage battery 250 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 8. The charge / discharge control process of the virtual storage battery 250 basically corresponds to the processes from step S108 to step S110 in Fig. 6.

[0092] First, in step S41, the user instructs the terminal device 400 to charge or discharge the virtual storage battery 250. In step S42, the terminal device 400 supplies virtual instruction information corresponding to this instruction to the second communication unit 16. In step S43, the second communication unit 16 supplies the virtual instruction information to the control unit 11. In step S44, the second communication unit 16 responds to the terminal device 400 that it has received the virtual instruction information.

[0093] In step S45, the control unit 11 supplies the virtual instruction information to the data processing unit 18. In step S46, the data processing unit 18 updates the status information of the virtual storage battery 250 based on the virtual instruction information. The data processing unit 18 stores the updated status information of the virtual storage battery 250 in the virtual storage battery database 12B. The data processing unit 18 generates display information.

[0094] In step S47, the data processing unit 18 supplies the display information to the control unit 11. In step S48, the control unit 11 supplies the display information to the second communication unit 16. In step S49, the second communication unit 16 transmits the display information to the terminal device 400. In step S50, the terminal device 400 presents the display information to the user. In step S51, the terminal device 400 responds to the second communication unit 16 that it has received the display information.

[0095] Next, the flow of the charge / discharge control process of the physical storage battery 220 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of Fig. 9. The charge / discharge control process of the physical storage battery 220 basically corresponds to the processes from step S111 to step S114 in Fig. 6.

[0096] First, in step S61, the administrator instructs the operation reception unit 14 to charge or discharge the physical storage battery 220. In step S62, the operation reception unit 14 supplies physical instruction information corresponding to this instruction to the control unit 11. In step S63, the control unit 11 supplies the physical instruction information to the first communication unit 15. In step S64, the first communication unit 15 supplies control information corresponding to this physical instruction information to the physical storage battery 220. In step S65, the physical storage battery 220 responds to the first communication unit 15 that it has received the control information. In step S66, the first communication unit 15 responds to the control unit 11 that it has received the physical instruction information.

[0097] Next, a screen 600 that is presented to the user by the terminal device 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The screen 600 is a screen that displays display information of the terminal device 400.

[0098] The screen 600 displays information about the virtual storage battery 250 associated with the user. For example, the screen 600 displays the storage capacity, remaining amount of storage, charge / discharge state, dischargeable power, and charging time required to full capacity of the virtual storage battery 250. Based on the information displayed on the screen 600, the user can determine the content and timing of charge / discharge control for the virtual storage battery 250. The screen 600 also displays information about the virtual storage battery 250A associated with user A. The screen 600 shows the virtual storage battery 250A as virtual storage battery A.

[0099] The terminal device 400 can present an instruction acceptance screen for accepting, from the user, an instruction to control charging and discharging of the virtual storage battery 250. The instruction acceptance screen includes, for example, a button for accepting a charging instruction, a button for accepting a discharging instruction, and a button for accepting an instruction to stop charging or discharging. A screen 600 with these buttons added thereto may be presented as the instruction acceptance screen.

[0100] Next, a screen 700 that is presented to the administrator by the battery management device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The screen 700 is a screen that displays display information of the battery management device 100.

[0101] The screen 700 displays information about the physical storage batteries 220, information about the virtual storage batteries 250, information showing the correspondence between the physical storage batteries 220 and the virtual storage batteries 250, income and expenditure information, etc. For example, the screen 700 displays, as information about the physical storage batteries 220, the storage capacity, remaining storage amount, charge and discharge state, etc. of each physical storage battery 220. The screen 700 also displays, as information about each virtual storage battery 250, the storage capacity, remaining storage amount, charge and discharge state, etc. of each virtual storage battery 250.

[0102] Furthermore, the screen 700 displays the correspondence between each physical storage battery 220 and each virtual storage battery 250, connected by lines. Note that the screen 700 shows the physical storage battery 220A, the physical storage battery 220B, and the physical storage battery 220C as physical storage battery A, physical storage battery B, and physical storage battery C, respectively. Also, the screen 700 shows the virtual storage battery 250A, the virtual storage battery 250B, and the virtual storage battery 250C as virtual storage battery A, virtual storage battery B, and virtual storage battery C, respectively.

[0103] Furthermore, the screen 700 displays income and expenditure information such as the amount of income from each consumer, the total amount of income, the amount of expenditure to the electric utility, and the amount of income and expenditure obtained by subtracting the amount of expenditure from the amount of income. Note that the amount of income, the amount of expenditure, the amount of income and expenditure, etc. may be negative. Based on the information displayed on the screen 600, the administrator can determine the content and timing of charge / discharge control for the physical storage battery 220. Furthermore, by checking the information displayed on the screen 600, the administrator can quickly grasp the amount of income and expenditure of the storage battery operator.

[0104] Next, the electricity unit price indicated by the unit price information will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12(A) shows the electricity purchase price for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 12(B) shows the electricity sale price for each 30-minute time slot. As shown in Fig. 12, the electricity purchase price is generally higher than the electricity sale price within the same time slot. Furthermore, the electricity purchase price during a time slot with high electricity demand is higher than the electricity purchase price during a time slot with low electricity demand, and the electricity sale price during a time slot with high electricity demand is higher than the electricity sale price during a time slot with low electricity demand. In this embodiment, the electricity unit price for electricity trading between a storage battery operator and an electricity utility is the same as the electricity unit price for electricity trading between a storage battery operator and a consumer.

[0105] Next, the power consumption of each consumer will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13(A) shows the power consumption of consumer A for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 13(B) shows the power consumption of consumer B for each 30-minute time slot. The power consumption is the amount of power consumed by electrical appliances 410 used by each consumer. The power consumption for each time slot generally differs for each consumer.

[0106] Next, the amount of power generated by each consumer will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14(A) shows the amount of power generated by consumer A for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 14(B) shows the amount of power generated by consumer B for each 30-minute time slot. The amount of power generated is the amount of power generated by the power generation device 420 used by each consumer. Basically, the amount of power generated during the daytime is large for all consumers.

[0107] Next, the amount of power charged and discharged by each storage battery will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15(A) shows the amount of power charged and discharged by physical storage battery A for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 15(B) shows the amount of power charged and discharged by virtual storage battery A for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 15(C) shows the amount of power charged and discharged by virtual storage battery B for each 30-minute time slot. In Fig. 15, the amount of power required for charging is shown as a positive value, and the amount of power obtained by discharging is shown as a negative value.

[0108] Each consumer user can charge and discharge the virtual storage battery 250 at any timing. As shown in Fig. 15 , the timing of control of charging and discharging the physical storage battery 220 does not have to match the timing of control of charging and discharging the virtual storage batteries 250 associated with the physical storage batteries 220. Although not shown in Fig. 15 , it is assumed that neither the virtual storage battery C corresponding to the virtual storage battery 250C nor the virtual storage battery D corresponding to the virtual storage battery 250D is in use.

[0109] Note that it is often not permitted to reversely flow the power discharged from the physical storage battery 220 to the commercial power supply 60. For this reason, a load that consumes the power discharged from the physical storage battery 220 is necessary. Therefore, it is preferable for the storage battery business operator to have a large number of consumers that consume the power discharged from the physical storage battery 220, and to use the electrical devices 410 used by the large number of consumers as loads that consume the power discharged from the physical storage battery 220. For example, the power discharged from the physical storage battery 220A may be consumed by the electrical devices 410 used by consumers A, B, C, and D that operate the virtual storage batteries 250A, 250B, 250C, and 250D, respectively, that are associated with the physical storage battery 220A.

[0110] Next, the remaining amount of stored power of each storage battery will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16(A) shows the remaining amount of stored power of physical storage battery A for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 16(B) shows the remaining amount of stored power of virtual storage battery A for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 16(C) shows the remaining amount of stored power of virtual storage battery B for each 30-minute time slot. Although not shown in Fig. 16, it is assumed that the remaining amount of stored power of virtual storage battery C corresponding to virtual storage battery 250C and the remaining amount of stored power of virtual storage battery D corresponding to virtual storage battery 250D are both zero.

[0111] 16 , the remaining amount of stored power of the physical storage battery 220 does not have to match the total value of the remaining amounts of stored power of the virtual storage batteries 250 associated with the physical storage battery 220. In other words, the battery management device 100 can control the charge / discharge state of the physical storage battery 220 without considering the charge / discharge state, remaining amount of stored power, etc. of the virtual storage battery 250. Therefore, the battery management device 100 can control the physical storage battery 220 at a timing for charging / discharging that is expected to be more profitable than the timing for charging / discharging the virtual storage battery 250, for example.

[0112] Next, various amounts of power purchased and sold will be explained with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17(A) shows the amount of power purchased and sold that increases and decreases due to charging and discharging of physical storage battery A for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 17(B) shows the amount of power purchased and sold by consumer A for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 17(C) shows the amount of power purchased and sold by consumer B for each 30-minute time slot. The amount of power purchased and sold is at least one of the amount of power purchased, which is the amount of power purchased, and the amount of power sold, which is the amount of power sold.

[0113] In FIG. 17(A), the amount of power bought and sold that increases or decreases due to charging of physical storage battery A is shown as a positive value, and the amount of power bought and sold that increases or decreases due to discharging of physical storage battery A is shown as a negative value. The amount of power bought and sold that increases or decreases due to charging of physical storage battery A is the sum of the amount of power purchased that increases due to charging of physical storage battery A and the amount of power sold that decreases due to charging of physical storage battery A. The amount of power bought and sold that increases or decreases due to discharging of physical storage battery A is the sum of the amount of power purchased that decreases due to discharging of physical storage battery A and the amount of power sold that increases due to discharging of physical storage battery A. As shown in FIG. 17(A), the amount of power purchased increases or the amount of power sold decreases due to charging of physical storage battery A, and the amount of power purchased decreases or the amount of power sold increases due to discharging of physical storage battery A.

[0114] 17(B) and 17(C), the amount of purchased power is shown as a positive value, and the amount of sold power is shown as a negative value. Also, in FIG. 17(B) and FIG. 17(C), the amount of purchased power when the virtual storage battery 250 does not exist is shown as an open graph, and the amount of purchased power when the virtual storage battery 250 exists is shown as a black graph. The amount of purchased power when the virtual storage battery 250 does not exist is the amount of purchased power that does not take into account the charging and discharging of the virtual storage battery 250, and is the amount of purchased power that corresponds to the amount of money that is settled between the consumer and the electric utility company when it is assumed that a storage battery business does not exist. The amount of purchased power when the virtual storage battery 250 exists is the amount of purchased power that takes into account the charging and discharging of the virtual storage battery 250, and is the amount of purchased power that corresponds to the amount of money that is settled between the consumer and the storage battery business.

[0115] Next, various income and expenditure amounts will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18(A) shows the income and expenditure amounts of the storage battery business operator resulting from the charging and discharging of physical storage battery A for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 18(B) shows the income and expenditure amounts of consumer A for each 30-minute time slot. Fig. 18(C) shows the income and expenditure amounts of consumer B for each 30-minute time slot. In Fig. 18, income amounts are shown as positive values ​​and expenditure amounts are shown as negative values. Furthermore, in Fig. 18(B) and Fig. 18(C), the income and expenditure amounts for the case where virtual storage battery 250 is not present are shown as open graphs, and the income and expenditure amounts for the case where virtual storage battery 250 is present are shown as filled-in graphs.

[0116] The amount of electricity purchased is calculated by multiplying the amount of electricity purchased [kWh] by the electricity purchase price [yen / kWh]. The amount of electricity sold is calculated by multiplying the amount of electricity sold [kWh] by the electricity sale price [yen / kWh]. As shown in FIG. 18(A), during the time period when physical storage battery A is charging, the expenditure of the storage battery business operator increases, or the income of the storage battery business operator decreases. During the time period when physical storage battery A is discharging, the expenditure of the storage battery business operator decreases, or the income of the storage battery business operator increases.

[0117] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18(B), during the time period when virtual storage battery A is charging, consumer A's expenditure increases or consumer A's income decreases. During the time period when virtual storage battery A is discharging, consumer A's expenditure decreases or consumer A's income increases. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 18(C), during the time period when virtual storage battery B is charging, consumer B's expenditure increases or consumer B's income decreases. During the time period when virtual storage battery B is discharging, consumer B's expenditure decreases or consumer B's income increases.

[0118] Next, various types of accumulated profits will be described with reference to FIG. 19. FIG. 19(A) shows the accumulated profit of the battery provider resulting from the charging and discharging of physical storage battery A. FIG. 19(B) shows the accumulated profit of consumer A resulting from the charging and discharging of virtual storage battery A. FIG. 19(C) shows the accumulated profit of consumer B resulting from the charging and discharging of virtual storage battery B. In FIG. 19, profits are shown as positive values ​​and losses are shown as negative values. The accumulated profit of a consumer resulting from the charging and discharging of virtual storage battery 250 corresponds to the amount obtained by accumulating the difference between the consumer's income and expenditure amount when virtual storage battery 250 is present and the consumer's income and expenditure amount when virtual storage battery 250 is not present.

[0119] The storage battery business operator pays the electric utility an amount corresponding to the electricity consumed by all contracted consumers. The consumers pay the storage battery business operator an amount corresponding to the electricity consumed by the consumers. The storage battery business operates the physical storage battery 220 by using the electrical devices 410 owned by all contracted consumers as a load when the physical storage battery 220 is discharged, and makes a profit by utilizing the difference in the unit price of electricity between time periods. Meanwhile, the consumers operate the virtual storage battery 250 and make a profit by utilizing the difference in the unit price of electricity between time periods.

[0120] In the example shown in FIG. 19(A), the profit that the storage battery operator obtains from operating physical storage battery A is 348.0 yen. In the example shown in FIG. 19(B), the profit that consumer A obtains from operating virtual storage battery A is 11.7 yen. In the example shown in FIG. 19(C), the profit that consumer B obtains from operating virtual storage battery B is 75.0 yen. It is assumed that the storage battery operator uses only physical storage battery A as the physical storage battery 220, and that consumers C, D, E, and F do not use the virtual storage battery 250.

[0121] In this case, the battery operator can earn a profit of 348.0 - (11.7 + 75.0) = 261.3 yen. In other words, even if the battery operator bears the profit share of each consumer, the battery operator can earn a profit if it can earn a profit equal to or greater than this profit by operating the physical battery 220.

[0122] In this embodiment, the charge and discharge of the physical storage battery 220 is controlled independently of the charge and discharge control of the virtual storage battery 250, and the electricity charges that the consumer pays to the storage battery business are calculated based on the content of the charge and discharge control of the virtual storage battery 250. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to operate the storage battery efficiently while appropriately adjusting the benefits of the consumer who is the user.

[0123] Furthermore, in this embodiment, remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount of stored power of the virtual storage battery 250, which is independent of the remaining amount of stored power of the physical storage battery 220, is transmitted to the terminal device 400. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to notify the consumer of the remaining amount of stored power of the virtual storage battery 250, which is independent of the remaining amount of stored power of the physical storage battery 220.

[0124] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the remaining amount of stored power of the physical storage battery 220 is displayed on the display device independently of the remaining amount of stored power of the virtual storage battery 250. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the remaining amount of stored power of the physical storage battery 220 can be notified to the administrator independently of the remaining amount of stored power of the virtual storage battery 250.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the amount of income from the consumer is calculated and displayed taking into consideration the profit that the consumer will gain from the operation of the virtual storage battery 250. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the amount of income from the consumer can be notified to the administrator.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the amount of expenditure to the electric power utility is calculated and displayed taking into consideration the profits that the storage battery business operator will gain from the operation of the physical storage battery 220. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the amount of expenditure to the electric power utility operator can be notified to the manager.

[0127] (Variation) Although the embodiments have been described above, modifications and applications in various forms are possible. It is up to the discretion of the individual to adopt any of the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments. Furthermore, in addition to the above-described configurations, functions, and operations, additional configurations, functions, and operations may be adopted. Furthermore, the configurations, functions, and operations described in the above embodiments can be freely combined.

[0128] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the physical instruction acquisition unit 103 acquires the physical instruction information from an administrator. The source of the physical instruction information is not limited to this example. For example, the physical instruction acquisition unit 103 may acquire the physical instruction information generated by the control unit 11. In this case, the control unit 11 generates the physical instruction information so as to increase the profits that the storage battery operator can obtain.

[0129] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the control unit 41 acquires virtual instruction information from the user via the operation acceptance unit 44. The source of the virtual instruction information is not limited to this example. For example, the control unit 41 may generate the virtual instruction information itself. In this case, the control unit 41 generates the virtual instruction information so as to increase the profit that the user can obtain.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the control unit 11 or the data processing unit 18 functions as each unit shown in FIG. 5 by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 12. However, in the present disclosure, the control unit 11 or the data processing unit 18 may be dedicated hardware. Dedicated hardware may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. When the control unit 11 or the data processing unit 18 is dedicated hardware, the functions of each unit may be realized by individual hardware, or the functions of each unit may be realized collectively by a single piece of hardware. Furthermore, some of the functions of each unit may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the other functions may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the control unit 11 can realize each of the above-described functions by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0131] An operating program that defines the operation of the battery management device according to the present disclosure can be applied to an existing computer, such as a personal computer or an information terminal device, to cause the computer to function as the battery management device according to the present disclosure. The method of distribution of such a program is arbitrary, and it may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), or a memory card, or may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

[0132] The present disclosure allows various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments are intended to explain the present disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. That is, the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the meaning of equivalent disclosures are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0133] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0134] (Appendix 1) A battery management device used by a battery operator that operates a physical storage battery, which is a physical storage battery, adjusts the power supplied from an electric utility to a consumer, and pays the electric utility an electricity fee corresponding to the power used by the consumer, a virtual instruction acquisition means for acquiring, from a terminal device used by the consumer that operates the virtual storage battery, virtual instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for a virtual storage battery that is a virtual storage battery associated with the physical storage battery; a virtual charge / discharge control means for controlling charging / discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the virtual instruction information acquired by the virtual instruction acquisition means; a physical instruction acquisition means for acquiring physical instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the physical storage battery; a physical charge / discharge control means for controlling the charge / discharge of the physical storage battery independently of the control of the charge / discharge of the virtual storage battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means based on the physical instruction information acquired by the physical instruction acquisition means; and a fee calculation means for calculating an electricity fee to be paid by the consumer to the battery company based on the content of charge / discharge control of the virtual battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means. Storage battery management device. (Appendix 2) an information transmitting means for transmitting remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of stored power of the virtual storage battery, which is independent of a remaining amount of stored power of the physical storage battery, to the terminal device; 2. The battery management device of claim 1. (Appendix 3) a display control means for displaying on a display device the remaining amount of power stored in the physical storage battery, independent of the remaining amount of power stored in the virtual storage battery; 3. The battery management device according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) the fee calculation means adds the sum of a virtual increase in power purchase amount and a virtual decrease in power sale amount based on the unit price of electricity when the virtual storage battery is charged by the virtual charge / discharge control means to the electricity fee corresponding to the power consumption and reverse flow power of the consumer, and subtracts the sum of a virtual decrease in power purchase amount and a virtual increase in power sale amount based on the unit price of electricity when the virtual storage battery is discharged by the virtual charge / discharge control means from the sum to calculate the income amount from the consumer; a display control means for displaying the income amount calculated by the fee calculation means on a display device; 4. A battery management device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. (Appendix 5) the fee calculation means adds the total of the increase in the amount of power purchases and the decrease in the amount of power sales due to charging of the physical storage battery to the total amount of electricity fees corresponding to the power consumption and reverse flow power of each consumer, and subtracts the total of the decrease in the amount of power purchases and the increase in the amount of power sales due to discharging of the physical storage battery from the total amount of electricity fees, and calculates the amount of expenditure to the electric utility; a display control means for displaying the expenditure amount calculated by the fee calculation means on a display device; 5. The battery management device according to claim 1. (Appendix 6) A storage battery system including a physical storage battery, which is a physical storage battery, and a storage battery management device used by a storage battery operator that operates the physical storage battery to adjust power supplied from an electric utility to a consumer, and pays an electricity fee corresponding to the power used by the consumer to the electric utility, The battery management device a virtual instruction acquisition means for acquiring, from a terminal device used by the consumer that operates the virtual storage battery, virtual instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for a virtual storage battery that is a virtual storage battery associated with the physical storage battery; a virtual charge / discharge control means for controlling charging / discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the virtual instruction information acquired by the virtual instruction acquisition means; a physical instruction acquisition means for acquiring physical instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the physical storage battery; a physical charge / discharge control means for controlling the charge / discharge of the physical storage battery independently of the control of the charge / discharge of the virtual storage battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means based on the physical instruction information acquired by the physical instruction acquisition means; and a fee calculation means for calculating an electricity fee to be paid by the consumer to the battery company based on the content of charge / discharge control of the virtual battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means. Battery storage system. (Appendix 7) A battery management method executed by a battery management device used by a battery business operator that operates a physical storage battery, which is a physical storage battery, adjusts power supplied from an electric utility to a consumer, and pays an electricity fee corresponding to the power used by the consumer to the electric utility, acquiring, from a terminal device used by the consumer that operates the virtual storage battery, virtual instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for a virtual storage battery that is a virtual storage battery associated with the physical storage battery; Controlling charging and discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the virtual instruction information; acquiring physical instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the physical storage battery; controlling charging and discharging of the physical storage battery independently of controlling charging and discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the physical instruction information; calculating an electricity rate to be paid by the consumer to the battery provider based on the content of charge / discharge control of the virtual battery; Storage battery management method. (Appendix 8) A computer provided in a battery management device used by a battery company that operates a physical storage battery, which is a physical storage battery, adjusts the power supplied from an electric utility to a consumer, and pays the electric utility an electricity fee corresponding to the power used by the consumer, a virtual instruction acquisition means for acquiring, from a terminal device used by the consumer that operates the virtual storage battery, virtual instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for a virtual storage battery that is a virtual storage battery associated with the physical storage battery; a virtual charge / discharge control means for controlling charging / discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the virtual instruction information acquired by the virtual instruction acquisition means; a physical instruction acquisition means for acquiring physical instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the physical storage battery; a physical charge / discharge control means for controlling the charge / discharge of the physical storage battery independently of the control of the charge / discharge of the virtual storage battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means, based on the physical instruction information acquired by the physical instruction acquisition means; and causing the virtual charge / discharge control means to function as a fee calculation means for calculating an electricity fee to be paid by the consumer to the battery company based on the content of charge / discharge control of the virtual battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means. program. [Industrial Applicability]

[0135] The present disclosure is applicable to battery storage systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 11, 41 Control unit, 12, 42 Memory unit, 12A Physical storage battery database, 12B Virtual storage battery database, 12C Consumer database, 12D Electricity charge database, 13, 43 Display unit, 14, 44 Operation reception unit, 15 First communication unit, 16 Second communication unit, 17 Third communication unit, 18, 48 Data processing unit, 42A Display information database, 45 Communication unit, 60 Commercial power source, 70, 80, 80A, 80B Wattmeter, 100 Storage battery management device, 101 Virtual instruction acquisition unit, 102 Virtual charge / discharge control unit, 103 Physical instruction acquisition unit, 104 Physical charge / discharge control unit, 105 Status information acquisition unit, 106 Charge calculation unit, 107 Information transmission unit, 108 Display control unit, 200 Energy storage device, 210 Bidirectional inverter, 220, 220A, 220B, 220C Physical storage battery, 250, 250A, 250B, 250C, 250D, 250E, 250F Virtual storage battery, 400, 400A, 400B, 400C, 400D, 400E, 400F Terminal device, 410, 410A, 410B Electrical equipment, 420, 420A, 420B Power generation equipment, 430, 430A, 430B Distribution board, 500 Unit price information server, 600, 700 Screen, 1000 Battery storage system

Claims

1. A battery management device used by a battery operator that operates a physical storage battery, which is a physical storage battery, adjusts the power supplied from an electric utility to a consumer, and pays the electric utility an electricity fee corresponding to the power used by the consumer, a virtual instruction acquisition means for acquiring, from a terminal device used by the consumer that operates the virtual storage battery, virtual instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for a virtual storage battery that is a virtual storage battery associated with the physical storage battery; a virtual charge / discharge control means for controlling charging / discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the virtual instruction information acquired by the virtual instruction acquisition means; a physical instruction acquisition means for acquiring physical instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the physical storage battery; a physical charge / discharge control means for controlling the charge / discharge of the physical storage battery independently of the control of the charge / discharge of the virtual storage battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means based on the physical instruction information acquired by the physical instruction acquisition means; and a fee calculation means for calculating an electricity fee to be paid by the consumer to the battery company based on the content of charge / discharge control of the virtual battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means. Storage battery management device.

2. an information transmitting means for transmitting remaining amount information indicating a remaining amount of stored power of the virtual storage battery, which is independent of a remaining amount of stored power of the physical storage battery, to the terminal device; The battery management device according to claim 1 .

3. a display control means for displaying on a display device the remaining amount of power stored in the physical storage battery, independent of the remaining amount of power stored in the virtual storage battery; The battery management device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the fee calculation means adds the sum of a virtual increase in power purchase amount and a virtual decrease in power sale amount based on the unit price of electricity when the virtual storage battery is charged by the virtual charge / discharge control means to the electricity fee corresponding to the power consumption and reverse flow power of the consumer, and subtracts the sum of a virtual decrease in power purchase amount and a virtual increase in power sale amount based on the unit price of electricity when the virtual storage battery is discharged by the virtual charge / discharge control means from the sum to calculate the income amount from the consumer; a display control means for displaying the income amount calculated by the fee calculation means on a display device; The battery management device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the fee calculation means adds the total of the increase in the amount of power purchases and the decrease in the amount of power sales due to charging of the physical storage battery to the total amount of electricity fees corresponding to the power consumption and reverse flow power of each consumer, and subtracts the total of the decrease in the amount of power purchases and the increase in the amount of power sales due to discharging of the physical storage battery from the total amount of electricity fees, and calculates the amount of expenditure to the electric utility; a display control means for displaying the expenditure amount calculated by the fee calculation means on a display device; The battery management device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A storage battery system including a physical storage battery, which is a physical storage battery, and a storage battery management device used by a storage battery operator that operates the physical storage battery to adjust power supplied from an electric utility to a consumer, and pays an electricity fee corresponding to the power used by the consumer to the electric utility, The battery management device a virtual instruction acquisition means for acquiring, from a terminal device used by the consumer that operates the virtual storage battery, virtual instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for a virtual storage battery that is a virtual storage battery associated with the physical storage battery; a virtual charge / discharge control means for controlling charging / discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the virtual instruction information acquired by the virtual instruction acquisition means; a physical instruction acquisition means for acquiring physical instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the physical storage battery; a physical charge / discharge control means for controlling the charge / discharge of the physical storage battery independently of the control of the charge / discharge of the virtual storage battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means based on the physical instruction information acquired by the physical instruction acquisition means; and a fee calculation means for calculating an electricity fee to be paid by the consumer to the battery company based on the content of charge / discharge control of the virtual battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means. Battery storage system.

7. A battery management method executed by a battery management device used by a battery business operator that operates a physical storage battery, which is a physical storage battery, adjusts power supplied from an electric utility to a consumer, and pays an electricity fee corresponding to the power used by the consumer to the electric utility, acquiring, from a terminal device used by the consumer that operates the virtual storage battery, virtual instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for a virtual storage battery that is a virtual storage battery associated with the physical storage battery; Controlling charging and discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the virtual instruction information; acquiring physical instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the physical storage battery; controlling charging and discharging of the physical storage battery independently of controlling charging and discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the physical instruction information; calculating an electricity rate to be paid by the consumer to the battery provider based on the content of charge / discharge control of the virtual battery; Storage battery management method.

8. A computer provided in a battery management device used by a battery company that operates a physical storage battery, which is a physical storage battery, adjusts the power supplied from an electric utility to a consumer, and pays the electric utility an electricity fee corresponding to the power used by the consumer, a virtual instruction acquisition means for acquiring, from a terminal device used by the consumer that operates the virtual storage battery, virtual instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for a virtual storage battery that is a virtual storage battery associated with the physical storage battery; a virtual charge / discharge control means for controlling charging / discharging of the virtual storage battery based on the virtual instruction information acquired by the virtual instruction acquisition means; a physical instruction acquisition means for acquiring physical instruction information indicating a charge / discharge instruction for the physical storage battery; a physical charge / discharge control means for controlling the charging / discharging of the physical storage battery independently of the control of the charging / discharging of the virtual storage battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means, based on the physical instruction information acquired by the physical instruction acquisition means; and functioning as a fee calculation means for calculating an electricity fee to be paid by the consumer to the battery company based on the content of charge / discharge control of the virtual battery by the virtual charge / discharge control means. program.

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