Power supply system

Abstract

To enable time periods for supplying power to vehicles to be guided to specific time periods.SOLUTION: A power supply system 1 comprises a distribution board 10, a connection unit 14, and a control device 24. The control device 24 identifies an electricity market price for each prescribed future time period, and generates a points table in which points indicating benefits given by power suppliers 80 to consumers 30 are associated one-to-one with time periods, and in which time periods and points are associated such that the points corresponding to a first time period during which the identified electricity market price is relatively low are higher than the points corresponding to a second time period during which the identified electricity market price is relatively high, and presents the generated points table to consumers 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply system that supplies electric power supplied from a power grid to a distribution panel of a consumer to a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for updating a user's service usage points when power is provided from the user to the power grid through demand response. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-67963 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, a power supply company that supplies power to a consumer procures power from an electricity market, supplies the power to the consumer through a power grid, and receives an electricity fee from the consumer. The consumer may also supply the power received from the power grid to a vehicle to charge the vehicle's battery. For example, if power is supplied to a vehicle during a time period when the electricity market price is relatively high, the power supply company's profits will decrease because the price of power procurement from the electricity market will increase. Therefore, the power supply company desires that the consumer charge the vehicle's battery during a time period when the electricity market price is relatively low.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a power supply system that can guide the time period during which power is supplied to a vehicle to a specific time period. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the power supply system of the present invention comprises a distribution board electrically connected to a power grid on the premises of a consumer and capable of receiving power supplied from the power grid, a connection unit electrically connectable to a vehicle having a battery and capable of supplying the power supplied from the distribution board to the vehicle, and a control device managed by a power supply company that supplies power to the distribution board through the power grid and performs predetermined processing, wherein the control device identifies the electricity market price for each predetermined time period in the future, and generates a points table in which time periods and points are associated so that the points indicating the amount of benefits that the electricity supply company will grant to consumers are one-to-one associated with the time periods, and the points corresponding to a first time period in which the identified electricity market price is relatively low are higher than the points corresponding to a second time period in which the identified electricity market price is relatively high, and presents the generated points table to the consumer.

[0007] The control device may also identify a supply time period indicating the time period during which power was supplied from the distribution board to the vehicle, and determine the points to be awarded to the consumer based on the points table and the identified supply time period.

[0008] The control device may also acquire candidate time period information indicating candidate time periods during which consumers desire power to be supplied to their vehicles, generate a power supply schedule for executing the supply of power to the vehicles based on the acquired candidate time period information and the points table, the power supply schedule including time periods with relatively high points among the time periods indicated by the candidate time period information, and control the supply of power to the vehicles in accordance with the generated power supply schedule.

[0009] The connection unit may also include a switch that can turn on and off the current path between the distribution board and the vehicle, and the control device may control the supply of power from the distribution board to the vehicle by controlling the on and off of the switch according to a power supply schedule.

[0010] The vehicle may also have an external charging unit that supplies power supplied from an external source to the battery, and the control device may establish communication with the vehicle and control the on / off of the vehicle's external charging unit according to a power supply schedule, thereby controlling the supply of power from the distribution board to the battery.

[0011] In addition, the control device may derive a power supply profit, which indicates the profit that a power supply company can obtain by supplying power to consumers, for each specified time period, and generate a points table so that the points table includes time periods for setting points within a range that does not exceed the power supply profit.

[0012] Furthermore, the control device may set points corresponding to time periods in predetermined integer units greater than one when generating the points table.

[0013] Furthermore, in generating the points table, the control device may set a period during which points have a uniform value across a plurality of time periods within the period covered by the points table. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to guide the time period during which power is supplied to a vehicle to a specific time period. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power supply system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the point table. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow when a customer checks the point table. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a flow in which the control device remotely controls external charging of the vehicle. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of points allocation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a power supply system 1 of this embodiment. The power supply system 1 of this embodiment includes a distribution board 10, a meter 12, a connection unit 14, a vehicle 20, a terminal device 22, and a control device 24. The distribution board 10, the meter 12, and the connection unit 14 are installed on the premises of a consumer 30. The consumer 30 refers to a person who receives power from a power grid 32 and uses the power. Furthermore, since the consumer 30 in this embodiment corresponds to a user of the power supply system 1, hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the consumer 30 may also be referred to as a user.

[0018] The distribution board 10 is electrically connected to a power grid 32 via a meter 12 and is configured to be able to receive power supplied from the power grid 32. A load 34 is connected to the distribution board 10. The load 34 is any electrical device that consumes power supplied through the distribution board 10.

[0019] The meter 12 is configured to be able to measure the power that the distribution board 10 receives from the power grid 32. The meter 12 may be, for example, a smart meter. The meter 12 may be able to establish communication with the control device 24 and the like through a communication network 36. The communication network 36 may include various types of networks, such as a telephone network, the Internet, a wireless LAN, and a dedicated network.

[0020] The connection unit 14 is electrically connected to the distribution board 10. The connection unit 14 is configured to be electrically connectable to a vehicle 20, which will be described later. The connection unit 14 is configured to be able to supply power supplied from the distribution board 10 to the vehicle 20.

[0021] For example, the connection unit 14 includes an outlet having a connection port 40 to which a cable 38 provided between the connection unit 14 and the vehicle 20 can be connected. The connection unit 14 may also include a smart outlet (in other words, an IoT (Internet of Things) outlet) having a communication unit 42 and a switch 44 in addition to the connection port 40. The communication unit 42 of the connection unit 14 is capable of establishing communication with the control device 24 and the like via the communication network 36.

[0022] The switch 44 is configured to be able to turn on and off between two contacts. A first contact of the switch 44 is connected to the distribution board 10. A second contact of the switch 44 is connected to the connection port 40. The connector on one side of the cable 38 is connected to the connection port 40, and the connector on the other side is connected to the vehicle 20, thereby electrically connecting the connection port 40 and the vehicle 20. In other words, the switch 44 is able to turn on and off the current path between the distribution board 10 and the vehicle 20, which are electrically connectable. The connection unit 14 is able to turn on and off the switch 44 in response to a control command transmitted from the control device 24 and received via the communication unit 42.

[0023] The connection section 14 may further include a power measurement section 46 that can measure the power flowing through the connection section 14 .

[0024] The connection unit 14 may be configured to include a general outlet without the communication unit 42, the switch 44, and the power measurement unit 46. The connection unit 14 may also be configured such that the connection port 40 and the cable 38 are integrated into one unit.

[0025] The vehicle 20 is assumed to be, for example, an electric vehicle equipped with a motor generator as a drive source, but may also be a hybrid electric vehicle equipped with an engine and a motor generator as drive sources.

[0026] Vehicle 20 has at least battery 50 and is configured to be able to charge battery 50 with power supplied from an external source. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, charging battery 50 of vehicle 20 with power supplied to vehicle 20 from outside vehicle 20 may be referred to as external charging of vehicle 20.

[0027] The battery 50 is, for example, a rechargeable secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery, etc. The battery 50 supplies electric power to, for example, a motor generator serving as a drive source.

[0028] In addition to the battery 50, the vehicle 20 has a communication unit 52, a charging port 54, and an external charging unit 56. The communication unit 52 is capable of establishing communication with the control device 24 and the like via the communication network 36.

[0029] The charging port 54 is electrically connected to the battery 50 via the external charging unit 56. The charging port 54 is configured to allow connection of a connector of the cable 38. The external charging unit 56 supplies power supplied from an external source through the charging port 54 to the battery 50. The external charging unit 56 may include a switch capable of turning on and off a current path between the charging port 54 and the battery 50. The external charging unit 56 may have a power conversion function capable of converting the power supplied from an external source into power suitable for charging the battery 50.

[0030] The terminal device 22 is an electronic device managed by the consumer 30, in other words, a user. The terminal device 22 may be, for example, a portable electronic device such as a smartphone, or a stationary electronic device such as a personal computer.

[0031] The terminal device 22 includes a communication device 60, a user interface 62, a processor 64, and a memory 66. In Fig. 1, the user interface 62 is abbreviated as UI. The communication device 60 is capable of establishing communication with the control device 24 and the like via the communication network 36.

[0032] The user interface 62 includes an input device capable of accepting input operations by the user and an output device capable of presenting various information to the user. The input device may include, for example, a touch panel. The output device may include a display device capable of displaying various information.

[0033] The processor 64 of the terminal device 22 executes a program stored in the memory 66, thereby functioning as a terminal control unit 68 that executes various processes related to the terminal device 22. The terminal control unit 68 can, for example, send and receive information to and from the control device 24 via the communication device 60. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 68 can display various types of information on the display device of the user interface 62 in response to input operations made to the input device of the user interface 62.

[0034] The control device 24 is managed by an electric power supply company 80 that supplies electric power to the consumer 30 through the electric power system 32. Therefore, the control device 24 is installed on the side of the electric power supply company 80, not on the side of the consumer 30. The electric power supply company 80 is a company, organization, or the like that has concluded a contract with the consumer 30 to supply electric power to the distribution board 10 of the consumer 30 through the electric power system 32.

[0035] The control device 24 includes a communication device 90, a storage device 92, a processor 94, and a memory 96. The communication device 90 is capable of establishing communication with the meter 12 of the customer 30, the connection unit 14 of the customer 30, the vehicle 20, the terminal device 22, and the like via the communication network 36.

[0036] Furthermore, the communication device 90 of the control device 24 is connectable to an electricity market 100 via a communication network 36. The electricity market 100 includes a wholesale electricity trading market where actual electricity amounts are traded. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the price of electricity traded in the wholesale electricity trading market of the electricity market 100 may be referred to as the electricity market price. The electricity market price fluctuates depending on the supply and demand situation of electricity at predetermined unit periods, such as every 30 minutes.

[0037] The storage device 92 is configured by a non-volatile storage element such as a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or a flash memory.

[0038] The processor 94 of the control device 24 executes programs stored in the memory 96 to perform various processes related to the control device 24. The processor 94 of the control device 24 also executes programs stored in the memory 96 to function as a table management unit 110, a points management unit 112, and a power supply control unit 114.

[0039] The table management unit 110 generates a points table in which points indicating the amount of benefits that the power supply company 80 will grant to the consumer 30 are associated one-to-one with time periods. The points may have monetary value and may be usable, for example, as payment for services provided by the power supply company 80 (for example, part of the electricity bill). The table management unit 110 presents the generated points table to the consumer 30 by, for example, displaying the points table on the display device of the terminal device 22 of the consumer 30. The points table will be described in detail later.

[0040] The points management unit 112 identifies a time period during which power was supplied from the distribution board 10 to the vehicle 20, i.e., a supplied time period indicating a time period during which external charging of the vehicle 20 was performed. The points management unit 112 determines points to be awarded to the consumer 30 based on the points table and the identified supplied time period, and awards the points.

[0041] The power supply control unit 114 remotely controls the supply of power from the distribution board 10 to the battery 50 of the vehicle 20, that is, the external charging of the vehicle 20. The remote control will be described in detail later.

[0042] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a points table. In Fig. 2, one frame is 30 minutes long, and one day is divided into 48 time periods. For example, in Fig. 2, the first frame corresponds to the time period from midnight to 12:30, and the second frame corresponds to the time period from 12:30 to 1:00.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, the points table sets points for each time period of each day, for example, "5," "10," "15," etc. In other words, the points table has a one-to-one correspondence between time periods and points. In the points table, one period is 30 minutes, the same time interval as the time interval at which the electricity market price fluctuates, so points can be set in accordance with fluctuations in the electricity market price. The larger the point number, the higher the value. The points table is updated as appropriate.

[0044] In addition, the points table associates time periods with points for a predetermined period of time from the present time to the future. For example, the points table may be configured so that points are set for each time period on each day for one week, starting from one week from the present time. In the example of Figure 2, the present time is May 11, 20xx, and points for one week are set from May 18, 20xx, one week from the present time.

[0045] The period covered by the points table is not limited to the period illustrated above, and may be set to various periods. For example, the points table may be configured so that points are set for each time period on each day for one week starting from the current time. The points table may be configured so that points are set for each time period on each day for ten days starting from three days from the current time.

[0046] In the power supply system 1 of this embodiment, as will be described later, when external charging of the vehicle 20 is performed through the connection unit 14 of the consumer 30, points associated with the time period in the points table during which external charging of the vehicle 20 is performed are awarded to the consumer 30. As a result, the consumer 30 can earn many points by externally charging the vehicle 20 during a time period with a high set point value.

[0047] When generating the above-described point table, the table management unit 110 identifies the future electricity market price for each predetermined time period.

[0048] For example, the table management unit 110 may identify the future electricity market price for each predetermined time slot by deriving an estimated value of the future electricity market price for each predetermined time slot. The table management unit 110 may estimate the future electricity market price by, for example, analyzing fluctuations in the past electricity market price. The predetermined time slot here may be set to be the same as one block (e.g., 30 minutes) of the points table. More specifically, the table management unit 110 may derive an estimated value of the electricity market price for each time slot on each day of the period covered by the points table to be generated (e.g., one week starting from one week after the present time).

[0049] Furthermore, the electricity market price for each predetermined time slot of the next day is determined in the electricity market 100. Therefore, the table management unit 110 may identify the electricity market price for each predetermined time slot in the future (for example, the next day) by acquiring the determined electricity market price for each predetermined time slot of the next day from the electricity market 100. By acquiring the determined electricity market price from the electricity market 100, the points for each time slot of the next day in the points table can be set to reflect the determined electricity market price.

[0050] Alternatively, the table management unit 110 may identify the future electricity market price for each predetermined time slot by combining deriving an estimated value of the future electricity market price and acquiring a confirmed future electricity market price. For example, the table management unit 110 may identify the electricity market price for the next day based on the electricity market price acquired from the electricity market, and may identify the electricity market price for the day after that based on the estimated value of the electricity market price.

[0051] The table management unit 110 generates the points table so that points for a first time slot in which the identified electricity market price is relatively low are higher than points corresponding to a second time slot in which the identified electricity market price is relatively high.

[0052] For example, in Figure 2, the electricity market price in the 14th frame on May 18, 20xx is lower than the electricity market price in the 3rd frame on May 18, 20xx. As a result, in Figure 2, point "10" in the 14th frame on May 18, 20xx is higher than point "5" in the 3rd frame on May 18, 20xx.

[0053] That is, in the points table, high points are set corresponding to time periods when the electricity market price is low, and low points are set corresponding to time periods when the electricity market price is high.

[0054] The table management unit 110 presents the generated points table to the consumer 30. This allows the consumer 30 to check the points table as described above. The points in the points table can then serve as an incentive for the consumer 30 when deciding on a time period for external charging of the vehicle 20. This will encourage the consumer 30 to desire to externally charge the vehicle 20 during a time period with relatively high points. In other words, the consumer 30 will intentionally select a time period with relatively high points to externally charge the vehicle 20, rather than a time period with relatively low points.

[0055] Thus, when external charging of vehicle 20 is actually performed during a time period when points are relatively high, power supply business operator 80 will procure electricity during a time period when the electricity market price is relatively low and supply it to consumer 30. Therefore, even if power supply business operator 80 awards points to consumer 30, it is possible to suppress a decrease in profits caused by supplying electricity to consumer 30.

[0056] Furthermore, if external charging of vehicle 20 is actually performed during a time period when points are relatively high, consumer 30 can receive relatively high points from power supply company 80. Therefore, consumer 30 can ultimately reduce the burden of the electricity bill paid to power supply company 80 by receiving the points.

[0057] In this way, in the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment, by presenting the points table to the consumer 30, it is possible to guide the time period for supplying power to the vehicle 20 to a time period when the market price for electricity is relatively low. As a result, in the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment, both the power supply business operator 80 and the consumer 30 can enjoy financial benefits.

[0058] When generating the points table, the table management unit 110 may generate the points table taking into consideration the specific profit of the power supply business operator 80 in addition to the power market price.

[0059] More specifically, the table management unit 110 derives, for each time period, the power supply profit that indicates the profit that the power supply business operator 80 can obtain by supplying power to the consumer 30. In other words, the power supply profit here means the profit that the power supply business operator 80 can obtain for each time period when the power supply business operator 80 supplies power to the consumer 30 in the specified time period.

[0060] The table management unit 110 derives the power supply profit, for example, by subtracting the expenditures incurred by the power supply business operator 80 for supplying power to the consumer 30 for each time period from the revenues obtained for each time period from the consumer 30 by the power supply business operator 80 supplying power to the consumer 30. The table management unit 110 performs this calculation for each time period. The revenues here correspond to sales and may be, for example, electricity rates including fuel adjustment fees expressed for each time period. The expenditures here correspond to costs and may be, for example, power procurement prices and wheeling charges expressed for each time period. Note that information regarding the revenues and expenditures here may be associated with the consumer 30 and stored in advance in a database of the storage device 92.

[0061] The table management unit 110 sets points corresponding to each time period within a range that does not exceed the derived profit from supplying electricity. The table management unit 110 may determine an upper limit for points that does not exceed the profit from supplying electricity for each time period, and may determine the points to be set within a range that does not exceed the upper limit for points to be set. For example, assume that the value of the derived profit from supplying electricity for a given time period converted into points is "20." In this example, the table management unit 110 may determine the upper limit for points to be set for that time period to, for example, "15," and set the points to be set for that time period to, for example, "10," so as not to exceed "15." Note that the table management unit 110 may omit determining the upper limit for points to be set and directly determine the points to be set within a range that does not exceed the profit from supplying electricity.

[0062] The table management unit 110 is not limited to a mode in which points are set within a range that does not exceed the profit from supplying electricity for each time period for all time periods in the points table. The table management unit 110 may set points within a range that does not exceed the profit from supplying electricity for some time periods among the time periods in the points table, and may set points that allow the profit from supplying electricity to be exceeded for other time periods. In other words, the table management unit 110 may generate the points table so as to include time periods for which points are set within a range that does not exceed the profit from supplying electricity for each specified time period.

[0063] The table management unit 110 may increase the points relatively in a time period when the profit from power supply is relatively large, within a range that does not exceed the upper limit of the points that can be awarded, and may decrease the points relatively in a time period when the profit from power supply is relatively small, within a range that does not exceed the upper limit of the points that can be awarded.

[0064] As a result, in the power supply system 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to reliably avoid a situation in which the power supply company 80 would incur a deficit by awarding points, and to award points to the consumer 30 while ensuring the profits of the power supply company 80.

[0065] Furthermore, when generating the points table, the table management unit 110 may set points corresponding to time periods in units of a predetermined integer greater than 1. In the example of Fig. 2, points are set in units of 5 points. However, the units are not limited to 5 points, and may be 2 points, 3 points, 4 points, or any integer unit of 6 points or more.

[0066] This makes the points table easier to view, and the customer 30 can easily understand the contents of the points table.

[0067] Furthermore, when generating the point table, the table management unit 110 may set a period during which points are uniform across multiple time periods within the period covered by the point table. In the example of Fig. 2, the period from the first frame to the tenth frame on May 18, 20xx may be set as a period during which points are uniform. As a result, in the example of Fig. 2, during the period from the first frame to the tenth frame on May 18, 20xx, the points for each time period are uniform at "5", and there are consecutive "5" points.

[0068] This makes the points table easier to read, and the consumer 30 can more easily understand the contents of the points table, for example, by checking whether external charging of the vehicle 20 is possible within a uniform point period.

[0069] Note that, under specific conditions, the points set for a certain time period during a period in which points are uniform may be allowed to exceed the power supply profit for that time period. The specific condition here may be, for example, a condition that the total value of points for each time period during the period in which points are uniform does not exceed the total value of power supply profit for each time period during the period. In other words, as long as the power supply business operator 80 does not go into the red taking into account the entire period in which points are uniform, point settings that cause the power supply business operator 80 to go into the red during some time periods during the period in which points are uniform may be allowed.

[0070] Furthermore, the points are not limited to being uniform across multiple time periods, and for example, a period may be provided in which points gradually increase or decrease across multiple time periods.

[0071] Furthermore, for late-night hours when fluctuations in the electricity market price are small, a uniform point may be set for the late-night hours from the present time up to seven days later (one week later), for example.

[0072] Furthermore, the table management unit 110 may generate a points table by not setting points corresponding to time periods in some periods within the period covered by the points table. That is, the points table may include time periods for which specific points are not indicated. For example, in time periods other than late night two days or later, when the electricity market price has not yet been determined, points may be higher than the uniform points set for late night two days or later. Therefore, a points table may be generated in which specific points are not set for at least some of the time periods other than late night two days or later.

[0073] 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow when the customer 30 checks the points table. When the customer 30 desires to display the points table, the customer 30 performs a predetermined input operation, such as tapping a software button that commands the display of the points table, through the user interface 62 of the terminal device 22 (S10).

[0074] When the terminal control unit 68 of the terminal device 22 receives the above input operation, it transmits a request to transmit the points table to the control device 24 (S11). The request to transmit the points table may include information identifying the consumer 30 who performed the input operation to the terminal device 22.

[0075] When the table management unit 110 of the control device 24 receives the point table transmission request, it executes a table generation process to generate a point table (S12).

[0076] More specifically, the table management unit 110 identifies the electricity market price by either or both of deriving an estimate of the future electricity market price for each time period for the period covered by the points table and obtaining the confirmed future electricity market price (S20). The table management unit 110 identifies the consumers 30 and derives the electricity supply profit for each time period for the period covered by the points table (S21).

[0077] The table management unit 110 determines the points to be set for each time slot by referring to the identified electricity market price and the derived electricity supply profit (S22). For example, the table management unit 110 determines the points for each time slot so that the points are relatively small in time slots when the electricity market price is relatively high and the points are relatively large in time slots when the electricity market price is relatively low, under the condition that the determined points do not exceed the electricity supply profit.

[0078] The table management unit 110 creates a points table by organizing the points determined for each time period into a table (S23).

[0079] The table management unit 110 stores the generated point table in the storage device 92 (S24). The table management unit 110 transmits the generated point table to the terminal device 22 (S25).

[0080] When the terminal control unit 68 of the terminal device 22 receives the points table, it presents the received points table to the consumer 30 (S30). More specifically, the terminal control unit 68 displays the received points table on the display device of the user interface 62.

[0081] The consumer 30 checks the points table presented by the terminal device 22 (S31). For example, the consumer 30 can check the contents of the points table by looking at the points table displayed on the display device of the terminal device 22.

[0082] 3, the points table is generated in response to an input operation by the consumer 30. However, the point table is not limited to being generated based on an input operation by the consumer 30. For example, the table management unit 110 may generate the points table when a predetermined condition is met, regardless of the input operation by the consumer. The predetermined condition may be set as appropriate, for example, when a preset date and time is reached, or when a predetermined period of time has passed since the last external charging of the vehicle 20.

[0083] Next, external charging of vehicle 20 will be described. There are two patterns for external charging of vehicle 20. In the first pattern, consumer 30 manually starts external charging of vehicle 20 during a time period determined by consumer 30. In the second pattern, control device 24 remotely controls external charging of vehicle 20. Below, the first pattern and then the second pattern will be described.

[0084] In the first pattern, the customer 30 checks the contents of the points table as described above. The customer 30 refers to the contents of the points table and determines a time period for external charging of the vehicle 20. When the determined time period arrives, the customer 30 connects the cable 38 to the connection port 40 of the connection unit 14 and the charging port 54 of the vehicle 20.

[0085] In the first pattern, connection unit 14 may be a normal outlet that does not include switch 44. In the first pattern, connection port 40 and charging port 54 are electrically connected by cable 38, which starts the supply of power from distribution board 10 to battery 50, and external charging of vehicle 20 is performed.

[0086] Next, a second pattern will be described in which the control device 24 remotely controls external charging of the vehicle 20. In the second pattern, the customer 30 can also check the contents of the points table as described above. In the second pattern, the procedure after the customer 30 checks the contents of the points table differs from that in the first pattern.

[0087] 4 is a diagram illustrating the flow of remote control of external charging of vehicle 20 by control device 24. Consumer 30 checks the points table and determines candidate time periods that indicate candidates for time periods during which power supply to vehicle 20 is desired. Then, consumer 30 performs an input operation to input one or more candidate time periods through user interface 62 of terminal device 22 (S60).

[0088] For example, if the time required for charging is assumed to be approximately four hours, the customer 30 may determine, as candidate time periods, multiple periods equivalent to the time required for charging, such as midnight to 4:00, 9:00 to 13:00, etc. Furthermore, the customer 30 may determine, as candidate time periods, periods that are sufficiently longer than the period equivalent to the time required for charging, such as midnight to 13:00. In other words, various time periods during which the customer 30 is willing to perform external charging of the vehicle 20 may be determined as candidate time periods.

[0089] When the terminal control unit 68 of the terminal device 22 receives the input operation for the candidate time period, it transmits candidate time period information including the input information for the candidate time period to the control device 24 (S61). The candidate time period information is not limited to information for one candidate time period, but may include information for multiple candidate time periods. The multiple candidate time periods may be consecutive time periods. When the candidate time period information includes information for multiple candidate time periods, the candidate time period information may include information indicating the priority order corresponding to the multiple candidate time periods. Furthermore, the candidate time period information may include information identifying the consumer 30 that performed the input operation on the terminal device 22.

[0090] The power supply control unit 114 of the control device 24 receives the candidate time period information and thereby acquires the candidate time period information (S62). The power supply control unit 114 reads out the point table from the storage device 92 (S63).

[0091] The power supply control unit 114 generates a power supply schedule indicating a schedule for supplying power to the vehicle 20 based on the acquired candidate time period information and the point table (S64).

[0092] The power supply control unit 114 generates the power supply schedule so that time periods with relatively high points among the time periods indicated by the candidate time period information are included in the power supply schedule. For example, if the candidate time period information includes information on a first candidate time period and information on a second candidate time period, and the point corresponding to the first candidate time period is relatively higher than the point corresponding to the second candidate time period, the power supply control unit 114 generates a power supply schedule that includes the first candidate time period as a time period during which external charging of the vehicle 20 is performed.

[0093] For example, in an embodiment in which the control device 24 can directly communicate with the vehicle 20, the power supply control unit 114 establishes communication with the vehicle 20 via the communication device 90 and acquires the current SOC (State of Charge) of the battery 50 in the vehicle 20. The power supply control unit 114 may generate a power supply schedule by assuming that the battery 50 will be charged until the SOC reaches "100%" (in other words, fully charged) from the current SOC.

[0094] Furthermore, for example, in an aspect in which the control device 24 is not capable of communicating directly with the vehicle 20, it is difficult for the power supply control unit 114 to obtain the current SOC of the battery 50. In this aspect, the power supply control unit 114 may generate a power supply schedule by assuming that the battery 50 is charged until the SOC of a standard battery 50 changes from "0%" to "100%."

[0095] For example, if a series of periods in which a time period with relatively low points is sandwiched between a time period with relatively high points and another time period with relatively high points is selected as the period to be covered by the power supply schedule, the power supply control unit 114 may generate a power supply schedule in which the power supply is temporarily suspended when the time period with relatively high points transitions to a time period with relatively low points, and the power supply is resumed when the time period with relatively high points transitions to another time period with a subsequent high point.

[0096] The power supply control unit 114 stores the generated power supply schedule in the storage device 92 (S65). The power supply control unit 114 transmits the generated power supply schedule to the terminal device 22 (S66).

[0097] When the terminal control unit 68 of the terminal device 22 receives the power supply schedule, it presents the received power supply schedule to the consumer 30 (S67). More specifically, the terminal control unit 68 causes the display device of the user interface 62 to display the received power supply schedule.

[0098] The consumer 30 checks the power supply schedule presented by the terminal device 22 (S68). For example, the consumer 30 can check the contents of the power supply schedule by looking at the power supply schedule displayed on the display device of the terminal device 22. This allows the consumer 30 to know the dates and time periods when external charging of the vehicle 20 will be remotely controlled by the control device 24.

[0099] The power supply control unit 114 may send a reply request to the terminal device 22 asking whether the consumer 30 agrees with the generated power supply schedule. If the consumer 30 does not agree with the power supply schedule, the power supply schedule may be regenerated. In this case, the candidate time slots may be re-determined.

[0100] After checking the power supply schedule, the consumer 30 connects the cable 38 to the connection port 40 of the connection unit 14 and the charging port 54 of the vehicle 20 at any time before the start time of external charging of the vehicle 20 indicated in the power supply schedule (S70).

[0101] When the time arrives for starting external charging of vehicle 20 as indicated in the power supply schedule, power supply control unit 114 controls the supply of power to vehicle 20 in accordance with the power supply schedule (S80).

[0102] More specifically, the power supply control unit 114 establishes communication with the connection unit 14 through the communication device 90 in accordance with the power supply schedule and controls the on / off of the switch 44 of the connection unit 14, thereby controlling the supply of power from the distribution board 10 to the vehicle 20.

[0103] For example, the connection unit 14 has a communication unit 42 and a switch 44, and the switch 44 of the connection unit 14 is in an off state when the cable 38 is mechanically connected to the connection port 40. When the time comes to start supplying power according to the power supply schedule, the power supply control unit 114 sends a command to the connection unit 14 to turn the switch 44 on. This turns the switch 44 of the connection unit 14 on, and power is supplied from the distribution board 10 to the battery 50. Furthermore, when the time comes to stop supplying power according to the power supply schedule, the power supply control unit 114 sends a command to the connection unit 14 to turn the switch 44 off. This turns the switch 44 of the connection unit 14 off, and power supply from the distribution board 10 to the battery 50 is stopped.

[0104] Furthermore, in an aspect in which control device 24 can communicate directly with vehicle 20, power supply control unit 114 may establish communication with vehicle 20 via communication device 90 in accordance with the power supply schedule and control external charging unit 56 of vehicle 20 to control the supply of power from distribution board 10 to vehicle 20. In this aspect, connection unit 14 does not need to have switch 44.

[0105] For example, when the time comes to start supplying power according to the power supply schedule, the power supply control unit 114 transmits a command to the vehicle 20 to turn on the external charging unit 56. This turns on the external charging unit 56, and power is supplied from the distribution board 10 to the battery 50. Furthermore, when the time comes to stop supplying power according to the power supply schedule, the power supply control unit 114 transmits a command to the vehicle 20 to turn off the external charging unit 56. This turns off the external charging unit 56, and power supply from the distribution board 10 to the battery 50 is stopped.

[0106] In a mode in which control device 24 can communicate directly with vehicle 20 and connection unit 14 has switch 44, switch 44 of connection unit 14 is turned off when cable 38 is mechanically connected to connection port 40. Power supply control unit 114 may also control the on / off of external charging unit 56 according to the power supply schedule, and may also control the on / off of switch 44.

[0107] In this way, in the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment, a power supply schedule including time periods with relatively high points among the time periods indicated by the candidate time period information may be generated, and the supply of power to the vehicle 20 may be controlled in accordance with the generated power supply schedule. As a result, in the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment, even if the consumer 30 is not at the location of the vehicle 20 during a time period with a relatively high point, the vehicle 20 can be externally charged during that time period, thereby improving convenience for the consumer 30.

[0108] Furthermore, in the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment, the power supply control unit 114 of the control device 24 may remotely control the on / off of the switch 44 of the connection unit 14 according to the power supply schedule. As a result, in the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment, external charging of the vehicle 20 can be performed even if the consumer 30 is not at the location of the vehicle 20, and the control device 24 can control the external charging of the vehicle 20 even if it is not able to directly communicate with the vehicle 20.

[0109] Furthermore, in the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment, the power supply control unit 114 of the control device 24 may remotely control the on / off of the external charging unit 56 of the vehicle 20 according to the power supply schedule. As a result, in the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment, the external charging of the vehicle 20 can be performed even if the consumer 30 is not at the location of the vehicle 20, and the external charging of the vehicle 20 can be controlled even if the connection unit 14 does not have the switch 44.

[0110] Fig. 5 is a flowchart explaining the flow of point allocation. The point management unit 112 of the control device 24 periodically and repeatedly executes the series of processes shown in Fig. 5. For example, the point management unit 112 may start the series of processes shown in Fig. 5 at a specific time every day.

[0111] When a predetermined execution timing arrives, the points management unit 112 identifies, for each consumer 30, a supplied time period indicating a time period during which power was supplied from the distribution board 10 to the vehicle 20 (S100).

[0112] For example, the points management unit 112 may identify the consumer 30 and acquire the results of power measurement by the meter 12. In addition, in an aspect in which the connection unit 14 includes a power measurement unit 46, the points management unit 112 may identify the consumer 30 and acquire the results of power measurement by the power measurement unit 46 of the connection unit 14. The points management unit 112 may acquire the results of power measurement for the period from the previous execution timing to the current execution timing.

[0113] The points management unit 112 may refer to the acquired power measurement results, and if there is a point in time when the absolute value of the amount of change in the amount of power has increased by a predetermined threshold or more, determine that the supply of power to the vehicle 20 has started at that point in time. The points management unit 112 may also refer to the acquired power measurement results, and if there is a point in time when the absolute value of the amount of change in the amount of power has decreased by a predetermined threshold or more, determine that the supply of power to the vehicle 20 has stopped at that point in time. The points management unit 112 may then determine the time period between the time when it is determined that the supply of power to the vehicle 20 has started and the time when it is determined that the supply of power to the vehicle 20 has stopped as the supplied time period.

[0114] In addition, if the point management unit 112 determines that there is no point at which the absolute value of the change in the amount of electric power has increased by more than a predetermined threshold value and there is no point at which the absolute value of the change in the amount of electric power has decreased by more than a predetermined threshold value, it may determine that there is no time period in which supply has been completed in the period from the previous execution timing to the current execution timing.

[0115] Furthermore, when the control device 24 remotely controls the external charging of the vehicle 20, a history of commands sent to the switch 44 of the connection unit 14 or the external charging unit 56 of the vehicle 20 may be stored in the storage device 92. Therefore, when a history of commands sent to the switch 44 of the connection unit 14 or the external charging unit 56 of the vehicle 20 is stored in the storage device 92, the points management unit 112 may identify the time period during which power has been supplied based on that history. For example, the points management unit 112 may determine the time period during which power has been supplied from the time when a command to turn on the switch 44 of the connection unit 14 or the external charging unit 56 of the vehicle 20 was sent and the time when a command to turn off the switch 44 of the connection unit 14 or the external charging unit 56 of the vehicle 20 was sent.

[0116] Next, the point management unit 112 reads out the point table from the storage device 92 (S101). The point management unit 112 determines points to be awarded to the consumer 30 based on the read out point table and the identified time period during which power has been supplied (S102). For example, the point management unit 112 refers to the point table, identifies points corresponding to the time period during which power has been supplied, and determines these points as points to be awarded.

[0117] The point management unit 112 executes a process of granting the determined points to the consumer 30 (S103), and ends the series of processes in Fig. 5. For example, the storage device 92 may store a points database that electronically stores and manages points held by each consumer 30. In such a case, the point management unit 112 may execute the granting of points by updating the value of points held by the identified consumer 30 in the points database to the value after the points have been granted.

[0118] In addition, if the period during which external charging of vehicle 20 is performed spans multiple time periods (multiple frames), points corresponding to each time period during which external charging of vehicle 20 is performed will be added together to be awarded to consumer 30, over all time periods during which external charging of vehicle 20 is performed.

[0119] In this way, in the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment, points are automatically awarded to the consumer 30 in response to the supply of power from the distribution board 10 to the vehicle 20, i.e., the external charging of the vehicle 20. Therefore, the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment can improve convenience for the consumer 30.

[0120] In addition, if it is determined that there is no supplied time in the period from the previous execution timing to the current execution timing, the point management unit 112 may end the series of processes in Figure 5 without determining the points to be awarded, or may execute the awarding by setting the points to be awarded to "0".

[0121] As described above, the control device 24 of the power supply system 1 of this embodiment is managed by the power supply company 80 that supplies power to the distribution board 10 of the consumer 30 through the power grid 32. The control device 24 identifies the future electricity market price for each predetermined time slot. The control device 24 generates a points table in which points indicating benefits to be granted to the consumer 30 by the power supply company 80 are associated one-to-one with time slots, and in which points are associated with time slots such that points corresponding to a first time slot in which the identified electricity market price is relatively low are higher than points corresponding to a second time slot in which the identified electricity market price is relatively high. The control device 24 presents the generated points table to the consumer 30.

[0122] As a result, in the power supply system 1 of this embodiment, by the consumer 30 checking the presented points table, the consumer 30 is more likely to select a time period with relatively high points as the time period for external charging of the vehicle 20.

[0123] Therefore, the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment can guide the time period during which power is supplied to the vehicle 20 to a specific time period. More specifically, since a time period during which the points are relatively high corresponds to a time period during which the electricity market price is relatively low, the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment can guide the time period during which power is supplied to the vehicle 20 to a time period during which the electricity market price is expected to be low. As a result, the power supply system 1 of the present embodiment can enable both the power supply business operator 80 and the consumer 30 to enjoy financial benefits.

[0124] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that such modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0125] For example, after generating the power supply schedule, the power supply control unit 114 of the control device 24 may generate and update the power supply schedule again depending on, for example, the approaching date and time when external charging of the vehicle 20 will be performed.

[0126] Furthermore, after generating the points table, the table management unit 110 of the control device 24 may generate and update the points table again depending on, for example, the approaching date and time when external charging of the vehicle 20 will be performed.

[0127] Furthermore, in a situation where an electric power supply schedule has been generated and external charging of the vehicle 20 is waiting to be performed, the consumer 30 may start external charging of the vehicle 20 on its own before the start time of power supply in the electric power supply schedule arrives. In such a case, the electric power supply control unit 114 of the control device 24 may stop external charging of the vehicle 20 in accordance with the electric power supply schedule. Then, when the consumer 30 starts external charging of the vehicle 20 on its own, the point management unit 112 of the control device 24 may award points to the consumer 30 corresponding to the time period during which external charging of the vehicle 20 was performed.

[0128] Also provided are programs that cause a computer to function as a control device, and computer-readable storage media on which the programs are recorded, such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CDs, DVDs, and BDs. Here, a program refers to a data processing means written in any language or description method.

[0129] It should be noted that the processes shown in this specification do not necessarily have to be performed in chronological order according to the order shown in the flowcharts, and may include parallel or subroutine processes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1. Power supply system 10 Distribution board 14 Connection 20 vehicles 24 Control device 30 Consumer 32 Power system 44 Switch 50 Battery 56 External charging part 80 Electricity supplier

Claims

1. a distribution board electrically connected to the power grid in the customer's premises and capable of receiving power supplied from the power grid; a connection unit configured to be electrically connectable to a vehicle having a battery and capable of supplying power supplied from the distribution board to the vehicle; a control device that is managed by a power supply company that supplies power to the distribution board through the power system and that executes predetermined processing; Equipped with The control device Identifying future electricity market prices for each predetermined time period; generating a points table in which points indicating the amount of a benefit granted by the power supply company to the consumer are associated one-to-one with time periods, and in which the points are associated with time periods such that the points corresponding to a first time period in which the identified electricity market price is relatively low are higher than the points corresponding to a second time period in which the identified electricity market price is relatively high; The power supply system presents the generated point table to the customer.

2. The control device identifying a time period during which power was supplied from the distribution board to the vehicle; The power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the points to be awarded to the customer are determined based on the points table and the specified time period for which power has been supplied.

3. The control device acquiring candidate time period information indicating candidate time periods during which the customer desires to supply electric power to the vehicle; generating a power supply schedule for executing the supply of power to the vehicle based on the acquired candidate time period information and the point table, the power supply schedule including time periods indicated by the candidate time period information that have relatively high points; The power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the power supply to the vehicle is controlled in accordance with the generated power supply schedule.

4. The connection portion is a switch capable of turning on and off a current path between the distribution board and the vehicle; The control device The power supply system according to claim 3 , wherein the supply of power from the distribution board to the vehicle is controlled by controlling the on / off of the switch in accordance with the power supply schedule.

5. the vehicle has an external charging unit that supplies externally supplied power to the battery, The control device 4. The power supply system according to claim 3, wherein the power supply system controls the supply of power from the distribution board to the battery by establishing communication with the vehicle and controlling on / off of the external charging unit of the vehicle according to the power supply schedule.

6. The control device deriving a power supply profit indicating a profit that the power supply company can obtain by supplying power to the consumer for each of the predetermined time periods; The power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the points table is generated so as to include a time period during which the points are set within a range that does not exceed the power supply profit.

7. The control device The power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein the points corresponding to the time periods are set in units of a predetermined integer greater than one in generating the point table.

8. The control device The power supply system according to claim 1 , wherein, in generating the points table, a period in which the points have a uniform value across a plurality of time periods is provided within the period covered by the points table.

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