Information processing system, charging control management system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To make an appropriate charging plan for an electric vehicle.SOLUTION: The information processing system 1 calculates the chargeable electric energy Wcp by subtracting the demand electric energy from the target upper limit value for each slot included in the charging time slot Tch, and sets the sum of the chargeable electric energy Wcp as the total chargeable electric energy Wcps. The information processing system 1 calculates the differential power amount Wd which is a difference between the total chargeable power amount Wcps and the necessary charging power amount Lsum necessary for charging the electric vehicle, calculates the scheduled charging power amount Ln to be allocated to the chargeable slot based on the differential power amount Wd and the number N of chargeable slots, and generates the charging plan data 204 including the information of the time of each slot in the charging time slot Tch and the scheduled charging power amount Ln. The information processing system 1 sets the scheduled charging power amount Ln of each slot so that the total value of the demand power amount Dn and the scheduled charging power amount Ln is uniform among the slots in the charging time slot Tch.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a charging control management system, an information processing method, and a program that assist in creating a charging plan for, for example, an electric vehicle (EV). [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, electric vehicles have begun to spread in the transportation and shipping industries. For example, an increasing number of bus companies are replacing conventional buses with electric vehicles. In general, when introducing electric vehicles, it is necessary to also introduce charging equipment such as chargers for charging the electric vehicles and an EMS (Energy Management System) that controls the chargers.

[0003] Conventional EMSs for electric vehicles coordinate with the power usage of existing equipment (existing loads) other than the charging equipment on the customer's premises, and control the charging of electric vehicles so as not to exceed the customer's contracted power within the available charging time given as a pre-entered input value (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-60468 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Generally, a customer's contracted power is determined by the maximum power demand of the customer's existing facilities. However, when transportation and freight forwarding offices introduce electric vehicles, they may install chargers that significantly exceed the maximum power demand of their existing facilities. In such cases, it is not easy to uniquely determine a customer's contracted power. For example, the charging power required for electric vehicles and the time periods during which electric vehicles can be charged vary from office to office. Therefore, each office must develop an appropriate charging plan for electric vehicles that takes into account the existing load and the operating status of the electric vehicles, and then determine the optimal contracted power. However, it is difficult to say that a method for developing an electric vehicle charging plan that can optimize the contracted power has been established.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to make it possible to formulate an appropriate charging plan for an electric vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing system according to a representative embodiment of the present invention includes: a demand energy amount acquiring unit that acquires time series data of demand energy amount, which is the amount of energy required by a consumer for purposes other than charging an electric vehicle, arranged in time series for each slot when a day is divided into predetermined unit times and each divided time slot is defined as a slot; a charging time slot setting unit that sets a charging time slot during which the electric vehicle can be charged; a target upper limit value setting unit that sets a target upper limit value that is a target value for the upper limit of energy to be used during the charging time slot; a chargeable energy amount calculating unit that calculates the amount of chargeable energy by subtracting the demanded energy amount from the target upper limit value for each slot included in the charging time slot and calculates the sum of the chargeable energy amounts for each slot included in the charging time slot as the total chargeable energy amount; the planned charging energy calculation unit calculates a planned charging energy amount, which is the amount of energy for charging the electric vehicle, to be allocated to the chargeable slots in the charging time slot, based on a differential energy amount, which is the difference between the total chargeable energy amount and the required charging energy amount, and the number of the slots in the charging time slot; and the charging plan data generation unit generates charging plan data including time information for each of the slots in the charging time slot and the planned charging energy amount associated with the slot, wherein the planned charging energy calculation unit sets the planned charging energy amount for each of the chargeable slots so that the sum of the demand energy amount and the planned charging energy amount in the slot is uniform between the slots in the charging time slot. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the information processing system of the present invention, it is possible to formulate an appropriate charging plan for an electric vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a charging control management system including an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for generating charging plan data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for generating charging plan data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for generating charging plan data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for generating charging plan data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5A] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process for generating charging plan data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5B] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process for calculating a planned amount of charging energy according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a charging control management system including an information processing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of an information processing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method for generating charging plan data according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method for generating charging plan data according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process for generating charging plan data according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a charging control management system including an information processing system realized by a plurality of information processing devices. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 1. Overview of the embodiment First, a typical embodiment of the invention disclosed in this application will be outlined. In the following description, for example, reference numerals in the drawings corresponding to the components of the invention will be given in parentheses.

[0011] [1] An information processing system (1, 1A, 1B) according to a representative embodiment of the present invention includes: a demand energy amount acquisition unit (11) that acquires time series data (201) of demand energy amount, which is the amount of energy required for purposes other than charging an electric vehicle (7, 7_1, 7_2) at a consumer, arranged in time series for each slot when a day is divided into predetermined unit times and each divided time slot is defined as a slot; a charging time slot setting unit (12, 12A) that sets a charging time slot (Tch) that is a time slot during which the electric vehicle can be charged; a target upper limit value setting unit (13) that sets a target upper limit value (Lu) that is a target value for the upper limit of power to be used during the charging time slot; a chargeable energy amount calculation unit (14) that calculates a chargeable energy amount (Wcp) by subtracting the demand energy amount from the target upper limit value for each slot included in the charging time slot, and calculates a total chargeable energy amount (Wcps) as the sum of the chargeable energy amounts of each slot included in the charging time slot; The charging plan data generating unit (17, 17A) includes a required charging energy acquisition unit (15, 15A) that acquires a required charging energy amount (Lsum) that is the amount of energy required to charge an electric vehicle; a planned charging energy amount calculation unit (16, 16A) that calculates a planned charging energy amount (Ln) that is the amount of energy for charging the electric vehicle to be allocated to the chargeable slots in the charging time slot, based on a difference energy amount (Wd) that is the difference between the total chargeable energy amount and the required charging energy amount and the number (N) of the slots that are available for charging in the charging time slot; and a charging plan data generating unit (17, 17A) that generates charging plan data including time information for each of the slots in the charging time slot and the planned charging energy amount associated with the slot, wherein the planned charging energy amount calculation unit sets the planned charging energy amount for each of the chargeable slots so that a sum (Dn+Ln) of the demand energy amount and the planned charging energy amount in the slot is uniform among the slots in the charging time slot.

[0012] 〔2〕In the information processing system described in 〔1〕 above, when the total chargeable power amount (Wcps) is greater than or equal to the required chargeable power amount (Lsum) (Wcps ≧ Lsum), the scheduled chargeable power amount calculation unit calculates the difference power amount (Wcps - Lsum) by subtracting the required chargeable power amount from the total chargeable power amount, and divides the difference power amount by the number (N) of slots that can be charged during the charging time period, and subtracts the result from the chargeable power amount of each slot during the charging time period, thereby calculating the scheduled chargeable power amount for each slot during the charging time period.

[0013] 〔3〕In the information processing system described in 〔1〕 or 〔2〕 above, when the total chargeable power amount (Wcps) is less than the required chargeable power amount (Lsum) (Wcps < Lsum), the scheduled chargeable power amount calculation unit calculates the difference power amount (Lsum - Wcps) by subtracting the total chargeable power amount from the required chargeable power amount, and divides the difference power amount by the number (N) of slots that can be charged during the charging time period, and adds the result to the chargeable power amount of each slot during the charging time period, thereby calculating the scheduled chargeable power amount for each slot during the charging time period.

[0014] 〔4〕In the information processing system according to any one of 〔1〕 to 〔3〕 above, the required chargeable power amount acquisition unit may calculate the required chargeable power amount based on the initial SOC (SOCs), which is the SOC when starting to charge the electric vehicle, the target SOC (SOCe), which is the target value of the SOC for charging the electric vehicle, and the battery capacity (EVbatt) of the electric vehicle.

[0015] 〔5〕In the information processing system according to any one of 〔1〕 to 〔3〕 above, the required chargeable power amount acquisition unit may calculate the required chargeable power amount based on the driving distance or the planned driving distance of the electric vehicle and the electricity cost of the electric vehicle.

[0016] [6] In the information processing system described in [1] above, the electric vehicles may include a first electric vehicle (7_1) and a second electric vehicle (7_2), and the charging time zone setting unit may acquire information on a first charging start time (ts1) that is a time to start charging the first electric vehicle and information on a second charging start time (ts2) that is a time to start charging the second electric vehicle, and the charging time zone setting unit may set the charging time zone so that the slots included in the time zone from the first charging start time to the second charging start time are allocated to charging the first electric vehicle, the slots included in the time zone from the second charging start time to a first time (tc1) when the SOC of the second electric vehicle reaches a reference value (Rsoc) are allocated to charging the second electric vehicle, and the slots included in the time zone from the first time to a second time (tc2) when the SOC of the first electric vehicle reaches a second value are allocated to charging the first electric vehicle.

[0017] [7] A charging control management system (6, 6A, 6B) according to a representative embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising an information processing system (1, 1A, 1B) described in any one of [1] to [6] above, a charger (3) that charges the electric vehicle, and a charging control device (2) that controls the charger based on the charging plan data generated by the information processing system.

[0018] [8] An information processing method according to a representative embodiment of the present invention includes a first step (S1) in which a computer divides a day into predetermined unit times, and acquires time series data in which the amount of demanded energy, which is the amount of energy required by a consumer for purposes other than charging an electric vehicle, is arranged in time series for each slot, where each divided time slot is a slot; a second step (S2, S2A) in which the computer sets a charging time slot, which is a time slot during which the electric vehicle can be charged; a third step (S3) in which the computer sets a target upper limit value, which is a target value for the upper limit of energy to be used during the charging time slot; a fourth step (S4) in which the computer acquires a required amount of charging energy, which is the amount of energy required to charge the electric vehicle; a fifth step (S5) in which the computer calculates the amount of chargeable energy by subtracting the amount of demanded energy from the target upper limit value for each slot included in the charging time slot; a sixth step (S6) of calculating a total chargeable energy amount as the sum of the chargeable energy amounts of all slots; a seventh step (S7) of calculating a planned charging energy amount, which is the amount of energy for charging the electric vehicles to be allocated to the chargeable slots in the charging time period, based on the differential energy amount, which is the difference between the total chargeable energy amount and the required charging energy amount, and the number of the slots in the charging time period; and an eighth step (S8, S9) of generating charging plan data including time information for each slot in the charging time period and the planned charging energy amount associated with the slot, wherein the seventh step includes a step in which the computer sets the planned charging energy amount for each chargeable slot so that the sum of the demanded energy amount and the planned charging energy amount in the slot is uniform between the slots in the charging time period.

[0019] [9] A program according to a representative embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it causes the computer to execute each step of the information processing method described in [7] above.

[0020] 2. Specific examples of embodiments Hereinafter, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, components common to the embodiments will be designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0021] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a charging control management system 6 including an information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0022] 1 is a system that creates charging plans for electric vehicles 7 operated by consumers and controls the charging of the electric vehicles 7 in accordance with the created charging plans. For example, the charging control management system 6 creates charging plans for electric vehicles 7 operated by consumers such as offices in the transportation and freight industries, ordinary homes, buildings, and factories, and controls the charging of the electric vehicles 7.

[0023] The charging control management system 6 includes, for example, an information processing system 1, a charging control device 2, a charger 3, a power record database (power record DB) 4, and an electric vehicle management information database (EVDB) 5. For example, the information processing system 1, the charging control device 2, the power record database 4, and the electric vehicle management information database 5 constitute an EMS (Energy Management System) 8.

[0024] In the first embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that the information processing system 1, the charging control device 2, and the charger 3 are installed on the premises of a customer. The information processing system 1, the charging control device 2, the power record database 4, and the electric vehicle management information database 5 may be installed on the premises of the customer together with the charger 3, or may be installed in a different location and be able to communicate with the information processing system 1 etc. via a known network.

[0025] The electric vehicle 7 is a vehicle that operates using electric energy from a storage battery (secondary battery). The electric vehicle 7 is, for example, a bus.

[0026] The charger 3 is a device that charges the electric vehicle 7. The charger 3 is, for example, a device that charges a storage battery for the electric vehicle using a known charging technology, and has, for example, one charging plug 30. The charger 3 charges the electric vehicle 7 by supplying power to the electric vehicle 7 in accordance with control from the charging control device 2, with the charging plug 30 and a power supply plug of the electric vehicle 7 connected by a distribution cable. Preferably, the charger 3 has a function that detects an abnormality and notifies an external party if the charging plug 30 and the object to be charged (electric vehicle 7) are not electrically connected at the start of charging.

[0027] The charge control device 2 is a device that controls charging of the electric vehicle 7 by the charger 3. The charge control device 2 controls charging of the storage battery of the electric vehicle 7 based on, for example, a known charge control method. Specifically, the charge control device 2 controls charging of the electric vehicle 7 by switching between starting and stopping charging of the electric vehicle 7 by the charger 3 based on the charging plan data 204 generated by the information processing system 1.

[0028] The information processing system 1 is a device that generates charging plan data 204 for the electric vehicle 7. The information processing system 1 generates the charging plan data 204 so that the power usage of consumers is uniform during the time periods when the electric vehicle 7 is being charged. Details of the information processing system 1 will be described later.

[0029] The power record database 4 is a device that stores information on the amount of power required for purposes other than charging the electric vehicle 7 at the consumer.

[0030] Here, the amount of power required by the consumer for purposes other than charging the electric vehicle 7 is the amount of power used by existing equipment within the consumer's facility before the installation of the charging equipment. Hereinafter, the amount of power required by the consumer for purposes other than charging the electric vehicle 7 will be referred to as the "demanded power amount."

[0031] The actual value of the amount of power demand for each unit time is stored in the power record database 4. In this embodiment, one day (24 hours) is divided into unit times (for example, 30 minutes), and each divided time period is called a "slot (frame)."

[0032] The power record database 4 stores data in which the actual values ​​of the amount of power demand for each slot are arranged in chronological order. For example, the power record database 4 stores data in which the actual values ​​of the amount of power demand for at least the past year are arranged in chronological order.

[0033] For example, the power record database 4 includes a storage device that stores the record value of the amount of power demand for each slot, and an information processing device (for example, a database server) that controls writing and reading of data to and from the storage device.

[0034] The electric vehicle management information database (EVDB) 5 is a device that stores various information related to the electric vehicle 7. The electric vehicle management information database 5 stores various information related to the electric vehicle 7, such as identification information of the electric vehicle 7 to be charged, the battery capacity of the storage battery of the electric vehicle 7, the electricity consumption of the electric vehicle 7, the distance traveled by the electric vehicle 7 (mileage), the planned traveling distance, and the charging rate (SOC: State Of Charge) of the electric vehicle 7.

[0035] Here, the travel distance is the distance traveled by the electric vehicle 7. For example, it is the distance from when the electric vehicle 7 leaves the office until when it returns to the office. The planned travel distance is, for example, the distance traveled by the electric vehicle 7 from the last charging stop time to the next charging start time.

[0036] The electricity consumption rate is the rate of electricity consumption of the electric vehicle 7. For example, the electricity consumption rate is expressed as the ratio of the distance traveled by the electric vehicle 7 to the amount of electricity consumed [km / kWh].

[0037] The electric vehicle management information database 5 includes, for example, a storage device that stores various information related to the electric vehicle 7 described above, and an information processing device (for example, a database server) that controls writing and reading of data to and from the storage device.

[0038] The power record database 4 and the electric vehicle management information database 5 are capable of transmitting and receiving data to and from the information processing system 1. For example, the information processing system 1, the power record database 4, and the electric vehicle management information database 5 are connected to one another via a known network such as a LAN or a WAN (such as the Internet). The information processing system 1, for example, accesses the power record database 4 to obtain actual values ​​of the amount of power demanded by consumers, and accesses the electric vehicle management information database 5 to obtain various information related to electric vehicles 7 that is necessary for generating charging plan data.

[0039] Furthermore, the electric vehicle management information database 5 and the electric vehicle 7 are capable of communicating with each other directly or indirectly. For example, the electric vehicle 7 may communicate with the electric vehicle management information database 5 via a known network such as the Internet, thereby updating various pieces of information about the electric vehicle 7 (e.g., electricity consumption, mileage, and charging rate) stored in the electric vehicle management information database 5. Alternatively, when the electric vehicle 7 is connected to the charger 3, the charging control device 2 may obtain various pieces of information about the electric vehicle 7 from the electric vehicle 7 via the charger 3, and the charging control device 2 may communicate with the electric vehicle management information database 5, thereby updating the various pieces of information about the electric vehicle 7 stored in the electric vehicle management information database 5.

[0040] Next, the configuration of the information processing system 1 will be described.

[0041] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0042] The information processing system 1 is realized by, for example, one information processing device. For example, the information processing system 1 is realized by a program processing device such as a server machine, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing system 1 includes, as hardware resources, an arithmetic unit 101, a storage unit 102, an input unit 103, an I / F (Interface) unit 104, an output unit 105, and a bus 106.

[0044] The arithmetic device 101 is configured with processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). The storage device 102 is configured with, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a flash memory. The storage area of ​​the storage device 102 stores programs 1021 for causing the arithmetic device 101 to execute various types of data processing, and data 1022 such as parameters and calculation results used in the data processing by the arithmetic device 101.

[0045] Here, the program 1021 includes a program for causing a computer (CPU) to execute each process (step) related to generation of charging plan data according to the present embodiment, and is installed in advance in the storage device 102, for example.

[0046] The program 1021 may be distributed via a network, or may be written to a non-transitory computer readable medium such as a CD-ROM and distributed.

[0047] The input device 103 is a device that detects the input of information from the outside, and is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a pointing device, a button, a touch panel, etc. The I / F device 104 is a device that sends and receives information to and from the outside, and is composed of a communication control circuit, an input / output port, an antenna, etc. for wired or wireless communication.

[0048] The output device 105 is a device that outputs information obtained by data processing by the arithmetic device 101. Examples of the output device 105 include external storage devices such as SSDs (Solid State Drives) and HDDs, and display devices such as LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) and organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays. The bus 106 is a functional block that interconnects the arithmetic device 101, storage device 102, input device 103, I / F device 104, and output device 105, enabling data transmission and reception among these devices.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3 , the information processing system 1 has, as functional blocks for generating charging plan data for the electric vehicle 7, for example, a demand energy acquisition unit 11, a charging time zone setting unit 12, a target upper limit value setting unit 13, a chargeable energy calculation unit 14, a required charging energy acquisition unit 15, a planned charging energy calculation unit 16, a charging plan data generation unit 17, and a memory unit 18.

[0051] The above-described functional blocks of the information processing system (information processing device) 1 are realized by cooperation of the hardware resources of the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 2 with software (a charging plan data generation program) installed in the information processing system. That is, in the information processing system 1, the arithmetic device 101 executes various calculations in accordance with the program 1021 stored in the storage device 102, and controls the storage device 102, the input device 103, the I / F device 104, the output device 105, and the bus 106 based on the calculation results, thereby realizing a demand energy amount acquiring unit 11, a charging time zone setting unit 12, a target upper limit value setting unit 13, a chargeable energy amount calculating unit 14, a required charging energy amount acquiring unit 15, a planned charging energy amount calculating unit 16, a charging plan data generating unit 17, and a storage unit 18 shown in Fig. 3.

[0052] Hereinafter, each functional block in the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D as needed.

[0053] 4A to 4D are diagrams for explaining a method for generating charging plan data according to the first embodiment.

[0054] 4A to 4D, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents power (kW). As an example, each of Figures 4A to 4D shows graphs of the amount of power consumed for each slot (30 minutes) from 16:00 to 8:00, out of the total amount of power consumed for one day (24 hours).

[0055] The power demand acquisition unit 11 is a functional block that acquires information about the amount of power demand. The power demand acquisition unit 11 acquires time-series data 201 of the amount of power demand, which is data in which the amount of power demand is arranged in time series for each slot.

[0056] For example, the demand energy acquisition unit 11 communicates with the power actual data database 4 to read out the actual values ​​of the demand energy for each slot in a predetermined period from the power actual data database 4, and stores the actual values ​​of the demand energy in the memory unit 18 as time series data 201 of the demand energy.

[0057] For example, the power demand acquisition unit 11 acquires, as time-series data 201 of power demand, data in which actual values ​​of power demand in each slot for one day (24 hours) are arranged in time series as shown in FIG. 4A.

[0058] More preferably, the energy demand acquisition unit 11 selects the largest energy demand among the energy demands for the same time slot (slot) for each season or the past year as the energy demand for that slot for one day. The energy demand acquisition unit 11 arranges the energy demands for each slot for one day selected by the above-mentioned method in chronological order and stores the results in the storage unit 18 as energy demand time-series data 201.

[0059] The charging time slot setting unit 12 is a functional block that sets a charging time slot Tch, which is a time slot during which the electric vehicle 7 can be charged. The charging time slot setting unit 12 sets the charging time slot Tch based on input information 202 related to the charging time. The charging time slot setting unit 12 also calculates the number of slots included in the charging time slot Tch.

[0060] For example, the charging time slot setting unit 12 acquires, as the information 202 related to the charging time, information on a charging start time ts, which is the time when charging of the electric vehicle 7 starts, and information on a charging end time te, which is the time when charging of the electric vehicle ends. The charging time slot setting unit 12 sets the period between the charging start time ts and the charging end time te as the charging time slot Tch. Fig. 4A and other figures show, as an example, a case where the charging start time ts is set to 20:00, the charging end time te is set to 6:00, and the charging time slot Tch is set to "20:00-6:00."

[0061] For example, the information on the charging start time ts and the information on the charging end time te may be input to the information processing system 1 by a user operating the information processing system 1 (information processing device). Alternatively, if the information on the charging start time ts and the information on the charging end time te are stored in the electric vehicle management information database 5, the charging time zone setting unit 12 may acquire the information on the charging start time ts and the information on the charging end time te from the electric vehicle management information database 5 by communicating with the electric vehicle management information database 5.

[0062] The charging time slot setting unit 12 stores in the storage unit 18, for example, information such as the charging start time ts, the charging end time te, the charging time slot Tch, and the number of slots included in the charging time slot Tch.

[0063] The target upper limit setting unit 13 is a functional block that sets a target upper limit value Lu, which is a target value for the upper limit of power to be used in the charging time slot Tch. For example, the target upper limit setting unit 13 selects the largest amount of demand energy (maximum amount of demand energy) among the amounts of demand energy for each slot in the charging time slot Tch from the time series data 201 of the amount of demand energy, and sets this as the target upper limit value Lu. In the example shown in FIG. 4A , the amount of demand energy in the slot at time 20:00 is the maximum amount of demand energy in the charging time slot Tch, so the target upper limit setting unit 13 sets the amount of demand energy in the slot at time 20:00 as the target upper limit value Lu. Note that the contracted power of the consumer may also be set as the target upper limit value Lu. The target upper limit setting unit 13 stores the set target upper limit value Lu in the storage unit 18.

[0064] The chargeable energy calculation unit 14 is a functional block that calculates the amount of energy available for charging the electric vehicle 7 during the charging time slot Tch. The chargeable energy calculation unit 14 calculates the chargeable energy Wcp (=Lu-Dn) by subtracting the demanded energy Dn from the target upper limit value Lu for each slot included in the charging time slot Tch.

[0065] 4B, the chargeable energy Wcp in the slot at 22:00 is calculated by subtracting the demand energy Dn in the slot at 22:00 from the target upper limit Lu. The chargeable energy calculation unit 14 calculates the chargeable energy Wcp for each slot included in the charging time slot Tch using the method described above and stores the calculated amounts in the storage unit 18. Then, the chargeable energy calculation unit 14 calculates the sum of the chargeable energy Wcp of each slot included in the charging time slot Tch as the total chargeable energy Wcps and stores the calculated amount in the storage unit 18. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the chargeable energy calculation unit 14 calculates the sum of the chargeable energy Wcp of all slots included in the charging time slot Tch from 22:00 to 6:00 as the total chargeable energy Wcps.

[0066] The required charging energy acquisition unit 15 is a functional block that acquires the required charging energy Lsum, which is the amount of energy required to charge the electric vehicle 7. The required charging energy acquisition unit 15 acquires information 203 related to the electric vehicle by, for example, communicating with the electric vehicle management information database 5 or the electric vehicle 7. The information 203 related to the electric vehicle includes, for example, information such as the initial SOCs, the target SOCe, the battery capacity EVbatt, the mileage, and the electricity consumption.

[0067] For example, the required charging energy acquisition unit 15 calculates the required charging energy Lsum based on an initial SOCs, which is the SOC when charging of the electric vehicle 7 is started, a target SOCe, which is an SOC that is a target for charging the electric vehicle 7, and the storage battery capacity EVbatt of the electric vehicle 7. For example, the required charging energy acquisition unit 15 calculates the required charging energy Lsum based on the formula (Lsum [kWh] = EVbatt × (SOCe - SOCs) / SOCe). Alternatively, the required charging energy acquisition unit 15 may calculate the required charging energy Lsum (= traveling distance / electricity efficiency, or planned traveling distance / electricity efficiency) based on the traveling distance or planned traveling distance of the electric vehicle 7 and the electricity efficiency of the electric vehicle 7.

[0068] The planned charging energy calculation unit 16 is a functional block that calculates the planned charging energy Ln, which is the amount of energy for charging the electric vehicle 7 that should be allocated to a chargeable slot in the charging time slot Tch.

[0069] Specifically, the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 calculates the planned charging energy Ln for each chargeable slot based on the difference energy Wd, which is the difference between the total chargeable energy Wcps and the required charging energy Lsum, and the number N of slots available for charging in the charging time slot Tch. More specifically, the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 calculates the planned charging energy Ln for each chargeable slot so that the sum of the demand energy Dn in the slot and the planned charging energy Ln is uniform between slots in the charging time slot Tch.

[0070] For example, consider a case where the total chargeable energy Wcps is equal to or greater than the required chargeable energy Lsum (Wcps≧Lsum). In this case, the planned chargeable energy calculation unit 16 subtracts the required chargeable energy Lsum from the total chargeable energy Wcps to calculate the difference in energy Wd (=Wcps−Lsum). Next, the planned chargeable energy calculation unit 16 divides the difference in energy Wd according to the number of slots in the charging time slot Tch. For example, if the number of slots available for charging the electric vehicle 7 in the charging time slot Tch is “N”, the planned chargeable energy calculation unit 16 divides the difference in energy Wd by the number of slots N. In the example shown in FIG. 4C , the number N of slots available for charging is “18”, so the difference in energy Wd is divided by “18”. Next, the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 calculates the planned charging energy Ln (=Wcp-Wd / N) for each slot in the charging time slot Tch by subtracting the value (Wd / N) obtained by dividing the difference energy Wd by the number of slots N from the chargeable energy Wcp of the slot in the charging time slot Tch. As a result, as shown in Fig. 4C, the planned charging energy Ln for each chargeable slot is calculated so that the amount of energy used between the slots in the charging time slot Tch is uniform.

[0071] Next, consider the case where the total chargeable power Wcps is less than the required charge power Lsum (Wcps < Lsum). In this case, the planned charge power calculation unit 16 calculates the difference power Wd (= Lsum - Wcps) by subtracting the total chargeable power Wcps from the required charge power Lsum. Next, the planned charge power calculation unit 16 divides the difference power Wd according to the number of slots in the charge time zone Tch. For example, when the number of slots in which the electric vehicle 7 can be charged in the charge time zone Tch is "N", the planned charge power calculation unit 16 divides the difference power Wd by the number of slots N. In the case of the example shown in Fig. 4D, since the number of chargeable slots N is "20", the difference power Wd is divided by "20". Next, the planned charge power calculation unit 16 calculates the planned charge power Ln (= Wcp + Wd / N) for each slot in the charge time zone Tch by adding the value (Wd / N) obtained by dividing the difference power Wd by the number of slots N to the chargeable power Wcp of the slot in the charge time zone Tch. According to this, as shown in Fig. 4D, the planned charge power Ln for each chargeable slot is calculated so that the power consumption between the slots in the charge time zone Tch becomes uniform. In this case, the power of each slot in the charge time zone Tch will exceed the target upper limit value Lu.

[0072] The charge plan data generation unit 17 is a functional block that generates charge plan data 204 indicating the charge plan of the electric vehicle 7. The charge plan data generation unit 17 generates data including information on the time of the slots in the charge time zone Tch (information for identifying the slots, for example, including at least one of the start time of the slot and the end time of the slot) and information on the planned charge power Ln associated with each slot as the charge plan data 204, and stores it in the storage unit 18.

[0073] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4C , the charging plan data generation unit 17 generates charging plan data 204 including information on the time of each slot included in the charging time slot Tch from 20:00 at the charging start time ts to 6:00 at the charging end time te and information on the planned charging energy amount Ln allocated to each slot, and stores the generated charging plan data 204 in the storage unit 18.

[0074] Next, a flow of the process of generating charging plan data by the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0075] FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the charging plan data generation process according to the first embodiment.

[0076] For example, a user operates the information processing system 1 to input an instruction to generate charging plan data to the information processing system 1. The information processing system 1 starts the process of generating charging plan data in response to the instruction. First, the information processing system 1 acquires time-series data 201 of the amount of demanded energy (step S1). Specifically, the demanded energy acquisition unit 11 reads out the actual value of the amount of demanded energy from the electric power actual data database 4 by the above-mentioned method, and stores the time-series data 201 of the amount of demanded energy for one day in the storage unit 18.

[0077] Next, the information processing system 1 sets the charging time slot Tch (step S2). For example, when information on the charging start time ts and the charging end time te is input to the information processing system 1 along with the instruction to generate the charging plan data described above, the charging time slot setting unit 12 sets the period between the charging start time ts and the charging end time te as the charging time slot Tch using the method described above, calculates the number of slots in the charging time slot Tch, and stores the calculated number in the storage unit 18.

[0078] Next, the information processing system 1 sets a target upper limit value Lu (step S3). Specifically, the target upper limit value setting unit 13 selects the largest amount of demanded energy (maximum amount of demanded energy) in the charging time slot Tch from the time-series data 201 of the amount of demanded energy acquired in step S1 by the above-mentioned method, and stores it in the storage unit 18 as the target upper limit value Lu.

[0079] Next, the information processing system 1 acquires the required charging energy Lsum (step S4). Specifically, the required charging energy acquisition unit 15 calculates the required charging energy Lsum using the above-mentioned method based on, for example, various information related to the electric vehicle 7 read from the electric vehicle management information database 5, and stores it in the storage unit 18.

[0080] Next, the information processing system 1 calculates the chargeable energy Wcp for each slot in the charging time slot Tch (step S5). Specifically, the chargeable energy calculation unit 14 calculates the chargeable energy Wcp (=Lu-Dn) for each slot in the charging time slot Tch using the method described above, and stores the calculated values ​​in the storage unit 18.

[0081] Next, the information processing system 1 calculates the total chargeable energy Wcps in the charging time slot Tch (step S6). Specifically, the chargeable energy calculation unit 14 calculates the total chargeable energy Wcps by calculating the sum of the chargeable energy Wcp for each slot in the charging time slot Tch calculated in step S5 using the above-mentioned method, and stores the calculated total chargeable energy Wcps in the storage unit 18.

[0082] Next, the information processing system 1 calculates the planned charging energy amount Ln (step S7).

[0083] FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the calculation process (step S7) of the planned charging energy amount Ln according to the first embodiment.

[0084] 5B, first, the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 determines whether the total chargeable energy Wcps is equal to or greater than the required charging energy Lsum (step S71). If the total chargeable energy Wcps is equal to or greater than the required charging energy Lsum (step S71: YES), the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 subtracts the required charging energy Lsum from the total chargeable energy Wcps to calculate the difference energy (Wcps-Lsum) (step S72).

[0085] Next, the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 calculates the planned charging energy Ln (=Wcp-Wd / N) by subtracting the value (Wd / N) obtained by dividing the difference energy Wd by the number of chargeable slots N from the chargeable energy Wcp of the slot in the charging time zone Tch (step S73).

[0086] Next, the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 determines whether or not the planned charging energy amount Ln has been calculated for all slots in which charging is possible during the charging time slot Tch (step S74). If the planned charging energy amount Ln has not been calculated for all slots in which charging is possible (step S74: NO), the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 repeats the processes of steps S73 and S74 until the planned charging energy amount Ln for all slots in which charging is possible is calculated.

[0087] In step S71, if the total chargeable energy Wcps is smaller than the required charging energy Lsum (step S71: NO), the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 subtracts the total chargeable energy Wcps from the required charging energy Lsum to calculate the difference energy (Lsum-Wcps) (step S75).

[0088] Next, the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 calculates the planned charging energy Ln (=Wcp+Wd / N) by adding the value (Wd / N) obtained by dividing the difference energy Wd by the number of chargeable slots N to the chargeable energy Wcp of the slot in the charging time zone Tch (step S76).

[0089] Next, the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 determines whether or not the planned charging energy amount Ln has been calculated for all slots in which charging is possible during the charging time slot Tch (step S77). If the planned charging energy amount Ln has not been calculated for all slots in which charging is possible (step S77: NO), the planned charging energy calculation unit 16 repeats the processes of steps S76 and S77 until the planned charging energy amount Ln for all slots in which charging is possible is calculated.

[0090] In step S74 or step S77, if the planned amount of charging energy Ln has been calculated for all slots that can be charged (step S74, S77: YES), the calculation process for the planned amount of charging energy Ln ends.

[0091] After the calculation process of the planned charging energy amount Ln is completed, the information processing system 1 generates charging plan data 204 (step S8). Specifically, the charging plan data generating unit 17 generates the charging plan data 204 including information on the time of each slot included in the charging time slot Tch set in step S2 and information on the planned charging energy amount Ln allocated to each slot in step S7, and stores the generated charging plan data in the storage unit 18.

[0092] The generated charging plan data 204 is transferred to the charging control device 2 in response to, for example, an instruction from a user. The charging control device 2 controls the charger 3 in accordance with the charging plan data 204, thereby charging the electric vehicle 7.

[0093] As described above, the information processing system 1 according to embodiment 1 calculates the planned charging energy amount Ln so that the sum of the demand energy amount Dn and the planned charging energy amount Ln in the slots within the charging time zone Tch is uniform between the slots within the charging time zone Tch. This allows a consumer to set an appropriate contract power for each electric vehicle, even if the consumer installs a charger that significantly exceeds the maximum power demand of the existing facility.

[0094] Furthermore, when the total chargeable energy Wcps is greater than the required charging energy Lsum, the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment calculates a difference in energy Wd by subtracting the required charging energy Lsum from the total chargeable energy Wcps.The information processing system 1 then calculates a planned charging energy Ln for each slot in the charging time slot Tch by subtracting a value ((Wcps-Lsum) / N) obtained by dividing the difference in energy Wd by the number N of chargeable slots in the charging time slot Tch from the chargeable energy Wcp of the slot in the charging time slot Tch. According to this, when the total chargeable energy Wcps is greater than the required charging energy Lsum, the planned charging energy Ln that equalizes the power usage of the electric vehicle during the charging time slot Tch can be calculated by a simpler calculation.

[0095] Furthermore, when the total chargeable energy Wcps is smaller than the required charging energy Lsum, the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment subtracts the total chargeable energy Wcps from the required charging energy Lsum to calculate a difference in energy Wd. The information processing system 1 then divides the difference in energy Wd by the number N of chargeable slots in the charging time slot Tch ((Lsum-Wcps) / N), and adds the result to the chargeable energy Wcp of the slot in the charging time slot Tch to calculate the planned charging energy Ln for each slot in the charging time slot Tch. This makes it possible to calculate the planned charging energy Ln, which will complete charging of the electric vehicle during the charging time slot Tch and equalize the power usage during the charging time slot Tch, through a simpler calculation, even if the total chargeable energy Wcps is smaller than the required charging energy Lsum.

[0096] Furthermore, the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment may calculate the required amount of charging energy Lsum based on the initial SOCs, the target SOCe, and the battery capacity EVbatt of the electric vehicle 7. This makes it possible to calculate the required amount of charging energy Lsum without performing complex calculations.

[0097] Furthermore, the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment may calculate the amount of charging energy required based on the travel distance of the electric vehicle 7 and the electricity cost of the electric vehicle 7. This makes it possible to calculate the amount of charging energy required and sufficient for the electric vehicle 7 to travel, for example, on a fixed daily route.

[0098] Second Embodiment FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a charging control management system 6A including an information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment.

[0099] 6 differs from the charging control management system 6 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a charger 3A that can selectively charge electric vehicles 7_1 and 7_2 connected to two charging plugs 30_1 and 30_2, respectively. The information processing system 1A also has a function of generating charging plan data 204A when two electric vehicles 7_1 and 7_2 are connected to the charger 3A. Here, the information processing system 1A, together with the charging control device 2, the power record database 4, and the electric vehicle management information database 5, constitutes an EMS 8A.

[0100] The configuration of the information processing system 1A will be described in detail below.

[0101] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of an information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining a method for generating charging plan data according to the second embodiment.

[0102] In Figures 8A and 8B, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents power (kW). As an example, Figures 8A and 8B show graphs of the amount of power consumed for each slot (30 minutes) from 16:00 to 8:00, out of the amount of power consumed for one day (24 hours).

[0103] The information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment has the same hardware resources as the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 2). Like the respective functional blocks of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the respective functional blocks of the information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment are realized by the above-described hardware resources working in cooperation with software (a charging plan data generation program) installed in the information processing system 1A.

[0104] The charging time slot setting unit 12A sets the charging time slot Tch based on the input information related to the charging time, and calculates the number of slots included in the charging time slot Tch.

[0105] For example, the charging time zone setting unit 12A acquires information on an EV1 charging start time ts1, which is the time when charging of the first electric vehicle 7_1 starts, and information on an EV2 charging start time ts2, which is the time when charging of the second electric vehicle 7_2 starts. Furthermore, the charging time zone setting unit 12A acquires information on an EV1 charging end time te1, which is the time when charging of the electric vehicle 7_1 ends, and an EV2 charging end time te2, which is the time when charging of the electric vehicle 7_2 ends. As with the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, these pieces of information may be input by a user to the information processing system 1A, or may be acquired by the information processing system 1A from the electric vehicle management information database 5 or the like.

[0106] The charging time slot setting unit 12A sets the time between the earliest charging start time and the latest charging end time as the charging time slot Tch. For example, as shown in Fig. 8A, if the charging start time ts1 of the EV1 is earlier than the charging start time ts2 of the EV2 and the charging end time te1 of the EV1 is later than the charging end time te2 of the EV2, the charging time slot setting unit 12A sets the period between the charging start time ts1 of the EV1 and the charging end time te1 of the EV1 as the charging time slot Tch. Fig. 8A etc. shows as an example a case where the charging start time ts1 of the EV1 is 20:00, the charging start time ts2 of the EV2 is 0:00, the charging end time te1 of the EV1 is 6:00, the charging end time te2 of the EV2 is 5:30, and the charging time slot Tch is set to "20:00-6:00."

[0107] The charging time zone setting unit 12A stores information such as the charging start time ts1 of EV1, the charging start time ts2 of EV2, the charging end time te1 of EV1, the charging end time te2 of EV2, the charging time zone Tch, and the number of slots included in the charging time zone Tch in the memory unit 18.

[0108] Furthermore, the charging time slot setting unit 12A sets a time slot (slot) to be allocated to charging the first electric vehicle 7_1 and a time slot (slot) to be allocated to charging the second electric vehicle 7_2 within the charging time slot Tch. Details of how the charging time slot setting unit 12A allocates the charging times for the electric vehicles 7_1 and 7_2 will be described later.

[0109] The required charging energy acquisition unit 15A acquires a required charging energy amount Lsum12, which is the total amount of energy required to charge the electric vehicles 7_1 and 7_2. Specifically, the required charging energy acquisition unit 15A calculates a required charging energy amount Lsum1 for the first electric vehicle 7_1 and a required charging energy amount Lsum2 for the second electric vehicle 7_2 using a method similar to the calculation process for the required charging energy amount Lsum by the required charging energy acquisition unit 15 according to embodiment 1. Next, the required charging energy acquisition unit 15A calculates the sum of the required charging energy amount Lsum1 and the required charging energy amount Lsum2, and stores the sum in the storage unit 18 as the required charging energy amount Lsum12.

[0110] The planned charging energy calculation unit 16A calculates the planned charging energy Ln, which is the amount of energy for charging the electric vehicles 7_1, 7_2 to be allocated to chargeable slots in the charging time slot Tch. The method for calculating the planned charging energy Ln for each chargeable slot in the charging time slot Tc is the same as the planned charging energy Ln according to the first embodiment.

[0111] The charging plan data generation unit 17A generates data including information on the slot times in the charging time zone Tch (information on the slot times), information on the charging targets assigned to each slot by the charging time zone setting unit 12A (for example, information on the electric vehicles 7_1, 7_2 or the charging plugs 30_1, 30_2), and information on the planned charging energy amounts Ln1, Ln2 associated with each slot as charging plan data 204A, and stores the generated data in the memory unit 18.

[0112] Next, a method for allocating charging times for the electric vehicles 7_1 and 7_2 will be described. The charging time zone setting unit 12A sets the time zone (slot) to be allocated to charging the first electric vehicle 7_1 and the time zone (slot) to be allocated to charging the second electric vehicle 7_2 during the charging time zone Tch based on information on the charging start time, information on the charging end time, and the planned charging energy amount Ln of each chargeable slot during the charging time zone Tch.

[0113] Specifically, the charging time slot setting unit 12A allocates slots included in the time slot from the EV1 charging start time ts1 of the first electric vehicle 7_1 to the EV2 charging start time ts2 of the second electric vehicle 7_2 to charge the first electric vehicle 7_1. For example, as shown in Fig. 8B , the period from the EV1 charging start time ts1, 20:00, to the EV2 charging start time ts2, is set as the charging time for the electric vehicle 7_1, and the planned charging energy amount Ln of each slot included in the time slot is set as the planned charging energy amount Ln1 of the first electric vehicle 7_1.

[0114] Next, charging time slot setting unit 12A allocates slots included in the time slot from EV2 charging start time ts2 of the second electric vehicle 7_2 to time tc1 when the SOC of the second electric vehicle 7_2 reaches the reference value Rsoc for charging electric vehicle 7_2. For example, first, charging time slot setting unit 12A calculates the amount of charging energy Wn2 required for the SOC of electric vehicle 7_2 to reach the reference value Rsoc based on the SOC value of electric vehicle 7_2 at EV2 charging start time ts2 and the SOC reference value Rsoc. Next, charging time slot setting unit 12A selects slots after EV2 charging start time ts2 in order of proximity to EV2 charging start time ts2 and allocates the slots as slots for charging the second electric vehicle 7_2 so that the total planned amount of charging energy Ln2 in the slots available for charging after EV2 charging start time ts2 is equal to or greater than the amount of charging energy Wn2. For example, as shown in Fig. 8B, if the reference value Rsoc is set to "80%" and the total value of the planned charging energy amount Ln for each slot from 0:00 to 2:30 at the charging start time ts2 of EV2 is equal to or greater than the charging energy amount Wn2 (SOC = 80%), the slots included in the time period from 0:00 to 2:30 are allocated to charging the second electric vehicle 7_2.

[0115] Next, charging time slot setting unit 12A allocates slots included in the time slot from charging stop time tc1 of second electric vehicle 7_2 to time tc2 when the SOC of first electric vehicle 7_1 reaches reference value Rsoc to charge first electric vehicle 7_1. For example, first, charging time slot setting unit 12A calculates the amount of charging energy Wn1 required for electric vehicle 7_1 to reach reference value Rsoc based on the SOC value of electric vehicle 7_1 at EV2 charging stop time tc1 and the SOC reference value Rsoc. Charging time slot setting unit 12A selects slots after EV2 charging stop time tc1 in order of proximity to EV2 charging stop time tc1 and allocates the slots as slots for charging first electric vehicle 7_1 so that the total planned amount of charging energy Ln2 in the slots available for charging after EV2 charging stop time tc1 is equal to or greater than the amount of charging energy Wn1. For example, as shown in Fig. 8B, if the reference value Rsoc is set to "80%" and the total value of the planned charging energy amount Ln for each slot from 2:30 to 5:00 at the charging stop time tc1 of EV2 is equal to or greater than the charging energy amount Wn1 (SOC = 80%), the slots included in the time period from 2:30 to 5:00 are allocated to charging the first electric vehicle 7_1.

[0116] Thereafter, the charging time zone setting unit 12A allocates slots after the EV1 charging stop time tc2 of the electric vehicle 7_1 to charging of the electric vehicle 7_1 or charging of the electric vehicle 7_2 so that charging of the electric vehicle 7_1 is completed by the EV1 charging end time te1 and charging of the electric vehicle 7_2 is completed by the EV2 charging end time te2.

[0117] For example, as shown in Fig. 8B, charging time slot setting unit 12A may alternately allocate the slots from time tc2 when charging of EV1 stops to charging of electric vehicle 7_1 and charging of electric vehicle 7_2. In this case, it is preferable to prioritize charging of the electric vehicle that finishes charging earlier. Alternatively, charging time slot setting unit 12A may allocate the slots from time tc2 when charging of EV1 stops to charging of electric vehicle 7_2 until the SOC of electric vehicle 7_2 reaches the target value (100%), and may allocate the subsequent slots to charging of electric vehicle 7_1 until the SOC of electric vehicle 7_1 reaches the target value (100%).

[0118] Note that charging time slot setting unit 12A may treat the last slot in charging time slot Tch (the 6:00 slot in the case of FIG. 8B) as a reserve slot and may not assign it to charging either electric vehicle 7_1 or electric vehicle 7_2 when generating charging plan data 204A. For example, charging time slot setting unit 12A may set, as available slots for charging, slots other than the slot (final slot) closest to charging end time te among slots included in charging time slot Tch from EV1 charging start time ts1 to charging end time te. Planned charging energy amount calculation unit 16 assigns planned charging energy amounts Ln1 and Ln2 to each slot included in charging time slot Tch from EV1 charging start time ts1 to charging end time te, excluding the final slot.

[0119] Next, a flow of a process for generating charging plan data by the information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0120] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the charging plan data generation process according to the second embodiment.

[0121] First, the information processing system 1A acquires time-series data 201 of the amount of energy demand, similar to the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment (step S1). Next, the information processing system 1A sets the charging time slot Tch (step S2A). For example, when information on the EV1 charging start time ts1, the EV2 charging start time ts2, the EV1 charging end time te1, and the EV2 charging end time te2 is input to the information processing system 1A along with an instruction to generate the charging plan data described above, the charging time slot setting unit 12A sets the period from the earlier of the EV1 charging start time ts1 or the EV2 charging start time ts2 to the later of the EV1 charging end time te1 or the EV2 charging end time te2 as the charging time slot Tch, calculates the number of slots within the charging time slot Tch, and stores the calculated number in the storage unit 18.

[0122] Next, the information processing system 1A sets the target upper limit value Lu (step S3), similarly to the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. The information processing system 1A also acquires the required charging energy Lsum12 (step S4A). Specifically, the required charging energy acquisition unit 15A calculates the required charging energy Lsum1 of the electric vehicle 7_1 and the required charging energy Lsum2 of the second electric vehicle 7_2 by the above-described method, and stores the sum of the required charging energy Lsum1 and the required charging energy Lsum2 in the storage unit 18 as the required charging energy Lsum12.

[0123] Next, the information processing system 1A, similar to the information processing system 1 of embodiment 1, calculates the chargeable energy Wcp for each slot in the charging time zone Tch, calculates the total chargeable energy Wcps in the charging time zone Tch, and calculates the planned charging energy Ln (steps S5 to S7).

[0124] Next, information processing system 1A sets slots to be allocated to charging electric vehicle 7_1 and slots to be allocated to charging electric vehicle 7_2 (step S8A). Specifically, charging time slot setting unit 12A allocates, by the method described above, slots included in the time slot from EV1 charging start time ts1 to EV2 charging start time ts2 to charging electric vehicle 7_1. Also, charging time slot setting unit 12A allocates, by the method described above, slots included in the time slot from EV2 charging start time ts2 to time tc1 when the SOC of electric vehicle 7_2 reaches a reference value Rsoc (e.g., 80%) to charging electric vehicle 7_2. Also, charging time slot setting unit 12A allocates, by the method described above, slots included in the time slot from EV2 charging stop time tc1 to time tc2 when the SOC of electric vehicle 7_1 reaches the reference value Rsoc to charging electric vehicle 7_1. Furthermore, by the method described above, the charging time zone setting unit 12A allocates slots after the EV1 charging stop time tc2 of the electric vehicle 7_1 to charging of the electric vehicle 7_1 or charging of the electric vehicle 7_2 so that charging of the electric vehicles 7_1 and 7_2 is completed by the charging end time te.

[0125] Next, the information processing system 1A generates the charging plan data 204 (step S9A). Specifically, the charging plan data generating unit 17A generates the charging plan data 204A by the above-described method, and stores it in the storage unit 18.

[0126] The generated charging plan data 204A is transferred to the charging control device 2 in response to, for example, an instruction from a user. The charging control device 2 controls the charger 3A in accordance with the charging plan data 204A, thereby charging each of the electric vehicles 7_1 and 7_2 while switching the charging plugs 30_1 and 30_2 that supply power.

[0127] As described above, the information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment can create a charging plan so that the amounts of power used during the charging time periods of the electric vehicles 7_1 and 7_2 are uniform, even when the electric vehicles 7_1 and 7_2 are connected to the two charging plugs 30_1 and 30_2 of the charger 3A, respectively.

[0128] Furthermore, the information processing system 1A generates the charging plan data 204 so that the charging target is switched from electric vehicle 7_1 to electric vehicle 7_2 when the EV2 charging start time ts2 of the second electric vehicle 7_2 arrives after charging of the first electric vehicle 7_1 has started, and the charging target is switched from electric vehicle 7_2 to electric vehicle 7_1 when the SOC of electric vehicle 7_2 reaches a reference value Rsoc (e.g., 80%), and electric vehicle 7_1 is charged until the SOC of electric vehicle 7_1 reaches the reference value Rsoc (e.g., 80%). This makes it possible to avoid a situation where one of the electric vehicles 7_1, 7_2 is not fully charged, so that even if one of the electric vehicles 7 leaves the parking lot earlier than planned, it is possible to ensure that one of the electric vehicles 7 has a certain amount of charging power.

[0129] Furthermore, the information processing system 1A can reduce charging errors caused by forgetting to connect the electric vehicle 7 to the charging plug 30_1, 30_2 of the charger 3A or by a faulty connection. That is, a typical charger has a function that determines whether a vehicle to be charged is connected to the charging plug when charging starts, and issues a warning or the like if the vehicle is not connected. If a charging plan is created that does not start charging a second electric vehicle 7_2 until charging of a first electric vehicle 7_1 is completed, for example, there may be a long time lag between when an operator connects the electric vehicle 7_2 to the charging plug 30_2 of the charger 3A immediately after the electric vehicle 7_2 returns to the sales office and when charging of the electric vehicle 7_2 actually starts. In such a situation, if the electric vehicle 7_2 is not properly connected to the charging plug 30_2 of the charger 3A, the charger 3A does not issue a warning until charging of the electric vehicle 7_2 actually starts. Therefore, for example, if the system operator goes home (or goes to bed) before charging of the electric vehicle 7_2 actually begins, the operator may not be aware that charging is not possible due to a poor connection of the charger 3A.

[0130] In contrast, according to the information processing system 1A according to the second embodiment, the EV2 charging start time ts2 of the electric vehicle 7_2 can be set to match the time when the worker plans to connect the electric vehicle 7_2 to the charging plug 30_2 of the charger 3A after the electric vehicle 7_2 has returned to the office, thereby reducing the time lag from when the electric vehicle 7_2 is connected to the charging plug 30_2 of the charger 3A until charging of the electric vehicle 7_2 actually starts. This allows the operator to check a warning about a poor connection of the charger 3A before going home or going to bed, enabling them to take some kind of action and ultimately avoiding a situation where charging has not been completed the next morning.

[0131] <<Extension of Embodiment>> The invention made by the inventor has been specifically described above based on an embodiment, but it goes without saying that the invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0132] For example, although the information processing systems 1, 1A according to the first and second embodiments are implemented by a single information processing device, the information processing systems 1, 1A may be implemented by a plurality of information processing devices (program processing devices) connected to each other so that they can transmit and receive data. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a single information processing system 1B may be implemented by connecting a server 20 and a client terminal 21 via a known network 23 such as a LAN or the Internet. In this case, for example, the server 20 may be installed at a location separate from the customer's premises, and the client terminal 21 may be an information processing device such as a PC or mobile terminal used by the customer. Here, the information processing system 1B, together with the charging control device 2, the power record database 4, and the electric vehicle management information database 5, constitutes an EMS 8B.

[0133] The server 20 and the client terminal 21 each have the hardware resources shown in FIG. 2 as an information processing device, and by controlling the respective hardware resources in accordance with the programs installed in the server 20 and the client terminal 21, the respective functional blocks (demand energy acquisition unit 11, charging time zone setting units 12, 12A, target upper limit value setting unit 13, chargeable energy calculation unit 14, required charging energy acquisition unit 15, 15A, planned charging energy calculation unit 16, 16A, charging plan data generation unit 17, 17A, and memory unit 18) shown in FIGS. 3 and 7 are realized.

[0134] Furthermore, the above-described flowcharts are merely examples for explaining the operation, and are not intended to be limiting. That is, the steps shown in each diagram of the flowchart are specific examples, and the present invention is not limited to these flows. For example, the order of some processes may be changed, other processes may be inserted between processes, or some processes may be performed in parallel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0135] 1, 1A, 1B... Information processing system, 2... Charging control device, 3, 3A... Charger, 4... Power record database, 5... Electric vehicle management information database, 6, 6A, 6B... Charging control management system, 7, 7_1, 7_2... Electric vehicle, 8, 8A, 8B... EMS, 11... Demanded energy amount acquisition unit, 12, 12A... Charging time zone setting unit, 13... Target upper limit value setting unit, 14... Chargeable energy amount calculation unit, 15, 15A... Required charging energy amount acquisition unit, 16, 16A... Planned charging energy amount calculation unit, 17, 17A... Charging plan data generation unit, 18... Memory unit, 20...server, 21...client terminal, 201...time series data of demanded energy amount, 202...information about charging time, 203...information about electric vehicles, 204, 204A...charging plan data, Dn...demanded energy amount, Lu...target upper limit value, ts1...EV1 charging start time, ts2...EV2 charging start time, te1...EV1 charging end time, te2...EV2 charging end time, Wcp...chargeable energy amount, Wcps...total chargeable energy amount, Lsum, Lsum12...required charging energy amount, Ln, Ln1, Ln2...planned charging energy amount.

Claims

1. a demand energy amount acquiring unit that acquires time series data of demand energy amount, which is the amount of energy required by a consumer for purposes other than charging an electric vehicle, for each slot, when a day is divided into predetermined unit times and each divided time slot is defined as a slot; a charging time zone setting unit that sets a charging time zone during which the electric vehicle can be charged; a target upper limit value setting unit that sets a target upper limit value that is a target value for the upper limit of power to be used during the charging time period; a chargeable energy calculation unit that calculates a chargeable energy amount by subtracting the demanded energy amount from the target upper limit value for each slot included in the charging time period, and calculates a total chargeable energy amount as a sum of the chargeable energy amounts of each slot included in the charging time period; a required charging energy acquisition unit that acquires a required charging energy amount, which is the amount of energy required to charge the electric vehicle; a planned charging energy calculation unit that calculates a planned charging energy amount, which is the amount of energy for charging the electric vehicle to be allocated to the chargeable slots in the charging time slot, based on a difference energy amount that is the difference between the total chargeable energy amount and the required charging energy amount and the number of the slots that are chargeable in the charging time slot; a charging plan data generation unit that generates charging plan data including information on the time of each slot in the charging time zone and the planned charging energy amount associated with the slot, The planned charging energy calculation unit sets the planned charging energy for each of the slots available for charging so that a sum of the demanded energy and the planned charging energy in the slot is uniform among the slots in the charging time period. Information processing system.

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, When the total chargeable amount of energy is equal to or greater than the required amount of energy, the planned charging energy calculation unit calculates the difference in energy by subtracting the required amount of energy from the total chargeable amount of energy, and calculates the planned amount of energy for each slot in the charging time slot by dividing the difference in energy by the number of slots that are chargeable in the charging time slot and subtracting the resultant value from the chargeable energy of the slot in the charging time slot. Information processing system.

3. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, When the total amount of chargeable energy is smaller than the required amount of chargeable energy, the planned charging energy calculation unit calculates the difference in energy by subtracting the total amount of chargeable energy from the required amount of chargeable energy, and calculates the planned amount of chargeable energy for each slot in the charging time slot by adding a value obtained by dividing the difference in energy by the number of the slots that are chargeable in the charging time slot to the amount of chargeable energy for the slot in the charging time slot. Information processing system.

4. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The required charging energy acquisition unit calculates the required charging energy based on an initial SOC, which is an SOC when charging of the electric vehicle is started, a target SOC, which is an SOC of a target value for charging of the electric vehicle, and a storage battery capacity of the electric vehicle. Information processing system.

5. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, The required charging energy acquisition unit calculates the required charging energy based on a travel distance or a planned travel distance of the electric vehicle and an electricity cost of the electric vehicle. Information processing system.

6. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, the electric vehicles include a first electric vehicle and a second electric vehicle; the charging time zone setting unit acquires information on a first charging start time, which is a time to start charging the first electric vehicle, and information on a second charging start time, which is a time to start charging the second electric vehicle; the charging time zone setting unit sets the charging time zone so that the slots included in the time zone from the first charging start time to the second charging start time are allocated to charging the first electric vehicle, the slots included in the time zone from the second charging start time to a first time when the SOC of the second electric vehicle reaches a reference value are allocated to charging the second electric vehicle, and the slots included in the time zone from the first time to a second time when the SOC of the first electric vehicle reaches a second value are allocated to charging the first electric vehicle; The charging plan data generation unit generates the charging plan data further including information on a charging target assigned to each of the slots in the charging time period. Information processing system.

7. An information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6; a charger for charging the electric vehicle; a charge control device that controls the charger based on the charging plan data generated by the information processing system; Equipped with Charging control management system.

8. a first step in which a day is divided into predetermined unit times, and each divided time period is defined as a slot, and a computer acquires time series data in which the amount of demanded energy, which is the amount of energy required by a consumer for purposes other than charging an electric vehicle, is arranged in time series for each slot; a second step of setting a charging time period during which the electric vehicle can be charged by the computer; a third step in which the computer sets a target upper limit value that is a target value for an upper limit of power to be used during the charging time period; a fourth step in which the computer acquires a required charging energy amount, which is an amount of energy required to charge the electric vehicle; a fifth step in which the computer calculates the amount of chargeable energy by subtracting the amount of demanded energy from the target upper limit value for each slot included in the charging time period; a sixth step of calculating a total chargeable energy amount as a sum of the chargeable energy amounts of the slots included in the charging time period calculated in the fifth step; a seventh step in which the computer calculates a planned amount of charging energy, which is the amount of energy for charging the electric vehicle to be allocated to the chargeable slots in the charging time slot, based on a difference in energy, which is the difference between the total chargeable energy amount and the required charging energy amount, and the number of the slots in the charging time slot that are available for charging; an eighth step of generating charging plan data by the computer, the charging plan data including information on the time of each of the slots in the charging time zone and the planned amount of charging energy associated with the slot; The seventh step includes a step of setting the planned amount of charging energy for each slot available for charging such that a sum of the amount of demanded energy in the slot and the planned amount of charging energy is uniform among the slots in the charging time period. Information processing methods.

9. 9. The information processing method according to claim 8, wherein the computer executes each step. program.

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