Control device, control system, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide a control device capable of appropriately operating a control target facility including a plurality of control target elements while suppressing variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements.SOLUTION: In an embodiment, a control device includes a control unit, and the control unit generates a control command related to an operation of a plurality of control target elements in a state in which a variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements is suppressed based on deterioration information related to deterioration of the plurality of control target elements. The control unit inputs the generated control command to a control target facility including a plurality of control target elements to cause the control target facility to execute an operation corresponding to the control command.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a control device, a control system, a control method, and a control program. [Background technology]

[0002] In controlling the operation of a controlled facility having a plurality of control target elements, a control unit configured with a processor, an integrated circuit, or the like generates control commands related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements based on an operation command for the controlled facility input from outside.The control unit then inputs the generated control commands to the controlled facility, causing the controlled facility to perform an operation corresponding to the control command.

[0003] As described above, when controlled equipment having multiple control elements continues to operate, variations in deterioration occur among the multiple control elements due to manufacturing errors, differences in the environments in which the controlled elements are installed, differences in operating conditions, etc. As the variations in deterioration among the multiple control elements increase, the timing of occurrence of failures and other issues also varies significantly among the multiple control elements. Furthermore, when the variations in deterioration among the multiple control elements increase, for example, even if the degree of deterioration of most of the controlled elements is low, if a failure or other issue occurs in one controlled element with a high degree of deterioration, it may be necessary to stop operation of the entire controlled equipment. From the above perspective, in controlled equipment having multiple control elements, it is necessary to appropriately operate the controlled equipment while suppressing variations in deterioration among the multiple controlled elements. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7173704 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-9603 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a control device, a control system, a control method, and a control program that enable controlled equipment having multiple controlled elements to be operated appropriately while suppressing variations in deterioration among the multiple controlled elements. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In an embodiment, the control device includes a control unit that generates control commands related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements to a state that suppresses variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements based on deterioration information related to the deterioration of the plurality of control target elements. The control unit inputs the generated control commands to a controlled facility including the plurality of control target elements, thereby causing the controlled facility to perform an operation corresponding to the control commands. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram that schematically illustrates a first example of a control system that controls the operations of a plurality of control target elements and control target facilities. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second example of a control system that controls the operations of a plurality of control target elements and control target facilities. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a third example of a control system that controls the operations of a plurality of control target elements and control target facilities. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a fourth example of a control system that controls the operations of a plurality of control target elements and control target facilities. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a process for calculating deterioration information related to deterioration of a plurality of control target elements in the embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a first example of a process for calculating a deterioration index for one or more of a plurality of control target elements in an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a second example of a process for calculating a deterioration index for one or more of a plurality of control target elements in the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen that displays the calculation result of a deterioration index for one of a plurality of control target elements in the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a first example of a communication system in a control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second example of a communication system in the control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a first example of a control system that controls a storage battery facility that is a controlled facility in the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of operation commands input to each of the four control units in the example of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second example of a control system that controls a storage battery facility that is a controlled facility in the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of control performed by the control unit in the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the process performed in the verification according to the embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the outline of the processing performed in the degradation information calculation processing of FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the change over time in current of each of a plurality of batteries in the case of a comparative example, calculated in a test related to the embodiment. [Figure 19]FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the change over time in the degree of deterioration of each of a plurality of batteries in the case of a comparative example, calculated in a test related to the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the change over time in current of each of a plurality of batteries in the case of an example calculated in a verification related to the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the change over time in the degree of deterioration of each of a plurality of batteries in the case of an example calculated in a verification related to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of a control system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the control system 1 includes a controlled facility 2 and a control device 3. In the control system 1, the control device 3 manages the operating state of the controlled facility 2 and controls the operation of the controlled facility 2. The controlled facility 2 is also referred to as a "controlled system" or an "overall controlled object." The controlled facility 2 includes a plurality of controlled elements 5, and in the example of FIG. 1, n (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) controlled elements 5_1 to 5_n are provided in the controlled facility 2. The controlled facility 2 is composed of a plurality of components including the plurality of controlled elements 5. The control device 3 controls the operation of the controlled facility 2 by controlling the operation of the plurality of controlled elements 5, for example. The controlled elements 5 are also referred to as a "partial controlled object." Furthermore, the controlled elements 5_1 to 5_n will be simply referred to as the controlled elements 5 when no particular distinction is required.

[0010] In one example, the controlled facility 2 is a battery storage facility (battery storage system), and the battery storage facility includes a plurality of batteries as the plurality of controlled elements 5. In this case, the plurality of batteries may be the same type as each other, or one or more of the plurality of batteries may be a different type from the other batteries. Furthermore, the battery that is the controlled element 5 may be a battery cell (single cell), or may be a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected. Furthermore, in the controlled facility 2, one or more of the plurality of controlled elements 5 may be a component different from the other controlled elements 5. In one example, the controlled facility 2 is a battery storage facility, and includes one or more batteries, an air-cooling fan, and an inverter as the plurality of controlled elements 5. In this case, for example, DC power output from the battery is converted to AC power by the inverter, and the battery and inverter are cooled by the air-cooling fan.

[0011] The control device 3 includes a processing execution unit 10 and a storage unit 11. The storage unit 11 stores a program to be executed by the processing execution unit 10, and the processing execution unit 10 performs processing by executing the program stored in the storage unit 11. In this embodiment, a control program is stored in the storage unit 11, and the processing execution unit 10 executes the control program to control the operations of the multiple control target elements 5 and the overall operation of the control target equipment 2, as will be described later. Furthermore, the processing execution unit 10 acquires the operating state of one or more of the multiple control target elements 5 and the overall operating state of the control target equipment 2 from operating waveforms detected in the control target equipment 2, etc. The processing execution unit 10 controls the operation of the control target elements 5 based on the acquired operating states.

[0012] In one example, the control device 3 is composed of a computer (processing device) such as a server, a personal computer, or a terminal, and the computer constituting the control device 3 includes a processor or an integrated circuit and a storage medium (non-transitory storage medium). In the computer, a processing execution unit is composed of a processor or an integrated circuit, and a storage medium is composed of a storage medium. The processor or the like constituting the processing execution unit 10 includes any of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a microcomputer, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc. The processing execution unit 10 may be composed of one processor or the like, or may be composed of multiple processors or the like.

[0013] In addition, in a computer, the storage medium serving as storage unit 11 is composed of either a main storage device such as a memory or an auxiliary storage device. Examples of storage media include magnetic disks, optical disks (CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, etc.), magneto-optical disks (MO, etc.), and semiconductor memories. Only one storage medium serving as storage unit 11 may be provided, or multiple storage media may be provided.

[0014] In one example, the processing execution unit 10 downloads a program including a control program from a computer other than the control device 3 or a server in a cloud environment via a network. The processing execution unit 10 then executes the downloaded program to perform the processing described below. In another example, the control device 3 is made up of multiple computers (multiple processing devices) such as multiple servers, and the processors of the multiple computers work together to perform the processing described below by the processing execution unit 10. In one example of the present embodiment, at least a part of the control device 3 is configured as a server in a cloud environment. The infrastructure of the cloud environment is configured by a virtual processor such as a virtual CPU and a cloud memory. In this case, the virtual processor performs at least a part of the processing performed by the processing execution unit 10, which will be described later, and the cloud memory configures at least a part of the storage unit 11.

[0015] The example control system 1 of FIG. 1 is also provided with a user interface 12. In the user interface 12, a user of the control system 1 or the like inputs appropriate operations related to the operation of the controlled equipment 2. For this reason, the user interface 12 is provided with any of a button, a mouse, a touch panel, a keyboard, or the like as an operation input unit through which the user or the like inputs operations. The user interface 12 is also provided with a notification unit that notifies information related to the controlled equipment 2 and the multiple controlled elements 5. The notification unit notifies information by either displaying a screen or emitting a sound. The user interface 12 may be provided integrally with a computer or the like that constitutes the control device 3, or may be provided separately from the computer or the like that constitutes the control device 3. In one example, the user interface 12 may not be provided.

[0016] 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a first example of a control system that controls the operations of a plurality of control target elements 5 and a control target facility 2. In the example control system of FIG. 2, a processing execution unit 10 includes a deterioration information calculation unit 15 and a control unit 16, and each of the deterioration information calculation unit 15 and the control unit 16 executes a part of the processing of the processing execution unit 10. The processing, which will be described later, performed by each of the deterioration information calculation unit 15 and the control unit 16 is performed by, for example, a processor of one or more computers. Furthermore, at least a part of the processing, which will be described later, performed by each of the deterioration information calculation unit 15 and the control unit 16 may be performed by a virtual processor in a cloud environment, for example.

[0017] In the example of FIG. 2 , in the controlled facility 2, a detection unit such as a sensor detects an operation waveform related to the controlled facility 2 or any of a plurality of controlled elements 5. The detected operation waveform may be an operation waveform of any of the plurality of controlled elements 5, or may be an operation waveform of any of the components of the controlled facility 2 other than the controlled elements 5. For example, in the controlled facility 2 in which a battery, an air-cooling fan, and an inverter are provided as the plurality of controlled elements 5, operation waveforms of one or more of the battery, the air-cooling fan, and the inverter are detected. Examples of the battery operation waveform include an operation waveform showing a time change in any of the battery current, voltage, and temperature; examples of the inverter operation waveform include an operation waveform showing a time change in any of the inverter current and temperature; and examples of the fan operation waveform include an operation waveform showing a time change in any of the fan current and rotation rate.

[0018] In one example of FIG. 2 , an operation waveform W detected in the controlled equipment 2 is input to the deterioration information calculation unit 15. The deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates deterioration information A related to the deterioration of the multiple controlled elements 5 based on the input operation waveform W. The deterioration information calculation unit 15 then inputs the calculated deterioration information A to the control unit 16. The deterioration information A indicates, for example, the degree of deterioration or the like for each of the multiple controlled elements 5 as a deterioration index. Note that the deterioration information A does not need to indicate a deterioration index such as the degree of deterioration for all of the multiple controlled elements 5, and may indicate a deterioration index only for some of the multiple controlled elements 5. In one example, the deterioration information A indicates a difference in deterioration index between the multiple controlled elements 5, for example, a difference in the degree of deterioration between the multiple controlled elements 5. In another example, the deterioration information A indicates an identifier of the controlled element 5 with the highest degree of deterioration among the multiple controlled elements 5.

[0019] Furthermore, when the deterioration information A indicates a deterioration index such as a deterioration degree for one or more of the controlled elements 5, the deterioration index indicated by the deterioration information A is not limited to a real-time deterioration degree. In one example, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates the load history up to the present time for the controlled equipment 2, i.e., the past load history, using the operation waveform W input from the controlled equipment 2. Then, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates the time change in the deterioration degree or damage value for one or more of the controlled elements 5 after the present time if the controlled equipment 2 continues to operate in the same manner as in the load history up to the present time. Then, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates a lifespan as a deterioration index for one or more of the controlled elements 5 based on the time change in the deterioration degree, etc., after the present time. The lifespan of one or more of the controlled elements 5 is indicated, for example, by the time or the number of cycles until the deterioration degree, etc., reaches a failure criterion.

[0020] In another example, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates, as a deterioration index, a time change in the probability of failure after the present time, based on a time change in the degree of deterioration after the present time, etc., for one or more of the control target elements 5. In the example in which one of the lifespan, failure probability, etc. is calculated for one or more of the control target elements 5 as described above, the calculated one of the lifespan, failure probability, etc. is indicated as a deterioration index in the deterioration information A. For example, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 uses a surrogate model to calculate, as a deterioration index, one of the degree of deterioration, lifespan, failure probability, etc., for one or more of the control target elements 5, and the calculated deterioration index is indicated in the deterioration information A. Note that a method for calculating the degree of deterioration, lifespan, failure probability, etc. using a surrogate model will be described later.

[0021] In the example of FIG. 2 , the control unit 16 receives the deterioration information A calculated by the deterioration information calculation unit 15 and also receives an operation command P for the controlled facility 2 from the outside. The operation command P is input to the control unit 16 as a request command for satisfying a global demand such as a demand market. The operation command P is also input to the control unit 16, for example, in response to an operation input on the user interface 12 by a user of the control system 1 or the like. In one example, a plurality of batteries are provided as the plurality of controlled elements 5 of the controlled facility 2, and a command value for the total current of the power storage unit to which the plurality of batteries are electrically connected is input to the control unit 16 as the operation command P. In this case, the command value for the total current of the power storage unit indicated by the operation command P becomes a global demand (condition).

[0022] In the example of FIG. 2 , the control unit 16 generates control commands C related to the operations of the multiple control target elements 5 based on the deterioration information A input from the deterioration information calculation unit 15 and an external operation command P. Then, the control unit 16 inputs the generated control commands C to the control target equipment 2, thereby causing the control target equipment 2 to execute an operation corresponding to the control command C. The control unit 16 generates, for example, a control command for the operation of one or more of the multiple control target elements 5 as the above-mentioned control command C. In one example, the control unit 16 generates a control command for the operation of each of the multiple control target elements 5. Note that the control unit 16 does not need to generate control commands for all of the multiple control target elements 5, and may generate control commands for only some of the multiple control target elements 5.

[0023] In one example, a plurality of batteries are provided as the plurality of control target elements 5 of the control target equipment 2, and the control unit 16 generates a control command indicating a current command value for one or more of the plurality of batteries as the above-mentioned control command C. Then, the control target equipment 2 performs an operation corresponding to the control command C, so that a current corresponding to the command value flows in the corresponding one or more of the plurality of batteries.

[0024] Furthermore, in the embodiments, the control unit 16 may generate, as the control command C to be input to the controlled facility 2, a control command for the operation of any of the components other than the plurality of controlled elements 5, i.e., a control command that does not directly affect any of the plurality of controlled elements 5. In one example, the controlled facility 2 is provided with a plurality of batteries as the plurality of controlled elements 5, and a cooling fan as a component other than the controlled elements 5. In the battery storage facility that is the controlled facility 2, a change in the rotation speed of the cooling fan changes the amount of airflow from the cooling fan to the battery, and the rotation speed of the cooling fan affects the operation of the battery. In this case, the control unit 16 generates, as the above-mentioned control command C, a control command indicating a command value for the rotation speed of the cooling fan, and causes the controlled facility 2 to perform an operation corresponding to the control command C.

[0025] In the embodiment, based on the deterioration information A, a control command related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements 5 is generated to suppress variations in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements 5. For example, suppose that the deterioration information A indicates the respective degrees of deterioration of two control target elements 5_1 and 5_2 among the plurality of control target elements 5, and that the degree of deterioration of the control target element (second control target element) 5_2 is higher than the degree of deterioration of the control target element (first control target element) 5_1. In this case, the control unit 16 generates a control command C related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements 5 to a state in which the load acting due to the control command C is smaller on the control target element 5_2 than on the control target element 5_1. For example, if the control target elements 5_1 and 5_2 are batteries, the control unit 16 reduces the magnitude (absolute value) of the current command value in the control command for the battery that is the control target element 5_2 compared to the magnitude of the current command value in the control command for the battery that is the control target element 5_1.

[0026] Furthermore, the control unit 16 generates a control command C to a state that satisfies the requirements (conditions) indicated in an externally input operation command P, in addition to suppressing variations in deterioration among the plurality of controlled elements 5. When a controlled facility 2 including a plurality of batteries as the plurality of controlled elements 5 is provided and a command value for the total current of the power storage unit made up of the plurality of batteries is indicated as a global requirement in the operation command P, the controlled facility 2 performs an operation corresponding to the control command C, so that the current input to the power storage unit has a magnitude that corresponds to the current command value in the operation command P.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second example of a control system for controlling the operations of a plurality of control target elements 5 and a control target facility 2. In the example control system of FIG. 3, the processing execution unit 10 includes a plurality of degradation information calculation units 15 and a plurality of control units 16, and the number of the degradation information calculation units 15 and the control units 16 is the same as the number of the control target elements 5. One degradation information calculation unit 15 and one control unit 16 are provided for each of the plurality of control target elements 5. In the example of FIG. 3, n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) control target elements 5_1 to 5_n, n degradation information calculation units 15_1 to 15_n, and n control units 16_1 to 16_n are provided. In one example, the control device 3 is configured with processors and the like, the number of which is the same as the number of the control target elements 5. Each of the plurality of processors and the like performs processing by a corresponding one of the plurality of degradation information calculation units 15 and a corresponding one of the plurality of control units 16.

[0028] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the controlled elements 5_1 to 5_n will be simply referred to as the controlled elements 5, the degradation information calculation units 15_1 to 15_n will be simply referred to as the degradation information calculation units 15, and the control units 16_1 to 16_n will be simply referred to as the control units 16. If any one of the multiple controlled elements 5 is referred to as the controlled element 5_k (k is any natural number greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to n), one of the multiple degradation information calculation units 15 corresponding to the controlled element 5_k will be referred to as the degradation information calculation unit 15_k, and one of the multiple control units 16 corresponding to the controlled element 5_k will be referred to as the control unit 16_k. The processing of each of the degradation information calculation units 15_k and the control unit 16_k will be described below. In the example control system of FIG. 3, each of the multiple degradation information calculation units 15 performs the same processing as the degradation information calculation unit 15_k described below, and each of the multiple control units 16 performs the same processing as the control unit 16_k described below.

[0029] In the example of FIG. 3, the operation waveforms of each of the multiple control target elements 5 are detected in the controlled facility 2. Therefore, operation waveforms W1 to Wn of the control target elements 5_1 to 5_n are detected. Also in the example of FIG. 3, the operation waveform Wk of the control target element 5_k is input to the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k. The deterioration information calculation unit 15_k calculates the deterioration index Ak of ​​the controlled target element 5_k based at least on the input operation waveform Wk. Note that the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k may calculate the deterioration index Ak based on, in addition to the operation waveform Wk, any of the operation waveform Wj of a controlled element 5_j other than the controlled element 5_k (j is a natural number other than k, and is equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than n), and the operation waveform of a component of the controlled facility 2 other than the controlled element 5.

[0030] In the example of FIG. 3, each of the plurality of deterioration information calculation units 15 calculates one deterioration index corresponding to the control target element 5. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 3, the deterioration indexes of the control target elements 5_1 to 5_n, i.e., deterioration indexes A1 to An, are indicated in the deterioration information related to the deterioration of the plurality of control target elements 5. The deterioration information calculation unit 15_k inputs the calculation result of the deterioration index Ak of ​​the control target element 5_k to the control unit 16_k. Also, in the example of FIG. 3, an operation command P is input from outside to each of the plurality of control units 16.

[0031] In one example shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 16_k generates a control command Ck for the operation of the control target element 5_k based on the deterioration information and the operation command P. At this time, the control unit 16_k generates the control command Ck based on at least the deterioration index Ak of ​​the control target element 5_k input from the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k and the above-mentioned operation command P. In another example, the control unit 16_k receives input of one of the deterioration indexes Aj of the control target elements 5_j other than the control target element 5_k. Then, the control unit 16_k generates an operation command for the control target element 5_k based on at least one of the deterioration indexes Aj in addition to the deterioration index Ak and the operation command P.

[0032] In the example of FIG. 3 , each of the multiple control units 16 calculates a control command for a corresponding one of the control target elements 5 as described above. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 3 , a control command corresponding to the deterioration index is generated for each of the control target elements 5_1 to 5_n as a control command related to the operation of the multiple control target elements 5. That is, control commands C1 to Cn are generated as control commands related to the operation of the multiple control target elements 5. In the example of FIG. 3 , the control unit 16_k inputs the generated control command Ck to the control target element 5_k. As a result, the control target element 5_k operates in response to the control command Ck from the control unit 16_k. That is, each of the multiple control target elements 5 performs an operation corresponding to the control command from a corresponding one of the multiple control units 16.

[0033] 3, each of the control units 16 generates a control command for one of the plurality of control target elements 5 to bring the corresponding one into a state that suppresses the variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements 5. Then, each of the control units 16 generates a control command for a state that not only suppresses the variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements 5 but also satisfies the request (condition) indicated by the operation command P.

[0034] 3, in a configuration in which a plurality of degradation information calculation units 15 are provided, one control unit 16 is provided in a cloud environment. In this example, the degradation information calculation units 15_1 to 15_n transmit the above-mentioned degradation indicators A1 to Ak to the control unit 16 in the cloud environment. Then, the control unit 16 in the cloud environment calculates control commands for the control target elements 5_1 to 5_n, respectively, i.e., control commands C1 to Cn.

[0035] Fig. 4 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a third example of a control system that controls the operations of a plurality of control target elements 5 and a control target facility 2. In the control system of the example of Fig. 4, similar to the example of Fig. 2, the processing execution unit 10 includes a deterioration information calculation unit 15 and a control unit 16. Then, the control unit 16 generates a control command C related to the operations of the plurality of control target elements 5 based on the deterioration information A and the operation command P. However, in the example of Fig. 4, the control unit 16 includes a deterioration prediction unit 21, an evaluation value calculation unit 22, and a control command determination unit 23.

[0036] 4, the control unit 16 not only performs simple control such as PID control, but also uses a deterioration prediction model for the controlled equipment 2 and the controlled elements 5 to predict deterioration of one or more of the controlled elements 5, and generates a control command C based on the prediction result using the deterioration prediction model. In addition, in generating the control command C, the control unit 16 can calculate the control command C by directly using the requirements (conditions), constraints, objective functions, etc. indicated in the external operation command P.

[0037] 4, in the control unit 16, the control command determination unit 23 inputs the calculation result of the control command C calculated based on the deterioration information A and the operation command P to the deterioration prediction unit 21. Then, using the control command C input from the control command determination unit 23 and the deterioration prediction model, the deterioration prediction unit 21 predicts the deterioration of one or more of the control-target elements 5 when the calculated control command C is input to the control-target equipment 2. At this time, the deterioration prediction unit 21 predicts the time change of the degree of deterioration etc. after the current time when the calculated control command C is input to the control-target equipment 2 for one or more of the control-target elements 5.

[0038] 4, evaluation value calculation unit 22 calculates an evaluation value indicating the appropriateness of the calculated control command C based on the prediction result of deterioration prediction unit 21. At this time, evaluation value calculation unit 22 reflects the request (condition), constraint, objective function, etc. indicated by operation command P in addition to the prediction result of deterioration prediction unit 21 in the calculation of the evaluation value. For example, when a command value for the total current of a power storage unit constituted by a plurality of batteries that are a plurality of control target elements 5 is indicated as a request of operation command P, the command value for the total current of the power storage unit is reflected in the calculation of the evaluation value.

[0039] 4 , the control command determination unit 23 determines whether the control command C input to the deterioration prediction unit 21 is appropriate based on the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation unit 22. If the control command C is appropriate, the control command determination unit 23 inputs the control command C determined to be appropriate to the controlled equipment 2. On the other hand, if the control command C is inappropriate, the control command determination unit 23 corrects the control command C and inputs the corrected control command C to the deterioration prediction unit 21.

[0040] Then, using the corrected control command C, the deterioration prediction unit 21 and the evaluation value calculation unit 22 perform the above-mentioned processing, and the control command determination unit 23 determines whether the corrected control command C is appropriate. Because the above-mentioned processing is performed, the control unit 16 appropriately corrects and updates the control command C based on the evaluation value. In this way, the control unit 16 optimizes the control command C to be input to the controlled equipment 2. Note that in one example, the control unit 16 optimizes the control command C by using the C / GMRES method, which is a combination of the continuation method and the generalized minimal residual method, without performing the above-mentioned processing by the deterioration prediction unit 21 and the evaluation value calculation unit 22.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a fourth example of a control system that controls the operation of a plurality of control target elements 5 and control target facilities 2. In the control system of the example of FIG. 5, similar to the example of FIG. 3, the same number of deterioration information calculation units 15 and control units 16 as the control target elements 5 are provided. The deterioration information calculation unit 15_k calculates a deterioration index Ak of ​​the control target element 5_k based at least on the operation waveform Wk of the control target element 5_k. The control unit 16_k generates a control command Ck for the control target element 5_k based at least on the deterioration index Ak of ​​the control target element 5_k input from the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k and the aforementioned operation command P. However, in the example of FIG. 5, each control unit 16 includes an evaluation value calculation unit 22 and a control command determination unit 23.

[0042] 5, each control unit 16 generates a control command group, and control command groups G1 to Gn are generated by multiple control units 16_1 to 16_n. For example, control unit 16_k calculates control command group Gk. Each control unit 16 then transmits the generated control command group to the other control units 16. Therefore, control unit 16_k acquires each of control command groups Gj generated by the other control units 16_j. Therefore, control command groups are exchanged between the multiple control units 16. In the example of FIG. 5, the multiple control units 16 use a consensus gradient algorithm to perform distributed optimization of control commands for each of the multiple control target elements 5, i.e., control commands C1 to Cn.

[0043] The processing of the control unit 16_k will be described below. In the example shown in FIG. 5, each of the multiple control units 16 performs the same processing as the control unit 16_k described below. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the control command determination unit 23 of the control unit 16_k generates a control command Ck for the control target element 5_k based at least on the deterioration index Ak and the operation command P of the control target element 5_k, and also generates a control command for each of the control target elements 5_j other than the control target element 5_k. That is, the control unit 16_k calculates a control command Cj in addition to the control command Ck, and calculates control commands C1 to Cn for the control target elements 5_1 to 5_n. The control unit 16_k then generates a set of the calculated control commands C1 to Cn as a control command group Gk. The control command group is also referred to as a "total control command."

[0044] In the example shown in FIG. 5 , the control command determination unit 23 of a control unit 16_k receives a control command group Gj from another control unit 16_j and transmits the generated control command group Gk to the other control unit 16_j. That is, the control unit 16_k generates a control command Ck for the controlled element 5_k while exchanging a control command group with the other control unit 16_j. Therefore, the control unit 16_k performs consensus control with the other control unit 16_j in generating the control command Ck and inputting the control command Ck to the controlled equipment 2. That is, a consensus control method in which control command groups G1 to Gn are exchanged between the multiple control units 16 is introduced in generating the control commands C1 to Cn. Note that the multiple control units 16 generate control command groups using different deterioration indexes. Therefore, the control commands C1 to Cn indicated in the control command group Gk may differ from the control commands C1 to Cn indicated in the other control command groups Gj.

[0045] In addition, in the example of FIG. 5 , in the control unit 16_k, the evaluation value calculation unit 22 calculates an evaluation value indicating the appropriateness of the control command Ck calculated by the control command determination unit 23. The calculation of the evaluation value is performed, for example, in the same manner as the calculation of the evaluation value of the control command C by the evaluation value calculation unit 22 in the example of FIG. 4. Then, in the control unit 16_k, the control command Ck is appropriately corrected and updated based on the evaluation value. As a result, the control command Ck to be input to the control target element 5_k is locally optimized by the control unit 16_k. That is, in each of the multiple control units 16, optimization based on the gradient is locally performed for the control command to be input to a corresponding one of the control target elements 5. Note that in the example of FIG. 5 , in each control unit 16, the request (condition), constraint, objective function, etc. indicated by the operation command P are reflected in the calculation of the evaluation value by the evaluation value calculation unit 22.

[0046] 5, in generating control commands C1 to Cn, the multiple control units 16 perform consensus control to exchange control command groups G1 to Gn with each other, and each control unit 16 locally optimizes the control command to be input to a corresponding one of the control target elements 5. In the control system in which the control commands C1 to Cn are generated as described above, the multiple control units 16 generate control commands corresponding to the deterioration indexes for each of the multiple control target elements 5 based on the differences in deterioration indexes between the multiple control target elements 5.

[0047] Next, the calculation of deterioration information, including the calculation of deterioration indices, will be described. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a process for calculating deterioration information related to the deterioration of a plurality of control target elements 5 in an embodiment. In the example of Fig. 6, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates the deterioration information using a system behavior surrogate model 25, a deterioration prediction model 26, and a material property model 27. The system behavior surrogate model 25, the deterioration prediction model 26, and the material property model 27 are each stored in a storage medium that serves as the storage unit 11, for example. The system behavior surrogate model 25 indicates arithmetic expressions, functions, etc. related to the behavior of the control system 1, including the operation of the control target equipment 2.

[0048] The degradation information calculation unit 15 receives input information such as the system configuration, load conditions, boundary conditions, material conditions, and environmental conditions. The system configuration indicates information such as the configuration of the controlled facility 2 and the components that make up the controlled facility 2 and the controlled element 5. The load conditions indicate information about the load on the controlled facility 2, and are calculated using the operating waveforms described above. The boundary conditions indicate information such as the installation method of the controlled facility 2 and the controlled element 5 in the control system 1. The material conditions indicate information such as the material properties of the components of the controlled facility 2, including the controlled element 5. The environmental conditions indicate information about the environment in which the controlled facility 2 is used, such as the ambient temperature of the environment in which the controlled facility 2 is used. If one or more of the controlled elements 5 in the controlled facility 2 are cooled by a cooling fan or the like, the environmental conditions indicate information such as the operating status of the cooling fan.

[0049] In calculating the deterioration information, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 selects a surrogate model to be used for the calculation from the system behavior surrogate models 25 based on the input information (S101). In the process of calculating the deterioration information, state variables related to the deterioration of the controlled element 5 are calculated. In S101, a surrogate model that estimates the state variables related to the deterioration of the controlled element 5 is selected. For example, if multiple batteries (battery cells or battery modules) are provided as the multiple controlled elements 5, a surrogate model that estimates the temperature of the batteries, a surrogate model that estimates the electrical characteristics of the batteries, etc. are selected.

[0050] Then, using the selected surrogate model, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates cycle deterioration (S102), calendar deterioration (S103), and other deterioration (S104) for one or more of the multiple controlled elements 5. Cycle deterioration corresponds to deterioration caused by operations repeated over multiple cycles in the controlled equipment 2. Calendar deterioration corresponds to deterioration that depends on the passage of time. In calculating the deterioration information, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 integrates the calculation results for cycle deterioration, calendar deterioration, and other deterioration for one or more of the controlled elements 5 (S105). In the integration in S105, the calculation results for deterioration may be normalized and then linearly added together, as in the linear cumulative damage law, or the calculation results for deterioration may be weighted for each of multiple deterioration factors and added together. Furthermore, as in the nonlinear cumulative damage law, the calculation results for deterioration may be integrated together using a nonlinear function.

[0051] Using the calculation results of S105, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates, as deterioration indices, the degree of deterioration (damage value), lifespan (time or number of cycles until a failure criterion is reached), and failure probability (change in failure probability over time) for one or more of the control target elements 5. Then, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 outputs, as output information, deterioration information including the calculated deterioration indices. For example, if multiple batteries (battery cells or battery modules) are provided as the multiple control target elements 5, deterioration indices such as the degree of deterioration, lifespan, and failure probability are calculated for one or more of the multiple batteries, and the deterioration information including the calculated deterioration indices is output as output information.

[0052] Fig. 7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a first example of a process for calculating a deterioration index for one or more of a plurality of control target elements 5 in an embodiment. In the example of Fig. 7, an example will be described in which the degree of deterioration (damage value) and lifespan of one or more of the control target elements 5 are calculated as deterioration indices. When the process of the example of Fig. 7 starts, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 acquires the system configuration (the structure of the control target equipment 2), boundary conditions, material conditions, environmental conditions, etc. from the input information (S111). The system configuration, boundary conditions, material conditions, and environmental conditions are each indicated by the information described above.

[0053] Then, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 acquires the load conditions from the input information and generates load history data indicating the time change of the load on the controlled-target equipment 2 based on the load conditions (S112). The time change of the load indicated by the load history data is calculated using the operation waveform input from the controlled-target equipment 2. The load history data indicates the load history up to the present time for the controlled-target equipment 2, i.e., the past load history. In addition, in the example of FIG. 7, the load history data indicates the load history on the controlled-target equipment 2 after the present time if the controlled-target equipment 2 continues to operate in the same manner as in the load history up to the present time. In addition, in the generated load history data, the waveform of the time change of the load on the controlled-target equipment 2 indicates that the load is repeatedly acting on the controlled-target equipment 2 over αall cycles (αall is a natural number greater than or equal to 2). Therefore, the load history data specifies the total number of cycles αall. The total number of cycles αall is also referred to as the "number of cycle count data rows."

[0054] 7, the loop count α is specified as a parameter. When the load history data is generated, the degradation information calculation unit 15 sets the loop count α to 1 (initial value) (S113). After performing the process of S113, the degradation information calculation unit 15 performs the calculation processes of S114 to S118 for all α cycles of the load history data, one cycle at a time, starting from the earliest time. At this time, first, the degradation information calculation unit 15 calculates, using a surrogate model, state variables and time changes in the state variables during one cycle that is the subject of calculation, for one or more of the control target elements 5, based on the input information and the load history data (S114). Then, the degradation information calculation unit 15 calculates load indices and time changes in the load indices during one cycle that is the subject of calculation, based on the time changes in the state variables, for one or more of the control target elements 5 (S114).

[0055] Here, if the controlled element 5 is a battery, the current, voltage, temperature, etc. of the battery are calculated as state variables, and the current history, voltage history, temperature history, etc. are calculated as changes over time in the state variables. The load index corresponds to a vector (load vector) that combines the above-mentioned state variables related to degradation. For example, if the controlled element 5 is a battery, a vector that combines the current, voltage, temperature, etc. of the battery is calculated as the load index.

[0056] Then, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates criteria for failure for one or more of the controlled elements 5 based on the time changes in the state variables and load indexes up to the cycle being calculated using a deterioration prediction model or the like (S115). The criteria for failure are affected by the state variables and change in response to state variables such as current and temperature. Therefore, the criteria are updated for each cycle of the load history data based on the time changes in the state variables and load indexes.

[0057] The deterioration information calculation unit 15 then calculates, for one or more of the controlled elements 5, a damage value due to each of the multiple deterioration factors during the one cycle being calculated based on the state variables and the load index (S116). The deterioration information calculation unit 15 then integrates the damage values ​​due to the multiple deterioration factors (S116). As a result, a total damage value for one or more of the controlled elements 5 during the one cycle being calculated is calculated as the deterioration progression during the one cycle. At this time, damage values ​​due to cycle deterioration and damage values ​​due to calendar deterioration, etc., are calculated for the one cycle being calculated. The total damage value during the one cycle being calculated is then calculated by adding together the calculated damage values. In calculating the total damage value, the damage values ​​may be linearly added together, or weighted for each of the multiple deterioration factors and then added together. Similarly to the nonlinear cumulative damage law, the damage values ​​may be integrated together using a nonlinear function.

[0058] Then, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates the cumulative damage value Dall up to the end of the cycle being calculated for one or more of the control target elements 5 (S117). At this time, the cumulative damage value Dall up to the end of the cycle being calculated is calculated by accumulating (adding) all damage values ​​during the cycle being calculated to the cumulative damage value Dall at the start of the cycle being calculated. Furthermore, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 calculates the time at which the calculated cumulative damage value Dall is reached, and, if the control target equipment 2 repeats operations over multiple cycles, calculates the number of cycles of the control target equipment 2 at which the calculated cumulative damage value Dall is reached (S117).

[0059] Then, the degradation information calculation unit 15 reflects the calculation results of S117, including the calculation result of the cumulative damage value Dall, in the surrogate model (S118). In a surrogate model that estimates state variables of the controlled element 5, such as the temperature and electrical characteristics of the controlled element 5, it is necessary to change the parameters used to estimate the state variables as the degree of degradation of the controlled element 5 increases. For example, if the controlled element 5 is a battery, as the degree of battery degradation increases, the battery's electrical resistance increases and the amount of heat generated by the battery increases. Therefore, it is necessary to change the parameters used to estimate the battery's electrical characteristics and temperature in the surrogate model. In the example of FIG. 7, the processing of S118 updates the parameters used to estimate the state variables in the surrogate model for each cycle of the load history data.

[0060] Then, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 determines whether the loop count α is equal to or greater than the total number of cycles αall of the load history data (S119). If the loop count α is smaller than the total number of cycles αall (S119-No), the deterioration information calculation unit 15 increments the loop count α by 1 (S120). Then, the process returns to S114, and the deterioration information calculation unit 15 sequentially executes the processes from S114 onwards. Therefore, the calculation processes of S114 to S118 are performed for the next cycle of the load history data.

[0061] On the other hand, if the loop count α is equal to or greater than the total number of cycles αall (S119-Yes), the degradation information calculation unit 15 calculates and outputs the real-time degradation degree and lifespan for one or more of the controlled elements 5 (S121). The real-time degradation degree is calculated based on the cumulative damage value Dall up to the current point in time in the load history data. The lifespan is indicated by the time when the load index or degradation degree reaches the criteria that serve as the basis for failure, and the number of cycles of the controlled equipment 2.

[0062] 7 is performed, the deterioration progress degree is calculated for one or more of the plurality of control target elements 5 for each cycle while the operation of the control target equipment 2 is repeated over multiple cycles, and deterioration information including an integrated value of the deterioration progress degree for each cycle for one or more of the control target elements 5 is calculated. As a result, the integrated value of the deterioration progress degree up to the present time is calculated as the degree of deterioration for one or more of the control target elements 5. Furthermore, the time or number of cycles at which the integrated value of the deterioration progress degree reaches the criterion for one or more of the control target elements 5 is calculated as the lifespan.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a second example of a process for calculating a deterioration index for one or more of a plurality of control target elements 5 in an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 8, an example will be described in which a failure probability is calculated as a deterioration index for any one of the control target elements 5. Note that by performing a process similar to the example of FIG. 8, it is possible to calculate the failure probability for each of a plurality of control target elements 5. When the process of the example of FIG. 8 starts, the deterioration information calculation unit 15 acquires the system configuration (the structure of the control target equipment 2), load conditions, boundary conditions, material conditions, environmental conditions, etc. from the input information (S131). The system configuration, load conditions, boundary conditions, material conditions, and environmental conditions are each represented by the information described above.

[0064] Then, the degradation information calculation unit 15 expresses the uncertainty in the aforementioned conditions indicated by the input information as a probability distribution, and samples the condition values ​​indicated as the aforementioned conditions using the Monte Carlo method (S132). Here, the total number of samples βall in the sampling of S132 is specified. The total number of samples βall is also referred to as the "maximum number of calculations."

[0065] 8, the loop count β and the failure count γ are defined as parameters. After sampling, the degradation information calculation unit 15 sets the loop count β to 1 (initial value) and sets the failure count γ to 0 (initial value) (S133). After performing the process of S133, the degradation information calculation unit 15 performs the calculation process of S134 and subsequent steps on the sampled samples, one by one. At this time, first, the degradation information calculation unit 15 calculates the degradation degree of the control target element 5 at a predetermined time point for each sample using a surrogate model (S134). At this time, for example, by performing the same process as the example of FIG. 7, the degradation degree of the control target element 5 at a predetermined time point can be calculated as a degradation index.

[0066] Then, the degradation information calculation unit 15 determines whether the control target element 5 has deteriorated to a level equal to or greater than the criterion serving as a reference for failure at a predetermined time point, based on the result of the calculation of the deterioration degree (S135). If the control target element 5 has deteriorated to a level equal to or greater than the criterion (S135-Yes), the degradation information calculation unit 15 increments the number of failures γ by 1 (S136). Then, the degradation information calculation unit 15 determines whether the number of loops β is equal to or greater than the total number of samples βall in the sampling (S137). On the other hand, if the deterioration degree of the control target element 5 is lower than the criterion (S135-No), the degradation information calculation unit 15 skips the process of S136, i.e., proceeds to the process of S137 without incrementing the number of failures γ.

[0067] In the process of S137, if the loop count β is smaller than the total number of samples βall (S137-No), the degradation information calculation unit 15 increments the loop count β by 1 (S138). Then, the process returns to S134, and the degradation information calculation unit 15 sequentially executes the processes from S134 onwards. Therefore, the calculation processes from S134 onwards are performed on the next sample.

[0068] On the other hand, if the loop count β is equal to or greater than the total number of samples βall (S137-Yes), the degradation information calculation unit 15 calculates and outputs the failure probability ε at a predetermined time point for the controlled element 5 (S139). The failure probability ε at a predetermined time point corresponds to the ratio (γ / βall) of the final calculation result of the failure count γ to the total number of samples βall. Furthermore, in the embodiment, by calculating the failure probability ε at each of multiple time points for the controlled element 5 using the example process of FIG. 8, it becomes possible to calculate the time change (time history) of the failure probability ε for the controlled element 5.

[0069] In addition, in the embodiment, the calculation result of the deterioration index for one or more of the plurality of control target elements 5 can be notified by display or the like on the user interface 12. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen that displays the calculation result of the deterioration index for one of the plurality of control target elements 5 in the embodiment. The example display screen of FIG. 9 is displayed, for example, on a monitor or the like that constitutes the user interface 12. The example display screen of FIG. 9 shows, as input information, the system configuration, boundary conditions, environmental conditions, material conditions, and control parameters. Then, as output information, the change in the degree of deterioration over time for one of the control target elements 5 is shown. In the graph of the output information, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the degree of deterioration. Note that in the example of FIG. 9, the change in the degree of deterioration over time is shown as output information, but the change in the failure probability over time, etc. may also be shown.

[0070] In the example of output information in FIG. 9, in addition to the current (real-time) degradation level of the control target element 5, the time until the degradation level reaches the failure criterion is shown as the lifespan. Furthermore, in the example of the display screen in FIG. 9, the conditions shown in the input information can be changed as appropriate. For example, by changing the conditions, the degradation level of the control target element 5 in the output information changes from the time change shown by the solid line in FIG. 9 to the time change shown by the dashed line in FIG. 9 (arrow X1). This makes it possible to compare the time change of the degradation level before and after the change of the conditions, and to compare which of the two conditions is more appropriate.

[0071] Next, a communication system for communicating operation waveforms, control commands, etc. in the control system 1 will be described. Fig. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a first example of a communication system in the control system 1 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 10, the control system 1 includes a control module 30 and operation modules 32_1 to 32_n, the number of which is the same as the number of control target elements 5_1 to 5_n. The control module 30 includes the control unit 16 and communication unit 31 described above. Furthermore, each of the operation modules 32_1 to 32_n includes a corresponding one of the control target elements 5_1 to 5_n and a corresponding one of the communication units 33_1 to 33_n. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, they will be referred to as the control target element 5, the operation module 32, the communication unit 33, etc.

[0072] 10, the communication unit 31 of the control module 30 is capable of wireless or wired communication with the communication units 33 of all of the operation modules 32. Therefore, the communication unit 31 receives operation waveforms and the like of the control target elements 5 from each of the operation modules 32, and transmits control commands for the control target elements 5 to each of the operation modules 32. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 10, the control unit 16 of the control module 30 performs centralized control of the operations of the multiple control target elements 5.

[0073] Fig. 11 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second example of a communication system in the control system 1 according to the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 11, the control system 1 includes operation modules 32_1 to 32_n, the same number as the control target elements 5_1 to 5_n, and does not include a control module 30 or the like. Each of the operation modules 32_1 to 32_n includes a corresponding one of the control target elements 5_1 to 5_n, a corresponding one of the control units 16_1 to 16_n, and a corresponding one of the communication units 33_1 to 33_n. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the control target element 5, the control unit 16, the operation module 32, the communication unit 33, etc. will be referred to.

[0074] In the example of FIG. 11 , the communication unit 33 of each operation module 32 can communicate with the communication unit 33 of the other operation modules 32 wirelessly or via a wire. Therefore, the control unit 16 of each operation module 32 exchanges information regarding control commands to the control target elements 5 with the other operation modules 32. For example, the control unit 16_k of the operation module 32_k receives a control command group Gj from another operation module 32_j and transmits the generated control command group Gk to the other operation module 32_j. In this case, the control unit 16_k of the operation module 32_k generates a control command Ck for the control target element 5_k while exchanging a control command group with the other control unit 16_j. Because of this processing, in the example of FIG. 11 , the control units 16 of the multiple operation modules 32 perform distributed control of the operations of the multiple control target elements 5.

[0075] Next, as a specific example of the control system 1 in which the above-described control is performed, a control system 1 in which a storage battery facility (storage battery system) is the controlled facility 2 will be described. FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing a first example of a control system that controls the storage battery facility that is the controlled facility 2 in the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 12, in the storage battery facility, four batteries (battery cells or battery modules) 5A_1 to 5A_4 are provided as the controlled elements 5, and a power storage unit is formed in which the batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 are electrically connected in parallel. Note that, although the following description will be given of an example in which four batteries 5A are provided, if there are multiple batteries 5A, the same processing as in the example of FIG. 12 will be performed regardless of whether the number of batteries is two, three, or five or more.

[0076] Here, as in the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, if k is any one natural number greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 4, and j is any natural number other than k greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 4, then a current Ik is defined in battery 5A_k. In addition, in a storage battery equipment, the sum of currents I1 to I4 of batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 is the overall current I0 of the power storage unit formed by batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4. In addition, the example control system 1 of FIG. 12 is provided with deterioration information calculation units 15_1 to 15_4, control units 16_1 to 16_4, communication units 33_1 to 33_4, current adjustment circuits 35_1 to 35_4, and detection units 36_1 to 36_4. Therefore, four deterioration information calculation units 15, control units 16, communication units 33, current adjustment circuits 35, and detection units 36 are provided, that is, four units each, the same number as batteries 5A. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, they will simply be referred to as battery 5A, deterioration information calculation unit 15, control unit 16, communication unit 33, current adjustment circuit 35, and detection unit 36.

[0077] The processing related to battery 5A_k will be described below. In the control system of the example of FIG. 12, the processing related to each of batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 is performed in the same manner as the processing described below. In the example of FIG. 12, a command value for current I0 of the entire power storage unit is input to control unit 16_k as an external operation command P (a global request). Control unit 16_k generates a control command for battery 5A_k by, for example, performing consensus control with other control units 16_j so that current I0 is in a state corresponding to the command value.

[0078] Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of operation command P input to each of four control units 16_1 to 16_4 in the example of Fig. 12. In the example of Fig. 13, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents a command value for current I0 for the entire power storage unit. In the example of Fig. 13, the waveform of current I0 is input to each control unit 16 as operation command P, and the waveform of current I0 that becomes operation command P repeats a charge / discharge cycle of charging and discharging the power storage unit over multiple cycles. In Fig. 13, the waveform of current I0 that becomes operation command P shows a time length corresponding to one charge / discharge cycle of the power storage unit.

[0079] In the example of FIG. 12 , the detection unit 36_k detects the operating waveform Wk of the battery 5A_k. At this time, for example, waveforms indicating time variations of the state of charge (SOC), open circuit voltage (OCV), closed circuit voltage (CCV), current Ik, and temperature of the battery 5A_k are detected as the operating waveform Wk of the battery 5A_k. The detection unit 36_k then transmits a detection signal Ek indicating the detection result of the operating waveform Wk to the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k. The deterioration information calculation unit 15_k then calculates a deterioration index (deterioration information) Ak of ​​the battery 5A_k based at least on the operating waveform Wk indicated by the detection signal Ek.

[0080] In one example, in calculating the deterioration indicator Ak, the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k calculates, for battery 5A_k, a difference value ΔSOC between the maximum and minimum SOC values, an average OCV value MOCV, an average C-rate value MCrate, and a temperature T for each charge / discharge cycle of the power storage unit based at least on the operating waveform Wk. The average C-rate value MCrate is calculated based on a change over time in the current Ik of battery 5A_k during one cycle. Then, the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k calculates a deterioration progress degree ΔDk of battery 5A_k during one charge / discharge cycle using the SOC difference value ΔSOC, the average OCV value MOCV, the average C-rate value MCrate, and the temperature T according to equation (1).

[0081] Then, as shown in equation (2), the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k calculates the integrated value of the deterioration progress degree ΔDk for each cycle of the battery 5A_k as the deterioration degree (cumulative deterioration amount) Dk. As a result, the deterioration degree Dk of the battery 5A_k is calculated as the deterioration index Ak (deterioration information) of the battery 5A_k. Furthermore, the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k sets the value of the deterioration degree Dk, which serves as a failure criterion, to 1 for the battery 5A_k. Then, the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k calculates the time or the number of charge / discharge cycles until the deterioration degree Dk, which is the integrated value of the deterioration progress degree ΔDk, reaches 1, as the lifespan of the battery 5A_k. As a result, the lifespan of the battery 5A_k is calculated as the deterioration index Ak (deterioration information) of the battery 5A_k.

[0082]

number

[0083] The communication unit 33_k acquires the deterioration index Ak of ​​the battery 5A_k calculated by the deterioration information calculation unit 15_k. The communication unit 33_k also transmits information related to the deterioration index Ak of ​​the battery 5A_k to the other communication units 33_j, and receives information related to the deterioration index Aj of the battery 5A_j from the other communication units 33_j. Therefore, the control unit 16_k receives the deterioration index Aj of the battery 5A_j as well as the deterioration index Ak of ​​the battery 5A_k from the communication unit 33_k. As a result, the control unit 16_k acquires the deterioration indexes A1 to A4 of all the batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4.

[0084] In the example shown in FIG. 12, when generating a control command Ck for battery 5A_k, control unit 16_k communicates with other control units 16_j via communication unit 33_k, and performs consensus control with other control units 16_j. Then, control unit 16_k performs consensus control with other control units 16_j to generate a control command Ck indicating a command value for current Ik of battery 5A_k. At this time, control unit 16_k generates control command Ck indicating a command value for current Ik to a state that suppresses variation in deterioration among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4, based on deterioration indicators A1 to A4 of batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4. Furthermore, control unit 16_k cooperates with other control units 16_j to generate control command Ck indicating a command value for current Ik to a state where the sum of currents I1 to I4 corresponds to the command value for current I0 in the operation command P.

[0085] In the example of FIG. 12 , control unit 16_k calculates a command value for current Ik of battery 5A_k by substituting n=4 into equation (3) using deterioration indicators A1 to A4 of batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4. In equation (3), the first term on the right-hand side contributes to satisfying the command value for current I0 of the power storage unit, which is a condition of operation command P. Furthermore, in equation (3), the second term on the right-hand side contributes to performing consensus control that reduces variations in deterioration of batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 in accordance with deterioration indicators A1 to A4. Note that because the power storage unit is repeatedly charged and discharged, the total current I0 of the power storage unit can take both positive and negative values. Furthermore, ξ in equation (3) is a control gain, and in this embodiment, ξ is a value other than zero (ξ≠0). Furthermore, since the sum of the currents I1 to I4 is the current I0, the command value of the current Ik calculated by equation (3) satisfies the relationship of equation (4) with respect to the command value of the current I0.

[0086]

number

[0087] 12, control unit 16_k inputs a control command Ck indicating a command value of current Ik to current adjustment circuit 35_k, causing current adjustment circuit 35_k to operate in a state where current Ik corresponding to the command value indicated by control command Ck flows through battery 5A_k. This suppresses variations in deterioration among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4, and causes current I0 to flow through battery 5A_k in a state where it corresponds to the command value in operation command P.

[0088] Fig. 14 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second example of a control system that controls a storage battery equipment that is a controlled-target equipment 2 in the embodiment. In the example of Fig. 14, a battery (battery cell or battery module) 5B_1, a fan (cooling fan) 5B_2, and an inverter 5B_3 are provided as controlled-target elements 5 in the storage battery equipment. Furthermore, in the example of Fig. 14, deterioration information calculation units 15_1 to 15_3, communication units 33_1 to 33_3, and detection units 36_1 to 36_3 are provided. Therefore, three deterioration information calculation units 15, communication units 33, and detection units 36 are provided, that is, three units each equal to the number of controlled-target elements 5 (batteries, fans, and inverters).

[0089] The control system 1 is also provided with a control unit 16, a current adjustment circuit 35_1 that adjusts the current I1 of the battery 5B_1, and a current adjustment circuit 35_2 that adjusts the current of the fan 5B_2. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, they will simply be referred to as the deterioration information calculation unit 15, the communication unit 33, the current adjustment circuit 35, and the detection unit 36.

[0090] In the example control system of FIG. 14 , a command value for a current I1 of the battery 5B_1 is input as an operation command P for the controlled-target facility 2 including a battery 5B_1, a fan 5B_2, and an inverter 5B_3. The current adjustment circuit 35_1 operates so that the current I1 corresponding to the command value indicated by the operation command P flows to the battery 5B_1. As a result, the current I1 corresponding to the command value in the operation command P flows to the battery 5B_1. Also, in the example of FIG. 14 , the inverter 5B_3 converts DC power output from the battery 5B_1 into AC power and outputs it from the storage battery facility that is the controlled-target facility 2. Also, the inverter 5B_3 converts AC power to the storage battery facility into DC power and inputs it to the battery 5B_1.

[0091] 14, when the fan 5B_2 operates, a flow of air is generated from the fan 5B_2 toward the battery 5B_1 and the inverter 5B_3. Therefore, when the rotation amount of the fan 5B_2 changes, the amount of airflow from the fan 5B_2 to the battery 5B_1 and the inverter 5B_3 changes. Therefore, the operating state of the fan 5B_2 affects the operation of the battery 5B_1 and the inverter 5B_3.

[0092] In the example of FIG. 14 , the detection unit 36_1 detects an operating waveform W1 of the battery 5B_1. At this time, for example, a waveform indicating a change over time in any one of the current, voltage, and temperature of the battery 5B_1 is detected as the operating waveform W1 of the battery 5B_1. Then, the detection unit 36_1 transmits a detection signal E1 indicating the detection result of the operating waveform W1 to the deterioration information calculation unit 15_1, and the deterioration information calculation unit 15_1 calculates a deterioration index (deterioration information) A1 of the battery 5B_1 based at least on the operating waveform W1 indicated by the detection signal E1. Then, the communication unit 33_1 acquires the deterioration index A1 of the battery 5B_1 calculated by the deterioration information calculation unit 15_1.

[0093] 14, the detection unit 36_2 detects an operating waveform W2 of the fan 5B_2. At this time, for example, a waveform indicating a time change in either the current or the rotation amount of the fan 5B_2 is detected as the operating waveform W2 of the fan 5B_2. Then, the detection unit 36_2 transmits a detection signal E2 indicating the detection result of the operating waveform W2 to the deterioration information calculation unit 15_2, and the deterioration information calculation unit 15_2 calculates a deterioration index (deterioration information) A2 of the fan 5B_2 based at least on the operating waveform W2 indicated by the detection signal E2. Then, the communication unit 33_2 acquires the deterioration index A2 of the fan 5B_2 calculated by the deterioration information calculation unit 15_2.

[0094] 14 , the detection unit 36_3 detects an operation waveform W3 of the inverter 5B_3. At this time, for example, a waveform indicating a change over time in either the current or the temperature of the inverter 5B_3 is detected as the operation waveform W3 of the inverter 5B_3. Then, the detection unit 36_3 transmits a detection signal E3 indicating the detection result of the operation waveform W3 to the deterioration information calculation unit 15_3, and the deterioration information calculation unit 15_3 calculates a deterioration index (deterioration information) A3 of the inverter 5B_3 based at least on the operation waveform W3 indicated by the detection signal E3. Then, the communication unit 33_3 acquires the deterioration index A3 of the inverter 5B_3 calculated by the deterioration information calculation unit 15_3.

[0095] 14, the communication unit 33_2 is capable of communicating with the communication units 33_1 and 33_3. The communication unit 33_2 receives a deterioration index A1 of the battery 5B_1 from the communication unit 33_1 and receives a deterioration index A3 of the inverter 5B_3 from the communication unit 33_3. The communication unit 33_2 also inputs deterioration information including the deterioration index A1 of the battery 5B_1, the deterioration index A2 of the fan 5B_2, and the deterioration index A3 of the inverter 5B_3 to the control unit 16.

[0096] 14, control unit 16 generates a control command indicating a command value of current I2 of fan 5B_2 based on deterioration indicators A1 to A3 indicated in the deterioration information. In the example of FIG. 14, control unit 16 generates a control command for fan 5B_2, but does not generate control commands for battery 5B_1 and inverter 5B_3. Control unit 16 inputs the control command indicating the command value of current I2 to current adjustment circuit 35_2, whereby current adjustment circuit 35_2 operates to cause current I2 corresponding to the command value indicated by the control command to flow through fan 5B_2.

[0097] In the example of FIG. 14 , a control command for fan 5B_2 is generated so that the variation in deterioration among the control target elements 5, that is, battery 5B_1, fan 5B_2, and inverter 5B_3, is suppressed. For example, if the degree of deterioration of fan 5B_2 is higher than the respective degrees of deterioration of battery 5B_1 and inverter 5B_3, the control command reduces the command value of current I2 of fan 5B_2. This reduces the load on fan 5B_2. On the other hand, if the degree of deterioration of fan 5B_2 is lower than the respective degrees of deterioration of battery 5B_1 and inverter 5B_3, the control command increases the command value of current I2 of fan 5B_2. This increases the airflow from fan 5B_2 in each of battery 5B_1 and inverter 5B_3, thereby decreasing the respective temperatures of battery 5B_1 and inverter 5B_3 and reducing the respective loads on battery 5B_1 and inverter 5B_3.

[0098] In the embodiments and the like, as described above, based on the deterioration information A related to the deterioration of the plurality of control target elements 5, a control command C related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements 5 is generated to suppress the variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements 5. Then, by inputting the generated control command C to the control target equipment 2 including the plurality of control target elements 5, an operation corresponding to the control command C is executed in the control target equipment 2. This makes it possible to appropriately operate the control target equipment 2 including the plurality of control target elements 5 while suppressing the variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements 5. Furthermore, in the embodiments and the like, the operation of the control target equipment 2 is controlled to suppress the variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements 5 while continuing the operation (operation) of the control target equipment 2 including the control target elements 5.

[0099] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of control performed by the control unit 16 in the embodiment. FIG. 15 compares the case where control of the comparative example is performed and the case where control of the embodiment, such as the above-mentioned consensus control, is performed in the operation control of the controlled facility 2 including three controlled elements 5_1 to 5_3. In the comparative example, a control command is generated to satisfy the request indicated by the operation command P, but the control command is generated without considering the variation in deterioration among the controlled elements 5_1 to 5_3. On the other hand, in the embodiment, as described above, a control command is generated to satisfy the request indicated by the operation command P and suppress the variation in deterioration among the controlled elements 5_1 to 5_3.

[0100] FIG. 15 shows graphs illustrating the time-dependent changes in the degree of deterioration of each of the control-target elements 5_1 to 5_3 for the comparative example and the embodiment. In each of the graphs for the comparative example and the embodiment, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents the degree of deterioration. As shown in FIG. 15, in the comparative example, the variation in deterioration among the control-target elements 5_1 to 5_3 increases after a certain amount of time has passed since the start of use. Even if the degree of deterioration of each of the control-target elements 5_2 and 5_3 is small, the degree of deterioration of the control-target element 5_1, which deteriorates the most rapidly, reaches the failure criterion relatively early after the start of use. Therefore, even if the degree of deterioration of each of the control-target elements 5_2 and 5_3 is small, the operation of the entire control-target equipment 2 must be stopped when the degree of deterioration of the control-target element 5_1 reaches the failure criterion, i.e., relatively early after the start of use, and the life of the control-target equipment 2 is reached.

[0101] On the other hand, in the embodiment, operation control is performed to suppress variations in deterioration among the control target elements 5_1 to 5_3. As a result, the deterioration progresses faster in the control target element 5_3, which is deteriorating the slowest, compared to the comparative example. However, in the embodiment, the deterioration progresses slower in the control target element 5_1, which is deteriorating the fastest, compared to the comparative example. Then, the time until the degree of deterioration of the control target element 5_1 reaches the failure criterion is longer compared to the comparative example, and the lifespan of the control target element 5_1 is longer compared to the comparative example. As a result, in the embodiment, the lifespan of the control target equipment 2 is longer compared to the comparative example.

[0102] In addition, in the embodiment, consensus control is performed in generating the control command C in a manner similar to the example shown in FIG. 5 , thereby enabling alignment between a global request corresponding to the request in the operation command P and a local request for each of the control target elements 5. In the embodiment, the local request corresponds to suppressing variations in deterioration among the multiple control target elements 5. In addition, consensus control in generating the control command C can be applied to centralized control such as the example shown in FIG. 10 , distributed control such as the example shown in FIG. 11 , and hybrid control that combines centralized control and distributed control. This appropriately ensures robustness and scalability against configuration changes in the controlled facility 2 and the control system 1. For example, the controlled facility 2 can appropriately respond to changes in one or more types of the controlled elements 5 and the addition of a controlled element 5.

[0103] In addition, in the embodiment, a surrogate model is used to calculate degradation information related to degradation of multiple controlled elements 5. For example, a state variable is calculated for one or more controlled elements 5 using the surrogate model, and a degradation index is calculated based on the state variable. This makes it possible to quickly calculate one or more state variables of the controlled elements 5 using the surrogate model, even in a complex system configuration in which multiple components and the like exert nonlinear interactions. Therefore, it is possible to quickly calculate one or more degradation indexes of the controlled elements 5, even in a complex system configuration.

[0104] Furthermore, as verification related to the embodiment, the following simulation was performed. In the verification, a control system for controlling a storage battery equipment similar to the example shown in FIG. 12 was simulated. That is, the simulation was performed using a storage battery equipment in which four batteries (battery cells) 5A_1 to 5A_4, which are the controlled elements 5, are electrically connected in parallel. In addition, in the verification, the simulation was performed assuming that the waveform of the command value of the current I0 shown in the example of FIG. 13 is input to the storage battery equipment as an operation command P (request from the global side). The simulation was performed assuming that the charge / discharge cycle shown by the waveform of the command value of the current I0 shown in the example of FIG. 13 is repeated over multiple cycles.

[0105] Fig. 16 is a flowchart outlining the processing performed in the verification related to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 16, in the verification by simulation, monitoring information and system information were set (S141), and analysis conditions were set (S142). The analysis conditions included the above-mentioned system configuration, load conditions, boundary conditions, material conditions, and environmental conditions. Then, a model including a surrogate model was used to perform calculation processing of the degradation information (S143).

[0106] FIG. 17 is a flowchart outlining the processing performed in the deterioration information calculation process of FIG. 16. In the deterioration information calculation process of FIG. 17, the number of cycles η was defined as a parameter, and a natural number equal to or greater than 2 was set as the reference number of cycles ηref. In the calculation process of FIG. 17, first, the number of cycles η was set to 1 (S151), and it was determined whether the number of cycles η was equal to or greater than the reference number of cycles ηref (S152). If the number of cycles η was smaller than the reference number of cycles ηref (No in S152), the current was calculated for each of the batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 (S153), and the state was updated (S154). In updating the state of each battery, the SOC, OCV, CCV, and temperature were updated for each battery 5A. Then, the time was updated (S155), and it was determined whether one charge / discharge cycle had ended (S156).

[0107] If one cycle has not yet been completed in S156 (S156-No), the process returns to S153, and the processes from S153 onward are performed sequentially. Therefore, the processes from S153 to S155 are repeatedly performed during one charge / discharge cycle. As a result, for each battery 5A, an operating waveform indicating the time change of current and the time change of state (SOC, OCV, CCV, and temperature) is calculated. Furthermore, if one cycle has been completed in S156 (S156-Yes), the deterioration index for each battery 5A is updated based on the operating waveform during one cycle (S157).

[0108] In the process of S157, for each battery 5A, the SOC difference value ΔSOC, the OCV average value MOCV, the C-rate average value MCrate, etc. during one cycle were calculated based on the operating waveforms during one cycle. Then, using the above-mentioned formula (1), the deterioration progress degree during one cycle was calculated for each battery 5A, and deterioration progress degrees ΔD1 to ΔD4 were calculated. Then, using formula (2), the deterioration degree was calculated as a deterioration index for each battery 5A, and deterioration degrees D1 to D4 were calculated. Also, in the process of S157, the time or the number of charge / discharge cycles until the deterioration degree, which is the integrated value of the deterioration progress degree during one cycle, reaches 1 was calculated as the lifespan for each battery 5A.

[0109] After updating the deterioration index for each battery 5A, the number of cycles η was incremented by 1 (S158), and the process returned to S152. If the number of cycles η was smaller than the reference number of cycles ηref (S152-No), the processes from S153 onward were performed sequentially. On the other hand, if the number of cycles η was equal to or greater than the reference number of cycles ηref (S152-Yes), the calculation process for the deterioration information was terminated. Then, for each battery 5A, the most recently updated value in S157 was calculated as the deterioration index at the time the reference number of charge-discharge cycles ηref had been performed.

[0110] 16, in the verification, after the calculation process of the deterioration information (S143) was completed, control commands for each of the batteries 5A, i.e., control commands C1 to C4, were generated (S144). Then, the generated control commands C1 to C4 were output to the local side, and each of the control commands C1 to C4 was output to a corresponding one of the batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 (S145). In this case, the control command C1 was generated as a command indicating a command value for the current I1, the control command C2 was generated as a command indicating a command value for the current I2, the control command C3 was generated as a command indicating a command value for the current I3, and the control command C4 was generated as a command indicating a command value for the current I4. In addition, in the verification, the generated control commands C1 to C4 were simulated for each of the cases where the control of the comparative example and the control of the example were performed.

[0111] Here, in the comparative example, the current I0 of the entire power storage unit satisfies the command value required by the operation command P, but the control commands C1 to C4 are generated without considering the variation in deterioration among the batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4. In fact, in the comparative example, ξ = 0 in the above-mentioned equation (3) and the second term on the right-hand side is set to 0, the command values ​​of the currents I1 to I4 in the control command are calculated, and the control commands C1 to C4 are generated. For this reason, in the comparative example, a simulation was performed for a case where control for suppressing the variation in deterioration among the batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4, such as consensus control, is not performed.

[0112] On the other hand, in the example, the control commands C1 to C4 were generated so that the total current I0 of the power storage unit satisfied the command value required by the operation command P and the variation in deterioration among the batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 was suppressed. In fact, in the example, the command values ​​of the currents I1 to I4 in the control command were calculated under the assumption that ξ≠0 in the above-mentioned formula (3) and the above-mentioned formula (4) was satisfied, and the control commands C1 to C4 were generated. Therefore, in the example, similar to the above-mentioned embodiment, a simulation was performed on a case where control for suppressing the variation in deterioration among the batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 by consensus control was performed.

[0113] In the verification related to the embodiment, the operating waveforms of each of the plurality of batteries 5A and the deterioration index of each of the plurality of batteries 5A were calculated by simulation for each of the comparative example and the example. In the verification, the time changes in current, SOC, OCV, and CCV for each of the plurality of batteries 5A were calculated as the operating waveforms. In the verification, the time changes in the degree of deterioration and the lifespan, etc. were calculated as the deterioration index for each of the plurality of batteries 5A. Some of the calculation results by the simulation in the verification are shown in FIGS. 18 to 21.

[0114] Here, FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing the time change in current of each of the plurality of batteries 5A in the case of a comparative example, calculated in a test related to the embodiment, and FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the time change in the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of batteries 5A in the case of a comparative example, calculated in a test related to the embodiment. Also, FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the time change in current of each of the plurality of batteries 5A in the case of an example, calculated in a test related to the embodiment, and FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram showing the time change in the degree of deterioration of each of the plurality of batteries 5A in the case of an example, calculated in a test related to the embodiment. In each of FIGS. 18 and 20, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents current. Also, in each of FIGS. 19 and 21, the horizontal axis represents the number of charge / discharge cycles, and the vertical axis represents the degree of deterioration.

[0115] In the comparative example, as described above, no control was performed to suppress variations in deterioration among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, the operating waveforms showing the time changes in current among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 were identical or approximately identical to each other, and the time changes in currents I1 to I4 were identical or approximately identical to each other. Furthermore, the time changes in SOC, OCV, and CCV were also identical or approximately identical to each other among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4. Furthermore, in the comparative example, when operation was continued in a state in which the currents among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 were identical or approximately identical, the variations in the degree of deterioration among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 increased due to differences in temperature among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4, as shown in FIG. 19.

[0116] On the other hand, in the example, as described above, control is performed to suppress variations in deterioration among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4, and therefore, as shown in Fig. 20, due to the second term on the right side of equation (3), the operating waveforms showing the time changes in current differed among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4. That is, the time changes in currents I1 to I4 differed among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4. Furthermore, the time changes in SOC, OCV, and CCV also differed among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4.

[0117] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21 , in the example, by operating batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 with different currents, the variation in the degree of deterioration among batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 was suppressed compared to the comparative example. In particular, in the example, the progression of deterioration was slower in battery 5A_1, which deteriorated the fastest, compared to the comparative example. As a result, the time until the degree of deterioration of battery 5A_1 reached the failure criterion was longer compared to the comparative example, and the lifespan of battery 5A_1 was longer compared to the comparative example. As a result, in the example, the lifespan of a storage battery equipment including batteries 5A_1 to 5A_4 was longer compared to the comparative example.

[0118] In at least one of the above-described embodiments or examples, a control command related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements is generated based on deterioration information related to the deterioration of the plurality of control target elements to bring the plurality of control target elements into a state in which the variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements is suppressed.The generated control command is then input to a controlled facility including the plurality of control target elements, causing the controlled facility to perform an operation corresponding to the control command.It is possible to provide a control device, a control system, a control method, and a control program that enable a controlled facility including a plurality of control target elements to be appropriately operated while suppressing the variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements.

[0119] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1...control system, 2...controlled equipment, 3...control device, 5 (5_1 to 5_n)...controlled element, 10...processing execution unit, 15 (15_1 to 15_n)...deterioration information calculation unit, 16 (16_1 to 16_n)...control unit.

Claims

1. A control device comprising: a control unit that generates, based on deterioration information related to deterioration of a plurality of control target elements, control commands related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements to bring the plurality of control target elements into a state that suppresses variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements, and inputs the generated control commands to a controlled equipment including the plurality of control target elements, thereby causing the controlled equipment to perform an operation corresponding to the control commands.

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit generates a control command for one or more of the plurality of control target elements based on the deterioration index of each of the plurality of control target elements indicated in the deterioration information, as the control command related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements, and operates the one or more of the plurality of control target elements in accordance with the generated control command.

3. 2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit generates, for each of the plurality of control target elements, a control command corresponding to the deterioration index as the control command related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements based on a difference in deterioration index between the plurality of control target elements indicated in the deterioration information, and operates each of the plurality of control target elements in accordance with the generated control command.

4. 2. The control device of claim 1, wherein, when the deterioration information indicates the respective degrees of deterioration of a first controlled element and a second controlled element among a plurality of controlled elements, the control unit generates the control command related to the operation of the plurality of controlled elements in a state in which the load acting due to the control command is smaller on the second controlled element than on the first controlled element, based on the fact that the degree of deterioration of the second controlled element is higher than the degree of deterioration of the first controlled element.

5. The control unit includes a plurality of control units, each of which corresponds to one of the plurality of control target elements; Each of the plurality of control units generates a control command for an operation of a corresponding one of the plurality of control target elements based on the deterioration information as the control command related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements, and operates the corresponding one of the plurality of control target elements in accordance with the generated control command. The control device of claim 1.

6. 2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit generates the control command related to the operation of the plurality of controlled elements to a state that satisfies requirements indicated in an operation command for the controlled equipment input from outside, in addition to suppressing variations in deterioration among the plurality of controlled elements.

7. The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising a deterioration information calculation unit that calculates the deterioration information related to the deterioration of the plurality of control target elements based on an operation waveform detected in the control target facility.

8. The control device according to claim 7 , wherein the deterioration information calculation unit calculates the deterioration information including a deterioration index for each of the plurality of control target elements by using an operational waveform of each of the plurality of control target elements as the operational waveform.

9. The control device according to claim 7 , wherein the deterioration information calculation unit calculates the deterioration information related to the deterioration of the plurality of control target elements using a surrogate model.

10. The control device of claim 7, wherein the deterioration information calculation unit calculates a degree of deterioration for one or more of the plurality of controlled elements for each cycle while operation of the controlled equipment is repeated over multiple cycles, and calculates the deterioration information including an integrated value of the degree of deterioration for each cycle for the one or more of the plurality of controlled elements.

11. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10; the control target facility including the plurality of control target elements; A control system comprising:

12. generating a control command related to operation of the plurality of control target elements to a state in which variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements is suppressed based on deterioration information related to deterioration of the plurality of control target elements; inputting the generated control command into a controlled facility including the plurality of controlled elements, thereby causing the controlled facility to execute an operation corresponding to the control command; A control method comprising:

13. On the computer, generating control commands related to the operation of the plurality of control target elements to a state in which the variation in deterioration among the plurality of control target elements is suppressed based on deterioration information related to the deterioration of the plurality of control target elements; inputting the generated control command into a controlled facility including the plurality of controlled elements, thereby causing the controlled facility to execute an operation corresponding to the control command; Control program.

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