Adjusting power providing device and adjusting power providing method

Abstract

To provide a vehicle mounted with a storage battery as adjustment power in a supply and demand adjustment market without affecting the use of a user.SOLUTION: The adjusting capacity providing apparatus is communicably connected to a charge / discharge control apparatus that controls charging or discharging of a storage battery of a vehicle, and is communicably connected to a usage reservation apparatus that provides information on a usage reservation of each vehicle. The adjusting capacity providing device acquires the scheduled use start date and time of the vehicle from the use reservation device, determines to utilize the vehicle as adjusting capacity when the margin time Ts, which is the time from the current time of the vehicle to the scheduled use start date and time, exceeds the predetermined time Th set in advance, and determines not to utilize the vehicle as adjusting capacity when the margin time Ts is less than the predetermined time Th set in advance. The adjusting capacity providing device adjusts supply and demand by controlling charging or discharging of the storage battery of the vehicle determined to be utilized as the adjusting capacity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for providing adjustment capability in a power system, and more particularly to a technology for providing a storage battery mounted on a vehicle as adjustment capability for adjusting supply and demand in a power system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an electric power supply and demand control system configured for the purpose of stably controlling the supply and demand balance of an electric power grid using a storage battery mounted on a vehicle as a resource. The electric power supply and demand control system adjusts the supply and demand balance of an electric power grid by controlling the charging or discharging of the storage battery mounted on the vehicle. An SOC management server stores past usage records of the vehicle, estimates the amount of power consumed by the vehicle during one use based on the usage record, determines the SOC of the vehicle's storage battery based on the estimated amount of power consumption, and controls the charging or discharging of the storage battery so that the SOC of the storage battery becomes the determined SOC.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes an electric power supply and demand control system configured for the purpose of stably and appropriately controlling the balance of supply and demand in an electric power system, which is performed using storage batteries mounted on vehicles as resources. The electric power supply and demand control system monitors the SOC of the storage batteries of the vehicles, and when it detects that the SOC of the storage battery being charged exceeds a charging SOC threshold, it transmits to the waiting vehicle a command to start charging the storage battery of the waiting vehicle, which can compensate for a predicted decrease in charging power, and when it detects that the SOC of the storage battery being discharged falls below a discharging SOC threshold, it transmits to the waiting vehicle a command to start discharging the storage battery of the waiting vehicle, which can compensate for a predicted decrease in discharging power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-44847 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-6352 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described in the above patent documents, recently, there has been consideration of utilizing electric vehicles (EVs (Electric Vehicles), PHVs (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles), etc., hereinafter referred to as "EVs") equipped with storage batteries as a mediating force in the supply and demand adjustment market.

[0006] If we were to use EVs as a balancing force in the supply and demand adjustment market, we would need to meet the requirements of the supply and demand adjustment market and also consider the impact on users' use of EVs.

[0007] It should be noted that the techniques described in the above patent documents are not necessarily configured with the above requirements in mind.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide an adjustment power providing device and an adjustment power providing method that can provide vehicles equipped with storage batteries as adjustment power in a supply and demand adjustment market without affecting user use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One of the present inventions for achieving the above-mentioned object is an adjustment power providing device that provides a vehicle equipped with a storage battery as adjustment power for adjusting supply and demand in an electric power system, the adjustment power providing device being configured using an information processing device having a processor and a memory device, and being communicatively connected to a charge / discharge control device that controls the charging or discharging of the storage battery of the vehicle, and being communicatively connected to a usage reservation device that provides information regarding reservations for each of the vehicles, and obtaining the scheduled start date and time of use of the vehicle from the usage reservation device, and deciding to use the vehicle as adjustment power if a surplus time Ts, which is the time from the current time of the vehicle to the scheduled start date and time of use, exceeds a predetermined time Th, and deciding not to use the vehicle as adjustment power if the surplus time Ts is less than the predetermined time Th, and performing the supply and demand adjustment by controlling the charging or discharging of the storage battery of the vehicle that has been decided to be used as adjustment power.

[0010] Other problems and solutions disclosed in the present application will be made clear in the detailed description and drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, a vehicle equipped with a storage battery can be provided as an adjustment capacity in a supply and demand adjustment market without affecting use by users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a regulation power providing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main functions of a supply and demand adjustment server. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main functions of the utilization reservation device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating main functions of a regulation power providing device. [Figure 5A] 10 is an example of usage reservation information. [Figure 5B] 10 is an example of usage status information. [Figure 5C] 10 is an example of vehicle information. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining a method of utilizing adjustment capabilities. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an adjustment power providing process. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of supply and demand adjustment by adjustment power provision processing. [Figure 9] 1 is an example of an information processing device used in configuring a coordination power providing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the letter "S" before a reference numeral denotes a processing step.

[0014] 1 shows a schematic configuration of an adjustment power providing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the adjustment power providing system 1 includes an adjustment power providing device 100, a supply and demand adjustment server 200, a usage reservation device 300, a plurality of charging and discharging facilities 20 connected to a power grid 3, and a plurality of vehicles 30.

[0015] The adjustment power providing device 100, the supply and demand adjustment server 200, and the utilization reservation device 300 are all configured using information processing devices (computers). The adjustment power providing device 100 and the supply and demand adjustment server 200 are connected via a communication network 5 to various facilities constituting the power grid 3, charging and discharging facilities 20, and each of the plurality of vehicles 30 in a state where two-way communication is possible.

[0016] The communication network 5 is a communication infrastructure that enables wired or wireless communication, such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a wireless LAN, a power line communication network, various public communication networks, Bluetooth (registered trademark), a dedicated line, etc.

[0017] The power system 3 includes, for example, conventional power generation facilities such as thermal power generation facilities and power generation facilities that use renewable energy (such as solar power generation facilities and wind power generation facilities). The power system 3 may function as a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) or a microgrid, or may include these as part of it. The power system 3 may be operated within a limited range, such as within a specific region, a specific organization, or a specific factory site.

[0018] The supply and demand adjustment server 200 acquires the real-time supply amount of power from power generation facilities connected to the power system 3 and the real-time consumption amount of power based on the measurement values ​​of smart meters or the like installed in consumers connected to the power system 3, and adjusts supply and demand in the power system 3 (load leveling, absorbing excess supply of renewable energy, supplying necessary power during power shortages, etc.) based on the acquired supply amount and consumption amount. In addition, the supply and demand adjustment server 200 adjusts supply and demand in the power system 3 by issuing a supply and demand adjustment command in the power system 3 (for example, DR (Demand Response) (upward DR, downward DR)).

[0019] The supply and demand adjustment server 200 is operated by an operating entity such as an electricity transmission and distribution company or an aggregation coordinator (hereinafter referred to as "AC" (Aggregation Coordinator)) of a VPP. In this embodiment, as an example, the power system 3 is assumed to be a VPP, and the operating entity of the supply and demand adjustment server 200 is assumed to be an AC.

[0020] The charging / discharging equipment 20 is an electric vehicle supply equipment, and is installed, for example, in a parking space (parking space for commercial vehicles or business vehicles) in an organization such as a company or a government office. The charging / discharging equipment 20 supplies charging power from the power system 3 to a storage battery 31 mounted on the vehicle 30, and supplies discharged power from the storage battery 31 to the power system 3.

[0021] The charging / discharging facility 20 includes communication facilities for communicating with the vehicle 30, the adjustment power providing device 100, the supply and demand adjustment server 200, and the utilization reservation device 300 via the communication network 5. In response to instructions from the adjustment power providing device 100, the charging / discharging facility 20 can control the supply of charging power from the power grid 3 to the vehicle 30 and the supply of discharging power from the vehicle 30 to the power grid 3.

[0022] The vehicle 30 is a mobile object that runs using electric power stored in a storage battery 31 as an energy source, and is, for example, an EV (Electric Vehicle), a PHV (Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle), or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The vehicle 30 can be used, for example, as a V2X device (V2G (Vehicle to Grid), V2L (Vehicle to Live), or V2H (Vehicle to home)) device.

[0023] It is assumed that the vehicle 30 is a business vehicle owned by an organization such as a company, a vehicle in a car sharing service, or the like, and is managed in a state where group control and group management are possible.

[0024] The vehicle 30 is equipped with a charge / discharge control device 33 that controls charging or discharging of the storage battery 31. The storage battery 31 mounted on the vehicle 30 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery, an all-solid-state battery, a lead storage battery, or a nickel-metal hydride battery. The charge / discharge control device 33 includes, for example, a bidirectional charging unit, a circuit that monitors the state of the storage battery 31 based on measurement values ​​of various sensors (such as a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a temperature sensor), a power conversion circuit (such as a bidirectional converter), and the like.

[0025] The vehicle 30 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 32. The ECU 32 monitors the state of the storage battery 31 and controls charging and discharging of the storage battery 31. The vehicle 30 is electrically connected to the charging and discharging equipment 20 by a wired system using a cable or by a wireless power supply system when charging and discharging the storage battery 31, and is electrically connected to the power grid 3 via the charging and discharging equipment 20.

[0026] The charge / discharge control device 33 is communicably connected to the ECU 32 and controls charging or discharging of the storage battery 31 in accordance with commands from the ECU 32. The charge / discharge control device 33 also notifies the ECU 32 of information relating to the state of the storage battery 31 (such as voltage (charging voltage, discharging voltage), current (charging current, discharging current), SOC (State of charge), temperature, and internal resistance).

[0027] The vehicle 30 is equipped with a communication facility, and transmits information about the state of the storage battery 31 (charging, discharging, current SOC of the storage battery 31, etc.) acquired by the ECU 32 from the charge / discharge control device 33 to the adjustment power providing device 100 and the utilization reservation device 300 via the communication network 5 as needed. The vehicle 30 may be, for example, a connected car that can be connected to the communication network 5. The vehicle 30 may also be equipped with facilities for receiving various services provided via a telematics communication network.

[0028] Note that the vehicle 30 may be provided with all or part of the functions that the charging / discharging equipment 20 has with respect to the storage battery 31. Conversely, the charging / discharging equipment 20 may be provided with all or part of the functions that the vehicle 30 has with respect to the storage battery 31.

[0029] The usage reservation device 300 accepts a reservation for use of the vehicle 30 from a user, and performs processing related to the provision (rental) of the vehicle 30 to the user (information processing for managing usage time, settling usage fees, etc.) based on information related to the accepted usage reservation (hereinafter referred to as "usage reservation information"). The usage reservation device 300 accepts a reservation for use of the vehicle 30 from a user, for example, by communicating with an information processing device (smartphone, tablet, personal computer, etc.) operated by the user. The usage reservation device 300 provides the usage reservation information to the adjustment power providing device 100 as needed (for example, in real time) via the communication network 5.

[0030] The adjustment power providing device 100 performs group management of all vehicles 30 that can be candidates for adjustment power, and provides adjustment power (for example, tertiary adjustment power) in the supply and demand adjustment market of the power grid 3. The adjustment power providing device 100 provides, for example, the vehicle 30 (the storage battery 31) as adjustment power together with other low-voltage resources such as air conditioning and home storage batteries.

[0031] The adjustment power providing device 100 determines how to utilize the vehicle 30 as adjustment power (whether to use it as a charging resource or a discharging resource; hereinafter also referred to as the "adjustment power utilization method") based on the usage reservation information and the current SOC of the vehicle 30, and uses the vehicle 30 as adjustment power using the determined adjustment power utilization method.

[0032] The adjustment power providing device 100 manages information used in the above-described group management (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle information"). The vehicle information includes, for example, an identifier of the vehicle 30 (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle ID"), information indicating the connection status to the charging / discharging facility 20 (connected, not connected, etc.), information indicating the current state of the storage battery 31 (charging, discharging, both charging and discharging stopped, etc.), the current SOC of the storage battery 31, the electricity cost of the vehicle 30, the mileage of the vehicle 30 calculated based on the SOC of the storage battery 31 and the electricity cost of the vehicle 30, usage reservation information (usage start date and time, usage end date and time, planned mileage) acquired from the usage reservation device 300, information indicating how the vehicle 30 is utilized as adjustment power, information indicating the current utilization status of the vehicle 30 as adjustment power, etc.

[0033] <Function details> Next, the functions of the adjustment power providing device 100, the supply and demand adjusting server 200, and the utilization reservation device 300 will be described in detail.

[0034] 2 is a block diagram illustrating the main functions of the supply and demand adjustment server 200. As shown in the figure, the supply and demand adjustment server 200 has the functions of a storage unit 210, a demand result value acquisition unit 230, a reference value setting unit 235, a control amount generation unit 240, and a control information transmission unit 245.

[0035] Of the above functions, the storage unit 210 stores a demand result value 215 , a reference value 216 , a control target value 217 , and a control amount 218 .

[0036] The actual demand value 215 includes, for example, time series information (e.g., 30-minute values) of the amount of electricity supplied from various power generation facilities connected to the power grid 3, and time series information (e.g., 30-minute values) of the amount of electricity used (demand) based on measurement values ​​sent from measuring instruments such as smart meters of consumers.

[0037] The reference value 216 is a power value that is set to check the ability to follow the control amount 218, and for example, the average amount of use (demand) over a certain period of time is set as the reference value.

[0038] The control target value 217 is a target value of the power supply set for the purpose of adjusting supply and demand in the power system 3 (hereinafter referred to as the “control target value”).

[0039] The controlled variable 218 is a controlled variable of power (for example, the difference between the actual demand value (or reference value) and the control target value) set for the adjusting entity (or adjusting power) that adjusts supply and demand in the power system 3.

[0040] Of the above functions, the demand actual value acquisition unit 230 receives measurement values ​​sent via the communication network 5 from measuring instruments such as power generation facilities connected to the power grid 3 and smart meters of consumers, and manages the demand actual value 215 based on the received measurement values ​​in the memory unit 210.

[0041] The reference value setting unit 235 determines a reference value based on the demand result value 215 and manages the determined reference value as a reference value 216 in the storage unit 210 .

[0042] The control amount generating unit 240 manages, in the storage unit 210, a control amount calculated from the difference between the demand result value (or reference value) and the control target value as the control amount 218, for example.

[0043] The control information transmission unit 245 transmits the demand result value, the control amount, and the control target value (hereinafter collectively referred to as "control information") to the adjustment power providing device 100 via the communication network 5 as needed (for example, every 30 minutes).

[0044] 3 is a block diagram illustrating the main functions of the usage reservation device 300. As shown in the figure, the usage reservation device 300 has the functions of a storage unit 310, a usage reservation reception unit 330, a usage status management unit 335, and an information transmission unit 340.

[0045] Of the above functions, the storage unit 310 stores usage reservation information 311 and usage status information 312.

[0046] Among these, the use reservation information 311 includes information relating to the reservation of use of each vehicle 30 (including information indicating the vehicle 30 to be reserved, the scheduled start date and time of use, the scheduled end date and time of use, etc.).

[0047] In addition, the usage status information 312 includes information indicating the current status of each vehicle 30 (in use (rented), charging, discharging, connected to charging / discharging equipment 20 but not charging or discharging, etc.) (hereinafter referred to as "usage status information").

[0048] Of the above functions, the use reservation receiving unit 330 receives a reservation for use of the vehicle 30 from a user, and manages information relating to the received use reservation (use reservation information) as use reservation information 311 in the storage unit 310 .

[0049] The usage status management unit 335 acquires usage status information by communicating with the vehicle 30 and the charging / discharging facility 20 , and manages the acquired usage status information in the storage unit 310 as usage status information 312 .

[0050] The information transmitting unit 340 transmits the use reservation information 311 and the use status information 312 to the adjustment power providing device 100 via the communication network 5 as needed (for example, in real time).

[0051] 4 is a block diagram illustrating the main functions of the adjustment capability providing device 100. As shown in the figure, the adjustment capability providing device 100 has the following functions: a storage unit 110, a usage reservation information receiving unit 120, a vehicle information management unit 125, a adjustment capability utilization method determining unit 130, a control information receiving unit 135, and an adjustment capability providing unit 140.

[0052] Of the above functions, the storage unit 110 stores vehicle information 101 and control information 111 (demand result value 112, control target value 113, and control amount 114).

[0053] The vehicle information 101 includes vehicle information managed by the vehicle information management unit 125 .

[0054] The demand result value 112 , the control target value 113 , and the control amount 114 are information that the control information receiving unit 135 receives from the supply and demand adjustment server 200 .

[0055] Of the above functions, the use reservation information receiving unit 120 receives use reservation information from the use reservation device 300 and reflects the received use reservation information in the vehicle information 101 .

[0056] The vehicle information management unit 125 manages the vehicle information as vehicle information 101 in the storage unit 110. The vehicle information management unit 125 updates the vehicle information 101 to the latest state based on information sent from the charging / discharging equipment 20, the vehicle 30, and the use reservation device 300 as needed. The vehicle information 101 will be described in detail later.

[0057] The control capability utilization method determination unit 130 determines a control capability utilization method for each vehicle 30 and manages the determined control capability utilization method in the vehicle information 101.

[0058] The control information receiving unit 135 receives control information (actual demand value, control target value, and control amount) from the supply and demand adjustment server 200, and manages the contents of the received control information in the memory unit 110 as actual demand value 112, control target value 113, and control amount 114.

[0059] The adjustment capability providing unit 140 refers to the vehicle information 101 to select a vehicle 30 to be used for providing an adjustment capability corresponding to the control amount 114 , and manages information indicating the selected vehicle 30 in the vehicle information 101 .

[0060] The adjustment power providing unit 140 uses the selected vehicle 30 to provide adjustment power for adjusting supply and demand in the power grid 3. Specifically, the adjustment power providing unit 140 provides adjustment power by charging or discharging the storage battery 31 of the selected vehicle 30, or by controlling the charge or discharge amount of the storage battery 31.

[0061] The above-described allocation of each function to the adjustment power providing device 100, the supply and demand adjustment server 200, and the use reservation device 300 is merely an example. For example, the adjustment power providing device 100 may be provided with all or part of the functions of the use reservation device 300. Conversely, the use reservation device 300 may be provided with all or part of the functions of the adjustment power providing device 100. Furthermore, for example, the adjustment power providing device 100 may be provided with all or part of the functions of the supply and demand adjustment server 200.

[0062] <Example data> 5A shows an example of usage reservation information 311 stored in the storage unit 310 by the usage reservation device 300. As shown in the figure, the illustrated usage reservation information 311 is made up of one or more records including items such as a vehicle ID 3111, a user ID 3112, and reservation details 3113. One record in the usage reservation information 311 corresponds to one usage reservation.

[0063] Of the above items, the vehicle ID 3111 stores the vehicle ID.

[0064] In the user ID 3112, an identifier of a user (prospective user) of the vehicle 30 (hereinafter referred to as "user ID") is stored.

[0065] The reservation details 3113 stores the scheduled start date and time of use of the vehicle 30, the scheduled end date and time of use, and the scheduled driving distance.

[0066] 5B is an example of usage status information 312 stored in storage unit 310 by usage reservation device 300. As shown in the figure, the illustrated usage status information 312 is made up of one or more records including items such as vehicle ID 3121, user ID 3122, status 3123, connected charging / discharging equipment ID 3124, and usage status 3125. One record of usage status information 312 corresponds to one vehicle 30.

[0067] Of the above items, the vehicle ID 3121 stores the vehicle ID.

[0068] The user ID 3122 stores the user ID of the user of the vehicle 30.

[0069] The status 3123 stores information indicating the status of the vehicle 30 (charging, discharging, connected but not charging or discharging, not connected to charging or discharging equipment, etc.).

[0070] When the vehicle 30 is connected to the charging / discharging facility 20, the identifier of the charging / discharging facility 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "charging / discharging facility ID") is stored in the connected charging / discharging facility ID 3124.

[0071] The usage status 3125 stores the usage start date and time and usage end date and time when the vehicle 30 is currently in use.

[0072] 5C is an example of vehicle information 101 that the regulation power providing device 100 stores in the storage unit 110. As shown in the figure, the illustrated vehicle information 101 is made up of one or more records including items such as a vehicle ID 1011, a status 1012, a connected charging / discharging equipment ID 1013, a current SOC 1014, an electricity cost 1015, a possible driving distance 1016, a reservation content 1017, a regulation power utilization method 1018, and a regulation power utilization status 1019. One record of the vehicle information 101 corresponds to one vehicle 30.

[0073] Of the above items, the vehicle ID 1011 stores the vehicle ID.

[0074] The status 1012 stores information indicating the current status of the vehicle 30 (charging, discharging, no charging or discharging, not connected to charging or discharging equipment, etc.).

[0075] The connected charging / discharging facility ID 1013 stores the charging / discharging facility ID of the charging / discharging facility 20 to which the vehicle 30 is currently connected.

[0076] The current SOC of the storage battery 31 of the vehicle 30 is stored in the current SOC 1014.

[0077] The electricity cost of the vehicle 30 is set in the electricity cost 1015. A known value may be set in advance as the electricity cost, or the adjustment capability providing device 100 may communicate with the vehicle 30 to acquire the electricity cost.

[0078] The current driving range of the vehicle 30 is stored in the driving range 1016, which is calculated by multiplying the current SOC 1014 by the electricity cost 1015.

[0079] The reservation details 1017 stores the reservation details of the vehicle 30 (start date and time of use, scheduled end date and time of use, scheduled distance traveled).

[0080] The regulation capability utilization method 1018 stores the regulation capability utilization method (charge, charge or discharge, etc.) determined by the regulation capability utilization method determination unit 130 for the vehicle 30 (the storage battery 31 thereof).

[0081] The adjustment capacity utilization status 1019 stores information indicating whether or not the vehicle 30 is currently being utilized as an adjustment capacity (in use, on standby).

[0082] <Processing example> Next, the processing performed in the adjustment power providing system 1 will be described.

[0083] 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing (hereinafter referred to as "adjustment capability utilization method determination processing S600") that the adjustment capability utilization method determination unit 130 of the adjustment capability providing device 100 performs when determining how to utilize the adjustment capability of each vehicle 30 registered in the vehicle information 101. The adjustment capability utilization method determination unit 130 repeatedly executes the adjustment capability utilization method determination processing S600 each time a predetermined timing arrives (for example, when new usage reservation information is acquired, when new vehicle information is received, when a predetermined time has elapsed, in real time, etc.). The adjustment capability utilization method determination processing S600 will be described below with reference to the same figure.

[0084] First, the adjustment power utilization method determination unit 130 generates or updates the vehicle information 101 based on the latest usage reservation information received from the usage reservation device 300 and the latest information about the storage battery 31 received from the charging / discharging equipment 20 or the vehicle 30 (S611).

[0085] Next, the adjustment capability utilization method determination unit 130 sequentially selects the vehicles 30 registered in the vehicle information 101 one by one, and performs the following loop processing (S612s to S612e).

[0086] First, the adjustment power utilization method determination unit 130 determines whether the selected vehicle 30 is currently in use (whether "In Use" is set in the status 1012 of the vehicle information 101) (S613). If it is in use (S613: Yes), the selection of the vehicle 30 is terminated, and the next vehicle 30 is selected and loop processing is performed. In the example of the vehicle information 101 in FIG. 5C, this case applies to vehicles 30 whose vehicle ID 1011 is "EV03" or "EV06." On the other hand, if the selected vehicle 30 is not currently in use (S613: No), the processing proceeds to S614.

[0087] Next, the adjustment capability utilization method determination unit 130 determines whether the selected vehicle 30 is currently reserved (whether the reservation content 1017 of the vehicle information 101 is set) (S614). If the selected vehicle 30 is reserved (S614: Yes), the process proceeds to S615, and if the selected vehicle 30 is not reserved (S614: No), the process proceeds to S617.

[0088] In S615, the adjustment power utilization method determination unit 130 determines whether the time from the present to the utilization start date and time of the selected vehicle 30 (hereinafter referred to as "margin time Ts") is less than a predetermined time Th set in advance.

[0089] If the slack time Ts is less than the predetermined time Th (S615: Yes), the adjustment power utilization method determination unit 130 stores "not applicable", meaning that the slack time Ts will not be utilized as adjustment power, in the adjustment power utilization method 1018 of the vehicle information 101 (S616). For example, if the current date and time is "7 / 25 09:40" and the predetermined time Th is 30 minutes, then in the example of the vehicle information 101 in Fig. 5C, the vehicle 30 with the vehicle ID 1011 of "EV01" corresponds to this case.

[0090] On the other hand, if the margin time Ts is equal to or greater than the predetermined time Th (S615: No), the process proceeds to S617.

[0091] In S617, the adjustment power utilization method determination unit 130 determines whether the current SOC (current SOC 1014 of the vehicle information 101) of the storage battery 31 of the vehicle 30 is less than the SOC (value obtained by multiplying the planned traveling distance by the electricity cost 1015 of the vehicle information 101; hereinafter referred to as "required traveling SOC") required when the vehicle 30 travels the planned traveling distance (planned traveling distance in the reservation details 1017 of the vehicle information 101). Note that the required traveling SOC may be estimated to be larger than the value obtained by the above multiplication, for example, to be on the safe side.

[0092] If the current SOC is less than the required SOC for traveling (S617: Yes), the regulation power utilization method determination unit 130 stores "charging", which means utilizing the available regulation power for charging, in the regulation power utilization method 1018 of the vehicle information 101 (S618). For example, if the current date and time is "7 / 25 09:40" and the predetermined time Th is 30 minutes, in the example of the vehicle information 101 in FIG. 5C, this case applies to the vehicle 30 with the vehicle ID 1011 of "EV04", whose current SOC (= 20 (kWh)) is less than the required SOC for traveling (= planned traveling distance 200 (km) / electricity consumption 5 (km / kWh)) = 40 (kWh)).

[0093] On the other hand, if the current SOC is equal to or greater than the required SOC for traveling (S617: No), the regulation power utilization method determination unit 130 stores "charge or discharge," which means utilizing the regulation power as available for charging or discharging, in the regulation power utilization method 1018 of the vehicle information 101 (S619). For example, in the example of the vehicle information 101 in FIG. 5C , this case applies to the vehicle 30 with the vehicle ID 1011 of "EV02" whose current SOC (= 80 (kWh)) is equal to or greater than the required SOC for traveling (= planned traveling distance 50 (km) / electricity cost 5 (km / kWh)) = 10 (kWh)), or the vehicle 30 with the vehicle ID 1011 of "EV05" whose current SOC (= 60 (kWh)) is equal to or greater than the required SOC for traveling (= planned traveling distance 50 (km) / electricity cost 5 (km / kWh)) = 10 (kWh)).

[0094] After the loop processing steps S612s to S612e is completed, the processing returns to S611.

[0095] 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing (hereinafter referred to as "adjustment capacity provision processing S700") that the adjustment capacity providing unit 140 of the adjustment capacity providing device 100 performs based on control information sent from the supply and demand adjustment server 200. Below, the adjustment capacity provision processing S700 will be explained with reference to the same figure.

[0096] First, the adjustment capability providing unit 140 receives control information (demand result value, control amount, and control target value) from the supply and demand adjustment server 200 (S711).

[0097] Next, the adjustment power providing unit 140 determines whether the current demand actual value is greater than the control target value. If the demand actual value is greater than the control target value (S712: Yes), the adjustment power providing unit 140 selects, as adjustment power, the vehicle 30 for which "charge or discharge" is stored in the adjustment power utilization method 1018 of the vehicle information 101 (sets the adjustment power utilization status 1019 of the selected vehicle 30 to "in use"), and increases the discharge amount of the selected vehicle 30 (including starting discharge) (S713). Then, the process returns to S711.

[0098] On the other hand, if the actual demand value is equal to or less than the control target value (S712: No), the adjustment power providing unit 140 selects as adjustment power the vehicle 30 for which "charge" or "charge or discharge" is stored in the adjustment power utilization method 1018 of the vehicle information 101 (sets "in use" in the adjustment power utilization status 1019 of the selected vehicle 30), and increases the amount of charge (including starting charging) of the storage battery 31 of the vehicle 30 for which "charge" is stored, or decreases the amount of discharge (including stopping discharging) of the vehicle 30 for which "charge or discharge" is stored (S714). Then, the process returns to S711.

[0099] Furthermore, the method of using the storage battery 31 of the vehicle 30 that has been decided to be used as adjustment power (the manner of charging or discharging) as adjustment power is not limited to the method described above, and other methods may be used as long as they do not affect the user's use of the vehicle 30.

[0100] Furthermore, in the above adjustment capacity provision process S700, if there are multiple vehicles 30 that have been decided to be used as adjustment capacity, the adjustment capacity provision unit 140 may, for example, select a predetermined number of them and use them as adjustment capacity.

[0101] Furthermore, when there are multiple vehicles 30 that have been determined to be used as adjustment power, the adjustment power providing unit 140 may select a predetermined number of vehicles 30 according to priorities set for each of the vehicles 30 (for example, priorities set so that vehicles with low urgency of use or low need by users are given priority). By doing so, for example, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the use of the vehicles 30 by users will be affected. Note that the above priorities are set by managers or users of the vehicles 30, for example, via a user interface provided as a component of the adjustment power providing system 1.

[0102] Furthermore, for example, the adjustment capacity providing unit 140 may select the required number of vehicles 30 in stages according to the difference between the actual demand value and the control target value, and use the selected number as adjustment capacity. In this case, the vehicles 30 may also be selected according to the above-mentioned priority.

[0103] 8 shows an example of supply and demand adjustment in the power grid 3 when adjustment capacity is provided in accordance with the adjustment capacity provision process S700 (when demand is reduced from a reference value to a control target value). Note that the horizontal axis of the graph represents time, and the vertical axis represents power (demand (kW)).

[0104] <Technical effects, etc.> As explained above, the adjustment power providing device 100 decides to utilize the vehicle 30 as adjustment power when the margin time Ts, which is the time from the current time of the vehicle 30 to the scheduled start date and time of use, exceeds a predetermined time Th that has been set in advance, and decides not to utilize the vehicle 30 as adjustment power (excludes the vehicle 30) when the margin time Ts is less than the predetermined time Th. Then, the adjustment power providing device 100 selects the vehicle 30 that has been decided to be utilized as adjustment power, and uses it as adjustment power of the power grid 3.

[0105] This prevents, for example, the vehicle 30 from being used as a control power when there is insufficient time (slack time Ts) before the user uses the vehicle 30, which would affect the user's use of the vehicle 30.

[0106] Furthermore, it is possible to prevent an impact on the provision of adjustment power, for example, when a user starts using vehicle 30 while vehicle 30 is being used as adjustment power. Therefore, vehicle 30 can be provided as adjustment power in the supply and demand adjustment market without affecting the use of vehicle 30 by the user.

[0107] Furthermore, if the slack time Ts is equal to or greater than the predetermined time Th and the current SOC of the vehicle 30 is less than the planned driving distance, the adjustment power providing device 100 decides to utilize the vehicle 30 as an adjustment power that can be charged, and provides adjustment power for adjusting supply and demand to the power grid by charging the storage battery 31. This makes it possible to prevent the storage battery 31 from being discharged when the current SOC of the vehicle 30 is insufficient for the planned driving distance, which would affect the user's use of the vehicle 30, and makes it possible to provide the vehicle 30 as adjustment power in the supply and demand adjustment market without affecting the user's use of the vehicle 30.

[0108] Furthermore, when the slack time Ts is equal to or greater than the predetermined time Th and the current SOC of the vehicle 30 is greater than the planned traveling distance, the adjustment power providing device 100 determines to provide adjustment power for the vehicle 30 that can charge or discharge, and provides adjustment power for adjusting supply and demand to the power grid by charging or discharging the storage battery 31. In this way, when the current SOC of the vehicle 30 is sufficient for the planned traveling distance, the vehicle 30 can be provided as adjustment power that can both charge and discharge.

[0109] Furthermore, when there are multiple vehicles 30 that have been determined to be used as adjustment power, the adjustment power providing device 100 selects a predetermined number of vehicles 30 that have been set in advance, and adjusts supply and demand by controlling the charging or discharging of the storage batteries 31 of the selected vehicles 30. By adjusting supply and demand using the selected predetermined number of vehicles 30 in this manner, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the use of the vehicles 30 by users will be affected.

[0110] Furthermore, when there are multiple vehicles 30 that have been determined to be used as adjustment power, the adjustment power providing device 100 selects a predetermined number of vehicles 30 according to the priority set for each of the vehicles 30, and adjusts supply and demand by controlling the charging or discharging of the storage batteries 31 of the selected vehicles 30. By adjusting supply and demand using a predetermined number of vehicles 30 selected according to the priority in this way, it is possible to reduce the possibility of affecting users' use of the vehicles 30 while taking into consideration the needs of users for the vehicles 30, etc.

[0111] <Example of information processing device> FIG. 9 shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device used to realize the adjustment power providing device 100, the supply and demand adjusting server 200, the utilization reservation device 300, and the charging and discharging facility 20, which are components of the adjustment power providing system 1.

[0112] The illustrated information processing device 10 includes a processor 11, a main memory device 12, an auxiliary memory device 13, an input device 14, an output device 15, and a communication device 16. Specific examples of the information processing device 10 include personal computers, office computers, various server devices, general-purpose machines, etc. All or part of the information processing device 10 may be realized using virtual information processing resources provided using virtualization technology, such as a virtual server provided by a cloud system. The components of the coordination power providing system 1 may be realized using multiple information processing devices 10 that are communicatively connected.

[0113] In the same figure, the processor 11 is configured using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an AI (Artificial Intelligence) chip, etc.

[0114] The main memory device 12 is a device that stores programs and data, and is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a non-volatile memory (NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM)).

[0115] The auxiliary storage device 13 is, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk drive, an optical storage device (CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.), a storage system, a reading / writing device for a recording medium such as an IC card, an SD card, or an optical recording medium, a storage area of ​​a cloud server, etc. Programs and data can be read into the auxiliary storage device 13 via a recording medium reading device or a communication device 16. The programs and data stored (memorized) in the auxiliary storage device 13 are read into the main storage device 12 as needed.

[0116] The input device 14 is an interface that accepts input from the outside, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a card reader, a pen-input tablet, a voice input device, or the like.

[0117] The output device 15 is an interface that outputs various information such as the progress of processing and the results of processing. The output device 15 is, for example, a display device (LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), graphic card, etc.) that visualizes the various information, a device that converts the various information into audio (audio output device (speaker, etc.)), or a device that converts the various information into text (printer, etc.). Note that, for example, the information processing device 10 may be configured to input and output information to and from other devices via the communication device 16.

[0118] The input device 14 and the output device 15 constitute a user interface that receives and presents information to and from the user.

[0119] The communication device 16 is a device that realizes communication (wired communication or wireless communication) with other devices via a communication infrastructure such as a communication network 5, and is configured using, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card), a wireless communication module, a USB module, etc.

[0120] The information processing device 10 may be equipped with, for example, an operating system, a file system, a DBMS (DataBase Management System) (relational database, NoSQL, etc.), a KVS (Key-Value Store), etc.

[0121] The functions of the components of the adjustment power providing system 1 are realized by the processor 11 of the information processing device 10 reading and executing a program stored in the main memory device 12, or by the functions of the hardware (FPGA, ASIC, AI chip, etc.) that constitutes the supply and demand adjustment server 200 and the adjustment power providing device 100. The components of the adjustment power providing system 1 store the various pieces of information (data) described above, for example, as tables in a database or files managed by a file system.

[0122] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the above description is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. For example, the above embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace some of the configurations of the above embodiments with other configurations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1. Adjustment power provision system 3 Power system 5. Communication Network 10. Information processing equipment 20 Charging and discharging equipment 30 vehicles 31 Storage battery 100 Adjustment force providing device 110 Storage section 101 Vehicle Information 111 Control Information 112 Actual demand 113 Control target value 114 Control Amount 120 Reservation information receiving unit 125 Vehicle Information Management Department 130 Adjustment Power Utilization Method Decision Department 135 Control information receiver 140 Adjustment force providing section 200 Supply and Demand Adjustment Server 230 Demand Actual Value Acquisition Unit 240 Control amount generation unit 245 Control information transmission unit 300 Reservation device 311 Reservation Information 312 Usage Information 330 Reservation Reception 335 Usage Management Department 340 Information Transmission Department S600 Adjustment power utilization method decision process S700 Adjustment power provision processing

Claims

1. An adjustment power providing device that provides a vehicle equipped with a storage battery as adjustment power for supply and demand adjustment in a power system, The information processing device includes a processor and a storage device, a charge / discharge control device that controls charging or discharging of the storage battery of the vehicle, a communication connection with a reservation device that provides information regarding reservations for each of the vehicles; acquires a scheduled start date and time for use of the vehicle from the use reservation device; If a margin time Ts, which is the time from the current time of the vehicle to the scheduled start date and time of use, exceeds a predetermined time Th, it is determined that the vehicle will be used as a control power, If the margin time Ts is less than a predetermined time Th, it is determined that the vehicle will not be used as a control power; The supply and demand adjustment is performed by controlling charging or discharging of the storage battery of the vehicle that has been determined to be utilized as an adjustment capacity. Adjustment force providing device.

2. The adjustment power providing device according to claim 1, Further, a planned travel distance of the vehicle is acquired from the reservation device; acquiring a current SOC (State Of Charge) of the storage battery of the vehicle from the charge / discharge control device; When the surplus time Ts is equal to or greater than the predetermined time Th and the current SOC of the storage battery is less than a required SOC for traveling, which is an SOC required when the vehicle travels the planned traveling distance, it is determined that the vehicle is to be used as an adjustment capacity capable of being charged, and the supply and demand adjustment is performed by charging the storage battery of the vehicle. Adjustment force providing device.

3. The adjustment power providing device according to claim 1, Further, a planned travel distance of the vehicle is acquired from the reservation device; acquiring a current SOC (State Of Charge) of the storage battery of the vehicle from the charge / discharge control device; When the surplus time Ts is equal to or greater than the predetermined time Th and the current SOC of the storage battery is greater than a required SOC for traveling, which is an SOC required when the vehicle travels the planned traveling distance, it is determined that the vehicle is to be used as an adjustment capacity capable of charging or discharging, and the supply and demand adjustment is performed by charging the storage battery of the vehicle. Adjustment force providing device.

4. The adjustment power providing device according to claim 1, When there are a plurality of vehicles that have been determined to be utilized as adjustment capacity, a predetermined number of the vehicles are selected, and the supply and demand adjustment is performed by controlling the charging or discharging of the storage batteries of the selected vehicles. Adjustment force providing device.

5. The adjustment power providing device according to claim 4, selecting the predetermined number of vehicles in accordance with a priority set for each of the vehicles, and controlling charging or discharging of the storage batteries of the selected vehicles to adjust the supply and demand; Adjustment force providing device.

6. The information processing device includes a processor and a storage device, Vehicles equipped with storage batteries will be used to adjust supply and demand in the power grid, a charge / discharge control device that controls charging or discharging of the storage battery of the vehicle, Communicatively connect to a reservation device that provides information regarding reservations for each of the vehicles; The adjustment power providing device acquiring a scheduled start date and time of use of the vehicle from the use reservation device; a step of determining to utilize the vehicle as a control power when a margin time Ts, which is a time from the current time of the vehicle to the scheduled start date and time of use, exceeds a predetermined time Th; determining not to utilize the vehicle as a control power when the margin time Ts is less than a predetermined time Th; and adjusting supply and demand by controlling charging or discharging of the storage battery of the vehicle determined to be utilized as adjustment capacity; Implementing a method for providing adjustable power.

7. The method for providing adjustment power according to claim 6, The adjustment force providing device is further acquiring a planned travel distance of the vehicle from the utilization reservation device; acquiring a current SOC (State Of Charge) of the storage battery of the vehicle from the charge / discharge control device; and a step of determining that the vehicle is to be used as an adjustment capacity capable of being charged, and adjusting supply and demand by charging the storage battery of the vehicle, when the surplus time Ts is equal to or longer than the predetermined time Th and the current SOC of the storage battery is less than a required SOC for traveling, which is an SOC required when the vehicle travels the planned traveling distance; The method for providing adjustment power further executes the above.

8. The method for providing adjustment power according to claim 6, The adjustment force providing device is further acquiring a planned travel distance of the vehicle from the utilization reservation device; acquiring a current SOC (State Of Charge) of the storage battery of the vehicle from the charge / discharge control device; and a step of determining that the vehicle is to be used as an adjusting capacity capable of charging or discharging, and adjusting supply and demand by charging the storage battery of the vehicle, when the surplus time Ts is equal to or longer than the predetermined time Th and the current SOC of the storage battery is greater than a required SOC for traveling, which is an SOC required when the vehicle travels the planned traveling distance; The method for providing adjustment power further executes the above.

9. The method for providing adjustment power according to claim 6, a step in which, when there are a plurality of the vehicles that the adjustment power providing device has determined to be utilized as adjustment power, the adjustment power providing device selects a predetermined number of the vehicles that have been set in advance, and adjusts the supply and demand by controlling charging or discharging of the storage batteries of the selected vehicles; The method for providing adjustment power further executes the above.

10. The method for providing adjustment power according to claim 9, a step in which the adjustment power providing device selects the predetermined number of vehicles in accordance with priorities set for each of the vehicles, and adjusts supply and demand by controlling charging or discharging of the storage batteries of the selected vehicles; The method for providing adjustment power further executes the above.

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