Control device and control method

Abstract

Improve technology to balance electricity supply and demand across multiple regions. [Solution] The control device 20 compares the total power supply amount supplied to the first region from the first region's grid 30 with the total predicted power consumption amount, which is the predicted power consumption amount for the entire first region including the predicted power supply amount to the power storage unit 10, calculated based on the charging plan for the power storage unit 10, calculates a first adjustment amount, which is the difference when the total power supply amount exceeds the predicted total power consumption amount, determines a second region to which the amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated first adjustment amount will be sent, and has a control unit 23 that causes the first region's grid to preferentially procure the amount of power corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount from power generation equipment that uses natural energy power generation, and transmits the procured amount of power to the second region's grid.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for adjusting the balance of supply and demand of electricity among multiple regions. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for adjusting the balance of supply and demand of electricity among multiple regions by encouraging people to move EVs (electricity storage units) to regions where there is sufficient power generation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-175405 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, simply encouraging people to move their storage batteries makes it difficult to effectively supply electricity to storage batteries in areas with excess power, as some people find it inconvenient to move. Therefore, there was room for improvement in the technology for adjusting the balance of power supply and demand between multiple regions.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the technology for adjusting the balance between supply and demand of electricity among multiple regions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that acquires a total power supply amount measured by a power sensor and supplied to a first region from a grid in the first region, compares the total power supply amount with a total predicted power consumption amount, which is a predicted power consumption amount for the entire first region including a predicted power supply amount to a power storage device present in the first region, calculated based on a charging plan for the power storage device present in the first region, calculates a first adjustment amount, which is the difference when the total power supply amount exceeds the predicted total power consumption amount, determines a second region to which an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated first adjustment amount will be sent, causes the grid in the first region to preferentially procure an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount from power generation equipment that uses natural energy power generation, and causes the grid in the first region to transmit the procured amount of power to the grid in the second region.

[0007] A control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that compares a total amount of power supply supplied to a first region from a grid in the first region with a total predicted power consumption amount, which is a predicted amount of power consumption for the entire first region, including a predicted amount of power supply to a power storage device present in the first region, calculated based on a charging plan for the power storage device, calculates a first adjustment amount, which is the difference when the total power supply amount exceeds the predicted total power consumption amount, determines a second region to which an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated first adjustment amount will be transmitted, causes the grid in the first region to preferentially procure an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount from a power generation facility that uses natural energy power generation, and transmits the procured amount of power to the grid in the second region.

[0008] A control method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes, by a control device, comparing a total amount of power supply supplied to a first area from a grid in the first area with a total predicted power consumption amount, which is a predicted power consumption amount for the entire first area including a predicted amount of power supply to a power storage device located in the first area, calculated based on a charging plan for the power storage device; calculating a first adjustment amount, which is the difference when the total power supply amount exceeds the predicted total power consumption amount; determining a second area to which an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated first adjustment amount is to be transmitted; causing the grid in the first area to preferentially procure an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount from a power generation facility that uses natural energy power generation; and causing the grid in the first area to transmit the procured amount of power to the grid in the second area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a technique for adjusting the balance of power supply and demand among multiple regions is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating adjustment of the balance of power supply and demand in multiple regions. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Outline of the embodiment) An overview of a system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The system 1 includes a power storage unit 10, a control device 20, and a grid 30. The grid 30 includes a server 40. The power storage unit 10, the control device 20, and the server 40 are communicatively connected via a communication network 2. The power storage unit 10 and a power generation facility 31 are interconnected by a power transmission line 3 via a power transmission and distribution facility 32. In the present disclosure, area A is also referred to as a first area A.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the adjustment of the balance between supply and demand of electricity in a plurality of regions. As shown in Fig. 2, a power system 30 including a power storage unit 10, a control device 20, and a server 40 is provided in a first region A and regions B, C, and D, respectively. The control device 20 in the first region A is communicatively connected to control devices 20b, 20c, and 20d in regions B, C, and D via a communication network 2. Furthermore, the power system 30 in the first region A and the power systems 30b, 30c, and 30d in regions B, C, and D are interconnected by a transmission line 3 (interconnection line).

[0013] The power storage unit 10 is assumed to be, but is not limited to, a storage battery installed in a rechargeable vehicle such as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or in a home, business, public facility, or the like.

[0014] The control device 20 is a computer owned by an aggregator on the grid side that controls the balance of supply and demand of electricity. The aggregator is a business that acts as an intermediary between electricity consumers and the grid 30 operated by an electric power company (power generation business operator / grid operator) to adjust the balance of supply and demand of electricity.

[0015] The grid 30 refers to the entire facility operated by an electric power company (power generation business operator, grid operator) that handles everything from the production to the supply of electricity, including power generation facilities 31 and power transmission and distribution facilities 32, for supplying electricity to the consumer's power storage units 10. Furthermore, the grid 30 has a server 40 that operates the grid 30.

[0016] The server 40 is a computer owned by an electric power company (power generation company / system operator) for operating the system 30.

[0017] First, an overview of this embodiment will be described, and details will be described later. The control device 20 compares the total amount of power supply supplied to the first area from the grid 30 in the first area with the total predicted power consumption, which is the predicted amount of power consumption for the entire first area, including the predicted amount of power supply to the power storage units 10, calculated based on a charging plan for the power storage units 10 present in the first area, calculates a first adjustment amount, which is the difference when the total amount of power supply exceeds the predicted total power consumption, determines a second area to which an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated first adjustment amount is to be transmitted, causes the grid in the first area to preferentially procure an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount from the power generation facility 312 that uses natural energy power generation, and transmits the procured amount of power to the grid in the second area.

[0018] As described above, according to the present embodiment, power loss is reduced because surplus power can be transferred between multiple regions based on the charging plan for the power storage unit 10. Therefore, the technology for adjusting the balance between power supply and demand among multiple regions is improved in that the generated power can be consumed optimally without waste.

[0019] Next, each component of the system 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0020] (Configuration of the electricity storage unit) The power storage unit 10 includes a communication unit 11, a power storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0021] The communication unit 11 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the communication network 2. The communication interfaces are compatible with, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) standard or a wireless LAN standard, but are not limited to these. In this embodiment, the power storage unit 10 communicates with the control device 20 via the communication unit 11 and the communication network 2.

[0022] The power storage unit 12 may be, for example, a storage battery mounted on a rechargeable vehicle such as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) or a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or a storage battery located in a home, business, public facility, etc., but is not limited to these.

[0023] The control unit 13 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The control unit 13 controls the overall operation of the power storage unit 10.

[0024] (Control device configuration) As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit .

[0025] The communication unit 21 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the communication network 2. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a wired LAN standard or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the control device 20 communicates with the power storage unit 10 and a server 40 provided in the grid 30 via the communication unit 21 and the communication network 2. As shown in FIG. 2 , the control device 20 communicates with control devices 20b, 20c, and 20d in areas B, C, and D via the communication unit 21 and the communication network 2.

[0026] The storage unit 22 includes one or more memories. The memories may be, but are not limited to, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories. The storage unit 22 may store any information used in the operation of the control device 20, such as system programs, application programs, embedded software, and the total amount of power supply Ps supplied from the grid 30 to the first area A.

[0027] The control unit 23 includes at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The control unit 23 executes information processing related to the operation of the control device 20.

[0028] (System configuration) 1, the system 30 includes a power generation facility 31 and a power transmission and distribution facility 32. The system 30 includes a server 40 that operates the system 30 (the power generation facility 31 and the power transmission and distribution facility 32).

[0029] The power generation facilities 31 are classified into power generation facilities 311 that use fossil fuels and power generation facilities 312 that use natural energy. The power generation facilities 311 that use fossil fuels are power generation facilities (power plants) that generate thermal power (brown power generation) using fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. The power generation facilities 312 that use natural energy are power generation facilities that generate green power using solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, wave power, tidal power, or the like.

[0030] The power transmission and distribution equipment 32 is power equipment such as the power transmission line 3, a substation, and a power distribution line. The power transmission and distribution equipment 32 supplies electricity generated by the power generation equipment 31 to the power storage unit 10. The power transmission and distribution equipment 32 is connected to power transmission and distribution equipment of other regional systems via a power transmission line, and exchanges power.

[0031] The power transmission and distribution facility 32 includes a power sensor 32A, which is a watt-hour meter that measures the total amount of power supplied to the first area A from the grid 30 of the first area A. If there are multiple power transmission and distribution facilities 32 (e.g., substations) that supply power to the first area A from the grid 30 of the first area A, a power sensor 32A may be installed for each substation. The server 40 acquires the total amount of power supply measured by the power sensor 32A and transmits it to the control device 20.

[0032] The server 40 includes a communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a control unit 43.

[0033] The communication unit 41 includes one or more communication interfaces connected to the communication network 2. The communication interface corresponds to, for example, a wired LAN standard or a wireless LAN standard, but is not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, the server 40 communicates with the control device 20 via the communication unit 41 and the communication network 2. The server 40 may also communicate with servers in areas B, C, and D (denoted as 40b, 40c, and 40d in FIG. 2 ) via the communication unit 41 and the communication network 2.

[0034] The control unit 43 is configured by at least one processor, at least one dedicated circuit, or a combination of these. The server 40 executes information processing related to the operation of the server 40.

[0035] (Operation flow of terminal device) 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device 20. The operation of the control device 20 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0036] S101: The control unit 23 acquires from the server 40 the total amount of power supply Ps supplied to the first area A from the grid 30 of the first area A, which is measured by the power sensor 32A.

[0037] The power sensor 32A is a watt-hour meter installed in the power transmission and distribution facility 32 (for example, a substation). The power sensor 32A measures a total power supply amount Ps (kWh) per hour by integrating the amount of power supplied to the first area A from the grid 30 for each hour. The server 40 acquires the total power supply amount Ps measured by the power sensor 32A. If there are multiple substations in the grid 30, the server 40 may use the total value of the power supply amount per hour acquired from the power sensors 32A of the substations as the total power supply amount Ps (kWh). The server 40 transmits the acquired total power supply amount Ps to the control device 20.

[0038] S102: The control unit 23 calculates the total estimated power consumption Pc, which is the estimated power consumption for the entire first area A, including the estimated power supply to the power storage units 10, calculated based on the charging plan for the power storage units 10 located in the first area A.

[0039] In other words, the total predicted power consumption Pc is the sum of (i) the planned charging amounts of the power storage units 10 present in the first area A and (ii) the predicted power consumption amount of the entire first area A excluding the planned charging amounts of the power storage units 10. The predicted power consumption amount (ii) is calculated based on the average value of power consumption under normal circumstances and seasonal consumption trends. The control unit 23 calculates the planned charging amounts (kWh) of the power storage units 10 (i) based on the charging plans acquired from all the power storage units 10 via the communication unit 21 and the communication network 2.

[0040] S103: The control unit 23 compares the total power supply amount Ps supplied to the first area A from the grid 30 of the first area A with the total estimated power consumption amount Pc, which is the estimated power consumption amount of the entire first area A including the estimated power supply amount to the power storage units 10 calculated based on the charging plan of the power storage units 10 present in the first area A. If the total power supply amount Ps exceeds the total estimated power consumption amount Pc, proceed to S104. If the total power supply amount Ps is less than the total estimated power consumption amount Pc, proceed to S109.

[0041] S104: The control unit 23 calculates a first adjustment amount W1 (kWh) which is the difference when the total amount of power supply Ps exceeds the total estimated amount of power consumption Pc.

[0042] The first adjustment amount W1 is the amount of surplus power supply (kWh) obtained by subtracting the total predicted power consumption Pc from the total power supply amount Ps. The second adjustment amount W2, which will be described later, is the amount of insufficient power supply (kWh) obtained by subtracting the total power supply amount Ps from the total predicted power consumption Pc.

[0043] S105: The control unit 23 determines a second region as a destination of the amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated first adjustment amount W1.

[0044] The second area is, among the areas for which the second adjustment amount W2, which is the difference when the total power supply amount Ps falls below the total predicted power consumption amount Pc, has been calculated, either (i) the area in which the length of the transmission line connecting the grid of that area with the grid 30 of the first area A is the shortest, or (ii) the area in which the second adjustment amount W2 is the largest. In the example of FIG. 2, the control unit 23 determines that the second area is C. As shown in FIG. 2, the grid 30 of the first area A supplies the second area C with an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount W1 in the first area A.

[0045] By transmitting electricity to the area with the shortest transmission line, power loss during transmission is minimized, enabling efficient transmission. In addition, by transmitting electricity to the area with the largest second adjustment amount, i.e., the area that needs the most electricity, the balance of supply and demand for electricity among multiple areas is improved.

[0046] S106: The control unit 23 notifies the control devices in all the areas B, C, and D of the identification information of the second area C and the amount of power transmitted to the grid of the second area C.

[0047] By having all regions receive this notification, overlapping power supplies are prevented, improving the balance of power supply and demand among multiple regions. Note that the identification information is information that a computer uses to identify a region, such as a combination of numbers or other codes, but is not limited to this.

[0048] S107-S108: The control unit 23 causes the grid 30 in the first area A to preferentially procure an amount of electricity corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount W1 from the power generation equipment 312 that uses natural energy power generation, and transmits the procured amount of electricity to the grid 30c in the second area C.

[0049] The power procured from the grid 30 includes power generated by a power generation facility 311 that uses fossil fuels and power generated by a power generation facility 312 that uses natural energy. The control unit 23 requests the server 40 that operates the grid 30 to maximize the proportion of power generated by the power generation facility 312 that uses natural energy in the amount of power corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount W1.

[0050] S109: The control unit 23 calculates a second adjustment amount W2, which is the difference when the total amount of power supply Ps falls below the total estimated amount of power consumption Pc.

[0051] S110-S111: The control unit 23 requests the control devices in areas other than the first area A to transmit an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated second adjustment amount W2 from the grid in that area to the grid 30 in the first area A.

[0052] The area that transmits an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated second adjustment amount W2 to the grid 30 of the first area A in response to a request from the control unit 23 is referred to as the third area. The third area is the area where the first adjustment amount W1 was calculated, i.e., the area where a surplus is expected when the total power supply amount Ps exceeds the predicted total power consumption amount Pc. In the example of FIG. 2, the third area is B. As shown in FIG. 2, the grid 30 of the first area A receives a supply of power corresponding to the second adjustment amount W2 that is in short supply in the first area A from the grid 30b of the third area B.

[0053] S112: The control unit 23 checks with the server 40 operating the grid 30 whether or not to continue adjusting the balance between supply and demand of power. If the server 40 responds that the adjustment will be continued, the process returns to S101, and if the server 40 responds that the adjustment will not be continued, the information processing ends.

[0054] As described above, the control device 20 of this embodiment compares the total power supply amount supplied to the first area from the grid 30 in the first area with the total predicted power consumption amount, which is the predicted power consumption amount for the entire first area, including the predicted power supply amount to the storage batteries 10, calculated based on the charging plan for the storage batteries 10 present in the first area, calculates a first adjustment amount, which is the difference when the total power supply amount exceeds the predicted total power consumption amount, determines a second area to which an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated first adjustment amount will be transmitted, causes the grid in the first area to preferentially procure an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount from the power generation facility 312 that uses natural energy power generation, and transmits the procured amount of power to the grid in the second area.

[0055] As described above, according to the present embodiment, power loss is reduced because surplus power can be transferred between multiple regions based on the charging plan for the power storage unit 10. Therefore, the technology for adjusting the balance between power supply and demand among multiple regions is improved in that the generated power can be consumed optimally without waste.

[0056] Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component or step can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple components or steps can be combined or divided into one.

[0057] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an embodiment is also possible in which the configuration and operation of the control device 20 are distributed among multiple computers that can communicate with each other. There are aggregators on the power storage unit (consumer) side and aggregators on the grid side. The control device 20 in the present disclosure is a computer owned by the grid-side aggregator. Therefore, the function of acquiring a charging plan from the power storage unit 10 may be distributed to a computer owned by the power storage unit-side aggregator that is connected to the power storage unit 10 and the control device 20 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0058] Also, an embodiment is possible in which, for example, a general-purpose computer functions as the control device 20 according to the above-described embodiment. Specifically, a program describing the processing content for realizing each function of the control device 20 according to the above-described embodiment is stored in the memory of the general-purpose computer, and the program is read and executed by a processor. Therefore, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executable by a processor, or a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 System 2. Communication Network 3. Power Lines 10. Electricity storage unit 11 Communications Department 12 Power storage unit 13 Control Unit 20 Control device 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 30 systems (power system) 31 Power generation facilities (power plants) 32 Power transmission and distribution equipment 32A Power Sensor (Watt-hour Meter) 40 servers 41 Communications Department 42 Storage section 43 Control Unit 311 Fossil fuel power generation facilities 312 Power generation facilities that use natural energy

Claims

1. a control device comprising: a control unit that acquires a total power supply amount supplied to a first area from a grid in the first area, the total power supply amount being measured by a power sensor; compares the acquired total power supply amount with a total predicted power consumption amount, which is a predicted power consumption amount for the entire first area, including a predicted power supply amount to a power storage device present in the first area, calculated based on a charging plan for the power storage device; calculates a first adjustment amount, which is a difference when the total power supply amount exceeds the predicted total power consumption amount; determines a second area to which an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated first adjustment amount is to be sent; causes the grid in the first area to preferentially procure an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount from power generation equipment that uses natural energy power generation; and causes the grid in the first area to transmit the procured amount of power to the grid in the second area.

2. a control device comprising: a control unit that compares a total power supply amount supplied to a first area from a grid in the first area with a total predicted power consumption amount, which is a predicted power consumption amount for the entire first area including a predicted power supply amount to a power storage device present in the first area, calculated based on a charging plan for the power storage device; calculates a first adjustment amount, which is the difference when the total power supply amount exceeds the predicted total power consumption amount; determines a second area to which an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated first adjustment amount is to be transmitted; causes the grid in the first area to preferentially procure an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the first adjustment amount from power generation equipment that uses natural energy power generation; and transmits the procured amount of power to the grid in the second area.

3. The control device according to claim 2, The control unit calculates a second adjustment amount, which is the difference when the total power supply amount falls below the total predicted power consumption amount, and requests a control device in an area other than the first area to transmit an amount of power corresponding to all or part of the calculated second adjustment amount from the grid of that area to the grid of the first area.

4. The control device according to claim 2, The control device is a control device in which the second region is the region where the second adjustment amount, which is the difference when the total power supply amount falls below the predicted total power consumption amount, is calculated, and the length of the transmission line connecting the system of that region and the system of the first region is the shortest, or the region where the second adjustment amount is the largest.

5. The control device according to claim 2, The control unit notifies all control devices in all regions of identification information of the second region and an amount of power transmitted to a grid in the second region.

6. The control device comparing a total amount of power supply supplied to a first area from a grid in the first area with a total predicted amount of power consumption, which is a predicted amount of power consumption in the entire first area, including a predicted amount of power supply to a power storage device, calculated based on a charging plan for the power storage device present in the first area; calculating a first adjustment amount that is a difference when the total power supply amount exceeds the total predicted power consumption amount; determining a second region to which an amount of power corresponding to all or a part of the calculated first adjustment amount is to be transmitted; causing the grid in the first region to preferentially procure an amount of power corresponding to all or a part of the first adjustment amount from a power generation facility that uses natural energy power generation; causing the grid in the first area to transmit the procured amount of power to the grid in the second area; A control method for performing the above.

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