control system

Abstract

It efficiently processes various commands issued to multiple chargers. [Solution] The system determines whether there are differences in the set power values ​​for multiple chargers. If there are differences in the set power values ​​for multiple chargers, it sends the minimum set power value to all chargers, and then sends the revised set power value to the charger that needs to be changed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a control system.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 describes a charging device for charging a plurality of chargers. In the following Patent Document 1, when the charging commands for a plurality of chargers are the same, charging of the rechargeable batteries mounted on the plurality of chargers is started with one command.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, it is not disclosed how to deal with the case where the charging commands for a plurality of chargers are not all the same but are partially the same.

[0005] This disclosure aims to efficiently process various commands issued to a plurality of chargers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This disclosure is a control system for controlling a plurality of chargers, which determines the sameness or difference of set power values for the plurality of chargers, and when there are different set power values for the plurality of chargers, transmits the minimum set power value to all of the plurality of chargers, and then transmits the re-set power value after change to the chargers that need to be changed.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to this disclosure, when various commands are issued to a plurality of chargers, they can be efficiently processed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a control device according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a graph illustrating the power transition when the processing flow according to this embodiment is executed. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the effects of the processing flow according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] This embodiment will now be described with reference to the attached drawings. To facilitate understanding of the explanation, the same reference numerals are used for identical components in each drawing whenever possible, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] The processing flow according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. This processing flow relates to the power settings of the charger in the control system that manages the charging station, as illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5. Figures 3, 4, and 5 show examples of the configuration of a Community Energy Management System (CEMS) 2, a charging station server 3, and a charging station 4. The charging station 4 includes a control device 40 and a plurality of chargers 41, 42, and 43. The number of chargers is illustrative; for example, Figure 4 shows an example in which a further charger 44 is included.

[0011] CEMS2 is a system that manages energy for the entire target area. CEMS2 manages the amount of electricity supplied from scattered power generation facilities and the electricity demand in the target area. CEMS2 sends power change instructions for the charging stations 4 managed by the charging station server 3 to the charging station server 3. For example, a power change instruction includes the maximum power value for the entire charging station 4 and the set power values, which are instruction values ​​for the power settings of the chargers 41, 42, 43, and 44 included in charging station 4.

[0012] Charging station server 3 is a server that manages multiple charging stations. In Figures 3, 4, and 5, for the sake of explanation, it is shown as managing only one charging station 4.

[0013] An instruction message containing the set power values ​​for chargers 41, 42, 43, and 44 is sent from the charging station server 3 to the control device 40 of the charging station 4. Information is exchanged between the charging station server 3 and the charging station 4 using OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol). In OCPP, only one instruction message can be sent to a single charging station at a time, and the next instruction message cannot be sent until a response is received after sending the previous instruction message. For example, the charging station server 3 maintains the current power values ​​of chargers 41, 42, 43, and 44 as device shadows, compares them with the set power values ​​for chargers 41, 42, 43, and 44 sent from the higher-level system CEMS2, and generates an instruction message according to the processing flow described later.

[0014] The control device 40 sets the power values ​​of the chargers 41, 42, 43, and 44 based on the instruction messages transmitted from the charging station server 3. The control device 40 has a communication function with the charging station server 3 and a communication function with the chargers 41, 42, 43, and 44.

[0015] In step S01 of FIG. 1, the charging station server 3 receives a power change instruction for the charging station 4 from the CEMS 2 which is a higher-level system. In step S02 following step S01, the charging station server 3 determines whether the power change instruction is an instruction for a plurality of chargers.

[0016] If the power change instruction is an instruction for a plurality of chargers (step S02: YES), the process proceeds to step S04. If the power change instruction is not an instruction for a plurality of chargers (step S02: NO), the process proceeds to step S04.

[0017] In step S03, the charging station server 3 determines whether there is a difference between the current power values of the chargers 41, 42, 43, 44 and the set power value (instruction value) of the power change instruction. If there is a difference between the current set values of the chargers 41, 42, 43, 44 and the set power value of the power change instruction (step S03: YES), the process proceeds to step S07. If there is no difference between the current set values of the chargers 41, 42, 43, 44 and the set power value of the power change instruction (step S03: NO), the process proceeds to step S06.

[0018] In step S04, the charging station server 3 determines whether the power change instruction is an instruction for a charger in a schedule including time series information. If the power change instruction is an instruction for a charger in a schedule (step S04: YES), the process proceeds to step S11 of FIG. 2. If the power change instruction is not an instruction for a charger in a schedule (step S04: NO), the process proceeds to step S05.

[0019] In step S05, the charging station server 3 determines the magnitude of the set power values of the power change instructions for the chargers 41, 42, 43, 44, and identifies the number of chargers corresponding to the set power values greater than the minimum set power value. The charging station server 3 determines whether the number of chargers corresponding to the set power values greater than the minimum set power value is less than the number of chargers that received the power change instruction.

[0020] If the number of chargers corresponding to a set power value greater than the minimum set power value is less than the number of chargers that have received a power change instruction (step S05: YES), the process proceeds to step S08. If the number of chargers corresponding to a set power value greater than the minimum set power value is not less than the number of chargers that have received a power change instruction (step S05: NO), the process proceeds to step S08.

[0021] In step S06, the charging station server 3 does not transmit an instruction message. In step S07, the charging station server 3 transmits an instruction message including the set power value of the power change instruction as it is to the charging station 4.

[0022] For example, in the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, when the power change instruction from the CEMS2, which is the upper-level system, is only for the charger 41, the current power value is "50 [kW]" and the set power value is "50 [kW]". Therefore, the process of step S06 is performed, and the charging station server 3 does not transmit an instruction message.

[0023] In step S08, the charging station server 3 transmits the minimum value of the set power value of the power change instruction to the entire charging station 4, and then transmits the reset power value of the power change instruction only to the chargers that need to be changed again.

[0024] In the example shown in Figure 4, the control device 40 sends the minimum set power value, "30 [kW]", to chargers 41, 42, 43, and 44. Subsequently, the control device 40 sends the instruction value "40 [kW]" to charger 44. Specifically, the charging station server 3 sends the set power value "30 [kW]" to charging station 4 with a charger ID (e.g., "0") that identifies all chargers. Then, the charging station server 3 sends the set power value "30 [kW]" to charging station 4 with a charger ID (e.g., "4") that identifies charger 44. After sending these messages, the control device 40 responds to the first message by sending the set power value "30 [kW]" to chargers 41, 42, 43, and 44. The control device 40 responds to the subsequent message by sending the reset power value "40 [kW]" to charger 44. However, if the total power instruction value from the higher-level system CEMS2 is exceeded, the instruction values ​​for individual chargers are set so as not to exceed the total power instruction value.

[0025] In step S11 of Figure 2, the charging station server 3 determines whether all the schedules in the received power change instructions match. If all the schedules in the power change instructions match (step S11: YES), the process proceeds to step S15. If all the schedules in the power change instructions do not match (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S12.

[0026] In step S12, the charging station server 3 compares the number of chargers with matching schedules to the number of chargers with mismatched schedules. If the number of chargers with matching schedules is greater than the number of chargers with mismatched schedules (step S12: YES), the process proceeds to step S13. If the number of chargers with matching schedules is not greater than the number of chargers with mismatched schedules (step S12: NO), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0027] In step S13, the charging station server 3 compares the power limit value for the first time slot of the matching schedule with the power limit value for the first time slot of the mismatched schedule. If the power limit value for the first time slot of the matching schedule is smaller than the power limit value for the first time slot of the mismatched schedule (step S13: YES), the process proceeds to step S16. If the power limit value for the first time slot of the matching schedule is not smaller than the power limit value for the first time slot of the mismatched schedule (step S13: NO), the process proceeds to step S17.

[0028] In step S14, the charging station server 3 determines whether the power limit for the first time slot of the schedule matches. If the power limit for the first time slot of the schedule matches (step S14: YES), the process proceeds to step S18. If the power limit for the first time slot of the schedule does not match (step S14: NO), the process proceeds to step S17.

[0029] In step S15, the charging station server 3 transmits the set power value and schedule for the power change instruction to the entire charging station 4. In the example shown in Figure 5, the control device 40 transmits the set power value "30 [kW]" to chargers 41, 42, and 43. Specifically, the charging station server 3 transmits the set power value "30 [kW]" to the charging station 4 with a charger ID (for example, "0") that identifies all the chargers.

[0030] In step S16, the charging station server 3 sends the set power value and matching schedule for the power change instruction to the entire charging station 4, and then sends the reset power value for the power change instruction again only to the chargers that require the change (see Figure 4).

[0031] In step S17, the charging station server 3 sends a schedule with the minimum power value selected to all charging stations 4, and then sends a power change instruction to reset the power value only to the chargers that require the change.

[0032] In the example shown in Figure 6, the control device 40 sends the minimum selected schedule to chargers 41, 42, and 43. Subsequently, the control device 40 sends the schedule to the necessary chargers. Specifically, the charging station server 3 sends the minimum selected schedule with a charger ID (e.g., "0") that identifies all chargers to the charging station 4. Then, the charging station server 3 sends information identifying each individual charger and the corresponding schedule to the charging station 4. After sending these messages, the control device 40 responds to the first message by sending the minimum selected schedule to chargers 41, 42, and 43. The control device 40 then responds to subsequent messages by sending schedules corresponding to changes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Subsequent changes may be sent sequentially with the entire schedules for chargers 41, 42, and 43, or only the most recent values ​​may be sent individually.

[0033] The effects of the processing flow according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 7. There are four chargers, A, B, C, and D. Initially, charger A is operating at 40 kW, charger B at 20 kW, and charger C at 40 kW, and the total power limit is 100 kW. Now, assuming that charger D is activated and operating at 50 kW, the total power value becomes 150 kW, so a power change instruction is required.

[0034] Operating according to the above explanation will result in Pattern 3 in Figure 7. First, a set power value of 20 kW, the minimum value, is sent to chargers A, B, C, and D. Next, a reset power value of 30 kW is sent to charger A, and the set power value of 20 kW, the minimum value, is sent to A, B, C, and D. Next, a reset power value of 30 kW is sent to charger C. In this way, the total power value can be kept within 100 kW while individual settings can be made early.

[0035] On the other hand, if the minimum set power value is not sent and is adjusted each time, as in Pattern 1 and Pattern 2, the processing time will be longer as a result.

[0036] The embodiments have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, this disclosure is not limited to these specific examples. Modifications made to these specific examples by those skilled in the art are also included within the scope of this disclosure, as long as they retain the features of this disclosure. The elements, their arrangement, conditions, shapes, etc., of each of the aforementioned specific examples are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. The elements of each of the aforementioned specific examples can be combined in different ways as appropriate, as long as no technical inconsistencies arise.

[0037] [Note]

[0038] [Note 1] A control system for controlling multiple chargers, Determine the differences in the set power values ​​for multiple chargers, If there are different power settings for multiple chargers, the minimum power setting will be sent to all chargers. Afterward, the system sends the updated power values ​​to the chargers that require modification.

[0039] As explained above, when the charging station server 3 performs these processes, the number of messages sent from the charging station server 3 to the control device 40 included in the charging station 4 can be reduced.

[0040] Furthermore, if there are different power settings for multiple chargers, but there is a single identical power setting, and if sending that identical power setting to all chargers does not exceed the total power instruction value, then that identical power setting may be sent to all chargers, and then the newly changed power setting may be sent to the chargers that require modification. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 2:CEMS(Community Energy Management System) 3: Charging station server 4: Charging Station 40: Control device 41, 42, 43, 44: Charger

Claims

[Claim 1] A control system for controlling multiple chargers, Determine the differences in the set power values ​​for the aforementioned multiple chargers, If there are differences in the set power values ​​for the multiple chargers, the minimum set power value is transmitted to all of the multiple chargers. The control system then transmits the updated power values ​​to the chargers that require modification.

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