Servers and Power Management Systems

Abstract

To appropriately select a target vehicle from a view point of effective utilization of power and a power demand-and-supply balance.SOLUTION: A server 600 manages a plurality of vehicles 50, each of which is configured so as to be capable of joining DR. Of the plurality of vehicles 50, a first vehicle is configured to be capable of transferring power via a power cable, a second vehicle is configured to be capable of transferring power during vehicle stopping, and a third vehicle is configured to be capable of transferring power in a non-contact manner during traveling. The server 600 comprises a communication device 630 and a processing device 605. The communication device 630 is configured to be capable of transmitting a DR signal S1 to each of the plurality of vehicles 50, From the plurality of vehicles 50, the processing device 605 selects a target vehicle, a target to which the DR signal S1 is to be transmitted, according to priority of joining the DR. The processing device 605 sets priority of the first vehicle so as to be higher than priority of the second vehicle and sets the priority of the second vehicle so as to be higher than priority of the third vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server and a power management system. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2015-95983 A (Patent Document 1) discloses an electric vehicle. This electric vehicle is configured to be able to transmit power to and from a power facility connected to a commercial power source through a power cable of the power facility (contact power transmission). The electric vehicle is also configured to be able to transmit power to and from the power facility without contact (contactless power transmission). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-95983 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), an aggregator server uses Demand Response (DR) to adjust the balance between power supply and demand. DR is a mechanism that requests a consumer's power resource to change (e.g., increase) the power demand. DR is implemented when a DR signal requesting participation in DR is sent to a target power resource.

[0005] A vehicle equipped with a power storage device may be used as the above-mentioned power resource. In this case, the server of the aggregator may select a target vehicle to which a DR signal is to be transmitted from among a plurality of vehicles each capable of participating in DR. A situation is assumed in which, among the plurality of vehicles, a certain vehicle can participate in DR by performing contact power transmission, another vehicle can participate in DR by performing contactless power transmission while stopped, and still another vehicle can participate in DR by performing contactless power transmission while traveling. Patent Document 1 does not consider how to preferably select a target vehicle under such a situation from the viewpoint of effective use of power and adjustment of the power supply and demand balance.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a server and a power management system that appropriately selects target vehicles from the perspective of efficient use of electricity and adjusting the balance between power supply and demand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The server of the present disclosure is an aggregator server that manages a plurality of vehicles each configured to be able to participate in DR for adjusting the balance between power supply and demand in a power grid. A first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be able to participate in DR by performing a first power transmission that transmits power to a power station outside the first vehicle through a power cable of the power station. A second vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be able to participate in DR by performing a second power transmission that transmits power contactlessly to a power facility outside the second vehicle while the second vehicle is stopped. A third vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be able to participate in DR by performing a third power transmission that transmits power contactlessly to a power facility outside the third vehicle while the third vehicle is traveling. The server includes a communication device and a processing device. The communication device is configured to be able to transmit a DR signal requesting participation in DR to each of the plurality of vehicles. The processing device selects a target vehicle to which the DR signal is transmitted by the communication device from among the plurality of vehicles according to a priority of participation in DR. The processing device sets the priority of the first vehicle higher than the priority of the second vehicle, and sets the priority of the second vehicle higher than the priority of the third vehicle.

[0008] The power loss occurring during power transmission increases in the order of the first power transmission, the second power transmission, and the third power transmission. With the above configuration, the DR signal is preferentially transmitted to the first vehicle over the second and third vehicles, and is preferentially transmitted to the second vehicle over the third vehicle. This makes it easier for the first vehicle to participate in DR than the second and third vehicles, and easier for the second vehicle to participate in DR than the third vehicle. As a result, the power loss occurring when DR is implemented can be reduced compared to the case where the priority is not set as described above. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the power supply and demand balance while effectively using power.

[0009] Preferably, the processing device sets priorities for the first vehicle, the second vehicle and the third vehicle such that, when the penalty imposed on the aggregator is less than a threshold, only the first vehicle and the second vehicle are selected as target vehicles among the first vehicle, the second vehicle and the third vehicle.

[0010] When the penalty is less than the threshold, the power supply and demand balance may be substantially maintained even if the aggregator is penalized. With the above configuration, when the penalty is less than the threshold, the DR signal may be transmitted only to the first and second vehicles. This prevents the third vehicle, which has a larger power loss than the first and second vehicles, from participating in the DR. As a result, it is possible to easily adjust the power supply and demand balance while effectively using power.

[0011] Preferably, the processing device sets priorities for the first vehicle, the second vehicle and the third vehicle such that, if the penalty imposed on the aggregator is less than a threshold, only the first vehicle among the first vehicle, the second vehicle and the third vehicle is selected as a target vehicle.

[0012] When the penalty is less than the threshold, the power supply and demand balance may be substantially maintained even if the aggregator is penalized. With the above configuration, when the penalty is less than the threshold, the DR signal is transmitted only to the first vehicle. This prevents the second and third vehicles, which have a larger power loss than the first vehicle, from participating in the DR. As a result, it is possible to easily adjust the power supply and demand balance while effectively using power.

[0013] Preferably, when the first vehicle is not capable of performing the second power transmission and the third power transmission, the processing device sets the priority of the first vehicle higher than when the first vehicle is further capable of performing at least one of the second power transmission and the third power transmission.

[0014] When at least one of the second power transmission and the third power transmission is further executable, the first vehicle has more options for power transmission to participate in DR than when the second power transmission and the third power transmission are not executable. With the above configuration, the first vehicle is more likely to be selected as a target vehicle when it has fewer options for power transmission than when it has relatively more options. As a result, even if the prediction result of the power supply and demand balance changes suddenly after a DR signal is transmitted to a first vehicle having fewer options for power transmission, the processing device can select a target vehicle from among the first vehicles having many options for power transmission. As a result, it is possible to flexibly deal with a sudden change in the prediction result of the power supply and demand balance.

[0015] Preferably, the processing device sets the priority of the first vehicle higher when the first vehicle is further capable of performing either the second power transmission or the third power transmission than when the first vehicle is further capable of performing both the second power transmission and the third power transmission.

[0016] When the first vehicle is further capable of both the second power transmission and the third power transmission, the first vehicle has more options for power transmission to participate in DR than when the first vehicle is further capable of either the second power transmission or the third power transmission. With the above configuration, the first vehicle is more likely to be selected as a target vehicle when it has fewer options for power transmission than when it has more options. As a result, even if the prediction result of the power supply and demand balance changes suddenly after a DR signal is transmitted to a first vehicle having relatively fewer options for power transmission, the processing device can select a target vehicle from among the first vehicles having more options for power transmission. As a result, it is possible to more flexibly deal with a sudden change in the prediction result of the power supply and demand balance.

[0017] The power management system of the present disclosure includes a plurality of vehicles and a server. Each of the plurality of vehicles is configured to be able to participate in DR for adjusting the balance between power supply and demand in a power grid. The server manages the plurality of vehicles. A first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be able to perform a first power transmission that transmits power to a power station outside the first vehicle through a power cable of the power station. A second vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be able to perform a second power transmission that transmits power contactlessly to a power facility outside the second vehicle while the second vehicle is stopped. A third vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be able to perform a third power transmission that transmits power contactlessly to a power facility outside the third vehicle while the third vehicle is traveling. The server includes a communication device and a processing device. The communication device is configured to be able to transmit a DR signal requesting participation in DR to each of the plurality of vehicles. The processing device selects a target vehicle to which the DR signal is transmitted by the communication device from among the plurality of vehicles according to a priority of participation in DR. The processing device sets the priority of the first vehicle higher than the priority of the second vehicle, and sets the priority of the second vehicle higher than the priority of the third vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present disclosure, target vehicles can be appropriately selected from the standpoint of effective use of electricity and adjustment of the balance between electricity supply and demand. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating situations in which a vehicle is performing contact power transfer, contactless power transfer while stopped, or contactless power transfer while traveling. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the difference in power transmission efficiency between cases A to C. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of management data of power resources stored in a storage device of a server. [Figure 6]FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining how the server classifies vehicles according to DR participation mode information. [Figure 7] 11 is a diagram for explaining how a server according to the present embodiment selects a target vehicle from a group of vehicles when it receives an adjustment request. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of the process for selecting a target vehicle according to priority (step S115 in FIG. 8) in the present embodiment. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by an ECU of a vehicle. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining how a server according to the first modification selects a target vehicle from a group of vehicles when it receives an adjustment request. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of details of the process (step S115 in FIG. 8) for selecting a target vehicle according to priority in this modification 1. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining how a server according to the second modification selects a target vehicle from a group of vehicles when the server receives an adjustment request. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by a server in the second modification. [Figure 15] 15 is a flowchart showing details of the process for selecting a target vehicle according to priority (step S315 in FIG. 14) in Modification 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0021] [Embodiment Mode] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power management system according to the present embodiment. Referring to Fig. 1, a power management system 10 includes a power system PG, a power resource group 400, a server 600, and a server 700.

[0022] The power grid PG is constructed by the power transmission and distribution facilities. The power grid PG is maintained and managed by the electric power company that operates it.

[0023] The power resource group 400 includes a vehicle group 500. The vehicle group 500 includes a plurality of vehicles 50 each equipped with a battery 130. Each vehicle 50 is configured to be electrically connectable to a power grid PG and is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that functions as a distributed power source. The power resource group 400 may include other power systems such as a home energy management system (HEMS). A user (owner) of each power resource in the power resource group 400 makes a contract in advance with an aggregator (described later) so that the power resource can participate in DR when the aggregator requests the power resource to participate in DR.

[0024] Each vehicle 50 is configured to be able to perform power transmission with a power facility provided outside the vehicle. This power transmission is performed, for example, by external charging in which the vehicle 50 charges the battery 130 using power from the power facility. The above power transmission may be the vehicle 50 transmitting (supplying) power stored in the battery 130 to the power facility.

[0025] When each vehicle 50 performs external charging, power is supplied to each vehicle 50 from the power grid PG, and the power load in the power grid PG increases. Therefore, each vehicle 50 can participate in the regulation (DR) of the power load in the power grid PG by performing external charging.

[0026] When the vehicle 50 participates in an "upward DR" that requests the vehicle 50 to increase the amount of charging power in external charging, the power demand in the power system PG can be increased by the increased amount of power. The upward DR is implemented when the power supply in the power system PG is greater than the power demand.

[0027] On the other hand, when the vehicle 50 participates in a "downward DR" that requests the vehicle 50 to reduce (save) the amount of charging power in external charging, the power demand in the power grid PG is reduced by the reduced amount of charging power. The downward DR is implemented when the power demand in the power grid PG is greater than the power supply.

[0028] The server 700 is a computer belonging to a power company, and is configured to be able to communicate with an aggregator server 600 (described later). The server 700 predicts the power supply and demand balance in the power system PG for each period (time period), and outputs an adjustment request ARE for the power supply and demand balance to the server 600 according to the prediction result. The adjustment request ARE includes the prediction result of which of the power demand and the power supply is greater in the target period, and the amount of power requested to adjust the power load in the power system PG during that period (adjustment requested power amount RA).

[0029] When the power demand is greater than the power supply, the adjustment request power amount RA is the amount of power that needs to be procured (supplied) to the power grid PG or the amount of power that needs to be reduced in the power grid PG. On the other hand, when the power supply is greater than the power demand, the adjustment request power amount RA is the amount of power that needs to be consumed in the power grid PG to increase the power load.

[0030] The server 600 belongs to an aggregator and is configured to manage the power resource group 400. The aggregator is an electric utility that procures power for the power system PG and increases or decreases the power load in the power system PG using the power resource group 400. If the aggregator successfully adjusts the power load in the power system PG, the aggregator can receive a reward from the power company. On the other hand, if the aggregator fails to adjust the power load in the power system PG (e.g., fails to procur, increase, or decrease the adjustment request power amount RA), the aggregator may receive a penalty from the power company.

[0031] The server 600 includes a processing device 605, a storage device 620, and a communication device 630. The processing device 605 includes a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) and memories such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The storage device 620 stores, for example, a program executed by the processing device 605, and various information and data used by the processing device 605. The communication device 630 is a variety of communication interfaces, and is configured to be able to transmit a DR signal (described later) to each of the multiple vehicles 50 of the vehicle group 500.

[0032] When the server 600 receives an adjustment request ARE from a server 700 (described later), it transmits a DR signal S1 to the vehicles 50 in the vehicle group 500 that the aggregator requests to participate in the DR.

[0033] The DR signal S1 is a signal for requesting the vehicle 50 to participate in the DR. The DR signal S1 includes the type of DR (e.g., whether it is an up DR or a down DR) and a period during which the vehicle 50 is requested to participate in the DR (DR period).

[0034] The DR signal S1 further includes information indicating a DR amount, which is an amount of power that the aggregator requests each power resource (e.g., vehicle 50) to supply to the power system PG or to consume or save in the power system PG. For example, when the vehicle 50 participates in DR by consuming power from the power system PG using power equipment (external charging, etc.), the DR amount is the amount of transmitted power that the power equipment transmits to the vehicle 50. On the other hand, when the vehicle 50 participates in DR by supplying power to the power system PG through power equipment, the DR amount is the amount of received power that the power equipment receives from the vehicle 50.

[0035] The server 600 is configured to receive an approval signal S11 from the vehicle 50. The approval signal S11 is transmitted from the vehicle 50 to the server 600 when the participation of the vehicle 50 in the DR is approved by the user of the vehicle 50.

[0036] When the server 600 receives the approval signal S11, a contract is established between the user of the vehicle 50 and the aggregator. This contract includes information indicating the DR period, the type of DR, and the DR amount. Contract information indicating the contents of this contract is included in the approval signal S11 and is stored in the storage device of the vehicle 50 and the storage device 620 of the server 600.

[0037] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle 50. With reference to Fig. 2, the vehicle 50 includes an inlet 110, a power transmitting and receiving device 123, a battery 130, and an HMI device 170. The vehicle 50 further includes a communication device 180 and an ECU 150.

[0038] The inlet 110 is configured to receive power from a power station 40 (described later) outside the vehicle 50. The power transmitting and receiving device 123 includes a coil 124. The power transmitting and receiving device 123 can wirelessly receive power from a power transmitting and receiving facility 45 outside the vehicle 50 through the coil 124 and wirelessly transmit power to the power transmitting and receiving facility 45 (described later).

[0039] The battery 130 is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery, and stores electric power for running the vehicle 50.

[0040] The HMI device 170 includes an input device 172 and a display device 174. The input device 172 receives user operations (for example, operations for inputting a time period during which the vehicle 50 can participate in DR, a mode of power transmission that the vehicle 50 can perform during that time period, and a destination of the vehicle 50). The display device 174 displays various screens.

[0041] The communication device 180 is configured to wirelessly communicate with various devices (e.g., the server 600 or the user terminal 300). The communication device 180, for example, receives a DR signal S1 (FIG. 1) from the server 600 and transmits an acknowledgement signal S11 to the server 600.

[0042] The ECU 150 controls various devices such as the power transmitting and receiving device 123, the HMI device 170, and the communication device 180. The ECU 150 controls external charging of the vehicle 50, for example, by outputting a charging start request or a charging stop request to the power station 40 or the power transmitting and receiving equipment 45. When the destination of the vehicle 50 is set, the ECU 150 can also set a driving route of the vehicle 50 according to the current location and the destination.

[0043] The power transmission and reception equipment 45 includes a coil 48, a communication device 46, and a control device 47. The coil 48 is connected to a commercial power source PS through an inverter (not shown). The coil 48 is configured to supply power to the vehicle 50 in a wireless manner (more specifically, to the coil 124 through an electromagnetic field) using power supplied from the commercial power source PS, and to receive power from the vehicle 50 in a wireless manner.

[0044] The control device 47 controls power transmission between the power transmission and reception equipment 45 and the vehicle 50 during the DR period. The communication device 46 is configured to communicate with the server 600.

[0045] The power transmission and receiving equipment 45 is installed on the ground (for example, a travel lane). The power transmission and receiving equipment 45 may be installed on a side wall. When the power transmission and receiving equipment 45 is installed in a travel lane, the travel lane is also referred to as a power supply lane.

[0046] The power station 40 includes a power circuit 44 , a power cable 42 , a connector 43 , a communication device 48 , and a control device 41 .

[0047] The power supply circuit 44 converts the power supplied from the commercial power supply PS, and outputs the converted power to the power cable 42.

[0048] The power cable 42 supplies power from the power station 40 to the vehicle 50. The power cable 42 can also supply power from the vehicle 50 to the power station 40.

[0049] The connector 43 is provided at the tip of the power cable 42 and is configured to be insertable into an inlet 110 of the vehicle 50 .

[0050] The communication device 48 is configured to communicate with an external device such as a server 600. The control device 41 controls the communication device 48 and the power supply circuit 44.

[0051] The control device 41 is configured to be capable of executing a power transmission process, which is a process of transmitting power from the power stand 40 to the vehicle 50 during the DR period, in accordance with the power transmission plan transmitted from the server 600. When the power transmission process is executed, external charging of the vehicle 50 is performed. The control device 41 is also configured to be capable of executing a power reception process, which is a process in which the power stand 40 receives power from the vehicle 50 during the DR period, in accordance with the above-mentioned power transmission plan. In this case, power is supplied from the battery 130 of the vehicle 50 to the power stand 40.

[0052] Contact power transmission (first power transmission) corresponds to the vehicle 50 transmitting power between the power stand 40 and the power cable 42. Contactless power transmission while the vehicle 50 is stopped (second power transmission) corresponds to the vehicle 50 transmitting power in a contactless manner to the power transmission and receiving equipment 45 while the vehicle 50 is stopped. Contactless power transmission while the vehicle 50 is traveling (third power transmission) corresponds to the vehicle 50 transmitting power in a contactless manner to the power transmission and receiving equipment 45 while the vehicle 50 is traveling.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a situation in which the vehicle 50 is performing contact power transfer, contactless power transfer while stopped, or contactless power transfer while traveling.

[0054] 3, when the vehicle 50 participates in the DR by performing contact power transmission (e.g., contact charging) using the power station 40 (case A), the vehicle 50 is also referred to as the vehicle 50A. The battery 130A is the battery 130 of the vehicle 50A.

[0055] When the vehicle 50 participates in DR by performing contactless power transmission (for example, contactless charging) using the power transmission and reception equipment 45B while stopped (case B), the vehicle 50 is also referred to as vehicle 50B. In this example, the power transmission and reception equipment 45B is the power transmission and reception equipment 45 installed in the parking lot 205. The battery 130B is the battery 130 of the vehicle 50B.

[0056] When the vehicle 50 participates in DR by performing contactless power transmission (for example, contactless charging) using the power transmission and reception equipment 45C while traveling (case C), the vehicle 50 is also referred to as a vehicle 50C. The power transmission and reception equipment 45C is the power transmission and reception equipment 45 installed in the power supply lane 49. The battery 130C is the battery 130 of the vehicle 50C.

[0057] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the difference in power transmission efficiency among cases A to C. With reference to Fig. 4, in this example, the amount of transmitted power transmitted from power station 40 to vehicle 50A, the amount of transmitted power transmitted from power transmission and receiving equipment 45B to vehicle 50B, and the amount of transmitted power transmitted from power transmission and receiving equipment 45C to vehicle 50C are all assumed to be PT.

[0058] The power transmission efficiencies between the vehicles 50A, 50B, and 50C and the power station 40 and the power transmission and reception equipment 45B and 45C are also represented as power transmission efficiencies PTE1, PTE2, and PTE3, respectively. In general, the power transmission efficiency is highest in the order of contact power transmission (case A), followed by contactless power transmission while stopped (case B), and contactless power transmission while moving (case C) (PTE1>PTE2>PTE3). Thus, the amount of power generated as power loss L in these power transmissions is highest in the order of cases C, B, and A (LC>LB>LA). In the entire vehicle 50 and the power system PG, such an increase in power loss L is undesirable from the viewpoint of effective use of the power of the power system PG and the vehicle 50.

[0059] The processing device 605 of the server 600 according to this embodiment selects, from among the multiple vehicles 50, a target vehicle to which the DR signal S1 is transmitted by the communication device 630 in accordance with the priority of participation in the DR. Then, the processing device 605 sets the priority of the vehicle 50A higher than the priority of the vehicle 50B, and sets the priority of the vehicle 50B higher than the priority of the vehicle 50C.

[0060] With this configuration, the DR signal S1 is preferentially transmitted to the vehicle 50A over the vehicles 50B and 50C, and is preferentially transmitted to the vehicle 50B over the vehicle 50C. This makes it easier for the vehicle 50A to participate in the DR than the vehicles 50B and 50C, and makes it easier for the vehicle 50B to participate in the DR than the vehicle 50C. As a result, the power loss that occurs in the power system PG and the entire vehicle 50 when DR is performed can be reduced compared to when the priority is not set as described above. Therefore, the power supply and demand balance can be adjusted while effectively using the power of the power system PG and the vehicle 50 (while reducing the power loss L of the power system PG and the entire vehicle 50).

[0061] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of management data of power resources stored in the storage device 620 of the server 600. Referring to Fig. 5, the management data 670 includes ID information 671, DR participation mode information 672, DR amount information 673, and priority information 675.

[0062] The ID information 671 indicates an ID for identifying a power resource. In this example, the power resources having IDs RS1 to RS8 are all vehicles 50.

[0063] The DR participation mode information 672 indicates, for each DR period and ID, what mode of power transmission (e.g., external charging) the power resource can participate in DR when requested to participate in DR. The DR participation mode information 672 is determined according to the contents of a contract made in advance between the aggregator and a user of each power resource. In this example, the vehicle 50 is requested to participate in DR during a period P1 as an example of a DR period. The DR participation mode information 672 may be different for each region managed by the aggregator.

[0064] A vehicle 50 having an ID of RS1 can participate in DR during period P1 by any of contact charging, non-contact charging while stopped, and non-contact charging while moving. A vehicle 50 having an ID of RS2 can participate in DR during period P1 by any of contact charging and non-contact charging while stopped, but cannot participate in DR by non-contact charging while moving.

[0065] The DR amount information 673 indicates the DR amount dra of each power resource. In this example, for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the DR amount dra is the same (a=b=c=d=e=f=g=h).

[0066] The priority information 675 indicates a priority p assigned to each power resource. A vehicle 50 having a higher priority p is more likely to be selected as a target vehicle. Each priority p is set by the server 600 according to the DR participation mode information 672. This point will be described below.

[0067] Vehicles 50 having IDs of RS1 to RS4 can participate in DR by contact charging during period P1. Vehicles 50 having IDs of RS5 to RS8 cannot participate in DR by contact charging during period P1. The priority p of vehicles 50 having IDs of RS1 to RS4 is set higher than the priority p of vehicles 50 having IDs of RS5 to RS8 (pa, pb, pc, pd>pe, pf, pg, ph).

[0068] Vehicles 50 with IDs RS5 and RS6 can participate in DR by non-contact charging while parked during period P1. Vehicles 50 with IDs RS7 and RS8 cannot participate in DR by non-contact charging while parked during period P1. The priority p of vehicles 50 with IDs RS5 and RS6 is set higher than the priority p of vehicles 50 with IDs RS7 and RS8 (pe, pf>pg, ph).

[0069] A vehicle 50 having an ID of RS7 can participate in DR only by non-contact charging while traveling during period P1. A vehicle 50 having an ID of RS8 cannot participate in DR during period P1. The priority p of a vehicle 50 having an ID of RS7 is set higher than the priority p of a vehicle 50 having an ID of RS8 (pg>ph).

[0070] The management data 670 further includes ID information 671, DR participation mode information 672, DR amount information 673, and priority information 675 related to the vehicles 50 having IDs different from RS1 to RS8. The DR participation mode information 672 of such a vehicle 50 is classified into any of the DR participation mode information 672 of the vehicles 50 having IDs of RS1 to RS8. Specifically, the pattern of the DR participation mode information 672 of the vehicle 50 is classified into any of the eight patterns of the DR participation mode information 672 shown in the figure according to whether the vehicle 50 can participate in the DR by contact charging, non-contact charging while stopped, or non-contact charging while traveling during the period P1.

[0071] Hereinafter, the vehicles 50 having the same DR participation mode information 672 as the DR participation mode information 672 of the vehicles 50 having IDs RS1 to RS8 will also be referred to as vehicles 50a to 50h, respectively. It is assumed that the DR amount dra is the same for each of the vehicles 50a to 50h.

[0072] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining how the server 600 classifies the vehicles 50 according to the DR participation mode information 672. Referring to Fig. 6, the vehicles 50 of the vehicle group 500 are classified into any of eight groups 500a to 500h according to the DR participation mode information 672 (Fig. 5).

[0073] The groups 500a to 500h are groups each made up of the vehicles 50a to 50h. In this example, the groups 500a to 500h are each made up of the vehicles 50, number na to nh.

[0074] The group 500ad is made up of the groups 500a to 500d. In other words, the group 500ad is made up of the vehicles 50a to 50d that can participate in DR by contact charging during the period P1. The vehicle 50 that belongs to the group 500ad is also referred to as the vehicle 50ad. The vehicle 50ad corresponds to, for example, the vehicle 50A (FIG. 3).

[0075] The group 500ef is made up of the groups 500e and 500f. In other words, the group 500ef is made up of the vehicles 50e and 50f that cannot participate in DR by contact charging during the period P1 but can participate in DR by non-contact charging while stopped. The vehicle 50 belonging to the group 500ef is also referred to as the vehicle 50ef. The vehicle 50ef corresponds to the vehicle 50B, for example.

[0076] The group 500g is made up of vehicles 50g that cannot participate in DR by contact charging or non-contact charging while stopped, but can participate in DR by non-contact charging while moving, during the period P1. The vehicle 50g corresponds to the vehicle 50C, for example. The group 500h is made up of vehicles 50h that cannot participate in DR during the period P1.

[0077] The server 600 sets the priority p of the vehicle 50ad higher than the priority p of the vehicle 50ef. The server 600 sets the priority p of the vehicle 50ef lower than the priority p of the vehicle 50ad, but higher than the priority p of the vehicle 50g (medium in this example). The server 600 sets the priority p of the vehicle 50g lower than the priority p of the vehicle 50ef, but higher than the priority p of the vehicle 50h. The server 600 sets the priority p of the vehicle 50h to the lowest among the priorities p of the vehicles 50ad, 50ef, 50g, and 50h. The vehicle 50 with the priority set to "lowest" (vehicle 50h in this example) is excluded from the candidates for the target vehicle.

[0078] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining how server 600 according to the present embodiment selects a target vehicle from vehicle group 500 when it receives adjustment request ARE. In the following explanation, Fig. 6 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 7, in this example, the adjustment requested power amount RA is the amount of power that needs to be consumed by the power resource group 400 (eg, the group of vehicles 500) in the power system PG.

[0080] Graph 220 is a graph for explaining how server 600 selects a target vehicle when adjustment request power amount RA during period P1 is within range R1 of 0 or more and less than VadT. This case corresponds to a case where server 600 selects vehicle 50ad (FIG. 6) as a target vehicle from among vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g to adjust the power supply and demand balance. VadT is the maximum amount of power that can be consumed in power system PG by vehicle 50ad during period P1 (the sum of DR amounts dra of all vehicles 50ad).

[0081] When the adjustment request amount of power RA is within the range R1, the server 600 selects at least one vehicle 50ad from the group 500ad as a target vehicle so that the adjustment request amount of power RA is consumed in the power system PG during the period P1. In this example, the server 600 executes this selection process so that the sum (Vad) of the DR amount dra of the at least one vehicle 50ad reaches the adjustment request amount of power RA (=RA1).

[0082] Graph 230 is a graph for explaining how server 600 selects a target vehicle when the adjustment requested power amount RA during period P1 is within range R2 that is equal to or greater than VadT and less than VafT (described later). This case corresponds to a case in which server 600 selects vehicle 50ef as a target vehicle in addition to vehicle 50ad among vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g in order to adjust the power supply and demand balance.

[0083] In this example, the value of the adjustment request power amount RA is RA2, which is greater than VadT. VefT is the maximum amount of power that can be consumed by the vehicle 50ef in the power system PG during the period P1 (the sum of the DR amounts dra of all the vehicles 50ef). VafT is the sum of VadT and VefT.

[0084] When the adjustment request power amount RA is within the range R2, the server 600 selects all of the vehicles 50ad as target vehicles and selects at least one vehicle 50ef from the group 500ef as a target vehicle so that the adjustment request power amount RA is consumed in the power system PG during the period P1. The server 600 executes this selection process, for example, so that the sum of the DR amount dra (Vef) and VadT of the at least one vehicle 50ef reaches the adjustment request power amount RA (=RA2).

[0085] Graph 240 is a graph for explaining how server 600 selects a target vehicle when the adjustment requested power amount RA during period P1 is within range R3 that is equal to or greater than VafT and less than VagT (described later). This case corresponds to a case in which server 600 selects vehicle 50g as a target vehicle in addition to vehicles 50ad and 50ef from among vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g in order to adjust the power supply and demand balance.

[0086] In this example, the value of the adjustment request power amount RA is RA3, which is greater than VafT. VgT is the maximum amount of power that can be consumed by the vehicle 50g in the power system PG during the period P1 (the sum of the DR amounts dra of all the vehicles 50g). VagT is the sum of VafT and VgT.

[0087] When the adjustment requested power amount RA is within the range R3, the server 600 selects all of the vehicles 50ad and 50ef as target vehicles and selects at least one vehicle 50g from the group 500g as a target vehicle so that the adjustment requested power amount RA is consumed in the power system PG during the period P1. The server 600 performs this selection process, for example, so that the sum of the DR amount dra (Vg) and VafT of the at least one vehicle 50g reaches the adjustment requested power amount RA (=RA3).

[0088] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by server 600 according to the present embodiment. This flowchart is started when server 600 receives an adjustment request ARE (Fig. 1). In the following description, Figs. 5 to 7 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 8, the server 600 (more specifically, the processing device 605) reads the management data 670 (step S107).

[0090] Next, the server 600 sets the priority p (in other words, the priority information 675) of each vehicle 50 according to the ID information 671 and the DR participation mode information 672 of the management data 670 (step S110).

[0091] In this example, the server 600 sets the priority p (=pr1) of the vehicle 50ad higher than the priority p (=pr2) of the vehicle 50ef. Furthermore, the server 600 sets the priority p of the vehicle 50ef higher than the priority p (=pr3) of the vehicle 50g (pr1>pr2>pr3). In this example, pr1=pa=pb=pc=pd (FIG. 5). pr2=pe=pf. pr3=pg.

[0092] Next, the server 600 selects a target vehicle according to the set priority p of each vehicle 50 (step S115). Details of this process will be described with reference to FIG.

[0093] Next, the server 600 transmits a DR signal S1 (FIG. 1) to the target vehicle (step S120).

[0094] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of the process for selecting a target vehicle according to the priority p (step S115 in FIG. 8) in this embodiment.

[0095] 9, the processor 605 of the server 600 determines whether the adjustment requested power amount RA is within a range R1 (step S1151).

[0096] If the adjustment requested power amount RA is within the range R1 (YES in step S1151), the processing device 605 selects the vehicle 50ad as a target vehicle from the vehicle group 500 according to the priority p (pr1>pr2>pr3) of each vehicle 50 (step S1152). That is, the processing device 605 preferentially selects the vehicle 50ad having the highest priority p from among the vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g as the target vehicle (graph 220 in FIG. 7). After step S1152, the process proceeds to step S120 in FIG. 8.

[0097] On the other hand, if the adjustment requested power amount RA is outside the range R1 (NO in step S1151), the processor 605 advances the process to step S1154.

[0098] Next, the processor 605 determines whether the adjustment requested power amount RA is within the range R2 (step S1154).

[0099] If the adjustment requested power amount RA is within the range R2 (YES in step S1154), the processing device 605 selects the vehicle 50ad and the vehicle 50ef as target vehicles from the vehicle group 500 according to the priority p of each vehicle 50 (step S1155). More specifically, the processing device 605 preferentially selects the vehicle 50ad as the target vehicle from among the vehicles 50ad and 50ef over the vehicle 50ef (graph 230 in FIG. 7). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S120 in FIG. 8.

[0100] On the other hand, if the adjustment requested power amount RA is outside the range R2 (NO in step S1154), in this example, it is assumed that the adjustment requested power amount RA is within the range R3. In this case, the processor 605 advances the process to step S1158.

[0101] Next, the processing device 605 selects the vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g as target vehicles from the vehicle group 500 according to the priority p of each vehicle 50 (step S1158). More specifically, the processing device 605 selects the vehicles 50ad and 50ef as target vehicles from among the vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g, with priority over the vehicle 50g (graph 240 in FIG. 7). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S120 in FIG. 8.

[0102] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the ECU 150 of the vehicle 50. The processing of this flowchart is started when the vehicle 50 transmits an approval signal S11 (FIG. 1) to the server 600 in a case where a travel route of the vehicle 50 has been set.

[0103] 10, ECU 150 determines whether the DR period has arrived (step S215). ECU 150 executes this determination process in accordance with the contract information stored in storage device 153 of vehicle 50. If the DR period has not arrived yet (NO in step S215), ECU 150 executes this determination process until the period arrives. On the other hand, if the DR period has arrived (YES in step S215), ECU 150 proceeds to step S218.

[0104] Next, ECU 150 determines whether or not a power transmission enabling condition is satisfied (step S218). This condition is a condition for enabling power transmission between vehicle 50 and an electric power facility (e.g., power stand 40, electric power facility 45B, or electric power facility 45C). For example, when vehicle 50 is vehicle 50A, the power transmission enabling condition is that connector 43 is inserted into inlet 110. When vehicle 50 is vehicle 50B or vehicle 50C, the power transmission enabling condition is that the distance between vehicle 50B or vehicle 50C and electric power facility 45B or electric power facility 45C is less than a threshold distance at which the vehicle can receive power from the electric power facility.

[0105] If the power transfer enabling condition is not satisfied (NO in step S218), ECU 150 executes the above determination process until this condition is satisfied. On the other hand, if the power transfer enabling condition is satisfied (YES in step S218), ECU 150 proceeds to step S220.

[0106] Next, the ECU 150 executes power transmission (for example, contact charging, non-contact charging while stopped, or non-contact charging while traveling) so that the vehicle 50 can participate in DR (step S220). This power transmission continues until the DR period ends.

[0107] As described above, the processing device 605 of the server 600 according to the present embodiment selects, from among the multiple vehicles 50, a target vehicle to which the DR signal S1 is transmitted by the communication device 630, according to the priority p of participation in the DR. The processing device 605 sets the priority p of the vehicle 50ad higher than the priority p of the vehicle 50ef, and sets the priority p of the vehicle 50ef higher than the priority p of the vehicle 50g.

[0108] With this configuration, the DR signal S1 is preferentially transmitted to the vehicle 50ad over the vehicles 50ef and 50g, and is preferentially transmitted to the vehicle 50ef over the vehicle 50g. This makes it easier for the vehicle 50ad to participate in DR than the vehicles 50ef and 50g, and makes it easier for the vehicle 50ef to participate in DR than the vehicle 50g. As a result, the power loss L that occurs when DR is performed can be reduced more than when the priority p is not set as described above. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the power supply and demand balance while effectively using power. [First Modification of the Embodiment] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining how the server 600 according to the first modification selects a target vehicle from the group of vehicles 500 when the server 600 receives an adjustment request ARE.

[0109] 11, graphs 320 and 330 are similar to graphs 220 and 230 (both in FIG. 7), respectively.

[0110] Graph 340 is a graph for explaining how the server 600 of this modified example 1 selects a target vehicle when the adjustment requested power amount RA during period P1 is equal to or greater than VafT. This example shows a case where the penalty PT that the aggregator receives when the adjustment requested power amount RA is not achieved is less than the threshold value THPT.

[0111] In this case, the server 600 sets the priority p of the vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g such that only the vehicles 50ad and 50ef are selected as target vehicles among the vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g. For example, the server 600 sets the priority p of the vehicles 50ad and 50ef to "high" and "medium," respectively, and sets the priority p of the vehicle 50g to "lowest." As a result, the vehicle 50g is excluded from candidates for the target vehicle.

[0112] This allows only the vehicle 50ad and the vehicle 50ef to be selected as target vehicles. As a result, the DR signal S1 can be transmitted only to the vehicle 50ad and the vehicle 50ef. Therefore, only the vehicle 50ad and the vehicle 50ef can participate in the DR. This prevents the vehicle 50g, which has a larger power loss L than the vehicle 50ad and the vehicle 50ef, from participating in the DR.

[0113] In this example, the amount of power (VafT) that the server 600 can achieve by using only the vehicles 50ad and 50ef is less than the amount of adjustment requested power RA by ΔV1.

[0114] When ΔV1 is small enough to be ignored from a practical standpoint, failure to achieve the adjustment request power amount RA may have little effect on the power supply and demand balance. In other words, even if the aggregator is penalized, the power supply and demand balance may be substantially maintained. Therefore, even if only the vehicles 50ad and 50ef are selected as target vehicles, it is possible to avoid a situation in which power loss increases due to contactless power transmission during traveling while substantially maintaining the power supply and demand balance. Furthermore, since the penalty PT is less than the threshold value THPT, there is no practical problem from the standpoint of the aggregator's profits.

[0115] On the other hand, when the penalty PT is equal to or greater than the threshold THPT, such as when ΔV1 is too large to be ignored, the server 600 may select the vehicle 50g as the target vehicle, as in the case of the above-described embodiment (FIG. 7). This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the aggregator receives a large penalty PT.

[0116] Graph 345 is a graph for explaining how server 600 of Modification 1 selects a target vehicle when adjustment request power amount RA during period P1 is equal to or greater than VadT. This case corresponds to the case where penalty PT is less than threshold value THPT, similar to graph 340.

[0117] In this case, the server 600 may set the priority p of the vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g such that only the vehicle 50ad is selected as a target vehicle among the vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g. For example, the server 600 sets the priority p of the vehicle 50ad to "high" and sets the priority p of the vehicles 50ef and 50g to "lowest." Thus, the vehicles 50ad and 50g are excluded from candidates for the target vehicle.

[0118] As a result, only the vehicle 50ad is selected as a target vehicle. As a result, the DR signal S1 is transmitted only to the vehicle 50ad. Therefore, only the vehicle 50ad participates in the DR. This prevents the vehicles 50ef and 50g, which have a larger power loss L than the vehicle 50ad, from participating in the DR.

[0119] In this example, the amount of power (VadT) that the server 600 can achieve by using only the vehicle 50ad is less than the amount of adjustment requested power RA by ΔV2.

[0120] When ΔV2 is small enough to be ignored from a practical standpoint, there may be no substantial problem from the standpoint of the power supply-demand balance and the profits of the aggregator, as described above.

[0121] On the other hand, when the penalty PT is equal to or greater than the threshold value THPT, such as when ΔV2 is large enough not to be ignored from a practical standpoint, the server 600 may select the vehicle 50ef as the target vehicle, as in the case of the graph 330 (FIG. 7).

[0122] The following describes the procedure of the process by the server 600 in Modification 1. This procedure is basically similar to the procedure of the process in the above-described embodiment (FIG. 8), but differs from the case in FIG. 9 in the details of step S115.

[0123] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the details of the process for selecting a target vehicle in accordance with the priority p (step S115 in FIG. 8) in this modification example 1.

[0124] 12, this flowchart differs from the flowchart of FIG 9 in that the process of step S1156 is added. Steps S1151A to S1155A and step S1158A are similar to steps S1151 to S1155 and step S1158 (all of which are in FIG 9), respectively.

[0125] When the adjustment requested amount of power RA is outside the range R2 (NO in step S1154A), the processor 605 determines whether the penalty PT is equal to or greater than the threshold value THPT (step S1156).

[0126] If the penalty PT is less than the threshold value THPT, the process proceeds to step S1155A. Then, the processing device 605 selects the vehicles 50ad and 50ef as target vehicles (graph 340). On the other hand, if the penalty PT is equal to or greater than the threshold value THPT, the process proceeds to step S1158A. Then, the processing device 605 selects the vehicles 50ad, 50ef, and 50g as target vehicles (graph 240). [Modification 2 of the embodiment] In the above-described embodiment and its first modification, the priorities p of the vehicles 50ad belonging to the group 500ad (FIG. 6) are equal (pa=pb=pc=pd in FIG. 5).

[0127] In this second modification, the priority p of the vehicle 50 in the group 500ad differs according to the DR participation mode information 672. Specifically, when the vehicle 50ad is unable to perform contactless power transfer while stopped and contactless power transfer while traveling, the processing device 605 sets the priority p of the vehicle 50ad higher than when the vehicle 50ad is able to perform at least one of contactless power transfer while stopped and contactless power transfer while traveling. In other words, when the vehicle 50 in the group 500ad is the vehicle 50d (FIG. 6), the processing device 605 sets the priority p of the vehicle 50 higher than when the vehicle 50 in the group 500ad is the vehicle 50a, the vehicle 50b, or the vehicle 50c.

[0128] The vehicle 50a, the vehicle 50b, or the vehicle 50c can participate in DR not only by contact power transfer but also by contactless power transfer while stopped or while moving. Thus, the vehicle 50a, the vehicle 50b, or the vehicle 50c has more options for power transfer to participate in DR (e.g., candidates for locations where power transfer can be performed) than the vehicle 50d.

[0129] When the priority p is set as described above, the priority p of the vehicle 50d is higher than the priority p of the vehicle 50a, the vehicle 50b, and the vehicle 50c. Therefore, the vehicle 50d having relatively few options for power transmission is more likely to be selected as a target vehicle than the vehicle 50a, the vehicle 50b, or the vehicle 50c having relatively many options for power transmission. As a result, even if the prediction result of the power supply and demand balance changes suddenly after the DR signal S1 is transmitted to the vehicle 50d having few options for power transmission, the processing device 605 can select the target vehicle from the vehicle 50a, the vehicle 50b, or the vehicle 50c having many options for power transmission. As a result, it is possible to flexibly deal with a sudden change in the prediction result of the power supply and demand balance.

[0130] The processing device 605 may set the priority p of the vehicle 50ad higher when the vehicle 50ad is capable of performing either contactless power transfer while stopped or contactless power transfer while traveling than when the vehicle 50ad is capable of performing both contactless power transfer while stopped and contactless power transfer while traveling. In other words, the processing device 605 may set the priority p of the vehicle 50 higher when the vehicle 50 in the group 500ad is the vehicle 50b or the vehicle 50c (FIG. 6) than when the vehicle 50 in the group 500ad is the vehicle 50a.

[0131] The vehicle 50a has more options for power transmission to participate in DR than the vehicles 50b and 50c. When the priority p of the vehicles 50b and 50c is set higher than the priority p of the vehicle 50a, the vehicles 50b and 50c are more likely to be selected as target vehicles than the vehicle 50a. This allows the processing device to select a target vehicle from the vehicles 50a, which have a relatively large number of options for power transmission, even if the prediction result of the power supply and demand balance changes suddenly after the DR signal is transmitted to the vehicles 50b and 50c. As a result, it is possible to more flexibly deal with a sudden change in the prediction result of the power supply and demand balance.

[0132] Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining how the server 600 according to the second modification selects a target vehicle from the vehicle group 500 when it receives an adjustment request ARE. In the following explanation, Figs. 5 and 6 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0133] 13, graph 420 is a graph for explaining how server 600 selects a target vehicle when adjustment request power amount RA during period P1 is within range R11 of 0 or more and less than VdT. This case corresponds to a case where server 600 selects vehicle 50d (FIG. 5) as a target vehicle from among vehicles 50a-50d to adjust the power supply and demand balance. VdT is the maximum amount of power that vehicle 50d can consume in power system PG during period P1 (the sum of DR amounts dra of all vehicles 50d).

[0134] When the adjustment request amount of power RA is within the range R11, the server 600 selects at least one vehicle 50d from the group 500d as a target vehicle so that the adjustment request amount of power RA is consumed in the power system PG during the period P1. In this example, the server 600 executes this selection process so that the sum (Vd) of the DR amount dra of the at least one vehicle 50d reaches the adjustment request amount of power RA (=RA21).

[0135] Graph 430 is a graph for explaining how server 600 selects a target vehicle when the adjustment requested power amount RA during period P1 is within range R12 that is equal to or greater than VdT and less than VdbcT (described later). This case corresponds to a case in which server 600 selects vehicle 50b and vehicle 50c as target vehicles in addition to vehicle 50d among vehicles 50a-50d in order to adjust the power supply and demand balance.

[0136] In this example, the value of the adjustment request power amount RA is RA22, which is greater than VdT. VbcT is the maximum amount of power that can be consumed in the power system PG by the vehicles 50b and 50c during the period P1 (the sum of the DR amounts dra of all the vehicles 50b and 50c). VdbcT is the sum of VdT and VbcT.

[0137] When the adjustment request power amount RA is within the range R12, the server 600 selects all of the vehicles 50d as target vehicles and selects at least one vehicle 50 (vehicle 50b or vehicle 50c) from the group 500bc as a target vehicle so that the adjustment request power amount RA is consumed in the power system PG during the period P1. The server 600 executes this selection process, for example, so that the sum Vdbc of the sum (Vbc) of the DR amount dra of the at least one vehicle 50 and VdT reaches the adjustment request power amount RA (=RA22).

[0138] Graph 440 is a graph for explaining how server 600 selects a target vehicle when the adjustment requested power amount RA during period P1 is within range R13 that is equal to or greater than VdbcT and less than VadT. This case corresponds to a case in which server 600 selects vehicle 50a as a target vehicle in addition to vehicles 50b, 50c, and 50d among vehicles 50a-50d in order to adjust the power supply and demand balance.

[0139] In this example, the value of the adjustment request power amount RA is RA23, which is greater than VdbcT. VaT is the maximum amount of power that can be consumed by the vehicle 50a in the power system PG during the period P1 (the sum of the DR amounts dra of all the vehicles 50a).

[0140] When the adjustment request power amount RA is within the range R13, the server 600 selects all of the vehicles 50b, 50c, and 50e as target vehicles and selects at least one vehicle 50a from the group 500a as a target vehicle so that the adjustment request power amount RA is consumed in the power system PG during the period P1. For example, this selection process is performed so that the sum Vdbca of the sum (Va) of the DR amount dra of the at least one vehicle 50a and VdbcT reaches the adjustment request power amount RA (=RA23).

[0141] 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the server 600 of this modified example 2. This flowchart starts when the server 600 receives an adjustment request ARE (FIG. 1).

[0142] Referring to Fig. 14, this flowchart differs from the flowchart of Fig. 8 in that processes of steps S312 and S315 are executed instead of the processes of steps S110 and S115, respectively. Processes of steps S307 and S320 are similar to the processes of steps S107 and S120 (both of Fig. 8), respectively.

[0143] The server 600 sets the priority p (in other words, the priority information 675) of each vehicle 50 in accordance with the ID information 671 and the DR participation mode information 672 of the management data 670 (step S312).

[0144] In this example, the server 600 sets the priority p (=pr1d) of the vehicle 50d higher than the priority p (=pr1bc) of the vehicles 50b and 50c. Furthermore, the server 600 sets the priority p of the vehicle 50bc higher than the priority p (=pr1a) of the vehicle 50a (pr1d>pr1bc>pr1a). pr2 and pr3 are the same as those in the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified example.

[0145] Next, the server 600 selects a target vehicle according to the set priority p of each vehicle 50 (step S315). Details of this process will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0146] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the process (step S315 in Fig. 14) for selecting a target vehicle according to the priority p in this modification 2. In the following description, Fig. 13 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0147] 15, the processor 605 of the server 600 determines whether the adjustment requested power amount RA is within a range R11 (step S3151).

[0148] If the adjustment requested power amount RA is within the range R11 (YES in step S3151), the processing device 605 selects the vehicle 50d as a target vehicle from the vehicle group 500 according to the priority p (pr1d>pr1bc>pr1a>pr2>pr3) of each vehicle 50 (step S3152). That is, the processing device 605 preferentially selects the vehicle 50d having the highest priority p from among the vehicles 50a to 50h as the target vehicle (graph 420 in FIG. 13). After step S3152, the process proceeds to step S320 in FIG. 14.

[0149] On the other hand, if the adjustment requested power amount RA is outside the range R11 (NO in step S3151), the processor 605 advances the process to step S3153.

[0150] Next, the processor 605 determines whether the adjustment requested power amount RA is within the range R12 (step S3153).

[0151] If the adjustment requested power amount RA is within the range R12 (YES in step S3153), the processing device 605 selects the vehicles 50b and 50c in addition to the vehicle 50d as target vehicles from the vehicle group 500 according to the priority p of each vehicle 50 (step S3154). Specifically, the processing device 605 preferentially selects all of the vehicles 50d and at least one of the vehicles 50b or 50c as target vehicles from among the vehicles 50a to 50h (graph 430 in FIG. 13). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S320 in FIG. 14.

[0152] On the other hand, if the adjustment requested amount of power RA is outside the range R12 (NO in step S3153), the processor 605 advances the process to step S3155.

[0153] Next, the processing device 605 determines whether the adjustment requested power amount RA is within the range R13 (step S3155). If the adjustment requested power amount RA is within the range R13 (YES in step S3155), the processing device 605 selects the vehicles 50b, 50c, 50d, and 50a as target vehicles from the vehicle group 500 according to the priority p of each vehicle 50 (step S3156). Specifically, the processing device 605 preferentially selects the vehicles 50a-50d as target vehicles over the vehicles 50e-50h, and preferentially selects the vehicles 50b-50c as target vehicles over the vehicle 50a (graph 440 in FIG. 13). In this case, the processing device 605 advances the process to step S320 in FIG. 14.

[0154] On the other hand, if the adjustment request power amount RA is outside the range R13 (NO in step S3155), in this example, the adjustment request power amount RA is assumed to be within the range R2 or range R3 (both in FIG. 7). In this case, the processing device 605 executes the same process as step S1154 in FIG. 9. The subsequent process is the same as the process (step S1155 or step S1158) described in FIG. 9.

[0155] In the above description, the priorities p (pb, pc in FIG. 6) of the vehicles 50b and 50c are the same, but the priorities p may be different. For example, the processing device 605 may set the priority p (pb) of the vehicle 50b, which has a relatively small power loss during contactless power transmission during the period P1, higher than the priority p (pc) of the vehicle 50c, which has a relatively large power loss. [Other variations] The adjustment request power amount RA (FIGS. 7 and 13) may be the amount of power that needs to be saved in the power system PG or supplied to the power system PG by the power resource group 400 (e.g., the group of vehicles 500). In this case, the DR amount of the vehicle 50 corresponds to the amount of transmitted power transmitted from the vehicle 50 to the power equipment, or the amount of power saved by the vehicle 50 (the amount of reduction in the originally planned power consumption). Then, the server 600 selects at least one vehicle 50 from the group of vehicles 500 as a target vehicle such that the sum of the transmitted power amount or the power saving amount of each target vehicle reaches the adjustment request power amount RA.

[0156] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 10 Power management system, 40 Power station, 45, 45B, 45C Power transmission and receiving equipment, 46, 48, 180, 630 Communication device, 50, 50A, 50B, 50C, 50a, 50ad, 50b, 50bc, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50ef, 50f, 50g, 50h Vehicle, 123 Power transmission and receiving device, 400 Power resource group, 500 Vehicle group, 500a, 500ad, 500bc, 500d, 500e, 500ef, 500f, 500g, 500h Group, 600, 700 Server, 605 Processing device, 670 Management data, PG Power system, S1 DR signal, S11 Acknowledgement signal.

Claims

1. An aggregator server that manages a plurality of vehicles, each of which is configured to be able to participate in a demand response (DR) for adjusting a balance between power supply and demand in a power grid, a first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be able to participate in the DR by performing a first power transmission to transmit power to a power station external to the first vehicle through a power cable of the power station; a second vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be able to participate in the DR by performing a second power transmission in which the second vehicle transmits power in a non-contact manner to an electric power facility outside the second vehicle while the second vehicle is stopped; a third vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be able to participate in the DR by performing a third power transmission in which the third vehicle transmits power in a non-contact manner to an electric power facility outside the third vehicle while the third vehicle is traveling; The server, a communication device configured to be able to transmit a DR signal requesting participation in the DR to each of the plurality of vehicles; a processing device that selects, from the plurality of vehicles, a target vehicle to which the DR signal is to be transmitted by the communication device in accordance with a priority of participation in the DR; The processing device sets the priority of the first vehicle higher than the priority of the second vehicle, and sets the priority of the second vehicle higher than the priority of the third vehicle.

2. The server of claim 1, wherein when the amount of adjustment power required to adjust the power load in the power system during a DR period in which each of the plurality of vehicles is requested to participate in the DR is equal to or greater than the sum of a first amount of power which is the maximum amount of power that can be consumed in the power system by the first vehicle during the DR period and a second amount of power which is the maximum amount of power that can be consumed in the power system by the second vehicle during the DR period, the processing device sets the priorities of the first vehicle, the second vehicle and the third vehicle such that, among the first vehicle, the second vehicle and the third vehicle, only the first vehicle and the second vehicle are selected as the target vehicles when the penalty imposed on the aggregator is less than a threshold value.

3. The server described in claim 1, wherein, when the amount of adjustment power required to adjust the power load in the power system during a DR period in which each of the plurality of vehicles is requested to participate in the DR is equal to or greater than a first amount of power, which is the maximum amount of power that can be consumed in the power system by the first vehicle during the DR period, the processing device sets the priorities of the first vehicle, the second vehicle and the third vehicle such that only the first vehicle among the first vehicle, the second vehicle and the third vehicle is selected as the target vehicle when the penalty imposed on the aggregator is less than a threshold value.

4. 4. A server as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing device sets the priority of the first vehicle higher when the first vehicle is not capable of performing the second power transmission and the third power transmission than when the first vehicle is further capable of performing at least one of the second power transmission and the third power transmission.

5. The server of claim 4, wherein the processing device sets the priority of the first vehicle higher when the first vehicle is further capable of performing either the second power transmission or the third power transmission than when the first vehicle is further capable of performing both the second power transmission and the third power transmission.

6. A plurality of vehicles each configured to be able to participate in DR for adjusting the balance of power supply and demand in a power grid; A server that manages the plurality of vehicles, A first vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be capable of performing a first power transmission to transmit power to a power station outside the first vehicle through a power cable of the power station; a second vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be capable of performing a second power transmission in which power is transmitted in a non-contact manner to an electric power facility outside the second vehicle while the second vehicle is stopped; a third vehicle among the plurality of vehicles is configured to be capable of performing a third power transmission in which power is transmitted in a non-contact manner to an electric power facility outside the third vehicle while the third vehicle is traveling; The server, a communication device configured to be able to transmit a DR signal requesting participation in the DR to each of the plurality of vehicles; a processing device that selects a target vehicle to which the DR signal is to be transmitted from the plurality of vehicles in accordance with a priority of participation in the DR; The processing device sets the priority of the first vehicle higher than the priority of the second vehicle, and sets the priority of the second vehicle higher than the priority of the third vehicle.

Images