Power Management System

Abstract

To notify each vehicle of a required charge / discharge amount without using a dedicated communication device, in a power management systems including an electric vehicle that charges and discharges in a non-contact manner with a facility installed on a road surface.SOLUTION: A power management system includes an electric vehicle (18) that charges and discharges in a non-contact manner with a non-contact power facility (19) installed on the road surface, and a transmission device (220) that transmits a required charge / discharge amount to the electric vehicle (18). The electric vehicle (18) includes an acquisition device (160) that acquires the required charge / discharge amount transmitted from the transmission device (220), a control device (170) that controls the charging / discharging amount with the non-contact power facility (19) on the basis of the required charging / discharging amount. The transmission device (220) includes an electronic bulletin board (221), an FM transmitter (222) and a WiFi transmitter (223). The acquisition device (160) includes an onboard camera (161), an FM receiver (162), and a WiFi receiver (163).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an energy management system including a vehicle that charges and discharges in a non-contact manner between the vehicle and an electric power facility installed on a road along which the vehicle travels, and a transmission device that transmits information to the vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been progress in the development of power management systems (known as virtual power plants, VPPs) that use advanced energy management technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to bundle and integrate multiple distributed energy resources and enable them to function as if they were a single power plant.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-95983 (Patent Document 1) discloses a VPP that uses an electric vehicle, which charges and discharges electricity contactlessly between the electric vehicle and power equipment installed on the road along which the vehicle travels, as one of the energy resources. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-95983 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To realize a VPP using electric vehicles that charge and discharge without contact between them and power equipment installed on the roads they travel on, it is necessary for the system that operates the VPP to transmit the required charging and discharging amounts to the vehicles, and for the vehicles to control their power based on the required charging and discharging amounts.

[0006] If dedicated communication equipment installed on the roads along which the VPP is driven were used as a means of transmitting the required charging and discharging amounts from the system operating the VPP to the vehicles, there is a concern that in areas where dedicated communication equipment is not widely available, the required charging and discharging amounts would not be transmitted to the vehicles, which could result in delays in the adjustment of demand response (DR) between multiple distributed energy resources.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a purpose of the present disclosure is to notify each vehicle of the required charging / discharging amount in a power management system that includes electric vehicles that charge and discharge contactlessly from equipment installed on the road on which the vehicle travels, without using a dedicated communication device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The power management system according to the present disclosure includes a vehicle that charges and discharges power in a non-contact manner between the vehicle and power equipment installed on the road surface of the road, and a transmission device that transmits a required charge / discharge amount for the vehicle to the vehicle. The vehicle has an acquisition device that acquires the required charge / discharge amount transmitted from the transmission device, and a control device that controls the charge / discharge amount between the vehicle and the power equipment based on the required charge / discharge amount. The transmission device includes at least one of a display device that displays information indicating the required charge / discharge amount, a first transmitter that transmits radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount by FM communication, and a second transmitter that transmits radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount by wireless LAN communication. The acquisition device includes a camera that captures the information displayed on the display device, a first receiver that receives the radio waves transmitted from the first transmitter, and a second receiver that receives the radio waves transmitted from the second transmitter.

[0009] Recent electric vehicles are generally equipped with versatile devices such as an on-board camera, an FM (Frequency Modulation) receiver that receives radio waves using FM communication, and a WiFi receiver that receives radio waves using WiFi (registered trademark), which is one of wireless LANs (Local Area Networks). In view of this, the power management system according to the present disclosure is configured to include at least one of a display device (e.g., an electronic signboard installed on many roads) that displays information indicating the required charge / discharge amount, a first transmitter (so-called FM transmitter) that transmits radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount by FM communication, and a second transmitter (e.g., WiFi transmitter) that transmits radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount by wireless LAN communication, as a transmission device that transmits the required charge / discharge amount to the vehicle. These transmission devices (the display device, the first transmitter, and the second transmitter) are versatile devices that are currently installed as infrastructure on many travel roads. The vehicle is configured to include, as an acquisition device for acquiring the required charge / discharge amount, a camera (on-board camera) that captures the information displayed on the display device, a first receiver (so-called FM receiver) that receives the radio waves transmitted from the first transmitter, and a second receiver (e.g., WiFi receiver) that receives the radio waves transmitted from the second transmitter. Therefore, in the power management system according to the present disclosure, it is possible to notify each vehicle of the required charge / discharge amount by using a versatile transmission device and acquisition device without using a dedicated communication device. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, in an energy management system that includes electric vehicles that charge and discharge energy contactlessly from equipment installed on the road along which the vehicle travels, it is possible to notify each vehicle of the required charging and discharging amount without using a dedicated communication device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a power management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an electric vehicle and a transmission device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] 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 denoted by the same reference characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a power management system 100 according to the present embodiment. The power management system 100 is a system that can correspond to a virtual power plant (VPP).

[0014] The power management system 100 includes a CEMS 1, a CEMS server 2, a power receiving and transforming facility 3, a power system 4, a power transmission and distribution company server 5, and a market server 10. CEMS stands for Community Energy Management System or City Energy Management System.

[0015] The CEMS 1 includes a factory energy management system (FEMS) 11, a building energy management system (BEMS) 12, a home energy management system (HEMS) 13, a generator 14, a naturally variable power source 15, an energy storage system (ESS) 16, contact power equipment 17, an electric vehicle 18, and contactless power equipment 19. In the CEMS 1, a microgrid MG is constructed by these components.

[0016] The FEMS 11 is a system that manages the supply and demand of electricity used in a factory. The FEMS 11 includes a factory building (including air conditioning equipment and lighting equipment, etc.) and industrial equipment (production lines, etc.) that operate with electricity supplied from the microgrid MG. Although not shown, the FEMS 11 may include power generation equipment (generators, solar panels, etc.) installed in the factory. Electricity generated by these power generation equipment may be supplied to the microgrid MG. The FEMS 11 may also include power generation equipment (solar panels, etc.) and may also include a cold heat source system (waste heat recovery system, heat storage system, etc.). The FEMS 11 further includes an FEMS server 115 that is capable of bidirectional communication with the CEMS server 2.

[0017] The BEMS 12 is a system that manages the supply and demand of electricity used in buildings such as offices or commercial facilities. The BEMS 12 includes air conditioning equipment and lighting equipment installed in the building. The BEMS 12 may include power generation equipment and / or a cold and heat source system. The BEMS 12 further includes a BEMS server 125 that is capable of bidirectional communication with the CEMS server 2.

[0018] The HEMS 13 is a system that manages the supply and demand of electricity used in the home. The HEMS 13 includes household appliances (air conditioners, lighting fixtures, other electrical appliances, etc.) that operate with electricity supplied from the microgrid MG. The HEMS 13 may also include solar panels, a household heat pump system, a household cogeneration system, a household storage battery, etc. The HEMS 11 further includes a HEMS server 135 that is capable of bidirectional communication with the CEMS server 2.

[0019] The generator 14 is a power generation facility that is not dependent on weather conditions, and outputs the generated power to the microgrid MG. The generator 14 may include a steam turbine generator, a gas turbine generator, a diesel engine generator, a gas engine generator, a biomass generator, a stationary fuel cell, etc. The generator 14 may include a cogeneration system that utilizes heat generated during power generation.

[0020] The naturally variable power source 15 is a power generation facility whose power output varies depending on weather conditions, and outputs the generated power to the microgrid MG. Although a solar power generation facility (solar panel) is illustrated in Fig. 1, the naturally variable power source 15 may include a wind power generation facility instead of or in addition to the solar power generation facility.

[0021] The power storage system 16 is a stationary power storage device that stores power generated by the naturally variable power source 15 or the like. This power storage device is a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery, and for example, a traction battery (recycled product) previously installed in a vehicle can be used. However, the power storage system 16 is not limited to a secondary battery, and may be a power to gas device that produces gaseous fuel (hydrogen, methane, etc.) using surplus power.

[0022] The contact power equipment 17 is a charging station configured to exchange power with the electric vehicle 18 via a power cable. The contact power equipment 17 may be a home charger. The contact power equipment 17 may be configured to be electrically connected to the microgrid MG and to discharge (supply power) to the microgrid MG.

[0023] The non-contact power equipment 19 is installed on the road surface of the travel road and configured to exchange power in a non-contact manner with the electric vehicle 18. The non-contact power equipment 19 is dotted along the travel road.

[0024] The electric vehicle 18 is a vehicle that can run by consuming electric power. Specifically, the electric vehicle 18 is a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV), an electric vehicle (EV), etc. The electric vehicle 18 is configured to be able to exchange electric power with the contact power facility 17 via a power cable.

[0025] Moreover, the electric vehicle 18 is configured to be able to contactlessly exchange power with the contactless power facility 19 by traveling on the travel road. A transmission device 220 for transmitting a requested charge / discharge amount from the CEMS server 2 to the electric vehicle 18 is provided on the travel road. The transmission devices 220 are disposed at predetermined locations on the travel road. The electric vehicle 18 is configured to control the charge / discharge amount between the electric vehicle 18 and the contactless power facility 19 based on the requested charge / discharge amount transmitted from the transmission device 220.

[0026] In the example shown in Fig. 1, the CEMS 1 includes one each of the FEMS 11, BEMS 12, HEMS 13, generator 14, naturally variable power source 15, power storage system 16, contact power equipment 17, electric vehicle 18, and non-contact power equipment 19, but the number of these systems or equipment included is arbitrary. The CEMS 1 may include a plurality of these systems or equipment, or there may be systems or equipment not included in the CEMS 1. The FEMS 11, BEMS 12, and / or HEMS 13 may include equipment such as a generator, or may include charging equipment and vehicles. Each of these systems or equipment functions as a power adjustment resource.

[0027] The CEMS server 2 is a computer that manages power adjustment resources within the CEMS 1. The CEMS server 2 includes a control device 201, a storage device 202, and a communication device 203. The control device 201 includes a processor, and is configured to execute predetermined arithmetic processing. The storage device 202 includes a memory that stores a program executed by the control device 201, and stores various information used in the program (maps, relational expressions, parameters, etc.). The storage device 202 also includes a database, and stores data related to the power of the systems or facilities included in the CEMS 1 (power generation history, power consumption history, etc.). The communication device 203 includes a communication interface, and is configured to communicate with the outside (other servers, etc.).

[0028] The CEMS server 2 may be an aggregator server. An aggregator is an electric utility that provides an energy management service by bundling a plurality of power adjustment resources.

[0029] The power receiving and transforming equipment 3 is provided at the power receiving point (interconnection point) of the microgrid MG, and is configured to be able to switch between parallel (connection) and parallel-off (disconnection) between the microgrid MG and the power system 4. The power receiving and transforming equipment 3 includes a high-voltage side (primary side) switchgear, a transformer, a protective relay, measuring instruments, and a control device, all of which are not shown. When the microgrid MG is interconnected with the power system 4, the power receiving and transforming equipment 3 receives, for example, extra-high voltage AC power (a voltage exceeding 7000 V) from the power system 4, and steps down the received power to supply it to the microgrid MG.

[0030] The power system 4 is a power network constructed by power plants and power transmission and distribution facilities. In this embodiment, an electric power company serves as both a power generation business operator and a power transmission and distribution business operator. The electric power company corresponds to a general power transmission and distribution business operator, and also corresponds to a manager of the power system 4, and maintains and manages the power system 4.

[0031] The electricity transmission and distribution company server 5 is a computer that belongs to an electric power company and manages the supply and demand of electricity in the electric power system 4. The electricity transmission and distribution company server 5 is also configured to be capable of bidirectional communication with the CEMS server 2.

[0032] The market server 10 is a server that manages the power management system 100. The market server 10 determines the price of power to be bought and sold. Furthermore, the functions of the market server 10 may be provided by another server (for example, the power transmission and distribution company server 5).

[0033] A contract is concluded between the administrator of the CEMS 1 and the power company that maintains and manages the power system 4 regarding the amount of power supplied from the power system 4 to the microgrid MG at predetermined intervals (for example, every 30 minutes). In accordance with this contract, the CEMS server 2 is required to adjust the actual amount of power supplied from the power system 4 to the microgrid MG so that the actual amount of power (actual amount of power) approximately matches the amount of power supply (planned amount of power) planned in advance. For this adjustment, the CEMS server 2 outputs a demand response (DR) request to various power adjustment resources in the CEMS 1 to feedback control the power adjustment resources. This makes it possible to appropriately reduce various types of power (generated power, stored power, consumed power, etc.) in the CEMS 1, and to comply with the above contract. The DR request may be determined by the CEMS server 2 as to whether or not a DR request output is made. Alternatively, another server may determine whether or not a DR request output is made and request the CEMS server 2 to make a DR request. In this case, the CEMS server 2 outputs a DR request upon receiving the request.

[0034] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of electric vehicle 18 and transmission device 220. Electric vehicle 18 includes a power storage device 110, a PCU (Power Control Unit) 120, a motor generator 130, a power transmission / reception unit 150, a charger / discharger 155, an acquisition device 160, and a control device (ECU; Electronic Control Unit) 170.

[0035] The power storage device 110 is a power storage element configured to be capable of charging and discharging. The power storage device 110 includes, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery, or a power storage element such as an electric double layer capacitor. The power storage device 110 stores electric power for generating a driving force for traveling by the motor generator 130. The power storage device 110 supplies the stored electric power to the PCU 120.

[0036] The PCU 120 is a drive device that drives the motor generator 130, and includes power conversion devices such as a converter and an inverter (neither of which are shown). The PCU 120 is controlled by the control device 170, and converts DC power received from the power storage device 110 into AC power for driving the motor generator 130.

[0037] The PCU 120 rectifies the electric power generated by the motor generator 130 when braking the electric vehicle 18 to a voltage level of the power storage device 110 and outputs the rectified electric power to the power storage device 110. The power storage device 110 can store the generated electric power.

[0038] The power transmitting and receiving unit 150 is disposed on the lower surface of a floor panel that forms the bottom surface of the electric vehicle 18. A power transmitting and receiving coil is housed within the power transmitting and receiving unit 150. The power transmitting and receiving unit 150 is configured to be capable of contactlessly exchanging (charging and discharging) electric power with a contactless power facility 19 installed on the road 20 when the electric vehicle 18 travels on the road 20.

[0039] The charger / discharger 155 is connected between the power storage device 110 and the power transmission / reception unit 150. The charger / discharger 155 is controlled by the control device 170. The charger / discharger 155 can supply power from the power storage device 110 to the microgrid MG by contactlessly supplying power from the power transmission / reception unit 150 to the contactless power equipment 19. The charger / discharger 155 can also charge the power storage device 110 with power from the microgrid MG by supplying power received by the power transmission / reception unit 150 contactlessly from the contactless power equipment 19 to the power storage device 110.

[0040] A transmission device 220 is installed at a predetermined location on the travel road 20. The transmission device 220 is connected to a CEMS server 2 that manages power adjustment resources in the CEMS 1, and transmits a required charge / discharge amount for the electric vehicle 18 to the electric vehicle 18 in response to a command from the CEMS server 2.

[0041] The electric vehicle 18 is provided with an acquisition device 160 that acquires the required charge / discharge amount from the transmission device 220. The acquisition device 160 transmits the required charge / discharge amount transmitted from the transmission device 220 to the control device 170.

[0042] The control device 170 controls the amount of charging and discharging between the control device 170 and the non-contact power equipment 19 installed on the travel road 20, based on the requested amount of charging and discharging from the acquisition device 160. In other words, the control device 170 controls the charger / discharger 155 so that the amount of charging and discharging between the control device 170 and the non-contact power equipment 19 becomes the requested amount of charging and discharging.

[0043] In this embodiment, the requested charge / discharge amount from the CEMS server 2 is notified to the electric vehicle 18 using a general-purpose device, rather than a dedicated communication device.

[0044] Specifically, the electric vehicle 18 has an on-board camera 161, an FM receiver 162, and a WiFi (registered trademark) receiver 163 as the acquisition device 160. Note that WiFi is an example of wireless LAN communication. The on-board camera, the FM receiver, and the WiFi receiver are versatile devices that are generally provided in recent vehicles.

[0045] The road 20 is provided with an electronic signboard 221, an FM transmitter 222, and a WiFi transmitter 223 as a transmission device 220. The electronic signboard 221 displays information indicating the required charge / discharge amount. The FM transmitter 222 transmits radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount by FM communication. The WiFi transmitter 223 transmits radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount by WiFi communication (wireless LAN communication). The in-vehicle camera 161 captures the information indicating the required charge / discharge amount displayed on the electronic signboard 221. The FM receiver 162 receives the radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount transmitted from the FM transmitter 222. The WiFi receiver 163 receives the radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount transmitted from the WiFi transmitter 223. These electronic signboards, FM receivers, and WiFi receivers are versatile devices that are often installed on recent roads.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows an example in which three types of transmission devices 220 (electronic bulletin board 221, FM transmitter 222, and WiFi transmitter 223) are provided at one installation location of the transmission devices 220, but it is sufficient that at least one type of transmission device 220 is provided at one installation location.

[0047] Furthermore, a camera 210 that captures an image of the license plate of the electric vehicle 18 is disposed at a predetermined location on the road 20. This camera 210 is also a versatile device that is often installed on recent roads.

[0048] In the power management system 100 having the above-mentioned configuration, the required charge / discharge amount is transmitted from the CEMS server 2 to the electric vehicle 18 in the following procedure.

[0049] When the electric vehicle 18 travels on the travel road 20, the license plate of the electric vehicle 18 is captured by the camera 210. The camera 210 transmits the captured license plate information of the electric vehicle 18 to the CEMS server 2 together with position information of the captured electric vehicle 18 (installation position information of the camera 210).

[0050] The CEMS server 2 identifies the electric vehicle 18 from the license plate information captured by the camera 210, and identifies the required charge / discharge amount for the electric vehicle 18. Furthermore, the CEMS server 2 identifies the transmission device 220 located near the electric vehicle 18 based on the position information of the electric vehicle 18 from the camera 210.

[0051] Then, the CEMS server 2 transmits the vehicle ID and the requested charge / discharge amount to the identified transmission device 220, and causes the transmission device 220 to transmit the requested charge / discharge amount to the electric vehicle 18. At this time, if the transmission device 220 is an electronic bulletin board 221, information indicating the vehicle ID and the requested charge / discharge amount is displayed on the electronic bulletin board 221. If the transmission device 220 is an FM transmitter 222, radio waves indicating the vehicle ID and the requested charge / discharge amount are transmitted from the FM transmitter 222. If the transmission device 220 is an FM transmitter 222, radio waves indicating the vehicle ID and the requested charge / discharge amount are transmitted from the FM transmitter 222. Note that if the identified transmission devices 220 include two or more types of transmission devices 220, the requested charge / discharge amount may be transmitted from the two or more types of transmission devices 220 simultaneously.

[0052] The electric vehicle 18 acquires the requested charge / discharge amount transmitted from the transmission device 220 using the acquisition device 160. When the transmission device 220 is an electronic bulletin board 221, the information indicating the vehicle ID and the requested charge / discharge amount displayed on the electronic bulletin board 221 is captured by the in-vehicle camera 161. When the transmission device 220 is an FM transmitter 222, the radio waves indicating the vehicle ID and the requested charge / discharge amount transmitted from the FM transmitter 222 are received by the FM receiver 162. When the transmission device 220 is a WiFi transmitter 223, the radio waves indicating the vehicle ID and the requested charge / discharge amount transmitted from the WiFi transmitter 223 are received by the WiFi receiver 163.

[0053] Then, the electric vehicle 18 controls the amount of charging and discharging between the electric vehicle 18 and the contactless power equipment 19 installed on the road 20 , based on the required amount of charging and discharging acquired by the acquisition device 160 .

[0054] As described above, in the power management system 100 according to the present embodiment, in consideration of the fact that recent vehicles are generally equipped with versatile devices such as an on-board camera, an FM receiver, and a WiFi receiver, the transmission device 220 for transmitting the required charge / discharge amount to the electric vehicle 18 is configured to include at least one of the electronic signboard 221 for displaying information indicating the required charge / discharge amount, the FM transmitter 222 for transmitting radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount by FM communication, and the WiFi transmitter 223 for transmitting radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount by WiFi. These electronic signboard 221, FM transmitter 222, and WiFi transmitter 223 are versatile devices that are currently installed as infrastructure on many travel roads. The electric vehicle 18 is configured to include, as the acquisition device 160 for acquiring the required charge / discharge amount, the on-board camera 161 for capturing the information displayed on the electronic signboard 221, the FM receiver 162 for receiving radio waves transmitted from the FM transmitter 222, and the WiFi receiver 163 for receiving radio waves transmitted from the WiFi transmitter 223. Therefore, in the power management system 100 according to the present embodiment, the required charge / discharge amount can be notified to each electric vehicle 18 by using the versatile transmission device 220 and acquisition device 160 without using a dedicated communication device.

[0055] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the embodiments described above, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 2 CEMS server, 3 substation equipment, 4 power system, 5 power transmission and distribution company server, 10 market server, 14 generator, 15 naturally variable power source, 16 power storage system, 17 contact power equipment, 18 electric vehicle, 19 non-contact power equipment, 20 travel road, 100 power management system, 110 power storage device, 115 FEMS server, 125 BEMS server, 130 motor generator, 135 HEMS server, 150 power transmission and reception unit, 155 charger / discharger, 160 acquisition device, 161 vehicle-mounted camera, 162 FM receiver, 163 WiFi receiver, 170, 201 control device, 202 storage device, 203 communication device, 210 camera, 220 transmission device, 221 electronic bulletin board, 222 FM transmitter, 223 WiFi transmitter.

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle that charges and discharges in a non-contact manner between the vehicle and power equipment installed on the road surface of the road on which the vehicle travels; a transmission device that transmits a required charge / discharge amount for the vehicle to the vehicle; The vehicle is an acquisition device that acquires the required charge / discharge amount transmitted from the transmission device; a control device that controls a charge / discharge amount between the power facility and the power supply based on the required charge / discharge amount; the transmission device includes at least one of a display device that displays information indicating the required charge / discharge amount, a first transmitter that transmits radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount by FM communication, and a second transmitter that transmits radio waves indicating the required charge / discharge amount by wireless LAN communication; The acquisition device is a power management system that includes a camera that captures the information displayed on the display device, a first receiver that receives radio waves transmitted from the first transmitter, and a second receiver that receives radio waves transmitted from the second transmitter.

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