Servers and power conditioning systems

Abstract

To enable users to make effective use of their free time during a demand response (DR) period while contributing to adjustment of power demand-and-supply balance.SOLUTION: A server 21 notifies a user U of a vehicle 33 that can participate in DR. The server 21 includes a communication device 24 and a processing device 26. The communication device 24 communicates with a provider server 50 that stores information indicating an execution period and an execution location of at least one job given by a provider. The processing device 26 performs processing for inquiring the provider server 50 about whether the at least one job includes a target job through the communication device 24. The target job is a job of which the execution period is included in a DR period and the execution location is in a vicinity area of a DR location. When the at least one job includes the target job, the processing device 26 performs notification processing for notifying the user U of target job information indicating the execution period and the execution location of the target job.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] JP 2020-102025 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a charging processing system. This charging processing system includes a power supply facility, a vehicle, and a server. The power supply facility is provided outside the vehicle. The vehicle performs external charging to charge an in-vehicle power storage device using power supplied from the power supply facility. The server is configured to notify a user of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-102025 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In relation to a virtual power plant (VPP), demand response (DR) is being considered to adjust the balance between power supply and demand in a power grid. DR is a method of requesting a power adjustment resource of a consumer to change (e.g., increase) the power demand.

[0005] When a vehicle equipped with a power storage device is used as a power adjustment resource, the vehicle may participate in DR by external charging. The vehicle is connected to a power facility during a period during which the vehicle participates in DR (DR period). Therefore, a user of the vehicle cannot freely use the vehicle during the DR period, and may have free time after the DR period ends until the vehicle becomes available.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a server and a power adjustment system that enable effective use of users' free time during a DR period while contributing to adjusting the balance between power supply and demand. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The server of the present disclosure is configured to notify a user of a vehicle that can participate in a demand response for adjusting the balance of power supply and demand in a power grid by external charging, which charges an on-board power storage device using power equipment outside the vehicle. The server includes a storage device, a communication device, and a processing device. The storage device stores information indicating a demand response period, which is a period during which the vehicle participates in the demand response, and a demand response location, which is a location of power equipment used by the vehicle to participate in the demand response. The communication device is configured to communicate with an operator server that stores information indicating an implementation period and an implementation location of at least one job provided by an operator. The processing device executes a process of inquiring of the operator server through the communication device whether or not at least one job includes a target job. The target job is a job whose implementation period is within the demand response period and whose implementation location is within a neighborhood area of ​​the demand response location. If at least one job includes the target job, the processing device executes a notification process of notifying a user of target job information indicating the implementation period and implementation location of the target job.

[0008] With the above configuration, the user is motivated to perform the target work in the vicinity of the demand response location during the demand response period. This allows the user to effectively use his / her free time during the demand response period. As a result, it is possible to effectively use the user's free time during the demand response period while contributing to the adjustment of the power supply and demand balance.

[0009] Preferably, the target task information includes information indicating a required time for the target task. The processing device is configured to set a command value for charging power of the in-vehicle power storage device during a demand response period. When the user performs the target task, the processing device sets the command value higher when the required time is short than when the required time is long.

[0010] With the above configuration, when the required time is short, the charging power is greater than when the required time is long. This allows the vehicle's participation in demand response to end sooner. As a result, the user's waiting time from when the user completes the target task until the vehicle's participation in demand response ends can be shortened.

[0011] Preferably, when a user performs an operation desiring to extend the demand response period after starting the target job, the processing device extends the demand response period.

[0012] Depending on the type of the target work, the user may wish to extend the demand response period. By adopting the above configuration, it is possible to satisfy the user's wishes while contributing to the adjustment of the power supply and demand balance for a longer period of time.

[0013] Preferably, the processing device is configured to acquire a user image generated by an imaging device that images the user from the imaging device, and executes an attribute determination process to determine attributes of the user according to the user image. When there are multiple target jobs, the processing device selects a proposed job to be proposed to the user from the multiple target jobs according to a result of the attribute determination process, and executes a notification process by notifying the user of target job information of the proposed job.

[0014] With the above configuration, suggested jobs are selected according to the attributes of the user, and as a result, target jobs that suit the attributes of the user can be notified to the user.

[0015] Preferably, the notification process includes displaying the target task information on a display device mounted in the vehicle or on a display device of a terminal device of the user.

[0016] The power adjustment system of the present disclosure includes a vehicle and a server. The vehicle is configured to be able to participate in a demand response for adjusting the balance between power supply and demand in a power grid by external charging, which charges an on-board power storage device using power equipment outside the vehicle. The server is configured to notify a user of the vehicle. The server includes a storage device, a communication device, and a processing device. The storage device stores information indicating a demand response period, which is a period during which the vehicle participates in the demand response, and a demand response location, which is a location of power equipment used by the vehicle to participate in the demand response. The communication device is configured to communicate with an operator server that stores information indicating an implementation period and an implementation location of at least one job provided by an operator. The processing device executes a process of inquiring of the operator server through the communication device as to whether or not the at least one job includes a target job. The target job is a job whose implementation period is within the demand response period and whose implementation location is within a neighborhood area of ​​the demand response location. When at least one task includes the target task, the processing device executes a notification process of notifying the user of target task information indicating the execution period and execution location of the target task. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to contribute to adjusting the balance between power supply and demand while enabling users to effectively utilize their free time during a demand response period. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power adjustment system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a DR location of a vehicle and a location where work is performed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a database stored in a business server. [Diagram 5] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) device when target task information is notified to a user U. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by a processing device of the server according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining how participation in DR by a vehicle ends early because a command value CV is set high. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by a processing device of the server according to the first modification. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an HMI device during the execution period of a target task. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by a processing device of the server according to the third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment 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 numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated. In the following, a vehicle capable of performing external charging is used as an example of a power resource.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power adjusting system according to an embodiment. With reference to Fig. 1, the power adjusting system 1 includes a power company system E1, an aggregation system E2, power equipment EVSE, a vehicle 33, a mobile terminal 38, and a business operator server 50.

[0021] The electric power company system E1 is managed by an electric power company, and includes a server 10, a power plant 11, a power transmission and distribution facility 12, and a power grid 40. The server 10 manages the balance of power supply and demand in the power grid 40. The power plant 11 supplies power generated by a power generation device to the power transmission and distribution facility 12. The power transmission and distribution facility 12 supplies the power supplied from the power plant 11 to the power grid 40.

[0022] The aggregation system E2 includes a server 21. The server 21 is managed by an aggregator and receives an adjustment request signal ARS from the power company system E1. The adjustment request signal ARS includes information indicating a power adjustment period, a power adjustment region, and an adjustment requested power amount RE. The power adjustment period and the power adjustment region are a period and a region in which power adjustment is requested, respectively. The adjustment requested power amount is an amount of power that is requested to be adjusted (e.g., increased) in the power adjustment region during the power adjustment period.

[0023] In response to receiving the adjustment request signal ARS, the server 21 divides the adjustment request power amount RE into n amounts (n≧2). The server 21 allocates the n divided amounts of power to n power adjustment resources, respectively. In the present embodiment, the n power adjustment resources include the vehicle 33 capable of performing external charging and a large number of other power adjustment resources (not shown).

[0024] The server 21 requests the vehicle 33 to participate in the DR by receiving the allocated amount of power (allocated power amount) at the DR location during the DR period. Specifically, the server 21 transmits a signal SG to the vehicle 33 and requests the vehicle 33 to participate in the DR through the signal SG. The server 21 may transmit the signal SG to a mobile terminal 38 of a user U of the vehicle 33 to request the vehicle 33 to participate in the DR. In this example, the DR period corresponds to a power adjustment period, and is a period during which the vehicle 33 participates in the DR. The DR location is a location where a power adjustment resource participates in the DR, and in this example, corresponds to the location of power equipment EVSE used by the vehicle 33 to participate in the DR.

[0025] When the user U of the vehicle 33 approves the participation in the DR, an approval signal AS indicating the approval is transmitted from the vehicle 33 (or the mobile terminal 38) to the server 21. As a result, a contract is established between the user U of the vehicle 33 and the aggregator. This contract includes information indicating the amount of allocated power.

[0026] The server 21 includes a storage device 22, a communication device 24, and a processing device 26. The storage device 22 includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM) (neither shown). The RAM functions as a working memory. The ROM stores programs and data executed by the processing device 26. This data includes DR location information 23 and DR period information 25. The DR location information 23 and the DR period information 25 indicate information indicating the DR location and the DR period, respectively, for each power adjustment resource.

[0027] The communication device 24 is configured to communicate with a device external to the server 21. This device is, for example, the server 10, the vehicle 33, the mobile terminal 38, the power equipment EVSE, or a business operator server 50 (described later).

[0028] The processing device 26 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing device 26 is configured to execute a process of setting a command value CV of the charging power (power supplied from the power equipment EVSE to the power storage device 34) of the vehicle 33 during the DR period. The processing device 26 transmits the command value CV to the power equipment EVSE through the communication device 24.

[0029] The electric power equipment EVSE is connected to the power grid 40 and configured to supply electric power to the vehicle 33. The electric power equipment EVSE is used for the vehicle 33 to participate in the DR. The electric power equipment EVSE includes a communication device (not shown) and is configured to receive the command value CV from the server 21 through the communication device.

[0030] The vehicle 33 is an electric vehicle equipped with a power storage device 34. The vehicle 33 is configured to participate in DR by performing external charging using the power equipment EVSE. The detailed configuration of the vehicle 33 will be described later in detail.

[0031] The mobile terminal 38 is, for example, a smartphone, and is a terminal device carried by the user U. The mobile terminal 38 includes a camera and a display device (neither of which are shown).

[0032] The business entity server 50 manages job postings for at least one job (in this example, multiple jobs) provided by a business entity. The job is, for example, a part-time job. The business entity server 50 stores a database 52. The database 52 includes job information (described below) indicating the period and location of each of the at least one job provided by the business entity. The structure of the database 52 will be described in detail later.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the DR location of the vehicle 33 and the location where the work is performed.

[0034] 2, the DR location of the vehicle 33 is a location P0. The locations P1 to P6 are locations where jobs W1 to W6 given by the business operator are performed, respectively. Each of the jobs W1 to W3 is performed in a department store 60.

[0035] The locations P1 to P3 are within a neighborhood area VA of the location P0. In this example, the neighborhood area VA is an area within a predetermined distance (for example, 1 km) from the location P0. On the other hand, the locations P4 to P6 are in a non-neighborhood area NVA, which is an area different from the neighborhood area VA.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of vehicle 33. Referring to Fig. 3, vehicle 33 includes, in addition to power storage device 34, inlet 110, sensor unit 135, and HMI device 140. Vehicle 33 further includes communication device 150, camera 155, and ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 180.

[0037] A power cable CC extending from the power equipment EVSE and its connector CN are connected to the inlet 110. The inlet 110 receives power from the power equipment EVSE through the power cable CC and the connector CN. The power received by the inlet 110 is supplied to the power storage device 34. A power conversion device may be provided between the inlet 110 and the power storage device 34.

[0038] The sensor unit 135 detects the value of the charging power of the power storage device 34 during external charging of the vehicle 33.

[0039] The HMI device 140 is, for example, a touch screen, and includes an input device 142 and a display device 144. The input device 142 receives input of various operations by a user U. The display device 144 displays various screens. Specific examples of the screens will be described in detail later.

[0040] The communication device 150 is configured to communicate with a device (e.g., the server 21) outside the vehicle 33. When the inlet 110 is connected to the connector CN, the communication device 150 is also configured to communicate with the electric power equipment EVSE through CAN (Controller Area Network) communication.

[0041] The camera 155 captures an image of the user U while the user U is in the vehicle 33, thereby generating a user image representing the user.

[0042] The ECU 180 controls various devices of the vehicle 33. The ECU 180 causes the display device 144 to display various screens, for example.

[0043] The ECU 180 acquires a user image from the camera 155 and acquires information indicating a detection value of the sensor unit 135. The ECU 180 is configured to transmit the user image to the server 21 via the communication device 150, for example.

[0044] The ECU 180 controls the external charging of the vehicle 33. When the DR period arrives with the power cable CC and the connector CN connected to the inlet 110, the ECU 180 outputs a charging start request to the power equipment EVSE by CAN communication. This starts external charging. The ECU 180 determines whether the amount of charging energy of the power storage device 34 during external charging (the amount of energy supplied from the power equipment EVSE to the power storage device 34 during external charging) has reached the aforementioned allocated amount of energy according to the detection value of the sensor unit 135. When this amount of charging energy has reached the allocated amount of energy, the ECU 180 outputs a charging end request to the power equipment EVSE by CAN communication. This ends the external charging. As a result, the participation of the vehicle 33 in the DR ends.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the database 52 stored in the business server 50. As shown in FIG.

[0046] 4, database 52 includes job information 520. Job information 520 indicates various information for at least one job (in this example, multiple jobs). Specifically, job information 520 includes ID (Identification) 521, detailed information 522, implementation period information 523, implementation location information 524, extension possibility information 525, and suitability information 526.

[0047] ID 521 indicates identification information of the corresponding job. Detailed information 522 indicates details (contents) of the corresponding job. Implementation period information 523 indicates the implementation period of the corresponding job. Implementation period information 523 also indicates the required time for the corresponding job. Implementation location information 524 indicates the location where the corresponding job is implemented. Extension possibility information 525 indicates whether the corresponding job can be extended. Suitability information 526 indicates the gender / age suitable for the corresponding job.

[0048] The vehicle 33 is connected to the electric power equipment EVSE during a period in which the vehicle 33 participates in the DR (DR period). Therefore, the user U cannot freely use the vehicle 33 during the DR period, and may have free time until the vehicle 33 becomes available after the DR period ends.

[0049] The server 21 according to the present embodiment has a configuration for dealing with such a problem. Specifically, the processing device 26 executes a process of inquiring of the business entity server 50 through the communication device 24 as to whether or not at least one job indicated by the job information 520 includes a target job. The target job is a job whose implementation period falls within the DR period and whose implementation location falls within the nearby area VA.

[0050] For example, each of the tasks W1-W3 (FIG. 2) is performed within the nearby area VA and therefore may be a target task, whereas each of the tasks W4-W6 is performed in the non-neighborhood area NVA and therefore may not be a target task.

[0051] In response to the above inquiry, the business entity server 50 judges whether or not the target job exists (i.e., whether or not at least one job indicated by the job information 520 includes the target job). Specifically, the business entity server 50 acquires the DR place information 23 and the DR period information 25 related to the vehicle 33 from the server 21, and executes the above judgment process according to the acquisition result, the implementation period information 523 and the implementation place information 524 (FIG. 4). If the target job exists, the business entity server 50 notifies the server 21 of that fact.

[0052] When the processing device 26 receives this notification, it executes a notification process to notify the user U of target task information indicating the execution period and execution location of the target task. The notification process may be performed by either a screen display or a voice. The target task information corresponds to execution period information 523 (also indicating the required time) and execution location information 524 of the target task, and may further include the target task ID 521, detailed information 522, extension possibility information 525, and suitability information 526.

[0053] When the notification process is executed as described above, the user U is motivated to perform the target task within the vicinity area VA during the DR period, which enables the user U to effectively utilize his / her free time during the DR period.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the HMI device 140 (display device 144) when target task information is notified to the user U.

[0055] 5, the screen 90 includes messages 91 and 92, and buttons 94 and 96. The message 91 indicates that the user U can perform a part-time job during the DR period of the vehicle 33 (in this example, from time ts to time tf). Furthermore, the message 91 inquires of the user U as to whether or not to perform a part-time job during the DR period. The message 92 indicates various information including target job information.

[0056] The button 94 is operated when the user U performs the target work during the DR period. When the button 94 is operated, a signal indicating that the button 94 is operated is transmitted from the vehicle 33 to the business entity server 50 via the server 21. This confirms that the target work will be performed during the DR period. On the other hand, the button 95 is operated when the user U does not perform the target work.

[0057] If there are multiple target tasks, the server 21 may send a signal to the vehicle 33 to cause a screen to be displayed on the HMI 140 showing target task information for each of the multiple target tasks and enabling the user U to select and perform a preferred one of the multiple target tasks.

[0058] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the processor 26 of the server 21 according to the present embodiment. This flowchart is started when the server 21 receives an acknowledgement signal AS (Fig. 1). In the following description, Figs. 1 to 6 will be referred to as appropriate.

[0059] 6, the server 21 transmits an inquiry signal to the business entity server 50 to inquire whether a target job exists (step S105). The inquiry signal includes information indicating the DR location and DR period of the vehicle 33 (DR location information 23 and DR period information 25 regarding the vehicle 33). Thereafter, the process of the server 21 proceeds to step S130.

[0060] The business server 50 determines whether or not an inquiry signal has been received (step S110). If the business server 50 has not yet received the inquiry signal (NO in step S110), the business server 50 executes this determination process until the business server 50 receives the signal. On the other hand, if the business server 50 has received the inquiry signal (YES in step S110), the process of the business server 50 proceeds to step S115.

[0061] The business entity server 50 determines whether or not the target job exists (i.e., whether or not at least one job indicated by the job information 520 includes the target job). Specifically, the business entity server 50 determines, for each ID 521, whether or not the implementation period indicated by the implementation period information 523 is within the DR period indicated by the inquiry signal, and whether or not the implementation location indicated by the implementation location information 524 is within the vicinity area VA of the DR location indicated by the inquiry signal.

[0062] If a target job exists (YES in step S115), the business entity server 50 outputs a target job existence notification indicating that a target job exists to the server 21 (step S120). This target job existence notification includes information (target job information) including the implementation period information 523 and implementation location information 524 of the target job. The target job existence notification further includes information indicating whether multiple target jobs exist, and if multiple target jobs exist, includes target job information for each target job.

[0063] On the other hand, if the target job does not exist (NO in step S115), the business entity server 50 outputs a target job non-existence notification indicating that the target job does not exist to the server 21 (step S125). After step S120 or S125, the processing of the business entity server 50 ends.

[0064] The server 21 switches processing depending on whether or not a target job existence notification has been received from the business entity server 50 (step S130). If the server 21 has received a target job existence notification (YES in step S130), it notifies the user U of the target job information (step S140). For example, the server 21 transmits a signal to the vehicle 33 so that the screen 90 is displayed on the HMI device 140. After step S140, the processing of the server 21 ends. On the other hand, if the server 21 has not received a target job existence notification, i.e., if the server 21 has received a target job non-existence notification (NO in step S130), it ends processing.

[0065] In the above, when there are a plurality of target tasks, the server 21 may notify the user U of target task information for each of these tasks in step S140.

[0066] Even when there are multiple target jobs, the server 21 does not have to notify the user U of the target job information for each of these jobs. For example, a signal may be transmitted to the vehicle 33 so that the target job information of the job whose execution location is closest to the DR location or the job with the highest remuneration among these target jobs is displayed on the HMI device 140. How the server 21 selects the job whose target job information is to be notified to the user U among these target jobs will also be described in Modification 3.

[0067] As described above, the server 21 according to this embodiment notifies the user U of target work information when the vehicle 33 participates in DR. This motivates the user U to perform the target work within the nearby area VA. As a result, the user U can effectively utilize his / her free time during the DR period. Therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize the user U's free time during the DR period while contributing to the adjustment of the power supply and demand balance.

[0068] [Variation 1] In this first modification, when the user U performs a target task, the processing device 26 sets the command value CV of the charging power of the power storage device 34 higher when the required time for the target task is short than when the required time is long.

[0069] For example, the server 21 sets the command value CV when the required time is less than the reference time higher than the command value CV when the required time is equal to or greater than the reference time. This reference time is appropriately determined in advance according to the length of the DR period (e.g., half the length of the DR period). The server 21 inquires of the business entity server 50 whether the required time is less than the reference time, and executes the above setting process according to the result of the inquiry.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining how participation in the DR by the vehicle 33 ends early because the command value CV is set high.

[0071] 7, a period PR is a DR period from time ts to tf, and in this example, the length is 2 hours. The period PR includes periods P1 to P4 as unit periods of the DR period (also referred to as "unit DR periods"). The time interval TI of each of these unit DR periods is 30 minutes in this example.

[0072] In each of Case A and Case B, the vertical axis indicates the command value CV, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the amount of power AAP indicates the amount of power allocated to the vehicle 33.

[0073] In case A, the user U performs a target task that requires two hours to complete. In this example, the predetermined time is equal to or longer than a reference time (e.g., one hour). Therefore, the command value CV is set to CV1 as a default value. CV1 is a value obtained by dividing the amount of power AAP by the length of the period PR. The amount of charging power of the power storage device 34 during the DR period reaches the amount of power AAP at time tf, two hours after time ts.

[0074] In case B, the user U performs a target task that requires 30 minutes to complete. In this example, this predetermined time is less than the reference time. Therefore, the command value CV is set to a value higher than CV1 (in this example, twice the value). This doubles the charging power compared to case A. As a result, the amount of charging power in the power storage device 34 during the DR period reaches the amount of power AAP at time tb, one hour after time ts.

[0075] In case B, since the command value CV is set high in this way, the participation of the vehicle in the DR ends earlier than in case A. That is, the fulfillment of the contract is completed earlier.

[0076] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the processor 26 of the server 21 according to this modification 1. This flowchart starts when the server 21 receives a signal indicating that the button 94 (FIG. 5) has been operated.

[0077] 8, the server 21 determines whether or not the required time for the target task performed by the user U is less than the reference time (step S205). Specifically, the server 21 inquires of the business entity server 50 whether or not the required time is less than the reference time, and executes this determination process according to the result of the inquiry.

[0078] If the required time is not less than the reference time, that is, is equal to or greater than the reference time (NO in step S205), the server 21 sets the command value CV to CV1 (step S215). On the other hand, if the required time is less than the reference time (YES in step S205), the server 21 sets the command value CV to CV2 (>CV1) (step S215). After step S210 or S215, the server 21 transmits the command value CV to the electric power equipment EVSE through the communication device 24 (step S220). Then, the processing of the server 21 ends.

[0079] The electric power equipment EVSE determines whether or not it has received the command value CV (step S230). If the electric power equipment EVSE has not received the command value CV (NO in step S230), it executes the above determination process until it receives the command value CV. On the other hand, if the electric power equipment EVSE has received the command value CV (YES in step S230), it proceeds to step S235.

[0080] The electric power equipment EVSE determines whether the DR period has arrived (step S235). If the DR period has not arrived yet (NO in step S235), the electric power equipment EVSE executes the above-mentioned determination process until the DR period arrives. On the other hand, if the DR period has arrived (YES in step S235), the electric power equipment EVSE executes power supply to the vehicle 33 (step S250) and proceeds to step S240.

[0081] The electric power equipment EVSE determines whether the amount of power supply to the vehicle 33 during the DR period has reached the allocated power amount of the vehicle 33 (step S245). In this example, the electric power equipment EVSE executes this determination process according to whether the electric power equipment EVSE has acquired the above-mentioned charging end request from the vehicle 33 through CAN communication.

[0082] If the amount of power supply has not yet reached the allocated amount of power (NO in step S245), the power equipment EVSE returns the process to step S240. On the other hand, if the amount of power supply has reached the allocated amount of power (YES in step S245), the power equipment EVSE ends power supply to the vehicle 33 (step S250).

[0083] In steps S205 to S215, the server 21 sets the command value CV to CV1 or CV2 depending on whether the required time of the target task is less than the reference time or not. However, the command value CV may be changed continuously so that the command value CV becomes higher as the required time becomes longer.

[0084] According to this modification 1, when the required time of the target work is short, the command value CV is set higher than when the required time is long. This allows the vehicle's participation in the DR to end earlier. As a result, the waiting time of the user U until the vehicle 33's participation in the DR ends after the user U completes the target work can be shortened.

[0085] [Variation 2] When the user U performs an operation desiring to extend the DR period after starting the target task, the processing device 26 may extend the DR period.

[0086] 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the HMI device 140 during the execution period of the target task. This screen may be displayed on the display device of the mobile terminal 38. Referring to FIG. 9, a screen 190 includes messages 191 and 192 and a button 194.

[0087] A message 191 notifies the user U that the DR period can be extended. A message 192 indicates various information about the work currently being performed.

[0088] The button 194 is operated by the user U when the user U wishes to extend the DR period. When the button 194 is operated, the DR period is extended by a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes). Specifically, an extra period having the length of the predetermined time is added to the originally scheduled DR period, and the allocated amount of power for the extra period is newly determined by the server 21, and the contract is updated.

[0089] Depending on the aspect of the target work, the user may wish to extend the DR period. According to this modification 2, the DR period is extended based on the user's wish. This can contribute to the adjustment of the power supply and demand balance for a longer period than the initially scheduled DR period. Furthermore, the user's wish can also be satisfied.

[0090] [Variation 3] In this third modification, the server 21 executes an attribute determination process to determine (estimate) an attribute of the user U according to a user image from the camera 155. The attribute is, for example, the age or gender of the user U. The attribute determination process is executed using a known image recognition technology and age estimation technology.

[0091] When there are multiple target jobs, the server 21 selects a proposed job to be proposed to the user U from the multiple target jobs according to the result of the attribute determination process. This point will be set in detail below. Note that when the number of target jobs is 1, the target job is equal to the proposed job.

[0092] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the processing device 26 of the server 21 according to this modified example 3. This flowchart is started when the server 21 receives an approval signal AS. In this example, the target job information included in the target job existence notification also includes aptitude information 526 for the target job. Furthermore, the attribute determination process is a gender determination process.

[0093] 10, this flowchart differs from the flowchart in the embodiment (FIG. 6) in that steps S331 to S339B are added. Steps S305 to S330 are similar to steps S105 to S130, respectively.

[0094] When the server 21 receives a target job existence notification (YES in step S330), the server 21 determines whether or not multiple target jobs exist in accordance with this notification (step S331). If multiple target jobs do not exist, that is, if a single target job exists (NO in step S331), the server 21 notifies the user U of the target job information (step S333), and then ends the process. On the other hand, if multiple target jobs exist (YES in step S331), the process proceeds to step S332.

[0095] The server 21 determines whether the plurality of target jobs includes both a job for men (in this example, test play of a video game) and a job for women (in this example, trying out new cosmetics) according to the aptitude information 526 of the target job information (step S332). If the plurality of target jobs does not include both of these (NO in step S332), the process proceeds to step S333. On the other hand, if the plurality of target jobs includes both of these (YES in step S332), the process proceeds to step S335.

[0096] The server 21 acquires a user image generated by the camera 155 from the vehicle 33 (step S335), executes a gender determination process to determine the gender of the user U according to the user image (step S337), and switches the process according to the determination result (step S338).

[0097] For example, when the server 21 determines that the user U is male, the server 21 selects a job for men as the suggested job (step S339A). On the other hand, when the server 21 determines that the user U is female, the server 21 selects a job for women as the suggested job (step S339B). After step S339A or step S339B, the server 21 executes a notification process by notifying the user U of the target job information of the suggested job (step S340).

[0098] According to this third modification, a suggested job is selected in accordance with the attributes of the user U. As a result, information on target jobs that are suitable for the attributes of the user U can be notified to the user.

[0099] [Other variations] The server 21 may acquire a user image generated by a camera mounted on the mobile terminal 38 from the mobile terminal 38. Then, when there are multiple target jobs, the server 21 may execute an attribute determination process according to the user image and select a suggested job.

[0100] In the above-described embodiment and its variants 1 to 3, the notification process is a process of displaying a screen 90 including the target job information on the display device 144 mounted on the vehicle 33, but it may also be a process of displaying this screen on the display device of the mobile terminal 38.

[0101] 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]

[0102] 1 Power conditioning system, 10, 21 Server, 22 Storage device, 24, 150 Communication device, 26 Processing device, 33 Vehicle, 34 Power storage device, 38 Mobile terminal, 40 Power grid, 50 Operator server, 52 Database, 140 HMI device, 155 Camera, E1 Power company system, E2 Aggregation system, EVSE Power equipment.

Claims

1. A server configured to notify a user of a vehicle that can participate in a demand response for adjusting a balance between power supply and demand in a power grid by external charging of an on-board power storage device using a power facility external to the vehicle, a storage device that stores information indicating a demand response period, which is a period during which the vehicle participates in the demand response, and a demand response location, which is a location of the electric power facility used by the vehicle to participate in the demand response; a communication device configured to communicate with an enterprise server that stores information indicating a period and a location of execution of each of at least one job provided by the enterprise; a processing device that executes a process of inquiring of the business server via the communication device whether or not the at least one job includes a target job; The target job is a job whose implementation period is within the demand response period and whose implementation location is within a vicinity of the demand response location, When the at least one task includes the target task, the processing device executes a notification process of notifying the user of target task information indicating the execution period and the execution location of the target task.

2. The target task information includes information indicating a required time for the target task, the processing device is configured to set a command value for charging power of the vehicle-mounted power storage device during the demand response period, The server according to claim 1 , wherein, when the user performs the target task, the processing device sets the command value higher when the required time is short than when the required time is long.

3. The server according to claim 1 , wherein, when the user performs an operation desiring to extend the demand response period after starting the target job, the processing device extends the demand response period.

4. The processing device includes: The system is configured to acquire a user image generated by an imaging device that captures the user, execute an attribute determination process for determining an attribute of the user according to the user image; When there are a plurality of target jobs, the processing device selecting a proposed task to be proposed to the user from among the plurality of target tasks according to a result of the attribute determination process; The server according to claim 1 , wherein the notification process is executed by notifying the user of the target job information of the proposed job.

5. The server according to claim 1 , wherein the notification process includes displaying the target job information on a display device mounted in the vehicle or a display device of a terminal device of the user.

6. a vehicle capable of participating in a demand response for adjusting the balance of power supply and demand in a power grid by external charging in which an on-board power storage device is charged using power equipment external to the vehicle; a server configured to notify a user of the vehicle; The server, a storage device that stores information indicating a demand response period, which is a period during which the vehicle participates in the demand response, and a demand response location, which is a location of the electric power facility used by the vehicle to participate in the demand response; a communication device configured to communicate with an enterprise server that stores information indicating a period and a location of execution of each of at least one job provided by the enterprise; a processing device that executes a process of inquiring of the business server via the communication device whether or not the at least one job includes a target job; The target job is a job whose implementation period is within the demand response period and whose implementation location is within a vicinity of the demand response location, When the at least one job includes the target job, the processing device executes a notification process to notify the user of target job information indicating the execution period and execution location of the target job.

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