Operation Plan Establishment Device and Method for a Battery System Including a Newly Installed Battery

Abstract

An operation planning device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a device that plans an operation plan for a battery system in which new batteries are combined with old batteries, and includes at least one processor and a memory that stores at least one instruction to be executed through the at least one processor. Here, the at least one instruction may include an instruction to derive the number of first batteries to be initially installed in the battery system based on a predetermined minimum required amount of discharge energy, and an instruction to derive operation plan information including a merging time and the number of second batteries to be sequentially merged with the first battery based on the minimum required amount of discharge energy and the predicted degree of deterioration of the first battery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0117636, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 19, 2022, and all of the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for formulating an operation plan of a battery system, and more specifically, to an apparatus and method for formulating an operation plan of a battery system that operates by augmenting an old battery with a new battery.

Background Art

[0003] An Energy Storage System (ESS) is a system that links renewable energy, a battery storing electric power, and existing grid power. In recent years, with the spread of smart grids and renewable energy, and with the emphasis on the efficiency and stability of the power grid, the demand for energy storage systems is increasing more and more for adjusting power supply and demand and improving power quality. Depending on the purpose of use, the output and capacity of the energy storage system vary, and in order to configure a large-capacity energy storage system, a plurality of battery systems can be connected to each other.

[0004] Generally, an energy storage system is installed in a specific section and operates for a long time. In order for the energy storage system to satisfy the amount of discharge energy required by a customer during the corresponding operation period, a larger number of batteries than necessary must be installed initially, considering the performance degradation of the battery over time.

[0005] To solve such problems in terms of cost, an energy storage system has been proposed that operates with a minimum number of batteries installed at the initial stage of operation and new batteries are incorporated during the operation period. However, in the case of such an energy storage system, as time passes, a performance difference occurs between the existing batteries and the newly added batteries, and a problem arises in that the new batteries come to follow the performance of the existing batteries. For example, when the discharge of the existing batteries that have deteriorated earlier ends first, the newly installed batteries stop discharging even though additional discharge is possible. Such a problem of imbalance between batteries becomes more serious as the operation period elapses, and the number of new batteries added to meet the required discharge energy amount may increase more than necessary.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide an operation plan establishment device for a battery system including newly installed batteries.

[0007] Another object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide an operation plan establishment method for a battery system including newly installed batteries.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a battery system including newly installed batteries that operates according to the established operation plan.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] An operation plan establishment device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a device for establishing an operation plan for a battery system in which new batteries are incorporated into existing batteries, and includes at least one processor and a memory that stores at least one instruction executed through the at least one processor.

[0010] Here, at least one of the above instructions can include an instruction for deriving the number of first batteries initially installed in the battery system based on a predetermined minimum required discharge energy amount, and an instruction for deriving operation plan information including the merging time point and the number of merged batteries for each merging time point for second batteries sequentially merged into the first battery based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted degradation degree of the first battery.

[0011] The instruction for deriving the operation plan information can include an instruction for determining the number of second batteries to be merged for each merging time point based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the existing batteries.

[0012] The instruction for deriving the operation plan information can include an instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for the Nth merging operation period defined as the period during which the existing battery and the second battery merged at the Nth time operate together.

[0013] The instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for the Nth merging operation period can include an instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery such that it has the same discharge time (Back-up time) as the existing battery based on the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the existing battery and a predetermined total discharge amount.

[0014] The instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for the Nth merging operation period can include an instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery at the end of the Nth merging operation period such that it has the same discharge time (Back-up time) as the existing battery based on the predicted discharge energy amount of the existing battery at the end of the Nth merging operation period and a predetermined total discharge amount, and an instruction for determining the calculated discharge energy amount and discharge amount as the discharge energy amount and discharge amount of the second battery for the Nth merging operation period.

[0015] The at least one instruction may further include an instruction to transmit to the battery system the discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts of the first battery and the second battery such that the first battery and the second battery operate with the same discharge time during the N - th merging operation period.

[0016] A method for formulating an operation plan according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the another object is a method for formulating an operation plan of a battery system in which a new battery is merged with an old battery, the method including: deriving the number of first batteries to be initially installed based on a predetermined minimum required discharge energy amount; and deriving operation plan information including a merging time point and the number of merged batteries for each merging time point for a second battery to be sequentially merged with the first battery based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted degradation degree of the first battery.

[0017] The step of deriving the operation plan information may include determining the number of merged second batteries for each merging time point based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the existing battery.

[0018] The step of deriving the operation plan information may include calculating the discharge energy amount and discharge amount of the second battery during the N - th merging operation period defined as the period during which the existing battery and the second battery merged at the N - th time operate together.

[0019] The step of calculating the discharge energy amount and discharge amount of the second battery during the N - th merging operation period may include calculating the discharge energy amount and discharge amount of the second battery such that the second battery has the same discharge time (Back - up time) as the existing battery based on the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the existing battery and a predetermined total discharge amount.

[0020] The step of calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery during the N-th combined operation period includes: based on the predicted discharge energy amount of the existing battery at the end of the N-th combined operation period and a predetermined total discharge amount, calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery at the end of the N-th combined operation period such that the second battery has the same discharge time as the existing battery; and determining the calculated discharge energy amount and discharge amount as the discharge energy amount and discharge amount of the second battery during the N-th combined operation period.

[0021] The operation plan formulation method may further include a step of transmitting the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the first battery and the second battery to the battery system such that the first battery and the second battery operate with the same discharge time during the N-th combined operation period.

[0022] A battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above another object is a battery system in which a new battery is combined with an old battery, and includes a first battery installed initially and a second battery sequentially combined with the first battery. Here, the first battery is installed in a number determined based on a predetermined minimum required discharge energy amount, and the second battery may be sequentially combined according to a combination time determined based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted degradation degree of the first battery and the number of combinations for each combination time.

[0023] The first battery and the second battery can operate according to their respective discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts, which are predefined to have the same discharge time.

[0024] The respective discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts may be determined based on the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the first battery and a predetermined total discharge amount.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, the number of batteries installed in the battery system can be minimized throughout the operation period of the battery system.

[0026] Moreover, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the imbalance problem of the batteries included in the battery system can be minimized throughout the operation period, and the overall efficiency can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

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Figure 4

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] The present invention can be subjected to various modifications and can have various embodiments. Specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail in the detailed description. This is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments. Rather, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Similar reference numerals are used for similar components while explaining each drawing.

[0029] Terms such as first, second, A, B, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the above terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the rights of the present invention, the first component can be named the second component, and similarly the second component can be named the first component. The term "and / or" includes a combination of a plurality of relatedly described items or one of the plurality of relatedly described items.

[0030] When it is mentioned that a certain component is "connected to" or "coupled to" another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or coupled to the other component, but there may also be another component in between. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a certain component is "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in between.

[0031] The terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning. In this application, terms such as "including" or "having" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not preclude in advance the presence or addition possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined as in a commonly used dictionary shall be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art, and shall not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless clearly defined in the present application.

[0033] Some of the terms used in this specification are defined as follows.

[0034] SOC (State of Charge) represents the current charged state of the battery as a percentage [%], and SOH (State of Health) represents the current remaining state of the battery as a percentage [%].

[0035] A battery rack means a system with the smallest single structure that can be monitored and controlled through a BMS by connecting battery modules set by the battery manufacturer in series / parallel units, and may be composed of a plurality of battery modules and one BPU or protection device.

[0036] A battery bank can mean a collection of large-scale battery rack systems configured by connecting a plurality of racks in parallel. Through the BMS at the battery bank unit, monitoring and control of the rack BMS (RBMS) at the battery rack unit can be performed.

[0037] BSC (Battery System Controller) is a device that performs the highest-level control on a battery system including the battery system at the battery bank unit, and may also be used as a control device in a battery system with a plurality of bank level structures.

[0038] The nominal capacity may mean the set capacity [Ah] of the battery initially set by the battery manufacturer at the time of development.

[0039] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an existing energy storage system.

[0041] The minimum unit of a battery that plays a role in storing electric power in an energy storage system (ESS) is usually a battery cell. A series / parallel combination of battery cells forms a battery pack, and a number of battery packs can constitute a battery rack. That is, a battery rack is a series / parallel combination of battery packs and can be the minimum unit of a battery system. Here, depending on the device or system in which the battery is used, the battery pack may be called a battery module.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, one battery rack 10 can include a plurality of battery modules and one BPU or protection device. The battery rack can be monitored and controlled through an RBMS (Rack BMS). The RBMS can monitor the current, voltage, and temperature of each battery rack managed by itself, calculate the SOC (Status Of Charge) of the battery based on the monitoring results, and play a role in controlling charge and discharge.

[0043] On the one hand, the BPU (Battery Protection Unit) is a device for protecting the battery from abnormal current and accident current in battery rack units. The BPU can include a main contactor (MC), a fuse, a circuit breaker (CB), or a disconnect switch (DS), etc. The BPU can control the on / off of the main contactor under the control of the RBMS to control the battery system in rack units. The BPU can also protect the battery from short-circuit current using a fuse when a short circuit occurs. In this way, the existing battery system may be controlled through protection devices such as the BPU and switchgear.

[0044] On the other hand, a Battery System Controller (BSC) 20 is provided for each of the battery sections composed of a number of batteries and peripheral circuits, devices, etc., and can monitor and control the control targets such as voltage, current, temperature, and circuit breaker. The BSC is the top-level control device of the battery system including the battery system in bank units including a plurality of battery racks, and may also be used as a control device in a plurality of bank-level structured battery systems.

[0045] Also, the Power Conversion System (PCS) 40 provided for each battery section is a device that performs substantial charge and discharge based on the charge / discharge command from the EMS 30, and may be composed of a power conversion unit (DC / AC inverter) and a controller. On the one hand, the output of each BPU may be connected to a power generation device (e.g., a solar power generation device) and the PCS 40 via a DC bus, and the PCS 40 may be connected to the grid. Also, the EMS (Energy Management System) 30 or the PMS (Power Management System) manages the ESS system as a whole.

[0046] In a conventional energy storage system as shown in FIG. 1, a large number of battery racks serve as voltage sources, and the PCS charges and discharges the battery racks through CC (Constant Current) control or CP (Constant Power) control. At the initial installation of the battery racks, the performance of the battery racks is almost similar (when represented by equivalent resistance, similar resistance values appear), and the charge and discharge currents of each rack appear at a similar level. However, over time, the performance of some racks may degrade. In this case, new racks are added to compensate for the performance, and this is called augmentation.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an energy storage system including existing new batteries.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a system when a plurality of new battery racks 10' (New Racks) are merged (augmentation) into an energy storage system (for example, the energy storage system shown in FIG. 1) including existing battery racks 10 (Old Racks).

[0049] The new battery rack 10' may be electrically connected to the existing battery rack 10 and be charge and discharge controlled together with the existing battery rack 10 by a control device of the energy storage system. At this time, there may be a performance difference between the new battery rack 10' and the existing battery rack 10, and a problem may occur that the new battery rack 10' follows the degraded performance of the existing battery rack 10. That is, despite adding new racks, the maximum performance (for example, rated capacity, service life, etc.) possessed by the new racks cannot be fully utilized.

[0050] Such an imbalance problem between battery racks becomes more serious as the operation period elapses, and new battery racks must be further added to meet the required discharge energy amount. Eventually, the number of battery racks installed in the energy storage system over the entire operation period may increase more than necessary.

[0051] The present invention has been devised to solve the problems occurring in such existing energy storage systems, and minimizes the number of batteries installed in the battery system throughout the operating period of the energy storage system, and proposes a measure capable of improving power efficiency by minimizing the imbalance problem between new batteries and existing batteries.

[0052] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10, a method of an operation planning device of a battery system according to various embodiments of the present invention and a battery system operated by the devised operation planning information will be described.

[0053] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 3, the battery system according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a plurality of batteries and can be located within the energy storage system shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. On the other hand, in the present invention, [battery] can mean a battery cell, a battery module, a battery rack, or a battery bank.

[0055] The battery system includes an initially installed battery 100 (first battery) and a battery 200 (second battery) merged during the operation process of the battery system.

[0056] Here, the second battery 200 may be sequentially merged with the first battery 100 N times. Referring to FIG. 3, the second battery 200 may include first to N-th merged batteries 200-1 to 200-N that are sequentially merged from the first time to the N-th time.

[0057] The battery system can operate based on operation planning information derived by an operation planning device described later. The operation planning information according to the embodiment of the present invention may include the installation quantity of the first battery, the merging time point of the second battery, the merging quantity of the second battery by merging time point, and the discharge energy amount (Wh) and discharge amount (W) of the first and second batteries for each operation section.

[0058] The installation quantity of the first battery, i.e., the number of the initially installed batteries of the battery system, may be determined based on a predetermined minimum required discharge energy amount (e.g., the customer required discharge energy amount).

[0059] In addition, the merging time point of the second battery and the merging quantity of the second battery at each merging time point may be determined based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted degree of deterioration of the battery.

[0060] In addition, the discharge energy amount and the discharge quantity of the first and second batteries can be defined for each of the N - th merging operation periods, and may be determined as values such that the first and second batteries have the same discharge time in each of the N - th merging operation periods. Here, the N - th merging operation period means a period during which the existing battery and the second battery merged for the N - th time operate together. For example, the first - merging operation period is a period during which the first battery 100 and the first - merged battery 200 - 1 operate together, the second - merging operation period is a period during which the first battery 100, the first - merged battery 200 - 1, and the second - merged battery 200 - 2 operate together, and the N - th merging operation period means a period during which the first battery 100 and the first - to - N - th merged batteries 200 - 1 to 200 - N operate together.

[0061] The battery system may operate with the first battery installed according to the number of the initially installed batteries included in the operation plan information, and the second batteries 200 - 1 to 200 - N may be sequentially merged according to the N - th merging time point and the merging quantity included in the operation plan information. Then, during the N - th merging operation period, the first and second batteries may be controlled by the discharge energy amount and the discharge quantity for each operation period included in the operation plan information. Here, since the discharge energy amount and the discharge quantity included in the operation plan information are values derived in advance such that the first battery and the second battery have the same discharge time in each operation period, the performance imbalance phenomenon between the first battery and the second battery can be minimized during the merging operation period.

[0062] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for formulating an operation plan of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] The operation plan formulation device can determine the number of first batteries initially installed in the battery system (S410). Here, the operation plan formulation device can determine the number of first batteries based on a predetermined minimum required discharge energy amount. For example, when the minimum required discharge energy amount is set to 1000 [MWh] and each of the battery racks has a capacity of 335 [KWh], the number of first batteries may be determined to be 3420 so as to satisfy the minimum required discharge energy amount during the initial operation period (the period of operating with only the first batteries).

[0064] In an embodiment, the operation plan formulation device can determine the number of first batteries in consideration of the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted degradation degree of the first batteries. For example, the number of first batteries is determined as the minimum value of natural numbers exceeding (minimum required discharge energy amount / discharge energy amount per one battery) * a, and a may be defined as a specific value of 1.1 or more and 1.2 or less. That is, in consideration of the degradation of the first batteries that progresses during the initial operation period (for example, 5 years), the number of first batteries may be determined as a quantity that can discharge not less than the minimum required discharge energy amount even at the end point of the initial operation period (for example, when 5 years have passed).

[0065] The operation plan formulation device can determine the merging time point of second batteries sequentially merged into the first batteries and the number of merged batteries at each merging time point (S420). Here, the operation plan formulation device can determine the merging time point of the second batteries and the number of merged batteries at each merging time point based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted degradation degree of the first batteries.

[0066] FIG. 6 is an illustration of operation plan information according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the operation plan creation device can calculate the expected discharge energy amounts (1145.284, 1144.138, …, 789.100) of the first battery (initially installed battery) for each unit period (year) of a predetermined total operation period (20 years). Here, the expected discharge energy amount may be calculated based on the respective capacities (335 KWh) of the first batteries, the total number (3420) of the first batteries, and a predefined expected degradation degree of the first batteries. The expected degradation degree may be derived experimentally in advance or derived in advance using a degradation model and stored in a storage device.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, the operation plan creation device can determine the time point (the 6th year) when the expected discharge energy amount of the first battery is less than the minimum required discharge energy amount (1000 MWh) as the first merger time point.

[0068] The operation plan creation device can determine the number of first merger batteries to be merged at the first merger time point. Here, the operation plan creation device can determine the number of first merger batteries based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the expected discharge energy amount based on the expected degradation degree of the batteries. Referring to FIG. 6, the first merger operation period can be predefined as 5 years, and at this time, the operation plan creation device can determine the number (270) of the second batteries such that the expected total discharge energy amount at the end of the first merger operation period (the 10th year) exceeds the minimum required discharge energy amount (1000 [MWh]).

[0069] Thereafter, the operation plan creation device can determine the number of Nth merger batteries to be merged at the Nth merger time point in the above-described manner. In the example shown in FIG. 6, it can be confirmed that the first merger time point is the 6th year, the first merger number is determined to be 270, the second merger time point is the 11th year, the second merger number is determined to be 270, the third merger time point is the 16th year, and the third merger number is determined to be 235.

[0070] The operation plan formulation device can generate operation plan information including the number of first batteries determined in steps S410 and S420, the merging time points (1st to Nth merging time points) of the second batteries, and the merging quantity of the second batteries at each merging time point (S430).

[0071] The operation plan formulation device can transmit the generated operation plan information to the administrator terminal so that the battery system can be initially designed and operated according to the operation plan information.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for deriving operation plan information according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, a method for calculating the discharge energy amount (Wh) and discharge amount (W) of the first and second batteries for each of the Nth merging operation intervals will be specifically described.

[0073] The operation plan formulation device can confirm the Nth merging operation period (S510). Specifically, the operation plan formulation device can confirm the merging operation periods according to the preset number of times. For example, the 1st to Nth merging operation periods may be set to 5 years each as shown in FIG. 6.

[0074] Here, the operation plan formulation device can determine the Nth merging time point based on the Nth merging operation period. For example, the merging time points according to the number of times may be determined as the 6th year (1st merging time point), the 11th year (2nd merging time point), and the 16th year (3rd merging time point) as shown in FIG. 6.

[0075] The operation plan formulation device can calculate the merging quantity at the Nth merging time point (S520). Here, the operation plan formulation device can determine the quantity of the merged batteries based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted discharge energy amount according to the predicted degradation degree of the existing batteries.

[0076] The operation plan creation device can calculate the discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts of the first and second batteries for the N - th merged operation period (S530). Here, the operation plan creation device can calculate the discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts of the first and second batteries such that the first and second batteries have the same discharge time, based on the predicted discharge energy amount of the existing battery and a predetermined total discharge amount.

[0077] In an embodiment, the operation plan creation device can calculate the discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts of the first and second batteries for the N - th merged operation period based on the following Equation 1 [Equation 1] (E_(n - 1) / T_backup)+(E_(n) / T_backup)=P_total Here, E_(n - 1) is the predicted discharge energy amount of the existing battery at the end of the N - th merged operation period, E_(n) is the discharge energy amount of the N - th merged battery at the end of the N - th merged operation period, T_backup is the discharge time, and P_total means the total discharge amount.

[0078] The operation plan creation device can derive the discharge energy amount (E_(n)) and discharge time (T_backup) of the N - th merged battery that satisfy the condition that the total discharge energy amount in the N - th merged operation period exceeds the minimum required discharge energy amount, based on the above Equation 1. The operation plan creation device can calculate the discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts of the first and second batteries for the N - th merged operation period using the derived values.

[0079] FIG. 7 is an illustration of operation plan information according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the total discharge amount in all merged operation periods may be preset to 300 [MW]. The number of first - merged batteries may be determined to be 270 as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6.

[0080] The operation plan creation device can calculate the discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts of the first and second batteries for the first - merged operation period based on the above Equation 1 (E_(0) / T_backup) + (E_(1) / T_backup) = P_total Here, E_(0) is the predicted discharge energy amount of the existing battery (i.e., the initially installed battery) at the end of the first merged operation period, which is 925.389 [MWh], and P_total is 300 [MW].

[0081] The operation plan formulation device derives the discharge energy amount (E_(1)) and discharge time (T_backup) of the first merged battery that satisfy the condition that the total discharge energy amount (the sum of the discharge energy amounts of the initially installed battery and the first merged battery) during the first merged operation period exceeds the minimum required discharge energy amount (1000 [MWh]) as a value that satisfies the above formula (1). Here, the operation plan formulation device can repeat the process of substituting the above formula (1) and the conditions while changing E_(1) and T_backup, and end the calculation process if a value that satisfies the formula (1) and the conditions is derived.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be confirmed that by the above calculation process, the discharge energy amount (E_(1)) of the first merged battery is derived as 80.923 [MWh], and the discharge time (T_backup) is 3.35 [hr].

[0083] The operation plan formulation device can calculate the discharge amount (275.87537 [MW]) of the first battery (E_(0) / T_backup) and the discharge amount (24.12463 [MW]) of the first merged battery (E_(1) / T_backup) using the derived values.

[0084] After that, the operation plan formulation device can calculate the discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts of the first battery (initially installed battery) and the second battery (1st to 3rd merged batteries) for the second and third merged operation periods in the above manner (see FIG. 7).

[0085] The operation plan formulation device generates operation plan information including the discharge energy amount and discharge amount of the first and second batteries for each of the 1st to Nth combined operation periods, and transmits it to the control device of the battery system so that the battery system can operate according to the operation plan information. As a result, the battery system is controlled so that the old battery and the new battery have the same discharge time during all combined operation periods, the performance imbalance phenomenon between the batteries can be minimized, and the power efficiency can be improved.

[0086] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a battery system according to a comparative example of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an illustration of a battery system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] The battery system of FIG. 8 is a battery system in which new batteries are not combined and only the initially installed batteries operate. The battery system according to the comparative example has to initially install 4,500 battery racks each having a capacity of 335 [KWh] in order to satisfy the minimum required discharge energy amount (1000 [MHh]) for each unit period during the total operation period (20 years).

[0088] On the other hand, the battery system according to the embodiment of the present invention in FIG. 9 can design the initial system with a number of battery racks that is 24% lower than that of the comparative example by operating with 3,420 battery racks during the initial operation period.

[0089] Also, in the battery system according to the embodiment of the present invention, 270 are sequentially installed and operated at the 6th year, 270 at the 11th year, and 235 at the 16th year, and 4,195 battery racks are installed during the total operation period, and it is possible to operate with a number of battery racks that is 6.7% lower than that of the comparative example.

[0090] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an operation plan formulation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] The operation plan creation device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one processor 1010, a memory 1020 that stores at least one instruction executed through the above processor, and a transceiver 1030 that is connected to a network and communicates.

[0092] The at least one instruction executed by the at least one processor includes an instruction to derive the number of first batteries initially installed in the battery system based on a predetermined minimum required discharge energy amount, and based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted degradation degree of the first battery, an instruction to derive operation plan information including the merging time point and the number of merged batteries for each merging time point for the second battery sequentially merged into the first battery.

[0093] The instruction to derive the operation plan information may include an instruction to determine the number of merged second batteries for each merging time point based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the existing battery.

[0094] The instruction to derive the operation plan information may include an instruction to calculate the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for the N - th merged operation period defined as the period during which the existing battery and the second battery merged for the N - th time operate together.

[0095] The instruction to calculate the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for the N - th merged operation period may include an instruction to calculate the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery such that it has the same discharge time (Back - up time) as the existing battery, based on the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the existing battery and a predetermined total discharge amount.

[0096] The instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery during the N-th combined operation period calculates the discharge energy amount of the second battery at the end of the N-th combined operation period and the discharge amount based on the predicted discharge energy amount of the existing battery at the end of the N-th combined operation period and a predetermined total discharge amount, such that the second battery has the same discharge time as the existing battery, and determines the calculated discharge energy amount and discharge amount as the discharge energy amount and discharge amount of the second battery during the N-th combined operation period.

[0097] The at least one instruction may further include an instruction to transmit the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the first battery and the second battery to the battery system such that the first battery and the second battery operate with the same discharge time during the N-th combined operation period.

[0098] The operation plan formulation device 1000 may further include an input interface device 1040, an output interface device 1050, a storage device 1060, etc. Each component included in the operation plan formulation device 1000 can be connected by a bus 1070 and communicate with each other.

[0099] Here, the processor 1010 can mean a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which the method according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed. The memory (or storage device) may be composed of at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory may be composed of at least one of a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0100] The operations of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be embodied as a computer-readable program or code on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all types of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Further, the computer-readable recording medium may be distributed over a computer system connected by a network, and a computer-readable program or code may be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0101] Some aspects of the present invention have been described in the context of an apparatus, which can also be illustrated by corresponding methods, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method can be illustrated by corresponding blocks or items or features of a corresponding apparatus. Some or all of the method steps can be performed (or used) by a hardware device such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps can be performed by such a device.

[0102] As described above with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention described in the following claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0103] 100: First battery (initially installed battery) 200: Second battery (merged battery) 200-N: Nth merged battery 1000: Operation plan formulation device

Claims

1. An apparatus for formulating an operation plan for a battery system in which a new battery is merged with an old battery, comprising: at least one processor, and a memory storing at least one instruction executed through the at least one processor, wherein the at least one instruction includes: an instruction for deriving the number of first batteries initially installed in the battery system based on a predetermined minimum required discharge energy amount, and an instruction for deriving operation plan information including the merging time point and the number of merged batteries at each merging time point for a second battery sequentially merged into the first battery based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted degradation degree of the first battery. An apparatus for formulating an operation plan for a battery system.

2. The instruction for deriving the operation plan information includes: an instruction for determining the number of merged second batteries at each merging time point based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the existing battery. The apparatus for formulating an operation plan for a battery system according to claim 1.

3. The instruction for deriving the operation plan information includes: an instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for an Nth merging operation period defined as the period during which the existing battery and the second battery merged at the Nth time operate together. The apparatus for formulating an operation plan for a battery system according to claim 1.

4. The instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for the Nth merging operation period includes: an instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery such that it has the same discharge time (Back-up time) as the existing battery based on the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the existing battery and a predetermined total discharge amount. The apparatus for formulating an operation plan for a battery system according to claim 3.

5. The instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for the Nth merging operation period includes: an instruction for calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery at the end of the Nth merging operation period such that it has the same discharge time (Back-up time) as the existing battery based on the predicted discharge energy amount of the existing battery at the end of the Nth merging operation period and a predetermined total discharge amount, and an instruction for determining the calculated discharge energy amount and discharge amount as the discharge energy amount and discharge amount of the second battery for the Nth merging operation period. The apparatus for formulating an operation plan for a battery system according to claim 4.

6. The operation planning device for a battery system according to claim 4, further comprising an instruction to transmit the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the first battery and the second battery to the battery system such that the first battery and the second battery operate with the same discharge time during the N - th merging operation period.

7. A method executed by a computer for formulating an operation plan for a battery system in which a new battery is merged with an old battery, the method comprising: deriving the number of first batteries to be initially installed based on a predetermined minimum required discharge energy amount; and deriving operation plan information including the merging time point and the number of merges at each merging time point for a second battery sequentially merged with the first battery based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted degradation degree of the first battery.

8. The step of deriving the operation plan information includes: the method according to claim 7, comprising determining the number of merges of the second battery at each merging time point based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the existing battery.

9. The step of deriving the operation plan information includes: the method according to claim 7, comprising calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for an N - th merging operation period defined as a period during which the existing battery and the second battery merged at the N - th time operate together.

10. The step of calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for the N - th merging operation period includes: the method according to claim 9, comprising calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery such that it has the same discharge time (Back - up time) as the existing battery based on the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the existing battery and a predetermined total discharge amount.

11. The step of calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery for the N - th merging operation period includes: calculating the discharge energy amount and the discharge amount of the second battery at the end of the N - th merging operation period, which has the same discharge time (Back - up time) as the existing battery, based on the predicted discharge energy amount of the existing battery at the end of the N - th merging operation period and a predetermined total discharge amount; and determining the calculated discharge energy amount and discharge amount as the discharge energy amount and discharge amount of the second battery for the N - th merging operation period.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of transmitting to the battery system the discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts of the first battery and the second battery such that the first battery and the second battery operate with the same discharge time during the N - fold merging operation period.

13. A battery system in which a new battery is merged with an old battery, comprising: a first battery installed initially, and a second battery sequentially merged with the first battery, wherein the first battery is installed in a number determined based on a predetermined minimum required discharge energy amount, and the second battery is sequentially merged according to a merging time point determined based on the minimum required discharge energy amount and the predicted degradation degree of the first battery, and the number of merged batteries at each merging time point.

14. The first battery and the second battery of the battery system according to claim 13 operate with their respective discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts, which are predefined to have the same discharge time.

15. The respective discharge energy amounts and discharge amounts of the battery system according to claim 14 are determined based on the discharge energy amount due to the predicted degradation degree of the first battery and a predetermined total discharge amount.

16. A computer program for causing the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

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