Power supply method, power supply system, and program

Abstract

This power sharing method uses an electric vehicle (100) in which a storage battery is installed and thus shares power. This power sharing method includes: an acquisition step (S11) in which first information that includes the power supply and demand situation for each of one or more first consumers being managed by a first aggregator is acquired; an acquisition step (S15) in which second information that includes the power supply and demand situation for each of one or more second consumers being managed by a second aggregator is acquired; a creation step (S19) in which, when a surplus or a deficiency in the power supply and demand for one or more of the first consumers is detected on the basis of the first information, an operation plan for an electric vehicle (100) is created so as to share power between one or more of the second consumers and one subject consumer for whom a surplus or deficiency has been detected among the one or more first consumers, on the basis of the first information and the second information; and a transmission step (S20) for transmitting the created operation plan.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power lending method, a power lending system, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as the problems of conventional large-scale and centralized energy systems have become apparent and the introduction of renewable energy has been expanding, there has been a growing trend towards converting to distributed energy systems that utilize relatively small-scale and geographically dispersed energy resources. For example, the spread of distributed energy resources introduced on the consumer side, such as solar power generation or cogeneration using a household fuel cell, a storage battery, an electric vehicle, and negative watt (power saved), has been progressing.

[0003] Although each of these distributed energy resources possessed by households or factories, etc. is small-scale, by aggregating them using advanced energy management technology utilizing IoT (Internet of Things) and remotely and integrally controlling them, they can be utilized for adjusting the power supply-demand balance, and a mechanism and concept such as a "virtual power plant (VPP)" that functions like a single power plant have been proposed.

[0004] In a power lending system using such a VPP mechanism, lending power between two or more consumers has been considered to adjust the power supply-demand balance. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply planning device that creates a movement plan for a vehicle to each facility using information on a facility that can charge the vehicle and a facility that wants to use the vehicle's power.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, there is room for improvement in adjusting the power supply-demand balance.

[0007] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a power lending method, a power lending system, and a program in which the power supply-demand balance can be further improved.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A power lending method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a power lending method that lends power using a moving body equipped with a storage battery, wherein a first aggregator manages the power supply-demand of one or more first consumers, and a second aggregator manages the power supply-demand of one or more second consumers different from the one or more first consumers. The power lending method includes a first acquisition step of acquiring first information including the power supply-demand situation of each of the one or more first consumers that are the management targets of the first aggregator, a second acquisition step of acquiring second information including the power supply-demand situation of each of the one or more second consumers that are the management targets of the second aggregator, and when a power supply-demand shortage or surplus is detected in the one or more first consumers based on the first information, creating a movement plan of the moving body to lend power between the one or more first consumers in which the shortage or surplus is detected and the one or more second consumers based on the first information and the second information, and a transmission step of transmitting the created movement plan.

[0009] A power sharing system according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a power sharing system that shares power using a mobile body equipped with a storage battery. A first aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more first consumers, and a second aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more second consumers different from the one or more first consumers. The power sharing system includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first information including the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more first consumers that are the management targets of the first aggregator, and a second acquisition unit that acquires second information including the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more second consumers that are the management targets of the second aggregator. When a power supply and demand shortage or surplus is detected in the one or more first consumers based on the first information, based on the first information and the second information, a creation unit that creates a movement plan of the mobile body to share power between the target consumer on one side where the shortage or surplus is detected among the one or more first consumers and the one or more second consumers, and a transmission unit that transmits the created movement plan.

[0010] A program according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the above power sharing method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a power sharing method and the like in which the power supply and demand balance can be further improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] (BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE) Before describing the present disclosure, the background leading to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. First, the outline of the virtual power plant (VPP) will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the outline of a power lending system 1001 according to a comparative example.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the power sharing system 1001 includes a community, a resource aggregator, and an aggregation coordinator. Note that the numbers of the community, the resource aggregator, and the aggregation coordinator included in the power sharing system 1001 are not limited to the numbers shown in FIG. 1. Also, the resource aggregator and the aggregation coordinator may be collectively referred to as a power aggregator or simply an aggregator.

[0015] Each of the communities is composed of a plurality of consumers. FIG. 1 shows an example in which three communities are formed, each composed of consumers A1 to A3, consumers B1 to B3, and consumers C1 to C3. One community is composed of, for example, one or more consumers managed by a resource aggregator. Resource aggregator A manages the power supply and demand of consumers A1 to A3, resource aggregator B manages the power supply and demand of consumers B1 to B3, and resource aggregator C manages the power supply and demand of consumers C1 to C3. Each of resource aggregators A to C manages the power supply and demand of one or more different consumers. Note that the number of consumers constituting a community is not limited to three.

[0016] At least one of the plurality of consumers may have energy resources such as a solar cell (power generation facility), a storage battery (energy storage facility), and an electric water heater (hot water storage facility) using heat pump technology such as ECOCUTE (registered trademark).

[0017] Resource aggregators and aggregation coordinators are operators that integrate and control energy resources on the customer side, such as distributed energy resources, and provide energy services from a virtual power plant (VPP). That is, resource aggregators and aggregation coordinators are operators that supply energy to multiple customers. A resource aggregator is provided, for example, in each community and controls the power of multiple customers within the community. Power and information are transmitted and received between the resource aggregator and multiple customers. Note that a VPP integrally controls power generation facilities, energy resources, etc. scattered on the power grid and controls them as if they were a single power plant (virtual power plant).

[0018] For example, information regarding the power generation amount of a power generation facility is transmitted from a customer having the power generation facility to the resource aggregator. Also, information regarding the power reduction amount allocated to the customer is transmitted from the resource aggregator to the customer.

[0019] The aggregation coordinator bundles the amount of power controlled by the resource aggregator and conducts power transactions with so-called power companies such as power transmission and distribution operators or retail electricity operators. Hereinafter, the resource aggregator and the aggregation coordinator are also collectively referred to as the aggregator.

[0020] In such a power trading system 1001, power trading between two or more customers managed by the resource aggregator is being considered. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a power supply planning device that creates a movement plan of a vehicle to each facility using information on a facility capable of charging the vehicle and a facility that wants to use the power of the vehicle. Although this can improve the power supply-demand balance, for example, when power is traded within two or more customers managed by the resource aggregator, the effect is limited.

[0021] The power sharing according to the comparative example will be further described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of power sharing in the power sharing system 1001 according to the comparative example. In FIG. 2, among the consumers A1 to A3 that are under the management of the resource aggregator A, power surplus occurs in consumers A1 and A2, and power shortage occurs in consumer A3. The power sharing in this case is illustrated. Examples of the factors causing power shortage include, but are not limited to, the occurrence of a power outage. Other examples include fluctuations in the power generation amount of natural energy based on sudden changes in weather conditions (for example, the actual power generation amount is less than the predicted power generation amount), and the occurrence of natural disasters such as earthquakes and heavy rain disasters.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, consumer A3, which is in the same group (the same group of consumers) and has a power surplus, receives power supply from consumers A1 and A2 via the electric vehicle 100. Thus, in the comparative example, power sharing is performed within the group of consumers that are under the management of the resource aggregator A.

[0023] However, for example, in the case where consumer A3 receives power supply from one or more of consumers B1 to B3 and consumers C1 to C3 instead of consumers A1 and A2, the power supply-demand balance may be improved. That is, when a consumer who is under the management of the resource aggregator A receives power supply from a consumer who is under the management of another resource aggregator other than the resource aggregator A, the power supply-demand balance may be improved. For example, it is exemplified that there is no power surplus in consumers A1 and A2, or one or more of consumers B1 to B3 and consumers C1 to C3 have a larger power surplus.

[0024] As described above, there is room for improvement in the power sharing method exemplified in the comparative example. Therefore, the inventors of the present application have intensively studied a power sharing method and the like that can further improve the power supply-demand balance, and have devised a power sharing method and the like described below. Specifically, when the power supply-demand balance is unstable, by coordinating power sharing among the resource aggregators A to C shown in FIG. 1, it is possible for the customers of each resource aggregator to perform power sharing across groups, and a power sharing method and the like that can optimize the power supply-demand balance for the entire group (for example, improve the efficiency of energy in the region) have been devised. Note that Patent Document 1 does not disclose power sharing between resource aggregators.

[0025] A power sharing method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a power sharing method that uses a mobile body equipped with a storage battery to share power. The first aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more first customers, and the second aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more second customers different from the one or more first customers. The power sharing method includes a first acquisition step of acquiring first information including the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more first customers that are the management targets of the first aggregator, a second acquisition step of acquiring second information including the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more second customers that are the management targets of the second aggregator, and when a power supply or demand shortage or surplus is detected in the one or more first customers based on the first information, based on the first information and the second information, creating a movement plan for the mobile body to share power between the target customer of either the shortage or the surplus detected among the one or more first customers and the one or more second customers, and a transmission step of transmitting the created movement plan.

[0026] As a result, the power lending method can lend power between two aggregators (between two groups). That is, since the power lending method can adjust the power supply-demand balance of the entire two groups, the power supply-demand balance can be further improved as compared with the case where power is lent among consumers within one aggregator (within one group).

[0027] Also, for example, in the creation step, when the one target consumer has a surplus in power supply and demand, the mobile body is charged in the power facilities of the one target consumer, and the mobile plan is created so as to supply the power charged in the power facilities of the consumer(s) with a tight power supply and demand among the one or more second consumers acquired based on the second information. When the one target consumer is a consumer with a tight power supply and demand, the mobile body may be charged in the power facilities of the consumer(s) with a surplus in power supply and demand among the one or more second consumers acquired based on the second information, and the mobile plan may be created so as to supply the power charged in the power facilities of the one target consumer.

[0028] As a result, in one target consumer, whether a tight power supply and demand or a surplus is detected, the tightness and the surplus can be reduced.

[0029] Also, for example, based on the first information and the second information, a first determination step of performing power lending matching between the one target consumer and the one or more second consumers, and determining another target consumer who lends power from the one or more second consumers to the one target consumer by the matching is further included. In the creation step, the mobile plan may be created so as to lend power between the another target consumer determined by the first determination step and the one target consumer.

[0030] As a result, power can be exchanged between the customers for whom power matching has been performed. That is, in each of one target customer and the other target customer, the power supply-demand balance can be improved. Therefore, compared with the case where matching is not performed, the power supply-demand balance can be further improved.

[0031] Further, for example, in the first determination step, a first power amount of either the tightness or the surplus detected in the one target customer based on the first information is acquired, and based on the second information, a customer in which a second power amount, which is the total of the other power amounts of the tightness and the surplus, from the one or more second customers becomes the first power amount is selected, and the selected customer may be determined as the other target customer.

[0032] As a result, it is possible to achieve a state in which neither tightness nor surplus of power exchange occurs in one target customer.

[0033] Further, for example, it further includes a third acquisition step of acquiring position information indicating the positions of the one target customer, the other target customer, and the mobile body, and in the creation step, the movement plan may be further created based on the position information.

[0034] As a result, it is possible to create a more efficient driving route for power transmission according to the positions of the one target customer, the other target customer, and the mobile body. Therefore, power exchange can be realized with less power, so the power supply-demand balance can be further improved.

[0035] Further, for example, in the first determination step, the other target customer may be determined from among the second customers within a predetermined distance from the one target customer among the one or more second customers.

[0036] As a result, the amount of power consumed by the mobile body during power transmission can be reduced. Therefore, power exchange can be realized with less power, so the power supply-demand balance can be further improved.

[0037] Further, for example, the third aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more third consumers, and the second information further includes the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more third consumers that are the management targets of the third aggregator. In the creation step, the movement plan may be created so as to transfer power among the one target consumer, the one or more second consumers, and the one or more third consumers.

[0038] Thereby, since the power transfer method can transfer power among three aggregators (among three groups), the power supply and demand balance can be further improved.

[0039] Further, for example, the reliability of the prediction of the power supply and demand status of each of three or more aggregators including the second aggregator and the third aggregator is obtained, and based on the obtained reliability, a second determination step of determining one or more aggregators that perform power transfer from among the three or more aggregators is further included. In the creation step, the movement plan for performing power transfer with the consumers managed by each of the one or more aggregators determined in the second determination step may be created.

[0040] Thereby, it is possible to suppress receiving power transfer from a resource aggregator with low reliability, so that the tightness or surplus of the power supply and demand can be more surely eliminated. Therefore, the power supply and demand balance can be more surely improved.

[0041] Further, for example, the moving body may be a vehicle having an autonomous driving function.

[0042] Thereby, power can be automatically transported.

[0043] Further, for example, when the tightness or the surplus of the power supply and demand is detected in the one or more first consumers based on the first information, the second acquisition step may be executed.

[0044] As a result, the second information can be acquired only when it is necessary. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in the communication load in the communication for power sharing.

[0045] Moreover, a power sharing system according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a power sharing system that shares power using a moving body equipped with a storage battery, wherein a first aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more first consumers, and a second aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more second consumers different from the one or more first consumers. The power sharing system includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first information including the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more first consumers that are under the management of the first aggregator, a second acquisition unit that acquires second information including the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more second consumers that are under the management of the second aggregator, and when a power supply shortage or surplus is detected in the one or more first consumers based on the first information, a creation unit that creates a movement plan for the moving body so as to share power between the target consumer of either the shortage or the surplus detected among the one or more first consumers and the one or more second consumers based on the first information and the second information, and a transmission unit that transmits the created movement plan. Further, a program according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to execute the above-described power sharing method.

[0046] As a result, the same effects as those of the above-described power sharing method are achieved.

[0047] Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0048] Note that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims are described as optional components.

[0049] Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily shown strictly. Also, in each figure, substantially the same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0050] Also, in this specification, terms indicating relationships between elements such as the same, and numerical values and numerical ranges are not expressions representing only strict meanings, but are expressions meaning that they include substantially equivalent ranges, for example, differences of about several percent (for example, about 5%).

[0051] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, the power sharing method and the like according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 12.

[0052] [1. Configuration of Power Sharing System] First, the configuration of the power sharing system will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the power sharing system 1 according to this embodiment. The power sharing system 1 according to this embodiment is an energy management system that enables power sharing between consumers in different groups in order to adjust the power supply and demand balance of the entire plurality of groups by treating a plurality of consumers as one group (community). It can also be said that the power sharing system 1 is an energy management system that shares power using the electric vehicle 100 equipped with a storage battery. Note that the outline of the power sharing system 1 according to this embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 1, and in the following, it will be described using the resource aggregators A to C and the consumers A1 to A3, B1 to B3, and C1 to C3 shown in FIG. 1.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, the power sharing system 1 includes server devices 10A to 10C, a group of consumers 20 (for example, consumers A1 to A3), and the electric vehicle 100. The server device 10A is communicably connected to the server devices 10B and 10C, the group of consumers 20, and the electric vehicle 100 via the network 30. The group of consumers 20 includes one or more first consumers, for example, the consumers A1 to A3 shown in FIG. 1.

[0054] Note that the communication method of the communication via the network 30 is not particularly limited, and it may be wireless communication or wired communication. Further, the network 30 is exemplified by a wide area communication network such as the Internet, but is not limited thereto.

[0055] The server devices 10A to 10C are information processing devices of the resource aggregator. The server device 10A is an information processing device of the resource aggregator A shown in FIG. 1. The resource aggregator A is an example of a first aggregator that manages the power supply and demand of a group of customers 20 (an example of one or more first customers). The server device 10B is an information processing device of the resource aggregator B shown in FIG. 1. The resource aggregator B is an example of a second aggregator that manages the power supply and demand of one or more second customers (for example, customers B1 to B3 shown in FIG. 1). The server device 10C is an information processing device of the resource aggregator C shown in FIG. 1. The resource aggregator C is an example of a third aggregator that manages the power supply and demand of one or more third customers (for example, customers C1 to C3 shown in FIG. 1). Each of the one or more first customers, the one or more second customers, and the one or more third customers is a different customer.

[0056] Hereinafter, the server device 10A will also be referred to as the resource aggregator A, the server device 10B will also be referred to as the resource aggregator B, and the server device 10C will also be referred to as the resource aggregator C.

[0057] Note that in the present embodiment, the configurations of the server devices 10B and 10C are the same as those of the server device 10A, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] The server device 10A includes a vehicle information acquisition unit 11, a power supply and demand information acquisition unit 12, a cooperation unit 13, a determination unit 14, an operation plan unit 15, a transmission unit 16, and a storage unit 17.

[0059] The vehicle information acquisition unit 11 acquires vehicle information regarding the electric vehicle 100. The vehicle information includes position information indicating the current position of the electric vehicle 100, the storage capacity of the storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle 100, the current available capacity of the storage battery, and the like. The storage capacity may be a catalog value or may be the current storage-capable capacity considering aging degradation.

[0060] The vehicle information acquisition unit 11 may acquire vehicle information from the electric vehicle 100 or may acquire vehicle information from a server device that manages the vehicle information. The vehicle information acquisition unit 11 is configured to include, for example, a communication circuit (communication module).

[0061] Note that information regarding the electric vehicle 100 that is the target for acquiring vehicle information may be acquired in advance and stored in the storage unit 17. The vehicle information acquisition unit 11 may read the information stored in the storage unit 17 and acquire vehicle information for each of one or more electric vehicles 100 included in the information.

[0062] The power supply / demand information acquisition unit 12 acquires power supply / demand information indicating the power supply / demand balance (power supply / demand situation) from each of one or more first consumers included in the consumer group 20 managed by the server device 10A. The power supply / demand information acquisition unit 12 acquires the power supply / demand information, for example, periodically, but the acquisition timing is not limited to being periodic. Further, the power supply / demand information acquisition unit 12 may predict the power supply / demand after a predetermined time for each consumer from the acquired power supply / demand information. Any known method may be used for predicting the power supply / demand. For example, it may be performed based on past power supply / demand data (data on past power generation amount and demand amount), the weather situation after a predetermined time (e.g., solar radiation amount, wind amount, etc.). The power supply / demand information acquisition unit 12 is configured to include, for example, a communication circuit (communication module).

[0063] Note that hereinafter, the power supply / demand information acquired by the power supply / demand information acquisition unit 12, that is, the power supply / demand information of the consumers within the same group, is also referred to as first information. Further, the power supply / demand information acquisition unit 12 is an example of a first acquisition unit.

[0064] The cooperation unit 13 acquires power supply and demand information indicating the power supply and demand of each of one or more consumers managed by another resource aggregator (for example, resource aggregators B and C) from the other resource aggregator. The cooperation unit 13 is a processing unit for cooperating the power supply and demand information of the other resource aggregator and the consumers.

[0065] Hereinafter, the power supply and demand information acquired by the cooperation unit 13, that is, the power supply and demand information of the consumers in other groups, is also referred to as second information. Further, the cooperation unit 13 is an example of a second acquisition unit.

[0066] Based on the first information of each of one or more first consumers included in the consumer group 20, the determination unit 14 determines whether at least one of power supply and demand shortage and surplus (excess) occurs in the consumer group 20 managed by the server device 10A. It can also be said that the determination unit 14 detects consumers with power supply and demand shortage and consumers with power supply and demand surplus based on the first information.

[0067] When the shortage or surplus of power supply and demand in the consumer group 20 is detected by the determination unit 14 based on the first information, the operation plan unit 15 creates an operation plan for the electric vehicle 100 to perform power transfer based on the first information and the second information so that the shortage or surplus of power supply and demand is eliminated. For example, the operation plan unit 15 creates an operation plan for the electric vehicle 100 to transfer power between a consumer (one target consumer) in which the shortage or surplus of power supply and demand is detected among one or more first consumers and one or more consumers (for example, one or more second consumers, one or more third consumers, etc.) managed by another resource aggregator. Note that the operation plan unit 15 is an example of a creation unit, and the operation plan is an example of a movement plan.

[0068] The transmission unit 16 transmits the operation plan created by the operation planning unit 15. The transmission unit 16 may transmit the operation plan to, for example, a terminal device of a user who operates (e.g., drives or remotely operates) the electric vehicle 100 or rides in the electric vehicle 100, or may transmit the operation plan to the electric vehicle 100 if the electric vehicle 100 has an autonomous driving function. The transmission unit 16 is configured to include, for example, a communication circuit (communication module).

[0069] The storage unit 17 is a storage device that stores a control program for operating the components of the server device 10A and information required for power sharing, etc. The storage unit 17 is realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0070] The information required for power sharing may include, for example, a list of other resource aggregators that manage the consumers around the group of consumers 20 managed by the server device 10A. Also, the information required for power sharing may include the location information of each consumer managed by the resource aggregator A, the power storage capacity of the power storage facility, etc. Further, the information required for power sharing may include a predicted value of the power supply-demand balance of other resource aggregators, historical information indicating the actual value of the power supply-demand balance, or information regarding the reliability of other resource aggregators.

[0071] The historical information is obtained, for example, from each of the other resource aggregators. The reliability is information indicating the accuracy of the predicted value of the power supply-demand balance of the consumers managed by the server device predicted by each server device. The reliability is calculated based on, for example, the difference between the predicted value of the power supply-demand balance of the server device in the past and the actually measured value of the power supply-demand balance at that time. For example, the smaller the difference between the predicted value and the actually measured value, the higher the reliability value. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the reliability of other resource aggregators stored in the storage unit 17 according to the present embodiment.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 17 stores the reliability of each of the other resource aggregators that manage the consumers around the consumer group 20 managed by the server device 10A. In the example of FIG. 4, the reliability of the resource aggregator B (server device 10B) is 95%, the reliability of the resource aggregator C (server device 10C) is 80%, and the reliability of the resource aggregator D (not shown) is 50%.

[0073] The consumer group 20 receives power supply from the resource aggregator A. The consumer group 20 includes, for example, one or more consumers (users) who use power, but may also be a house, a store, or a company having electrical equipment. The consumer group 20 may also be an institution having a plurality of facilities such as a university. Further, the electrical equipment is not particularly limited as long as it is a remotely operable device (for example, an IoT (Internet of Things) device), and examples thereof include lighting fixtures and air conditioners.

[0074] In addition, at least one of the one or more consumers (hereinafter also referred to as consumers, etc.) managed by each resource aggregator may possess a power generation facility, a power storage facility, a hot water supply facility, etc. The power generation facility here may be, for example, a power generation facility capable of creating renewable energy. Further, the power generation facility may be a power generation facility whose power generation amount changes depending on weather conditions. The power generation facility is, for example, a solar power generation facility, a wind power generation facility, etc. The power generation facility may include, for example, at least a solar power generation facility. Further, the consumer may possess a plurality of power generation facilities.

[0075] Note that the power generation facility only needs to be possessed by at least one of the plurality of consumers that the power sharing system 1 has.

[0076] The electric vehicle 100 is an example of a moving body equipped with a storage battery. The electric vehicle 100 charges at a consumer with a surplus in power supply and demand, and supplies the charged power to a consumer with a tight power supply and demand. The electric vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle (EV) driven by the power of the mounted storage battery and runs. Electric vehicles include battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that can run only on electricity without using gasoline, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) equipped with an engine and capable of running on both electricity and gasoline, and the like.

[0077] The electric vehicle 100 may be a vehicle having an autonomous driving function or a vehicle running by manual driving. Also, the electric vehicle 100 may be a dedicated vehicle for power sharing, or may be a vehicle owned by any consumer (for example, any consumer among consumers A1 to A3, B1 to B3, and C1 to C3). The dedicated vehicle may, for example, standby at a preset position. Also, the standby position of the dedicated vehicle may be stored in the storage unit 17 of the server device 10A.

[0078] The electric vehicle 100 has a sensor for measuring the stored power, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, and the like.

[0079] [2. Operation of the Power Sharing System] The operation of the power sharing system 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation (power sharing method) of the power sharing system 1 according to the present embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows the operation of the server device 10A. In FIG. 5, a power supply and demand shortage has occurred for the consumers of the resource aggregator A, and an example in which power is supplied from each of the consumers of the resource aggregators B and C will be described. However, power may be supplied only from one of the consumers of the resource aggregators B and C. Receiving power supply is an example of power sharing.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 5, the power supply / demand information acquisition unit 12 of the server device 10A acquires power supply / demand information (first information) from each of the consumers included in the consumer group 20 (S11). The power supply / demand information acquisition unit 12 acquires power supply / demand information including the power supply / demand balance of each of the consumers A1 to A3 (an example of one or more first consumers) that are under the management of the resource aggregator A (an example of the first aggregator). The power supply / demand balance is information based on, for example, the power demand and the power generation amount. The power supply / demand information acquisition unit 12 outputs the acquired power supply / demand information to the determination unit 14. Step S11 is an example of the first acquisition step.

[0081] Here, the power supply / demand information will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of the power supply / demand information of the consumer group 20 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing another example of the power supply / demand information of the consumer group 20 according to the present embodiment. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, “+(plus)” indicates that there is a surplus of power, and “-(minus)” indicates that there is a shortage of power.

[0082] FIG. 6A shows an example where the power supply / demand is tight for each of the consumers A1 to A3. Consumer A1 has a power shortage of 40 kW, consumer A2 has a power shortage of 5 kW, and consumer A3 has a power shortage of 80 kW.

[0083] FIG. 6B shows an example where there is a surplus in the power supply / demand for consumer A1 and the power supply / demand is tight for consumer A3. Consumer A1 has a power surplus of 20 kW, consumer A2 is in a state where the power supply / demand is not tight and there is no surplus, and consumer A3 has a power shortage of 80 kW.

[0084] Note that the power amounts shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B may be, for example, the integrated values of the power amounts that are insufficient or excessive during a predetermined period. Also, the power amounts shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B may be, for example, predicted values. Further, the value of the power supply-demand balance shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is the power amount obtained by subtracting the demand from the power generation amount of the consumer. It can be said that the closer the value of the power supply-demand balance approaches "0", the better the power supply-demand balance is achieved.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 5 again, the determination unit 14 determines whether there is a consumer with a tight power supply-demand based on the power supply-demand information (S12). For example, in the power supply-demand information shown in FIG. 6A or FIG. 6B, the determination unit 14 determines that a consumer with a power shortage of a predetermined power amount or more is a consumer with a tight power supply-demand. Assuming the predetermined power amount is 10 kW, in the case of FIG. 6A, the determination unit 14 determines that there is a tight power supply-demand in consumers A1 and A3, and in the case of FIG. 6B, the determination unit 14 determines that there is a tight power supply-demand in consumer A3. Consumers A1 and A3 in FIG. 6A and consumer A3 in FIG. 6B are examples of the target consumers in which a tight power supply-demand is detected.

[0086] Note that the determination unit 14 is not limited to performing the determination in step S12 using the predetermined power amount. For example, the determination unit 14 may determine that all consumers with a negative power supply-demand are in a tight power supply-demand.

[0087] If there is a consumer with a tight power supply-demand (Yes in S12), the determination unit 14 proceeds to step S13. If there is no consumer with a tight power supply-demand (No in S12), the process for power transfer ends.

[0088] Next, when there is a customer with tight power supply and demand (Yes in S12), the determination unit 14 determines whether power can be supplied from other customers within the group (S13). For example, the determination unit 14 determines that power supply is possible when the integrated value of the surplus amount of power supply and demand (power amount integrated value) of each customer with a surplus in power supply and demand among the one or more first customers is more than a predetermined amount larger than the integrated value of the shortage amount of power supply and demand (power amount integrated value) of the customer with tight power supply and demand among the one or more first customers, and determines that power supply is impossible otherwise. The predetermined amount here may be, for example, the amount of power estimated to be consumed by the electric vehicle 100 during power transportation in the electric vehicle 100. The amount of power may be determined according to, for example, the distance between the customer with tight power supply and demand and the customer with a surplus in power supply and demand.

[0089] In the case of Fig. 6A, since the determination unit 14 determines that power is insufficient for each customer, it determines that power supply between customers A1 to A3 is impossible. Also, in the case of Fig. 6B, since the shortage amount of power supply and demand (80 kW) is larger than the surplus amount of power supply and demand (20 kW), the determination unit 14 determines that even if power supply is performed between customers A1 to A3, the effect of improving the power supply and demand balance is small and power supply is impossible (for example, not suitable).

[0090] Here, the process of step S13 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the details of step S13 shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 shows a flowchart for selecting a customer who supplies power to a customer with tight power supply and demand within the group.

[0091] As shown in Fig. 7, the determination unit 14 determines whether there is a customer with a surplus in power supply and demand based on the power supply and demand information (S31). The determination unit 14 can also be said to identify, for example, a customer with a surplus of a predetermined amount or more in power.

[0092] Next, when there is a consumer with a power supply-demand surplus (Yes in S31), the determination unit 14 determines whether the distance between the consumer specified in step S31 (the consumer with a power supply-demand surplus) and the consumer with a tight power supply-demand is within a predetermined distance (S32). If the determination unit 14 determines that it is within the predetermined distance (Yes in S32), it proceeds to step S19. A determination of Yes in steps S31 and S32 corresponds to a determination of Yes in step S13. Note that the predetermined distance may be a straight-line distance on a map or the travel distance of the electric vehicle 100 when transporting power.

[0093] Also, when there is no consumer with a power supply-demand surplus (No in S31), or when it is not within the predetermined distance (No in S32), the determination unit 14 proceeds to step S14. A determination of No in step S31 or step S32 corresponds to a determination of No in step S13. When the determination unit 14 determines No in step S13, it outputs information indicating that power is to be shared with other resource aggregators to the cooperation unit 13.

[0094] Note that in this embodiment, when sharing power with consumers whose distance from each other is greater than the predetermined distance, the amount of power consumed by the electric vehicle 100 increases. Therefore, a determination of No is made in step S32, and the process proceeds to step S14. As a result, the amount of power consumed by the electric vehicle 100 when sharing power can be suppressed, and thus it is possible to further improve the power supply-demand balance. Note that the determination in step S32 may not be performed.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 5 again, next, the cooperation unit 13 inquires about the power supply-demand situation to other resource aggregators (S14). Specifically, the cooperation unit 13 transmits an instruction indicating that power supply-demand information (second information) indicating the power supply-demand situation of each of one or more consumers managed by the resource aggregator is to be transmitted to other resource aggregators. It can be said that the cooperation unit 13 aggregates the power supply-demand information of other resource aggregators.

[0096] At this time, the cooperation unit 13 may transmit the power supply and demand information (first information) acquired in step S11 or the determination result of step S13 to another resource aggregator.

[0097] In addition, the cooperation unit 13 may select another resource aggregator to which an inquiry is to be made based on the reliability shown in FIG. 4. The cooperation unit 13 may make an inquiry to another resource aggregator having a reliability equal to or higher than a predetermined reliability (an example of a threshold value). For example, the cooperation unit 13 acquires the reliability (for example, the reliability shown in FIG. 4) for the prediction of the power supply and demand balance of each of other resource aggregators (for example, three or more resource aggregators including resource aggregators B, C, and D), and based on the acquired reliability, may determine (select) one or more resource aggregators that perform power lending from other resource aggregators. Determining one or more resource aggregators is an example of a second determination step. For example, when the predetermined reliability is 80% or more, the cooperation unit 13 may determine, in the second determination step, that resource aggregators B and C among resource aggregators B, C, and D are one or more resource aggregators that perform power lending.

[0098]

[0099]

[0100] As a result, it is possible to suppress receiving power supply from a resource aggregator with low reliability, so that it becomes possible to more reliably transport the necessary amount of power to a consumer with a tight power supply and demand. Upon receiving the inquiry, each of the other resource aggregators acquires power supply and demand information from one or more consumers it manages and transmits it to the server device 10A (resource aggregator A).Next, the cooperation unit 13 acquires, from other resource aggregators (for example, resource aggregators B and C), the power supply-demand information (second information) and location information of each customer managed by the other resource aggregators via the network 30 (S15). The power supply-demand information includes the power supply-demand balance of each customer managed by other resource aggregators. Note that the location information may be included in the power supply-demand information. Also, the acquired location information may be stored in the storage unit 17. Step S15 is an example of the second acquisition step.

[0101] In the example of FIG. 8 described later, the second information includes the power supply-demand balances of customers B1 to B3 and customers C1 to C3, which are the management targets of resource aggregators B and C. Note that when only resource aggregator B exists around resource aggregator A, the second information includes the power supply-demand balances of customers B1 to B3, which are the management targets of resource aggregator B.

[0102] Note that, for example, step S15 is executed when a power supply-demand shortage or surplus (for the surplus, refer to FIG. 12 described later) is detected in the customer group 20 based on the first information.

[0103] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the power supply-demand information of the customer groups of other resource aggregators according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8, the power supply-demand information acquired from resource aggregators B and C is shown.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 8, the power supply-demand balance and location information of each of the consumers B1 to B3 managed by the resource aggregator B and the consumers C1 to C3 managed by the resource aggregator C are included. In FIG. 8, examples where there is a surplus in power supply-demand are shown for consumers B1, B3, C2, and C3. Also, for consumers B2 and C1, the power supply-demand is 0 kW. That is, there are no consumers among consumers B1 to B3 and consumers C1 to C3 where the power supply-demand is tight. Therefore, consumers B1 to B3 and consumers C1 to C3 can supply power to consumers A1 to A3 within the range of the total value of the power surplus shown in FIG. 8. Also, the location information includes, for example, latitude and longitude.

[0105] Referring again to FIG. 5, next, the cooperation unit 13 determines from which consumer to receive power supply based on the power supply-demand information acquired from other resource aggregators shown in FIG. 8 (S16). Step S16 is an example of a first determination step. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the details of step S16 shown in FIG. 5. Hereinafter, consumers B1 to B3 and consumers C1 to C3 will also be referred to as candidate consumers.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 9, the cooperation unit 13 determines whether there is a consumer with a surplus in power supply-demand among the candidate consumers based on the power supply-demand information of the candidate consumers acquired in step S15 (S41). For example, the cooperation unit 13 may determine that a consumer has a surplus in power supply-demand if the consumer has a surplus of a predetermined amount or more (for example, 5 kW or more). For example, in the case of the power supply-demand information shown in FIG. 8, the cooperation unit 13 determines that consumers B1, B3, C2, and C3 are consumers with a surplus in power supply-demand.

[0107] When there is a consumer with a surplus in power supply and demand (Yes in S41), the cooperation unit 13 further determines whether the distance between the consumer and a consumer with a tight power supply and demand in the consumer group 20 is within a predetermined distance (S42). The cooperation unit 13 makes the determination in step S42 for each of the consumers B1, B3, C2, and C3. Note that the predetermined distance may be the straight-line distance on the map or the driving distance of the electric vehicle 100 when transporting power.

[0108] Next, when the distance between the cooperation unit 13 and a consumer with a tight power supply and demand is within the predetermined distance (Yes in S42), it decides to receive power supply from the consumer satisfying the condition (here, the distance is within the predetermined distance) (S43). When the distance between the cooperation unit 13 and a consumer with a tight power supply and demand is not within the predetermined distance (No in S42), it decides to receive power supply from a consumer with a relatively short distance from the consumer with a tight power supply and demand (S44). It can also be said that the cooperation unit 13 determines, for example, in step S42 whether there is a consumer whose distance from a consumer with a tight power supply and demand is within the predetermined distance. Further, it can be said that the cooperation unit 13 determines, in step S43, the other target consumer who supplies power to one target consumer from among the consumers (for example, the second consumer and the third consumer whose distances are within the predetermined distance) whose distances from one of the candidate consumers are within the predetermined distance. After step S43 or S44, the cooperation unit 13 proceeds to step S17.

[0109] Also, when there is no consumer with a surplus in power supply and demand (No in S41), the cooperation unit 13 notifies the administrator managing consumers A1 to A3 (for example, the administrator managing the server device 10A) that there is no consumer capable of supplying power (S45), and ends the process.

[0110] Here, the cooperation unit 13 may further perform matching of power transfer between a consumer with a tight power supply and demand and a consumer with a surplus in power supply and demand based on the first information and the second information, and determine the other target consumer who supplies (here, supplies) power from the candidate consumers to one target consumer through the matching.

[0111] Specifically, the cooperation unit 13 obtains the first power amount of either the power supply-demand tightness or surplus (here, tightness) detected in one target customer based on the first information, and selects, based on the second information, a customer whose total power amount of the other (here, surplus) of the power supply-demand tightness and surplus from candidate customers is the first power amount, and may determine the selected customer as the other target customer.

[0112] Taking the cases of FIG. 6B (an example of the first information) and FIG. 8 (an example of the second information) as examples, the cooperation unit 13 obtains, based on FIG. 6B, the power amount of 80 kW (an example of the first power amount) of the tightness of customer A3 which is one target customer, and selects, based on FIG. 8, a customer with a total surplus of 80 kW. For example, in the case of FIG. 8, since the total power amount of customers B1 and C3 is 80 kW, the cooperation unit 13 determines customers B1 and C3 as the other target customers. Note that the cooperation unit 13 may consider the power amount consumed by the electric vehicle 100 during power transmission, and for example, determine a customer with a power amount exceeding 80 kW (for example, 90 kW, 100 kW, etc.) as the other target customer. Hereinafter, an example where customers B1 and C3 are determined as the other target customers will be described.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 5 again, the cooperation unit 13 notifies the customers determined to other resource aggregators (S17). The cooperation unit 13 notifies, for example, the customers receiving power supply from other resource aggregators and the power supply amount. For example, the cooperation unit 13 notifies resource aggregator B that it will receive a power supply of 30 kW from customer B1, and notifies resource aggregator C that it will receive a power supply of 50 kW from customer C3.

[0114] Upon receiving the notification, resource aggregator B may update the power supply-demand information of customer B1. Also, upon receiving the notification, resource aggregator C may update the power supply-demand information of customer C3.

[0115] In addition, the cooperation unit 13 outputs the determined customer to the operation planning unit 15.

[0116] Next, the vehicle information acquisition unit 11 acquires the position information of the electric vehicle 100 (S18). The vehicle information acquisition unit 11 may acquire, for example, the position information of each of the plurality of registered electric vehicles 100. The vehicle information acquisition unit 11 may perform the process of step S18, for example, periodically, or may perform the process of step S18 triggered by the determination of Yes in step S41. The vehicle information acquisition unit 11 may store the acquired position information in the storage unit 17.

[0117] Next, based on the first information and the second information, the operation planning unit 15 creates an operation plan for the electric vehicle 100 so that the power supply and demand tightness and surplus are eliminated in the entire plurality of groups by lending power between the resource aggregators (S19). Step S19 is an example of a creation step.

[0118] When one target customer is a customer with tight power supply and demand, the operation planning unit 15 charges the electric vehicle 100 in the power facilities of customers with surplus power supply and demand (for example, customers B1 and C3) among the candidate customers detected based on the second information, and supplies the charged power to the power facilities of one target customer, and creates an operation plan for the electric vehicle 100. Customers B1 and C3 are the other target customers determined by the first determination step. It can also be said that the operation planning unit 15 creates an operation plan for the electric vehicle 100 so as to lend power between one target customer and the other target customer.

[0119] For example, the operation planning unit 15 creates an operation plan for lending power to the customers (for example, customers B1 and C3) managed by each of the one or more aggregators (for example, resource aggregators B and C) determined in the second determination step.

[0120] In addition, the operation planning unit 15 may further obtain position information indicating the positions of one target consumer, the other target consumer, and the electric vehicle 100 (an example of the third acquisition step), and further create an operation plan based on this position information. The operation plan includes information regarding charging time, charging location (consumer to be charged), charging amount, travel route, supply time, supply location (consumer to be supplied), and supply amount. For example, when there are a plurality of electric vehicles 100, the operation planning unit 15 may create an operation plan such that the transfer of power is made to the electric vehicle 100 with the shortest travel distance or travel time. Further, the operation planning unit 15 may create an operation plan to supply power to one target consumer using a plurality of electric vehicles 100, or may create an operation plan such that one electric vehicle 100 supplies power to a plurality of one target consumers.

[0121] In addition, when there are a plurality of electric vehicles 100 capable of transporting power, the operation planning unit 15 may select an electric vehicle 100 based on the power storage capacity of the battery of each electric vehicle 100 and the amount of power to be transported. For example, the operation planning unit 15 may select an electric vehicle 100 with a power storage capacity greater than the amount of power to be transported, or may select an electric vehicle 100 with a remaining available amount of power in the battery (chargeable amount of power) greater than the amount of power to be transported. Further, when there are a plurality of electric vehicles 100 capable of transporting power, the operation planning unit 15 may select, as the electric vehicle 100 to be used for transportation, the electric vehicle 100 that is at the shortest distance from the consumer who has a surplus in power supply and demand and needs to be charged.

[0122] In addition, the operation planning unit 15 may calculate the power consumption required for transportation based on the positions of the electric vehicle 100, one target consumer, and the other target consumer, and create an operation plan to further charge the power consumption in addition to the amount of power to be transported from the other target consumer to the one target consumer.

[0123] In addition, the operation planning unit 15 may create an operation plan according to the factors that have caused power demand to become tight or have a surplus (in the example of FIG. 5, tight). As factors, sudden changes in weather conditions, power outages, and the occurrence of natural disasters (such as earthquakes and heavy rain disasters) are assumed. Such causes can occur in a geographically local position or area. Also, a sudden change in weather conditions may end in a short period (for example, about 30 minutes or 1 hour).

[0124] For example, when the factor is the occurrence of a power outage or a natural disaster, the operation planning unit 15 may create an operation plan that includes a driving route that does not pass through the position or area where the power outage or natural disaster has occurred in order to ensure driving safety. Also, for example, when the factor is a sudden change in weather conditions, the operation planning unit 15 may create an operation plan that includes the time to transport the electric vehicle 100 determined according to the content of the sudden change in the weather conditions.

[0125] Note that the operation planning unit 15 may identify the factor based on information indicating the latest situation obtained from a server device that manages, for example, weather conditions, power outage situations, natural disaster situations, and the like.

[0126] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of power sharing in the power sharing system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 shows an example in which power shortages occur in each of the consumers A1 to A3 managed by the resource aggregator A (see, for example, FIG. 6A), and power is supplied from the consumer B1 managed by the resource aggregator B and the consumer C3 managed by the resource aggregator C using the electric vehicle 100. In this case, the operation planning unit 15 creates an operation plan for the electric vehicle 100 so that the electric vehicle 100 is charged at the power facilities of the consumers B1 and C3, and the charged power is supplied to the power facilities of the consumers A1 to A3.

[0127] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing another example of power sharing in the power sharing system 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an example in which power shortage occurs in customer A3 among customers A1 to A3 managed by resource aggregator A (see, for example, FIG. 6B), and power is supplied from customer B1 managed by resource aggregator B and customer C3 managed by resource aggregator C using the electric vehicle 100. In this case, the operation planning unit 15 creates an operation plan for the electric vehicle 100 so as to charge the electric vehicle 100 in the power facilities of customers B1 and C3 and supply the charged power to the power facilities of customer A3.

[0128] Referring again to FIG. 5, next, the transmission unit 16 transmits the operation plan created by the operation planning unit 15 to the electric vehicle 100 (S20). Step S20 is an example of a transmission step.

[0129] Thereby, in the power sharing system 1, the electric vehicle 100 that has acquired the operation plan charges a predetermined amount of power at the other target customer who is under the management of another resource aggregator, and supplies the predetermined amount of power to one target customer who is under the management of resource aggregator A, so that power sharing can be performed between resource aggregators. In the example of FIG. 5, it is possible to simultaneously eliminate the power supply and demand shortage at the customer managed by resource aggregator A and the power supply and demand surplus at the customers managed by resource aggregators B and C. Therefore, the power sharing system 1 according to the present embodiment can optimize the power supply and demand balance in the entire system including a plurality of resource aggregators.

[0130] Next, another example of the operation of the power sharing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation (power sharing method) of the power sharing system 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 12, a power supply-demand margin has occurred for the customers of the resource aggregator A, and an example of supplying power to the customers of each of the resource aggregators B and C will be described. However, power may be supplied to the customers of either the resource aggregator B or C. Note that each of steps S101, S104, S105, S108, and S110 shown in FIG. 12 is the same as each of S11, S14, S15, S18, and S20 shown in FIG. 5, and the description thereof will be omitted. Also, supplying power is an example of sharing power.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 12, the determination unit 14 determines whether there is a customer with a power supply-demand margin based on the power supply-demand information (first information) acquired in step S101 (S102). For example, the determination unit 14 determines a customer with a power margin of a predetermined power amount or more in the power supply-demand information as a customer with a power supply-demand margin. The customer for whom a power supply-demand margin is detected is an example of one target customer.

[0132] Note that the determination unit 14 is not limited to performing the determination in step S102 using a predetermined power amount. For example, all customers with a positive power supply-demand balance may be determined to have a power supply-demand margin.

[0133] Next, when there is a consumer with a surplus in power supply and demand (Yes in S102), the determination unit 14 determines whether power can be supplied to other consumers within the group (S103). For example, when the integrated value of the surplus amount of power supply and demand (power amount integrated value) of the consumers with a surplus in power supply and demand among one or more first consumers is less than or equal to the integrated value of the shortage amount of power supply and demand (power amount integrated value) of each of the consumers with a strained power supply and demand among the one or more first consumers, or less than or equal to the integrated value obtained by adding a predetermined amount to the integrated value, the determination unit 14 determines that power supply is possible (Yes in S103). Otherwise, it determines that power supply is impossible (No in S103). The predetermined amount here may be, for example, the amount of power estimated to be consumed by the electric vehicle 100 during the transportation of power in the electric vehicle 100. The amount of power may be determined according to, for example, the distance between the consumer with a strained power supply and demand and the consumer with a surplus in power supply and demand.

[0134] Next, the cooperation unit 13 determines which consumer to supply power to based on the power supply and demand information (second information) obtained from other resource aggregators (S106). Step S106 is an example of the first determination step. The cooperation unit 13 may, for example, determine the consumers with a strained power supply and demand and within a predetermined distance from one target consumer as the consumers to whom power is to be supplied.

[0135] Next, the cooperation unit 13 notifies the other resource aggregators of the determined consumers (S107). The cooperation unit 13 notifies, for example, the consumers to whom power is to be supplied by other resource aggregators and the amount of power to be supplied. For example, when the cooperation unit 13 supplies 30 kW of power from one target consumer (for example, consumer A1) to consumer B1, it notifies resource aggregator B to supply 30 kW of power to consumer B1. When the cooperation unit 13 supplies 50 kW of power from one target consumer (for example, consumer A1) to consumer C3, it notifies resource aggregator C to supply 50 kW of power to consumer C3.

[0136] In addition, the cooperation unit 13 outputs the determined consumers to the operation planning unit 15.

[0137] Next, based on the first information and the second information, the operation planning unit 15 creates an operation plan for the electric vehicle 100 so that the power supply and demand tightness and surplus are eliminated across multiple groups by lending power between resource aggregators (S109). Step S109 is an example of a creation step.

[0138] When one target consumer has a surplus in power supply and demand, the operation planning unit 15 charges the electric vehicle 100 in the power facilities of the one target consumer and supplies the charged power to the power facilities of the consumers among the candidate consumers detected based on the second information whose power supply and demand are tight. It can also be said that the operation planning unit 15 creates an operation plan for the electric vehicle 100 so as to lend power between the other target consumer and the one target consumer.

[0139] For example, the operation planning unit 15 creates an operation plan for lending power to the consumers (for example, consumers B1 and C3) managed by each of the one or more aggregators (for example, resource aggregators B and C) determined in the second determination step. Further, the operation planning unit 15 may further obtain position information indicating the positions of the one target consumer, the other target consumer, and the electric vehicle 100 (an example of the third acquisition step), and further create an operation plan based on these position information.

[0140] Thereby, by supplying the surplus power generated in the consumer group 20 to the consumers whose power supply and demand are tight in other groups, the power supply and demand balance across groups can be improved.

[0141] (Other embodiments) As described above, the power lending method and the like according to the present disclosure have been described based on the above embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0142] For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which power is transported using the electric vehicle 100 has been described. However, if a storage battery is mounted, power may be transported using a moving body other than the electric vehicle 100. For example, the moving body may be a robot equipped with a storage battery (for example, a robot capable of autonomous movement), a light vehicle equipped with a storage battery (for example, a bicycle), a bicycle with a motor equipped with a storage battery, or a flying body equipped with a storage battery (for example, a drone). A flight plan including a flight route, flight time, etc. when the flying body transports power is an example of a movement plan.

[0143] In addition, each of one target customer and the other target customer in the above-described embodiment may be composed of one customer or may be composed of a plurality of customers.

[0144] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the other target customer is determined based on the distance between one target customer and the candidate customer has been described. However, for example, it may be determined based on the travel time. For example, the operation planning unit 15 may determine the electric vehicle 100 that can arrive at the other target customer at the predicted time when the power supply and demand is tight based on the current time and the travel time of the electric vehicle 100, as the electric vehicle 100 to be used for transportation.

[0145] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the power lending method is performed in the server device of the resource aggregator has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it may be performed by the server device of the aggregation coordinator. Further, the power lending method in the above-described embodiment may be performed between the resource aggregator and the aggregation coordinator. For example, power adjustment (power lending) may be performed between a resource aggregator that manages one community and an aggregation coordinator that manages another community.

[0146] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the server device acquires the location information of the customers managed by other resource aggregators when creating an operation plan. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the location information may be stored in the server device in advance. That is, when creating an operation plan, it is not necessary to acquire the location information of the customers managed by other resource aggregators.

[0147] In the above-described embodiment, an example was described in which the server device is composed of one device. However, it may be composed of a plurality of devices. When the server device is composed of a plurality of devices, the functions of the server device may be distributed among the plurality of devices in any manner. Further, at least a part of the functions of the server device in the above-described embodiment may be possessed by the customer. For example, the calculation of the predicted values of the power generation amount and the demand amount of electric power may be realized by a processing device (for example, a processing device mounted on a device) provided by the customer.

[0148] Also, the order of the plurality of processes described in the above-described embodiment is an example. The order of the plurality of processes may be changed, or at least a part of the plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

[0149] Also, the division of the functional blocks in the block diagram is an example, and a plurality of functional blocks may be realized as one functional block, one functional block may be divided into a plurality, or a part of the functions may be transferred to other functional blocks. Further, the functions of a plurality of functional blocks having similar functions may be processed by a single hardware or software in parallel or in time division.

[0150] In addition, in the above embodiment, each component may be configured by dedicated hardware or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory. The processor is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or provided on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated into one device or provided in a plurality of devices.

[0151] A system LSI is a super multifunctional LSI manufactured by integrating a plurality of processing units on one chip. Specifically, it is a computer system including a microprocessor, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. A computer program is stored in the ROM. When the microprocessor operates according to the computer program, the system LSI achieves its functions.

[0152] Here, it is described as a system LSI, but depending on the degree of integration, it may also be referred to as an IC, an LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI. Also, the method of integrating the circuit is not limited to LSI, and it may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. After manufacturing the LSI, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used.

[0153] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, these general or specific aspects may be realized by a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM readable by a computer, or may be realized by any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium. The program may be a computer program that causes a computer to execute each characteristic step included in the power supply and demand adjustment method.

[0154] In addition, one aspect of the present disclosure may be a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded. For example, such a program may be recorded on a recording medium and distributed or circulated. For example, by installing the distributed program in a device having another processor and causing the processor to execute the program, it becomes possible to cause the device to perform each of the above processes. Note that the program may be stored in the recording medium in advance, or may be supplied to the recording medium via a wide-area communication network including the Internet or the like.

[0155] In addition, forms obtained by applying various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art to the embodiment, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure are also included in the present disclosure.

Industrial Applicability

[0156] The present disclosure is useful for a power supply and demand adjustment system using the mechanism of VPP and the like.

Explanation of Signs

[0157] 1, 1001 Power supply and demand adjustment system 10A, 10B, 10C Server device 11 Vehicle information acquisition unit 12 Power supply and demand information acquisition unit (first acquisition unit) 13 Cooperation unit (second acquisition unit) 14 Determination unit 15 Operation plan unit (creation unit) 16 Transmission unit 17 Memory unit 20 Customer group 30 Network 100 Electric vehicle A Resource aggregator (first aggregator) A1, A2, A3 Customers (first customer) B Resource aggregator (second aggregator) B1, B2, B3 Customers (second customer) C Resource aggregator (third aggregator) C1, C2, C3 Customers (third customer)

Claims

1. A power sharing method for sharing power using a moving body equipped with a storage battery, comprising: A first aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more first consumers; A second aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more second consumers different from the one or more first consumers; The power sharing method includes: A first acquisition step of acquiring first information including the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more first consumers that are the management targets of the first aggregator; A second acquisition step of acquiring second information including the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more second consumers that are the management targets of the second aggregator; When a power supply shortage or surplus is detected in the one or more first consumers based on the first information, based on the first information and the second information, a creation step of creating a movement plan of the moving body so as to share power between the one target consumer among the one or more first consumers where the shortage or the surplus is detected and the one or more second consumers; A transmission step of transmitting the created movement plan. A power sharing method.

2. In the creation step, When the one target consumer is a consumer with a surplus in power supply and demand, the moving body is charged at the power facility of the one target consumer, and the power charged at the power facility of the one or more second consumers whose power supply and demand is in shortage among the one or more second consumers acquired based on the second information is supplied, and the movement plan is created; When the one target consumer is a consumer with a shortage in power supply and demand, the moving body is charged at the power facility of the one or more second consumers whose power supply and demand has a surplus among the one or more second consumers acquired based on the second information, and the power charged at the power facility of the one target consumer is supplied, and the movement plan is created. The power sharing method according to Claim 1.

3. Further including a first determination step of performing power sharing matching between the one target consumer and the one or more second consumers based on the first information and the second information, and determining another target consumer who shares power from the one or more second consumers to the one target consumer by the matching; In the creation step, the movement plan is created so as to share power between the other target consumer determined by the first determination step and the one target consumer. The power sharing method according to Claim 2.

4. In the first determination step, obtain a first power amount of either the tightness or the surplus detected in the one target consumer based on the first information, select, based on the second information, a consumer from among the one or more second consumers, for whom the total power amount of the other of the tightness and the surplus is the first power amount, as the other target consumer, and determine the selected consumer as the other target consumer The power supply and demand method according to claim 3.

5. further include a third acquisition step of acquiring position information indicating the positions of the one target consumer, the other target consumer, and the mobile body, in the creation step, further create the movement plan based on the position information The power supply and demand method according to claim 3 or 4.

6. in the first determination step, determine the other target consumer from among the second consumers within a predetermined distance from the one target consumer among the one or more second consumers The power supply and demand method according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The third aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more third consumers, the second information further includes the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more third consumers that are the management targets of the third aggregator, in the creation step, create the movement plan so as to supply and demand power among the one target consumer, the one or more second consumers, and the one or more third consumers The power supply and demand method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. further include a second determination step of obtaining the reliability of the prediction of the power supply and demand status of each of three or more aggregators including the second aggregator and the third aggregator, and determining, based on the obtained reliability, one or more aggregators that perform power supply and demand among the three or more aggregators, in the creation step, create the movement plan for performing power supply and demand with the consumers managed by each of the one or more aggregators determined in the second determination step The power supply and demand method according to claim 7.

9. the mobile body is a vehicle having an autonomous driving function The power supply and demand method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. when the tightness or the surplus of the power supply and demand is detected in the one or more first consumers based on the first information, the second acquisition step is executed The power supply and demand method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A power sharing system that shares power using a mobile body equipped with a storage battery, The first aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more first consumers, The second aggregator manages the power supply and demand of one or more second consumers different from the one or more first consumers, The power sharing system, A first acquisition unit that acquires first information including the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more first consumers that are the management targets of the first aggregator; A second acquisition unit that acquires second information including the power supply and demand status of each of the one or more second consumers that are the management targets of the second aggregator; When a power supply and demand shortage or surplus is detected among the one or more first consumers based on the first information, based on the first information and the second information, among the one or more first consumers, A creation unit that creates a movement plan for the mobile body to share power between the target consumer on one side where the shortage or surplus is detected and the one or more second consumers; And a transmission unit that transmits the created movement plan. Power sharing system.

12. A program for causing a computer to execute the power sharing method according to any one of Claims 1 to 10.

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