Charge and Discharge Control Method and Charge and Discharge Control Device

Abstract

When controlling a power module connected to one of a plurality of power systems, a charging / discharging control method and a charging / discharging control device receive a signal broadcasted to each power system via a receiver provided in the power module, calculate the degree of association between the acquired signal and the input voltage inputted to the power module for each power system, and control the power module on the basis of the signal related to the power system having a degree of association equal to or greater than a prescribed threshold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a charge-discharge control method and a charge-discharge control device.

Background Art

[0002] In a power system including a plurality of power conditioners (power modules) and a centralized management device that manages these plurality of power conditioners, a control means included in the power conditioner calculates an individual target power of the power conditioner based on a signal transmitted from the centralized management device, and controls the individual output power of the power conditioner so as to be the individual target power. An invention is known (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the invention described in Patent Document 1, since the signal from the centralized management device is transmitted by wireless communication, when different power systems are in the vicinity of each other, there is a possibility that the control means included in the power conditioner receives signals from a plurality of centralized management devices. In this case, there is a problem that the user needs to indicate the signal to be followed in the charge-discharge control of the power conditioner, and the work until the charge-discharge control of the power conditioner is started increases.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. The object is to identify a signal to be followed in the charge-discharge control of a power module without an instruction from a user even when a receiver included in the power module receives signals from a plurality of power systems, and to provide a charge-discharge control method and a charge-discharge control device capable of starting the charge-discharge control of the power module.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] When controlling a power module connected to any one of a plurality of power systems, a charge-discharge control method and a charge-discharge control device according to an aspect of the present invention receive signals broadcast for each power system via a receiver included in the power module. Then, for each power system, the degree of relevance between the acquired signal and the input voltage input to the power module is calculated, and the power module is controlled based on the signal related to the power system having a degree of relevance equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, even when a receiver included in a power module receives signals from a plurality of power systems, a signal to be followed in the charge-discharge control of the power module can be identified without an instruction from a user, and the charge-discharge control of the power module can be started.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts and the description thereof is omitted.

[0010] [Configuration of Power System] Referring to FIG. 1, a configuration example of the power system according to this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, vehicles V1, V2, V3, and V4 are shown. The vehicles V1, V2, V3, and V4 are provided with a power module 50 and a charge / discharge control device 10 as will be described later. For example, the power module 50 is an in-vehicle charger. With a battery There is. The power module 50 and the charge / discharge control device 10 are not limited to those mounted on a vehicle, and may be mounted on other moving bodies (such as an aircraft and a drone).

[0011] Also, in FIG. 1, a power supply device 21 that supplies power to charging spots SP1 and SP2, and a transmitter 23 that performs synchronous transmission by wireless communication to vehicles V1, V2, and V3 located in area R1 are shown. The power modules 50 mounted on the vehicles V1 and V2 receive power supply from the power supply device 21 via the charging spots SP1 and SP2, respectively. The power supply device 21, the transmitter 23, the charging spots SP1 and SP2, and the vehicles V1 and V2 constitute a first power system.

[0012] Furthermore, in FIG. 1, a power supply device 31 that supplies power to charging spots SP3 and SP4, and a transmitter 33 that performs synchronous transmission by wireless communication to vehicles V2, V3, and V4 located in area R2 are shown. The power modules 50 mounted on the vehicles V3 and V4 receive power supply from the power supply device 31 via the charging spots SP3 and SP4, respectively. The power supply device 31, the transmitter 33, the charging spots SP3 and SP4, and the vehicles V3 and V4 constitute a second power system.

[0013] Not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, the number of charging spots connected to the power supply devices 21 and 31 may be one or two or more. Also, the number of vehicles receiving power supply from the power supply devices 21 and 31 may be one or two or more. In addition, the number of power systems may be two or more.

[0014] Note that in FIG. 1, it should be noted that the vehicles V2 and V3 located in both the area R1 and the area R2 can receive the first signal by broadcast transmission from the transmitter 23 and can receive the second signal by broadcast transmission from the transmitter 33. The first signal is a signal related to the first power system and is a signal for adjusting the supply power in the first power system. The second signal is a signal related to the second power system and is a signal for adjusting the supply power in the second power system.

[0015] At the timing of starting charging by connecting the vehicle V2 and the vehicle V3 to the charging spots SP2 and SP3 respectively, it is unclear whether the power module 50 mounted on the vehicles V2 and V3 should be controlled based on either the first signal or the second signal. On the other hand, based on the fact that the vehicles V2 and V3 can receive both the first signal and the second signal, it can be seen that the power module 50 mounted on the vehicles V2 and V3 is connected to either the first power system or the second power system.

[0016] If the user specifies which signal to control the power module 50 based on, the operations until starting the charge and discharge control of the power module 50 will increase, and there may arise a problem of making the user feel complicated. Also, if the signal based on which the power module 50 should be controlled is specified by communication between the charging spot SP2 and the vehicle V2 or between the charging spot SP3 and the vehicle V3, there may arise a problem of increasing the cost because it is necessary to provide facilities for communication between the charging spot and the vehicle. As will be described later, these problems are solved by the charge and discharge control device 10 that controls the power module 50.

[0017] [Configuration of Charge and Discharge Control Device] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charge and discharge control device included in the power system according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the charge and discharge control device 10 includes a receiver 15 and a controller 100. Further, the controller 100 is connected to the power module 50.

[0018] The receiver 15 receives a signal that is broadcast and transmitted by wireless communication from a transmitter (transmitters 23 and 33 in Figure 1) included in the power system. For example, the receiver 15 may receive a signal transmitted from the transmitter by radio waves such as long waves or extremely high frequency short waves, or may receive a signal transmitted from the transmitter by infrared rays. In addition, the receiver 15 may receive a signal transmitted from the transmitter using a mobile communication function such as 4G / LTE or 5G.

[0019] The receiver 15 receives the signal that is broadcast and transmitted for each power system. The receiver 15 may receive the signal at least two or more times for each power system. The more times the receiver 15 acquires the signal for each power system, the more the accuracy of calculating the relevance described later can be improved. Note that the receiver 15 may receive the signal for a continuous time of a predetermined time or more for each power system.

[0020] The controller 100 is a general-purpose computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a storage device, an input / output unit, and the like.

[0021] A computer program (charge and discharge control program) for causing the charge and discharge control device 10 to function is installed in the controller 100. By executing the computer program, the controller 100 functions as a plurality of information processing circuits included in the charge and discharge control device 10.

[0022] Here, an example is shown in which a plurality of information processing circuits included in the charge and discharge control device 10 are realized by software. Of course, it is also possible to prepare dedicated hardware for executing each of the information processes shown below to configure the information processing circuit. Further, the plurality of information processing circuits may be configured by individual hardware.

[0023] The controller 100 includes a voltage acquisition unit 110, a calculation unit 120, a determination unit 130, and a power determination unit 140.

[0024] The voltage acquisition unit 110 acquires the input voltage of the power input from the power system to the power module 50. While the receiver 15 receives the signals broadcast for each power system, the voltage acquisition unit 110 may acquire the input voltage at least two or more times for each power system. Further, the voltage acquisition unit 110 may acquire the input voltage for a continuous time of a predetermined time or more for each power system.

[0025] The calculation unit 120 calculates the degree of correlation between the signal (the signal to be evaluated) received via the receiver 15 and the input voltage acquired by the voltage acquisition unit 110 for each power system. Note that the calculation unit 120 may calculate the degree of correlation based on the signal to be evaluated, which is a signal having a strength equal to or greater than a predetermined strength.

[0026] More specifically, the calculation unit 120 calculates the predicted change amount of the power of the power module 50 based on the signal. The calculation unit 120 also calculates the change amount of the input voltage. Then, the calculation unit 120 calculates the degree of correlation between the signal and the input voltage based on the calculated predicted change amount of the power and the calculated change amount of the input voltage.

[0027] For example, when the charging power of the entire power module connected to the power system increases, the input voltage of the power module decreases, while when the charging power of the entire power module connected to the power system decreases, the input voltage of the power module increases. That is, the predicted change amount of the power of the power module 50 calculated based on the signal for adjusting the supply power in the power system and the change amount of the input voltage have a negative correlation.

[0028] Therefore, when the calculated predicted change amount of power and the calculated change amount of input voltage have different signs, the calculation unit 120 calculates a degree of association that is larger than the degree of association calculated when the calculated predicted change amount of power and the calculated change amount of input voltage have the same sign.

[0029] In addition, the calculation unit 120 may calculate the ratio of the calculated change amount of the input voltage to the calculated predicted change amount of power, and calculate a larger degree of association for the signal as the variance of the calculated ratio is smaller. In order to improve the accuracy of the variance of the calculated ratio, the voltage acquisition unit 110 described above may acquire the input voltage at least three or more times for each power system. The more times the input voltage is acquired, the higher the accuracy of the variance of the calculated ratio.

[0030] In addition, when there are a plurality of signals with equal calculated degrees of association, the calculation unit 120 may recalculate the degree of association based on the plurality of signals acquired after changing the power of the power module 50 by a predetermined amount. For the sake of explanation, the signal related to the first power system is referred to as the first signal, and the signal related to the second power system different from the first power system is referred to as the second signal. Here, when the degree of association calculated based on the first signal is equal to the degree of association calculated based on the second signal, the degree of association may be recalculated based on the first signal and the second signal acquired after changing the power of the power module 50 by a predetermined amount.

[0031] The reason for varying the power of the power module 50 by a predetermined amount as described above is to measure the response of the power system to the variation in the power of the power module 50. Variations can occur in the signals for adjusting the supply power in the power system to which the power module 50 with the varied power is connected. Therefore, among the plurality of signals acquired after varying the power of the power module 50, it is expected that the relevance after recalculation will increase for the signals that have varied. Therefore, by recalculating the relevance, it becomes easier to identify the signals to be used for controlling the power module 50.

[0032] The determination unit 130 determines whether the receiver 15 has received a plurality of signals. Further, the determination unit 130 determines whether the relevance has been calculated by the calculation unit 120 for all the signals to be evaluated among the plurality of signals received by the receiver 15.

[0033] Furthermore, the determination unit 130 selects the signals to be used for controlling the power module 50 based on the relevance from among the plurality of signals broadcast for each power system. More specifically, the determination unit 130 selects the signals having a relevance equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. Also, the determination unit 130 may select the signal having the highest relevance from among the plurality of signals broadcast for each power system. The number of signals selected by the determination unit 130 may be one or a plurality.

[0034] The power determination unit 140 controls the power module 50 based on the signals selected by the determination unit 130.

[0035] Note that when there are a plurality of signals selected by the determination unit 130, the power determination unit 140 may determine the amount of change in the power of the power module 50 based on the plurality of selected signals.

[0036] For the sake of explanation, the signal related to the first power system is defined as the first signal, and the signal related to the second power system different from the first power system is defined as the second signal. Also, the absolute value of the predicted increase in the power of the power module based on the first signal is defined as the first increase amount, and the absolute value of the predicted increase in the power of the power module based on the second signal is defined as the second increase amount. The power determination unit 140 may determine the smaller of the first increase amount and the second increase amount as the increase amount of the power of the power module 50. When increasing the power of the power module 50, as a reason for selecting the smaller one among the increase amounts of power calculated based on a plurality of signals, for example, it is possible to achieve the stabilization of the operation of the entire power system.

[0037] Also, the absolute value of the predicted decrease in the power of the power module based on the first signal is defined as the first decrease amount, and the absolute value of the predicted decrease in the power of the power module based on the second signal is defined as the second decrease amount. The power determination unit 140 may determine the larger of the first decrease amount and the second decrease amount as the decrease amount of the power of the power module 50. When decreasing the power of the power module 50, as a reason for selecting the larger one among the decrease amounts of power calculated based on a plurality of signals, for example, it is possible to achieve the stabilization of the operation of the entire power system.

[0038] [Charge and Discharge Control Processing Procedure] Next, the charge and discharge control processing procedure according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 may be repeatedly executed while the power module 50 is connected to the power system for charging. Also, the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 may be repeatedly executed for a predetermined time after the power module 50 is connected to the power system.

[0039] In step S101, the receiver 15 receives a signal transmitted by radio communication from the transmitter provided in the power system.

[0040] In step S103, the determination unit 130 determines whether the receiver 15 has received a plurality of signals.

[0041] When it is determined that a plurality of signals have not been received (if NO in step S103), the process proceeds to step S121.

[0042] When it is determined that a plurality of signals have been received (if YES in step S103), the process proceeds to step S105, and the calculation unit 120 selects a signal to be evaluated from among the plurality of received signals in order to evaluate the relevance. For example, the controller 100 may set the receiver 15 in order to receive the signal to be evaluated.

[0043] In step S107, the receiver 15 receives the signal to be evaluated.

[0044] In step S109, the voltage acquisition unit 110 acquires the input voltage of the power input from the power system to the power module 50.

[0045] In step S111, the calculation unit 120 calculates the predicted change amount of the power of the power module 50 based on the signal.

[0046] In step S113, the calculation unit 120 calculates the change amount of the input voltage.

[0047] In step S115, the calculation unit 120 calculates the relevance between the signal and the input voltage based on the calculated predicted change amount of the power and the calculated change amount of the input voltage.

[0048] In step S117, the determination unit 130 determines whether the relevance has been calculated for all the signals to be evaluated among the plurality of signals received by the receiver 15.

[0049] When it is determined that the relevance of all the signals has not been calculated (if NO in step S117), the process proceeds to step S105.

[0050] When it is determined that the relevance of all signals has been calculated (YES in step S117), the process proceeds to step S119, and the determination unit 130 selects a signal to be used for controlling the power module 50 based on the relevance from among the plurality of signals broadcast for each power system.

[0051] In step S121, the power determination unit 140 controls the power module 50 based on the signal selected by the determination unit 130. When only one signal is received by the receiver 15, the power module 50 is controlled based on the received signal. Then, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 ends.

[0052] [Effects of the Embodiment] As described in detail above, when controlling a power module connected to any of a plurality of power systems, the charge / discharge control method and the charge / discharge control device according to the present embodiment receive signals broadcast for each power system via a receiver provided in the power module, and acquire the input voltage input to the power module. Then, for each power system, the relevance between the signal and the input voltage is calculated, and the power module is controlled based on the signal related to the power system having a relevance equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value.

[0053] Thereby, even when the receiver provided in the power module receives signals from a plurality of power systems, it is possible to identify a signal to be followed in the charge / discharge control of the power module without an instruction from the user, and start the charge / discharge control of the power module.

[0054] Furthermore, it is not necessary to provide equipment for communicating with a controller for controlling the power module at a charging spot where power from the power system is supplied. As a result, an increase in cost can be suppressed.

[0055] Moreover, the charge-discharge control method and the charge-discharge control device according to the present embodiment may receive signals at least twice or more for each power system. Thereby, the correlation between the signal and the input voltage can be surely calculated. Also, the more times the signal is received, the higher the accuracy of the calculated correlation becomes, so that the signal to be followed in the charge-discharge control of the power module can be accurately specified.

[0056] Furthermore, the charge-discharge control method and the charge-discharge control device according to the present embodiment may receive signals for a predetermined time or more for each power system. Thereby, the correlation between the signal and the input voltage can be surely calculated. Also, by receiving the signal for a predetermined time or more, the number of times the signal is received increases, and the accuracy of the calculated correlation is improved. Therefore, the signal to be followed in the charge-discharge control of the power module can be accurately specified.

[0057] Also, the charge-discharge control method and the charge-discharge control device according to the present embodiment calculate the correlation when the predicted change amount of the power of the power module and the change amount of the input voltage have different signs based on the signal , prediction variation of the power of the power module to be larger than the correlation calculated when the change amount and the change amount of the input voltage have the same sign.

[0058] When the charging power of the entire power module connected to the power system increases, the input voltage of the power module decreases, whereas when the charging power of the entire power module connected to the power system decreases, the input voltage of the power module increases. With the above configuration, the relationship between the charging power of the entire power module and the input voltage can be reflected in the calculation of the correlation. Therefore, the accuracy of the correlation can be improved.

[0059] Furthermore, in the charge-discharge control method and the charge-discharge control device according to the present embodiment, a signal related to the first power system is defined as the first signal, a signal related to a second power system different from the first power system is defined as the second signal, and when the degree of correlation calculated based on the first signal is equal to the degree of correlation calculated based on the second signal, the degree of correlation may be recalculated based on the first signal and the second signal obtained after varying the power of the power module.

[0060] Variations may occur in the signals for adjusting the supply power in the power system to which the power module with the varied power is connected. Therefore, among the plurality of signals obtained after varying the power of the power module, for the signals that have varied, it is expected that the degree of correlation after recalculation will increase. By recalculating the degree of correlation, it becomes easier to identify the signals to be used for controlling the power module. By varying the power of the power module by a predetermined amount, the response of the power system to the variation in the power of the power module can be measured, and the signals to be followed in the charge-discharge control of the power module can be accurately identified.

[0061] Also, in the charge-discharge control method and the charge-discharge control device according to the present embodiment, a signal related to the first power system is defined as the first signal, a signal related to a second power system different from the first power system is defined as the second signal, the absolute value of the predicted increase in the power of the power module based on the first signal is defined as the first increase amount, the absolute value of the predicted increase in the power of the power module based on the second signal is defined as the second increase amount, and control may be performed to increase the power of the power module by the smaller of the first increase amount and the second increase amount. Thereby, the operation stability of the entire power system can be achieved. Also, the influence on the charge-discharge of other power modules connected to the power system can be reduced.

[0062] Furthermore, in the charge / discharge control method and the charge / discharge control device according to this embodiment, a signal related to the first power system is regarded as the first signal, a signal related to a second power system different from the first power system is regarded as the second signal, the absolute value of the predicted power reduction amount of the power module based on the first signal is regarded as the first reduction amount, and the absolute value of the predicted power reduction amount of the power module based on the second signal is regarded as the second reduction amount. Control may be performed to reduce the power of the power module by an amount that is the larger of the first reduction amount and the second reduction amount. Thereby, the operation stability of the entire power system can be achieved. In addition, the influence on the charge / discharge of other power modules connected to the power system can be reduced.

[0063] Also, the charge / discharge control method and the charge / discharge control device according to this embodiment may calculate the degree of relevance based on a signal having a strength equal to or greater than a predetermined strength. Thereby, among the plurality of received signals, the signals to be evaluated can be narrowed down, and the degree of relevance can be calculated. As a result, the calculation load can be reduced. Furthermore, the time until a signal to be followed in the charge / discharge control of the power module is specified can be shortened, and the time until the start of the charge / discharge control can be shortened.

[0064] Furthermore, in the charge / discharge control method and the charge / discharge control device according to this embodiment, the signal may be transmitted by wireless communication. Thereby, control for the power module connected to the power system can be broadcast (transmitted in a batch). It is not necessary to provide equipment for communicating with a controller that controls the power module at a charging spot where the power of the power system is supplied, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

[0065] Each function shown in the above embodiment can be implemented by one or more processing circuits. The processing circuit includes a programmed processor, an electric circuit, etc., and further includes a device such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and circuit components arranged to execute the described functions.

[0066] The content of the present invention has been described above in accordance with the embodiments. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these descriptions, and various modifications and improvements are possible. It should not be understood that the discussions and drawings forming part of this disclosure limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operation techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

[0067] The present invention naturally includes various embodiments and the like not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention-specific matters according to the legitimate claims based on the above description.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 10 Charge and Discharge Control Device 15 Receiver 21, 31 Power Supply Device 23, 33 Transmitter 50 Power Module 100 Controller 110 Voltage Acquisition Unit 120 Calculation Unit 130 Determination Unit 140 Power Determination Unit

Claims

1. A charge and discharge control method for controlling a power module connected to any one of a plurality of power systems, comprising: Receiving, via a receiver included in the power module, signals broadcast for each of the power systems; Obtaining an input voltage input to the power module; Calculating, for each of the power systems, a degree of correlation between the signal and the input voltage; Controlling the power module based on the signal related to the power system having a degree of correlation equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. A charge and discharge control method characterized by the above.

2. The charge and discharge control method according to claim 1, comprising: Receiving the signal at least two or more times for each of the power systems. A charge and discharge control method characterized by the above.

3. The charge and discharge control method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: Receiving the signal for a predetermined time or more for each of the power systems. A charge and discharge control method characterized by the above.

4. The charge and discharge control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: When the predicted change amount of the power of the power module based on the signal and the change amount of the input voltage have different signs, calculating the degree of correlation to be larger than the degree of correlation calculated when the change amount and the change amount of the input voltage have the same sign. A charge and discharge control method characterized by the above.

5. The charge and discharge control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: Regarding the signal related to the first power system as a first signal; Regarding the signal related to a second power system different from the first power system as a second signal; When the degree of correlation calculated based on the first signal is equal to the degree of correlation calculated based on the second signal, recalculating the degree of correlation based on the first signal and the second signal obtained after changing the power of the power module. A charge and discharge control method characterized by the above.

6. The charge and discharge control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: Regarding the signal related to the first power system as a first signal; Regarding the signal related to a second power system different from the first power system as a second signal; Regarding the absolute value of the predicted increase amount of the power of the power module based on the first signal as a first increase amount; Regarding the absolute value of the predicted increase amount of the power of the power module based on the second signal as a second increase amount, and Performing control to increase the power of the power module by an amount smaller than either the first increase amount or the second increase amount. A charge and discharge control method characterized by the above.

7. The charge and discharge control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the signal related to the first power system is defined as the first signal, the signal related to a second power system different from the first power system is defined as the second signal, the absolute value of the predicted power reduction amount of the power module based on the first signal is defined as the first reduction amount, the absolute value of the predicted power reduction amount of the power module based on the second signal is defined as the second reduction amount, and control is performed to reduce the power of the power module by an amount that is the larger of the first reduction amount and the second reduction amount. A charge and discharge control method characterized by the above.

8. The charge and discharge control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the relevance is calculated based on the signal having an intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined intensity. A charge and discharge control method characterized by the above.

9. The charge and discharge control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the signal is transmitted by wireless communication. A charge and discharge control method characterized by the above.

10. A charge and discharge control device comprising a controller for controlling a power module connected to any one of a plurality of power systems and a receiver, wherein the controller receives, via the receiver, signals broadcast for each power system, acquires the input voltage input to the power module, calculates the relevance between the signal and the input voltage for each power system, and controls the power module based on the signal related to the power system having the relevance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. A charge and discharge control device characterized by the above.

Images