Parking lot management method, program, and computer device

Abstract

To promote utilization of a vehicle parked in a parking lot while preventing shortage of parking space in the parking lot.SOLUTION: A parking lot management method for managing a parking lot includes determining whether there is a shortage of parking space (S12). Also, the parking lot management method further includes at least one of executing processing for promoting at least one vehicle parked in the parking lot to depart if it is determined that there is shortage of parking space in the parking lot (S14 and S17), and requesting energy management from at least one vehicle electrically connected to a power supply facility if it is determined that there is no shortage in the parking space in the parking lot and a predetermined condition holds (S22).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a parking lot management method, program, and computer device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for charging a power storage device mounted on a vehicle while parked using power supply equipment installed in a parking lot is known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-139008 (Patent Document 1) discloses an electric vehicle charging device that displays a charging time on a display device as charging completion prediction information.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, with the spread of electric vehicles (e.g., electric automobiles), the number of facilities (such as stores) equipped with EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) in the parking lots on the premises has been increasing. And in the parking lot of a facility, even after the charging of the power storage device mounted on a vehicle is completed, the problem is that the vehicle continues to stay in that parking lot.

[0005] Generally, a vehicle parking for a long time in a store's parking lot is considered a demerit for the store owner because it causes a shortage of parking spaces and reduces the customer turnover rate. For this reason, when a store employee finds such a vehicle, the employee may stick a sticker on the vehicle and request it to leave. However, by utilizing the vehicle parked in the store's parking lot for the management of the store, there may be merits for both the store owner and the vehicle user. For example, the parked vehicle may be available for energy management.

[0006] Conventionally, there has been no idea of making use of vehicles parked in the parking lot of a facility, and vehicles parked in the parking lot of a facility for a long time have been uniformly required to leave.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and its object is to utilize vehicles parked in a parking lot while suppressing a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to the aspect according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a parking lot management method shown below is provided. (Item 1) The parking lot management method is a method for managing a parking lot, including determining whether there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, and when it is determined that there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, executing a process of prompting at least one vehicle parked in the parking lot to leave.

[0009] According to the above method, when it is determined that there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, a process of prompting the parked vehicle to leave is executed. Thereby, a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot is suppressed. On the other hand, in a situation where there is no shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, since the process of prompting the parked vehicle to leave is not executed, it becomes possible to utilize the parked vehicle.

[0010] The parking lot management method according to Item 1 above may have the configuration described in any one of Items 2 to 7 shown below.

[0011] (Item 2) The parking lot management method according to Item 1 further has the following features. A power supply facility configured to charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle is installed in the parking lot. The parking lot management method further includes, when it is determined that there is no shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, requesting energy management for at least one vehicle electrically connected to the power supply facility in the parking lot.

[0012] According to the above method, when it is determined that the parking spaces in the parking lot are not insufficient, a process of requesting energy management for the parked vehicle is executed. Thereby, while suppressing the shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, it becomes easier to use the vehicles parked in the parking lot for energy management.

[0013] Note that the vehicle may be an electric vehicle (xEV) that uses electric power as all or part of the power source. xEVs include BEV (battery electric vehicle), PHEV (plug-in hybrid vehicle), FCEV (fuel cell vehicle), and the like.

[0014] (Paragraph 3) The parking lot management method according to Paragraph 2 further has the following features. The parking lot management method further includes executing a process of prompting the vehicle that has accepted the request for energy management to stay in the parking lot, and executing charge and discharge control of the power storage device mounted on the vehicle that has accepted the request for energy management.

[0015] According to the above method, a process of prompting the vehicle that has accepted the request for energy management to stay in the parking lot is executed. Thereby, it becomes easier to secure the number of vehicles necessary for energy management. Also, according to the above method, charge and discharge control of the power storage device mounted on the vehicle is executed for the vehicle that has accepted the request for energy management. Energy management can be performed by such charge and discharge control.

[0016] Examples of the process of prompting the vehicle to stay in the parking lot include processes that improve the convenience of vehicle users in the parking lot. For example, by permitting the vehicle user to use the communication network provided by the facility in the parking lot, the vehicle can be prompted to stay in the parking lot.

[0017] (Item 4) The parking lot management method according to any one of Items 1 to 3 further has the following features. Determining whether there is a shortage of parking spaces includes predicting the number of future users and determining whether there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot using the current vacancy situation of the parking lot and the predicted number of users.

[0018] According to the above method, it becomes easier to accurately determine whether there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot based on the constantly changing vacancy space (operation rate) and the number of users in the parking lot.

[0019] (Item 5) The parking lot management method according to any one of Items 1 to 4 further has the following features. Executing the process of prompting departure includes the warning lights installed in the parking lot emitting a warning.

[0020] As described above, by using the warning lights installed in the parking lot, it is possible to prompt the vehicle to leave the parking lot.

[0021] (Item 6) The parking lot management method according to any one of Items 1 to 5 further has the following features. Executing the process of prompting departure includes prohibiting the use of the communication network provided by the facility to the parking lot.

[0022] As described above, by prohibiting the vehicle user from using the communication network provided by the facility to the parking lot, it is possible to prompt the vehicle to leave the parking lot.

[0023] (Item 7) The parking lot management method according to any one of Items 1 to 6 further has the following features. The parking lot management method further includes confirming whether the vehicle that has received the process of prompting departure has left, and changing the content of the process of prompting departure for the vehicle when the vehicle that has received the process of prompting departure does not leave.

[0024] According to the above method, when a vehicle that has received a process to prompt departure does not depart, by changing the content of the process to prompt departure for the vehicle, it is possible to prompt the vehicle to depart by a more effective process.

[0025] According to the aspect related to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a parking lot management method shown below is provided. (Item 8) The parking lot management method is a method for managing a parking lot. In the parking lot, a power supply facility configured to be able to charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle is installed. The parking lot management method includes determining whether there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, and when it is determined that there is no shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot and a predetermined condition is satisfied, requesting energy management from at least one vehicle electrically connected to the power supply facility.

[0026] According to the above parking lot management method, when it is determined that there is no shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot and a predetermined condition is satisfied, a process of requesting energy management from the parked vehicle is executed. Thereby, while suppressing a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, it becomes easier to use the parked vehicles in the parking lot for energy management.

[0027] According to the aspect related to another aspect, a program for causing a computer to execute the parking lot management method according to any one of Items 1 to 8 is provided. In one aspect, a computer device including a storage device that stores the above program and a processor that executes the program stored in the storage device is provided. In another aspect, a computer device that distributes the above program is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot and to utilize the vehicles parked in the parking lot.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are not repeated.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overview of a parking lot management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the parking lot management system according to this embodiment manages the parking lot 200 of the store 100. In this embodiment, the store 100 is a convenience store (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a "convenience store"). However, it is not limited to this, and the business type of the store 100 is arbitrary. The store 100 may be, for example, a department store, a supermarket, or a store in a shopping mall.

[0032] The user U is a customer of the store 100. The mobile terminal 50 is a terminal carried by the user U. In this embodiment, a smartphone equipped with a touch panel display is adopted as the mobile terminal 50. The smartphone incorporates a computer. However, it is not limited to this, and any mobile terminal can be adopted as the mobile terminal 50. For example, a laptop, a tablet terminal, a portable game machine, a wearable device (such as a smartwatch, smart glasses, smart gloves, etc.), an electronic key, etc. can also be adopted as the mobile terminal 50.

[0033] The mobile terminal 50 has installed therein application software (hereinafter referred to as the "convenience store app") for using the services provided by the store 100. Through the convenience store app, the identification information (terminal ID) of the mobile terminal 50 is registered in the control system 110 of the store 100 (more specifically, the server 111 shown in FIG. 2 described later). The mobile terminal 50 can communicate with the server 111 through the convenience store app. For example, the server 111 provides coupon information to the mobile terminal 50 through the convenience store app. The server 111 manages information (such as user information and point information) regarding a plurality of terminals by distinguishing them using the terminal ID.

[0034] The store 100 includes a camera 11, a wireless LAN router (hereinafter simply referred to as a "router") 12, an automatic door device 13, shelves 14a to 14d, and a cash register (hereinafter simply referred to as a "register") 15. LAN means Local Area Network.

[0035] The camera 11 functions as a surveillance camera for monitoring the interior of the store 100. The camera 11 operates constantly and sequentially acquires and stores images inside the store 100. The router 12 provides a wireless LAN inside the store. For example, terminals installed with the convenience store app are permitted to use the wireless LAN provided by the router 12. The automatic door device 13 has a door, a sensor for detecting a passing object, and a mechanism for automatically opening and closing the door. When the automatic door device 13 detects the approach of a passing object (e.g., a person or an object), it automatically opens the door, and after confirming the passage of the passing object, it closes the door.

[0036] Each of the shelves 14a to 14d has merchandise displayed thereon. Each of the shelves 14a to 14d may have at least one of a price display section and a mechanism for replenishing merchandise. The price display section has a display device that changes the display content according to an instruction from the server 111 shown in FIG. 2 described later, and may automatically display the merchandise price according to the situation. Each of the shelves 14a to 14d may be a sliding display shelf.

[0037] Cash register 15 mainly settles payments. For example, on a terminal installed with a convenience store app, it is permitted to perform cashless settlement at cash register 15 using the points (virtual currency) stored on the convenience store app. Cash register 15 may be a POS (Point Of Sales) cash register equipped with a sales point information management system. The POS cash register is configured to collect sales information.

[0038] Store 100 receives power supply from power grid system PG. Power grid system PG includes a power grid, power generation facilities, and power transformation facilities. The power grid is constructed by power transmission and distribution facilities. Power grid system PG supplies power to a predetermined area. Store 100 is located within that predetermined area. A smart meter 180 is installed at the power reception point of store 100. Smart meter 180 measures the amount of power exchanged between power grid system PG and store 100.

[0039] Store 100 further includes a control system 110 and power facilities 120. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configurations of control system 110 and power facilities 120.

[0040] Referring to Figure 2 together with Figure 1, control system 110 includes a server 111 and an EMS (Energy Management System) 112. Power facilities 120 include a PCS (Power Conditioning System) 121, a distribution board 122, a power generation device 123, and a power storage device 124.

[0041] Each of the power system PG, the power generation device 123, and the power storage device 124 is electrically connected to the PCS 121. The power system PG supplies, for example, alternating current power to the PCS 121. Each of the power generation device 123 and the power storage device 124 may be installed indoors or outdoors. The power generation device 123 may include at least one of a solar panel installed on the roof of the store 100 and a solar carport provided in the parking lot 200. Further, the power generation device 123 may include a wind power generation device. Further, the power generation device 123 may include a stationary FC (Fuel Cell) generator that generates power by a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The power storage device 124 may include a stationary ESS (Energy Storage System). The power storage device 124 may include a lithium ion battery, a lead storage battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a redox flow battery, or a NAS (sodium sulfur) battery.

[0042] The PCS 121 includes a circuit unit and a control unit that controls the circuit unit. The circuit unit includes various circuits for processes related to power conditioning (for example, power conversion and input / output adjustment). The circuit unit may include an AC (alternating current) / DC (direct current) conversion circuit, a voltage conversion circuit (for example, an isolation transformer or a DC / DC converter), and a PFC (Power Factor Correction) circuit. The PCS 121 performs a power conversion process (for example, at least one of AC / DC conversion, voltage conversion, and frequency conversion) on the input power and supplies the power corresponding to the distribution board 122 to the distribution board 122. Further, the PCS 121 performs a power conversion process on the input power and outputs the power suitable for charging the power storage device 124 to the power storage device 124.

[0043] The distribution board 122 supplies power to various devices (such as the camera 11, the router 12, the automatic door device 13, the cash register 15, etc.) in the store 100 shown in FIG. 1. The control system 110 (the server 111 and the EMS 112) also receives power supply from the distribution board 122. Further, the distribution board 122 also supplies power to various devices (such as the EVSE 20a to 20d, the camera 210, the router 220, the vehicle detection sensor 230, etc.) in the parking lot 200 shown in FIG. 1.

[0044] Server 111 is configured to be communicable with various devices (such as camera 11, router 12, automatic door device 13, cash register 15, etc.) within store 100. Further, server 111 is also configured to be communicable with various devices (such as EVSEs 20a to 20d, camera 210, router 220, vehicle detection sensor 230, etc.) in parking lot 200.

[0045] EMS 112 receives information regarding power facility 120 from PCS 121 and sends a control command to the control unit of PCS 121. Further, EMS 112 creates an energy management plan using the power amount detected by PCS 121. Specifically, PCS 121 includes a wattmeter that individually detects the power input to PCS 121 from each of power grid PG, power generation device 123, and energy storage device 124. Further, PCS 121 further includes a wattmeter that individually detects the power output from PCS 121 to each of distribution board 122 and energy storage device 124. EMS 112 acquires energy balance information (for example, generated power, required power, and stored power) in store 100 from the detection results of each wattmeter and records it over time. EMS 112 creates an energy management plan (for example, plans regarding power generation, charging, discharging, and demand limiting) based on the acquired energy balance information, information regarding electricity charges, and the SOC (State Of Charge) of energy storage device 124. When store 100 participates in a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) described later, EMS 112 creates an energy management plan considering the energy balance regarding the VPP as well. Also, in a form where power generation device 123 generates power using natural energy, EMS 112 may predict the generated power based on weather prediction information and create an energy management plan considering the predicted generated power. EMS 112 controls PCS 121 so that energy management is executed according to the created plan while checking the detection results of each wattmeter included in PCS 121. Server 111 and EMS 112 cooperate with each other while communicating to execute energy management.

[0046] Referring back to FIG. 1, the parking lot 200 includes EVSEs 20a to 20d, a camera 210, a wireless LAN router (hereinafter simply referred to as "router") 220, and a vehicle detection sensor 230. Note that EVSE means Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment.

[0047] The camera 210 functions as a surveillance camera that monitors the entire parking lot 200. The camera 210 operates constantly and sequentially acquires and stores images of the parking lot 200. The server 111 shown in FIG. 2 can acquire images inside the store 100 and images of the parking lot 200 from the cameras 11 and 210, respectively. The router 220 provides a wireless LAN throughout the parking lot 200. For example, the use of the wireless LAN provided by the router 220 is permitted for a terminal installed with a convenience store app. The server 111 shown in FIG. 2 can control the routers 12 and 220 to prohibit the use of the wireless LAN only for a specific terminal designated by the terminal ID.

[0048] The parking lot 200 has parking spaces P1 to P8. EVSEs 20a, 20b, 20c, and 20d are provided in the parking spaces P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively. On the other hand, no EVSE is provided in each of the parking spaces P5, P6, P7, and P8. Also, a vehicle detection sensor 230 is provided in each of the parking spaces P1 to P8. The vehicle detection sensor 230 may be a type of sensor buried in the ground (for example, a loop coil) or a non-embedded sensor (for example, an area sensor). The detection results by the vehicle detection sensors 230 in each of the parking spaces P1 to P8 are output to the server 111 (FIG. 2). Based on these detection results, the server 111 can grasp the presence or absence of parking in each of the parking spaces P1 to P8. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 1, vehicles 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, and 30e are parked in the parking spaces P2, P4, P5, P7, and P8, respectively, and each of the parking spaces P1, P3, and P6 is vacant. Note that instead of the vehicle detection sensor, the state (parked / vacant) of each parking space in the parking lot 200 may be detected by a surveillance camera (camera 210) or a 3D-LiDAR parking management system.

[0049] Each of the EVSEs 20a to 20d installed in the parking lot 200 is, for example, a charger with a power supply function, and is configured to be able to charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle. A vehicle electrically connected to any one of the EVSEs 20a to 20d can execute energy management.

[0050] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining energy management using the EVSEs 20a to 20d of the store 100. In this embodiment, since the EVSEs 20a to 20d shown in FIG. 1 have the same configuration, hereinafter, when not distinguishing them, they are referred to as "EVSE20". Further, the vehicle 30 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to an example of a vehicle configured to be able to use the EVSE20. Each of the vehicles 30a to 30e shown in FIG. 1 may have a configuration corresponding to the vehicle 30 described below. The user of the vehicle 30 possesses the above-described portable terminal 50.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 together, the server 700 corresponds to a computer belonging to the TSO (system operator) of the power grid PG. The server 500 corresponds to a computer belonging to an aggregator. The server 111 (store 100), the server 500, and the server 700 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the communication network NW. The communication network NW is a wide-area network constructed by, for example, the Internet and a wireless base station. Also, the wireless LAN provided by the routers 12 and 220 is connected to the communication network NW. The portable terminal 50 (FIG. 1) can be connected to the communication network NW via the wireless LAN provided by the router 12 or 220.

[0052] As each of the servers 111, 500, and 700, a computer including a processor, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a storage device can be adopted. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be adopted. The storage device is configured to be able to store the stored information. The storage device may include a rewritable non-volatile memory. In each computer, various processes are executed by the processor executing the programs stored in the storage device. However, these various processes are not limited to being executed by software, and can also be executed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuits).

[0053] Server 500 is configured to realize a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) by bundling a plurality of distributed energy resources (hereinafter, also referred to as "DER (Distributed Energy Resources)") using advanced energy management technology utilizing IoT (Internet of Things). The VPP is a mechanism that functions as if it were a single power plant by remotely and integrally controlling the DER. When Server 500 is requested to manage the energy of the power grid PG from, for example, Server 700, it requests the server that manages the DER to make the DER electrically connected to the power grid PG participate in the VPP. For example, the vehicle 30 electrically connected to the EVSE 20 can function as a DER for the VPP. Therefore, Server 500 requests Server 111 to make the vehicle 30 electrically connected to the EVSE 20 participate in the VPP in response to a request from Server 700.

[0054] Vehicle 30 includes a battery 31 and an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "ECU (Electronic Control Unit)") 35. The ECU 35 is a computer including, for example, a processor and a storage device. The vehicle 30 is an electric vehicle (xEV) configured to be able to run using the electric power stored in the battery 31. The vehicle 30 may be a BEV without an internal combustion engine or a PHEV with an internal combustion engine. As the battery 31, a known vehicle power storage device (for example, a liquid secondary battery, a all-solid-state secondary battery, or a battery pack) can be adopted. Examples of vehicle secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries.

[0055] The main body of the EVSE 20 incorporates a control unit 21 and a circuit unit 22. The EVSE 20 further includes a charging cable 23 and a warning light 25. The control unit 21 includes a processor and a storage device and is configured to control the circuit unit 22 according to a command from the server 111 or 500. The circuit unit 22 includes a circuit for supplying power to the vehicle 30 (for example, charging the battery 31) and a circuit for supplying power to the power grid PG (reverse power flow). The charging cable 23 has a connector 24 (plug) at its tip.

[0056] Vehicle 30 is provided with an inlet 32 to which the connector 24 can be attached and detached. The inlet 32 corresponds to a charging / discharging port that functions as both a charging port and a discharging port. When the connector 24 of the charging cable 23 connected to the main body of the EVSE 20 is connected to the inlet 32 of the parked vehicle 30, the vehicle 30 is in a state of being electrically connected to the EVSE 20 (hereinafter, also referred to as the "plug-in state"). On the other hand, for example, during the running of the vehicle 30, the vehicle 30 is in a state of not being electrically connected to the EVSE 20 (hereinafter, also referred to as the "plug-out state"). The EVSE 20 is provided with a connection detection circuit (not shown) that detects the state of the connector 24 (plug-in state / plug-out state). The connection detection circuit outputs the state of the connector 24 to the control unit 21. Further, the control unit 21 acquires information indicating the operating status of the EVSE 20 (for example, input power from the power grid PG, output power to the vehicle 30, input power from the vehicle 30, and output power to the power grid PG) from a sensor (not shown) included in the circuit unit 22. In this embodiment, only the user who has authenticated the EVSE 20 through the mobile terminal 50 (convenience store app) is permitted to use the EVSE 20. By this authentication, the identification information (terminal ID) of the mobile terminal 50 is input to the EVSE 20. Then, the EVSE 20 (control unit 21) transmits the terminal ID together with the identification information of the EVSE 20 to the server 111. The server 111 can identify the user who is using the EVSE 20 based on the terminal ID received from the EVSE 20. During the period when the EVSE 20 is being used, information regarding the EVSE 20 is sequentially transmitted from the EVSE 20 to the server 111.

[0057] Power is supplied from the power system PG to the EVSE20 via the PCS121 and the distribution board 122 shown in FIG. 2. When charging the battery 31 in the plugged-in state, the circuit unit 22 of the EVSE20 converts the supplied power into power suitable for power supply to the vehicle 30, and outputs the converted power to the connector 24 of the charging cable 23. In this case, the battery 31 is charged by the power input from the connector 24 to the inlet 32. When discharging the battery 31 in the plugged-in state, the circuit unit 22 of the EVSE20 converts the power from the vehicle 30 (the power discharged from the battery 31) into power corresponding to the power system PG, and outputs the converted power to the power system PG via the distribution board 122 and the PCS121 shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the EVSE20 is configured to be capable of reverse power flow with respect to the power system PG.

[0058] In the plugged-in state, the control unit 21 of the EVSE20 and the ECU 35 of the vehicle 30 perform wired communication via the communication line in the charging cable 23. In the EVSE20, the circuit unit 22 executes the charging or discharging of the battery 31 described above according to a command from the control unit 21. The control unit 21 controls the circuit unit 22 to bring the charging power or the discharging power closer to the target value while receiving the state of the battery 31 (for example, temperature, current, voltage, and SOC) from the ECU 35 during charging or discharging of the battery 31. Note that SOC (State Of Charge) indicates the remaining charge amount, and is, for example, the ratio of the current charge amount to the full charge amount expressed as 0 to 100%.

[0059] The warning light 25 is controlled by the server 111. The warning light 25 is configured to be able to switch the presence or absence of a warning. When instructed to give a warning from the server 111, the warning light 25 executes the warning, and when instructed to stop the warning from the server 111, the warning light 25 stops the warning. The warning light 25 may be turned off during normal times and may blink or be lit during a warning. Also, the warning light 25 may be lit in a first color (for example, green) during normal times and may be lit in a second color (for example, red) during a warning. The warning light 25 may have a speaker function and may make a sound during a warning.

[0060] When server 111 receives a request to participate in the VPP from server 500, it requests energy management from vehicle 30 in the plug-in state. For example, server 111 sends a signal requesting energy management to the mobile terminal 50 corresponding to vehicle 30 (that is, the mobile terminal 50 carried by the user of vehicle 30), and requests a reply of either approval / denial from mobile terminal 50. When server 111 receives an approval reply from mobile terminal 50, it sends information about EVSE 20 (for example, location, communication address, and specifications) electrically connected to vehicle 30 to server 500, and permits server 500 to remotely control EVSE 20. Server 500 executes charge / discharge control of battery 31 while communicating with control unit 21 of EVSE 20. Through such charge / discharge control, server 500 can cause vehicle 30 to perform energy management for the VPP. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, when server 500 is executing charge / discharge control of battery 31, server 111 executes a process of prompting vehicle 30 to stay in parking lot 200 (hereinafter, also referred to as "stay promotion process").

[0061] By the way, when a vehicle parks in parking lot 200 for a long time, the parking spaces in parking lot 200 are likely to be insufficient. On the other hand, by utilizing the vehicles parked in parking lot 200 for store management, there may be benefits for both the store owner and the vehicle users. Therefore, in the parking lot management method according to this embodiment, server 111 determines whether the parking spaces in parking lot 200 are insufficient. And when it is determined that the parking spaces in parking lot 200 are insufficient, server 111 executes a process of prompting at least one vehicle parked in parking lot 200 to leave. On the other hand, when it is determined that the parking spaces in parking lot 200 are not insufficient, server 111 requests energy management from at least one vehicle electrically connected to any one of EVSEs 20a to 20d.

[0062] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the parking lot management method according to this embodiment. A series of processes shown in this flowchart are repeatedly executed by the server 111. "S" in the flowchart means step.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 4 together with FIGS. 1 to 3, in S11, the server 111 acquires the current vacancy status of the parking lot 200. Specifically, the server 111 acquires information indicating the presence or absence of parking for each of the parking spaces P1 to P8 from the vehicle detection sensors 230 provided in each of the parking spaces P1 to P8.

[0064] In S12, the server 111 predicts the future number of customers (number of users), and determines whether there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot 200 using the current vacancy status of the parking lot 200 and the predicted number of customers. The server 111 may predict the number of customers during a period until a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) elapses from the current time. The server 111 may predict the number of customers based on, for example, historical data indicating the number of customers for each time zone. The server 111 may predict the number of customers using a learned model obtained by machine learning using AI (artificial intelligence). Specifically, the server 111 may predict the future number of customers using a learned model trained to output the future number of customers when the current time is input.

[0065] In this embodiment, when the parking lot 200 is full (all of the parking spaces P1 to P8 are in the "occupied" state), the server 111 determines YES in S12. Also, even in a situation where the parking lot 200 is not full (any one of the parking spaces P1 to P8 is in the "unoccupied" state), if it is predicted that the parking lot 200 will become full based on the predicted number of future customers, the server 111 determines YES in S12. On the other hand, in a situation where the parking lot 200 is not full, if it is predicted that the parking lot 200 will not become full based on the predicted number of future customers, the server 111 determines NO in S12. Note that when the parking lot 200 is completely empty (all of the parking spaces P1 to P8 are in the "unoccupied" state), the server 111 determines NO in S12, but since it also determines NO in S21 described later, the series of processes shown in FIG. 4 ends.

[0066] When the server 111 determines that the parking spaces in the parking lot 200 are insufficient (YES in S12), the server 111 determines in S13 whether there is a vehicle that satisfies a predetermined requirement (hereinafter referred to as a "target vehicle") among the vehicles parked in the parking lot 200. The predetermined requirement can be arbitrarily set, but in this embodiment, a vehicle that is charging using any one of the EVSEs 20a to 20d and for which a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of charging is defined as the target vehicle. That is, the predetermined requirement includes having charged using any one of the EVSEs 20a to 20d and a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) having elapsed since the start of charging.

[0067] If there is such a target vehicle among the vehicles parked in the parking lot 200 (YES in S13), the process proceeds to S14. If there are multiple target vehicles, the server 111 executes the processes of S14 to S18 described below for each target vehicle.

[0068] In S14, the server 111 executes the first departure promotion process. The first departure promotion process is a process that prompts the target vehicle to depart from the parking lot 200. In this embodiment, the first departure promotion process includes a notification process and a wireless LAN usage prohibition process for the mobile terminal 50 corresponding to the target vehicle (that is, the mobile terminal 50 carried by the user of the target vehicle), and a warning process by the warning light 25 corresponding to the target vehicle (that is, the warning light 25 of the EVSE 20 connected to the target vehicle). Specifically, the server 111 issues a notification prompting the target vehicle to depart to the mobile terminal 50. When the mobile terminal 50 receives the notification from the server 111, for example, it displays the screen Sc1. The screen Sc1 includes a message prompting the user of the target vehicle to depart. Also, the server 111 controls the router 12,220 to prohibit the use of the wireless LAN (specifically, the communication network provided within the premises of the store 100 by the store 100 through the router 12,220) by the mobile terminal 50. As a result, the convenience of the user of the target vehicle within the premises of the store 100 (including the parking lot 200) is reduced. Further, the server 111 controls the warning light 25 so that the warning light 25 issues a warning prompting the target vehicle to depart.

[0069] In the subsequent S15, the server 111 determines whether or not the target vehicle has departed in response to the first departure promotion process. The server 111 may determine whether or not the target vehicle has departed based on, for example, a signal from the vehicle detection sensor 230 corresponding to the target vehicle.

[0070] If the target vehicle has not departed (NO in S15), the server 111 determines in S16 whether or not a predetermined grace period has elapsed. The predetermined grace period is, for example, a period until a predetermined time (for example, 10 minutes) has elapsed since the start of the first departure promotion process.

[0071] While the target vehicle has not departed and the above-mentioned grace period has not elapsed (NO in both S15 and S16), S14 to S16 are repeated. As a result, the first departure promotion process is continuously executed. And when the above-mentioned grace period elapses without the target vehicle departing (YES in S16), the process proceeds to S17.

[0072] In S17, the server 111 executes the second departure promotion process. The second departure promotion process is a process that promotes the departure of the target vehicle from the parking lot 200 by a process different from the first departure promotion process. The second departure promotion process may be a process that promotes departure more strongly than the first departure promotion process. In this embodiment, the second departure promotion process further includes a forced discharge process in addition to all the processes included in the first departure promotion process. Specifically, the server 111 controls the EVSE 20 corresponding to the target vehicle so that discharge from the power storage device (battery 31) mounted on the target vehicle to the distribution board 122 is performed. The discharged power may be stored in the power storage device 124. Note that the second departure promotion process may include a process of confiscating points acquired by the user of the target vehicle on the convenience store application in addition to or instead of the forced discharge process.

[0073] In the subsequent S18, the server 111 determines whether or not the target vehicle has departed according to the second departure promotion process. The server 111 may determine whether or not the target vehicle has departed based on, for example, a signal from the vehicle detection sensor 230 corresponding to the target vehicle. While the target vehicle has not departed (NO in S18), S17 and S18 are repeated. As a result, the second departure promotion process is continuously executed. When the target vehicle departs according to the second departure promotion process (YES in S18), the series of processes shown in FIG. 4 ends, and the process returns to the first step (S11).

[0074] When the server 111 determines that the parking spaces in the parking lot 200 are not insufficient (NO in S12), the processes of S13 to S18 described above are not executed, and the process proceeds to S21. In S21, the server 111 determines whether or not predetermined VPP conditions are satisfied.

[0075] In this embodiment, the VPP conditions are satisfied when both the server 111 has received a request for VPP participation from the server 500 (the first VPP requirement) and there is a vehicle in the parking lot 200 that can respond to the request from the server 500 (the second VPP requirement), and the VPP conditions are not satisfied when either requirement is not satisfied.

[0076] For example, when there is no vehicle parked in a plug-in state in any of the parking spaces P1 to P4, the server 111 determines that the second VPP requirement is not satisfied. On the other hand, when there is a vehicle in the plug-in state, the server 111 determines whether the vehicle can respond to the request from the server 500 based on the SOC of the power storage device mounted on the vehicle. For example, when the server 500 requests charging of surplus power, a vehicle with a sufficiently low SOC can respond to the request, but a vehicle with a high SOC state (e.g., fully charged state) cannot respond to the request. Also, when the server 500 requests power supply (discharge), a vehicle with a sufficiently high SOC can respond to the request, but a vehicle with a low SOC state (e.g., fully discharged state) cannot respond to the request.

[0077] When the VPP condition is not satisfied (NO in S21), the series of processes shown in FIG. 4 ends, and the process returns to the first step (S11). On the other hand, when the VPP condition is satisfied (YES in S21), the process proceeds to S22. Hereinafter, a vehicle determined to be able to respond to the request from the server 500 in S21 is referred to as a "VPP vehicle". When there are a plurality of VPP vehicles, the server 111 executes the processes of S22 to S26 described below for each VPP vehicle.

[0078] In S22, the server 111 requests energy management from the VPP vehicle. Specifically, the server 111 sends a request signal to the mobile terminal 50 corresponding to the VPP vehicle and requests the mobile terminal 50 to return either an acceptance / rejection reply. The mobile terminal 50 that has received the request signal displays a message requesting energy management together with the period of energy management (hereinafter, also referred to as the "VPP period"), and further requests the user to input either acceptance or rejection.

[0079] In the subsequent S23, the server 111 determines whether to continue energy management. If the server 111 receives a rejection reply from the user of the VPP vehicle for which energy management has been requested, or if no reply is received even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the request, it is determined that the energy management by the VPP vehicle will not be started (NO in S23), and the process proceeds to S26. In this case, in S26, the server 111 sends a message to the mobile terminal 50 corresponding to the VPP vehicle, informing the VPP vehicle that it will not participate in the VPP. This message is displayed on the mobile terminal 50.

[0080] If the server 111 receives an acceptance reply from the user of the VPP vehicle for which energy management has been requested, it is determined as YES in S23, and the process proceeds to S24. Thereby, the energy management by the VPP vehicle is started. During the execution of the energy management, the processes of S23 to S25 are repeatedly executed, and in S23, it is determined whether to continue the energy management.

[0081] In S24, the server 111 executes a stay promotion process. The stay promotion process is a process that prompts the VPP vehicle to stay in the parking lot 200. In this embodiment, the stay promotion process includes a notification process for the mobile terminal 50 corresponding to the VPP vehicle (that is, the mobile terminal 50 carried by the user of the VPP vehicle). Specifically, the server 111 sends a notification to the mobile terminal 50, prompting it to stay in the parking lot 200. When the mobile terminal 50 receives the notification from the server 111, for example, it displays the screen Sc2. The screen Sc2 includes a message that prompts the user of the VPP vehicle to stay in the parking lot 200. Also, during the execution of the energy management by the VPP vehicle, the server 111 permits the user of the VPP vehicle to use the parking lot 200 and the wireless LAN (specifically, the wireless LAN provided by the routers 12 and 220). The server 111 may restrict the use of the wireless LAN by other users so that the user of the VPP vehicle can preferentially use the wireless LAN.

[0082] The content of the stay promotion process executed in S24 may change according to the elapsed time since the start of energy management. For example, at a predetermined timing within the VPP period, the server 111 may execute, as the stay promotion process, a process of issuing a coupon to the user of the VPP vehicle through the convenience store application. Also, the server 111 may give points corresponding to the elapsed time since the start of energy management to the user of the VPP vehicle on the convenience store application, separately from the incentives according to the results of energy management described later.

[0083] In S25, the server 111 sends information about the EVSE 20 electrically connected to the VPP vehicle (for example, information necessary for charge / discharge control) to the server 500 and permits the server 500 to remotely control the EVSE 20. The server 500 executes charge / discharge control of the battery 31 via the EVSE 20. Through such charge / discharge control, the server 500 causes the VPP vehicle to execute energy management for VPP (for example, energy management of the power grid PG).

[0084] In S23 after the start of energy management, the server 111 determines whether or not a predetermined VPP continuation condition is satisfied.

[0085] In this embodiment, when none of the following termination requirements are met: the VPP vehicle has entered the plug-out state (first termination requirement); the SOC of the power storage device of the VPP vehicle used for energy management has reached a predetermined upper limit or more (second termination requirement); the SOC of the power storage device of the VPP vehicle used for energy management has reached a predetermined lower limit or less (third termination requirement); an end request has been sent from the mobile terminal 50 corresponding to the VPP vehicle to the server 111 (fourth termination requirement); and energy management has been completed (fifth termination requirement), the VPP continuation condition is satisfied. When any of the termination requirements are met, the VPP continuation condition is not satisfied. The upper limit value of the SOC (second termination requirement) can be arbitrarily set. For example, it may be an SOC value selected from the range of 90% to 100%. The lower limit value of the SOC (third termination requirement) can be arbitrarily set. For example, it may be an SOC value selected from the range of 0% to 50%. During the execution of energy management, the server 111 may sequentially transmit the SOC of the VPP vehicle to the mobile terminal 50 corresponding to the VPP vehicle. The user may determine whether to continue energy management by viewing the current SOC displayed on the mobile terminal 50. When the user sends an end request to the server 111 through the mobile terminal 50 (convenience store app), the fourth termination requirement is satisfied. In this way, the user of the VPP vehicle can stop energy management midway. The fifth termination requirement is satisfied, for example, when the end time of the VPP period arrives.

[0086] When any of the above-described termination requirements are met (NO in S23), energy management ends. In this case, in S26, the server 111 sends a message to the mobile terminal 50 corresponding to the VPP vehicle, informing it of the end of energy management along with the reason. This message is displayed on the mobile terminal 50. When the process of S26 is executed, the series of processes shown in FIG. 4 ends, and the process returns to the first step (S11). Note that during a period when energy management is not being executed, remote control of the EVSEs 20a to 20d by the server 500 is prohibited.

[0087] When the energy management for VPP ends, server 111 grants incentives (e.g., points) according to the performance of energy management to the users of VPP vehicles through the convenience store app. For example, a part of the incentives paid by the aggregator to the store owner of store 100 as the consideration for VPP participation is returned to the users of VPP vehicles. The message sent in S26 may include the incentive information (e.g., the number of points granted) obtained by the user. The points may be treated like virtual currency or may be exchangeable. Also, the points may be convertible into goods or rights (e.g., the right to receive services corresponding to the number of points).

[0088] As described above, the parking lot management method according to this embodiment includes a series of processes shown in FIG. 4. In S12, server 111 determines whether the parking spaces in parking lot 200 are insufficient. And when it is determined that the parking spaces in parking lot 200 are insufficient (YES in S12), server 111 executes departure promotion control (S13 - S18). This departure promotion control includes executing a process of prompting at least one vehicle parked in parking lot 200 to depart (S14, S17). On the other hand, when it is determined that the parking spaces in parking lot 200 are not insufficient (NO in S12), server 111 executes stay promotion control (S21 - S26). This stay promotion control includes requesting energy management from at least one vehicle electrically connected to EVSE20 in parking lot 200 (S22).

[0089] According to the above method, when it is determined that the parking spaces in parking lot 200 are insufficient, a process of prompting the parked vehicle to depart is executed. Thereby, the shortage of parking spaces in parking lot 200 of store 100 is suppressed. On the other hand, in a situation where the parking spaces in parking lot 200 are not insufficient, the process of prompting the parked vehicle to depart is not executed. And when a predetermined condition (S21) is satisfied, energy management is requested from the parked vehicle. Thereby, the utilization of the parked vehicle is achieved.

[0090] Further, the departure promotion control further includes: checking whether the vehicle that has received the process for promoting departure (S14) has departed (S15); and when the vehicle that has received the process for promoting departure does not depart, changing the content of the process for promoting departure for the vehicle (S17). According to such control, when the vehicle that has received the process for promoting departure (the first departure promotion process) does not depart, by changing the content of the process for promoting departure for the vehicle, the vehicle can be promoted to depart by a more effective process (the second departure promotion process).

[0091] Each of the first and second departure promotion processes is not limited to the above-described process content and can be changed as appropriate. For example, in S14 of FIG. 4, only the wireless LAN use prohibition process may be executed as the first departure promotion process, and in S17 of FIG. 4, only the warning process may be executed as the second departure promotion process.

[0092] The requirements for the target vehicle are not limited to the above-described requirements and can be changed as appropriate. The target vehicle is not limited to the vehicle parked in the parking spaces P1 to P4. Regardless of the parking spaces, all the vehicles parked in the parking lot 200 may be used as the target vehicles. The departure promotion process may be determined according to the target vehicle.

[0093] The power system PG (external power source) is not limited to a large-scale AC grid, and may be a microgrid or a DC (direct current) grid. Further, the configuration of the energy management system is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 3. For example, the functions of the server 500 may be implemented in the server 111, and the server 500 may be omitted.

[0094] In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the parking spaces in the parking lot 200 are not insufficient, the server 111 requests energy management for the parked vehicles. However, the utilization method of parked vehicles is not limited to energy management. When it is determined that the parking spaces in the parking lot 200 are not insufficient, the server 111 may request the parked vehicles to provide services other than energy management. Specifically, the server 111 may request the vehicle to provide a service using the equipment of the parked vehicle (for example, supplying power, performing calculations, communicating, or providing the vehicle for the trunk).

[0095] In the above embodiment, the server 111 has a program that causes a computer to execute the parking lot management method shown in FIG. 4. The server 111 includes a storage device that stores such a program and a processor that executes the program. However, the processing shown in FIG. 4 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the parking lot management method shown in FIG. 4 executes a process of prompting at least one vehicle parked in the parking lot to leave when it is determined that the parking spaces in the parking lot are insufficient (S13 to S18), and when it is determined that the parking spaces in the parking lot are not insufficient and a predetermined condition is satisfied, it requests energy management for at least one vehicle electrically connected to the power supply facility (S21 to S26). However, it may be changed to a form that includes only one of them.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the parking lot management method is executed by an on-premises server (the server 111 shown in FIG. 2). However, it is not limited to this, and the functions of the server 111 (particularly, the functions related to parking lot management) may be implemented on the cloud by cloud computing.

[0097] The above various modifications may be implemented in any combination. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above embodiments but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Signs

[0098] 20, 20a to 20d EVSE, 21 control unit, 22 circuit unit, 23 charging cable, 25 warning light, 30, 30a to 30e vehicle, 31 battery, 32 inlet, 35 ECU, 50 mobile terminal, 100 store, 111, 500, 700 server, 112 EMS, 121 PCS, 122 distribution board, 200 parking lot, 210 camera, 220 wireless LAN router, 230 vehicle detection sensor, P1 to P8 parking space, PG power system.

Claims

A parking lot management method for managing a parking lot where a power supply facility configured to charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle is installed, comprising: judging whether there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot; when it is determined that there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, without requesting energy management for any vehicle present in the parking lot, executing a process of prompting at least one vehicle parked in the parking lot to leave; when it is determined that there is no shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, without executing the process of prompting the vehicles to leave, requesting energy management for at least one vehicle electrically connected to the power supply facility in the parking lot; A parking lot management method comprising the above.

2. The parking lot management method further comprises: executing a process of prompting the vehicle that has accepted the request for energy management to stay in the parking lot; executing charge and discharge control of a power storage device mounted on the vehicle that has accepted the request for energy management. The parking lot management method according to claim 1, further comprising the above.

3. Judging whether there is a shortage of parking spaces includes: when the current parking lot is full, determining that there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot; predicting the number of future users; when the current parking lot is not full and it is predicted that the parking lot will be full based on the current vacancy situation of the parking lot and the predicted number of users, determining that there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot; when the current parking lot is not full and it is predicted that the parking lot will not be full based on the current vacancy situation of the parking lot and the predicted number of users, determining that there is no shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot. The parking lot management method according to claim 1, comprising the above.

4. Executing the process of prompting the vehicle to leave includes: the warning lights installed in the parking lot emitting a warning. The parking lot management method according to claim 1, comprising the above.

5. Executing the process of prompting the vehicle to leave includes: prohibiting the use of the communication network provided by the facility in the parking lot. The parking lot management method according to claim 1, comprising the above.

6. The parking lot management method further comprises: when it is determined that there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, judging whether a target vehicle is parked in the parking lot. When it is determined that the target vehicle is parked in the parking lot, execute a process to prompt the target vehicle to leave. including The target vehicle is a vehicle that charges a power storage device using the power supply facility and in which a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of charging of the power storage device. The parking lot management method according to claim 1.

7. The parking lot management method confirm whether the target vehicle that has received the process of prompting to leave as the first departure promotion process has left; When the target vehicle that has received the first departure promotion process does not leave, execute a second departure promotion process for the target vehicle; further including The first departure promotion process includes a notification process for a mobile terminal carried by the user of the target vehicle. The second departure promotion process includes a forced discharge process of the power storage device of the target vehicle that has received the first departure promotion process. The parking lot management method according to claim 6.

8. A parking lot management method for managing a parking lot, In the parking lot, a power supply facility configured to be able to charge a power storage device mounted on a vehicle is installed. The parking lot management method The first server determines whether there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot; When it is determined that there is a shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot, the first server does not request energy management for any vehicle existing in the parking lot, and executes a process to prompt at least one vehicle parked in the parking lot to leave; When it is determined that there is no shortage of parking spaces in the parking lot and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the first server does not execute the process of prompting any vehicle existing in the parking lot to leave, and requests energy management for at least one vehicle electrically connected to the power supply facility; including The predetermined condition includes that the first server has received a request for participation in energy management from the second server and that a vehicle capable of responding to the request from the second server exists in the parking lot. Parking lot management method.

9. A program for causing a computer to execute the parking lot management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A computer device comprising a storage device that stores the program according to claim 9 and a processor that executes the program.

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