Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a control device or the like that can control more appropriate power supply at home. 【Solution means】The control device 50 includes a control unit 53 that controls the generated power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 to be supplied to each of the EV charging power for charging the electric vehicle 60, the self-consumption power consumed in the household other than the EV charging power, and the power for selling electricity to the grid power supply 120, and an EV usage schedule acquisition unit (communication unit 51) that acquires the future usage schedule of the electric vehicle 60. The control unit 53 controls to supply the self-consumption power from the electric vehicle 60 stored by the supply of the EV charging power when the acquired usage schedule satisfies a predetermined condition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and a program for controlling power supply related to charging of an electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a system for supplying energy from a household power supply of a house to a secondary battery of an electric vehicle (EV) has been developed. Patent Document 1 discloses a household power supply system that enables the use of household electrical equipment by supplying energy from an electric vehicle to the house side in the event of an emergency or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, there is room for further optimization of the control of power supply in consumers (households) related to charging and discharging of electric vehicles. For example, if the fully charged state where there is no room for charging the electric vehicle continues, the surplus power generated during the day by the solar power generation facility cannot be used for charging the electric vehicle, and the surplus power may be discarded.

[0005] The present invention provides a control device or the like that can more appropriately control power supply in consumers related to charging and discharging of electric vehicles.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a control unit that controls power generated by a solar power generation facility to be supplied to electric vehicle (EV) charging power for charging an electric vehicle, home consumption power consumed in a household other than the EV charging power, and power selling power to a grid power source, and an EV use schedule acquisition unit that acquires a future use schedule of the electric vehicle. When the acquired use schedule satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit controls to supply the home consumption power from the electric vehicle charged by the supply of the EV charging power.

[0007] A control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method executed by a computer. The control method includes steps of controlling power generated by a solar power generation facility to be supplied to EV charging power for charging an electric vehicle, home consumption power consumed in a household other than the EV charging power, and power selling power to a grid power source, and acquiring a future use schedule of the electric vehicle. In the step of controlling, when the acquired use schedule satisfies a predetermined condition, control is performed to supply the home consumption power from the electric vehicle charged by the supply of the EV charging power.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing the computer to execute the control method described above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to control more appropriate power supply in a consumer related to charging of an electric vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that all of the embodiments described below show comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement positions and connection forms of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the components in the following embodiments, the components not described in the independent claims indicating the most general concept are described as optional components.

[0012] Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily drawn precisely. Also, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to substantially the same configurations, and duplicate descriptions may be omitted or simplified.

[0013] (Embodiment) [Configuration of the Charging and Discharging System] First, the configuration of the charging and discharging system according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the charging and discharging system according to the embodiment.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the charging and discharging system 100 includes a solar power generation facility 10, a power conditioner 20, a distribution board 40, a control device 50, an electric vehicle 60, a router 70, a weather forecast information distribution server 80, and an electricity price management server 90. Also, in FIG. 1, a utility power supply 120 and the Internet 130 are also shown. Each component included in the charging and discharging system 100 is provided in a facility 110, except for the weather forecast information distribution server 80 and the electricity price management server 90. The facility 110 is an example of a consumer (residential household).

[0015] The solar power generation facility 10 is installed on the roof of the facility 110 or the like, and generates electricity by converting sunlight into electricity. Specifically, the solar power generation facility 10 is realized by a solar cell module including a PV (PhotoVoltaic) panel.

[0016] The power conditioner 20 is a power conversion device that converts the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 into power for use within the facility 110. Specifically, the power conditioner 20 can use the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 as power for charging the electric vehicle 60 via the charger 61, or can also use it as power for self-consumption to be consumed by the consumer other than the power for charging the electric vehicle 60 via the distribution board 40. Further, the power conditioner 20 can also supply the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 to the grid power source 120. That is, the solar power generation facility 10 can be used to sell the generated power. Specifically, the power conditioner 20 is realized by an inverter circuit or the like.

[0017] The distribution board 40 is a device that distributes the power supplied from the grid power source 120 or the power conditioner 20. Specifically, the distribution board 40 distributes the power to a plurality of branch circuits branched from the main line 41. Electrical equipment (electrical equipment not shown, excluding the charger 61 of the electric vehicle 60) installed within the facility 110 is connected to the branch circuit. Further, the distribution board 40 can also supply the power supplied from the power conditioner 20 to the grid power source 120, and can supply the power supplied from the grid power source 120 to the power conditioner 20. The power supplied from the grid power source 120 to the distribution board 40 is the power purchased by the consumer by paying the power purchase fee calculated based on the power purchase unit price. Also, the power supplied from the distribution board 40 to the grid power source 120 is the power sold when the power selling fee calculated based on the power selling unit price is paid to the consumer.

[0018] The distribution board 40 has power measurement elements for each branch circuit. Specifically, the power measurement element is a CT, but it may also be a Rogowski coil or a GMR element, etc. By providing power measurement elements for each branch circuit, the distribution board 40 can measure the power consumption for each branch circuit.

[0019] Also, the distribution board 40 has a wireless communication module for performing wireless communication and can communicate wirelessly with the control device 50 via a router. The wireless communication module is, in other words, a wireless communication circuit. Thereby, the distribution board 40 can transmit the power consumption for each branch circuit measured by the power measurement element to the control device 50. The power consumption for each branch circuit is stored as history information of power consumption in the storage unit 52 provided in the control device 50.

[0020] Note that it is not essential for the distribution board 40 to have a power measurement function and a communication function. For example, the charge and discharge system 100 may include a smart meter (that is, a power meter equipped with a communication function) separately from the distribution board 40.

[0021] The control device 50 is a device that manages the power consumption (more specifically, the power consumption and the amount of power consumption) in the facility 110, and in other words, it is a power management device. Specifically, the control device 50 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a control unit 53. Also, although not shown, the control device 50 may include a user interface for receiving user operations, a display unit on which an image for the user to confirm the power consumption and the amount of power consumption in the facility 110 is displayed, etc.

[0022] The communication unit 51 is a wireless communication module for the control device 50 to communicate with the distribution board 40 and the charger 61 of the electric vehicle 60. In other words, the wireless communication module is a wireless communication circuit. The communication unit 51 acquires, for example, the power consumption in the facility 110 measured by the distribution board 40 from the distribution board 40. The power consumption is acquired, for example, in a manner capable of distinguishing (recognizing) the power consumption for each branch circuit. The power consumption may be acquired in real time or periodically aggregated. The communication standard of the wireless communication performed by the communication unit 51 is, for example, ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), but it may be other communication standards and is not particularly limited.

[0023] The communication unit 51 also has functions as an acquisition unit, such as an electricity price acquisition unit that acquires the purchase electricity price and the selling electricity price, a current time acquisition unit that acquires the current time, and an EV usage schedule acquisition unit that acquires the future usage schedule of the electric vehicle 60. Each of these functions of the communication unit 51 as an acquisition unit for various information will be described later.

[0024] In the storage unit 52, the power consumption acquired by the communication unit 51 is stored as power consumption history information in association with the date and time (timestamp) when the power consumption was measured. The storage of the power consumption is performed, for example, by the control unit 53. The date and time associated with the power consumption may be given by the distribution board 40 or by the control unit 53 of the control device 50. Also, in the storage unit 52, a part of the various information (information for which real-time property is not required) acquired by the communication unit 51 is stored.

[0025] In addition, the storage unit 52 stores control programs executed by the control unit 53 and the like. Specifically, the storage unit 52 is a storage device such as a semiconductor memory. The storage unit 52 may be separate from the control device 50.

[0026] The control unit 53 performs various information processes in the control device 50, such as storing the power consumption of the storage unit 52 acquired by the communication unit 51. Specifically, the control unit 53 is realized by a processor, a microcomputer, or a dedicated circuit. The control unit 53 may be realized by a combination of two or more of a processor, a microcomputer, and a dedicated circuit.

[0027] Further, the control unit 53 includes a prediction unit 54, a planning unit 55, and an execution unit 56. These components perform the charging schedule creation process of the electric vehicle 60 and the charging execution process of the electric vehicle 60. The charging schedule creation process of the electric vehicle 60 and the charging execution process of the electric vehicle 60 will be described later.

[0028] The electric vehicle 60 is an automobile that runs using an electric motor such as a motor as a power source with electric power as an energy source. Specifically, the electric vehicle 60 includes a secondary battery and runs using the electric power charged in the secondary battery (that is, the EV charging power) as an energy source.

[0029] The charger 61 is a charging device for charging the electric vehicle 60 (more specifically, charging the secondary battery provided in the electric vehicle 60). The charger 61 includes a charging gun (in other words, a charging plug) and charges the secondary battery of the electric vehicle 60 connected to the charging gun. Further, the charger 61 can discharge the electric power charged in the electric vehicle 60 to the power conditioner 20 (and as a result, use it as the home consumption power of the customer's home). The charger 61 can switch to any one of a charging state for charging the electric vehicle 60, a discharging state for discharging from the electric vehicle 60 to the power conditioner 20, and a standby state where neither charging nor discharging is performed, and can perform operations according to the state.

[0030] Further, the charger 61 also includes a wireless communication module or the like for communicating with the control device 50. The charger 61 may also include a user interface for receiving a user's operation, a display unit on which an image indicating the charging state of the electric vehicle 60 is displayed, and the like.

[0031] Incidentally, the charger 61 can charge the electric vehicle 60 using the electric power supplied from the power conditioner 20. The power conditioner 20 can be supplied with the electric power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 and the electric power supplied from the utility power source 120 via the distribution board 40, and the charger 61 charges the secondary battery of the electric vehicle 60 using either one of them.

[0032] The router 70 is a communication relay device for the power conditioner 20, the distribution board 40, the control device 50, and the electric vehicle 60 to perform wireless communication with each other. Also, each of the power conditioner 20, the distribution board 40, the control device 50, and the electric vehicle 60 can be connected to the Internet 130 via the router 70. The Internet 130 is an example of a communication network.

[0033] The weather forecast information distribution server 80 is an information processing device that distributes weather forecast information to the control device 50. The weather forecast information distribution server 80 distributes, for example, weather forecast information up to 24 hours ahead every three hours. That is, the weather forecast information distribution server 80 distributes weather forecast information periodically, and the communication unit 51 of the control device 50 receives the weather forecast information periodically via the Internet 130 and the router 70. As will be described later, the weather forecast information is used for predicting the generated electric power of the solar power generation facility 10.

[0034] Incidentally, the same function as the weather forecast information distribution server 80 may be realized by a plurality of servers. For example, the same function as the weather forecast information distribution server 80 may be realized by a dedicated weather forecast information distribution server and the management server of the control device 50. In this case, the management server acquires the weather forecast information from the dedicated distribution server and distributes the acquired weather forecast information to the control device 50.

[0035] The electricity unit price management server 90 is an information processing device that distributes the electricity purchase unit price to the control device 50. The electricity unit price management server 90 divides, for example, one day into a plurality of periods such as daytime, living time, and nighttime, and distributes the electricity purchase unit price for each of those periods. That is, the electricity unit price management server 90 is the acquisition destination of the electricity purchase unit price by virtue of its function as an electricity unit price acquisition unit. The electricity unit price management server 90 regularly distributes the electricity purchase unit price every time the above period changes, and the communication unit 51 of the control device 50 regularly receives the electricity purchase unit price corresponding to the current date and time via the Internet 130 and the router 70. As an example, the control device 50 measures the current date and time by its own processor, or uses its function as a current time acquisition unit to obtain it from a time management server (not shown) outside the facility 110 via the router 70 and the Internet 130, etc., and automatically receives the electricity purchase unit price corresponding to the acquired current date and time.

[0036] Note that functions equivalent to those of the electricity unit price management server 90 may be realized by a plurality of servers. For example, functions equivalent to those of the electricity unit price management server 90 may be realized by a dedicated distribution server for the electricity purchase unit price and a management server of the control device 50. In this case, the management server acquires the electricity purchase unit price from the dedicated distribution server and distributes the acquired electricity purchase unit price to the control device 50.

[0037] Incidentally, as the electricity purchase unit price, the electricity purchase unit price at the time when the control device 50 controls the charging and discharging of the electric vehicle 60 may be used. However, since it can be said that the electric power stored in the electric vehicle 60 is the electric power that could have been purchased at the electricity purchase unit price at the time of charging, instead of the above electricity purchase unit price, an EV charging power unit price obtained by converting the electric power stored in the electric vehicle 60 at the electricity purchase unit price at the time of charging may be used. The EV charging power unit price is calculated by multiplying the EV charging power by the electricity purchase unit price at the time of charging based on the EV charging power and the electricity purchase unit price at the time of charging. Thereby, instead of the electricity purchase unit price, the charging and discharging of the electric vehicle 60 can be controlled at the EV charging power unit price when purchasing the electric power stored in the electric vehicle 60.

[0038] The purchase electricity unit price is obtained from the electricity unit price management server 90 as described above. However, for the selling electricity unit price, a unique unit price for each customer is used at the time when the customer contracts for selling electricity. Therefore, the selling electricity unit price is obtained by the user himself / herself inputting it into the control device 50 using, for example, the user interface of the control device 50 or an information terminal (not shown) connected via the router 70 using the function of the electricity unit price acquisition unit. The acquired selling electricity unit price is stored in the storage unit 52.

[0039] Similar to the purchase electricity unit price, the selling electricity unit price at the time when the control device 50 controls the charging and discharging of the electric vehicle 60 may be used. However, among the electric power stored in the electric vehicle 60, it can also be said that the electric power generated from the solar power generation facility 10 is the electric power that could have been sold at the selling electricity unit price at the time of charging. Therefore, instead of the above selling electricity unit price, an EV charging electricity unit price obtained by converting the electric power generated from the solar power generation facility 10 among the electric power stored in the electric vehicle 60 at the selling electricity unit price at the time of charging may be used. The EV charging electricity unit price is calculated by multiplying the selling electricity unit price at the time of charging by the EV charging power of the electric power generated from the solar power generation facility 10 based on the EV charging power of the electric power generated from the solar power generation facility 10 among the electric power stored in the electric vehicle 60. Thereby, instead of the selling electricity unit price, the charging and discharging of the electric vehicle 60 can be controlled at the EV charging electricity unit price when selling the electric power without storing it in the electric vehicle 60.

[0040] Here, when the purchase electricity unit price is higher than the selling electricity unit price multiplied by a coefficient set arbitrarily by the user (when the purchase electricity unit price is relatively high), the economic merit of selling electricity becomes small. Therefore, it is preferable to actively consume the electric power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 within the customer's home.

[0041] Here, for example, when the coefficient is 1, if the electricity purchase unit price is simply greater than the electricity selling unit price, the electricity purchase unit price can be considered relatively high. When the coefficient is 2, if the electricity purchase unit price is greater than twice the electricity selling unit price, the electricity purchase unit price can be considered relatively high. That is, depending on the value of the coefficient, for the user's contract of the electricity selling unit price, the user can set what electricity purchase unit price would be considered relatively high.

[0042] In this way, when the electricity purchase unit price is relatively high and the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 is actively consumed within the customer's home, it is better to actively consume the power in the battery of the electric vehicle 60 charged using the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 as EV charging power within the customer's home. That is, in such a case, there is an economic advantage in setting the charger 61 to a discharging state to supply the power from the battery to the power conditioner 20. Then, by supplying and charging the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 again to the battery whose power has decreased due to discharging, it becomes possible to use the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 as EV charging power and minimize the power used for power selling.

[0043] However, if the power charged in the battery of the electric vehicle 60 is discharged recklessly, a situation may occur where the battery is completely discharged at the timing when the user wants to use the electric vehicle 60. Therefore, in this embodiment, the timing when the user wants to use the electric vehicle 60 is acquired and managed in advance as the usage schedule of the electric vehicle 60. As a result, there is an effect that it is easy to avoid a situation where the battery is completely discharged at the timing when the user wants to use the electric vehicle 60.

[0044] The usage schedule of the electric vehicle 60 is obtained by the user inputting to the control device 50 using the user interface of the control device 50 or an information terminal (not shown) connected via the router 70 using the function of the above-described EV usage schedule acquisition unit. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen for the usage schedule of the electric vehicle according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the user can input to the control device 50 the usage date, start time of use, and target charge amount of the electric vehicle 60 as the usage schedule of the electric vehicle 60. That is, the usage schedule of the electric vehicle 60 obtained by the user input includes the usage date, start time of use, and target charge amount of the electric vehicle 60. Alternatively, the control device 50 may accept an input of the usage time as the usage schedule of the electric vehicle 60 and estimate the target charge amount from the accepted usage time.

[0045] At the usage date and start time of use of the electric vehicle 60, it is only necessary to ensure the power of the target charge amount. Therefore, the control device 50 estimates the EV charging power that can be supplied when it is charged immediately before, and discharges the charged power in the storage battery of the electric vehicle 60 until the value obtained by subtracting the estimated value from the target charge amount. By doing so, within the range where the charged power in the storage battery of the electric vehicle 60 can be used, it can be appropriately consumed, and it is easy to avoid the small economic merit of selling electricity when the purchase electricity unit price is relatively high.

[0046] Incidentally, if the storage battery of the electric vehicle 60 is sufficiently charged at the timing when the user wants to use the electric vehicle 60, the electric power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 may be stored using the storage battery of the electric vehicle 60 and discharged as power for self-consumption during the period when the solar power generation facility 10 is not generating electricity. That is, if there is a sufficient period (for example, a period in which charging is possible up to the target charge amount even from a fully discharged state) until the user uses the electric vehicle 60 in the usage schedule of the electric vehicle 60, the storage battery of the electric vehicle 60 may be used for charging and discharging the electric power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 as described above. In this case, the control unit 53 may perform charge and discharge control so as to use it for charging and discharging as much as possible without considering the power purchase unit price and the power selling unit price.

[0047] As described above, the control unit 53 may also control to supply power for self-consumption from the electric vehicle 60 stored by supplying power for EV charging when the usage schedule satisfies a predetermined condition based only on the usage schedule. Further, for the above-described discharge, the control unit 53 may also control to charge the storage battery of the electric vehicle 60 beyond the target charge amount considered necessary in the usage schedule by supplying power for EV charging when the usage schedule satisfies another predetermined condition based only on the usage schedule.

[0048] When charging the electric vehicle 60, as described above, the electric power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 and the electric power supplied from the grid power source 120 via the distribution board 40 can be used as the electric power for EV charging. When it is necessary to select which power source to use, the control unit 53 may consider the power purchase unit price together with the usage schedule and determine whether these satisfy another predetermined condition. That is, when the electricity rate plan contracted by the consumer is a plan with a setting for a period when the power purchase unit price is relatively low, such as at night, the electric power supplied from the grid power source 120 at that relatively low power purchase unit price may be used as the electric power for EV charging. Conversely, when the power purchase unit price is relatively high, the electric power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 may be used as the electric power for EV charging. That is, another predetermined condition in this case includes the condition that there is a sufficient period until the user uses the electric vehicle 60 in the usage schedule and the condition that the power purchase unit price is lower than a relatively low threshold value.

[0049] [Operation of the charging and discharging system] Next, the operation of the charging and discharging system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the control process for discharging an electric vehicle. The charging and discharging system 100 predicts the time transition of the surplus power for the daytime of the next day at night based on the weather forecast information and creates a schedule (charging and discharging schedule) for the operation of charging and discharging the electric vehicle 60. The surplus power means the electric power obtained by subtracting the power consumption of the facility 110 from the generated power of the solar power generation facility 10. The power consumption of the facility 110 more precisely means the power consumption obtained by subtracting the power consumption of the electric vehicle 60 from the total power consumption of the facility 110.

[0050] Therefore, first, the weather forecast information distribution server 80 distributes the weather forecast information. As described above, the weather forecast information distribution server 80 distributes the weather forecast information, for example, periodically. The communication unit 51 of the control device 50 acquires the weather forecast information via the Internet 130 and the router 70. The acquired weather forecast information is stored in the storage unit 52, for example.

[0051] Next, the control device 50 determines whether the electric vehicle 60 is connected to the charger 61 (S11). The control device 50 acquires information regarding the connection state of the charging gun from the charger 61 and makes the above determination. If the electric vehicle 60 is not connected (No in step S11), the control device 50 repeatedly executes the determination in step S11 until the electric vehicle 60 is connected.

[0052] Next, if the electric vehicle 60 is connected (Yes in step S11), the control device 50 acquires the current date and time (S12). Then, when it corresponds to the planned discharge date indicated in the charge-discharge schedule (Yes in step S13), the control device 50 acquires the electricity purchase unit price and the electricity selling unit price (S14). The control device 50 determines whether the electricity purchase unit price is greater than a coefficient multiple (α × electricity selling unit price) of the electricity selling unit price (S15). Then, when the control device 50 determines that the electricity purchase unit price is greater than the coefficient multiple (α × electricity selling unit price) of the electricity selling unit price (Yes in step S14), for the acquired current date and time, it acquires the EV usage schedule regarding the date when the electric vehicle 60 is used next (S16). time Since the EV usage schedule includes the target charge amount, the control device 50 estimates the minimum required charge amount (A2) for the target charge amount (S17). As described above, the minimum required charge amount corresponds to the value obtained by subtracting the estimated value from the target charge amount after estimating the EV charging power that can be supplied when charging immediately before the use of the electric vehicle 60. Note that the EV charging power that can be supplied when charging immediately before the use of the electric vehicle 60 may be the sum value of the EV charging power on each of the plurality of days until the day when the electric vehicle 60 is used.

[0053] In addition, the control device 50 acquires the charge amount (remaining capacity, A1) of the storage battery of the current electric vehicle 60 (S18). Then, the control device 50 determines that the remaining capacity (A1) of the current electric vehicle 60 is

[0054] ​If it is more than the necessary minimum charge amount (A2) (Yes in step S19), it can be considered that the electric vehicle 60 has surplus charged power, and thus this is discharged. For example, the control device 50 causes the charger 61 to shift to the discharge state (S20). If the charger 61 is already in the discharge state at this time, the control device 50 causes the charger 61 to maintain the discharge state. Then, the process returns to step S11, and the same process is repeatedly executed. For example, a series of processes are performed once a day, at night, etc., in accordance with the charge / discharge schedule started . And the control device 50 controls the discharge from the electric vehicle 60 for the next day until based on the information on whether to discharge obtained as a result of a series of processes (step S20 or switching of S21 is performed).

[0055] In addition, if it does not correspond to the discharge planned date time shown in the charge / discharge schedule (No in step S13), if it is determined that the power purchase unit price is less than or equal to the coefficient multiple of the power selling unit price (No in step S15), and if the remaining capacity (A1) of the current electric vehicle 60 is less than or equal to the necessary minimum charge amount (A2) (No in step S19), the process proceeds to step S21, and the charger 61 is shifted to the standby state. If the charger 61 is already in the standby state at this time, the control device 50 causes the charger 61 to maintain the standby state. Also, when shifting the charger 61 to the standby state, if it corresponds to the charge planned date shown in the charge / discharge schedule, it is shifted to the charge state instead of the standby state, and charging is executed in accordance with the charge / discharge schedule.

[0056] Also, when the control unit 53 charges and discharges the electric vehicle 60 based only on the usage schedule, the process may skip obtaining the power purchase unit price and the power selling unit price (S14) and determining whether the power purchase unit price is greater than the coefficient multiple (α × power selling unit price) of the power selling unit price (S15), and perform step S16 after step S13 becomes Yes.

[0057] [Charge / Discharge Schedule Creation Process] Next, the details of the charge / discharge schedule creation process will be described.

[0058] The process of creating the charge and discharge schedule is performed, for example, at night. First, the prediction unit 54 included in the control unit 53 of the control device 50 predicts the power generation power of the next day of the solar power generation facility 10 included in the facility 110. The prediction unit 54 predicts the power generation power in a time zone based on, for example, the acquired weather forecast information.

[0059] Note that the history information of the power generation power may be used for predicting the power generation power. In this case, the communication unit 51 periodically acquires, for example, power generation power information indicating the power generation power from the power conditioner 20. The power generation power information includes information indicating the date and time when the power generation was performed. The control unit 53 stores the acquired power generation power information in association with the weather forecast information of the corresponding date and time as the history information of the power generation power. In this case, the power conditioner 20 includes, for example, a wireless communication module and transmits the power generation power information to the communication unit 51 via the router 70.

[0060] Thereby, the prediction unit 54 can predict the power generation power in a certain time zone of the next day based on the history information of the power generation power and the acquired weather forecast information. The prediction unit 54 can adopt, for example, the average value of the power generation power in the same time zone in the past and with the same weather as the predicted value of the power generation power in a certain time zone of the next day.

[0061] Next, the prediction unit 54 predicts the power consumption of the next day in the facility 110. As described above, the history information of the power consumption in the facility 110 is stored in the storage unit 52. The prediction unit 54 reads out the history information of the power consumption from the storage unit 52 and predicts the power consumption of the next day based on the read history information. The prediction unit 54 can adopt, for example, the average value of the power consumption in the same time zone in the past as the predicted value of the power consumption in a certain time zone of the next day in the facility 110.

[0062] The power consumption in facility 110 varies significantly between weekdays (Monday to Friday) and holidays (Saturday and Sunday). Therefore, if the prediction target is a weekday, the average value of the power consumption on weekdays in the historical information may be used, and if the prediction target is a holiday, the average value of the power consumption on holidays in the historical information may be used.

[0063] Next, the prediction unit 54 predicts the time progression of the surplus power. Specifically, the prediction unit 54 can predict the time progression of the surplus power by subtracting the predicted power consumption from the predicted power generation.

[0064] Next, the planning unit 55 creates a schedule for charging the electric vehicle 60 provided in the facility 110 with the surplus power during the period predicted to generate the surplus power. Also, by setting the periods other than the period for executing the charging as the schedule for discharging, the schedule created above can be used as the charge-discharge schedule.

[0065] [Effects, etc.] As described above, the control device 50 according to the first aspect includes a control unit 53 that controls the power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 to be supplied to each of the power for charging the electric vehicle 60, the power for self-consumption consumed in the household other than the power for charging the EV, and the power for selling to the grid power supply 120, and an EV usage schedule acquisition unit (communication unit 51) that acquires the future usage schedule of the electric vehicle 60. When the acquired usage schedule satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit 53 controls to supply the power for self-consumption from the electric vehicle 60 charged by the supply of the power for charging the EV.

[0066] Such a control device 50 can control the supply (discharge) of power for home consumption from the charged electric vehicle 60 according to whether the acquired usage schedule meets a predetermined condition. In determining whether to discharge from the electric vehicle 60, the usage schedule can be used, so that discharge can be performed from the electric vehicle 60 according to the criterion for determining whether the user uses the electric vehicle 60. By discharging from the electric vehicle 60, the proportion of the generated power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 used as power for home consumption can be increased. At this time, by providing a predetermined condition for the usage schedule, the generated power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 can be directly supplied as power for selling to the grid power source 120, which has the effect of easily avoiding the situation where the user cannot use the electric vehicle 60. Therefore, it becomes possible to control more appropriate power supply at the consumer related to the charging and discharging of the electric vehicle 60.

[0067] Also, for example, the control device 50 according to the second aspect is the control device 50 described in the first aspect, and further includes an electricity price acquisition unit (communication unit 51) that acquires the purchase electricity price associated with the power supply from the grid power source 120 and the selling electricity price associated with the power supply to the grid power source 120. When the acquired purchase electricity price, selling electricity price, and the acquired usage schedule meet a predetermined condition, the control unit 53 controls to supply power for home consumption from the electric vehicle 60 charged by supplying power for EV charging.

[0068] Such a control device 50 can control the supply (discharge) of power for home consumption from the stored electric vehicle 60 according to whether the power purchase unit price and the power sale unit price meet predetermined conditions. In determining whether to discharge from the electric vehicle 60, the values of the power purchase unit price and the power sale unit price can be used. Therefore, according to the judgment criterion of how the power sale unit price is compared with the power purchase unit price or how the power purchase unit price is compared with the power sale unit price, the electric vehicle 60 can be discharged. In the electric vehicle 60, the generated power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 may be stored. By discharging from the electric vehicle 60, the ratio of using the generated power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 as the power for home consumption can be increased. At this time, by setting predetermined conditions for the power purchase unit price and the power sale unit price, there is an effect that it is easier to obtain economic benefits from the perspective of the power unit price than to supply the generated power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 directly as the power for selling to the grid power supply 120. Therefore, it is possible to control a more appropriate power supply in the consumer related to the charge and discharge of the electric vehicle 60.

[0069] Also, for example, the control device 50 according to the third aspect is the control device 50 described in the second aspect, and further includes a current time acquisition unit (communication unit 51) that acquires the current time, and the power unit price acquisition unit acquires the power purchase unit price corresponding to the acquired current time.

[0070] Thereby, the power purchase unit price corresponding to the acquired current time can be used.

[0071] Also, for example, the control device 50 according to the fourth aspect is the control device 50 described in the second or third aspect, and the control unit determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the power purchase unit price is equal to or more than a coefficient multiple of the power sale unit price.

[0072] Thereby, when the power purchase unit price is equal to or more than a coefficient multiple of the power sale unit price, it can be determined that a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0073] Further, for example, the control device 50 according to the fifth aspect is the control device 50 described in the second aspect, wherein the usage schedule includes the respective target charge amounts for the days when the electric vehicle 60 is used, and the control unit 53 determines the supply amount of the self-consumption power from the stored electric vehicle 60 based on the target charge amount for the day when the nearest electric vehicle 60 is used from now on.

[0074] Thereby, based on the target charge amount included in the usage schedule, the discharge amount from the electric vehicle 60 can be determined.

[0075] Further, for example, the control device 50 according to the sixth aspect is the control device 50 described in the fifth aspect, wherein the control unit 53 estimates the EV charging power immediately before the day when the electric vehicle 60 is used, and sets the power obtained by subtracting the estimated value from the planned power consumption for the day when the electric vehicle 60 is used as the target charge amount for that day.

[0076] Thereby, the estimated value of the EV charging power immediately before the day when the electric vehicle 60 is used can be set as the target charge amount for that day by subtracting the estimated value from the planned power consumption for the day when the electric vehicle 60 is used.

[0077] Further, for example, the control device 50 according to the seventh aspect is the control device 50 described in the sixth aspect, wherein the control unit determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the purchase electricity unit price is equal to or more than a coefficient multiple of the sell electricity unit price and the power obtained by subtracting the estimated value from the planned power consumption for the day when the electric vehicle is used is greater than 0.

[0078] Thereby, it can be determined that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the purchase electricity unit price is equal to or more than a coefficient multiple of the sell electricity unit price and the power obtained by subtracting the estimated value from the planned power consumption for the day when the electric vehicle 60 is used is greater than 0.

[0079] Further, for example, the control device 50 according to the eighth aspect is the control device 50 described in the second aspect, and the control unit 53 calculates the EV charging power unit price of the power charged in the electric vehicle 60 based on the EV charging power during charging of the electric vehicle 60 and the electricity purchase unit price at the time of charging, and determines whether or not to satisfy a predetermined condition by using the calculated EV charging power unit price instead of the electricity selling unit price.

[0080] Thereby, by making a determination using the EV charging power unit price when purchasing the power stored in the electric vehicle 60 instead of the electricity purchase unit price, it is possible to control so as to supply the power for home consumption from the electric vehicle 60 in which the power is stored by the supply of the EV charging power.

[0081] Further, for example, the control device 50 according to the ninth aspect is the control device 50 described in the second aspect, and the control unit 53 calculates the EV charging power unit price of the power charged in the electric vehicle 60 based on the EV charging power during charging of the electric vehicle 60 using the generated power and the electricity selling unit price at the time of charging, and determines whether or not to satisfy a predetermined condition by using the calculated EV charging power unit price instead of the electricity selling unit price.

[0082] Thereby, by making a determination using the EV charging power unit price when selling the power without storing it in the electric vehicle 60 instead of the electricity selling unit price, it is possible to control so as to supply the power for home consumption from the electric vehicle 60 in which the power is stored by the supply of the EV charging power.

[0083] Further, for example, the control device 50 according to the tenth aspect is the control device 50 described in the fifth aspect, and when the acquired electricity purchase unit price and the acquired usage schedule satisfy another predetermined condition, the control unit 53 further controls to supply the power from the grid power source 120 as the EV charging power, thereby charging the electric vehicle 60 beyond the target charge amount.

[0084] Accordingly, when the obtained usage schedule and the purchase electricity unit price satisfy another predetermined condition, the electric vehicle 60 can be charged with the surplus from the grid power source 120, and the discharge as the self-consumption power from the electric vehicle 60 can be promoted.

[0085] Also, for example, the control method according to the eleventh aspect is a control method executed by a computer, including steps of controlling the generated power generated by the solar power generation facility 10 to be supplied to each of the EV charging power for charging the electric vehicle 60, the self-consumption power consumed in the household other than the EV charging power, and the power selling to the grid power source 120, and steps of obtaining the purchase electricity unit price from the grid power source 120 and the power selling unit price to the grid power source 120. In the control step, when the obtained purchase electricity unit price and power selling unit price satisfy a predetermined condition, control is performed to supply the self-consumption power from the electric vehicle 60 in which power is stored by the supply of the EV charging power.

[0086] Accordingly, the same effects as those of the control device 50 described above can be achieved.

[0087] Also, for example, the program according to the twelfth aspect is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method described in the eleventh aspect.

[0088] According to this, by causing a computer to execute, the same effects as those of the control device 50 described above can be achieved.

[0089] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

[0090] For example, the communication method between devices described in the above embodiment is an example. The communication method between devices arranged in a facility is not particularly limited. Between devices, for example, wireless communication using a communication standard such as ECHONET Lite (registered trademark), specific low-power radio, ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is performed.

[0091] Also, between devices arranged in a facility, instead of wireless communication, wired communication such as power line carrier communication (PLC) or communication using a wired LAN may be performed.

[0092] Also, for example, in the above embodiment, the processing executed by a specific processing unit may be executed by another processing unit. Further, the charge and discharge system may be realized as a client-server system. For example, the charge and discharge system may be realized by a server device having the functions of the control device in the above embodiment and a client device corresponding to the charger.

[0093] Also, in the above embodiment, components such as the control unit may be realized by executing a software program suitable for the component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor memory.

[0094] Also, components such as the control unit may be realized by a circuit or an integrated circuit. These circuits may constitute one circuit as a whole or may be separate circuits respectively. Also, these circuits may be general-purpose circuits or dedicated circuits respectively.

[0095] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present invention may be implemented in a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or a recording medium such as a computer-readable CD-ROM. Further, it may be implemented by any combination of a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium. For example, the present invention may be implemented as the charge / discharge system according to the above-described embodiment, may be implemented as a program for causing a computer to execute a charging method, or may be implemented as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a program is recorded.

[0096] Also, the order of a plurality of processes in the operation of the charge / discharge system described in the above embodiment is an example. The order of a plurality of processes may be changed, or a plurality of processes may be executed in parallel.

[0097] In addition, forms obtained by making various modifications that occur to those skilled in the art to each embodiment, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions in each embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0098] 10 Photovoltaic power generation facility 20 Power conditioner 40 Distribution board 41 Main line 50 Control device 51 Communication unit (acquisition units such as electricity price acquisition unit, current time acquisition unit, EV usage schedule acquisition unit) 52 Storage unit 53 Control unit 54 Prediction unit 55 Planning unit 56 Execution unit 60 Electric vehicle 61 Charger 70 Router 80 Weather forecast information distribution server 90 Electricity price management server 100 Charge / discharge system 110 Facility 120 System Power Supply 130 Internet

Claims

1. A control unit that controls to supply the generated electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation facility to each of the electric power for charging an electric vehicle, the self-consumption electric power consumed in a household other than the electric power for charging the electric vehicle, and the selling electric power to the grid power supply; an EV usage schedule acquisition unit that acquires a future usage schedule of the electric vehicle, and is provided with: when the acquired usage schedule satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit controls to supply the self-consumption electric power from the electric vehicle charged by the supply of electric power including the electric power for charging the EV; further, an electric price acquisition unit that acquires the purchase electric price associated with the power supply from the grid power supply and the selling electric price associated with the power supply to the grid power supply; when the acquired purchase electric price and selling electric price and the acquired usage schedule satisfy the predetermined condition, the control unit controls to supply the self-consumption electric power from the electric vehicle charged by the supply of the electric power for charging the EV; the control unit calculates an EV charging power unit price of the electric power charged in the electric vehicle based on the electric power for charging the EV during charging of the electric vehicle and the purchase electric price at the time of charging, and determines whether the calculated EV charging power unit price satisfies the predetermined condition using it instead of the purchase electric price Control device.

2. A control unit that controls to supply the generated electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation facility to each of the electric power for charging an electric vehicle, the self-consumption electric power consumed in a household other than the electric power for charging the electric vehicle, and the selling electric power to the grid power supply; an EV usage schedule acquisition unit that acquires a future usage schedule of the electric vehicle, and is provided with: when the acquired usage schedule satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit controls to supply the self-consumption electric power from the electric vehicle charged by the supply of electric power including the electric power for charging the EV; further, an electric price acquisition unit that acquires the purchase electric price associated with the power supply from the grid power supply and the selling electric price associated with the power supply to the grid power supply; when the acquired purchase electric price and selling electric price and the acquired usage schedule satisfy the predetermined condition, the control unit controls to supply the self-consumption electric power from the electric vehicle charged by the supply of the electric power for charging the EV; The control unit calculates an EV charging power unit price of the power charged in the electric vehicle based on the EV charging power at the time of charging the electric vehicle using the generated power and the selling electricity unit price at the time of charging, and determines whether the calculated EV charging power unit price satisfies the predetermined conditions using the calculated EV charging power unit price instead of the selling electricity unit price. Control device.

3. Furthermore, it includes a current time acquisition unit that acquires the current time. The electricity unit price acquisition unit acquires the purchased electricity unit price corresponding to the acquired current time. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. When the purchased electricity unit price is equal to or more than a coefficient multiple of the selling electricity unit price, the control unit determines that the conditions regarding the acquired purchased electricity unit price and the selling electricity unit price among the predetermined conditions are satisfied. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The usage schedule includes the target charge amount for each day when the electric vehicle is used. The control unit determines the supply amount of the self-consumption power from the stored electric vehicle based on the target charge amount for the day when the electric vehicle is used most recently from now. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The control unit estimates the EV charging power immediately before the day when the electric vehicle is used, and determines the supply amount of the self-consumption power from the stored electric vehicle so as to maintain the power obtained by subtracting the estimated value from the planned power consumption for the day when the electric vehicle is used. The control device according to claim 5.

7. When the purchased electricity unit price is equal to or more than a coefficient multiple of the selling electricity unit price and the power obtained by subtracting the estimated value from the planned power consumption for the day when the electric vehicle is used is smaller than the remaining capacity of the current electric vehicle, the control unit determines that the predetermined conditions are satisfied. The control device according to claim 6.

8. When the acquired purchased electricity unit price and the acquired usage schedule satisfy another predetermined condition, the control unit further controls to supply the power from the grid power source as the EV charging power, thereby charging the electric vehicle beyond the target charge amount. The control device according to claim 5.

9. A control method executed by a computer, a step of controlling to supply the generated power generated by the solar power generation facility to each of the EV charging power for charging the electric vehicle, the self-consumption power consumed in the household other than the EV charging power, and the selling electricity power to the grid power source. acquiring a future usage schedule of the electric vehicle; in the step of controlling, when the acquired usage schedule satisfies a predetermined condition, controlling to supply the power for home consumption from the electric vehicle charged by the supply of power including the power for EV charging; further including the step of acquiring a power purchase unit price associated with the power supply from the grid power source and a power selling unit price associated with the power supply to the grid power source; in the step of controlling, when the acquired power purchase unit price, the power selling unit price, and the acquired usage schedule satisfy the predetermined condition, controlling to supply the power for home consumption from the electric vehicle charged by the supply of the power for EV charging; in the step of controlling, based on the power for EV charging during charging of the electric vehicle and the power purchase unit price at the time of charging, calculating an EV charging power unit price of the power charged in the electric vehicle, and determining whether the calculated EV charging power unit price satisfies the predetermined condition by using the calculated EV charging power unit price instead of the power purchase unit price; Control method.

10. A control method executed by a computer, comprising: controlling to supply the generated power generated by the solar power generation facility to each of the power for EV charging for charging the electric vehicle, the power for home consumption consumed in the household other than the power for EV charging, and the power for selling to the grid power source; acquiring a future usage schedule of the electric vehicle; in the step of controlling, when the acquired usage schedule satisfies a predetermined condition, controlling to supply the power for home consumption from the electric vehicle charged by the supply of power including the power for EV charging; further including the step of acquiring a power purchase unit price associated with the power supply from the grid power source and a power selling unit price associated with the power supply to the grid power source; in the step of controlling, when the acquired power purchase unit price, the power selling unit price, and the acquired usage schedule satisfy the predetermined condition, controlling to supply the power for home consumption from the electric vehicle charged by the supply of the power for EV charging; In the step of controlling, based on the EV charging power during charging of the electric vehicle using the generated power and the selling electricity unit price at the time of charging, an EV charging power unit price of the power charged in the electric vehicle is calculated, and it is determined whether the calculated EV charging power unit price satisfies the predetermined conditions by using the calculated EV charging power unit price instead of the selling electricity unit price. Control method.

11. For causing the computer to execute the control method according to claim 9 or 10 Program.

Images