Vehicles, power conditioning systems, and power equipment

Abstract

To enable reliable transmission of various types of information between a vehicle and an electric power facility, while practically preventing influence on power demand-and-supply balance, even when receiving the power from the electric power facility when the vehicle does not participate in energy regulation.SOLUTION: A vehicle 50 has an inlet 110, a main battery 34, an auxiliary battery 137 and a communication device 150. The main battery 34 is charged by power received by the inlet 110. The auxiliary battery 137 is structured to charge by using the power of the main battery 34. The communication device 150 communicates with a power facility 30 by the power of the auxiliary battery 137. If SOC of the main battery 34 is less than threshold when the vehicle 50 does not participate in demand response and the inlet 110 is connected to the power facility 30, the main battery 34 is charged by minute power.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicles, power conditioning systems, and power equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-156149 (Patent Document 1) discloses a power control system. The power control system controls the balance between power supply and demand in a power grid through demand response (DR). DR is a method of requesting a power consumer's power regulation resource to change (e.g., increase) the power demand. The power regulation resource includes a vehicle equipped with a power storage device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-156149 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A vehicle can receive power from a power facility connected to a power grid, and typically includes a communication device that communicates with the power facility using power from an auxiliary power storage device of the vehicle.

[0005] Even if the power of the auxiliary storage device decreases, if the SOC (State of Charge) of the vehicle's traction storage device is high, the auxiliary storage device can be charged using the power of this storage device. On the other hand, if the SOC of the traction storage device is low, it may be difficult to charge the auxiliary storage device from this storage device. As a result, if the auxiliary storage device becomes overcharged, the communication device cannot operate. As a result, communication between the vehicle and the power equipment is interrupted, and various information cannot be exchanged between the vehicle and the power equipment.

[0006] When a vehicle participates in energy adjustment such as DR, it can contribute to adjusting the balance of power supply and demand by receiving power from power facilities. On the other hand, a vehicle can also receive power from power facilities even when it does not participate in energy adjustment. In this case, depending on the amount of power supplied, power supply from the power facility to the vehicle (power reception by the vehicle) may affect the balance of power supply and demand.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to ensure that various information can be exchanged between a vehicle and an electric power facility while substantially preventing any impact on the balance of power supply and demand, even when the vehicle receives power from the electric power facility when not participating in energy adjustment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle of the present disclosure is a vehicle capable of participating in energy adjustment to adjust the balance of power supply and demand in a power grid, and includes a power receiving device configured to receive power supply from power equipment connected to the power grid when connected to the power equipment, a first power storage device that is charged with the power received by the power receiving device, a second power storage device connected to the first power storage device and that can be charged using the power of the first power storage device, and a communication device that communicates with the power equipment using the power of the second power storage device, and when the vehicle does not participate in energy adjustment and the SOC of the first power storage device is below a threshold when the power receiving device is connected to the power equipment, the first storage device is charged with minute power that is smaller than the power supply power when the vehicle participates in energy adjustment.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the first power storage device is charged with minute power supplied from the power equipment through the power receiving device. This substantially prevents the power supply from the power equipment to the vehicle from affecting the power supply and demand balance. Furthermore, after the first charging device continues to be charged with minute power and the SOC increases, the second power storage device can be charged using the power of the first power storage device. As a result, the communication device can reliably communicate with the power equipment using the power of the second power storage device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, even when a vehicle receives power from a power facility without participating in energy regulation, it is possible to reliably exchange various information between the vehicle and the power facility while substantially preventing an impact on the power supply and demand balance. Hereinafter, DR will be used as an example of energy regulation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a power adjustment system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing detailed configurations of power equipment and a vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a communication sequence executed between a communication device and a power facility. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a change in SOC during a minute charging process. [Figure 5] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) of a vehicle. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by a control device of a power facility. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power adjustment system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a diagram showing changes in the received power of a vehicle and the discharged power of a vehicle; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0013] [Embodiment 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power adjustment system according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the power adjustment system 1 includes servers 10 and 20, a power network 40, a power facility 30, and a vehicle 50.

[0014] The server 10 is operated by a power company. The server 10 transmits an adjustment request signal ARS to a server 20 (described later) requesting adjustment of the balance between power supply and demand in the power grid 40. The adjustment request signal ARS includes information indicating a power adjustment period and an adjustment-requested amount of power RE. The power adjustment period is a period during which adjustment of the balance between power supply and demand is requested. The adjustment-requested amount of power is the amount of power that is requested to be adjusted (e.g., increased) during the power adjustment period.

[0015] The server 20 includes a communication device 21, a storage device 22, and a processing device 26. The communication device 21 communicates with devices external to the server 20, such as the server 10, the power equipment 30, and the vehicle 50. The storage device 22 includes a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM) (neither of which is shown). The ROM stores programs used by the processing device 26.

[0016] The server 20 is operated by an aggregator. The server 20 receives an adjustment request signal ARS because it has won a bid in the energy trading market for the right to adjust the supply and demand balance. The server 20 calculates the amount of power to be allocated to each power adjustment resource, such as a vehicle 50, according to the adjustment request power amount RE, and requests each resource to participate in DR. The server 20 transmits a signal SG1 to the vehicle 50 requesting DR participation, thereby inquiring of the user of the vehicle 50 as to whether or not the vehicle 50 will participate in DR. As a result, whether or not the vehicle 50 will participate in DR is determined.

[0017] The power equipment 30 is connected to a power grid 40. The power equipment 30 is configured to supply power to the vehicle 50 when electrically connected to the vehicle 50.

[0018] The vehicle 50 is an electric vehicle equipped with a main battery 34. The vehicle 50 is configured to be able to participate in DR by receiving supply power from the power facility 30 (in this example, performing external charging). External charging is charging the main battery 34 using power supplied from the power facility 30. The amount of power stored in the main battery 34 is represented by SOC. When participating in DR, the vehicle 50 receives (acquires) a request value RV for supply power from the server 20. In this case, the vehicle 50 performs external charging in accordance with the request value RV during a power adjustment period. The request value RV is determined by the server 20 from the perspective of adjusting the balance between power supply and demand. The vehicle 50 is also configured to be able to discharge power to the power grid 40 via the power facility 30.

[0019] 2 is a diagram showing detailed configurations of power equipment 30 and vehicle 50. Referring to FIG. 2, power equipment 30 includes a power feeding device 32, a communication unit 35, and a control device .

[0020] The power supply device 32 includes a connector 37 and a power conversion device 38. The power conversion device 38 is configured to convert power supplied from the power grid 40 and supply the converted power to the vehicle 50 through the connector 37. When the connector 37 is connected to the inlet 110, the power supply device 32 supplies power to the inlet 110.

[0021] The communication unit 35 communicates with the vehicle 50 by, for example, CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. The communication unit 35 acquires the SOC of the main battery 34 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "SOC") from the vehicle 50.

[0022] The control device 36 executes a power supply control process by controlling the communication unit 35 and the power conversion device 38. This process controls the power supply from the power equipment 30 to the vehicle 50 (inlet 110). This process includes controlling the power conversion device 38 so that the power supply corresponding to a command value CMV (described later) is supplied from the power equipment 30 to the inlet 110.

[0023] The vehicle 50 includes an inlet 110 , a main battery 34 , a sensor unit 132 , a power conversion device 135 , an auxiliary battery 137 , a communication device 150 , and an ECU 180 .

[0024] The inlet 110 is connected to the connector 37. The inlet 110 is configured to receive power supply from the power equipment 30 when connected to the power equipment 30.

[0025] The main battery 34 stores power for running the vehicle 50. The main battery 34 is charged by power received through the inlet 110. A power conversion device may be provided between the main battery 34 and the inlet 110. The sensor unit 132 detects the voltage, current, and temperature of the main battery 34.

[0026] The power conversion device 135 is configured to be capable of performing pumping charging, in which the power from the main battery 34 is converted and the converted power is used to charge the auxiliary battery 137. The auxiliary battery 137 is configured to be capable of being charged using the power of the main battery 34 by pumping charging.

[0027] The communication device 150 communicates with the power equipment 30 via CAN communication by consuming power from the auxiliary battery 137. The communication device 150 transmits and receives a connection signal PISW, which is switched depending on whether the inlet 110 and the connector 37 are connected or disconnected, to and from the power equipment 30. The communication device 150 is configured to execute a predetermined communication sequence (described below) before external charging.

[0028] The ECU 180 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 182 and a memory 184. The memory 184 includes a ROM and a RAM (neither of which are shown). The ROM stores programs and data executed by the processor 182. This data includes DR participation / non-participation information 186. The DR participation / non-participation information 186 is set according to the result of the above-mentioned inquiry, and includes information indicating whether the vehicle 50 will participate in DR, and, if the vehicle 50 will participate in DR, information indicating the date and time (power adjustment period) and the requested value RV.

[0029] The ECU 180 calculates the SOC according to the detection value of the sensor unit 132. The ECU 180 executes an external charging control process for controlling external charging by controlling the power conversion device 135 and the communication device 150. This process includes generating a control command CC for controlling the power equipment 30 and transmitting it to the power equipment 30 via the communication device 150. The control command CC includes a command value CMV for the power supply from the power equipment 30 to the inlet 110.

[0030] 3 is a diagram illustrating a communication sequence executed by communication device 150 with power equipment 30. This communication sequence is basically executed before external charging.

[0031] 3, the communication sequence SQ includes sequences SQ1 and SQ2. Sequence SQ1 is a process for exchanging various pieces of information (advance information) that are preferably transmitted in advance between vehicle 50 and power equipment 30 prior to the start of external charging. The advance information includes specification information of main battery 34 (such as the maximum value of charging power) and specification information of power equipment 30 (such as the maximum value of feed power). The advance information is used to protect main battery 34, inlet 110, and power equipment 30 from overheating during external charging (i.e., to prevent an excessive amount of power from being transferred among them).

[0032] Sequence SQ2 is a process for exchanging information (minimum required transmission information) that must be transmitted at a minimum between vehicle 50 and power equipment 30 to start external charging. This information includes a request from vehicle 50 to power equipment 30 to start power supply. Sequence SQ2 may further include a process for transmitting a minimum value of charging power for main battery 34 to power equipment 30. Sequence SQ2 is basically executed after sequence SQ1.

[0033] Even if the power of the auxiliary battery 137 decreases, if the SOC is high, the auxiliary battery 137 can be charged by pumping charge. On the other hand, if the SOC is low, pumping charge may be difficult. Therefore, if the auxiliary battery 137 runs out of power (if the auxiliary battery 137 runs out of power), the communication device 150 cannot operate. This may result in, for example, communication between the vehicle 50 and the power equipment 30 being cut off during execution of the communication sequence SQ by the communication device 150, and the communication sequence SQ cannot be completed. As a result, there is a problem that advance information cannot be sufficiently exchanged between the vehicle 50 and the power equipment 30, and further, the minimum required transmission information cannot be exchanged.

[0034] When vehicle 50 receives power supply from power facility 30 without participating in DR, there is a problem that, depending on the magnitude of the power supply, the power supply from power facility 30 to vehicle 50 (power reception by vehicle 50) may affect the balance of power supply and demand.

[0035] Vehicle 50 according to the first embodiment has a configuration for dealing with these problems. Specifically, when vehicle 50 does not participate in DR and the connected SOC of main battery 34 is less than a threshold value (described later), ECU 180 executes minute charging processing. The connected SOC is the SOC when inlet 110 is connected to power equipment 30, and corresponds to the SOC when the signal level of connection signal PISW is switched.

[0036] The minute charging process is to charge the main battery 34 with minute power that is smaller than the power supply (DR power supply) when the vehicle 50 participates in DR. Specifically, this process corresponds to generating a control command CC so that the command value CMV (FIG. 2) becomes the minute value MV, and transmitting the control command CC to the power facility 30 via the communication device 150. The minute value MV is stored in advance in the memory 184 of the ECU 180 as a value smaller than the minimum value of the DR power supply, and is, for example, the minimum value of the charging power of the main battery 34. The minimum value of the DR power supply is determined in advance by the rules of the energy trading market.

[0037] When the minute charging process is executed as described above, the main battery 34 is charged with minute power supplied from the power equipment 30 through the inlet 110. This substantially prevents the power supply from the power equipment 30 to the vehicle 50 (power reception by the vehicle 50) from affecting the balance between power supply and demand. Furthermore, after the SOC increases as the main battery 34 continues to be charged with minute power, the auxiliary battery 137 can be reliably charged by pumping charging. As a result, the auxiliary battery 137 can be reliably prevented from running out of power, and the communication device 150 can reliably communicate with the power equipment 30 using the power of the auxiliary battery 137. Therefore, the communication device 150 can then sufficiently exchange advance information with the power equipment 30 before external charging.

[0038] The external charging control process described above includes a minute charging process and a normal charging process. The minute charging process does not require the entire communication sequence SQ to be completed before it can be executed, but only the sequence SQ2. That is, when executing the minute charging process, the ECU 180 forces the communication device 150 to skip the sequence SQ1 and execute only the sequence SQ2, and then executes (starts) the minute charging process.

[0039] This allows the charging of the main battery 34 to start without the communication device 150 consuming the power required to execute sequence SQ1 in the auxiliary battery 137. Furthermore, since the charging power of the main battery 34 is minute, the main battery 34, the inlet 110, and the power equipment 30 are protected from overheating. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the auxiliary battery 137 does not run down when only sequence SQ2 is executed.

[0040] The normal charging process is to charge the main battery 34 with normal supply power that is greater than the minute power. The normal supply power is the supply power corresponding to the requested value RV when the vehicle 50 participates in DR, and is power determined in accordance with the specifications of the vehicle 50 and the power facility 30 when the vehicle 50 does not participate in DR.

[0041] The normal charging process is executed when the communication sequence SQ is completed after the minute charging process. In other words, the communication device 150 starts and completes the communication sequence SQ to cause the ECU 180 to start the normal charging process after the minute charging process.

[0042] The threshold value is the SOC at which the auxiliary battery 137 can be charged from the main battery 34 by pumping out the amount of power required to operate the communication device 150. This amount of power is the amount of power required for the communication device 150 to complete the communication sequence SQ.

[0043] With the threshold set in this manner, when the SOC has dropped to the point where the auxiliary battery 137 cannot be charged by pumping charge and the communication device 150 cannot complete the communication sequence SQ, the micro-power charging process is executed. This allows the main battery 34 to be charged with micro-power, and then the auxiliary battery 137 can be charged by pumping charge. As a result, the auxiliary battery 137 can be reliably charged with enough power to allow the communication device 150 to complete the communication sequence SQ. Therefore, the normal charging process can be started after sufficient advance information has been reliably exchanged between the vehicle 50 and the power equipment 30. Therefore, the normal charging process can be executed so that the main battery 34, the inlet 110, the power equipment 30, the main battery 34, and the like are protected from overheating.

[0044] 4 is a diagram illustrating changes in SOC during minute charging processing. In this example, vehicle 50 does not participate in DR. Referring to FIG. 4, SOC1 is less than threshold value TH, and SOC2 is a predetermined value equal to or greater than threshold value TH. Threshold value TH is, for example, 20% of the fully charged SOC.

[0045] If the SOC of the main battery 34 is SOC1 when connected, the ECU 180 executes the minute charging process until the SOC increases from SOC1 to SOC2. When the SOC reaches SOC2, the ECU 180 ends the minute charging process, causes the communication device 150 to execute the entire communication sequence SQ, and then executes (starts) the normal charging process.

[0046] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by ECU 180 in the first embodiment. This flowchart starts when inlet 110 is connected to connector 37. Hereinafter, step will be abbreviated as S.

[0047] 5, the ECU 180 switches the processing depending on whether the vehicle 50 will participate in DR using the DR participation / non-participation information 186 (FIG. 2) (S105). If the vehicle 50 will participate in DR (YES in S105), the ECU 180 sets the command value CMV to the requested value RV from the server 20 (S110). Thereafter, the ECU 180 participates in DR by external charging in accordance with the requested value RV (S115), and ends the processing. On the other hand, if the vehicle 50 will not participate in DR (NO in S105), the processing proceeds to S120.

[0048] The ECU 180 determines whether the connected SOC of the main battery 34 is less than the threshold value TH (S120). If the connected SOC is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH (NO in S120), the process proceeds to S150. On the other hand, if the connected SOC is less than the threshold value TH (e.g., SOC1 in FIG. 4) (YES in S120), the ECU 180 sets the command value CMV to the minute value MV (S125), causes the communication device 150 to execute only sequence SQ2, and then executes minute charging processing according to the minute value MV (S130).

[0049] The ECU 180 determines whether the SOC has reached a value equal to or greater than the threshold value TH (in this example, SOC2 in FIG. 4) (S135). If the SOC has not yet reached SOC2 (NO in S135), the process returns to S130. On the other hand, if the SOC has reached SOC2 (YES in S135), the ECU 180 ends the minute charging process (S140), controls the communication device 150 to start and complete the communication sequence SQ (S150), and then executes (starts) the normal charging process (S160).

[0050] [Modification of the first embodiment] The supply power may be controlled by the control device 36 of the power equipment 30 instead of the ECU 180. In this modification, the control device 36 executes minute power supply processing when the vehicle 50 is not participating in DR and the connected SOC is less than the threshold value TH. The minute power supply processing controls the supply power so that the main battery 34 is charged with minute power (so that minute power is supplied from the power equipment 30 to the inlet 110).

[0051] The power supply control process by the control device 36 includes a minute power supply process and a normal power supply process. The normal power supply process is to supply power to the inlet 110 with normal power supply power using the power conversion device 38. The minute power supply process and the normal power supply process are executed in place of the minute charging process and the normal charging process in the first embodiment, respectively.

[0052] The communication device 150 is configured to complete the communication sequence SQ in order to cause the ECU 180 to start the normal power supply process after the minute power supply process. The communication unit 35 can confirm the progress of the communication sequence SQ (including whether the communication sequence SQ has been completed or not).

[0053] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by control device 36 in this modified example. This flowchart starts when connector 37 is connected to inlet 110. Referring to FIG. 6, S205 and S220 are similar to S105 and S120 (FIG. 5), respectively, except that they are executed by control device 36 instead of ECU 180.

[0054] The control device 36 acquires the connected SOC of the main battery 34 and the DR participation / non-participation information 186 (FIG. 2) from the vehicle 50 via the communication unit 35 (S202).

[0055] The control device 36 determines whether the vehicle 50 will participate in the DR in accordance with the acquired DR participation / non-participation information 186 (S205). If the vehicle 50 will participate in the DR (YES in S205), the control device 36 acquires a request value RV from the vehicle 50 and sets a control value CV of the supply power to the request value RV (S210). Then, the control device 36 supplies power to the vehicle 50 in accordance with the request value RV (S215), and then ends the processing. On the other hand, if the vehicle 50 will not participate in the DR (NO in S205), the processing proceeds to S220.

[0056] If the connection SOC is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH (NO in S220), the process proceeds to S250. On the other hand, if the connection SOC is less than the threshold value TH (YES in S220), the control device 36 acquires the minute value MV from the vehicle 50 and sets the control value CV to the minute value MV (S225). After only the sequence SQ2 of the sequences SQ1 and SQ2 is executed, the control device 36 executes minute power supply processing in accordance with the minute value MV (S230).

[0057] The control device 36 determines whether the SOC has reached a value equal to or greater than the threshold value TH (SOC2 in this example) (S235). If the SOC has not yet reached SOC2 (NO in S235), the process returns to S230. On the other hand, if the SOC has reached SOC2 (YES in S235), the control device 36 ends the minute power supply process (S240), confirms the start and completion of the communication sequence SQ (S250), and executes the normal power supply process (S260). Thereafter, the process of FIG. 6 ends.

[0058] [Embodiment 2] In the second embodiment, vehicles different from vehicle 50 include a power receiving vehicle that can receive power from power grid 40 via power equipment 30 and a discharging vehicle that can discharge power to power grid 40 via power equipment 30.

[0059] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a power adjusting system according to Embodiment 2. Referring to Fig. 7, power adjusting system 1M differs from power adjusting system 1 (Fig. 1) in that it further includes vehicles 50A and 50B and power facilities 30A and 30B.

[0060] The configuration of each of the vehicles 50A, 50B is basically the same as the configuration of the vehicle 50 (FIG. 2). The vehicles 50A, 50B correspond to the power receiving vehicle and the power discharging vehicle, respectively, described above. The vehicles 50A, 50B are connected to power facilities 30A, 30B, respectively. The power facilities 30A, 30B are each connected to the power grid 40.

[0061] Server 20 communicates with each of vehicles 50, 50A, and 50B. For example, when vehicle 50 starts receiving power from power equipment 30, server 20 acquires information indicating the value of the received power of vehicle 50 (received power information) from vehicle 50. Server 20 determines the start of power reception by vehicle 50 according to the received power information. This value of received power is, for example, a minute value MV.

[0062] The received power of the vehicles 50 and 50A and the discharged power of the vehicle 50B are assumed to be equal to the charged power and discharged power of the corresponding main battery 34, respectively.

[0063] 8 is a diagram showing the transition of the received power of vehicles 50 and 50A and the discharged power of vehicle 50B. In this example, it is assumed that vehicle 50 does not participate in DR and the connected SOC of main battery 34 of vehicle 50 is less than threshold value TH.

[0064] 8, line 205 shows the transition of received power RP of vehicle 50. At time t2, which is later than time t1, inlet 110 of vehicle 50 is connected to power equipment 30, and minute charging processing (or minute power supply processing) is executed for vehicle 50. As a result, received power RP of vehicle 50 changes from 0 to MP (increases by ΔP). Vehicle 50 transmits received power information to server 20 in response to the start of power reception.

[0065] Line 210 shows the transition of received power RP of vehicle 50A in case A. In case A, vehicle 50A receives power from power grid 40, and vehicle 50B does not discharge power to power grid 40. Vehicle 50A starts receiving power at time t1, and the received power RP at that time is RP1. At time t2, in response to receiving the received power information, server 20 requests vehicle 50A to reduce the received power RP of vehicle 50A (by ΔP in this example) (to RP2). This causes vehicle 50A to reduce the command value CMV of the power supplied from power equipment 30A to vehicle 50A. As a result, the received power of vehicle 50A is reduced by ΔP.

[0066] Thus, in case A, when vehicle 50A is receiving received power RP from power grid 40 through power equipment 30 and main battery 34 of vehicle 50 is charged with minute power (after time t2), the received power of vehicle 50A decreases by ΔP. As a result, the increase in the power load on power grid 40 due to vehicle 50 starting to receive power and the decrease in the power load due to the decrease in the received power of vehicle 50A are offset.

[0067] Line 215 shows the transition of discharge power DP of vehicle 50B in case B. In case B, vehicle 50A does not receive power from power grid 40, and vehicle 50B discharges power to power grid 40. Vehicle 50B starts discharging at time t1, and the discharge power DP at that time is DP1. At time t2, in response to receiving the received power information, server 20 requests vehicle 50B to increase the discharge power DP of vehicle 50B (in this example, by ΔP) (to DP2). As a result, the discharge power DP increases by ΔP.

[0068] Thus, in case B, when vehicle 50B is discharging discharge power DP to power grid 40 through power equipment 30 and main battery 34 of vehicle 50 is charged with minute power (after time t2), discharge power DP of vehicle 50B increases by ΔP. As a result, the increase in power load due to vehicle 50 starting to receive power and the increase in power supply in power grid 40 due to the increase in discharge power of vehicle 50B are offset.

[0069] According to the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce (for example, eliminate) the impact on the balance of power supply and demand caused by the start of minute charging processing (minute power supply processing) of vehicle 50. This makes it possible to prevent auxiliary battery 137 of vehicle 50 from running down while more effectively contributing to the adjustment of the balance of power supply and demand.

[0070] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1,1M power conditioning system, 10,20 server, 30,30A,30B power equipment, 50,50A,50B vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle capable of participating in energy adjustment for adjusting the balance of power supply and demand in a power grid, a power receiving device configured to receive power supplied from a power facility connected to the power grid when the power receiving device is connected to the power facility; a first power storage device that is charged with the power received by the power receiving device; a second power storage device connected to the first power storage device and chargeable using electric power from the first power storage device; a communication device that communicates with the power equipment using the power of the second power storage device, When the vehicle does not participate in the energy adjustment and the power receiving device is connected to the power equipment, if an SOC of the first power storage device is less than a threshold value, the first power storage device is charged with minute power that is smaller than the supplied power when the vehicle participates in the energy adjustment, The threshold value is the SOC at which the second power storage device can be charged with the amount of power consumed for operation of the communication device from the first power storage device.

2. a control device that executes a charge control process to control charging of the first power storage device; The charging control process includes: a first charging process of charging the first power storage device with the minute power; a second charging process of charging the first power storage device with a supply power greater than the minute power after the first charging process; the communication device is configured to complete a communication sequence with the power facility in order to start the second charging process after the first charging process; The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the power consumption required for the operation of the communication device is the power consumption required for the communication device to complete the communication sequence.

3. a first vehicle as the vehicle according to claim 1; a second vehicle that receives power from the power grid and is different from the first vehicle; In a case where the second vehicle is receiving power from the power grid, when the first power storage device is charged with the minute power, the received power of the second vehicle becomes small.

4. a first vehicle as the vehicle according to claim 1; a third vehicle that discharges electricity to the power grid and is different from the first vehicle; In a case where the third vehicle is discharging discharge power to the power grid, when the first power storage device is charged with the minute power, the discharge power of the third vehicle becomes large.

5. An electric power facility that supplies power to a vehicle that is connected to an electric power grid and that can participate in energy adjustment for adjusting the balance of electric power supply and demand in the electric power grid, comprising: The vehicle is a power receiving device configured to receive power supplied from the power equipment when connected to the power equipment; a first power storage device that is charged with the power received by the power receiving device; a second power storage device connected to the first power storage device and chargeable using electric power from the first power storage device; a communication device that communicates with the power equipment using the power of the second power storage device, The power equipment includes: a power supply device that supplies the power supplying power to the power receiving device when connected to the power receiving device; a communication unit that acquires an SOC of the first power storage device from the vehicle; When the vehicle does not participate in the energy adjustment and the power receiving device is connected to the power equipment, if an SOC of the first power storage device is less than a threshold value, the first power storage device is charged with minute power that is smaller than the supplied power when the vehicle participates in the energy adjustment, The threshold value is the SOC at which the second power storage device can be charged with the amount of power consumption required for operation of the communication device from the first power storage device.

6. a power supply control device that executes a power supply control process to control power supply from the power supply device to the power receiving device; The power supply control process includes: a first power supply process of supplying power to the power receiving device using the minute power; a second power supply process of supplying power to the power receiving device after the first power supply process with power supply power greater than the minute power; the communication device is configured to complete a communication sequence with the power equipment in order to start the second power supply process after the first power supply process; The power facility according to claim 5 , wherein the amount of power consumption required for the operation of the communication device is the amount of power consumption required for the communication device to complete the communication sequence.

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