Servers and Power Conditioning Systems

Abstract

To promote entry of a vehicle to power adjustment on a power network.SOLUTION: A server 1 manages a plurality of power adjustment resources electrically connected with a power network PG. The plurality of power adjustment resources include pieces of electric power equipment 14. The pieces of electric power equipment 14 are provided on facilities 4, 5 and capable of supplying power to the power network PG from vehicles 7, 8 and charging the vehicles 7, 8 from the power network PG. When receiving entry of reservation information for using the facilities 4, 5 from a user, the server 1 predicts power demand supply balance of the power network PG at a use reservation date of the facilities 4, 5. When it is predicted that DR is performed to adjust power demand supply balance at the use reservation date, the server 1 forms a use plan of the facilities 4, 5 so as to include a plan that the vehicles 7, 8 participate in DR using the electric power equipment 14 and presents it to the user. When the user approves the use plan, the server 1 gives an incentive to the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a server and a power regulation system. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2021-129441 (Patent Document 1) discloses a power management system that manages the power exchanged between a power grid and a charging / discharging station that can connect to multiple electric vehicles. In this power management system, a server adjusts the power exchanged between the charging / discharging station and the power grid using an electric vehicle whose power supply and demand adjustment period in the power grid is included in the period in which the electric vehicle is connected to the charging / discharging station. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-129441 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to efficiently adjust power in the power grid, it is necessary to connect many electric vehicles to charging and discharging stations during the period when power adjustment is being implemented in the power grid. In order to encourage electric vehicles to participate in power adjustment, it is necessary to increase the opportunities for electric vehicles to participate in power adjustment and to establish a system that actively provides incentives to users for participating in power adjustment.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to promote the participation of vehicles in power adjustment in a power grid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A server according to a first aspect of the present disclosure manages multiple power regulation resources electrically connected to a power grid. The multiple power regulation resources include power equipment. The power equipment is installed in a facility and configured to enable power supply from a vehicle to the power grid and charging of the vehicle from the power grid. The server includes a processor and a memory that stores a program executable by the processor. When receiving input of reservation information for facility use from a user, the processor predicts the power supply and demand balance of the power grid at the reserved date and time of facility use according to the program. When it is predicted that DR (Demand Response) for adjusting the power supply and demand balance will be implemented at the reserved date and time of use, the processor creates a facility usage plan and presents it to the user, including the vehicle's participation in DR using the power equipment. When the user accepts the usage plan, the processor grants an incentive to the user.

[0007] According to the above configuration (1), when a user makes a reservation for use of a facility, by presenting the user with a usage plan that includes allowing the vehicle to participate in DR using power equipment installed at the facility, it is possible to increase the opportunities for the vehicle used by the user to participate in DR. Furthermore, by providing an incentive to a user who accepts the usage plan, it is possible to encourage the vehicle to participate in DR. This increases the number of vehicles participating in DR, thereby enabling efficient power adjustment in the power grid. Furthermore, since the incentive encourages users to use the facility, it is possible to increase the number of users of the facility.

[0008] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, the processor includes, in the usage plan, information about the time period during which the vehicle participates in DR and information about incentives for such participation.

[0009] According to the above configuration (2), the user can refer to the usage plan presented by the server and choose whether or not to have the vehicle participate in DR, taking into consideration the user's own activity schedule and incentives for the reserved usage date and time.

[0010] (3) In the configuration of (1) above, the processor provides a larger incentive when the vehicle is a rental car than when the vehicle is owned by the user.

[0011] According to the above configuration (3), it is possible to encourage users to use the facility for the purpose of providing an incentive, and also to encourage the use of rental cars.

[0012] (4) In the above (1) to (3) configurations, the incentives include at least one of the following: benefits for using the facility, benefits for using other facilities around the facility, and benefits for using public transportation.

[0013] According to the above configuration (4), it is possible to encourage users to use the facility for the purpose of providing an incentive, and also to encourage users to use other facilities in the vicinity of the facility.

[0014] (5) In the configurations (1) to (3) above, the processor calculates the amount of power required to drive the vehicle based on the planned driving distance of the vehicle obtained from the usage plan. The processor sets the amount of power supplied from the power grid to the vehicle so that it is equal to or greater than the calculated amount of power.

[0015] According to the above configuration (5), it is possible to ensure that vehicles can travel at least while the facility is in use.

[0016] (6) In the configuration of (5) above, when the vehicle participates in DR at the reserved date and time of use and the DR is power supply from the vehicle to the power grid, the processor sets the amount of power to be supplied from the power grid to the vehicle so that it is greater than the amount of power required for the vehicle to run.

[0017] According to the above configuration (6), by storing an amount of power in the vehicle that exceeds the amount of power required for the next trip when charging the vehicle from the power grid, the vehicle can respond to a DR request while ensuring travel while using the facility. This allows the user to obtain an incentive.

[0018] (7) In the configuration of (6) above, when DR is power supply from the vehicle to the power grid, the processor controls the amount of power supplied from the vehicle to the power grid within a range in which the amount of charge of the vehicle does not fall below the calculated amount of power.

[0019] According to the configuration of (7) above, it is possible to secure the amount of power required for the vehicle to run while supplying the remaining amount of power to the power grid. If incentives are set according to the amount of power supplied to the power grid, the user may be able to obtain a high incentive.

[0020] (8) A power adjustment system according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of power adjustment resources electrically connected to a power grid and a server that manages the plurality of power adjustment resources. The plurality of power adjustment resources include power equipment. The power equipment is installed in a facility and configured to enable power supply from a vehicle to the power grid and charging of the vehicle from the power grid. When receiving input of reservation information for facility use from a user, the server predicts the balance of power supply and demand in the power grid at the reserved date and time of facility use. When it is predicted that DR will be implemented to adjust the balance of power supply and demand at the reserved date and time of use, the server creates a facility usage plan and presents it to the user, including the vehicle's participation in DR using the power equipment. When the user accepts the usage plan, the server grants an incentive to the user.

[0021] According to the configuration of (8) above, when a user makes a reservation for use of a facility, by presenting the user with a usage plan that includes participating the vehicle in DR using power equipment installed at the facility, it is possible to increase the opportunities for the vehicle used by the user to participate in DR. Furthermore, by providing an incentive to a user who accepts the usage plan, it is possible to encourage the vehicle to participate in DR. This increases the number of vehicles participating in DR, thereby enabling efficient power adjustment in the power grid. Furthermore, since the use of the facility by users for the purpose of receiving the incentive is encouraged, it is possible to increase the number of users of the facility. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to promote the participation of vehicles in power regulation in the power grid. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a power adjustment system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing a process related to a reservation for use of a facility using a user terminal. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for creating a usage plan (S14 in FIG. 2). [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process (S147 in FIG. 3) for calculating the amount of power to be supplied to the vehicle during external charging. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first display example of a usage plan. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second display example of a usage plan. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] 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.

[0025] <Overall configuration of the power regulation system> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a power adjustment system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, a power adjustment system 100 according to the embodiment includes a server 1, a server 2, a plurality of vehicles 7 and 8, and a plurality of EVSEs (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) 14.

[0027] The power system PG is a power network constructed by power plants and power transmission and distribution facilities (not shown). In this embodiment, an electric power company serves as both a power generation business operator and a power transmission and distribution business operator. The electric power company corresponds to a general power transmission and distribution business operator and maintains and manages the power system PG.

[0028] Server 2 is a computer that belongs to the electric power company and manages the balance of power supply and demand in the power system PG. Server 2 is configured to be able to communicate with server 1. Server 2 requests server 1 to adjust the power of the power system PG as needed. For example, when the power demand in the power system PG is high, server 2 may request server 1 to supply power.

[0029] Server 1 is configured to respond to a power adjustment request from Server 2 using multiple power adjustment resources. Server 1 is a server managed by an aggregator. An aggregator is an electric utility that provides energy management services by bundling multiple power adjustment resources in a region, a specific facility, etc. Server 1 corresponds to one embodiment of "server."

[0030] The server 1 can remotely and centrally control a plurality of power regulation resources, thereby making these power regulation resources function as a virtual power plant (VPP). To centrally control the plurality of power regulation resources, the server 1 can perform a demand response (DR) for each power regulation resource. This DR requests each power regulation resource to adjust the power of the power grid PG (for example, promote power consumption, reduce power consumption, or reverse power flow).

[0031] The server 1 includes a control device 10, a storage device 11, and a communication device 12. The control device 10 includes a processor and is configured to execute predetermined arithmetic processing. The storage device 11 includes a memory that stores programs executed by the control device 10 and stores various information (maps, relational expressions, parameters, etc.) used in the programs. The communication device 12 includes a communication interface and is configured to communicate with the outside (other servers, vehicles, etc.).

[0032] A plurality of EVSEs 14 are installed within an area 110 managed by the power conditioning system 100. EVSE refers to a vehicle power supply facility. Each of the plurality of EVSEs 14 is electrically connected to a power grid PG. When electrically connected to a vehicle, the EVSE 14 is configured to supply power to the vehicle. The EVSE 14 is also configured to be able to receive power from the vehicle. The EVSE 14 is one of a plurality of power conditioning resources managed by the server 1, and corresponds to an example of "power facility."

[0033] Within the area 110, there are accommodation facilities 4 and entertainment facilities 5. The accommodation facilities 4 include hotels, inns, pensions, and guesthouses. The entertainment facilities 5 include amusement parks, theme parks, museums, zoos, aquariums, and natural parks. The number of accommodation facilities 4 and entertainment facilities 5 within the area 110 may be one or more.

[0034] The multiple EVSEs 14 include an EVSE 14 installed in an accommodation facility 4 and an EVSE 14 installed in an entertainment facility 5. These EVSEs 14 are installed, for example, in the parking lots of the accommodation facilities 4 or the entertainment facilities 5. The number of EVSEs 14 installed in each facility may be one or more.

[0035] The vehicles 7 and 8 may specifically include plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs), electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in fuel cell vehicles, etc. The vehicles 7 and 8 each include a human-machine interface (HMI) 70 or 80 for exchanging various information with a user. The HMIs 70 and 80 are, for example, touch panel displays (not shown) of a navigation system.

[0036] Each of the vehicles 7 and 8 is configured so that a charging cable connected to the EVSE 14 can be connected to an inlet (not shown) of the vehicle, thereby enabling power to be supplied from the power grid PG to the vehicle. This mode of power supply is also referred to as "external charging." Alternatively, each of the vehicles 7 and 8 is configured so that a charging cable can be connected to an outlet (not shown) of the vehicle, thereby enabling power to be supplied from the vehicle to the power grid PG. This mode of power supply is also referred to as "external power feeding."

[0037] Vehicle 7 is a vehicle (POV: Personally Owned Vehicle) owned by a user who uses accommodation facility 4 or entertainment facility 5. Hereinafter, vehicle 7 will also be referred to as "POV7." Vehicle 8 is a business vehicle managed by a vehicle service provider such as rental car company 3 or a car sharing company. Hereinafter, vehicle 8 will also be referred to as "rental car 8." A server belonging to rental car company 3 is configured to be capable of two-way communication with server 1.

[0038] <Power adjustment in the power system> As described above, in order to maintain the balance between power supply and demand in the power grid PG, the server 2 requests the server 1 to adjust the power of the power grid PG as needed. Upon receiving the request for power adjustment, the server 1 performs DR on multiple power adjustment resources including the EVSE 14.

[0039] The EVSE 14 can cause the vehicle connected to the EVSE 14 to perform the power adjustment requested by the server 1. In the example of FIG. 1 , each of the POV 7 and the rental car 8 can participate in DR by external charging or external power feeding. A vehicle participating in DR allows the server 1 to remotely control the vehicle. In a situation where the server 1 is permitted to remotely control the vehicle, the server 1 controls the EVSE 14 so that the vehicle performs power adjustment (charging promotion, charging suppression, or discharging) of the power grid PG. This allows the vehicle to perform external charging or external power feeding in response to a request from the server 1 to participate in DR.

[0040] In the above-described power adjustment system 100, in order to efficiently perform power adjustment when a request for power adjustment of the power grid PG is received from the server 2, it is necessary to have many vehicles participate in DR. In this embodiment, if users who use the accommodation facilities 4 and the entertainment facilities 5 can connect their vehicles to the EVSE 14, the vehicles can be allowed to participate in DR.

[0041] Therefore, as will be described below, when the server 1 receives a reservation for use of the accommodation facility 4 or the entertainment facility 5 from a user and it is predicted that DR will be performed on the day of use, the server 1 is configured to create a facility usage plan and present it to the user so that the vehicle (POV 7 or rental car 8) used by the user will participate in DR using the EVSE 14. Furthermore, the server 1 is configured to provide an incentive to the user who accepts the presented usage plan as compensation for participating in DR.

[0042] <Facility reservation> As shown in FIG. 1, a user who wishes to use an accommodation facility 4 or an entertainment facility 5 can make a reservation for use of the facility using a user terminal 6. The user terminal 6 is a terminal that can be operated by the user. The users include users who own a POV7 and users who do not own a POV7. The user terminal 6 accepts input from the user. In this embodiment, a smartphone equipped with a touch panel display is used as the user terminal 6. The user terminal 6 has a built-in computer. However, the user terminal 6 is not limited to a smartphone. For example, a laptop, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, etc. can also be used as the user terminal 6.

[0043] The user terminal 6 is registered in advance with the server 1 and is configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the server 1. Application software for reserving facilities (hereinafter also referred to as a "facility reservation app") is installed on the user terminal 6. Using the facility reservation app, a user can reserve use of a facility and plan an activity schedule for the day of use. The user terminal 6 can exchange information with the server 1 through the facility reservation app.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing related to facility reservation using the user terminal 6. This flowchart is called from a main routine (not shown) and executed repeatedly whenever a predetermined condition is met or at predetermined intervals. In FIG. 2, a series of processes executed by the user terminal 6 is shown on the left, a series of processes executed by the server 1 is shown in the center, and a series of processes executed by the server 2 is shown on the right. Each step is realized by software processing by the user terminal 6, server 1, or server 2, but may also be realized by hardware (electrical circuits) provided within the user terminal 6, server 1, or server 2. Hereinafter, steps are abbreviated as S.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, in S01, the user terminal 6 accepts input from the user regarding a facility reservation. In S01, the user can launch a facility reservation app and input reservation information into the user terminal 6. The reservation information includes information regarding the facility to be used and the reservation date and time. The reservation information can further include whether or not a POV7 will be used, whether or not a rental car 8 will be used, information regarding the departure point (e.g., the user's home), the activity schedule for the day of use, and the user's identification information (user ID).

[0046] The user terminal 6, which has received the user input regarding the use reservation information, transmits the use reservation information to the server 1 in S02.

[0047] When the server 1 receives the use reservation information from the user terminal 6 in S11, the server 1 creates a facility use plan for the user who operated the user terminal 6 based on the received use reservation information.

[0048] Specifically, in S12, the server 1 requests the server 2 to transmit information relating to the power supply and demand forecast of the power system PG at the reserved use date and time.

[0049] In S21, in response to a transmission request from server 1, server 2 predicts the power supply and demand balance of the power system PG at the reserved date and time. In S21, server 2 predicts the power supply and demand balance of the power system PG at the reserved date and time based on information about the actual power supply and demand in the power system PG and information about the reserved date and time transmitted from server 1. The actual power supply and demand information includes information about the transition of the power supply and demand balance in the power system PG and the history of DR implementation. For example, server 2 predicts the power supply and demand balance at the reserved date and time by referring to actual power supply and demand information under conditions similar to the reserved date and time in terms of season, weather, temperature, day of the week, etc. Note that the weather and temperature for the reserved date and time can be obtained from the Japan Meteorological Agency or other weather forecast services.

[0050] In S22, the server 2 transmits to the server 1 the information on the generated power supply and demand forecast for the power system PG.

[0051] In S13, the server 1 receives information relating to the power supply and demand forecast of the power system PG from the server 2. In S14, the server 1 creates a usage plan for the facility using the received power supply and demand forecast information. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the process of creating a usage plan (S14 in Figure 2).

[0052] As shown in FIG. 3, in S141, the server 1 predicts a time period for which participation in DR is requested (hereinafter also referred to as a "DR request time period") at the reserved date and time of use, based on information related to the power supply and demand forecast of the power system PG. The request for participation in DR includes the content of the requested power adjustment (e.g., downward DR or upward DR) and the DR period (DR start time and DR end time). An upward DR is basically a DR that requests an increase in demand. However, if the power adjustment resource that receives the request is a power generation facility, an upward DR may also request supply reduction from the power adjustment resource. On the other hand, a downward DR is a DR that requests demand reduction or reverse power flow.

[0053] In S142, the server 1 compares the reservation date and time with the DR request time slot predicted in S141, and determines whether the time slot during which the user will use the facility includes the DR request time slot. In S142, a YES determination is made if at least a part of the facility usage time slot includes the DR request time slot. On the other hand, if the facility usage time slot does not include the DR request time slot, or if there is no DR request time slot on the day of usage (i.e., DR will not be performed on the day of usage), a NO determination is made in S142.

[0054] If it is determined in S142 that the facility usage time period does not include the DR request time period (NO in S142), the server 1 proceeds to S146 and sets a time period during which the vehicle is to be externally charged (hereinafter also referred to as an "external charging time period"). S146 will be described later.

[0055] On the other hand, if it is determined in S142 that the facility usage time period includes the DR request time period (YES in S142), the server 1 sets a time period in which the vehicle used by the user can participate in DR (hereinafter also referred to as "DR participation time period") in S143. In S143, a time period that overlaps with the DR request time period among the facility usage time periods can be set as the DR participation time period.

[0056] Next, in S144, the server 1 calculates an incentive to be given to the user as compensation for the vehicle's participation in the DR. The incentive can include at least one of a benefit related to the use of the accommodation facility 4 or the entertainment facility 5, a benefit related to the use of other facilities in the vicinity of the accommodation facility 4 or the entertainment facility 5, and a benefit related to the use of public transportation. The benefit related to the use of the accommodation facility 4 or the entertainment facility 5 is, for example, a discount on the use fee of the accommodation facility 4 or the entertainment facility 5. The benefit related to the use of other facilities is, for example, a complimentary ticket (coupon) that can be used at a store in the vicinity of the accommodation facility 4 or the entertainment facility 5. The benefit related to the use of public transportation is, for example, a discount on the fare for a train or bus.

[0057] In this way, it is possible to encourage users to use the accommodation facilities 4, the entertainment facilities 5, and the surrounding facilities for the purpose of receiving incentives, thereby contributing to an increase in the profits of each facility. In addition, it is possible to encourage users to participate in DR of their vehicles for the purpose of receiving incentives, which enables the server 1 to efficiently adjust the power of the power system PG.

[0058] The server 1 may adjust the incentive depending on the type of vehicle participating in the DR. For example, if the vehicle participating in the DR is a rental car 8, the incentive may be larger than if the vehicle is a POV 7. This can encourage users to use the rental car 8 for the incentive, thereby increasing the number of users of the rental car 8 as well as the number of users of the accommodation facilities 4 and the entertainment facilities 5. This can contribute to increasing the profits of the rental car company 3.

[0059] In S145, the server 1 searches for a travel route for the user traveling from the facility during the DR participation time period. Since the vehicle is connected to the EVSE 14 and cannot be used during the DR participation time period, the server 1 searches for a travel route using public transportation such as a train or a bus. In S145, the server 1 searches for a travel route based on the user's activity schedule included in the usage reservation information, map information of the area 110 acquired in advance, the operation schedule of the public transportation, etc.

[0060] The server 1 sets an external charging time period in S146. In S146, the server 1 can set the external charging time period within a time period when the user uses the facility. However, if the time period when the facility is used includes a DR participation time period, the server 1 sets the external charging time period so that it does not overlap with the DR participation time period. For example, if the user uses the accommodation facility 4, the server 1 can set the external charging time period within a time period when the user is staying at the accommodation facility 4 and electricity rates are low (for example, late at night).

[0061] In S147, the server 1 calculates the amount of power to be supplied to the vehicle from the power grid PG during the external charging time period. In S147, the server 1 calculates the amount of power required to drive the vehicle from the planned driving distance for the next driving. The planned driving distance for the next driving can be obtained from the user's activity schedule. The server 1 calculates the amount of power required to drive the planned driving distance.

[0062] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the process (S147 in FIG. 3) for calculating the amount of power to be supplied to the vehicle during external charging.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 4, in S1471, the server 1 calculates a planned travel distance for the next travel of the vehicle after external charging, based on the user's action schedule included in the use reservation information.

[0064] At S1472, the server 1 calculates the amount of power required to travel the calculated planned travel distance. At S1472, for example, the amount of power can be calculated by dividing the planned travel distance (km) by the vehicle's electricity efficiency (km / kWh). The electricity efficiency may be an actual value based on the travel history of the vehicle (POV or rental car), or may be a value based on big data collected from vehicles of the same model as the vehicle.

[0065] In S1473, the server 1 determines whether or not the vehicle is scheduled to participate in a DR. If the facility usage time period includes the DR participation time period, a YES determination is made in S1473, and if the facility usage time period does not include the DR participation time period, a NO determination is made in S1473.

[0066] If it is determined that the vehicle is scheduled to participate in the DR (YES in S1473), the server 1 subsequently determines in S1474 whether the request to participate in the DR is a request for external power feeding.

[0067] If the request to participate in DR at S1474 is a request for external power supply (YES at S1474), the server 1 proceeds to S1475 and sets the amount of power to be supplied to the vehicle during external charging to be greater than the amount of power required for the next trip, calculated at S1472.

[0068] On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle is not scheduled to participate in DR (NO determination in S1473), or if the request to participate in DR is a request for external charging (NO determination in S1474), the server 1 sets, in S1476, the amount of power to be supplied to the vehicle during external charging to the amount of power required for the next trip, calculated in S1472.

[0069] In this way, when a vehicle is scheduled to participate in DR in response to a request for external power feeding, the vehicle can respond to the DR request by storing an amount of power in the vehicle that exceeds the amount of power required for the next trip during external charging, thereby allowing the vehicle user to obtain the above-mentioned incentive.

[0070] On the other hand, if the vehicle plans to participate in DR in response to a request for external charging, the vehicle can respond to the DR request within the range of charging by storing the amount of electricity required for the next trip in the vehicle during external charging. This allows the vehicle user to receive an incentive. Furthermore, even if the vehicle cannot participate in DR because the user fails to connect the vehicle to the EVSE 14 during the DR participation time slot, the vehicle can still travel because the amount of electricity required for the next trip has been stored in the vehicle.

[0071] Returning to FIG. 3, the server 1 creates a facility usage plan for the user to include the DR participation time period set in S143, the travel route searched in S145, the external charging time period set in S146, and the amount of power supply to the vehicle calculated in S147.

[0072] Returning to FIG. 2, the server 1 transmits the created usage plan to the user terminal 6. In S03, the user terminal 6 receives the usage plan from the server 1. In S04, the user terminal 6 displays the received usage plan on the touch panel display of the user terminal 6, thereby presenting the usage plan to the user.

[0073] In S05, the user terminal 6 determines whether or not the user has accepted the usage plan. If the touch panel display has accepted a user operation to select a usage plan, the determination in S05 is YES.

[0074] If the user accepts the usage plan (YES in S05), the user terminal 6 proceeds to S06 and grants the user an incentive set in the usage plan. In S06, as an incentive, for example, a discount coupon for the usage fee of the accommodation facility 4 or the entertainment facility 5, a complimentary ticket that can be used at other facilities (shops, etc.) around the accommodation facility 4 or the entertainment facility 5, and a discount coupon for train or bus fares are issued. On the other hand, if the user does not accept the usage plan (NO in S05), no incentive is granted, and therefore no discount coupon is issued.

[0075] <Example of usage plan> Next, a presentation example (display example) of the use plan obtained by the above-mentioned process will be described. A use plan in the case where the user makes a reservation for use of the accommodation facility 4 will be described as an example.

[0076] (1st display example) 5 is a diagram showing a first display example of a usage plan. The first display example shows usage plan A in which POV7 is used for travel between the departure point (home) and accommodation facility 4.

[0077] Usage plan A includes the usage date and time, events, POV7 power supply and demand information, and incentive information. In the example of Figure 5, the usage date and time of accommodation facility 4 is for two days. The events on the first day include travel from home to accommodation facility 4 and sightseeing at facilities around accommodation facility 4. Public transportation is used to travel to the surrounding facilities.

[0078] The power supply and demand information for the first day includes information on a DR request time period and a DR participation time period. The DR request time period is a time period during which participation in DR is requested and is predicted based on information related to the power supply and demand forecast of the power grid PG. The DR participation time period is a time period during which a vehicle can participate in DR and is set based on the DR request time period and the operating time period of the accommodation facility 4. In the example of FIG. 1, the DR participation time period is set after the time when POV7 arrives at the accommodation facility 4.

[0079] Since the user cannot use POV7 while it is participating in DR, a travel route using public transportation is shown. Incentives given for participating in DR include discount coupons for public transportation fares, complimentary tickets that can be used at nearby facilities (stores on Street A and Market B), and discount coupons for accommodation.

[0080] The power supply and demand information for the first day further includes information on the external charging time period and the amount of power to be supplied to the vehicle during the external charging time period. In the example of FIG. 5 , the external charging time period is set to a time period during which the user is staying at accommodation facility 4, that is, a late-night time period when electricity rates are low. The amount of power to be supplied to POV7 during external charging is set to be equal to or greater than the amount of power required for POV7 to travel the planned travel distance on the second day. The planned travel distance for POV7 on the second day corresponds to the travel distance from accommodation facility 4 to home. Note that if POV7 participates in DR in response to a request for external power feeding on the second day, the amount of power to be supplied to POV7 during external charging is set to be greater than the amount of power required for POV7 to travel from accommodation facility 4 to home, in order to enable POV7 to feed power to the power grid PG.

[0081] The events on the second day included sightseeing at the facilities (Park C) surrounding Accommodation 4 and traveling from Accommodation 4 to the home. As with the first day, on the second day, public transportation was used to travel between the surrounding facilities.

[0082] The electricity supply and demand information for the second day includes the DR request time period and the DR participation time period. As an incentive for DR participation, discount coupons for public transportation fares and admission fees to a facility (Park C) are given.

[0083] If POV7 participates in DR in response to a request for external power supply on the second day, the server 1 can control the amount of power supplied from POV7 to the power grid PG during the DR participation time period so that the amount of charge on POV7 does not fall below the amount of power required for driving from the accommodation facility 4 to the user's home. This makes it possible to secure the amount of power required for POV7's driving while supplying the remaining amount of power to the power grid PG. If an incentive is set according to the amount of power supplied to the power grid PG, the user may be able to obtain a high incentive.

[0084] (2nd display example) 6 is a diagram showing a second display example of a usage plan. The second display example shows usage plan B in which public transportation (the Shinkansen) is used to travel from the departure station (Station A) to the arrival station (Station B), and rental car 8 is used to travel from the arrival station (Station B) to entertainment facility 5 (C Land), and from entertainment facility 5 to accommodation facility 4.

[0085] Usage plan B includes the date and time of use, events, electricity supply and demand information for the rental car 8, and incentive information. In the example of FIG. 6, the date and time of use of accommodation facility 4 is for two days. The events on the first day include travel from the departure station (Station A) to entertainment facility 5 (C Land) 4, use of entertainment facility 5, and travel from entertainment facility 5 to accommodation facility 4.

[0086] The electricity supply and demand information for the first day includes information on the DR request time period and the DR participation time period. In the example of Fig. 6, the DR participation time period is set between the time when the rental car 8 arrives at the entertainment facility 5 and the time when the rental car 8 departs from the entertainment facility 5. As incentives given for participating in DR, discount coupons for the rental car 8 usage fee and discount coupons for the admission fee to the entertainment facility 5 are included.

[0087] The electricity supply and demand information for the first day further includes information about the external charging time slot and the amount of electricity to be supplied to the vehicle during the external charging time slot. In the example of FIG. 6, the external charging time slot is set to a time slot during which the user is staying at the accommodation facility 4, that is, a late-night time slot when electricity rates are low. The amount of electricity to be supplied to the rental car 8 during external charging is set to be equal to or greater than the amount of electricity required for the rental car 8 to travel the planned distance on the second day. The planned distance on the second day for the rental car 8 corresponds to the sum of the distance traveled from the accommodation facility 4 to a nearby facility (Market D) and the distance traveled from the facility to Station B. When participating in DR in response to a request for external power supply on the second day, the amount of electricity to be supplied to the rental car 8 during the external charging time slot is set to be greater than the amount of electricity required for the distance traveled on the second day.

[0088] The events on the second day include travel to a facility (Market D) near Accommodation 4, sightseeing at the facility, travel from the facility to Station B, and travel from Station B to Station A.

[0089] The electricity supply and demand information for the second day includes a DR request time period and a DR participation time period. As an incentive for DR participation, a coupon (e.g., a discount coupon for meals and shopping) that can be used at the facility (D market) is given.

[0090] If the rental car 8 participates in DR in response to a request for external power supply on the second day, the server 1 can control the amount of power supplied from the rental car 8 to the power grid PG during the DR participation time period so that the amount of charge in the rental car 8 does not fall below the amount of power required to travel from the facility (market D) to station B. In this way, it is possible to ensure the amount of power required for the rental car 8 to travel while supplying the remaining amount of power to the power grid PG. If an incentive is set according to the amount of power supplied to the power grid PG, the user may be able to obtain a high incentive.

[0091] As described above, according to the server 1 and the power adjustment system 100 of the present embodiment, when a user makes a reservation for use of an accommodation facility 4 or an entertainment facility 5, by presenting to the user a usage plan that includes participation of the vehicle used by the user in DR, it is possible to increase the opportunities for the vehicle used by the user to participate in DR. Furthermore, by providing an incentive to a user who accepts the usage plan, it is possible to encourage the vehicle to participate in DR. This makes it possible to increase the number of vehicles participating in DR, thereby enabling efficient power adjustment in the power grid.

[0092] In addition, by providing incentives to users who agree to participate in DR, the use of accommodation facilities 4 and entertainment facilities 5 by users for the purpose of receiving the incentives is encouraged, thereby increasing the number of users of accommodation facilities 4 and entertainment facilities 5.

[0093] Furthermore, by granting users at least one of the following incentives: benefits for using the accommodation facility 4 and the entertainment facility 5; benefits for using other facilities around the accommodation facility 4 and the entertainment facility 5; and benefits for using public transportation, the use of other facilities around the accommodation facility 4 and the entertainment facility 5 by users can also be encouraged as an incentive.

[0094] Furthermore, when the vehicle used by the user is a rental car 8, the incentive is made larger than when the vehicle is a POV7, thereby promoting the use of the rental car 8.

[0095] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1,2 Server, 3 Car rental agency, 4 Accommodation facility, 5 Entertainment facility, 6 User terminal, 7 Vehicle (POV), 8 Vehicle (rental car), 10 Control device, 11 Storage device, 12 Communication device, 14 EVSE, 70,80 HMI, 100 Power conditioning system, 110 Area, PG Power system.

Claims

1. A server that manages a plurality of power regulation resources electrically connected to a power grid, the plurality of power regulation resources include power equipment installed in a facility and configured to be able to feed power from vehicles to the power grid and charge the vehicles from the power grid; The server a processor; a memory that stores a program executable by the processor; When receiving input of reservation information for using the facility from a user of the vehicle, the processor executes the following steps in accordance with the program: predicting the balance of power supply and demand in the power grid at the reservation date and time for use of the facility; When it is predicted that a demand response (DR) for adjusting the balance between supply and demand of electricity will be carried out at the reserved date and time, a facility usage plan is created and presented to the user so as to include participation of the vehicle in the DR using the power equipment; When the user accepts the usage plan, an incentive is given to the user; The processor: Based on the reservation information, a travel route using public transportation during the time period when the vehicle participates in the DR is searched for; A server that includes, in the usage plan, information on a time period during which the vehicle participates in the DR, information on the incentive for the participation, and information on the searched travel route.

2. The server of claim 1 , wherein the processor increases the incentive when the vehicle is a rental car compared to when the vehicle is owned by the user.

3. The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the incentive includes at least one of a reward for using the facility, a reward for using other facilities around the facility, and a reward for using public transportation.

4. The processor: calculating an amount of electricity required to run the vehicle from a planned running distance of the vehicle acquired from the usage plan; The server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the server sets the amount of power to be supplied from the power grid to the vehicle so as to be equal to or greater than the calculated amount of power.

5. When the vehicle participates in the DR at the use reservation date and time and the DR is power supply from the vehicle to the power grid, the processor: The server according to claim 4 , wherein the amount of power supplied from the power grid to the vehicle is set to be greater than the amount of power required for running the vehicle.

6. 6. The server according to claim 5, wherein, when the DR is power supply from the vehicle to the power grid, the processor controls the amount of power supplied from the vehicle to the power grid within a range in which the amount of charge of the vehicle does not fall below the calculated amount of power.

7. a plurality of power conditioning resources electrically connected to a power grid; a server that manages the plurality of power adjustment resources; the plurality of power regulation resources include power equipment installed in a facility and configured to be able to feed power from vehicles to the power grid and charge the vehicles from the power grid; When receiving input of reservation information for using the facility from the user of the vehicle, the server predicting the balance of power supply and demand in the power grid at the reservation date and time for use of the facility; when it is predicted that DR for adjusting the balance between power supply and demand will be carried out at the reserved date and time, a usage plan for the facility is created and presented to the user so as to include participation of the vehicle in the DR using the power equipment; When the user accepts the usage plan, an incentive is given to the user; The server Based on the reservation information, a travel route using public transportation during the time period when the vehicle participates in the DR is searched for; The power regulation system includes, in the usage plan, information on a time period during which the vehicle participates in the DR, information on the incentive for the participation, and information on the searched travel route.

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