Power Management System

Abstract

To increase a possibility that a transaction in an electric power market is established even when it is difficult to secure such charge-discharge power that satisfies a demand.SOLUTION: A server 30 of a lower-level aggregator E3 proposes an alternative plan to a server E2 of a higher-level aggregator 20 when charge-discharge possible power (adaptable power) collected from a DER (a power adjustment resource) does not satisfy a request plan (S33).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power management system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, attention has been focused on virtual power plants (VPPs) that integrate and control multiple distributed energy resources (DERs) as if they were a single power plant in order to maintain a balance between supply and demand of electricity supplied from the power grid. JP 2020-156149 A (Patent Document 1) discloses that, to meet the needs of electric utilities, an aggregator's server communicates with a consumer's energy management system (e.g., a home energy management system (HEMS)) via an energy management system (EMS) network, and charges and discharges the battery installed in an electric vehicle, thereby utilizing the vehicle's battery as a DER. [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] In the VPP system of Patent Document 1, the aggregator acquires data on the specifications and usage status of the battery installed in the electric vehicle, and uses this data to formulate an operation plan for the battery and control the charging and discharging of the battery.

[0005] In this way, for example, if an operation plan for a battery is formulated using data from the battery, the amount of charging and discharging may be insufficient, and the aggregator may not be able to secure enough charging and discharging power to meet the demands of the electric power company, which may result in transactions not being concluded in the electricity market.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to increase the possibility of a transaction being concluded in the electricity market even when it is not possible to secure charging / discharging power that meets the request. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A power management method according to the present disclosure is a power management method for controlling a plurality of power regulation resources electrically connectable to a power grid. The power management method aggregates chargeable and dischargeable power of the power regulation resources based on a request plan requested by the power grid, and when the aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan, creates an alternative plan and inquires whether or not to control the power regulation resources based on the alternative plan.

[0008] According to this method, the chargeable and dischargeable power of power regulation resources is aggregated based on a request plan requested by the power grid. If the aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not meet the request plan, an alternative plan is created and control of the power regulation resources based on the alternative plan is proposed. If the proposed alternative plan is accepted, a transaction in the electricity market is concluded, thereby increasing the possibility of a transaction in the electricity market being concluded compared to when an alternative plan is not proposed.

[0009] Preferably, the request plan may be requested by an aggregation coordinator, and the aggregation of the chargeable and dischargeable power of the power adjustment resources may be executed by a resource aggregator. When the aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan, it may be determined whether the chargeable and dischargeable power satisfies the request plan when a power storage device owned by the resource aggregator is used as a power adjustment resource, and when the chargeable and dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan even when the power storage device is used as a power adjustment resource, an alternative plan may be created and a proposal may be made to control the power adjustment resources based on the alternative plan.

[0010] A resource aggregator is a business that directly concludes a VPP service contract with consumers who are the holders of power regulation resources and controls the power regulation resources. An aggregation coordinator is a business that aggregates the power controlled by the resource aggregator and directly trades power with electric power companies (power generation companies, power transmission and distribution companies, etc.) that manage the power grid.

[0011] According to this method, when the aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan requested by the aggregation coordinator, it is determined whether the chargeable / dischargeable power satisfies the request plan when a power storage device owned by the resource aggregator is used as a power adjustment resource. If the chargeable / dischargeable power satisfies the request plan when a power storage device owned by the resource aggregator is used as a power adjustment resource, the request of the aggregation coordinator can be met, thereby increasing the likelihood of a transaction being concluded in the electricity market. Furthermore, even when a power storage device is used as a power adjustment resource, if the chargeable / dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan, control of the power adjustment resource based on an alternative plan is proposed. If the proposed alternative plan is accepted, a transaction is concluded in the electricity market. This increases the likelihood of a transaction being concluded in the electricity market compared to when an alternative plan is not proposed.

[0012] Preferably, when aggregating the chargeable and dischargeable power of a power adjustment resource based on a request plan requested by the power grid, if the power adjustment resource is an on-board power storage device mounted on a vehicle, the chargeable and dischargeable power is aggregated taking into account the limitations of the on-board power storage device, and if the aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not meet the request plan, the limitations of the on-board power storage device are relaxed and the chargeable and dischargeable power is aggregated again, and if the re-aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not meet the request plan, an alternative plan is created and control of the power adjustment resource based on the alternative plan is proposed.

[0013] On-board power storage devices used as power sources for vehicles are subject to limitations on charging and discharging, such as the amount of storage required by the vehicle's driving plan (travel schedule) and the frequency (number of times a relay is activated) of a relay to protect a system main relay. According to this method, when aggregating the chargeable and dischargeable power of a power regulation resource based on a request plan requested from a power grid, if the power regulation resource is an on-board power storage device mounted on a vehicle, the chargeable and dischargeable power is aggregated taking into account the limitations of the on-board power storage device. If the aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan, the limitations of the on-board power storage device are relaxed and the chargeable and dischargeable power is re-aggregated. If the re-aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power satisfies the request plan, the request can be met, increasing the likelihood of a transaction being concluded in the electricity market. Furthermore, if the re-aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan, control of the power regulation resource based on an alternative plan is proposed. If the proposed alternative plan is accepted, a transaction is concluded in the electricity market. This increases the likelihood of a transaction being concluded in the electricity market compared to a case where an alternative plan is not proposed.

[0014] The power management system disclosed herein is a power management system that controls multiple power adjustment resources that can be electrically connected to a power grid, and includes a first server that formulates a request plan based on an adjustment amount requested from the power grid, and a second server that acquires the request plan formulated by the first server and issues charging and discharging commands to the power adjustment resources. The second server aggregates the chargeable and dischargeable power of the power adjustment resources based on the request plan, and when the aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan, creates an alternative plan and proposes control of the power adjustment resources based on the alternative plan to the first server.

[0015] According to this configuration, the second server aggregates the chargeable and dischargeable power of the power adjustment resources based on the request plan formulated by the first server. When the aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not meet the request plan, the second server creates an alternative plan and proposes control of the power adjustment resources based on the alternative plan to the first server. If the alternative plan proposal is accepted, a transaction in the electricity market is concluded, thereby increasing the possibility of a transaction in the electricity market being concluded compared to when an alternative plan is not proposed.

[0016] Preferably, the second server is a server managed by a resource aggregator, and the power management system further includes a power storage device owned by the resource aggregator. When the aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power does not satisfy the requested plan, the second server determines whether the chargeable / dischargeable power satisfies the requested plan when the power storage device is used as a power adjustment resource, and when the chargeable / dischargeable power does not satisfy the requested plan even when the power storage device is used as a power adjustment resource, creates an alternative plan and proposes to the first server control of the power adjustment resource based on the alternative plan.

[0017] According to this configuration, when a power storage device owned by a resource aggregator is used as a power adjustment resource, if the chargeable / dischargeable power satisfies the request plan, the request of the power grid can be met, increasing the likelihood of a transaction being concluded in the power market. Also, even when a power storage device is used as a power adjustment resource, if the chargeable / dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan, control of the power adjustment resource based on an alternative plan is proposed, and if the proposed alternative plan is accepted, a transaction is concluded in the power market. Therefore, compared to when an alternative plan is not proposed, the likelihood of a transaction being concluded in the power market can be increased.

[0018] Preferably, when aggregating the chargeable and dischargeable power of the power adjustment resource based on the request plan, if the power adjustment resource is an on-board power storage device mounted on a vehicle, the second server aggregates the chargeable and dischargeable power taking into account the limitations of the on-board power storage device, and if the aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan, relaxes the limitations of the on-board power storage device and re-aggregates the chargeable and dischargeable power, and if the re-aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan, creates an alternative plan and proposes to the first server control of the power adjustment resource based on the alternative plan.

[0019] According to this configuration, if the re-aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power satisfies the request plan, the request can be met, increasing the possibility of a transaction being concluded in the electricity market. Also, if the re-aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power does not satisfy the request plan, control of the power adjustment resource based on an alternative plan is proposed, and if the proposed alternative plan is accepted, a transaction is concluded in the electricity market, thereby increasing the possibility of a transaction being concluded in the electricity market compared to when an alternative plan is not proposed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present disclosure, even if it is not possible to secure charge / discharge power that satisfies the request, it is possible to increase the possibility of a transaction being concluded in the electricity market. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a power management system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a server and an electric vehicle managed by a lower-level aggregator. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of a power management method according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of a power management method according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 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.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a power management system 1 according to this embodiment. The power management system 1 of this embodiment is a VPP system. A VPP system is a mechanism that bundles a large number of DERs using advanced energy management technology that utilizes IoT (Internet of Things) and performs remote and integrated control of these DERs to make them function as if they were a single power plant. In the power management system 1 of this embodiment, a vehicle equipped with a power storage device is used as the DER. The power storage device installed in the vehicle is a DER and is an example of the "power adjustment resource" of the present disclosure.

[0024] The power management system 1 includes a plurality of electric vehicles and a plurality of power supply devices (EVSE: Electric Vehicle Service Equipment). The number of electric vehicles and EVSE included in the power management system 1 is each independently arbitrary and may be 10 or more, or may be 100 or more. The power management system 1 may include at least one of a non-public EVSE (for example, a home EVSE) that can only be used by specific users, and a public EVSE that can be used by an unspecified number of users.

[0025] The power management system 1 includes a power company E1, an upper level aggregator E2, and a lower level aggregator E3. The power company E1 serves as a power generation company, a power transmission and distribution company, an electricity retailer, etc. The power company E1 is the administrator of the power grid PG. The lower level aggregator E3 is a resource aggregator that directly concludes a VPP service contract with consumers who own power adjustment resources and controls resources (DERs). The upper level aggregator E2 is, for example, an aggregation coordinator that aggregates the power controlled by the resource aggregator (lower level aggregator) E3 and trades power directly with the power company E1. The upper level aggregator E2 receives a DR (Demand Response) request from the power company E1, formulates a DR request plan, and transmits the DR request plan to the lower level aggregator E3.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 30 and the electric vehicle 50 managed by the lower aggregator (resource aggregator) E3. Fig. 2 shows the relationship between the power grid PG, the smart meter 13, the server 30, the EVSE 40, the electric vehicle 50, the EMS network 60, and the HEMS 70. The server 30 corresponds to an example of the "second server" in the present disclosure.

[0027] The electrically powered vehicle 50 is configured to be able to run using electric power stored in a power storage device (battery) 100. The electrically powered vehicle 50 according to this embodiment is an electric vehicle (BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle) that does not have an engine (internal combustion engine), but may also be a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV: Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). The battery 100 is configured, for example, by a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. The battery 100 is an example of an "on-vehicle power storage device" of the present disclosure.

[0028] The electric vehicle 50 includes an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 110. The ECU 110 is configured to control charging and discharging of the battery 100. The electric vehicle 50 includes a monitoring module (not shown) that monitors the state of the battery 100. The monitoring module includes various sensors that detect the state of the battery 100 (for example, voltage, current, and temperature) and outputs the detection results to the ECU 110. Note that the monitoring module may be a BMS (Battery Management System) that has, in addition to the above sensor functions, a SOC (State Of Charge) estimation function, a SOH (State of Health) estimation function, a cell voltage equalization function, a diagnostic function, and a communication function.

[0029] The electric vehicle 50 includes an inlet 120 and a charge / discharge circuit 130 for charging and discharging the battery 100. The inlet 120 is configured to exchange electric power with the outside of the electric vehicle 50. The inlet 120 is configured to be connectable to a connector 45 of a charge / discharge cable 44. When the connector 45 of the charge / discharge cable 44 connected to the main body of the EVSE 40 is connected (plugged in) to the inlet 120 of the electric vehicle 50, the electric vehicle 50 enters a state in which it can be charged and discharged (i.e., a state in which it can exchange electric power with the EVSE 40).

[0030] The EVSE 40 of this embodiment is a power supply device compatible with V2G (Vehicle to Grid) (or V2H (Vehicle to Home)), and converts AC power supplied from a power grid PG into DC power to charge the battery 100. The EVSE 40 is also capable of converting DC power discharged from the battery 100 into AC power and supplying it to the power grid PG (reverse power flow). The EVSE 40 includes a control unit 41, a communication unit 42, a power supply circuit 43, and a charge / discharge cable 44. The control unit 41, the communication unit 42, and the power supply circuit 43 are provided in the main body of the EVSE 40. The charge / discharge cable 44 is connected to the main body of the EVSE 40. The charge / discharge cable 44 may be always connected to the main body of the EVSE 40, or may be detachable from the main body of the EVSE 40. The charge / discharge cable 44 has a connector 45 at its tip and includes a power line inside. The control unit 41 controls the communication unit 42 and the power supply circuit 43.

[0031] The power system PG is a power network provided by the power company E1. The power system PG is electrically connected to a plurality of EVSEs (including the EVSE 40) and supplies AC power to each EVSE. The smart meter 13 is configured to measure the amount of power every predetermined time (for example, every 30 minutes), store the measured amount of power, and transmit it to a server 10 (see FIG. 1) managed by the power company E1. The smart meter 13 also transmits the measured amount of power to a server 30 managed by a lower-level aggregator E3.

[0032] The server 30 managed by the lower aggregator E3 communicates with the electric vehicle 50 and the HEMS 70 via the EMS network 60. The EMS network 60 may be a dedicated line or an internet line such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A communication device 140 mounted on the electric vehicle 50 communicates with the server 30 via the EMS network 60. The communication device 140 is configured to communicate with a communication unit 42 of the EVSE 40 via a charge / discharge cable 44. Any communication method may be used between the EVSE 40 and the electric vehicle 50, and may be, for example, a Controller Area Network (CAN) or a Control Pilot Line (CPLT) communication employing Power Line Communication (PLC). The communication between the electric vehicle 50 and the EVSE 40 may be wireless communication using Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. The communication unit 42 and the communication device 140, which communicate between the EVSE 40 and the electric vehicle 50, correspond to an example of a "second communication device" in the present disclosure.

[0033] The server 30 is configured to include a control device 31, a storage device 32, and a communication device 33. The control device 31 includes a processor and a memory, and is configured to perform predetermined information processing and control the communication device 33. The storage device 32 is configured to be able to store various types of information. The communication device 33 includes various communication I / Fs, and is configured to communicate with the outside via the EMS network 60.

[0034] The HEMS 70 is a controller that controls home electric appliances in a home, and in this embodiment, controls the EVSE 40 based on a DR command (charge / discharge command) from the server 30, thereby controlling the charge / discharge of the battery 100. In this embodiment, the EVSE 40 is a non-public EVSE (for example, a home EVSE) that can be used only by specific users, and therefore the HEMS 70 is used. If the EVSE 40 is a public EVSE that can be used by an unspecified number of users, a Factory Energy Management System (FEMS) or a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) installed in a business establishment (for example, a factory or commercial facility) may be used instead of the HEMS 70.

[0035] The HEMS 70 includes a control device 71, a storage device 72, and a communication device 73. The control device 71 includes a processor and memory, and is configured to perform predetermined information processing and control the communication device 73. The storage device 72 is configured to be able to store various types of information. The communication device 73 includes various communication I / Fs and is configured to communicate with the outside world via the EMS network 60. The communication device 73 is also connected to the communication unit 42 of the EVSE 40 via a LAN, and the HEMS 70 also functions as a gateway device that relays between the EMS network 60 and the LAN (relays between the server 30 and the EVSE 40). The LAN may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN using Wi-Fi.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1 , electric power company E1 constructs a power grid (power system PG shown in FIG. 1 ) by a power plant 11 and power transmission and distribution equipment 12, and maintains and manages the power system PG by a server 10. The power plant 11 includes a power generation device and is configured to supply power generated by the power generation device to the power transmission and distribution equipment 12. The power generation method of the power plant 11 is arbitrary. The power generation method of the power plant 11 may be any of thermal power generation, hydroelectric power generation, wind power generation, nuclear power generation, and solar power generation. The power transmission and distribution equipment 12 includes transmission lines, substations, and distribution lines, and is configured to transmit and distribute the power supplied from the power plant 11.

[0037] The power company E1 can adjust the power of the power system PG by working with the aggregator. The upper aggregator (aggregation coordinator) E2 operates and manages the server 20. The lower aggregator (resource aggregator) E3 operates and manages a server (e.g., servers 30, 30A, 30B) for each business operator. The server 20 managed by the upper aggregator (aggregation coordinator) E2 corresponds to an example of the "first server" in the present disclosure. Note that the configuration of the server 20 is almost the same as that of the server 30, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] In FIG. 1 , the electric vehicle 50A and the EVSE 40A have almost the same configuration as the electric vehicle 50 and the EVSE 40. The EVSE 40A is connected to the power grid PG via a smart meter 13A. The EVSE 40A is not connected to the server 30 via a HEMS or the like, and the charging and discharging of the battery is controlled by (the ECU of) the electric vehicle 50A based on a DR command (charge / discharge command) from the server 30. In addition, a solar power generation device 90 is electrically connectably provided to the power grid PG, and the solar power generation device 90 is capable of communicating with the server 30. The solar power generation device 90 is one type of DER and may be an example of the "power adjustment resource" of the present disclosure. The solar power generation device 90 may also include a power storage device. The electric vehicle 50 (EVSE 40, HEMS 70), the electric vehicle 50A (EVSE 40A), and the solar power generation device 90 are owned by respective consumers, and each consumer has concluded a VPP service contract with the lower aggregator E3 that operates (manages) the server 30. The power storage device 80 is a DER owned by the lower aggregator E3 that operates (manages) the server 30, and is electrically connectable to the power grid PG.

[0039] In this embodiment, the server 10 of the electric power company E1 issues a DR request to the server 20 of the upper aggregator E2 based on the power demand forecast of the power grid PG, specifying the time period (date and time) for executing DR and the amount of charge and discharge power. When power demand is tight, a downward DR request is issued, and when there is surplus power, an upward DR request is issued. The server 20 of the upper aggregator E2 formulates a DR request plan based on the DR request from the server 10. Then, the server 20 transmits the DR request plan to the servers 30, 30A, and 30B of the lower aggregator E3. The DR request plans transmitted to the servers 30, 30A, and 30B may be the same DR request plan. Alternatively, a DR request plan may be created according to the business scale of the lower aggregator (resource aggregator) E3, and the DR request plan according to the business scale may be transmitted to the servers 30, 30A, and 30B. The DR request plan may include the time period (date and time) for executing DR and the amount of charge and discharge power.

[0040] The servers 30, 30A, and 30B of the lower aggregator E3 transmit DR request values ​​to contracted consumers, taking into consideration the characteristics and capabilities (scale) of each consumer's DER. The DR request value is, for example, a time period for performing DR and the charge / discharge power. Since the processes executed by the servers 30, 30A, and 30B are similar, an example of the server 30 will be described below. Referring to FIG. 2 , when the HEMS 70 receives information about the DR request value via the EMS network 60, it determines whether the electric vehicle 50 can respond to the DR request. For example, the EVSE 40 communicates with the electric vehicle 50 to acquire vehicle information such as the electric vehicle 50's planned activities (such as departure date and time) and the SOC of the battery 100. The EVSE 40 transmits the acquired vehicle information to the HEMS 40. The HEMS 40 determines whether it can respond to the DR request transmitted from the server 30 based on the received vehicle information. If it can respond to the DR request, the HEMS 40 transmits participation information and the chargeable / dischargeable power to the server 30. If it is difficult to respond to the DR request, participation or non-participation information is transmitted to the server 30. Note that the electric vehicle 50 (ECU 110) may determine whether to respond to the DR request through communication between the electric vehicle 50 and the server 30, and transmit information such as whether to participate or not to the server 30. Also, the consumer may check the DR request information displayed on a display device (not shown) of the HEMS 70 or a display device (not shown) of the electric vehicle 50, and transmit whether to participate in DR at the consumer's discretion.

[0041] When the server 30 of the lower aggregator E3 receives information on whether or not it can participate in DR from all of the contracted consumers, it aggregates the chargeable and dischargeable power. For example, the server 30 calculates the available power by adding up the chargeable and dischargeable power of each DER that can participate in DR. The available power corresponds to an example of the "aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power" in the present disclosure. If the chargeable and dischargeable power (available power) aggregated by the server 30 is less than the chargeable and dischargeable power (request value) in the DR request plan, the lower aggregator E3 cannot secure the chargeable and dischargeable power that satisfies the request of the upper aggregator E2, making it difficult for the lower aggregator E3 to conclude a transaction with the upper aggregator E2.

[0042] In this embodiment, if the available power (chargeable and dischargeable power aggregated by the server 30) does not meet the DR request plan, the lower aggregator E3 creates an alternative plan and proposes the created alternative plan to the upper aggregator E2 (server 20). If the alternative plan is acceptable to the upper aggregator E2, the lower aggregator E3 can conclude a transaction with the upper aggregator E2, thereby increasing the possibility of concluding a transaction in the electricity market.

[0043] Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an example of a power management method in this embodiment. The processing according to this flowchart is executed in cooperation with the server 20 of the upper aggregator E2, the server 30 of the lower aggregator E3, and a control unit (for example, the HEMS 70 or the ECU of the electric vehicle 50A) of a DER owned by a consumer that has concluded a VPP service contract with the lower aggregator E3 that operates the server 30. Note that in Figures 3 and 4, the determination steps in the control unit of the DER owned by the consumer are omitted.

[0044] When the server 20 of the upper aggregator E2 receives a DR request from the server 10 of the electric power company E1, in step (hereinafter, step will be abbreviated as "S") 1, it creates a DR request plan and transmits the created DR request plan to the server 30 of the lower aggregator E3. The DR request plan may include a time period (date and time) for executing DR and the requested charge and discharge power, for example, 30 minutes as one time period, and the charge and discharge power for each time period. In the case of an upward DR request, the charge and discharge power is the charge power (power consumption) of each consumer. In this embodiment, in the case of a downward DR request, reverse power flow aggregation (positive watt aggregation) is requested, and the requested charge and discharge power is the discharge power (power generation power) of the DER of each consumer.

[0045] When the server 30 of the lower aggregator E3 receives the DR request plan transmitted from the server 20, a positive determination is made in S20, and a DR request value is calculated in S21. The DR request value is calculated for each DER, taking into consideration the characteristics and capacity (scale) of the DER of the contracted consumer. Next, in S22, the calculated DR request value is transmitted to the control unit of the DER of each consumer. Upon receiving the DR request value, the control unit of the DER of each consumer calculates the chargeable and dischargeable power. If the DER is a battery (on-board storage battery) mounted on an electric vehicle, various restrictions are taken into account when calculating the chargeable and dischargeable power, and the possibility of participation in DR and the chargeable and dischargeable power are calculated. For example, when the HEMS 70 receives the DR request value and calculates the chargeable / dischargeable power of the battery 100, it calculates whether or not to participate in DR and the chargeable / dischargeable power taking into account restriction items such as the planned behavior of the electric vehicle 50 (departure date and time, SOC required at departure, etc.), the current SOC, the operation frequency (number of times the system main relay has been operated), and the upper limit values ​​of input / output power (upper limit values ​​of input / output current). Subsequently, in S51, the HEMS 70 transmits whether or not to participate and the calculated chargeable / dischargeable power to the server 30.

[0046] The server 30 receives from the control unit of the DER of each consumer whether or not the consumer can participate in DR and the chargeable and dischargeable power. When the server 30 receives the participation information and the chargeable and dischargeable power from all consumers, a positive determination is made in S23, and the available power is calculated in S24. The available power is the sum of the chargeable and dischargeable power of each DER that can participate in DR, and corresponds to an example of the "aggregated available chargeable and dischargeable power" in the present disclosure. In S25, the server 30 determines whether the available power satisfies the DR request plan received in S20. If the available power satisfies the DR request plan, a positive determination is made and the process proceeds to S36. If the available power is smaller than the charge and discharge power requested in the DR request plan and the available power does not satisfy the DR request plan, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to S26.

[0047] In S26, the available power when participating in DR using the power storage device 80 owned by the lower aggregator E3 that operates (manages) the server 30 is calculated. The available power when using the power storage device 80 is calculated by adding the available power calculated in S24 to the available power that can be charged and discharged by the power storage device 80.

[0048] In the next S27, the server 30 determines whether the available power calculated in S26 satisfies the DR request plan received in S20. If the available power calculated in S26 satisfies the DR request plan, a positive determination is made and the process proceeds to S36. If the available power calculated in S26 does not satisfy the DR request plan, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to S28.

[0049] In S28, the server 30 transmits a request to recalculate the chargeable / dischargeable power to the control unit of the DER, which is an on-board power storage device and has transmitted a DR participation acceptance. For example, the server 30 transmits a request to recalculate the chargeable / dischargeable power to the HEMS 70. Upon receiving the request to recalculate the chargeable power, the HEMS 70 calculates the chargeable / dischargeable power by relaxing the restriction items in S52. The relaxation of the restriction items is performed, for example, by canceling or relaxing the restriction items set in advance by the consumer (user of the electric vehicle 50). For example, a user who can tolerate the progression of deterioration of the system main relay to a certain extent may set the restriction on the system main relay's operation frequency (number of times of operation) to be removed. If the user can tolerate a temperature rise in the battery 100, the user may set the input / output power upper limit (input / output current upper limit) to a large value to relax the restriction items. After the restriction items are relaxed and the chargeable / dischargeable power is calculated, the calculated chargeable / dischargeable power is transmitted to the server 30 in S53.

[0050] When the server 30 receives the chargeable / dischargeable power calculated by relaxing the restriction items from all consumers that have requested recalculation of the available power, a positive determination is made in S29, and the server 30 recalculates the available power in S30. The recalculation of the available power is performed by replacing the chargeable / dischargeable power received in S23 from the consumers that have requested recalculation of the chargeable power, which is included in the available power calculated in S26, with the chargeable / dischargeable power received in S29 and calculated by relaxing the restriction items. The available power recalculated in S30 corresponds to an example of the "re-aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power" of the present disclosure.

[0051] In S31, the server 30 determines whether the available power recalculated in S30 satisfies the DR request plan received in S20. If the available power recalculated in S30 satisfies the DR request plan, a positive determination is made and the process proceeds to S36. If the available power recalculated in S30 does not satisfy the DR request plan, a negative determination is made and the process proceeds to S32.

[0052] In S32, the server 30 creates an alternative plan. The alternative plan is created based on the charge / discharge power that the lower aggregator E3 can handle, and the charge / discharge power that can be handled may be, for example, the handleable power calculated in S24, the handleable power calculated in S26, or the handleable power recalculated in S30. The alternative plan is a plan for charge / discharge control of DERs owned by consumers who have contracts with the lower aggregator E3 that operates (manages) the server 30. In S33, the alternative plan created in S32 is sent to the server 20, where it is proposed to the upper aggregator E2.

[0053] In S36, the server 30 transmits to the server 20 that it can accommodate the DR request plan. When the server 20 of the upper aggregator E2 receives that it can accommodate, it makes a positive determination in S2 and proceeds to S7. When the server 20 receives the alternative plan from the server 30, it makes a positive determination in S3 and proceeds to S4. In S4, it determines whether the alternative plan received in S3 is acceptable, and if the alternative plan is acceptable, it makes a positive determination and proceeds to S7. If the alternative plan cannot be accepted, it makes a negative determination in S4 and proceeds to S5.

[0054] In S5, the server 20 reviews the DR request plan transmitted to the server 30 in S1, creates a DR re-request plan, and then proceeds to S6 to transmit the DR re-request plan to the server 30. The DR re-request plan may request charging / discharging power that is lower than the charging / discharging power of the alternative plan received in S3, and may be generated by taking into account the charging / discharging power that can be handled by another lower aggregator E3 (the lower aggregator E3 that operates the servers 30A and 30B).

[0055] When the DR re-request plan is transmitted from the server 20, the server 30 that has received the DR re-request plan executes the processes from S20 onwards for the DR re-request plan in the same way as for the DR request plan.

[0056] In S7, the server 20 transmits to the server 30 a notification that a transaction has been concluded between the upper aggregator E2 and the lower aggregator E3 that operates the server 30 and that a contract has been concluded. When the server 30 receives from the server 20 that a contract has been concluded, it makes a positive determination in S34 and proceeds to S35. In S35, it transmits a notification that a transaction has been concluded and that a contract has been concluded to the control unit of the DER that transmitted the DR participation acceptance. In S54, the control unit of the DER detects that a transaction has been concluded and that a contract has been concluded, and waits for control of the DER (power adjustment resource) based on the DR information that is scheduled thereafter.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the lower aggregator E3 (its server 30) aggregates the chargeable and dischargeable power of DERs (power regulation resources) based on a request plan requested by the power system PG (power company E1, upper aggregator E2) (S23, S24). Then, if the aggregated chargeable and dischargeable power (capable power) does not meet the request plan (negative determination in S25), an alternative plan is created (S32) and control of the DERs based on the alternative plan is proposed (S33). If the proposed alternative plan is accepted, a transaction is concluded between the lower aggregator E3 and the upper aggregator E2, which increases the possibility of a transaction being concluded in the electricity market compared to when an alternative plan is not proposed.

[0058] In this embodiment, when the aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power (available power) does not satisfy the requested plan, it is determined whether the available power satisfies the requested plan when the power storage device 80 owned by the lower aggregator E3 that operates (manages) the server 30 is used as a DER (power adjustment resource) (S26, 27). If the available power satisfies the requested plan when the power storage device 80 is used as a power adjustment resource, the request of the upper aggregator E2 can be met, and therefore the possibility of a transaction between the lower aggregator E3 and the upper aggregator E2 being concluded increases.

[0059] In this embodiment, when aggregating chargeable / dischargeable power, if the DER (power regulation resource) is a battery 100 mounted on an electric vehicle, the chargeable / dischargeable power is calculated taking into account the limitations of the battery 100 (S50). If the aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power (capable power) does not satisfy the requested plan, the limitations of the battery 100 are relaxed and the chargeable / dischargeable power is re-aggregated (S52, S53, S30). If the re-aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power satisfies the requested plan (positive determination in S31), the request can be met, and therefore the possibility of a transaction being concluded between the lower-level aggregator E3 and the upper-level aggregator E2 increases.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the processes of S5 and S6 may be omitted, and if the alternative plan is not accepted by the server 20, the transaction between the lower-level aggregator E3 and the higher-level aggregator E2 may not be concluded.

[0061] In the above embodiment, the processes of S26 and S27 may be omitted, and the processes of S28 to S31, S52, and S53 may be omitted. Also, in the above embodiment, the processes of S26 to S31, S52, and S53 may be omitted. Furthermore, the processes of S28 to S31 may be executed following S25, and S26 and S27 may be executed after S31.

[0062] 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 description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1 Power management system, 10 Server, 11 Power plant, 12 Power transmission and distribution equipment, 13 Smart meter, 20 Server, 30 Server, 31 Control device, 32 Storage device, 33 Communication device, 40 EVSE, 41 Control unit, 42 Communication unit, 43 Power circuit, 44 Charging and discharging cable, 45 Connector, 50 Vehicle, 60 EMS network, 70 HEMS, 71 Control device, 72 Storage device, 73 Communication device, 80 Storage device, 90 Solar power generation device, 100 Battery, 110 ECU, 120 Inlet, 130 Charging and discharging circuit, 140 Communication equipment, E1 Power company, E2 Upper aggregator, E3 Lower aggregator, PG Power system.

Claims

1. A power management system that controls a plurality of power regulation resources that can be electrically connected to a power grid, a first server that formulates a request plan based on an adjustment amount requested from the power grid; a second server that acquires the request plan formulated by the first server and issues a charge / discharge command to the power adjustment resource owned by a contracted consumer; The second server aggregating chargeable and dischargeable power of the power adjustment resource based on the request plan; When the aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power does not meet the requested plan, an alternative plan is created, and control of the power adjustment resource based on the alternative plan is proposed to the first server.

2. the second server is a server managed by a resource aggregator, the resource aggregator has a power storage device; The second server When the aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power does not satisfy the required plan, determining whether the chargeable / dischargeable power satisfies the required plan when the power storage device is used as the power adjustment resource; 2. The power management system according to claim 1, wherein, even when the storage device is used as the power adjustment resource, when the chargeable / dischargeable power does not satisfy the required plan, an alternative plan is created and control of the power adjustment resource based on the alternative plan is proposed to the first server.

3. The second server When aggregating the chargeable and dischargeable power of the power adjustment resource based on the request plan, if the power adjustment resource is an on-board power storage device mounted on a vehicle, aggregating the chargeable and dischargeable power taking into account limitations of the on-board power storage device; When the aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power does not satisfy the required plan, the restrictions on the vehicle-mounted power storage device are relaxed and the chargeable / dischargeable power is aggregated again; 2. The power management system according to claim 1, wherein when the re-aggregated chargeable / dischargeable power does not meet the required plan, the alternative plan is created and control of the power adjustment resource based on the alternative plan is proposed to the first server.

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