System, program and method

Abstract

To provide a system, a method, and a program for controlling charging of multiple mobile batteries and power supply from the multiple mobile batteries to the outside.SOLUTION: A system including a communication network comprises: a control unit that provides power resources to a power network by performing, in response to a first request demanding reduction in power consumption, at least one of first control of reducing an amount of charging to multiple mobile batteries and second control of increasing an amount of power supply from the multiple mobile batteries and performing, in response to a second request demanding increase in power consumption, at least one of third control of increasing the amount of charging to the multiple mobile batteries and fourth control of reducing an amount of power supply from the multiple mobile batteries to the outside; and an estimation unit that on the basis of on anticipated usage situations of the multiple mobile batteries, estimates which of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control enables each of the multiple mobile batteries to provide power resources to the power network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a program and a method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Documents 1 to 7 disclose technologies relating to supply and demand adjustment in power grids. [Prior art document] [Patent documents] Patent Document 1: JP 2021-87261 A Patent Document 2: JP 2011-50240 A Patent Document 3: JP 2021-150988 A Patent Document 4: JP 2021-100326 A Patent Document 5: JP 2021-149788 A Patent Document 6: JP 2020-108301 A Patent Document 7: JP 2021-16288 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] There is a problem in that it is not easy to effectively utilize batteries to achieve energy conservation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In a first aspect of the present invention, a system is provided. The system controls charging of a plurality of movable batteries and power supply from the plurality of movable batteries to an external source. The system includes a control unit that, in response to a first request requesting reduction in power consumption, performs at least one of a first control to reduce the amount of charging of the plurality of movable batteries and a second control to increase the amount of power supplied from the plurality of movable batteries, and, in response to a second request requesting increase in power consumption, performs at least one of a third control to increase the amount of charging of the plurality of movable batteries and a fourth control to reduce the amount of power supplied from the plurality of movable batteries to an external source, thereby providing power resources to an electric power network. The system also includes an estimation unit that estimates, based on predicted usage status of the plurality of movable batteries, which of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control will enable each of the plurality of movable batteries to provide power resources to the electric power network.

[0005] The estimation unit may estimate the amount of power resources that each of the plurality of movable batteries can provide to the power network through each of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control, based on the predicted usage status of the plurality of movable batteries.

[0006] The predicted usage status of the plurality of mobile batteries may include time periods during which the plurality of mobile batteries are predicted to be used.

[0007] The predicted utilization of the plurality of mobile batteries may further include a predicted state of charge of the plurality of mobile batteries.

[0008] The estimation unit may estimate the predicted usage status of the plurality of movable batteries based on a past usage history of the plurality of movable batteries and a future usage plan for the plurality of movable batteries.

[0009] The predicted usage status of the plurality of movable batteries may include timings at which the plurality of movable batteries are predicted to be charged or discharged. The estimation unit may estimate an amount of power resources that can be provided to the power network by each of the plurality of movable batteries through each of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control, by estimating an amount of power resources that can be provided to the power network by changing timings at which the plurality of movable batteries are predicted to be charged or discharged within a period in which power resources agreed upon in the electricity market are to be provided to the power network.

[0010] In response to receiving the first request within a period in which the power resources should be provided to the power network, the control unit may perform at least one of the first control and the second control based on the amount of power resources that will be available to be provided to the power network estimated by the estimation unit, and in response to receiving the second request within a period in which the power resources should be provided to the power network, may perform at least one of the third control and the fourth control based on the amount of power resources that will be available to be provided to the power network estimated by the estimation unit.

[0011] The plurality of mobile batteries may include batteries mounted on a vehicle.

[0012] The plurality of mobile batteries may include batteries mounted on the vehicle and replaceable at a plurality of stations.

[0013] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to function as the above-described system.

[0014] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: providing power resources to a power network by performing at least one of a first control to reduce a charge amount to a plurality of mobile batteries and a second control to increase a power supply amount from the plurality of mobile batteries in response to a first request to reduce power consumption, and performing at least one of a third control to increase a charge amount to the plurality of mobile batteries and a fourth control to reduce a power supply amount from the plurality of mobile batteries to an external source in response to a second request to increase power consumption; and estimating, based on predicted usage status of the plurality of mobile batteries, which of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control will enable each of the plurality of mobile batteries to provide power resources to the power network.

[0015] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the features of the present invention, and subcombinations of these features may also constitute inventions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 conceptually illustrates a usage pattern of a power system 5 in one embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the system 100. [Figure 3] 3 is a graph schematically showing predicted power 301 predicted to be consumed during a provision period and target power 302. [Figure 4] 10 is a graph schematically showing estimated power 311 during the provision period. [Figure 5] 10 is a graph schematically showing the required power 331 that the system 100 needs to secure during the provision period. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for calculating the power resources that the vehicle 10 can provide. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example of a method for calculating the power resources that the vehicle 10 can provide. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example of a method for calculating the power resources that the vehicle 10 can provide. [Figure 9] The total power and the total amount of power that can be provided from all stations 30 are shown schematically. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining control of allocating power and the amount of power that can be provided to a station 30a and a battery 12a in response to a demand. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining control of allocating power and the amount of power that can be provided in response to a demand to a station 30b, a battery 12b, and a battery 12c. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining control of allocating power and the amount of power that can be provided in response to a demand to a station 30c, a battery 12d, and a battery 12e. FIG. [Figure 13] An example of the change over time in power consumption due to control of the station 30 is shown below. [Figure 14] 1 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a process executed by the system 100. [Figure 15] An example of a computer 2000 is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0018] 1 conceptually illustrates a usage pattern of a power system 5 in one embodiment. The power system 5 includes a station 30a, a station 30b, a station 30c, and a station 30d, a power generation device 80, a system 100, a server 180, and vehicles 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 20.

[0019] In this embodiment, stations 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d may be collectively referred to as "stations 30." Vehicles 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e may be collectively referred to as "vehicles 10." Vehicles 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e are equipped with batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and 12e, respectively. Battery 12a, battery 12b, battery 12c, battery 12d, and battery 12e may be collectively referred to as "batteries 12."

[0020] The system 100 is connected to a server 180 through a communication network 190. The server 180 is capable of communicating with the station 30 through the communication network 190. The system 100 controls the station 30 through the communication network 190. The system 100 communicates with the vehicle 10 through the communication network 190 and acquires various information about the vehicle 10, such as the driving history of the vehicle 10 and the SOC of the battery 12.

[0021] The station 30, the power consumers 70, and the power generation equipment 80 are connected to a power network 90. ​​The power generation equipment 80 includes, for example, a power plant operated by a power company. Electric power generated by the power generation equipment 80 can be supplied to the station 30 and the power consumers 70 through the power network 90. ​​The power network 90 is, for example, an electric power system.

[0022] The stations 30 charge, discharge, or are on standby for the batteries 12 installed in the vehicles 10 connected to them. The vehicles 10 are, for example, electric vehicles. The batteries 12 are batteries that supply power for the vehicle 10 to run. The vehicles 10 may be privately owned vehicles, vehicles used by businesses for business purposes, shared cars, etc. The batteries 12 are an example of mobile batteries. The batteries 12 can be mobile while installed in the vehicles 10.

[0023] Station 30a is installed in a private home 42 and charges and discharges the battery 12a of vehicle 10a connected to station 30a. Station 30b is a public charging and discharging station and charges and discharges the batteries 12 installed in multiple vehicles 10, including vehicles 10b and 10c connected to station 30b. Station 30c is installed in a facility 44 and charges and discharges the batteries 12 installed in multiple vehicles 10, including vehicles 10d and 10e connected to station 30c.

[0024] The station 30d holds a plurality of batteries that can be mounted on the vehicle 20, and charges and discharges the plurality of batteries held therein. The vehicle 20 is, for example, an electric motorcycle. The battery 12f used in the vehicle 20 is exchanged at the station 30. As an example, the battery 12f that has been used to run the vehicle 20 is exchanged for a charged battery 12g at the station 30d and attached to the vehicle 20. The batteries 12f and 12g are examples of movable batteries. The batteries 12f and 12g can be made movable by being mounted on the vehicle 20. The batteries 12f and 12g can also be made movable by being carried by a person.

[0025] Each of the stations 30 can charge the battery 12 with power supplied from the power network 90. ​​The stations 30 can discharge the battery 12 to feed into the power network 90.

[0026] Each of the stations 30 charges and discharges the battery 12 under the control of the system 100. For example, when a power shortage occurs in the power network 90, the system 100 can cause the station 30 to discharge the battery 12 to supply power to the power network 90. ​​When a power surplus occurs in the power network 90, the system 100 can cause the station 30 to charge the battery to reduce the power surplus in the power network 90. ​​The system 100 can provide primary regulation reserve, secondary regulation reserve, and tertiary regulation reserve in the power network 90 using the station 30. In this way, the system 100 can aggregate multiple batteries 12 and manage them as a power resource for the power network 90.

[0027] The server 180 is a server used by, for example, a power aggregator. The server 180 performs power trading in the power market. The system 100 can provide the battery 12, which is managed as a power resource, to the server 180. The system 100 controls charging and discharging of the battery by the station 30, and provides the amount of power agreed upon by the server 180 to the power network 90. ​​For example, the system 100 controls charging and discharging of the battery 12 by the station 30 in response to a demand from the server 180, and provides the amount of power according to the demand.

[0028] 2 shows an example of the system configuration of the system 100. The system 100 includes a processing unit 200, a storage unit 280, and a communication device 290.

[0029] The processing unit 200 controls the communication device 290. The communication device 290 is responsible for communication between the station 30a and the server 180. The processing unit 200 is realized by an arithmetic processing unit including a processor. The storage units 280 are each realized by including a non-volatile storage medium. The processing unit 200 performs processing using information stored in the storage units 280. The processing unit 200 may be realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, buses, etc. The system 100 may be realized by a computer.

[0030] In this embodiment, the system 100 is implemented by a single computer. However, in other embodiments, the system 100 may be implemented by multiple computers. At least some of the functions of the system 100 may be implemented by one or more servers, such as a cloud server.

[0031] The processing unit 200 includes an acquisition unit 210 , an estimation unit 220 , an allocation unit 230 , and a control unit 240 .

[0032] The acquisition unit 210 acquires the driving history of the vehicle 10 and the charge / discharge history of the battery 12. The acquisition unit 210 may acquire the driving history transmitted from the vehicle 10 to the system 100. The driving history of the vehicle 10 may include information associating the location of the vehicle 10 and the SOC of the battery 12 with date and time. The acquisition unit 210 may acquire the charge / discharge history transmitted from the vehicle 10 to the system 100. The acquisition unit 210 may acquire the charge / discharge history of the battery 12 transmitted from the station 30. The charge / discharge history may include information associating the charge / discharge amount of the battery 12 with date and time. The acquisition unit 210 may acquire information indicating the current state of the vehicle 10. The current state of the vehicle 10 may include the current location of the vehicle 10, the current SOC of the battery 12, etc. The estimation unit 220, the allocation unit 230, and the control unit 240 may perform processing based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 210.

[0033] The system 100 controls charging of the battery 12 and supplying power from the battery 12 to the outside. In response to a first request requesting a reduction in power consumption, the control unit 240 performs at least one of a first control to reduce the amount of charge to the battery 12 and a second control to increase the amount of power supplied from the battery 12, and in response to a second request requesting an increase in power consumption, performs at least one of a third control to increase the amount of charge to the battery 12 and a fourth control to reduce the amount of power supplied from the battery 12 to the outside, thereby providing power resources to the power network 90. ​​The power resources may be power or an amount of power. Providing power resources to the power network 90 includes increasing the power demand of the power network 90 and decreasing the power demand of the power network 90, and does not mean only supplying power to the power network 90.

[0034] The estimation unit 220 estimates, based on the predicted usage status of the batteries 12, through which of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control each of the batteries 12 can provide power resources to the power network 90. ​​For example, based on the predicted usage status of the batteries 12, the estimation unit 220 estimates the amount of power resources each of the batteries 12 can provide to the power network 90 through each of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control.

[0035] The estimation unit 220 may estimate the amount of power resources that each of the batteries 12 can provide to the power network 90 through each of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control in each of a plurality of time periods in the future, based on the predicted usage status of the batteries 12. The estimation unit 220 may estimate the power resources that will need to be provided to the power network 90 in each of a plurality of time periods in the future, based on a target value of power consumption by the batteries 12 for each time period in the future and a prediction of the amount of charge and discharge of the batteries 12 in the future.

[0036] The predicted usage status of the battery 12 includes, for example, a time period during which the battery 12 is predicted to be used. The predicted usage status of the battery 12 may further include a predicted state of charge of the battery 12. The estimation unit 220 may estimate the predicted usage status of the battery 12 based on a past usage history of the battery 12 and a future usage plan for the battery 12.

[0037] The predicted usage status of the battery 12 may include the timing at which charging or discharging of the battery 12 is predicted. The estimation unit 220 estimates the amount of power resources that can be provided to the power network 90 by changing the timing at which charging or discharging of the battery 12 is predicted to occur, with respect to the timing at which charging or discharging of the battery 12 is predicted to occur, within a period in which power resources agreed upon in the power market should be provided to the power network 90. ​​By performing this estimation, the estimation unit 220 may estimate the amount of power resources that each of the batteries 12 can provide to the power network 90 under each of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control.

[0038] The estimation unit 220 may allocate, based on the amount of power resources that each of the batteries 12 can provide to the power network 90 and the amount of power resources that each of the batteries 12 needs to provide to the power network 90, which of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control to use for providing power resources from the batteries 12 to the power network 90 in each time period within a period during which the power resources agreed upon in the power market should be provided to the power network 90. ​​In response to receiving a first request within the period during which the power resources should be provided to the power network 90, the control unit 240 may perform at least one of the first control and the second control based on the amount of power resources that will be available to the power network 90 estimated by the estimation unit 220, and in response to receiving a second request within the period during which the power resources should be provided to the power network 90, may perform at least one of the third control and the fourth control based on the amount of power resources that will be available to the power network 90 estimated by the estimation unit 220.

[0039] In response to receiving a first request within the period in which power resources should be provided to the power network 90, the control unit 240 may perform at least one of first control and second control based on the amount of power resources that will be available to the power network 90 estimated by the estimation unit 220, and in response to receiving a second request within the period in which power resources should be provided to the power network 90, may perform at least one of third control and fourth control based on the amount of power resources that will be available to the power network 90 estimated by the estimation unit 220.

[0040] The allocation unit 230 allocates whether each of the batteries 12 will provide the power resources to the power network 90 through the first control, the second control, the third control, or the fourth control in each of a plurality of time periods in the future, based on the amount of power resources that each of the batteries 12 can provide to the power network 90 and the amount of power resources that each of the batteries 12 needs to provide to the power network 90. ​​For example, the allocation unit 230 may allocate whether each of the batteries 12 will provide the power resources to the power network 90 through the first control, the second control, the third control, or the fourth control in each of a plurality of time periods in the future.

[0041] When allocating whether each of the batteries 12 will provide power resources to the power network 90, the allocating unit 230 may allocate the first control with priority over the second control, and the fourth control with priority over the third control. The allocating unit 230 may allocate whether each of the batteries 12 will provide power resources to the power network 90 through the first control, the second control, the third control, or the fourth control in each of a plurality of future time periods, so that a change in the charging power or discharging power of the battery 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0042] 3 is a graph schematically showing a predicted power 301 predicted to be consumed during a supply period and a target power 302. In this embodiment, the "supply period" refers to a period during which the amount of power agreed upon in the electricity market should be supplied. The supply period shown in FIGS. 3 to 12 is assumed to be the period from time t1 to time t4.

[0043] The forecasted power 301 is an estimated value of the power demand that will occur under the management of the system 100. For example, the forecasted power 301 is a reference value of the power demand every 30 minutes that is used when trading in the power market. The target power 302 is determined by subtracting the amount of power contracted in the power market from the forecasted power 301. The target power 302 is the power consumption that the system 100 should be able to maintain in order to ensure that the amount of power contracted in the power market is provided to the power network 90.

[0044] 4 is a graph schematically showing estimated power 311 during the provision period. The estimated power 311 indicates an estimated value of power consumption consumed by charging the battery 12 controlled by the system 100. The estimated power 311 may be estimated based on a future charging plan for the battery 12 during the provision period, a prediction of the vehicle 10 entering and leaving the station 30, a history of the amount of charge and discharge of the battery 12 by time period in the past, and the like. The estimated power 311 is estimated by the estimation unit 220.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a graph that schematically shows the required power 331 that the system 100 needs to secure during the provision period. The required power 331 is calculated by subtracting the estimated power 311 from the target power 302. In FIG. 5, the vertical axis represents the power difference. When the required power is less than 0, as in the required power 331 in FIG. 5, it indicates that it may be necessary to reduce power consumption in response to a decreasing demand. When the required power is more than 0, it indicates that it may be necessary to increase power consumption in response to an increasing demand.

[0046] The control unit 240 adjusts the future charge / discharge plan of the battery 12 so that the required power 331 can be provided, thereby making it possible to provide the amount of power agreed upon in the power market to the power network 90 during the provision period.

[0047] When the control unit 240 receives a decrease demand for reducing power demand issued from the server 180 during a period in which the required power is less than zero, the control unit 240 responds to the decrease demand by performing either a first control for reducing the power consumed for charging the battery 12 or a second control for reducing overall power consumption by discharging the battery 12 and supplying power outside the vehicle 10. When the control unit 240 receives an increase demand for increasing power demand issued from the server 180 during a period in which the required power exceeds zero, the control unit 240 responds to the increase demand by performing either a third control for increasing the power consumed for charging the battery 12 or a fourth control for increasing overall power consumption by discharging the battery 12 and reducing the power supplied outside the vehicle 10.

[0048] 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for calculating the power resources that can be provided by the vehicle 10. Here, a case is illustrated in which there is time required to charge the battery 12a between the end time of the provision period and the predicted departure time of the vehicle 10a. In FIGS. 6 to 12, the explanation mainly focuses on the case in which the battery 12 of the vehicle 10 provides power resources to the power network 90.

[0049] A line 601 in the graph 600 shows a change over time in the SOC of the battery 12a of the vehicle 10a based on a charge / discharge plan. A line 602 in the graph 600 shows an example of a change over time in the SOC of the battery 12a when the charge / discharge plan is modified to provide power resources within the provision period.

[0050] The first control, which prevents the battery 12a from being charged, can be performed throughout the entire time period from time t1 to t4. Similarly, the second control, which discharges the battery 12a to supply power to the outside of the vehicle 10, can be performed during any time period from time t1 to t4 so as not to cause the SOC to become excessively low. For example, if the first control is performed throughout the entire time period from time t1 to t4 and the second control is performed between time t1 and t2, the SOC change shown by line 602 will result. To address the case of FIG. 5, where the demand for lowering the battery 12a is particularly large between time t2 and time t3, the second control may be performed between time t2 and t3 (not shown). Subsequently, by starting charging the battery 12a from time t4, it is possible to charge the battery 12a until the SOC of the battery 12a reaches the target SOC1 by the predicted departure time t5 of the vehicle 10a.

[0051] Graph 610 shows the power that can be provided from battery 12a in each time period. As described above, the reduction in the charge amount of battery 12a by the first control can be performed in all time periods from time t1 to t4. The second control may be performed in any time period from time t1 to t4, but as is clear from line 602 in this example, there is only one time period in which it can be performed. When represented by rectangular frames on graph 610, all three frames can be selected for the first control, and one of the three frames can be selected for the second control. During the time period corresponding to this frame, power can be provided to respond to the reduced demand.

[0052] Graph 620 shows the amount of power that can be provided from battery 12a. As described above, the first control can be executed throughout the entire time period from time t1 to time t4, and therefore can be expressed as three slots of power resources. In this example, the second control is expressed as one slot of power resources.

[0053] Graph 660 shows the power that can be provided from station 30a in each time period. Graph 670 shows the amount of power that can be provided from station 30a. Because only one vehicle 10a can connect to station 30a, graph 660 is the same as graph 610, and graph 670 is the same as graph 620.

[0054] 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method for calculating the power resources that can be provided by vehicle 10. Here, a case is shown in which vehicle 10b is predicted to leave station 30b at time t3 during the provision period, and vehicle 10c is predicted to enter station 30b at time t2 during the provision period.

[0055] A line 701 in the graph 700 shows the change over time in the SOC of the battery 12b in the vehicle 10b based on a charge / discharge plan. A line 702 in the graph 700 shows the change over time in the SOC of the battery 12b when the charge / discharge plan is modified to provide power resources within the provision period. Here, the charge / discharge plan is assumed to schedule charging of the battery 12b to start before time t1.

[0056] In contrast, as shown by line 702, charging of battery 12b is started from time t1, and the third control is performed from time t2 to time t3, thereby charging battery 12b. This makes it possible to increase the amount of charge from time t2 to t3. This makes it possible for battery 12b to provide power in response to the increased demand.

[0057] Graph 710 shows the power that can be provided from battery 12b in each time period. As described above, by performing the third control between times t2 and t3, it becomes possible to provide power that responds to the upward demand. Therefore, as shown in graph 710, by performing the third control, it becomes possible to provide a certain amount of power that responds to the upward demand.

[0058] Graph 720 shows the amount of power that can be provided from battery 12b. As described above, by performing the third control between times t2 and t3, a certain amount of power can be provided from battery 12b to respond to the increase demand.

[0059] A line 731 of the graph 730 shows the change over time in the SOC of the battery 12c of the vehicle 10c based on the charge / discharge plan. A line 732 of the graph 730 shows the change over time in the SOC of the battery 12c when the charge / discharge plan is modified to provide power resources within the provision period. Here, the charge / discharge plan is assumed to schedule charging of the battery 12b to start from the arrival time t2 of the vehicle 10c.

[0060] In contrast, as shown by line 732, by performing first control to prevent charging of battery 12c from time t2 to t3 and performing second control to discharge battery 12c and supply power to the outside of vehicle 10, it becomes possible to provide power from battery 12c in response to the lowering demand from time t2 to t3. By performing first control to prevent charging of battery 12c from time t3 to t4, it becomes possible to provide power in response to the lowering demand from time t3 to t4. By subsequently starting charging of battery 12c from time t4, it becomes possible to quickly charge battery 12c of vehicle 10c until its SOC reaches target SOC1.

[0061] Graph 740 shows the power that can be provided from battery 12c in each time period. As described above, by performing the second control between times t2 and t3, it is possible to provide power in response to the lowering demand. Similarly, the second control may be performed between times t3 and t4. In this manner, the second control can be performed at any time during a certain period between times t2 and t4. Graph 740 illustrates an example of a time period during which the second control can be performed. Furthermore, by reducing the charge amount of battery 12c between times t2 and t4 using the first control as described above, it is possible to provide more power in response to the lowering demand than in the charge / discharge plan represented by line 731.

[0062] Graph 750 shows the amount of power that can be provided from battery 12c. As described above, by performing the second control for a certain period between times t2 and t4, it becomes possible to provide a certain amount of power to respond to the decrease demand. Furthermore, by performing the first control between times t2 and t4 as described above, it becomes possible to provide an amount of power to respond to the decrease demand, as shown in graph 750. As shown in graph 750, the amount of power that can be provided by performing the first control is the amount of power obtained by accumulating the charging power reduced between times t2 and t4.

[0063] Graph 760 shows the power that can be provided from station 30b in each time period. Graph 770 shows the amount of power that can be provided from station 30b. Graph 760 is the sum of graphs 710 and 740. Graph 770 is the sum of graphs 720 and 750.

[0064] 8 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method for calculating the power resources that vehicle 10 can provide. Here, it is assumed that battery 12d of vehicle 10d is not scheduled to be charged or discharged during the provision period, and that timer charging of battery 12d is scheduled between times t5 and t6. It is assumed that vehicle 10e is scheduled to supply power to facility 44 between times t2 and t4.

[0065] A line 801 of the graph 800 shows the change over time in the SOC of the battery 12d of the vehicle 10d based on the charge / discharge plan. A line 802 of the graph 800 shows the change over time in the SOC of the battery 12d when the charge / discharge plan is modified to provide power resources for the first request within the provision period. A line 803 of the graph 800 shows the change over time in the SOC of the battery 12d when the charge / discharge plan is modified to provide power resources for the second request within the provision period.

[0066] As shown by line 802, charging of battery 12d is started before time t1, battery 12d is discharged by performing the second control from time t1 to t3, charging or discharging of battery 12d is not performed from time t3 to t4, and charging of battery 12d is started from time t4 when the supply period ends. This makes it possible to increase the amount of power supplied from battery 12d to the outside of vehicle 10d from time t1 to t3. This makes it possible for battery 12d to provide power in response to the down demand.

[0067] As shown by line 803, discharging of battery 12d is started before time t1, and the third control is performed between times t1 and t4, thereby charging battery 12d until the SOC of battery 12d reaches target SOC1. This allows the amount of charge of battery 12d to be increased between times t1 and t4. This makes it possible for battery 12d to provide power in response to an increase in demand.

[0068] Graph 810 shows the power that can be provided from battery 12d in each time period. As described above, when the control indicated by line 802 is performed, power in response to a decreasing demand can be provided by performing the second control in the two-frame period from time t1 to t3. The second control can also be performed in the two-frame period from time t2 to t4. In this way, the second control can be performed in any two-frame period out of the three-frame period from time t1 to t4. Furthermore, when the control indicated by line 803 is performed, power in response to an increasing demand can be provided by performing the third control in the three-frame period from time t1 to t4. Therefore, as shown in graph 810, performing the second control makes it possible to provide a certain amount of power in response to a decreasing demand, and performing the third control makes it possible to provide power in response to an increasing demand.

[0069] Graph 820 shows the amount of power that can be provided from battery 12d. As described above, by performing the second control within a fixed period from time t1 to t4, battery 12d can provide an amount of power to respond to a decreasing demand. Furthermore, by performing the third control from time t1 to t4, a fixed amount of power can be provided in response to an increasing demand. As shown in graph 820, the amount of power that can be provided by performing the third control is the amount of power obtained by integrating the charging power from time t1 to t4. Furthermore, the amount of power that can be provided by performing the second control is the amount of power obtained by integrating the supply power supplied during the fixed period from time t1 to t4 during which the second control is performed.

[0070] A line 831 in the graph 830 shows the change over time in the SOC of the battery 12e in the vehicle 10e based on a charge / discharge plan. As shown in the line 831, the battery 12e is scheduled to be discharged to supply power to the facility 44 between times t2 and t4. A line 832 in the graph 830 shows the change over time in the SOC of the battery 12e when the charge / discharge plan is modified to provide power resources within the provision period. A line 833 in the graph 800 shows the change over time in the SOC of the battery 12e when the charge / discharge plan is modified in a different manner to provide power resources within the provision period.

[0071] As shown by line 832, the battery 12e is discharged before time t1, and the third control is performed between times t1 and t2 to charge the battery 12e. This allows the amount of charge to be increased between times t1 and t2. This makes it possible to provide power from the battery 12e in response to the up-demand. In addition, the fourth control is performed between times t2 and t4 to prevent power supply to the facility 44, making it possible to provide power from the battery 12e in response to the up-demand.

[0072] As another mode of control, the amount of power supplied from the battery 12e can be increased by performing the second control from time t1 to t2 by discharging the battery 12e from time t1 to t4 as shown by line 833. This makes it possible to provide power from the battery 12e in response to the downward demand.

[0073] Graph 840 shows the power that can be provided from battery 12e in each time period. As described above, by performing the third control between times t1 and t2, it is possible to provide power in response to the upward demand. Similarly, the third control can also be performed between times t2 and t3 or between times t3 and t4. Therefore, the third control can be performed during any fixed period between times t1 and t4. Therefore, as shown in graph 840, by performing the third control, it is possible to provide a certain amount of power in response to the upward demand between times t1 and t4. Furthermore, by reducing the amount of power supplied from battery 12e between times t2 and t4 using the fourth control as described above, it is possible to provide more power in response to the upward demand than in the charge / discharge plan represented by line 831.

[0074] Graph 850 shows the amount of power that can be provided from battery 12e. As described above, by performing the third control for a certain period between times t1 and t4, it becomes possible to provide a certain amount of power to respond to an increasing demand. Furthermore, by performing the fourth control between times t2 and t4 as described above, it becomes possible to provide an amount of power to respond to an increasing demand, as shown in graph 850. As shown in graph 850, the amount of power that can be provided by performing the fourth control is the amount of power obtained by accumulating the charging power reduced between times t2 and t4. Furthermore, by performing the second control between times t1 and t2 as described above, it becomes possible to provide an amount of power to respond to a decreasing demand.

[0075] Graph 860 shows the power that can be provided from station 30c in each time period. Graph 870 shows the amount of power that can be provided from station 30c. Graph 860 is the sum of graphs 810 and 840. Graph 870 is the sum of graphs 820 and 850.

[0076] The estimation unit 220 may estimate the time when the vehicle 10 leaves the station 30 and the time when the vehicle 10 enters the station 30 based on the past driving history of the vehicle 10 and the action plan input by the user. The estimation unit 220 may estimate the SOC of the battery 12 when the vehicle 10 enters the station and the SOC of the battery 12 when the vehicle 10 leaves the station based on the past charging and discharging history of the battery 12 and the driving history of the vehicle 10. The estimation unit 220 may estimate the power and amount of power that each of the batteries 12 can provide, provided that the SOC of the battery 12 can reach a target SOC when the vehicle 10 leaves the station.

[0077] The acquisition unit 210 may acquire preference information indicating whether or not the user of the vehicle 10 desires the battery 12 to provide power in response to a demand. The estimation unit 220 may estimate the power and amount of power that the battery 12 can provide based on the preference information. For example, the estimation unit 220 may exclude the battery 12 of the vehicle 10 associated with a user who does not desire the battery 12 to provide power in response to a demand from the battery 12 that will respond to a demand.

[0078] The acquisition unit 210 may acquire specification information of the battery 12 and the station 30. The specification information may include information indicating the power that the battery 12 can charge and discharge, information indicating whether the battery 12 can discharge to the vehicle 10, information indicating the power that the station 30 can charge and discharge, information indicating whether the station 30 can supply power from the battery 12 to the power network 90, etc. The estimation unit 220 may estimate the power and amount of power that the battery 12 can provide within the specifications of the battery 12 and the station 30 based on the specification information.

[0079] The acquisition unit 210 may acquire state information of the battery 12. The state information may include information indicating the degree of degradation of the battery 12, and the temperature dependency of the capacity and output power of the battery 12. The estimation unit 220 may estimate the power and amount of power that the battery 12 can provide based on the state information of the battery 12. For example, the estimation unit 220 may give priority to a battery 12 with a lower degree of degradation and select it as a battery 12 that can respond to a demand. The estimation unit 220 may exclude a battery 12 with a degree of degradation lower than a predetermined value from the batteries 12 that can respond to a demand.

[0080] The estimation unit 220 may estimate the power and amount of power that the battery 12 can provide by setting constraints on the upper and lower limits of the SOC of the battery 12 and the charge / discharge amount, in order to suppress the progression of deterioration of the battery 12 and the station 30 that may occur as a result of making the battery 12 respond to the demand. The estimation unit 220 may determine whether to make the battery 12 of the vehicle 10 respond to the demand, taking into account the financial benefit to the user of the vehicle 10, based on the electricity fee that may be incurred by charging the battery 12 and the reward that the user associated with the vehicle 10 can obtain by making the battery 12 respond to the demand. For example, the estimation unit 220 may determine not to make the battery 12 respond to the demand when the electricity fee is higher than the reward.

[0081] 9 is a schematic diagram showing the total power and total amount of power that can be provided from all stations 30. Graph 960 shows the total power that can be provided from all stations 30 in each time period. Graph 970 shows the total amount of power that can be provided from stations 30. Graph 960 is the sum of graphs 660, 760, and 860. Graph 970 is the sum of graphs 670, 870, and 870.

[0082] The power that the system 100 needs to secure for each time period to respond to demand during the supply period is shown as required power 331 in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 9, the allocation unit 230 allocates the total available power shown in Fig. 9 to the required power 331 so that the required power 331 can be provided. Specifically, the allocation unit 230 allocates which station 30 will provide the required power 331 and which battery 12 will provide the required power 331.

[0083] 10 to 12, the control of allocating the power and amount of power that can be provided in response to the demand to the station 30 and the battery 12 will be described. In the example of the required power 331 in FIG. 5, there is no need to respond to an increasing demand, so only the decreasing demand will be discussed in the description of FIG. 10 to 12.

[0084] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining control of allocating power and energy that can be provided in response to a demand to station 30a and battery 12a. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining control of allocating power and energy that can be provided in response to a demand to station 30b and battery 12b and battery 12c. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining control of allocating power and energy that can be provided in response to a demand to station 30c and battery 12d and battery 12e.

[0085] The allocation unit 230 allocates which station 30 among stations 30a, 30b, and 30c will provide the power to provide the required power. In order to suppress deterioration of the battery and the charging equipment, the allocation unit 230 prioritizes the charge reduction under the first control and the power supply reduction under the fourth control over the power supply increase under the second control and the charge increase under the third control. Furthermore, the allocation unit 230 allocates which station 30 will provide the power to provide the required power 331 so that the amount of power that each station 30 can provide is 80% or less. The allocation unit 230 allocates the power provided by each battery 12 for each time period so that the change over time in the charging power and the power supply is smaller than a predetermined value.

[0086] The allocating unit 230 may allocate which station 30 and battery 12 will provide the required power in ascending order of the time slots with the smallest ratio of the suppliable power to the required power 331. For example, as shown in Fig. 9 , in the time slot from time t2 to t3, approximately 1.67 times the required power 331 can be provided, whereas in the time slot from time t1 to t2, twice the required power 331 can be provided, and in the time slot from time t3 to t4, 2.5 times the required power 331 can be provided. In this case, after allocating which station 30 and battery 12 will provide the required power in the time slot from time t2 to t3, the allocating unit 230 may allocate which station 30 and battery 12 will provide the required power in the time slot from time t1 to t2, and finally allocate which station 30 and battery 12 will provide the required power in the time slot from time t3 to t4. The allocation unit 230 may allocate the required power to the station 30 and the battery 12 that should provide the required power, giving priority to the station 30 and the battery 12 that can provide the required power.

[0087] 10 and 11, the allocation unit 230 prioritizes all power that can be provided by the station 30a under the first control and all power that can be provided by the station 30b under the first control. Specifically, the allocation unit 230 prioritizes all power that can be provided by the battery 12a under the first control and all power that can be provided by the battery 12c under the first control. Next, the allocation unit 230 allocates a portion of the power that can be provided by the station 30c under the second control. Specifically, the allocation unit 230 allocates a portion of the power that can be provided by the battery 12d under the second control and a portion of the power that can be provided by the battery 12e under the second control. In this way, the allocation unit 230 prioritizes allocating power that can be provided under the first control and can ensure that the amount of power allocated from the stations 30a, 30b, and 30c is 80% or less.

[0088] 6 to 12, the case has been mainly described in which the battery 12 mounted on the vehicle 10 provides a power resource to the power network 90. ​​However, even when the batteries for the vehicle 20, including the battery 12f and the battery 12g, provide a power resource to the power network 90, processing similar to the processing for the battery 12 described in relation to Fig. 6 to 12 can be performed. For example, based on the past charge / discharge history of the battery 12 for the vehicle 20 performed at the station 30d, the SOC of the battery for the vehicle 20 when the battery for the vehicle 20 was returned to the station 30d, and the replacement history of the battery 12 for the vehicle 20 at the station 30d, the amount of power that the battery for the vehicle 20 can provide to the power network 90 can be estimated, and it can be assigned whether the battery for the vehicle 20 will provide power to the power network 90 through the first control, the second control, the third control, or the fourth control.

[0089] Fig. 13 shows an example of the change over time in power consumption due to the control of the station 30. In Fig. 13, the provision period is from time t3 to time t5.

[0090] At time t1, the allocation unit 230 allocates which station 30 and battery 12 will provide the required power for the provision period. The allocation unit 230 may perform the allocation at a timing a predetermined time before the start time of the provision period. The allocation unit 230 may perform the allocation at a predetermined time before the start time of the provision period on a day that includes the provision period.

[0091] At time t2 before the start time of the provision period, the control unit 240 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 12 in advance so that the battery 12 can provide the required power during the provision period. For example, if there is a possibility that the power consumption will be reduced in response to a down demand during the provision period, the control unit 240 causes the battery 12 to be charged in advance. Control to charge the battery 12 before the start time of the provision period as shown by line 802 in Fig. 8 is included in advance control.

[0092] During the supply period, the control unit 240 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 12 by controlling the station 30 in response to the demand. At this time, the control unit 240 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 12 in accordance with the execution result of the allocation by the allocation unit 230. When the power consumption increases as a result of an unexpected entry or exit of the vehicle 10 at time t4, the control unit 240 selects a battery 12 that can provide power corresponding to the increased power consumption from among the batteries 12 that have not been allocated by the allocation unit 230 as a battery 12 that provides the required power, and performs the first control or the second control on the selected battery 12 to cause it to provide power corresponding to the increased power consumption.

[0093] When the provision period ends at time t5, the control unit 240 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 12 to recover the necessary power provided from the battery 12 during the provision period. For example, if the control unit 240 reduces power consumption in response to a lowering demand during the provision period, the control unit 240 causes the battery 12 to be charged after the provision period. For example, the control unit 240 causes the battery 12 to be charged before the start time of the provision period, as shown by line 802 in FIG. 8. Control of charging the battery 12 after the provision period, as shown by line 602 in FIG. 6, is included in ex-post control. In this case, it is desirable that the control unit 240 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 12 so that the change over time in power consumption after the provision period is less than a predetermined value.

[0094] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the steps of a process executed by the system 100. In S1402, the estimation unit 220 determines a bid amount for the electricity market. For example, the estimation unit 220 estimates the available power and amount of power using a prediction model for estimating the available power and amount of power in response to a demand, and determines the bid amount based on the estimated power and amount of power. The prediction model may be a model generated in advance based on the past charge / discharge history of the battery 12. For example, the prediction model may be a model generated by machine learning using the available power and amount of power for each time period calculated based on the past charge / discharge history of the battery 12. The prediction model may take time information as input and output estimated values ​​of the available power and amount of power for the time period indicated by the input time information. The input to the prediction model may include any one of day of the week information, weekday / holiday distinction information, seasonal information, and time period information. The input to the prediction model may further include at least one of temperature information and weather information.

[0095] In S1404, the estimation unit 220 estimates the required power. For example, as described in relation to Fig. 3, the estimation unit 220 may calculate a target power based on the power contracted in the power market, and estimate the required power from the difference between the target power and the estimated power.

[0096] In S1406, the estimation unit 220 estimates the power that can be provided by the station 30 and the battery 12. For example, the estimation unit 220 estimates the power and amount of power that can be provided by each of the station 30 and the battery 12 through the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control, using the methods described in relation to FIGS.

[0097] In S1408, the allocation unit 230 allocates the stations 30 and batteries 12 that provide the required power. For example, the allocation unit 230 allocates the stations 30 and batteries 12 that provide the required power using the method described in relation to Figures 9 to 12. In S1410, the control unit 240 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 12 based on the allocation result in S1408 and the demand.

[0098] As described above, the system 100 can accurately estimate the power and amount of power that each battery 12 can provide by taking into account the predicted usage of the vehicle 10 and the battery 12. Furthermore, the system 100 can allocate the batteries 12 that provide power in response to demand based on the power and amount of power that each battery 12 can provide, and can allocate the power and amount of power that each battery 12 should provide for each time period to each battery 12. Conventionally, batteries installed in mobile objects may disconnect from the power network 90 at irregular times, making it difficult to predict in advance the amount of power that each battery installed in a mobile object can provide. Therefore, in order to use batteries installed in mobile objects to adjust the power supply and demand of the power network 90, it has been necessary to reserve more batteries as spares. In contrast, the control of the system 100 described above makes it possible to provide more power to the power network 90 using a smaller number of batteries 12.

[0099] 15 shows an example of a computer 2000 in which multiple embodiments of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. A program installed on the computer 2000 may cause the computer 2000 to function as a system or each part of a system according to an embodiment, or as an apparatus such as various control devices or each part of the apparatus, to perform operations associated with the system or each part of the system or the apparatus or each part of the apparatus, and / or to perform a process or steps of the process according to an embodiment. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2012 to cause the computer 2000 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the processing procedures and blocks of the block diagrams described herein.

[0100] The computer 2000 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2012 and a RAM 2014, which are interconnected by a host controller 2010. The computer 2000 also includes a ROM 2026, a flash memory 2024, a communication interface 2022, and an input / output chip 2040. The ROM 2026, the flash memory 2024, the communication interface 2022, and the input / output chip 2040 are connected to the host controller 2010 via the input / output controller 2020.

[0101] The CPU 2012 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2026 and RAM 2014, thereby controlling each unit.

[0102] The communication interface 2022 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The flash memory 2024 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2012 in the computer 2000. The ROM 2026 stores a boot program and the like executed by the computer 2000 upon activation, and / or programs dependent on the hardware of the computer 2000. The input / output chip 2040 may also connect various input / output units such as a keyboard, mouse, and monitor to the input / output controller 2020 via input / output ports such as a serial port, a parallel port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, a monitor port, a USB port, an HDMI (registered trademark) port, etc.

[0103] The programs are provided via a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or memory card, or a network. The RAM 2014, the ROM 2026, or the flash memory 2024 are examples of computer-readable storage media. The programs are installed in the flash memory 2024, the RAM 2014, or the ROM 2026 and executed by the CPU 2012. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2000, and causes cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or a method may be configured by implementing operations or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 2000.

[0104] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 2000 and an external device, the CPU 2012 may execute a communication program loaded into the RAM 2014 and instruct the communication interface 2022 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 2012, the communication interface 2022 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as the RAM 2014 or flash memory 2024, transmits the read transmission data to a network, and writes received data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0105] The CPU 2012 may also cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored on a recording medium such as the flash memory 2024 to be read into the RAM 2014, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2014. The CPU 2012 then writes the processed data back to the recording medium.

[0106] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 2012 may perform various types of processing on data read from the RAM 2014, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described herein and specified by the instruction sequences of the programs, and write the results back to the RAM 2014. The CPU 2012 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. on the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored on the recording medium, the CPU 2012 may search for an entry that matches a condition specified by the attribute value of the first attribute from among the multiple entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0107] The above-described programs or software modules may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium on or near the computer 2000. A recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as the computer-readable storage medium. The programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium may be provided to the computer 2000 via a network.

[0108] A program installed in computer 2000 and causing computer 2000 to function as system 100 may act on CPU 2012 or the like to cause computer 2000 to function as each unit of system 100. When the information processing described in these programs is read into computer 2000, it functions as each unit of system 100, which is a specific means formed by the cooperation of software and the various hardware resources described above. These specific means then perform calculations or processing of information according to the intended use of computer 2000 in this embodiment, thereby constructing a specific system 100 according to the intended use.

[0109] Various embodiments have been described with reference to block diagrams. In the block diagrams, each block may represent (1) a stage of a process where an operation is performed or (2) a portion of an apparatus responsible for performing the operation. Particular stages and portions may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Dedicated circuitry may include digital and / or analog hardware circuitry, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuitry including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), and the like.

[0110] A computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by an appropriate device, such that the computer-readable storage medium with instructions stored thereon constitutes at least a portion of an article of manufacture containing instructions that can be executed to provide means for performing the operations specified in a process or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (RTM) disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0111] The computer readable instructions may include either assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

[0112] The computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, either locally or over a wide-area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc., and executed to provide means for performing the operations specified in the process steps or block diagrams described. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0113] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0114] It should be noted that the execution order of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that the processes can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that the processes must be performed in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 5. Power System 10 vehicles 20 vehicles 42 Private residence 44 facilities 12 Battery 30 Stations 70 Electricity consumers 80 Power Generation Equipment 90 Electricity Network 180 servers 190 Communication Network 200 Processing section 210 Acquisition Department 220 Estimation Department 230 Allocation Section 240 Control Unit 280 Storage section 290 Communication Equipment 301 Predicted Power 302 Target power 311 Estimated Power 331 Required power 100 systems 2000 Computer 2010 Host Controller 2012 CPU 2014 RAM 2020 Input / Output Controller 2022 Communication Interface 2024 flash memory 2026 ROM 2040 Input / Output Chip

Claims

1. A system for controlling charging of a plurality of mobile batteries and power supply from the plurality of mobile batteries to an external device, comprising: a control unit that provides power resources to a power network by performing at least one of a first control to reduce the amount of charge to the plurality of movable batteries and a second control to increase the amount of power supplied from the plurality of movable batteries in response to a first request to reduce power consumption, and performing at least one of a third control to increase the amount of charge to the plurality of movable batteries and a fourth control to reduce the amount of power supplied from the plurality of movable batteries to the outside in response to a second request to increase power consumption; an estimation unit that estimates whether each of the plurality of mobile batteries can provide power resources to the power network through the first control, the second control, the third control, or the fourth control based on a predicted usage status of the plurality of mobile batteries; Equipped with the estimation unit estimates an amount of power resource that each of the plurality of movable batteries can provide to the power network through each of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control, based on a predicted usage status of the plurality of movable batteries; The system comprises: an allocation unit that allocates whether each of the plurality of movable batteries will provide the power resource to the power network through the first control, the second control, the third control, or the fourth control in each of a plurality of future time periods based on the amount of power resource that each of the plurality of movable batteries can provide to the power network and the amount of power resource that each of the plurality of movable batteries needs to provide to the power network, which are estimated by the estimation unit; Furthermore, When allocating whether each of the plurality of movable batteries provides a power resource to the power network, the allocation unit allocates the first control with priority over the second control and allocates the fourth control with priority over the third control. system.

2. An acquisition unit that acquires preference information indicating whether a user associated with each of the plurality of movable batteries desires that each of the plurality of movable batteries provide a power resource in response to the first request and the second request. Equipped with The estimation unit excludes movable batteries associated with users who do not wish the movable batteries to provide power resources in response to the first request and the second request from movable batteries that are targets for estimating the amounts of power resources that can be provided to the power network by each of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control. The system of claim 1 .

3. The predicted usage status of the plurality of mobile batteries includes a time period during which the plurality of mobile batteries are predicted to be used.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The predicted utilization of the plurality of mobile batteries further includes a predicted state of charge of the plurality of mobile batteries. The system of claim 3.

5. The estimation unit estimates a predicted usage status of the plurality of movable batteries based on a past usage history of the plurality of movable batteries and a future usage plan of the plurality of movable batteries.

5. The system according to claim 3 or 4.

6. the predicted usage status of the plurality of mobile batteries includes a timing at which the plurality of mobile batteries are predicted to be charged or discharged; The estimation unit estimates the amount of power resources that can be provided to the power network by changing the timing of charging or discharging the plurality of movable batteries with respect to the timing at which the plurality of movable batteries are predicted to be charged or discharged within a period in which the power resources agreed upon in the power market should be provided to the power network, thereby estimating the amount of power resources that can be provided to the power network by each of the plurality of movable batteries through the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The control unit, in response to receiving the first request within a period in which the power resource is to be provided to the power network, performs at least one of the first control and the second control based on an amount of power resource that will be available to be provided to the power network estimated by the estimation unit, and, in response to receiving the second request within a period in which the power resource is to be provided to the power network, performs at least one of the third control and the fourth control based on the amount of power resource that will be available to be provided to the power network estimated by the estimation unit. The system of claim 6.

8. The plurality of mobile batteries includes a battery mounted on a vehicle. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The plurality of mobile batteries includes batteries mounted on the vehicle and replaceable at a plurality of stations. The system of claim 8.

10. A program for causing a computer to function as the system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A method comprising: providing power resources to a power network by performing at least one of a first control to reduce the amount of charge to a plurality of movable batteries and a second control to increase the amount of power supplied from the plurality of movable batteries in response to a first request to reduce power consumption, and performing at least one of a third control to increase the amount of charge to the plurality of movable batteries and a fourth control to reduce the amount of power supplied from the plurality of movable batteries to an outside in response to a second request to increase power consumption; an estimation step of estimating whether each of the plurality of mobile batteries can provide power resources to the power network through the first control, the second control, the third control, or the fourth control based on a predicted usage status of the plurality of mobile batteries; Equipped with the estimation step estimates an amount of power resource that each of the plurality of mobile batteries can provide to the power network through each of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control based on a predicted usage status of the plurality of mobile batteries; The method comprises: an allocation step of allocating which of the first control, the second control, the third control, and the fourth control by which each of the plurality of movable batteries will provide the power resource to the power network in each of a plurality of future time periods based on the amount of power resource that each of the plurality of movable batteries can provide to the power network and the amount of power resource that each of the plurality of movable batteries needs to provide to the power network estimated in the estimation step; Furthermore, In the allocation step, when allocating whether each of the plurality of mobile batteries provides a power resource to the power network, the first control is allocated with priority over the second control, and the fourth control is allocated with priority over the third control. method.

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