System, method and program

Abstract

To provide a system, method and program for transferring a necessary amount of power to / from a power grid by precisely predicting the amount of power consumed by driving of a vehicle when the vehicle is used for power transfer.SOLUTION: In a system, an integrated management apparatus includes: a first acquisition unit which acquires information indicating a driving-scheduled period of a plurality of vehicles each including a battery and driving characteristics of a driver who drives each of the plurality of vehicles in the driving-scheduled period; a second acquisition unit which acquires information indicating a power transfer-scheduled period during which power transfer is to be performed between the battery included in at least one of the plurality of vehicles and a power grid; and a selection unit which specifies, on the basis of the driving-scheduled period, the driving characteristics, and the power transfer-scheduled period, driving characteristics of a driver of a vehicle to be driven within a predetermined period from the power transfer-scheduled period, and selects, on the basis of the driving characteristic being specified, a vehicle of which a battery is used for power transfer from / to the power grid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a child aggregator acquires time schedule information when a battery mounted on a transport device can supply power to a power grid, and transmits a time schedule indicating the amount of power that the battery as a whole can supply to the power grid to a parent aggregator.Patent Document 2 describes a technology in which, using electricity cost information for multiple vehicles, energy costs required for driving each vehicle are estimated, and the estimated energy costs are presented to a user. [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6534403 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7068852 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] In a system that uses a vehicle's battery not only for driving the vehicle but also for exchanging power with a power network, it may not be possible to exchange the required amount of power with the power network unless the amount of power consumed by the vehicle's driving is more accurately predicted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system. The system includes a first acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a planned driving period of a plurality of vehicles equipped with batteries and driving characteristics of drivers who will drive each of the plurality of vehicles during the planned driving period. The system includes a second acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a planned power transfer period during which power should be transferred between the battery equipped in at least one of the plurality of vehicles and an electric power network. The system includes a selection unit that identifies driving characteristics of drivers of vehicles that will be driven within a predetermined period from the planned power transfer period based on the planned driving period, the driving characteristics, and the planned power transfer period, and selects a vehicle whose battery will be used for transferring power to and from the electric power network based on the identified driving characteristics.

[0005] In the above system, the driving characteristics may include a power consumption rate of the battery obtained when the driver drives the vehicle.

[0006] In any of the above systems, the driving characteristics may include the power consumption rate obtained for each combination of the driver and vehicle type.

[0007] In any of the above systems, the driving characteristics may include the power consumption rate obtained for each combination of the driver and day of the week.

[0008] In any of the above systems, the driving characteristics may include the power consumption rate obtained for each combination of the driver and a travel route of the vehicle.

[0009] In any of the above systems, the driving characteristics may include the power consumption rate obtained for each combination of the driver and the plurality of vehicles.

[0010] In any of the above systems, the selection unit may select a vehicle whose battery will be used for the power transfer based on the power consumption rate and whether power will be supplied from the battery to the power network or from the power network to the battery during the planned power transfer period.

[0011] In any of the above systems, the selection unit may further select a vehicle driven by a driver whose power consumption rate is lower than a predetermined value as a vehicle that will supply power from the battery provided in the vehicle to the power network, and may select a period after the driver whose power consumption rate is lower than the predetermined value has finished driving the vehicle as a period for supplying power from the battery provided in the vehicle to the power network.

[0012] In any of the above systems, the selection unit may further select a vehicle driven by a driver whose power consumption rate is higher than a predetermined value as a vehicle to receive power supply from the power network to the battery equipped in the vehicle, and may select a period after the driver whose power consumption rate is higher than the predetermined value has finished driving the vehicle as a period for receiving power supply from the power network to the battery equipped in the vehicle.

[0013] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method. The method includes acquiring information indicating a planned driving period of a plurality of vehicles equipped with batteries and driving characteristics of drivers who will drive each of the plurality of vehicles during the planned driving period. The method includes acquiring information indicating a planned power transfer period during which power should be transferred between the battery equipped in at least one of the plurality of vehicles and an electric power network. The method also includes identifying driving characteristics of drivers of vehicles that will be driven within a predetermined period from the planned power transfer period based on the planned driving period, the driving characteristics, and the planned power transfer period, and selecting a vehicle whose battery will be used for transferring power to and from the electric power network based on the identified driving characteristics.

[0014] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to function as the above-described system.

[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 system 5 in one embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows an example of the system configuration of a vehicle management device 60. [Figure 3] 1 shows an example of the system configuration of the integrated management device 50. [Figure 4] Execution sequences of the power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, and the vehicle management device 60 are shown. [Figure 5] 10 shows power consumption rate information acquired for each combination of user and vehicle type. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process of correcting a vehicle dispatch plan in consideration of the power consumption rate of each user. [Figure 7] A list of multiple reservation information stored in the integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 is shown in table format. [Figure 8] The figures show the vehicle allocation plan and power supply plan before arbitration and the vehicle allocation plan and power supply plan after arbitration. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another process related to arbitration of a vehicle allocation plan and a power plan. [Figure 10] 1 shows a schematic diagram of grouping of vehicles 10 based on SOC. [Figure 11] The groups are classified based on a combination of the SOC of the battery 12 and the power consumption rate of the user of the vehicle 10. [Figure 12] 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 form of a system 5 in one embodiment. The system 5 includes a power generation device 80, a plurality of vehicles including a vehicle 10a, a vehicle 10b, a vehicle 10c, a vehicle 10d, and a vehicle 10e, power control devices 40 and 41, an integrated management device 50 and 51, a vehicle management device 60 and 61, a power control device 140, and a server 180.

[0019] The power consumer 70 and the power generation device 80 are connected to a power network 90. ​​The power generated by the power generation device 80 can be supplied to the power consumer 70 through the power network 90. ​​The power network 90 is, for example, an electric power system.

[0020] Vehicles 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, and 10e are electric vehicles equipped with batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and 12e, respectively, that store driving power for traveling the vehicles. In this embodiment, vehicles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10de may be collectively referred to as "vehicles 10," and batteries 12a, 12b, 12c, and 12d may be collectively referred to as "batteries 12."

[0021] Vehicle 10 is deployed at business establishment 30. Business establishment 30 functions as a base for parking vehicle 10. Vehicle 10 may be, for example, a commercial vehicle, or a vehicle for transporting cargo such as merchandise handled at business establishment 30. Electricity is supplied to business establishment 30 through power network 90.

[0022] The power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, and the vehicle management device 60 are installed in the business establishment 30. The vehicle 10 is installed so as to be able to communicate with the vehicle management device 60 via a mobile communication network or the like. The business establishment 30 has a local power network within the business establishment, and power can be exchanged between the battery 12 equipped in the vehicle 10 and the battery 12 through a charging / discharging device installed in the business establishment 30. In other words, the vehicle 10 can be used for energy management at the business establishment 30. The battery 12 equipped in the vehicle 10 can exchange power with the power network 90 through the power network within the business establishment 30. The power control device 40 controls the charging and discharging of the vehicle 10 deployed in the business establishment 30 so as to at least meet the power demand within the business establishment 30.

[0023] The power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, and the vehicle management device 60 are managed, for example, at the business establishment 30. The power control device 40 and the integrated management device 50 are provided so that they can communicate with each other via a communication line. The integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 are provided so that they can communicate with each other via a communication line. The integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 may be provided outside the business establishment 30. The integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 may be provided so that they can communicate with each other via a communication line such as the Internet. One or both of the integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 may be realized by a server such as a cloud server.

[0024] The vehicle management device 60 determines the time at which the vehicle 10 departs from and returns to the business premises 30. The integrated management device 50 adjusts the time at which the vehicle 10 departs from and returns to the business premises 30 so as to meet the power demand at the business premises 30. For example, the integrated management device 50 adjusts the time at which the vehicle 10 departs from and returns to the business premises 30 so as to enable peak cutting of power demand at the business premises 30. The vehicle management device 60 manages the vehicle 10 based on the schedule for the vehicle 10 adjusted by the integrated management device 50. The power control device 40 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 12 equipped in the vehicle 10 based on the schedule for the vehicle 10 adjusted by the integrated management device 50.

[0025] The vehicle 10e is deployed at the business establishment 31. The business establishment 31 functions as a base for parking the vehicle 10e. The vehicle 10e may be a commercial vehicle, similar to the vehicle 10, or may be a vehicle for transporting cargo such as merchandise handled at the business establishment 30. Electricity is supplied to the business establishment 31 through a power network 90. ​​The power control device 41, the integrated management device 51, and the vehicle management device 61 are provided at the business establishment 31.

[0026] In the business establishment 31, the power control device 41, the integrated management device 51, and the vehicle management device 61 correspond to the power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, and the vehicle management device 60. The power control device 41, the integrated management device 51, and the vehicle management device 61 perform the same control as the power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, and the vehicle management device 60, except that the controlled object and / or the managed object are the business establishment 31 and / or the vehicle 10e. Therefore, explanations of the control relating to the power control device 41, the integrated management device 51, the vehicle management device 61, and the vehicle 10 will be omitted.

[0027] The power control device 140 communicates with the power control device 40 and the power control device 41 via a communication network 190 and supervises overall power control in the business establishments 30 and 31. For example, the power control device 140 collects information on power supply and demand from the power control device 40 and the power control device 41 and causes the power control device 40 and the power control device 41 to perform control so as to minimize the power cost for the business establishments 30 and 31 as a whole by adjusting the overall power supply and demand including power trading with the power network 90.

[0028] The power control device 140 is connected to the server 180 via a communication network 190. The server 180 is, for example, a server used by a power aggregator. The server 180 performs power trading in the power market. The power control device 140 can provide the server 180 with power resources that are aggregated and stored from the business establishment 30 and the vehicles deployed at the business establishment 30. The power control device 140 provides the power agreed upon by the server 180 by having the power control devices 40 and 41 control the charging and discharging of the batteries of the vehicles deployed at the business establishment 30 and 31. For example, the power control device 140 controls the charging and discharging of the battery 12 by the power control device 40 in response to a demand from the server 180, and provides power according to the demand.

[0029] 2 to 9, etc., the control related to the business establishment 30 will be mainly described. Specifically, the control related to the power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, the vehicle management device 60, and the vehicle 10 will be described. However, the control related to the business establishment 30 can be applied to the control related to the business establishment 31.

[0030] 2 shows an example of the system configuration of the vehicle management device 60. The vehicle management device 60 includes a processing unit 200, a storage unit 280, and a communication unit 290.

[0031] The processing unit 200 controls the communication unit 290. The communication unit 290 is responsible for communication between the vehicle 10 and the integrated management device 50. The processing unit 200 is realized by an arithmetic processing device including a processor. The memory units 280 are each realized by including a non-volatile memory medium. The processing unit 200 performs processing using information stored in the memory units 280. The processing unit 200 may be realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, buses, etc. The vehicle management device 60 may be realized by a computer.

[0032] In this embodiment, the vehicle management device 60 is implemented by a single computer. However, in other embodiments, the vehicle management device 60 may be implemented by multiple computers. At least some of the functions of the vehicle management device 60 may be implemented by one or more servers, such as a cloud server.

[0033] The processing unit 200 includes an acquisition unit 210 and a planning unit 220 .

[0034] The acquisition unit 210 acquires reservation information for reserving the use of a vehicle 10 from among a plurality of vehicles 10. The reservation information includes, for example, selection conditions for selecting the vehicle 10 to be used by the user and information specifying the importance of the selection conditions. The selection conditions include, for example, at least one of conditions for selecting the usage period of the vehicle 10 and conditions for selecting the vehicle type. The storage unit 280 stores the reservation information acquired by the acquisition unit 210.

[0035] The acquisition unit 210 acquires information indicating the driver of the vehicle 10, the amount of power consumption of the battery 12 when the driver of the vehicle 10 is driving the vehicle 10, and the distance traveled by the vehicle 10. The acquisition unit 210 acquires the power consumption rate based on the amount of power consumption and the distance traveled. The storage unit 280 stores the calculated power consumption rate information.

[0036] The planning unit 220 creates a utilization plan for the vehicles 10 based on the reservation information stored in the storage unit 280. For example, the planning unit 220 creates a vehicle allocation plan indicating which users are to use the vehicles 10 based on the selection conditions stored in the storage unit 280. Specifically, the planning unit 220 creates the vehicle allocation plan by selecting the vehicles 10 to be used by the users based on the selection conditions.

[0037] The communication unit 290 transmits the vehicle allocation plan to the integrated management device 50. The communication unit 290 may further transmit at least a portion of the reservation information to the integrated management device 50. As will be described later, when the vehicle 10 used by a user is changed due to arbitration of conflicting reservations, the communication unit 290 may transmit a notification to the user who had reserved the changed vehicle 10, indicating that the vehicle 10 has been changed. The communication unit 290 may transmit the power consumption rate information stored in the memory unit 280 to the integrated management device 50.

[0038] 3 shows an example of the system configuration of the central managing device 50. The central managing device 50 includes a processing unit 300, a storage unit 380, and a communication unit 390.

[0039] The processing unit 300 controls the communication unit 390. The communication unit 390 is responsible for communication between the power control device 140 and the integrated management device 50. The processing unit 300 is realized by an arithmetic processing device including a processor. The storage units 380 are each realized by including a non-volatile storage medium. The processing unit 300 performs processing using information stored in the storage unit 380. The processing unit 300 may be realized by a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, I / O, buses, etc. The integrated management device 50 may be realized by a computer.

[0040] In this embodiment, the integrated managing device 50 is realized by including a single computer. However, in other embodiments, the integrated managing device 50 may be realized by multiple computers. At least some of the functions of the integrated managing device 50 may be realized by including one or more servers, such as a cloud server.

[0041] The processing unit 300 includes an acquisition unit 310 and an arbitration unit 320. The acquisition unit 310 includes a first acquisition unit 311 and a second acquisition unit 312. The arbitration unit 320 includes a selection unit 330.

[0042] When a conflict occurs between a usage plan for the vehicle 10 according to the vehicle allocation plan and a usage plan for the vehicle 10 according to the power plan received from the power control device 40, the arbitration unit 320 arbitrates the conflicting usage plans.

[0043] The first acquisition unit 311 acquires information indicating planned driving periods of multiple vehicles 10 equipped with batteries 12 and driving characteristics of drivers who will drive each of the multiple vehicles 10 during the planned driving periods. The first acquisition unit 311 acquires the planned driving periods from the vehicle management device 60. The reservation information acquired by the vehicle management device 60 is an example of information indicating the planned driving periods. The first acquisition unit 311 may acquire information indicating the driving characteristics of the drivers from the storage unit 380. The first acquisition unit 311 may acquire information indicating the driving characteristics of the drivers from the vehicle management device 60.

[0044] The second acquisition unit 312 acquires information indicating a planned power transfer period during which power should be transferred between the battery 12 included in at least one vehicle 10 of the multiple vehicles 10 and the power network. The second acquisition unit 312 may acquire the information indicating the planned power transfer period from the power control device 40. The power network is, for example, the power network in the business 30 and / or the power network 90. ​​The selection unit 330 identifies driving characteristics of the driver of the vehicle 10 that will be driven within a predetermined period from the planned power transfer period based on the planned driving period, the driving characteristics, and the planned power transfer period, and selects the vehicle 10 whose battery 12 will be used for power transfer with the power network based on the identified driving characteristics.

[0045] The driving characteristics may include an electric energy consumption rate of the battery 12 acquired when the driver drives the vehicle 10. The driving characteristics may include an electric energy consumption rate acquired for each combination of the driver and the vehicle type. The driving characteristics may include an electric energy consumption rate acquired for each combination of the driver and the day of the week. The driving characteristics may include an electric energy consumption rate acquired for each combination of the driver and the travel route of the vehicle 10. The driving characteristics may include an electric energy consumption rate acquired for each combination of the driver and multiple vehicles 10.

[0046] The selection unit 330 selects the vehicle 10 whose battery 12 will be used for power transfer based on the power consumption rate and whether power is to be supplied from the battery 12 to the power network or from the power network to the battery 12 during the planned power transfer period. Specifically, the selection unit 330 may select a vehicle 10 driven by a driver whose power consumption rate is lower than a predetermined value as the vehicle 10 that will supply power from its battery 12 to the power network, and may select a period after the driver whose power consumption rate is lower than a predetermined value has finished driving the vehicle 10 as the period during which power will be supplied from the battery 12 of the vehicle 10 to the power network. The selection unit 330 may select a vehicle 10 driven by a driver whose power consumption rate is higher than a predetermined value as the vehicle 10 for which power is supplied from the power network to the battery 12 equipped in the vehicle 10, and may select a period after the driving of the vehicle 10 by the driver whose power consumption rate is higher than the predetermined value has ended as the period for which power is supplied from the power network to the battery 12 equipped in the vehicle 10.

[0047] 4 shows the execution sequence of the power control device 40, the integrated management device 50, and the vehicle management device 60. The processing in FIG. 4 shows the processing from creating a power plan and vehicle allocation plan for the next day the day before to executing various controls in accordance with the created plan.

[0048] As control related to the power control device 40, in S4010, at least one of the user of the power control device 40 and the power control device 140 sets constraints related to the power plan for the business establishment 30 and notifies the power control device 40. The power control device 140 may set constraints for the business establishment 30 so as to minimize the overall power costs for the business establishments 30 and 31. The user is a person or system that inputs information related to power management at the business establishment 30 to the power control device 40. The constraints are conditions that impose constraints on formulating the power plan. The constraints may include constraints necessary to meet power demand. The constraints include, for example, information on the current amount of power generation, the current amount of power consumption, and power rates. The amount of power generation is, for example, the amount of power generated by the power generation device 80. The amount of power consumption is the amount of power consumed at the business establishment 30. The power rates include the power purchase price and the power selling price. The power purchase price is, for example, a condition regarding the amount charged to the business establishment 30 as compensation for receiving power from the power network 90. ​​The power selling price is, for example, a condition regarding the amount of money that the business establishment 30 receives as compensation for supplying power to the power network 90.

[0049] In S4012, the power control device 40 creates a power plan for the business establishment 30 for the next day. The power plan includes the amount of power consumption for each time period in a day. The power plan determines how much power will be consumed in each time period at the business establishment 30. The amount of power consumption for each time period on the next day may be predicted from environmental information such as weather information for the next day and past performance data. The power plan may include peak shave information for performing peak shaving. The peak shave information may include information indicating how much power consumption should be reduced in which time period at the business establishment 30. The peak shave information may include information indicating how much power the business establishment 30 should receive from outside in which time period.

[0050] The power control device 40 may create an optimal power plan for the business 30. For example, the power control device 40 may create a power plan so that the amount of power received from the power network 90 at the business 30 is minimized. The power control device 40 may create a power plan so that the amount of money charged at the business 30 as compensation for receiving power from the power network 90 is minimized. The power control device 40 may create a power plan so that the amount of money obtained at the business 30 as compensation for supplying power to the power network 90 is maximized. In this way, the power control device 40 creates an optimal power plan as the power plan for the next day at the business 30 based on the constraints. This power plan determines the amount of power that needs to be received from outside during each time period on the next day. The amount of power that needs to be received from outside may be supplied from the battery 12 installed in the vehicle 10 parked at the business 30. The power control device 40 transmits the created power plan to the integrated management device 50.

[0051] As a control for the vehicle management device 60, in S4210, a user inputs reservation information for dispatching the vehicle 10. The contents of the reservation information will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 7. A user of the vehicle management device 60 is a person, a system, or the like who uses the vehicle 10. The reservation information includes conditions that may be constraints when formulating a vehicle dispatch plan. The reservation information includes, for example, a departure point and destination, a departure time and an arrival time at the destination, and the type, capacity, and weight of cargo to be loaded on the vehicle 10. The departure point and destination determine from which location to which the vehicle 10 needs to travel. The departure time may be, for example, the time when the vehicle 10 departs from the business premises 30, and the arrival time may be, for example, the time when the vehicle 10 returns to the business premises 30. A time adjustment allowance indicating the amount of time by which the departure time and arrival time of the vehicle 10 can be changed may be set for the departure time and arrival time. The reservation information input in S4210 is transmitted to the vehicle management device 60 and also transmitted to the integrated management device 50 via the vehicle management device 60.

[0052] In S4212, the planning unit 220 of the vehicle management device 60 creates a vehicle allocation plan for the next day at the business establishment 30 based on the constraints notified by the user. For example, the planning unit 220 determines the vehicle 10 to be used for transporting people or cargo, the travel route of the vehicle 10, and the travel speed of the vehicle 10 so as to satisfy the transportation demand determined by the reservation information. The vehicle management device 60 transmits the created vehicle allocation plan to the integrated management device 50. At this time, the vehicle management device 60 may transmit the SOC and storage capacity of the battery 12 of the vehicle 10 and power consumption rate information of each user to the integrated management device 50 together with the vehicle allocation plan.

[0053] In S4110 , the acquisition unit 310 of the integrated management device 50 acquires the power plan transmitted from the power control device 40 , and the reservation information and vehicle allocation plan transmitted from the vehicle management device 60 .

[0054] In S4112, the arbitration unit 320 of the integrated management device 50 determines whether the power plan for the business establishment 30 is satisfied when the vehicle 10 is operated according to the vehicle allocation plan. For example, the vehicle allocation plan determines the period during which the vehicle 10 is predicted to be present at the business establishment 30. The arbitration unit 320 determines that the power plan is satisfied if, during a period during which the business establishment 30 needs to be supplied with power from an external source, it is predicted that the vehicle 10 will be able to receive power from the battery 12 equipped in the vehicle 10 present at the business establishment 30 during that period.

[0055] If the arbitration unit 320 determines that the power consumption plan cannot be met when vehicles are dispatched according to the vehicle dispatch plan, it determines how to modify the vehicle dispatch plan so that the power consumption plan can be met. For example, the arbitration unit 320 determines the amount of adjustment to the departure times and arrival times of the vehicles 10 in the vehicle dispatch plan.

[0056] The integrated management device 50 transmits correction information including the determined adjustment amounts of the departure times and return times to the vehicle management device 60. When the planning unit 220 of the vehicle management device 60 receives the correction information from the integrated management device 50, it corrects the vehicle allocation plan formulated in S4212 based on the correction information (S4213). For example, the planning unit 220 corrects the vehicle allocation plan so as to satisfy the reservation information based on the adjustment amounts of the departure times and return times received from the integrated management device 50. The vehicle management device 60 transmits the correction result of the vehicle allocation plan to the integrated management device 50. The integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60 repeat the processes of S4112 and S4213 to determine a feasible vehicle allocation plan. In S4213, the planning unit 220 determines a route for the vehicle 10, and determines whether the departure time and arrival time specified in the reservation information can be met, and whether the vehicle 10 can return to the business establishment 30 without running out of power based on the SOC and power consumption rate of the vehicle 10, thereby determining a feasible vehicle dispatch plan. In addition, in S4112, the arbitration unit 320 may determine that the vehicle dispatch plan is feasible, on the condition that it is determined that a profit can be obtained overall, taking into consideration the amount of power cost reduction for the business establishment 30 that can be obtained when power is exchanged between the battery 12 and the business establishment 30 in accordance with the determined power plan, and the operating cost of the vehicle 10 and the availability rate of the vehicle 10 that are required when the vehicle 10 is operated in accordance with the vehicle dispatch plan.

[0057] In S4112, the arbitration unit 320 may calculate the amount of power consumption of the battery 12 while the vehicle 10 is traveling, based on the travel distance derived from the travel route determined by the planning unit 220 and the power consumption rate associated with the user who drives the vehicle 10. The arbitration unit 320 may confirm that the vehicle 10 will not run out of power, based on the calculated amount of power consumption and the storage capacity of the battery 12.

[0058] Once the vehicle allocation plan is determined, the power control device 40 transmits the arbitration result including the vehicle allocation plan to the power control device 40. Upon receiving the arbitration result from the integrated management device 50, the power control device 40 reflects the arbitration result in the power plan (S4014) and notifies the user of the power plan finalized by reflecting the arbitration result (S4015). In S4016, the user and the power control device 140 execute control in accordance with the notified power plan. In S4018, the user and the power control device 140 execute performance processing related to the execution of the power plan. For example, the user executes a process of collecting and inputting performance data for power management, including performance data on the amount of power consumed in each time period. In S4020, the power control device 40 manages the performance data input by the user and the power control device 140 as history information. The power control device 40 may use the history information managed by the power control device 40 when later formulating a power plan.

[0059] The vehicle management device 60 finalizes the vehicle allocation plan finally determined in S4213 (S4214) and notifies the user of the finalized vehicle allocation plan via the communication unit 290. In S4216, the user controls the operation of the vehicles 10 in accordance with the notified vehicle allocation plan. In S4218, the user performs performance processing related to the execution of the vehicle allocation plan. For example, the user may perform a process of collecting and inputting driving performance data including driving data of each vehicle 10 and the remaining capacity of the battery 12. In S4220, the vehicle management device 60 manages the driving performance data input by the user as history information. Note that the vehicle management device 60 may use the history information managed by the vehicle management device 60 when later formulating a vehicle allocation plan.

[0060] 5 shows power consumption rate information acquired for each combination of user and vehicle type. The power consumption rate information includes "user" and "power consumption rate." The power consumption rate information may be acquired from the vehicle management device 60 and may be stored in the memory unit 380.

[0061] "User" is identification information of a person who uses the vehicle 10. "Electricity consumption rate" is set with data items "Vehicle model 1," "Vehicle model 2," and "Vehicle model 3." "Vehicle model 1" stores the average value of the energy consumption rate of the vehicle 10 measured when the user drives the vehicle 10 of the vehicle model indicated by "Vehicle model 1." "Vehicle model 2" stores the average value of the energy consumption rate of the vehicle 10 measured when the user drives the vehicle 10 of the vehicle model indicated by "Vehicle model 2." "Vehicle model 3" stores the average value of the energy consumption rate of the vehicle 10 measured when the user drives the vehicle 10 of the vehicle model indicated by "Vehicle model 3." The energy consumption rate indicates, for example, the amount of energy consumed by the battery 12 when the vehicle 10 travels 1 km. The energy consumption rate is information that represents so-called electricity efficiency. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the energy consumption rate when user C drives the vehicle 10 is relatively high.

[0062] 5 may be generated for each specific condition, such as weekday, holiday, day of the week, season, weather, driving route, etc., or for each combination of multiple conditions. When performing various processes using the dataset of power consumption rates, the selection unit 330 may use a dataset generated under conditions that match the usage scenario of the dataset.

[0063] Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the process of modifying the vehicle allocation plan in consideration of the power consumption rate of each user. As shown in Fig. 6, it is assumed that the vehicle allocation plan is made so that users A, C, and D drive vehicle 10b in that order.

[0064] 6, reference numeral 500 represents a change in the SOC of battery 12b calculated using the average power consumption rate of vehicle 10b. As shown by reference numeral 500, when calculated using the average power consumption rate of vehicle 10b, it is predicted that user D will complete driving before the SOC of vehicle 10d reaches 0.

[0065] However, when the SOC is evaluated using the power consumption rates associated with users A, C, and D with reference to the power consumption rate information shown in Fig. 5, the SOC reaches 0 before user D finishes driving, as shown by reference numeral 510. Therefore, if users A, C, and B actually drive vehicle 10b, there is a possibility that they will run out of power.

[0066] Therefore, the arbitration unit 320 proposes to revise the vehicle dispatch plan so that the vehicle 10a is selected instead of the vehicle 10b as the vehicle to be used by the user D. This makes it possible to prevent the SOC of the battery 12b from reaching 0, as shown by the reference numeral 520.

[0067] FIG. 7 shows, in table format, a list of multiple reservation information items stored in the integrated management device 50 and the vehicle management device 60. Each piece of reservation information includes information indicating "user," "time change," "vehicle type change," "vehicle type specification," "departure point," "destination," "departure time," "arrival time," and "stay time." Of the information included in the reservation information, "vehicle type specification," "departure point," "destination," "departure time," "arrival time," and "stay time" are examples of selection conditions for the vehicle 10 used by the user. "Time change" and "vehicle change" are examples of information specifying the importance of the selection conditions.

[0068] "User" is the identification information of the person who uses the vehicle 10.

[0069] "Time change" is information indicating whether or not it is permitted to change the selection conditions related to the usage period. The selection conditions related to the usage period are "departure time," "arrival time," and "stay length," which will be described later. "Not permitted" for "Time change" indicates that it is not permitted to change the selection conditions related to the usage period. "Permitted" for "Time change" indicates that it is permitted to change the selection conditions related to the usage period. "Time change" is an example of information specifying the importance of the selection conditions related to the usage period.

[0070] "Vehicle type change" is information indicating whether it is permitted to change the selection conditions related to the type of vehicle (vehicle type) to be used. The selection conditions related to vehicle type are "vehicle type specification" described below. "Not permitted" for "Vehicle type change" indicates that it is not permitted to change the selection conditions related to vehicle type. "Permitted" for "Vehicle type change" indicates that it is permitted to change the selection conditions related to vehicle type. "Vehicle type change" is an example of information specifying the importance of the selection conditions related to vehicle type.

[0071] "Vehicle type designation" is designated when a specific vehicle type is desired to be used. "Vehicle type designation" is identification information of the vehicle type.

[0072] "Departure point" indicates the departure point of the vehicle 10. "Destination point" indicates the destination of the vehicle 10.

[0073] "Departure time" is the scheduled time when vehicle 10 departs from the departure point. "Arrival time" is the scheduled time when vehicle 10 arrives at the destination. "Stay time" indicates the length of time vehicle 10 will stay at the destination. As an example, "Stay time" in Figure 7 indicates the length of time the vehicle will stay at the destination in minutes. When the destination is a business establishment 30, the reservation information does not include "Stay time."

[0074] In the example of Figure 7, the reservation information of user A indicates that vehicle 10 is reserved to depart from the office at 12:45, arrive at branch 1 at 12:55, stay at branch 1 for 10 minutes, depart branch 1 at 13:05, and arrive at business 30 at 13:15. This reservation specifies that changes in time and vehicle type are permitted.

[0075] In the example of Figure 7, the reservation information for user B indicates that the vehicle 10 will be used to depart from the office at 14:30, arrive at customer 1's location at 14:40, stay at customer 1's location for 10 minutes, depart customer 1's location at 14:50, and arrive at business 30 at 15:00. This reservation specifies that changes in time and vehicle type are permitted.

[0076] In the example of Figure 7, the reservation information for user C indicates that vehicle 10d will be used to depart from the office at 15:45, arrive at customer 2's location at 15:55, stay at customer 2's location for 10 minutes, depart customer 2's location at 16:05, and arrive at business 30 at 16:15. This reservation specifies that changes to the time and vehicle type are permitted.

[0077] When a conflict occurs in reservations, the arbitration unit 320 arbitrates the conflicting reservations based on the reservation information. For example, the arbitration unit 320 adjusts the conflicting reservations by adjusting the departure time and arrival time. Furthermore, the selection unit 330 of the arbitration unit 320 adjusts the conflicting reservations by selecting another vehicle 10 to be used by the user. The reservation information may further include, as a selection condition, information indicating a time adjustment allowance that indicates an allowable time for changing the departure time and / or the arrival time. The arbitration unit 320 may adjust the conflicting reservations by adjusting the departure time and / or the arrival time within the time adjustment allowance.

[0078] Figure 8 shows the vehicle dispatch plan and power supply plan before arbitration and the vehicle dispatch plan and power supply plan after arbitration.

[0079] 8, in the pre-arbitration vehicle dispatch plan created by the vehicle management device 60, vehicle 10a is scheduled to be used from 13:00 to 14:00 and from 15:30 to 16:30, as indicated by reference numerals 601 and 602. Furthermore, vehicle 10b is scheduled to be used from 13:30 to 15:00 and from 15:30 to 16:45, as indicated by reference numerals 603 and 604. Furthermore, vehicle 10c is scheduled to be used from 13:00 to 14:00 and from 14:30 to 15:45, as indicated by reference numerals 605 and 606. Furthermore, as shown by reference numerals 607, 608, and 609, the vehicle 10d is scheduled to be used during the periods of 12:45 to 13:15, 14:30 to 15:00, and 15:45 to 16:15.

[0080] As shown by reference numeral 610 in Fig. 8, the power plan drawn up by the power control device 40 plans to use the battery 12 to supply power to the business establishment 30 from 13:00 to 16:00 in order to cut peak demand at the business establishment 30. For any of the vehicles 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d, a reservation based on the power plan and a reservation based on the vehicle allocation plan conflict. Therefore, the arbitration unit 320 arbitrates between the reservation based on the power plan and the reservation based on the vehicle allocation plan as follows.

[0081] Here, it is assumed that the power plan specifies the amount of power to be supplied from battery 12 as a selection condition other than the usage period for selecting vehicle 10 to be used, and that it is set to not allow changing the time for which vehicle 10 is used (time change: not allowed). In this case, arbitration unit 320 selects vehicle 10d as the vehicle 10 that can supply the specified amount of power from battery 12 during the specified period and has the shortest overlapping period between the usage period of vehicle 10 according to the vehicle allocation plan and the usage period of vehicle 10 according to the power plan.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 7, vehicle type changes are permitted for user A, user B, and user C's reservations for vehicle 10d. Because vehicle 10b has no reservations from 12:45 to 13:15, the arbitration unit 320 determines that user A can change the vehicle to be used from 12:45 to 13:15 to vehicle 10b. Similarly, because vehicle 10a has no reservations from 14:30 to 15:00, the arbitration unit 320 determines that user B can change the vehicle to be used from 14:30 to 15:00 to vehicle 10a. Similarly, because vehicle 10c has no reservations from 15:45 to 16:15, the arbitration unit 320 determines that user C can change the vehicle to be used from 15:45 to 16:15 to vehicle 10c.

[0083] In this case, the arbitration unit 320 verifies, using the power consumption rate associated with each user, that even if user A uses vehicle 10b between 12:45 and 13:15, the SOC of battery 12b will not fall below a predetermined value until the use of vehicle 10b is completed as indicated by reference numeral 604. Similarly, the arbitration unit 320 verifies, using the power consumption rate associated with each user, that even if user B uses vehicle 10a between 14:30 and 15:00, the SOC of battery 12a will not fall below a predetermined value until the use of vehicle 10a is completed as indicated by reference numeral 602. Similarly, the arbitration unit 320 verifies, using the power consumption rate associated with each user, that even if user C uses vehicle 10c between 15:45 and 16:15, the SOC of battery 12c will not fall below a predetermined value until the use of vehicle 10c is completed as indicated by reference numeral 619.

[0084] As a result of the above, the arbitration unit 320 changes the vehicle to be used for user A's reservation of vehicle 10d to vehicle 10b as shown by reference numeral 617, changes the vehicle to be used for user B's reservation of vehicle 10d to vehicle 10a as shown by reference numeral 618, and changes the vehicle to be used for user C's reservation of vehicle 10d to vehicle 10c as shown by reference numeral 619. Then, the selection unit 330 selects vehicle 10d as the vehicle to supply power to the business establishment 30 based on the power plan for the period from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM as shown by reference numeral 620. Then, via the communication unit 290 of the vehicle management device 60, users A, B, and C are notified that the vehicles to be used have been changed to vehicle 10b, vehicle 10a, and vehicle 10c, respectively. This makes it possible to effectively use the battery 12 of vehicle 10 for peak shaving at the business establishment 30 within the range acceptable to users A, B, and C.

[0085] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating another process related to the arbitration of a vehicle allocation plan and a power plan. As shown in FIG. 9, in the vehicle allocation plan before arbitration created by the vehicle management device 60, as indicated by reference numerals 701 and 702, vehicle 10a is scheduled to be used from 13:00 to 14:00 and from 15:30 to 16:30. Furthermore, as indicated by reference numeral 703, vehicle 10b is scheduled to be used from 12:00 to 12:45. Furthermore, as indicated by reference numeral 704, vehicle 10c is scheduled to be used from 12:00 to 14:00. Furthermore, as indicated by reference numerals 707, 708, and 709, vehicle 10d is scheduled to be used from 12:45 to 13:15, from 14:30 to 15:00, and from 15:45 to 16:15.

[0086] As in the case of Fig. 8, as indicated by reference numeral 710 in Fig. 9, the power plan drawn up by the power control device 40 plans to use battery 12 to supply power to the business establishment 30 during the period from 13:00 to 16:00 in order to cut peak demand at the business establishment 30. Unlike the case of Fig. 8, in the case of Fig. 9, vehicle 10b or vehicle 10c is not scheduled to be used during the peak cut period from 13:00 to 16:00. Therefore, the selection unit 330 selects one of battery 12b of vehicle 10b and battery 12c of vehicle 10c as the battery for cutting peak demand at the business establishment 30 based on the power plan.

[0087] At this time, the selection unit 330 determines, based on the reservation information, that the user of vehicle 10b immediately before the peak shaving period was user B, and that the user of vehicle 10c immediately before the peak shaving period was user C. Therefore, the selection unit 330 refers to the power consumption rate information and compares the power consumption rate associated with user C with the power consumption rate associated with user B. The power consumption rate associated with user B is lower than the power consumption rate associated with user C. Therefore, it is expected that the SOC of battery 12b of vehicle 10b is not significantly lower than expected compared to battery 12c of vehicle 10c. Therefore, the selection unit 330 selects battery 12b of vehicle 10b as the battery to supply power to business establishment 30 for peak shaving at business establishment 30. As a result, as shown by reference numeral 720 in FIG. 9 , vehicle 10b is selected as the vehicle to supply power to business establishment 30 based on the power plan from 13:00 to 16:00. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the peak cut of the business establishment 30 will not be possible due to a shortage of the stored power amount of the battery 12b.

[0088] In the example of FIG. 9, a case has been described in which power is supplied from the battery 12 to the business establishment 30 in order to cut peak demand at the business establishment 30. In contrast, when power is supplied from the business establishment 30 to the battery 12, the selection unit 330 may select the battery 12c of the vehicle 10c used by the user C as the battery to which power is supplied from the business establishment 30. Because the user C drives the vehicle 10c, the SOC of the battery 12c may be lower than planned. However, when the battery 12 is used to absorb surplus power in the business establishment 30 or the power network 90, it may be desirable for the SOC of the battery 12c to be lower than planned.

[0089] An example of a method for selecting a vehicle 10 to be used for power transfer to and from the business establishment 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG.

[0090] FIG. 10 schematically shows how vehicles 10 are grouped based on SOC. The vehicles 10 are classified into groups A to D based on the SOC of their batteries 12. As an example, group A includes vehicles equipped with batteries 12 having an SOC of 75% or more and 100% or less. group B includes vehicles equipped with batteries 12 having an SOC of 51% or more and 74% or less. group C includes vehicles equipped with batteries 12 having an SOC of 26% or more and 50% or less. group D includes vehicles equipped with batteries 12 having an SOC of 0% or more and 25% or less.

[0091] Vehicles 10 classified into group A are vehicles that can be used for driving. Vehicles 10 classified into group A are also vehicles equipped with batteries 12 that have a remaining battery capacity that can be used for lowering demand response (DR). Vehicles 10 belonging to group B are vehicles equipped with batteries 12 that have a remaining battery capacity that can be used mainly for lowering DR. Vehicles 10 classified into group C are vehicles equipped with batteries 12 that have a remaining battery capacity that can be used mainly for both lowering DR and raising DR. Vehicles 10 belonging to group D are vehicles equipped with batteries 12 that have a remaining battery capacity that can be used mainly for raising DR.

[0092] FIG. 11 shows groups classified based on a combination of the SOC of the battery 12 and the power consumption rate of the user of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is classified into one of eight groups based on a combination of four groups based on the SOC of the battery 12 and two groups based on the power consumption rate of the user. In the example of FIG. 11, the power consumption rate is classified into two groups: a group whose users have a "good" power consumption rate and a group whose users have a "bad" power consumption rate. The group whose power consumption rate is "good" is a group whose power consumption rate is higher than a predetermined threshold, and the group whose power consumption rate is "bad" is a group whose power consumption rate is lower than the predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold can be, for example, an average value of the power consumption rates of multiple users.

[0093] For each group, it is predetermined whether the vehicles 10 classified into the respective group can be used for a downward DR or an upward DR after being used by a user. For example, it is determined that a vehicle 10 whose SOC is within the range of group A can be used for a downward DR regardless of the group of its power consumption rate. A group whose SOC is within the range of group B and whose power consumption rate is "good" can be used for a downward DR. A group whose SOC is within the range of group B and whose power consumption rate is "poor" can be used for an upward DR. A group whose SOC is within the range of group C and whose power consumption rate is "good" can be used for a downward DR. A group whose SOC is within the range of group C and whose power consumption rate is "poor" can be used for an upward DR. A vehicle 10 whose SOC is within the range of group D can be used for an upward DR regardless of the group of its power consumption rate.

[0094] As described in relation to FIG. 10 , vehicles 10 whose SOC falls within the range of Group B are primarily used for the downward DR. However, when used by a user with a "poor" power consumption rate, the SOC of the battery 12 may be lower than the predicted SOC after use. Therefore, vehicles 10 whose SOC falls within the range of Group B and belong to a group with a "poor" power consumption rate are considered usable for the upward DR. However, the priority of vehicles 10 belonging to this group being used for the upward DR is considered lower than the priority of vehicles 10 belonging to other groups that are defined as usable for the upward DR being used for the upward DR.

[0095] The selection unit 330 classifies the vehicle 10 into one of the above-mentioned eight groups based on the user's reservation information and the predicted SOC after the vehicle 10 has been used by the user. When the power plan is finalized in the integrated management device 50, the selection unit 330 selects which vehicle 10 should be used for power exchange with the business establishment 30 based on whether the power plan plans a downward DR or an upward DR.

[0096] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 9 , the power plan plans to use battery 12 for a lower DR in order to cut peak power at business establishment 30. In this case, the selection unit 330 selects vehicles 10 belonging to a group determined to be used for a lower DR as vehicles to be used for peak power shaving at business establishment 30. As an example, assume that vehicle 10b has a predicted SOC of battery 12b within the range of group C and belongs to a group in which user B's power consumption rate is "good," and vehicle 10c has a predicted SOC within the range of group C and belongs to a group in which user C's power consumption rate is "bad." In this case, the selection unit 330 selects vehicle 10b, which is not scheduled to be used during the peak power shaving period, from among the vehicles 10 belonging to the group in which a lower DR is determined, as a vehicle that can supply power to business establishment 30.

[0097] In this way, the selection unit 330 classifies the vehicles 10 into a plurality of groups based on a combination of the user's power consumption rate and SOC based on the reservation information, and therefore can determine by a simple calculation whether the vehicle 10 can be used for an upward DR or a downward DR. This allows the selection unit 330 to select the vehicle 10 to be used for power exchange with the business establishment 30 from the vehicles classified into a specific group determined depending on whether an upward DR or a downward DR is scheduled in the power plan. This reduces the calculation load for searching for the vehicle 10 to be used for power exchange.

[0098] As described above, the system 5 of this embodiment can select the vehicle 10 to be used for peak shaving at the business establishment 30 based on the driving characteristics of the user. Therefore, the amount of power consumed by driving the vehicle 10 can be appropriately taken into consideration, which increases the possibility of transferring the required amount of power between the power network and the battery.

[0099] 12 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 the system 5 or each part of the system 5 according to an embodiment, or as an apparatus or each part of the apparatus, such as the power control device 40 and the vehicle management device 60, perform operations associated with the system or each part of the system, or the apparatus or each part of the apparatus, and / or 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, a DVD-ROM, or a memory card, or via 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 the computer 2000 and causing the computer 2000 to function as the integrated managing device 50 may act on the CPU 2012 or the like to cause the computer 2000 to function as each of the components of the integrated managing device 50. When the information processing described in these programs is loaded into the computer 2000, the computer 2000 functions as each of the components of the integrated managing device 50, which is a specific means formed by the software and the various hardware resources described above working together. These specific means then perform calculations or processing of information according to the intended use of the computer 2000 in this embodiment, thereby constructing a specific integrated managing device 50 according to the intended use.

[0109] A program installed on the computer 2000 and causing the computer 2000 to function as the vehicle management device 60 may act on the CPU 2012 or the like to cause the computer 2000 to function as each unit of the vehicle management device 60. When the information processing described in these programs is read into the computer 2000, it functions as each unit of the vehicle management device 60, which is a specific means formed by the software and the various hardware resources described above working together. These specific means then perform calculations or processing of information according to the intended use of the computer 2000 in this embodiment, thereby constructing a specific vehicle management device 60 according to the intended use.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] 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]

[0116] 5. System 10 vehicles 12 Battery 30, 31 offices 40, 41 Power control device 50, 51 Integrated management device 60, 61 Vehicle management device 70 Electricity consumers 80 Power Generation Equipment 90 Electricity Network 140 Power control device 180 servers 190 Communication Network 200 Processing section 210 Acquisition Department 220 Planning Department 280 Storage section 290 Communications Department 300 Processing section 310 Acquisition Department 311 First Acquisition Department 312 Second Acquisition Department 320 Mediation Department 330 Selection Section 380 Storage section 390 Communications Department 500, 510, 520, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610, 617, 618, 619, 620, 701, 702, 703, 704, 707, 708, 709, 710, 720 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 first acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a planned driving period of a plurality of vehicles each having a battery and a driving characteristic of a driver who drives each of the plurality of vehicles during the planned driving period; a second acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a planned power transfer period during which power should be transferred between the battery included in at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles and a power network; a selection unit that identifies driving characteristics of a driver of a vehicle that will be driven within a predetermined period from the scheduled power transfer period, based on the scheduled driving period, the driving characteristics, and the scheduled power transfer period, and selects a vehicle whose battery will be used for power transfer with the power network, based on the identified driving characteristics; Equipped with the driving characteristics include an energy consumption rate of the battery acquired when the driver drives the vehicle; the selection unit selects a vehicle whose battery will be used for the power exchange based on the power consumption rate and whether power is to be supplied from the battery to the power network or from the power network to the battery during the planned power exchange period; The selection unit further selects a vehicle driven by a driver whose power consumption rate is lower than a predetermined value as a vehicle for which power is to be supplied from the battery included in the vehicle to the power network, and selects a period after the driver whose power consumption rate is lower than a predetermined value has finished driving the vehicle as a period for which power is to be supplied from the battery included in the vehicle to the power network. system.

2. The driving characteristics include the power consumption rate obtained for each combination of the driver and vehicle type. The system of claim 1 .

3. The driving characteristics include the power consumption rate obtained for each combination of the driver and the day of the week.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The driving characteristics include the power consumption rate acquired for each combination of the driver and the travel route of the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The driving characteristics include the power consumption rate obtained for each combination of the driver and the plurality of vehicles.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A first acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a planned driving period of a plurality of vehicles equipped with a battery and driving characteristics of a driver who will drive each of the plurality of vehicles during the planned driving period; a second acquisition unit that acquires information indicating a planned power transfer period during which power should be transferred between the battery included in at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles and a power network; a selection unit that identifies driving characteristics of a driver of a vehicle that will be driven within a predetermined period from the scheduled power transfer period, based on the scheduled driving period, the driving characteristics, and the scheduled power transfer period, and selects a vehicle whose battery will be used for power transfer with the power network, based on the identified driving characteristics; Equipped with the driving characteristics include an energy consumption rate of the battery acquired when the driver drives the vehicle; the selection unit selects a vehicle whose battery will be used for the power exchange based on the power consumption rate and whether power is to be supplied from the battery to the power network or from the power network to the battery during the planned power exchange period; The selection unit further selects a vehicle driven by a driver whose power consumption rate is higher than a predetermined value as a vehicle to which power is supplied from the power network to the battery included in the vehicle, and selects a period after driving of the vehicle by the driver whose power consumption rate is higher than the predetermined value has ended as a period for which power is supplied from the power network to the battery included in the vehicle. system.

7. An information processing system acquires information indicating a planned driving period of a plurality of vehicles equipped with a battery and driving characteristics of a driver who will drive each of the plurality of vehicles during the planned driving period; a step in which the information processing system acquires information indicating a planned power transfer period during which power should be transferred between the battery included in at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles and an electric power network; a selection step in which the information processing system identifies driving characteristics of a driver of a vehicle that will be driven within a predetermined period from the scheduled power transfer period, based on the scheduled driving period, the driving characteristics, and the scheduled power transfer period, and selects a vehicle whose battery will be used for power transfer with the power network, based on the identified driving characteristics; Equipped with the driving characteristics include an energy consumption rate of the battery acquired when the driver drives the vehicle; the selecting step selects a vehicle whose battery will be used for the power exchange based on the power consumption rate and whether power is to be supplied from the battery to the power network or from the power network to the battery during the scheduled power exchange period; The selection step further comprises selecting a vehicle driven by a driver whose power consumption rate is lower than a predetermined value as a vehicle for supplying power from the battery included in the vehicle to the power network, and selecting a period after the driver whose power consumption rate is lower than the predetermined value has finished driving the vehicle as a period for supplying power from the battery included in the vehicle to the power network. method.

8. An information processing system acquires information indicating a planned driving period of a plurality of vehicles equipped with a battery and driving characteristics of a driver who will drive each of the plurality of vehicles during the planned driving period; a step in which the information processing system acquires information indicating a planned power transfer period during which power should be transferred between the battery included in at least one vehicle among the plurality of vehicles and an electric power network; a selection step in which the information processing system identifies driving characteristics of a driver of a vehicle that will be driven within a predetermined period from the scheduled power transfer period, based on the scheduled driving period, the driving characteristics, and the scheduled power transfer period, and selects a vehicle whose battery will be used for power transfer with the power network, based on the identified driving characteristics; Equipped with the driving characteristics include an energy consumption rate of the battery acquired when the driver drives the vehicle; the selecting step selects a vehicle whose battery will be used for the power exchange based on the power consumption rate and whether power is to be supplied from the battery to the power network or from the power network to the battery during the scheduled power exchange period; The selection step further comprises selecting a vehicle driven by a driver whose power consumption rate is higher than a predetermined value as a vehicle to which power is supplied from the power network to the battery included in the vehicle, and selecting a period after the end of driving of the vehicle by the driver whose power consumption rate is higher than the predetermined value as a period for which power is supplied from the power network to the battery included in the vehicle. method.

9. A program for causing a computer to function as the system according to claim 1 or 6.

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