Power management device

Abstract

To suppress the use of fossil fuel and promote the utilization of renewable energy.SOLUTION: A power management device 200 includes a control unit that calculates, per unit period, a difference between a supply power amount charged into a vehicle 410 at a place other than a user's own home 100 and a surplus power amount supplied from the user's own home 100 to a power transfer network 600, and in a case where it is determined that the surplus power amount exceeds the supply power amount, causes the user to select whether to bring forward the difference as a surplus power amount for the next unit period or to convert the difference into money, and in a case where it is determined that the supply power amount exceeds the surplus power amount, asks the user to pay for the difference and calculates the proportion that the surplus power amount occupies in the supply power amount and informs the user of the calculated proportion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a power management method in which a surplus power value indicating the amount of surplus power supplied to a power grid from a power generation device corresponding to user identification information is input, and in response to a power supply inquiry from a user, power equal to or less than the amount indicated by the accumulated value of the surplus power is supplied as power that is not subject to charges. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-061429 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Due to the need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in response to global warming in recent years, there is a desire to curb the use of fossil fuels and promote the use of renewable energy that places less strain on the global environment.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to reduce the use of fossil fuels and promote the use of renewable energy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A power management device according to the present disclosure includes: A power management device that associates an amount of surplus power obtained by subtracting an amount of power used at a user's home from a total amount of power generated by a renewable energy power generation facility installed at the user's home and registers the amount of surplus power, and virtually supplies part or all of the registered amount of surplus power to a location other than the user's home for charging a vehicle of the user, The system includes a control unit that calculates the difference between the amount of supplied electricity charged to the vehicle at a location other than the home per unit period and the amount of surplus electricity, and when it is determined that the amount of surplus electricity exceeds the amount of supplied electricity, allows the user to choose whether to carry over the difference as the amount of surplus electricity for the next unit period or to convert the difference into cash, and when it is determined that the amount of supplied electricity exceeds the amount of surplus electricity, requests the user to pay the difference, calculates the proportion of the amount of supplied electricity that is accounted for by the amount of surplus electricity, and notifies the user of the calculated proportion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the use of fossil fuels is reduced and the use of renewable energy is promoted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a power management device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0011] The configuration of a system 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0012] The system 10 according to this embodiment includes a power management device 200, a home 100 of a user U1, at least one vehicle 410, a facility 300, and a power transmission network 600. The system 10 may further include a vehicle management device 400 and a power generation management device 700.

[0013] The power management device 200 is capable of communicating with the home 100 of the user U1, the vehicle 410, and the facility 300 via a network 500 such as the Internet. The power management device 200 may be capable of communicating with the vehicle management device 400 and the power generation management device 700 via the network 500. The vehicle management device 400 may be capable of communicating with the vehicle 410 via the network 500.

[0014] The power management apparatus 200 is installed in a facility such as a data center and operated by a power manager who manages the system 10. The power management apparatus 200 is, for example, a computer such as a server belonging to a cloud computing system or other computing system. In this embodiment, the power management apparatus 200 is, for example, an EMS. "EMS" is an abbreviation for Energy Management System. The power management apparatus 200 may be installed in a management room of the system 10 and used by the power manager. Alternatively, the power management apparatus 200 installed in the management room of the system 10 may be shared by two or more power managers. In this embodiment, the power management apparatus 200 registers surplus energy E1 generated at the home 100 of user U1 by linking it to user U1. The power management apparatus 200 controls the virtual supply of some or all of the registered surplus energy E1 to a location other than the home 100, such as a facility 300, for charging the vehicle 410 of user U1.

[0015] The home 100 of the user U1 is equipped with a charging facility 110 and a power generation facility 120. In this embodiment, the charging facility 110 is any charging facility capable of charging the vehicle 410. The charging facility 110 includes, for example, a normal charging facility such as a pole-type charger, a rapid charging facility, and a V2H charger / discharger. "V2H" is an abbreviation for Vehicle to Home. The power generation facility 120 is, for example, a renewable energy power generation device such as a solar panel. The electricity generated by the power generation facility 120 is used to charge the vehicle 410 via the charging facility 110 and also to power electrical appliances in the home 100.

[0016] Facility 300 is any commercial facility such as a store, restaurant, hall, amusement park, or office. Facility 300 is equipped with any charging equipment 310 capable of charging vehicle 410. Charging equipment 310 includes, for example, normal charging equipment such as a pole-type charger, rapid charging equipment, and V2H chargers and dischargers.

[0017] The vehicle 410 is any type of automobile that uses electricity for at least part of its propulsion, such as an HEV, PHEV, BEV, or FCEV. "HEV" is an abbreviation for hybrid electric vehicle. "PHEV" is an abbreviation for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. "BEV" is an abbreviation for battery electric vehicle. "FCEV" is an abbreviation for fuel cell electric vehicle. In this embodiment, the vehicle 410 is an automobile, but it may also be a vehicle dedicated to MaaS. The vehicle 410 may also be an AV with automated driving at any level. "AV" is an abbreviation for autonomous vehicle. The level of automation is, for example, any of levels 1 to 5 in the SAE classification. "SAE" is an abbreviation for Society of Automotive Engineers. The number of vehicles 410 included in the system 10 may be determined arbitrarily.

[0018] The vehicle management device 400 communicates with the vehicle 410 and receives various types of information from the vehicle 410. The various types of information include information indicating the charging status of the vehicle 410. The information indicating the charging status of the vehicle 410 includes, for example, information indicating the date and time when the vehicle 410 was charged, the location, and the amount of charge. The vehicle management device 400 may transmit vehicle control software for controlling the vehicle 410 to the vehicle 410. The vehicle control software may include supply control software for controlling operations related to supplying (i.e., charging) power to the vehicle 410.

[0019] The power generation management device 700 is installed in a power generation facility 720. In this embodiment, the power generation facility 720 includes renewable energy power generation equipment 710 such as solar panels, and generates renewable energy.

[0020] Network 500 includes the Internet, at least one WAN, at least one MAN, or a combination thereof. "WAN" is an abbreviation for wide area network. "MAN" is an abbreviation for metropolitan area network. Network 500 may include at least one wireless network, at least one optical network, or a combination thereof. A wireless network may be, for example, an ad hoc network, a cellular network, a wireless LAN, a satellite communication network, or a terrestrial microwave network. "LAN" is an abbreviation for local area network.

[0021] In the system 10, the power transmission network 600 is a network connected to a power grid of a power company and distributes grid power. The power transmission network 600 may be a part of the power grid. Grid power is supplied directly or indirectly to the home 100 of the user U1, at least one vehicle 410, the facility 300, and the power generation facility 720 via the power transmission network 600. Meanwhile, surplus power at the home 100 of the user U1 is supplied to the power transmission network 600. Specifically, the power generation facility 120 installed at the home 100 is connected to the power grid of the power company. All or part of the power generated by the power generation facility 120 is supplied to the power transmission network 600 as surplus power. In this way, the flow of surplus power generated from a power generation facility connected to the grid back to the grid is called "reverse power flow." Furthermore, power generated at the power generation facility 720 may be supplied to the power transmission network 600. The power flowed back from home 100 or the power supplied from power generation facility 720 flows through power transmission network 600. The power flowing through power transmission network 600 is used by, for example, a third party who purchases power from the power company that manages power transmission network 600.

[0022] In this embodiment, "surplus power" refers to the remaining power that is not used at the home 100 out of the total amount of power generated by the power generation equipment 120 at the home 100 of user U1. The amount of power used at the home 100 of user U1 includes the amount that user U1 has used to charge the vehicle 410 using the charging equipment 110. The "surplus power" at the home 100 of user U1 can be calculated by subtracting the amount of power used at the home 100 from the total amount of power generated by the power generation equipment 120.

[0023] In this embodiment, "renewable energy" refers to any energy derived from solar, geophysical, or biological sources that is replenished by nature at a rate greater than it can be utilized. "Renewable energy" refers to energy derived from energy resources that are constantly replenished by natural forces, such as sunlight, wind, wave / tidal power, flowing water / tide, geothermal heat, or biomass. "Renewable energy sources" include, for example, sunlight, wind, hydroelectric power, geothermal heat, solar heat, atmospheric heat, and other heat or biomass present in nature.

[0024] An overview of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0025] From the perspective of protecting the global environment, many users want to use renewable energy as much as possible to charge their vehicles, etc. Also, the widespread adoption of renewable energy requires the expansion of its adoption by companies and local communities. Furthermore, the role of large-scale fossil fuel power generation facilities is expected to shrink, and the role of renewable energy is expected to become even greater in the future. Therefore, there is great social significance in promoting the use of renewable energy.

[0026] In the system 10 according to this embodiment, surplus power at the home 100 of the user U1 is reverse-flowed to the power transmission network 600. The power management apparatus 200 registers the amount of surplus power E1 that is reverse-flowed from the home 100 of the user U1, linking it to the user U1. Then, the power management apparatus 200 virtually supplies part or all of the amount of surplus power E1 that is registered and linked to the user U1 for charging the vehicle 410 of the user U1 at a location other than the home 100.

[0027] In this embodiment, "virtually supplying" means that when user U1 charges vehicle 410 at a location other than home 100, the amount of supplied energy E2 used for charging is offset with the amount of surplus energy E1 registered in association with user U1, and part or all of the amount of surplus energy E1 is treated as the amount of supplied energy E2 used for charging user U1's vehicle 410.

[0028] In this embodiment, when the amount of supplied power E2 charged to the vehicle 410 of the user U1 exceeds the amount of surplus power E1 associated with the user U1 and registered, the difference d1 is compensated for by power supplied from the power transmission network 600. In this embodiment, the grid power supplied from the power transmission network 600 is assumed to be non-renewable energy such as power using fossil fuels, for example.

[0029] In this embodiment, the power management apparatus 200 calculates a difference d1 between the amount of supplied energy E2 charged to the vehicle 410 at a location other than the home 100 of the user U1 and the amount of surplus energy E1 per unit period P1. The unit period P1 can be any period, such as one day, one month, or one year. When the power management apparatus 200 determines that the amount of surplus energy E1 exceeds the amount of supplied energy E2, the power management apparatus 200 prompts the user U1 to select whether to carry over the difference d1 as the amount of surplus energy E1' for the next unit period P2 or to cash the difference d1. On the other hand, when the power management apparatus 200 determines that the amount of supplied energy E2 exceeds the amount of surplus energy E1, the power management apparatus 200 requests payment from the user U1 corresponding to the difference d1, calculates a ratio R1 of the amount of supplied energy E2 that the surplus energy E1 accounts for, and notifies the user U1 of the calculated ratio R1.

[0030] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the surplus energy amount E1 exceeds the supply energy amount E2 per unit period P1, the user U1 can select whether to carry over the difference d1 as the surplus energy amount E1' for the next unit period P2 or to convert it into cash. This improves the degree of freedom for the user U1 in utilizing the surplus energy amount E1. On the other hand, when the supply energy amount E2 exceeds the surplus energy amount E1 per unit period P1, the user U1 incurs a burden, such as a payment corresponding to the difference d1. This is considered to provide an incentive for the user U1 to ensure that the supply energy amount E2 does not exceed the surplus energy amount E1. In addition, the user U1 is notified of the proportion R1 of the surplus energy amount E1 in the supply energy amount E2. In other words, the user U1 is notified of the proportion of renewable energy in the supply energy amount E2 used by the user U1 to charge the vehicle 410. Therefore, for example, user U1 can easily set a goal to increase the proportion R1 of the surplus energy E1, which is renewable energy, in the amount of supplied energy E2. To increase the proportion R1, user U1 can, for example, increase the surplus energy E1 or reduce the amount of supplied energy E2. User U1 can increase the surplus energy E1 by, for example, saving the electricity used at home 100. User U1 can also reduce the amount of supplied energy E2 by driving vehicle 410 in an efficient manner. If the proportion R1 of the surplus energy E1 in the amount of supplied energy E2 increases and the difference d1 decreases, the amount of energy supplied from the grid to compensate for the difference d1 also decreases. This reduces the use of grid power that uses fossil fuels. As a result, the use of fossil fuels is reduced and the use of renewable energy is promoted.

[0031] The configuration of a power management apparatus 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] The power management apparatus 200 includes a control unit 201 , a storage unit 202 , and a communication unit 203 .

[0033] The control unit 201 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or GPU, or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. "CPU" is an abbreviation for central processing unit. "GPU" is an abbreviation for graphics processing unit. An example of the programmable circuit is an FPGA. "FPGA" is an abbreviation for field-programmable gate array. An example of the dedicated circuit is an ASIC. "ASIC" is an abbreviation for application specific integrated circuit. The control unit 201 controls each unit of the power management apparatus 200 and executes processes related to the operation of the power management apparatus 200.

[0034] The storage unit 202 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM or ROM. "RAM" is an abbreviation for random access memory. "ROM" is an abbreviation for read only memory. RAM is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. "SRAM" is an abbreviation for static random access memory. "DRAM" is an abbreviation for dynamic random access memory. ROM is, for example, EEPROM. "EEPROM" is an abbreviation for electrically erasable programmable read only memory. The storage unit 202 functions as, for example, a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 202 stores data used in the operation of the power management apparatus 200 and data obtained by the operation of the power management apparatus 200.

[0035] In this embodiment, a power management database DB1 is constructed in the storage unit 202. The power management database DB1 is a database that stores information about the power usage of multiple users, including user U1, for each unit period. Specifically, the power management database DB includes, as information about the power usage of multiple users, information indicating the amount of surplus power registered in association with each user, and information indicating the amount of supplied power used by each user to charge their own vehicle at a location other than their home for each unit period. In the power management database DB, the information indicating the amount of surplus power and the information indicating the amount of supplied power for each user is registered in association with the identification information of each user. The identification information of each user is, for example, the user's name, telephone number, or the license plate number of the vehicle they own.

[0036] The communication unit 203 includes at least one communication interface. The communication interface is, for example, a LAN interface. The communication unit 203 receives data used in the operation of the power management apparatus 200 and transmits data obtained by the operation of the power management apparatus 200. In this embodiment, the communication unit 203 communicates with the home 100, the vehicle 410, and the facility 300. The communication unit 203 may also communicate with the vehicle management apparatus 400 and the power generation management apparatus 700.

[0037] The functions of power management apparatus 200 are realized by executing a program according to this embodiment on a processor serving as control unit 201. That is, the functions of power management apparatus 200 are realized by software. The program causes a computer to execute the operations of power management apparatus 200, causing the computer to function as power management apparatus 200. That is, the computer functions as power management apparatus 200 by executing the operations of power management apparatus 200 in accordance with the program.

[0038] The program can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical disks, magneto-optical recording media, and ROMs. The program can be distributed by selling, transferring, or lending portable media such as SD cards, DVDs, or CD-ROMs that store the program. "SD" is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. "DVD" is an abbreviation for digital versatile disc. "CD-ROM" is an abbreviation for compact disc read only memory. The program can also be distributed by storing it in the storage of a server and transferring it from the server to another computer. The program can also be provided as a program product.

[0039] A computer temporarily stores a program stored on a portable medium or transferred from a server in its main storage device. The computer then reads the program stored in the main storage device using a processor and executes processing in accordance with the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from a portable medium and execute processing in accordance with the program. The computer may also execute processing in accordance with the received program each time a program is transferred from a server to the computer. Processing may also be executed through a so-called ASP-type service that achieves its functions by issuing execution instructions and obtaining results without transferring the program from the server to the computer. "ASP" is an abbreviation for application service provider. A program is information used for processing by a computer and includes something equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to a computer but has properties that specify computer processing falls under the category of "something equivalent to a program."

[0040] Some or all of the functions of power management apparatus 200 may be implemented by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as control unit 201. In other words, some or all of the functions of power management apparatus 200 may be implemented by hardware.

[0041] The operation of power management apparatus 200 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. This operation corresponds to the power management method according to this embodiment.

[0042] In step S1, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 acquires surplus energy data D1. The surplus energy data D1 is information indicating the amount of surplus energy E1 per unit period P1. The surplus energy E1 is the amount of energy Ez obtained by subtracting the amount of energy Ey used at the home 100 of the user U1 from the total amount of energy Ex generated by the renewable energy power generation equipment 120 installed at the home 100 of the user U1 per unit period P1. As described above, in this embodiment, the amount of energy Ey used at the home 100 of the user U1 includes the amount of energy used by the user U1 to charge the vehicle 410 using the charging equipment 110. In this embodiment, the amount of energy Ez is reverse-flowed from the home 100 to the power transmission network 600. The power management apparatus 200 detects this reverse-flowed amount of energy Ez and registers it in the power management database DB as surplus energy E1 in association with the identification information of the user U1. The surplus energy data D1 may be acquired by any procedure, but in this embodiment, it is acquired by the following procedure.

[0043] The control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 acquires identification information of the user U1. The control unit 201 uses the acquired identification information of the user U1 as a query to search the power management database DB constructed in the storage unit 202, thereby extracting the amount of surplus power E1 registered in association with the user U1 during the unit period P1. The control unit 201 acquires information indicating the extracted amount of surplus power E1 as surplus power amount data D1. The power management database DB may be constructed, for example, in an external cloud server instead of being constructed in the storage unit 202. The control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 may access the external cloud server via the communication unit 203, and acquire, as the surplus power amount data D1, information indicating the amount of surplus power E1 during the unit period P1 from the amounts of surplus power extracted using the identification information of the user U1 as a query. Alternatively, the control unit 201 may communicate with the home 100 via the communication unit 203 and directly receive information indicating the amount of surplus energy E1 generated at the home 100 during the unit period P1 from the home 100 as surplus energy data D1.

[0044] In step S2, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 acquires supplied energy data D2. The supplied energy data D2 is information indicating the amount of energy E2 supplied per unit period P1. The supplied energy E2 is the amount of energy Ep charged to the vehicle 410 at a location other than the home 100 of the user U1 per unit period P1. The power management apparatus 200 detects the amount of energy Ep charged to the vehicle 410 from the charging equipment 310 of each facility 300, and registers this as the amount of supplied energy E2 in the power management database DB in association with the identification information of the user U1. The supplied energy data D2 may be acquired using any procedure, but in this embodiment, it is acquired using the following procedure.

[0045] The control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 searches the power management database DB constructed in the storage unit 202 using the identification information of user U1 acquired in step S1 as a query to extract the amount of supplied energy E2 associated with user U1 during the unit period P1. The control unit 201 acquires information indicating the extracted amount of supplied energy E2 as supplied energy amount data D2. Alternatively, if the power management database DB is constructed on an external cloud server, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 may access the external cloud server via the communication unit 203 and acquire, from the amount of supplied energy extracted using the identification information of user U1 as a query, information indicating the amount of supplied energy E2 during the unit period P1 as supplied energy amount data D2. Alternatively, the control unit 201 may communicate with the vehicle management apparatus 400 via the communication unit 203 and directly receive, from the vehicle management apparatus 400, information indicating the amount of energy charged to the vehicle 410 at a location other than the home 100 of user U1 during the unit period P1 as supplied energy amount data D2.

[0046] In step S3, control unit 201 of power management apparatus 200 calculates difference d1 between surplus energy E1 indicated by surplus energy data D1 acquired in step S1 and supplied energy E2 indicated by supplied energy data D2 acquired in step S2. Difference d1 may be calculated using any procedure, but is calculated, for example, by subtracting supplied energy E2 from surplus energy E1.

[0047] In step S4, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 determines whether the amount of surplus energy E1 indicated by the surplus energy data D1 acquired in step S1 exceeds the amount of supplied energy E2 indicated by the amount of supplied energy data D2 acquired in step S2. Specifically, the control unit 201 makes this determination by comparing the amount of surplus energy E1 with the amount of supplied energy E2. For example, if the difference d1 is calculated in step S3 by subtracting the amount of supplied energy E2 from the amount of surplus energy E1, the control unit 201 may determine that the amount of surplus energy E1 exceeds the amount of supplied energy E2 if the calculated difference d1 is a positive value. If it is determined in step S4 that the amount of surplus energy E1 exceeds the amount of supplied energy E2, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0048] In step S5, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 prompts the user U1 to select whether to carry over the difference d1 as surplus energy E1' for the unit period P2 following the unit period P1, or to exchange the difference d1 for cash. For example, the control unit 201 creates a message inquiring the user U1 as to whether to carry over the difference d1 as surplus energy E1' for the next unit period P2, or to exchange the difference d1 for cash. The control unit 201 transmits the created message to the terminal device of the user U1 via the communication unit 203. The terminal device of the user U1 receives the message from the power management apparatus 200 and outputs the received message to an output unit such as a display. Alternatively, the terminal device may output the contents of the message as audio from a speaker corresponding to the output unit. The terminal device receives an operation for making the selection made by the user U1 via an input unit. As an example, when user U1 touches the displayed "Carryover" on a touch screen serving as an input unit of the terminal device, the terminal device accepts this operation as an operation by user U1 to select to carry over the difference d1 as the surplus energy amount E1' of the next unit period P2. Similarly, when user U1 touches the displayed "Cash Out" on a touch screen serving as an input unit of the terminal device, the terminal device accepts this operation as an operation by user U1 to select to cash out the difference d1. Instead of touching the touch screen, user U1 may input by voice via a microphone serving as an input unit of the terminal device. If user U1 selects in step S5 to carry over the difference d1 as the surplus energy amount E1' of the next unit period P2, the process of step S6 is performed.

[0049] In step S6, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 performs carry-over processing. The carry-over processing may be performed in any procedure, but in this embodiment, it is performed in the following procedure, for example.

[0050] In the first step of the carryover process, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 calculates, as the carryover energy amount E3, the amount of power corresponding to the absolute value of the difference d1 calculated in step S3. The carryover energy amount E3 may be calculated using any procedure, for example, the following procedure. As an example, the control unit 201 may calculate the absolute value of the difference d1 as the corresponding carryover energy amount E3. However, renewable energy has the characteristic that the amount of power generated fluctuates depending on the natural environment, such as weather conditions, and the market value of renewable energy fluctuates depending on, for example, the weather. Therefore, the control unit 201 may calculate the carryover energy amount E3 by taking into account fluctuations in market value due to, for example, the weather. As an example, the control unit 201 may predict the weather in the unit period P2 and calculate the amount of power corresponding to the absolute value of the difference d1 based on the predicted weather. The weather in the unit period P2 may be predicted using any procedure, for example, the following procedure. The control unit 201 receives information indicating a weather forecast for the unit period P2 from an external server via the communication unit 203 and the network 500, and predicts the weather for the unit period P2 based on the received information indicating the weather forecast. For example, if cloudy or rainy weather is predicted for the unit period P2, the control unit 201 may calculate a value smaller than the absolute value of the difference d1 as the carryover energy amount E3 by multiplying the absolute value of the difference d1 by a predetermined coefficient, for example.

[0051] In the second step of the carryover process, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 registers the carryover energy amount E3 calculated in the first step of the carryover process as part of the surplus energy amount E1' in the unit period P2 following the unit period P1, linking it to the user U1. For example, the control unit 201 registers the carryover energy amount E3 in the power management database DB constructed in the storage unit 202 or an external cloud server, linking it to the identification information of the user U1.

[0052] On the other hand, if the user U1 selects to convert the difference d1 into cash in step S5 described above, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0053] In step S7, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 performs a cash conversion process. The cash conversion process may be performed using any procedure, but in this embodiment, the cash conversion process is performed using, for example, the following procedure.

[0054] In the first step of the conversion process, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 calculates a monetary value V1 corresponding to the absolute value of the difference d1 calculated in step S3. The monetary value V1 corresponding to the absolute value of the difference d1 may be calculated using any procedure, but for example, it can be calculated based on the market value of renewable energy in the unit period P1.

[0055] In the second step of the cashing process, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 notifies the user U1 of the refund of the monetary value V1 calculated in the first step of the cashing process. Specifically, the control unit 201 creates a message informing the user U1 that the monetary value V1 will be refunded. The control unit 201 may include an inquiry about the refund method in the message. The control unit 201 transmits the created message to the terminal device of the user U1 via the communication unit 203. The terminal device of the user U1 receives the message from the power management apparatus 200 and outputs the received message to an output unit such as a display. Alternatively, the terminal device may output the content of the message as audio from a speaker corresponding to the output unit.

[0056] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 above that the surplus energy E1 does not exceed the supply energy E2, that is, if it is determined that the supply energy E2 exceeds the surplus energy E1, processing in step S8 is performed.

[0057] In step S8, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 requests payment from user U1 corresponding to the difference d1. Specifically, the control unit 201 calculates a monetary value V2 corresponding to the absolute value of the difference d1 calculated in step S3. The monetary value V2 corresponding to the difference d1 may be calculated using any procedure, but for example, it may be calculated based on the market value of renewable energy over the unit period P1. The control unit 201 creates a message prompting payment of the calculated monetary value V2 and transmits the created message to the terminal device of user U1 via the communication unit 203. The terminal device of user U1 receives the message from the power management apparatus 200 and outputs the received message to an output unit such as a display. Alternatively, the terminal device may output the content of the message as audio from a speaker corresponding to the output unit.

[0058] As a modified example of this embodiment, if it is determined in step S4 that the amount of supplied energy E2 exceeds the amount of surplus energy E1, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 may determine whether the absolute value of the difference d1 is less than a threshold. If it is determined that the absolute value of the difference d1 is less than the threshold, the control unit 201 may prompt the user U1 in step S8 to choose between making a payment corresponding to the difference d1 or carrying over the difference d1 as the amount of surplus energy E1' for the unit period P2 following the unit period P1. If the user U1 selects carrying over the difference d1, the control unit 201 may register the amount of energy corresponding to the absolute value of the difference d1 as a minus of the amount of surplus energy E1' for the unit period P2. The amount of energy corresponding to the absolute value of the difference d1 may be calculated using any procedure, but for example, it may be calculated using a procedure similar to the procedure for calculating the amount of carried-over energy E3 in the first step of the carry-over process described above. This configuration further promotes the use of renewable energy.

[0059] In step S9, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 calculates a ratio R1 of the amount of surplus power E1 to the amount of supplied power E2. Specifically, the control unit 201 calculates the ratio R1 by dividing the amount of surplus power E1 by the amount of supplied power E2.

[0060] In step S10, the control unit 201 of the power management apparatus 200 notifies the user U1 of the ratio R1 calculated in step S9. The control unit 201 may calculate the ratio R1 of the amount of surplus energy in the amount of supplied energy for each of multiple users including the user U1, and rank the multiple users in descending order of the calculated ratio R1. The control unit 201 may also notify the user U1 of the ranking. Furthermore, the control unit 201 may notify the user U1 of advice AS to increase the ratio R1' of the amount of surplus energy E1' in the amount of supplied energy E2' from the unit period P2 next to the unit period P1 onwards. Specifically, the control unit 201 may notify the user U1 of advice AS1 to increase the amount of surplus energy E1' or advice AS2 to suppress the amount of supplied energy E2'. The control unit 201 may notify both the advice AS1 and the advice AS2. For example, the advice AS1 includes a suggestion to save energy used in the home 100. Advice AS2 also includes a suggestion to drive vehicle 410 in a so-called eco-driving manner. "Eco-driving" refers to a driving method or mindset adopted by a vehicle user in order to reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions and contribute to preventing global warming. For example, in unit period P2, if user U1 follows advice AS and drives vehicle 410 in an eco-driving manner, the fuel efficiency of vehicle 410 improves and power consumption decreases. As a result, power consumption decreases even if the mileage remains the same, and the amount of power supply E2' in unit period P2 is reduced.

[0061] As described above, the power management apparatus 200 according to this embodiment associates the amount of surplus energy E1 with the user U1, which is calculated by subtracting the amount of energy used at the home 100 from the total amount of energy generated by the renewable energy power generation equipment 420 installed at the home 100 of the user U1, and registers the amount of surplus energy E1. The power management apparatus 200 virtually supplies part or all of the registered amount of surplus energy E1 for charging the vehicle 410 of the user U1 at a location other than the home 100. The power management apparatus 200 calculates a difference d1 between the amount of supplied energy E2 charged to the vehicle 410 at a location other than the home 100 per unit period P1 and the amount of surplus energy E1. When the power management apparatus 200 determines that the amount of surplus energy E1 exceeds the amount of supplied energy E2, the power management apparatus 200 prompts the user U1 to select whether to carry over the difference d1 as an amount of surplus energy E1′ for the next unit period P2 or to cash out the difference d1. When the power management device 200 determines that the amount of supplied power E2 exceeds the amount of surplus power E1, it requests payment from the user U1 corresponding to the difference d1, calculates the proportion R1 that the amount of supplied power E2 accounts for by the amount of surplus power E1, and notifies the user U1 of the calculated proportion R1.

[0062] According to this configuration, when the surplus energy E1 exceeds the supplied energy E2, user U1 can choose to carry over the difference d1 as the surplus energy E1' for the next unit period P2 or convert it into cash, thereby improving user U1's flexibility in utilizing the surplus energy E1. On the other hand, when the supplied energy E2 exceeds the surplus energy E1, user U1 incurs a payment or other burden corresponding to the difference d1. This is thought to provide user U1 with an incentive to ensure that the supplied energy E2 does not exceed the surplus energy E1. In addition, user U1 is notified of the proportion R1 of the surplus energy E1 in the supplied energy E2, thereby visualizing the amount of energy charged using renewable energy and grid power. Therefore, for example, user U1 can easily set a goal to ensure that the supplied energy E2 does not exceed the surplus energy E1 after unit period P2. User U1 can prevent the amount of supplied energy E2 from exceeding the amount of surplus energy E1 by increasing the amount of surplus energy E1 or by suppressing the amount of supplied energy E2. For example, user U1 can increase the amount of surplus energy E1 by saving the electricity used at home 100. User U1 can also suppress the amount of supplied energy E2 by driving vehicle 410 in an efficient manner. Furthermore, if the amount of supplied energy E2 does not exceed the amount of surplus energy E1, there is no need to supply the difference d1 by compensating with grid power. Therefore, the use of grid power that uses fossil fuels is suppressed. As a result, the use of fossil fuels is suppressed and the use of renewable energy is promoted.

[0063] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, two or more blocks shown in the block diagrams may be integrated, or one block may be divided. Two or more steps shown in the flowcharts may be executed in parallel or in a different order, instead of being executed in chronological order as described, depending on the processing capabilities of the device executing each step, or as needed. Other modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0064] For example, in the present embodiment, the grid power supplied from the power transmission network 600 is described as being non-renewable energy, such as electricity generated using fossil fuels. However, as a modification of the present embodiment, if the system 10 includes the power generation management device 700, when the user U1 charges the vehicle 410 at a location other than the home 100, the user U1 may be able to arbitrarily select either grid power or renewable energy as the supply power to be charged to the vehicle 410. If the user U1 selects renewable energy as the supply power, renewable energy may be virtually supplied to the user U1 by offsetting the amount of power supplied from the power generation facility 720 to the power transmission network 600 with the amount of power charged to the vehicle 410. If renewable energy is virtually supplied to the user U1 in this way, the control unit 201 may subtract the amount of virtually supplied renewable energy from the amount of supplied power E2 when calculating the difference d1 in step S3. Alternatively, in step S8, when making the payment corresponding to the difference d1, the user U1 may make the payment by purchasing a portion of the amount of electricity supplied from the power generation facility 720 to the power transmission network 600. This configuration further promotes the use of renewable energy.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power management apparatus 200 and the vehicle management apparatus 400 are separate apparatuses, but the functions of both the power management apparatus 200 and the vehicle management apparatus 400 may be realized by a single control device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10 Systems 100 Home 110 Charging equipment 120 Power generation facilities 200 Power management equipment 201 Control Unit 202 Storage section 203 Communications Department 300 facilities 310 Charging equipment 400 Vehicle management device 410 vehicles 500 Network 600 Power Transmission Grid 700 Power generation management device 710 Power generation facilities 720 Power Generation Facilities

Claims

[Claim 1] a power management device that registers an amount of surplus power obtained by subtracting an amount of power used at a user's home from a total amount of power generated by a renewable energy power generation facility installed at the user's home, and associates the amount of surplus power with the user, and when the user charges a vehicle at a location other than the user's home, the amount of supplied power used for charging is offset with the amount of surplus power associated with the user, thereby treating a part or all of the amount of surplus power as having been used for charging the vehicle; a control unit that calculates the difference between the amount of supplied electricity charged to the vehicle at a location other than the home per unit period and the amount of surplus electricity, and if it is determined that the amount of surplus electricity exceeds the amount of supplied electricity, allows the user to choose whether to carry over the difference as the amount of surplus electricity for the next unit period or to convert the difference into cash, and if it is determined that the amount of supplied electricity exceeds the amount of surplus electricity, requests the user to pay the difference, and calculates the proportion of the amount of supplied electricity that is accounted for by the amount of surplus electricity, and notifies the user of the calculated proportion.

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