server

Abstract

To suppress divergence of an actual value and a target value in energy management which causes a plurality of power storage devices to sequentially execute charging or discharging in a relay system.SOLUTION: An energy management method includes: determining a first charging start time, a first charging end time, a second charging start time, and a second charging end time; charging a first power storage device according to a first command value in a period from the first charging start time to the first charging end time; and charging a second power storage device according to a second command value in a second period from the second charging start time to the second charging end time. The determining the second charging start time includes: determining a time earlier than the first charging end time as the second charging start time, when it is determined that an actual charging power is smaller than a target charging power; and determining the time later than the first charging end time as the second charging start time, when it is determined that the actual charging power is larger than the target charging power.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an energy management method. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2020-156149 (Patent Document 1) discloses a VPP system using electric vehicles. A VPP (Virtual Power Plant) is a system that uses advanced energy management technology that utilizes the Internet of Things (IoT) to bundle a large number of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and remotely and centrally control these DERs to function as if they were a single power plant. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-156149 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In energy management, a method may be adopted in which multiple power storage devices (for example, power storage devices mounted on electric vehicles) are sequentially charged or discharged using a relay system. However, with this method, when the power storage device takes over from the previous power storage device to the next power storage device, the actual value and the target value for energy management tend to diverge.

[0005] For example, if charging of a next power storage device is started later than the time when charging of a previous power storage device is completed, a period will occur during which neither the previous power storage device nor the next power storage device is charged, making it difficult for the actual charge power to reach the target charge power. On the other hand, if charging of a next power storage device is started earlier than the time when charging of a previous power storage device is completed, a period will occur during which both the previous power storage device and the next power storage device are charged simultaneously, making it easy for the actual charge power to become excessively large compared to the target charge power.

[0006] In the adjustment capacity (e.g., tertiary adjustment capacity-2) traded in the supply and demand adjustment market, the actual value (e.g., actual charging power or actual discharging power) is required to fall within an allowable range (e.g., target value ±10%) set based on the target value (e.g., target charging power or target discharging power), so it is undesirable for the actual value to diverge from the target value in energy management.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to prevent deviations between actual values ​​and target values ​​in energy management that sequentially charges or discharges multiple energy storage devices using a relay method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to an embodiment of a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy management method as follows.

[0009] (Item 1) The energy management method includes determining a first charging start time to start charging of a first power storage device, determining a first charging end time to end charging of the first power storage device, charging the first power storage device in accordance with a first command value for energy management during a first period from the first charging start time to the first charging end time, comparing actual charging power with a target charging power for energy management, determining a second charging start time to start charging of a second power storage device to be later than the first charging start time, determining a second charging end time to end charging of the second power storage device to be later than the first charging end time, and charging the second power storage device in accordance with the second command value for energy management during a second period from the second charging start time to the second charging end time. Determining the second charging start time includes determining a time earlier than the first charging end time as the second charging start time when it is determined that the actual charging power is smaller than the target charging power, and determining a time later than the first charging end time as the second charging start time when it is determined that the actual charging power is larger than the target charging power.

[0010] In the above method, when it is determined that the actual charging power is smaller than the target charging power, a time earlier than the first charging end time is determined as the second charging start time. In the charging schedule determined in this manner, even if there is a period in which both the first and second power storage devices are charged simultaneously, the actual charging power is prevented from becoming excessively larger than the target charging power when power is handed over from the first power storage device to the second power storage device due to the actual charging power being smaller than the target charging power.

[0011] Furthermore, in the above method, when it is determined that the actual charging power is greater than the target charging power, a time later than the first charging end time is determined as the second charging start time. In the charging schedule determined in this manner, even if there is a period in which neither the first nor the second power storage device is charged, the actual charging power being greater than the target charging power prevents the actual charging power from becoming excessively smaller than the target charging power when power is handed over from the first to the second power storage device.

[0012] In this way, the above method can prevent the deviation between the actual value and the target value in energy management in which multiple power storage devices are sequentially charged using a relay system. Note that the actual charging power (kW) for energy management may be the total value of the charging power of multiple resources controlled for energy management. In this form, when the multiple resources controlled for energy management are only the first power storage device and the second power storage device, the total value of the charging power of the first power storage device and the charging power of the second power storage device corresponds to the actual charging power for energy management.

[0013] The target charging power for the actual charging power may be variable depending on the situation. For example, in energy management of a power system, the target charging power may be variable depending on the supply and demand situation of the power system. The first command value and the second command value may each be determined so as to bring the actual charging power closer to the target charging power.

[0014] The energy management method described in the above paragraph 1 may have the configuration described in any one of paragraphs 2 to 5 below.

[0015] (Item 2) The energy management method according to item 1 further has the following features. The energy management method further includes determining a third charging start time at which charging of a third power storage device will start, the time corresponding to the first charging start time; determining a third charging end time at which charging of the third power storage device will end; determining a fourth charging start time at which charging of a fourth power storage device will start to be later than the third charging start time; determining a fourth charging end time at which charging of the fourth power storage device will end to be later than the third charging end time; determining whether the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are set earlier than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, later than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, or to match the first charging end time and the second charging start time; charging the third storage device in accordance with a third command value for energy management during a third period from the third charging start time to the third charging end time; and charging the fourth storage device in accordance with a fourth command value for energy management during a fourth period from the fourth charging start time to the fourth charging end time. The first power storage device, the second power storage device, the third power storage device, and the fourth power storage device are mounted on the first vehicle, the second vehicle, the third vehicle, and the fourth vehicle, respectively.

[0016] In the above method, in addition to the first and second power storage devices, the third and fourth power storage devices are controlled for energy management. The charging start time of the third power storage device is determined to correspond to the charging start time of the first power storage device. Therefore, charging of both the first and third power storage devices is performed simultaneously, making it easier to secure charging power for energy management. Furthermore, in the above method, as a setting manner for the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time, one of a first manner (setting before the first charging end time and the second charging start time), a second manner (setting after the first charging end time and the second charging start time), and a third manner (setting to coincide with the first charging end time and the second charging start time) is selected. This method makes it easier to determine the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time in accordance with the vehicle status, the user's convenience, etc.

[0017] (Clause 3) The energy management method described in clause 2 further has the following features: Determining a third charging end time includes, when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are set to coincide with the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining a time corresponding to the second charging start time as the third charging end time; Determining a fourth charging start time includes, when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are set to coincide with the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining a time corresponding to the first charging end time as the fourth charging start time.

[0018] In the above method, when the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are determined in the third manner, the third charging end time is determined to be a time corresponding to the second charging start time, and the fourth charging start time is determined to be a time corresponding to the first charging end time. As a result, the handover from the first vehicle to the second vehicle and the handover from the third vehicle to the fourth vehicle occur at approximately the same time. If the second charging start time is earlier than the first charging end time, the fourth charging start time is later than the third charging end time. That is, if a period in which both the first and second vehicles are simultaneously charging occurs during the handover from the first vehicle to the second vehicle, a period in which neither the third nor the fourth vehicle is charging occurs during the handover from the third vehicle to the fourth vehicle. This prevents a large deviation between the actual value and the target value in energy management. Furthermore, if the second charging start time is later than the first charging end time, the fourth charging start time is earlier than the third charging end time. That is, if there is a period during which neither the first nor the second vehicle is charging when the first vehicle is handed over to the second vehicle, there is a period during which both the third and fourth vehicles are charging simultaneously when the third vehicle is handed over to the fourth vehicle. This makes it possible to prevent a large deviation between the actual value and the target value in energy management.

[0019] (4) The energy management method according to claim 2 or 3 further has the following features: Determining the third charging end time includes, when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set earlier than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining the third charging end time to be a time earlier than the first charging end time and the second charging start time; Determining the fourth charging start time includes, when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set earlier than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining the fourth charging start time to be a time earlier than the first charging end time and the second charging start time.

[0020] According to the above method, in energy management in which multiple vehicles are sequentially charged using a relay system, the timing of handover from the first vehicle to the second vehicle can be shifted from the timing of handover from the third vehicle to the fourth vehicle, thereby preventing a large deviation between the actual value and the target value in energy management.

[0021] (Item 5) The energy management method according to any one of items 2 to 4 further has the following features: Determining the third charging end time includes, when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set later than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining the third charging end time to be a time later than the first charging end time and the second charging start time; Determining the fourth charging start time includes, when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set later than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining the fourth charging start time to be a time later than the first charging end time and the second charging start time.

[0022] The above method also makes it possible to stagger the timing of handover from the first vehicle to the second vehicle and the timing of handover from the third vehicle to the fourth vehicle in energy management that sequentially charges multiple vehicles using a relay system. This makes it possible to prevent a large deviation between the actual value and the target value in energy management.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy management method as follows.

[0024] (Item 6) The energy management method includes determining a first discharge start time to start discharging a first storage device, determining a first discharge end time to end discharging of the first storage device, discharging the first storage device in accordance with a first command value for energy management during a first period from the first discharge start time to the first discharge end time, comparing actual discharge power with target discharge power for energy management, determining a second discharge start time to start discharging a second storage device to be later than the first discharge start time, determining a second discharge end time to end discharging of the second storage device to be later than the first discharge end time, and discharging the second storage device in accordance with the second command value for energy management during a second period from the second discharge start time to the second discharge end time. Determining the second discharge start time includes determining a time earlier than the first discharge end time as the second discharge start time when it is determined that the actual discharge power is smaller than the target discharge power, and determining a time later than the first discharge end time as the second discharge start time when it is determined that the actual discharge power is larger than the target discharge power.

[0025] As described above, the method of energy management by discharging a storage device also makes it possible to suppress the deviation between actual values ​​and target values ​​in energy management in which multiple vehicles are sequentially discharged in a relay manner, just like the method of charging a storage device described above.

[0026] The energy management method described in the above item 6 may have the configuration described in any one of items 7 to 10 below.

[0027] (Item 7) The energy management method according to item 6 further has the following features. The energy management method further includes determining a third discharge start time at which to start discharging of the third storage device, the time corresponding to the first discharge start time; determining a third discharge end time at which to end discharging of the third storage device; determining a fourth discharge start time at which to start discharging of the fourth storage device to be later than the third discharge start time; determining a fourth discharge end time at which to end discharging of the fourth storage device to be later than the third discharge end time; determining whether the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are set before the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, after the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, or to match the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time; discharging the third storage device in accordance with a third command value for energy management during a third period from the third discharge start time to the third discharge end time; and discharging the fourth storage device in accordance with a fourth command value for energy management during a fourth period from the fourth discharge start time to the fourth discharge end time. The first power storage device, the second power storage device, the third power storage device, and the fourth power storage device are mounted on the first vehicle, the second vehicle, the third vehicle, and the fourth vehicle, respectively.

[0028] According to the above method, the same actions and effects as those of the energy management method described in the second paragraph above can be achieved.

[0029] (Item 8) The energy management method according to item 7 further has the following features: Determining the third discharge end time includes, when it is determined that the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are set to coincide with the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, determining a time corresponding to the second discharge start time as the third discharge end time; Determining the fourth discharge start time includes, when it is determined that the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are set to coincide with the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, determining a time corresponding to the first discharge end time as the fourth discharge start time.

[0030] According to the above method, the same actions and effects as those of the energy management method described in the third item above can be achieved.

[0031] (Item 9) The energy management method according to item 7 or 8 further has the following features: Determining the third discharge end time includes, when it is determined that the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are to be set earlier than the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, determining the third discharge end time to be a time earlier than the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time; Determining the fourth discharge start time includes, when it is determined that the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are to be set earlier than the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, determining the fourth discharge start time to be a time earlier than the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time.

[0032] According to the above method, the same actions and effects as those of the energy management method described in the fourth item above can be achieved.

[0033] (Item 10) The energy management method according to any one of items 7 to 9 further has the following features: Determining the third discharge end time includes, when it is determined that the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are to be set later than the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, determining the third discharge end time to be a time later than the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time; Determining the fourth discharge start time includes, when it is determined that the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are to be set later than the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, determining the fourth discharge start time to be a time later than the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time.

[0034] According to the above method, the same actions and effects as those of the energy management method described in the above item 5 can be achieved.

[0035] Each of the first to fourth vehicles may be an xEV (exclusively referred to as an xEV) that uses electricity as all or part of its power source. Examples of xEV include BEVs (electric vehicles), PHEVs (plug-in hybrid vehicles), and FCEVs (fuel cell vehicles).

[0036] According to another aspect, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute the energy management method according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 10. In one aspect, there is provided a computer device including a storage device that stores the program and a processor that executes the program stored in the storage device. In another aspect, there is provided a computer device that distributes the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress deviation between actual values ​​and target values ​​in energy management that causes a plurality of power storage devices to sequentially charge or discharge in a relay manner. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an energy management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an overview of tertiary control capability-2. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a process executed by a server (computer device) to operate a vehicle fleet as a regulation power of the power system. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining a control schedule for each vehicle. [Figure 5] 5 is a time chart showing a first example of a charging control mode according to a control schedule determined by the process shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 5 is a time chart showing a second example of a charging control mode according to a control schedule determined by the process shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 5 is a time chart showing a third example of a charging control mode according to a control schedule determined by the process shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] 5 is a time chart showing a fourth example of a charging control mode according to a control schedule determined by the process shown in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0040] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an energy management system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 1, the energy management system according to this embodiment performs energy management of a power grid PG. This energy management system includes a group of vehicles 1, a group of EVSEs 2, and servers 300 and 700. EVSE stands for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment.

[0041] The power grid PG is a power network constructed by power transmission and distribution facilities. A plurality of power plants are connected to the power grid PG. The power grid PG receives power from these power plants. The vehicle group 1 includes a plurality of electric vehicles (xEVs) that can operate as the adjusting power of the power grid PG. The EVSE group 2 includes a plurality of EVSEs that receive power from the power grid PG. Each EVSE included in the EVSE group 2 is connected to a communication network NW, for example, via a communication line. The communication network NW is a wide-area network constructed, for example, by the Internet and wireless base stations.

[0042] The server 700 corresponds to a computer belonging to the TSO (system operator) of the power system PG. The server 300 corresponds to a computer belonging to the aggregator. The servers 300 and 700 are each connected to a communication network NW via, for example, a communication line. The servers 300 and 700 are configured to be able to communicate with each other.

[0043] The server 300 may be a computer including a processor 310, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 320, and a storage device 330. The server 300 may further include an HMI (Human Machine Interface) (not shown). The HMI may be a touch panel display. The processor 310 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage device 330 is configured to be able to save stored information. The storage device 330 may include a rewritable non-volatile memory. In the server 300, the processor 310 executes programs stored in the storage device 330, thereby performing various processes (for example, see FIGS. 3 to 8 described below). However, these various processes are not limited to being executed by software, and may also be executed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuits).

[0044] Identification information (vehicle ID) of each vehicle included in vehicle group 1 (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle 100" when no distinction is made) is registered in advance in server 300. Storage device 330 of server 300 stores information related to vehicle 100 (hereinafter also simply referred to as "vehicle information"), distinguishing the information by vehicle ID. The vehicle information includes specifications of vehicle 100 (e.g., rated charging power and rated discharging power), information indicating whether vehicle 100 is electrically connected to power grid PG (plugged-in state), and information related to vehicle 100 in the plugged-in state (e.g., remaining power storage amount and scheduled departure time).

[0045] In this embodiment, the server 300 can acquire information about the vehicle 100 connected to the EVSE 200 (the vehicle 100 in a plugged-in state) by communicating with the vehicle 100 via the EVSE 200. The user can set a planned departure time for the vehicle 100, for example, through a navigation system installed in the vehicle 100.

[0046] Identification information (EVSE-ID) of each EVSE included in EVSE group 2 (hereinafter referred to as "EVSE 200" when no distinction is made) is registered in advance in server 300. Storage device 330 of server 300 stores information about EVSE 200 (hereinafter simply referred to as "EVSE information"), distinguishing it by EVSE-ID. The EVSE information includes the specifications of EVSE 200 (e.g., rated power supply and reverse flow capability), the communication address of EVSE 200, and the location of EVSE 200 (e.g., latitude and longitude).

[0047] The server 300 is configured to aggregate multiple distributed energy resources (hereinafter also referred to as "DERs (Distributed Energy Resources)") to realize a VPP (Virtual Power Plant). A VPP is a mechanism that allows multiple DERs to function as if they were a single power plant by remotely and integrally controlling them. For example, the vehicle 100 electrically connected to the EVSE 200 can function as a DER for the VPP. For this reason, the server 300 causes the vehicle 100 electrically connected to the EVSE 200 to perform energy management of the power grid PG in response to a request from, for example, the server 700 (TSO). The server 300 may win a bid for adjustment power requested by the TSO in the electricity market.

[0048] The server 300 is configured to automatically conduct transactions (e.g., bidding and agreements) in the electricity market according to conditions (e.g., bidding conditions) predetermined by a user, and manage a ledger (transaction record) related to the electricity transactions. The server 300 may also perform settlement related to the electricity transactions. Below, a tertiary control reserve-2 will be described as an example of a control reserve that is awarded in the electricity market.

[0049] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of tertiary control reserve-2. Referring to Figure 2 together with Figure 1, tertiary control reserve-2 is a control reserve for the FIT (Feed-in Tariff) special system, and is traded in the supply and demand adjustment market. In the supply and demand adjustment market, electricity is traded as a commodity. Each commodity is bought and sold, for example, by a bidding method. Tertiary control reserve-2 corresponds to "RR-FIT" (Replacement Reserve for Feed-in Tariff), and has a response time of 45 minutes or less and a duration of 3 hours (6 periods). In the supply and demand adjustment market, tertiary control reserve-2 is traded for each of 8 blocks, each divided into 3-hour increments per day.

[0050] Under the FIT special system, the TSO is responsible for any imbalances in the power generation plan. The TSO predicts renewable energy output two days before the target block and determines the power generation plan value. The TSO then procures tertiary control reserve -2 on the day before the target block to eliminate the renewable energy forecast error (the forecast error from two days before). Note that renewable energy refers to renewable energy (RE).

[0051] The server 300 makes a bid in the balancing market during the period from 12:00 to 14:00 on the day before the target block. Specifically, the server 300 transmits bidding information (i.e., information indicating bidding conditions) including the product (e.g., tertiary control capacity -2), block (one of the eight blocks), and bid amount (ΔkW) to the balancing market system. The results are then notified to the server 300 at 15:00 on the bidding day. When the bid for the product is successful, a contract is reached. The ΔkW contract amount corresponds to the successful bid amount.

[0052] A successful bidder for tertiary control reserve-2 in the balancing market is obligated (contractual obligation) to adjust power within a set range of winning bids (hereinafter also referred to as the "winning bid range") relative to a reference value (kW). In this embodiment, server 300 submits a bid for tertiary control reserve-2. When the bid is successful, server 300 registers the reference value in the balancing market system by a predetermined time t0 (for example, one hour before the start time of the target block for which the bid was successful). Time t0 corresponds to the deadline for submitting the reference value. The example shown in FIG. 2 is an example in which the charging side control reserve is won. In this example, the charging side reference value is registered. Server 300 sequentially receives from server 700 a target value (for example, target value L1 shown in FIG. 2) arbitrarily requested by server 700 within the winning bid range for the target block for which the bid was successful (for example, contract period t1 to t2 shown in FIG. 2).

[0053] In this embodiment, server 300 selects multiple vehicles (multiple power storage devices) from vehicle group 1 and sets each selected vehicle as a resource for energy management. Server 300 causes these resources (e.g., vehicles 100A to 100D, described below) to perform energy management of power grid PG. Server 300 controls each resource so that the actual value of total power exchanged between power grid PG and each resource (e.g., actual value L2 shown in FIG. 2) tracks the target value during contract period t1 to t2. In the example shown in FIG. 2, each resource is controlled so that the actual charging power (actual value L2) tracks the target charging power (target value L1). The difference between the reference value (kW) and actual value L2 (kW) corresponds to the adjustment capability (ΔkW) of power grid PG provided by the multiple resources.

[0054] The server 300 sends command values ​​to each resource according to the target value L1. If the target value L1 is changed during the contract period t1 to t2, the server 300 changes the actual value L2 to that value (changed target value L1) within the response time (45 minutes) of the product requirements. If the target value L1 remains the same during the contract period t1 to t2, the server 300 maintains the actual value L2 at the target value L1 for at least the duration of the product requirements. After the contract period t1 to t2 ends, the server 300 sends the performance data (actual value L2) for the contract period t1 to t2 to the server 700 (TSO server). The TSO confirms that the successful bidder maintains a state in which they can supply the ΔkW contract quantity (successful bid quantity) during the contract period t1 to t2 and that they are adjusting according to the target value L1 within the successful bid range (response performance). If non-compliance with the product requirements is found in at least one of the assessments of whether the ΔkW contract quantity can be supplied (Assessment I) and the assessment of the response performance (Assessment II), the successful bidder will be subject to a prescribed penalty fee. In Assessment II, in addition to whether the response time of the product requirements is met, an assessment is also made of whether the actual performance falls within a set tolerance range (for example, the target value ±10%) based on the target value.

[0055] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the process executed by the server 300 to operate the vehicle fleet 1 as the adjustment power of the power grid PG that has been awarded a bid in the power market.

[0056] First, the configuration of each of the vehicle 100 included in the vehicle group 1 and the EVSE 200 included in the EVSE group 2 will be described. Referring to FIG. 3, the vehicle 100 includes a battery 110 and an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as an "ECU (Electronic Control Unit)") 150. The ECU 150 is, for example, a computer including a processor and a storage device. The vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle (xEV) configured to be able to run using power stored in the battery 110. The vehicle 100 may be a BEV without an internal combustion engine, or a PHEV with an internal combustion engine. A known vehicle power storage device (for example, a liquid secondary battery, an all-solid-state secondary battery, or a battery pack) can be used as the battery 110. Examples of the vehicle secondary battery include a lithium-ion battery and a nickel-metal hydride battery.

[0057] The main body of EVSE 200 incorporates control unit 210 and circuit unit 220. EVSE 200 further includes a charging cable 230 extending outward from the main body of EVSE 200. Charging cable 230 is electrically connected to circuit unit 220. Control unit 210 includes a processor and a storage device, and controls circuit unit 220 in accordance with commands from server 300. Circuit unit 220 includes a circuit for supplying power to vehicle 100 (e.g., charging battery 110) and a circuit for supplying power to power grid PG (reverse power flow). Charging cable 230 has a connector 240 (plug) at its tip.

[0058] The vehicle 100 is provided with an inlet 120 to which a connector 240 can be attached / detached. The inlet 120 corresponds to a charge / discharge port that functions as both a charge port and a discharge port. When the connector 240 of a charging cable 230 connected to the main body of the EVSE 200 is connected to the inlet 120 of the parked vehicle 100, the vehicle 100 is electrically connected to the EVSE 200 (hereinafter also referred to as a "plugged-in state"). On the other hand, for example, when the vehicle 100 is traveling, the vehicle 100 is not electrically connected to the EVSE 200 (hereinafter also referred to as a "plugged-out state").

[0059] EVSE 200 includes a connection detection circuit (not shown) that detects the state (plugged-in state / plugged-out state) of connector 240. The connection detection circuit outputs the state of connector 240 to control unit 210. Control unit 210 also acquires information indicating the operating status of EVSE 200 (e.g., input power from power grid PG, output power to vehicle 100, input power from vehicle 100, and output power to power grid PG) from a sensor (not shown) included in circuit unit 220. While EVSE 200 is operating, information related to EVSE 200 is sequentially transmitted from EVSE 200 to server 300.

[0060] The EVSE 200 and the electric power grid PG are electrically connected. Therefore, the vehicle 100 in the plugged-in state is electrically connected to the electric power grid PG. When charging the battery 110 in the plugged-in state, power is supplied to the EVSE 200 from the electric power grid PG, and a circuit unit 220 of the EVSE 200 converts the supplied power into power suitable for supplying power to the vehicle 100 and outputs the converted power to a connector 240 of the charging cable 230. In this case, the battery 110 is charged by the power input from the connector 240 to the inlet 120. When discharging the battery 110 in the plugged-in state, the circuit unit 220 of the EVSE 200 converts the power from the vehicle 100 (power discharged from the battery 110) into power compatible with the electric power grid PG and outputs the converted power to the electric power grid PG. In this way, the EVSE 200 is configured to be capable of reverse power flow with respect to the electric power grid PG. However, it is not essential that an EVSE used for energy management be configured to be capable of reverse power flow.

[0061] Next, the energy management process executed by the server 300 will be described. In this embodiment, the server 300 selects resources to be controlled for energy management from the vehicle group 1. The server 300, for example, sends a signal requesting energy management (hereinafter also referred to as a "VPP signal") to a user terminal of the vehicle (for example, a mobile terminal carried by the vehicle user) and requests the user terminal to reply with either an accept or reject. In this embodiment, a smartphone equipped with a touch panel display is used as the user terminal. A smartphone has a built-in computer. However, this is not limited to this, and any terminal can be used as the user terminal. For example, a laptop, a tablet terminal, a portable game console, a wearable device (such as a smart watch, smart glasses, or smart gloves), or an electronic key can also be used as the user terminal.

[0062] The VPP signal includes the vehicle's detention period (the period during which the vehicle is detained). When the user terminal receives the VPP signal, it displays the detention period. The vehicle user can select either acceptance or rejection by operating the user terminal. If the server 300 receives an acceptance response from the user terminal, it determines that vehicle as a resource. On the other hand, if the server 300 receives a rejection response from the user terminal, it does not select that vehicle as a resource.

[0063] As described above, the server 300 selects four vehicles 100A to 100D (four power storage devices) from the vehicle group 1. The user's reply of acceptance means that the user promises the aggregator that the vehicle 100 will be plugged in during the binding period indicated by the VPP signal. The server 300 determines the binding period for each vehicle based on the contract period (the adjustment period for the successful bid). For example, the binding period for each of the vehicles 100A and 100C is determined according to the first half (first half period) of the contract period. The binding period for each of the vehicles 100B and 100D is determined according to the second half (second half period) of the contract period. More specifically, the server 300 determines the binding period for each of the vehicles 100A and 100C to be a period obtained by adding a predetermined time (slack time) before and after the first half period (the period corresponding to the first half of the contract period). Furthermore, the server 300 determines a period obtained by adding a predetermined time (margin time) before and after the latter half period (a period corresponding to the latter half of the contracted period) as the restraint period of each of the vehicles 100B and 100D.

[0064] Each of vehicles 100A to 100D has the above-described configuration (battery 110, inlet 120, and ECU 150). Hereinafter, the power storage devices (batteries 110) provided in vehicle 100A, vehicle 100B, vehicle 100C, and vehicle 100D will be referred to as "battery 110A," "battery 110B," "battery 110C," and "battery 110D," respectively. Furthermore, when energy management of power system PG is performed, EVSE 200 electrically connected to vehicle 100A, vehicle 100B, vehicle 100C, and vehicle 100D will be referred to as "EVSE 200A," "EVSE 200B," "EVSE 200C," and "EVSE 200D," respectively. Each of EVSE 200A to 200D has the above-described configuration (control unit 210, circuit unit 220, charging cable 230, and connector 240).

[0065] Server 300 causes each of vehicles 100A-100D to perform energy management of the power system PG. Specifically, server 300 determines a control schedule for each of vehicles 100A-100D and controls each of vehicles 100A-100D in accordance with the control schedule for each vehicle. In this embodiment, server 300 controls vehicles 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D via EVSEs 200A, 200B, 200C, and 200D, respectively. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, a control schedule for each vehicle is determined so that energy management is handed over from vehicle 100A (battery 110A) to vehicle 100B (battery 110B) and from vehicle 100C (battery 110C) to vehicle 100D (battery 110D) (see FIGS. 5-8).

[0066] The control schedule for each vehicle includes a control start time when control begins and a control end time when control ends. The method for determining the control schedule will be described later (see FIGS. 4 to 8). Hereinafter, the control start times for vehicle 100A, vehicle 100B, vehicle 100C, and vehicle 100D will be represented as "t11," "t21," "t31," and "t41," respectively. Furthermore, the control end times for vehicle 100A, vehicle 100B, vehicle 100C, and vehicle 100D will be represented as "t12," "t22," "t32," and "t42," respectively.

[0067] During the control period (the period from the control start time to the control end time), command values ​​are transmitted from server 300 to EVSE 200. Server 300 transmits a first command value for vehicle 100A (battery 110A) to EVSE 200A during the period from t11 to t12, a second command value for vehicle 100B (battery 110B) to EVSE 200B during the period from t21 to t22, a third command value for vehicle 100C (battery 110C) to EVSE 200C during the period from t31 to t32, and a fourth command value for vehicle 100D (battery 110D) to EVSE 200D during the period from t41 to t42. Each command value indicates charge power or discharge power. Server 300 may determine each command value so that the actual value (the total charge power or total discharge power of batteries 110A to 110D) approaches the target value (the value requested by server 700).

[0068] In the plugged-in state, the control unit 210 of the EVSE 200 and the ECU 150 of the vehicle 100 communicate via a communication line in the charging cable 230. In the EVSE 200, the circuit unit 220 charges or discharges the battery 110 in accordance with commands from the control unit 210. While the battery 110 is being charged or discharged, the control unit 210 receives the state of the battery 110 (e.g., temperature, current, voltage, and SOC) from the ECU 150 and controls the circuit unit 220 so that the charging power or discharging power approaches a target value (a command value from the server 300). The SOC (State Of Charge) indicates the remaining amount of stored power, and is, for example, the ratio of the current amount of stored power to the amount of stored power in a fully charged state, expressed as 0 to 100%.

[0069] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for determining a control schedule for each vehicle. "S" in the flowchart denotes a step. The processing shown in this flowchart is executed by server 300 before the start of the contract period (FIG. 2). Server 300 may start the series of processing shown in FIG. 4 at a timing that is a predetermined time before the start time of the contract period. Alternatively, server 300 may start the series of processing shown in FIG. 4 at the start time of the earliest binding period among the binding periods of vehicles 100A to 100D. In this embodiment, when the start time of the binding period of vehicle 100A or 100C arrives, server 300 starts the series of processing shown in FIG. 4, which will be described below.

[0070] 1 to 3 as well as FIG. 4, in S11, server 300 determines t11, t22, t31, and t42. In this embodiment, server 300 sets each of t11 and t31 to the start time of the contract period (t1 shown in FIG. 2). Server 300 also sets each of t22 and t42 to the end time of the contract period (t2 shown in FIG. 2). In this embodiment, server 300 determines t11, t22, t31, and t42 before control of vehicles 100A and 100C begins, and determines t12, t21, t32, and t41 after control of vehicles 100A and 100C begins (after t11 and t31 have passed).

[0071] Subsequently, in S12, the server 300 determines whether or not the control end preparation timing (hereinafter referred to as "ts") of the battery 110A (first power storage device) has arrived. ts is set to a timing after t11 and before the end time of the restraint period of the battery 110A. A timing close to the end time of the restraint period of the vehicle 100A (battery 110A) may be set in advance as ts. In this embodiment, the timing that is a predetermined time before the end time of the restraint period of the battery 110A is set as ts.

[0072] During the period in which it is determined that ts has not yet arrived (NO in S12), server 300 repeats the determination in S12. When t11 or t31 arrives during this period, control of vehicles 100A, 100C (i.e., charge control or discharge control of batteries 110A, 110C) is started. Thereafter, when ts arrives (YES in S12), the process proceeds to S13.

[0073] In S13, server 300 executes the processes of S21 to S23 to determine t12 and t21. Specifically, in S21, server 300 determines whether an actual value of the total power exchanged between power grid PG and vehicles 100A and 100C (e.g., actual charge power or actual discharge power of batteries 110A and 110C) is smaller than a target value (e.g., target charge power or target discharge power) that server 700 requests of server 300. If the actual value is smaller than the target value (YES in S21), server 300 determines t12 and t21 in S22 so that t21 is earlier than t12. On the other hand, if the actual value is greater than the target value (NO in S21), server 300 determines t12 and t21 in S23 so that t21 is later than t12. For example, t12 and t21 are set near an intermediate timing (hereinafter referred to as "tm") of the contract period (FIG. 2). In S22, the server 300 may determine a time that is a predetermined time later than tm as t12 and a predetermined time earlier than tm as t21. In S23, the server 300 may determine a time that is a predetermined time earlier than tm as t12 and a predetermined time later than tm as t21.

[0074] In the process shown in FIG. 4, if it is determined in S21 that the actual value and the target value match, the process proceeds to S23. However, the process may be changed to proceed to S22 instead of S23. Alternatively, if the actual value and the target value match, the server 300 may determine t12 and t21 so that t12 and t21 match. However, it is unlikely that the actual value and the target value can be perfectly matched in the energy management by the remote control (see FIG. 3) described above. Examples of factors that can cause the actual value and the target value to differ include communication-related factors (communication delay, noise, etc.). Communication delays can cause a discrepancy between the timing at which a command value is transmitted and the timing at which control is actually executed. Furthermore, factors that can cause the actual value and the target value to differ include insufficient charge / discharge performance of the vehicle 100 and the EVSE 200, or a charge / discharge restriction imposed in the vehicle 100 to protect the battery 110.

[0075] After determining t12 and t21 in S13, the server 300 determines in S14 whether to set t32 and t41 in accordance with t12 and t21. Specifically, the server 300 selects one of the following setting modes for t32 and t41: a first mode (setting t32 and t41 before t12 and t21), a second mode (setting t32 and t41 after t12 and t21), and a third mode (setting t32 and t41 in accordance with t12 and t21).

[0076] For example, the server 300 selects one of the first to third modes based on information indicating the status of the vehicles 100C and 100D (hereinafter also referred to as "status information"). The status information includes, for example, at least one of the remaining charge levels of the batteries 110C and 110D, the scheduled departure time of the vehicle 100C, and the status (plugged in / plugged out) of the vehicle 100D and the EVSE 200D. The server 300 determines an appropriate timing to end the control (charge control or discharge control) of the battery 110C based on the status information. If the server 300 determines based on the status information that it is better to end the control of the battery 110C earlier than t12 or t21, the server 300 selects the first mode. If the server 300 determines based on the status information that it is better to end the control of the battery 110C later than t12 or t21, the server 300 selects the second mode. Furthermore, when the server 300 determines based on the above-mentioned status information that it is better to end the control of the battery 110C at a timing close to t12 or t21, it selects the third mode. When the third mode is selected, YES is determined in S14, and the process proceeds to S15.

[0077] In S15, the server 300 determines the time corresponding to t12 as t41, and determines the time corresponding to t21 as t32. In this embodiment, the server 300 determines t32 and t41 so that t41 matches t12 and t32 matches t21. Then, the process of S15 is executed, and the series of processes shown in FIG. 4 is completed.

[0078] Server 300 transmits first to fourth command values ​​for energy management (see FIG. 3) in accordance with the control schedule (t11, t12, t21, t22, t31, t32, t41, t42) determined by the processing shown in FIG. 4. However, transmission of the first and third command values ​​begins during standby at S12 in FIG. 4. Vehicle 100A and EVSE 200A charge or discharge battery 110A in accordance with the first command value from server 300 during a first period from t11 to t12. Vehicle 100B and EVSE 200B charge or discharge battery 110B in accordance with the second command value from server 300 during a second period from t21 to t22. Vehicle 100C and EVSE 200C charge or discharge battery 110C in accordance with the third command value from server 300 during a third period from t31 to t32. Vehicle 100D and EVSE 200D charge or discharge battery 110D in accordance with a fourth command value from server 300 during a fourth period from t41 to t42.

[0079] Fig. 5 is a time chart showing an example of a charging control mode according to a control schedule determined by the processes of S11, S23, and S15 in Fig. 4. In Fig. 5 and Figs. 6 to 8 described later, lines L11 and L12 respectively indicate the lower and upper limits of an allowable range set with reference to target value L1. Also, battery A, battery B, battery C, and battery D in each figure represent battery 110A, battery 110B, battery 110C, and battery 110D, respectively.

[0080] 5, in this example, the actual charge power (actual value L2) is greater than the target charge power (target value L1) at ts (the timing for preparing to end control for battery 110A). Therefore, a NO determination is made in S21 of FIG. 4, and t12 and t21 are determined in S23. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the actual charge power at ts corresponds to the sum of the charge power of battery 110A and the charge power of battery 110C. t41 coincides with t12, and t32 coincides with t21. Therefore, during the period from t12 (t41) to t21 (t32), neither battery 110A nor 110B is charged, and both batteries 110C and 110D are charged. This prevents a large deviation between the actual value L2 and the target value L1 in energy management.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a time chart showing an example of a charging control mode according to the control schedule determined by the processes of S11, S22, and S15 of FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 6, in this example, the actual charging power (actual value L2) at ts is smaller than the target charging power (target value L1). Therefore, a YES determination is made in S21 of FIG. 4, and t12 and t21 are determined in S22. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the actual charging power at ts corresponds to the sum of the charging power of battery 110A and the charging power of battery 110C. t41 coincides with t12, and t32 coincides with t21. Therefore, during the period from t21 (t32) to t12 (t41), neither battery 110C nor 110D is charged, and both batteries 110A and 110B are charged. This prevents a large deviation between the actual value L2 and the target value L1 in energy management.

[0082] 1 to 3 and FIG. 4, if the first or second mode described above is selected as the setting mode for t32 and t41, NO is determined in S14 and the process proceeds to S16. In S16, similar to S21, server 300 determines whether the actual value of the total power exchanged between power grid PG and vehicles 100A, 100C (total charging power or total discharging power of batteries 110A, 110C) is smaller than the target value requested by server 700 to server 300.

[0083] If the actual value is smaller than the target value (YES in S16), the server 300 determines in S17 whether or not to set t32 and t41 before t12 and t21. If the first mode described above is selected as the setting mode for t32 and t41, the determination in S17 is YES, and the process proceeds to S171. If the second mode described above is selected as the setting mode for t32 and t41, the determination in S17 is NO, and the process proceeds to S172.

[0084] In S171, the server 300 determines t32 and t41 so that both t32 and t41 are earlier than both t12 and t21, and t41 is earlier than t32. In S172, the server 300 determines t32 and t41 so that both t32 and t41 are later than both t12 and t21, and t41 is earlier than t32.

[0085] If the actual result value is greater than the target value (NO in S16), the server 300 determines in S18 whether to set t32 and t41 before t12 and t21. If the first mode described above is selected as the setting mode for t32 and t41, the determination in S18 is YES, and the process proceeds to S181. If the second mode described above is selected as the setting mode for t32 and t41, the determination in S18 is NO, and the process proceeds to S182.

[0086] In S181, the server 300 determines t32 and t41 so that both t32 and t41 are earlier than both t12 and t21, and t41 is later than t32. In S182, the server 300 determines t32 and t41 so that both t32 and t41 are later than both t12 and t21, and t41 is later than t32.

[0087] The series of processes shown in Fig. 4 is completed when one of the processes of S171, S172, S181, and S182 is executed to determine a control schedule. The server 300 transmits the first to fourth command values ​​in accordance with the determined control schedule (see Fig. 3). In the process shown in Fig. 4, if it is determined in S16 that the actual value and the target value match, the process proceeds to S18, but may be changed to proceed to S17 instead of S18. Alternatively, if the actual value and the target value match, the server 300 may determine t32 and t41 so that t32 and t41 match.

[0088] Fig. 7 is a time chart showing an example of a charging control mode according to the control schedule determined by the processes of S11, S23, and S182 in Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 7, in this example, both t32 and t41 are set after both t12 and t21. In this way, by shifting the timing of handover from battery 110A to battery 110B and the timing of handover from battery 110C to battery 110D, it is possible to prevent a large deviation between actual value L2 and target value L1 in energy management.

[0089] Fig. 8 is a time chart showing an example of a charging control mode according to the control schedule determined by the processes of S11, S22, and S171 in Fig. 4. Referring to Fig. 8, in this example, both t32 and t41 are set before both t12 and t21. In this way, by shifting the timing of handover from battery 110A to battery 110B and the timing of handover from battery 110C to battery 110D, it is possible to prevent a large deviation between actual value L2 and target value L1 in energy management.

[0090] In each of Figures 5 to 8, t11, t12, t21, t22, t31, t32, t41, and t42 correspond to the first charging start time, the first charging end time, the second charging start time, the second charging end time, the third charging start time, the third charging end time, the fourth charging start time, and the fourth charging end time, respectively.

[0091] As described above, the energy management method of this embodiment includes determining a first charging start time at which charging of a first storage device (battery 110A) starts (S11 in FIG. 4), determining a second charging end time at which charging of a second storage device (battery 110B) ends to be later than the first charging end time at which charging of the first storage device ends (S11 in FIG. 4), determining a time corresponding to the first charging start time as a third charging start time at which charging of a third storage device (battery 110C) starts (S11 in FIG. 4), and determining a fourth charging end time at which charging of a fourth storage device (battery 110D) ends to be later than the third charging end time at which charging of the third storage device ends (S11 in FIG. 4).

[0092] The energy management method according to this embodiment includes comparing actual charging power with target charging power for energy management (S21, S16 in FIG. 4), determining a first charging end time (S13 in FIG. 4), determining a second charging start time for starting charging of the second power storage device to be later than the first charging start time (S13 in FIG. 4), and setting a third charging end time and a fourth charging start time earlier than the first charging end time and the second charging start time or setting a third charging end time and a fourth charging start time earlier than the first charging end time and the second charging start time or setting a fourth charging end time and a fourth charging start time earlier than the first charging end time and the second charging start time. The method further includes determining whether to set the fourth charging end time and the fourth charging start time to be later than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, or to set them to coincide with the first charging end time and the second charging start time (S14, S17, S18 of FIG. 4), determining a third charging end time (S15, S171, S172, S181, S182 of FIG. 4), and determining a fourth charging start time at which charging of the fourth power storage device starts to be later than the third charging start time (S15, S171, S172, S181, S182 of FIG. 4).

[0093] Determining the second charging start time includes determining a time earlier than the first charging end time as the second charging start time when it is determined that the actual charging power is smaller than the target charging power (S22 in FIG. 4), and determining a time later than the first charging end time as the second charging start time when it is determined that the actual charging power is larger than the target charging power (S23 in FIG. 4).

[0094] Determining the third charging end time includes, when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set to coincide with the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining a time corresponding to the second charging start time as the third charging end time (S15 in FIG. 4); when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set before the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining a time earlier than each of the first charging end time and the second charging start time as the third charging end time (S171, S181 in FIG. 4); and when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set after the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining a time later than each of the first charging end time and the second charging start time as the third charging end time (S172, S182 in FIG. 4).

[0095] Determining the fourth charging start time includes, when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set to coincide with the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining a time corresponding to the first charging end time as the fourth charging start time (S15 in FIG. 4); when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set before the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining a time earlier than each of the first charging end time and the second charging start time as the fourth charging start time (S171, S181 in FIG. 4); and when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set after the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining a time later than each of the first charging end time and the second charging start time as the fourth charging start time (S172, S182 in FIG. 4).

[0096] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the energy management method of this embodiment includes charging a first storage device in accordance with a first command value for energy management during a first period from a first charging start time to a first charging end time, charging a second storage device in accordance with a second command value for energy management during a second period from a second charging start time to a second charging end time, charging a third storage device in accordance with a third command value for energy management during a third period from a third charging start time to a third charging end time, and charging a fourth storage device in accordance with a fourth command value for energy management during a fourth period from a fourth charging start time to a fourth charging end time.

[0097] According to the above method, it is possible to suppress deviation between the actual value and the target value in energy management in which a plurality of power storage devices are sequentially charged or discharged in a relay manner.

[0098] Although FIGS. 5 to 8 show an example in which the target value is constant during the contract period (FIG. 2), the target value may change during the contract period. Furthermore, after charging of batteries 110B and 110D is completed, another resource (including a power storage device) may take over charging, thereby enabling continued energy management. While FIGS. 5 to 8 show an example relating to charging control, the examples shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 still hold even if they are modified to an example relating to discharging control. In such a modification, the "charging power" in each figure changes to "discharging power," and t11, t12, t21, t22, t31, t32, t41, and t42 in each figure become the first discharging start time, first discharging end time, second discharging start time, second discharging end time, third discharging start time, third discharging end time, fourth discharging start time, and fourth discharging end time, respectively. It is not essential that batteries 110A and 110B and batteries 110C and 110D be paired to charge or discharge. The server 300 may control only the batteries 110A and 110B as resources for energy management.

[0099] In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which server 300 controls EVSE 200 to control charging and discharging of battery 110. However, server 300 may remotely control a charger (or a charger / discharger) mounted on vehicle 100 by transmitting a command directly to vehicle 100 (for example, by wirelessly communicating with vehicle 100) without going through EVSE 200. In a configuration in which server 300 and vehicle 100 communicate wirelessly, server 300 may successively receive information about vehicle 100 from vehicle 100 in real time. Server 300 may predict an estimated departure time of vehicle 100 using the information received from vehicle 100.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the on-premise server (server 300) functions as a computer that executes energy management of the power grid PG (external power supply). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the functions of server 300 (particularly, functions related to energy management) may be implemented on the cloud by cloud computing.

[0101] The power system PG (external power source) is not limited to a large-scale AC grid, but may be a microgrid or a DC (direct current) grid. The number of vehicles included in the vehicle group 1 is arbitrary, and may be between 3 and 30, between 30 and 100, or may be 100 or more. The number of EVSEs included in the EVSE group 2 is also arbitrary. The EVSE group 2 may include multiple types of EVSEs (e.g., normal chargers and rapid chargers). The EVSE group 2 may include at least one of public EVSEs (e.g., EVSEs installed in commercial facilities, car dealerships, or highway parking areas) and non-public EVSEs (e.g., home EVSEs).

[0102] The configuration of a vehicle used for power regulation (energy management) is not limited to the configuration described above (see FIG. 3). The vehicle may be configured to perform only one of power regulation by charging and power regulation by discharging. The vehicle may be a PHEV equipped with a hydrogen engine or a biofuel engine. The vehicle may be equipped with solar panels, may have flight capabilities, or may be configured to be capable of contactless charging. A vehicle that performs contactless charging may be considered to have reached a state equivalent to the "plugged-in state" described above when the alignment between the power transmission unit (e.g., power transmission coil) on the power supply equipment side and the power receiving unit (e.g., power receiving coil) on the vehicle side is complete. The vehicle is not limited to a four-wheeled passenger car, but may also be a bus or truck, or a three-wheeled BEV.

[0103] A resource equipped with a power storage device for energy management is not limited to an automobile, but may be a vehicle other than an automobile (railroad vehicle, ship, airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile object (automated guided vehicle (AGV), agricultural machinery, walking robot, drone, robot cleaner, space probe, etc.), or a stationary power storage system. The resource may include a power conversion circuit (for example, an inverter that performs AC / DC conversion) that converts power for input and output of the power storage device.

[0104] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 1 Vehicle group, 2 EVSE group, 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D Vehicles, 110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D Battery, 120 Inlet, 150 ECU, 200, 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D EVSE, 210 Control unit, 220 Circuit unit, 230 Charging cable, 240 Connector, 300 Server, 310 Processor, 320 RAM, 330 Storage device, PG Power system.

Claims

1. determining a first charging start time at which charging of the first power storage device is to start; determining a first charging end time at which charging of the first power storage device is to be ended; charging the first power storage device by remote control in accordance with a first command value for energy management during a first period from the first charging start time to the first charging end time; comparing the actual charging power with a target charging power for energy management; determining a second charge start time at which charging of the second power storage device is started to be later than the first charge start time; determining a second charge end time at which charging of the second power storage device is to be ended to be later than the first charge end time; charging the second power storage device by remote control in accordance with a second command value for energy management during a second period from the second charging start time to the second charging end time; determining a third charging start time at which charging of a third power storage device is to start, the third charging start time corresponding to the first charging start time; determining a third charging end time at which charging of the third power storage device is to be ended; charging the third power storage device by remote control in accordance with a third command value for energy management during a third period from the third charging start time to the third charging end time; determining a fourth charge start time at which charging of a fourth power storage device is started to be later than the third charge start time; determining a fourth charge end time at which charging of the fourth power storage device is to be ended to be later than the third charge end time; charging the fourth power storage device by remote control in accordance with a fourth command value for energy management during a fourth period from the fourth charging start time to the fourth charging end time; a server that executes determining, when it is determined that the actual charging power is smaller than the target charging power, a time that is earlier than the first charging end time as the second charging start time; when it is determined that the actual charging power is greater than the target charging power, determining a time that is later than the first charging end time as the second charging start time; determining whether the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are set to be earlier than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, later than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, or to be set to coincide with the first charging end time and the second charging start time; Further run the server.

2. The first storage device, the second storage device, the third storage device, and the fourth storage device are mounted on a first vehicle, a second vehicle, a third vehicle, and a fourth vehicle, respectively; The server when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are set to coincide with the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining a time corresponding to the second charging start time as the third charging end time and determining a time corresponding to the first charging end time as the fourth charging start time; when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set earlier than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, determining a time earlier than each of the first charging end time and the second charging start time as the third charging end time, and determining a time earlier than each of the first charging end time and the second charging start time as the fourth charging start time; 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the third charging end time and the fourth charging start time are to be set later than the first charging end time and the second charging start time, the server determines the third charging end time to be a time later than each of the first charging end time and the second charging start time, and determines the fourth charging start time to be a time later than each of the first charging end time and the second charging start time.

3. determining a first discharge start time at which to start discharging the first power storage device; determining a first discharge end time at which to end the discharge of the first power storage device; discharging the first power storage device by remote control in accordance with a first command value for energy management during a first period from the first discharge start time to the first discharge end time; comparing the actual discharge power with a target discharge power for energy management; determining a second discharge start time at which discharging of the second power storage device is started to be later than the first discharge start time; determining a second discharge end time at which discharging of the second power storage device is to be ended to be later than the first discharge end time; discharging the second power storage device by remote control in accordance with a second command value for energy management during a second period from the second discharge start time to the second discharge end time; determining a third discharge start time at which to start discharging a third power storage device, the third discharge start time being a time corresponding to the first discharge start time; determining a third discharge end time at which to end the discharge of the third power storage device; discharging the third power storage device by remote control in accordance with a third command value for energy management during a third period from the third discharge start time to the third discharge end time; determining a fourth discharge start time at which discharge of the fourth power storage device is started to be later than the third discharge start time; determining a fourth discharge end time at which discharging of the fourth power storage device is to be ended to be later than the third discharge end time; discharging the fourth power storage device by remote control in accordance with a fourth command value for energy management during a fourth period from the fourth discharge start time to the fourth discharge end time; a server that executes determining, when it is determined that the actual discharge power is smaller than the target discharge power, a time that is earlier than the first discharge end time as the second discharge start time; when it is determined that the actual discharge power is greater than the target discharge power, determining a time that is later than the first discharge end time as the second discharge start time; determining whether the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are set before the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, after the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, or to coincide with the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time; Further run the server.

4. The first storage device, the second storage device, the third storage device, and the fourth storage device are mounted on a first vehicle, a second vehicle, a third vehicle, and a fourth vehicle, respectively; The server when it is determined that the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are set to coincide with the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, determining a time corresponding to the second discharge start time as the third discharge end time and determining a time corresponding to the first discharge end time as the fourth discharge start time; when it is determined that the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are to be set earlier than the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, determining a time earlier than each of the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time as the third discharge end time, and determining a time earlier than each of the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time as the fourth discharge start time, 4. The server according to claim 3, wherein, when it is determined that the third discharge end time and the fourth discharge start time are to be set later than the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, the server determines the third discharge end time to be a time later than each of the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time, and determines the fourth discharge start time to be a time later than each of the first discharge end time and the second discharge start time.

Images