Charging management method, program, and charging management system

Abstract

This charging management method comprises a first acquisition step (ST1), a second acquisition step (ST2), a charging information generation step (ST4), and a presentation step (ST5). The first acquisition step (ST1) acquires position information and battery information of an electric vehicle. The second acquisition step (ST2) acquires desired power supply information on a charging power supply desired by a user. The charging information generation step (ST4) generates charging information relating to charging of a storage battery on the basis of the battery information and the desired power supply information. The presentation step (ST5) presents, to the user, position information and charging information for recommended charging equipment recommended to the user on the basis of the position information of the electric vehicle among a plurality of pieces of charging equipment.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charge management method, a program, and a charge management system for managing charging of a storage battery in an electric vehicle equipped with the storage battery. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 relates to a rapid charging facility and charging facility system for electric vehicles that are linked to power generation devices such as photovoltaic power generation modules or charging / discharging devices such as stationary storage batteries, and discloses an energy management method for each device linked to the charging facility.

[0003] Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a method for distributing charging capacity to electric vehicles in a charging system that includes locally generated solar charging capacity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6085544 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-221496 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a charge management method, program, and charge management system that make it easier for a user to charge a storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle with a charging power source of their choice. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A charge management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: 1. A processor-implemented charge management method, comprising:The method includes a first acquisition step, a second acquisition step, a charging information generation step, and a presentation step. In the first acquisition step, location information of an electric vehicle and battery information related to the remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle are acquired. In the second acquisition step, desired power source information related to a power source for charging the storage battery desired by a user of the electric vehicle is acquired. In the charging information generation step, charging information related to charging the storage battery is generated based on the battery information acquired in the first acquisition step and the desired power source information acquired in the second acquisition step. In the presentation step, location information of recommended charging equipment recommended to the user from among a plurality of charging equipment based on the location information of the electric vehicle acquired in the first acquisition step, and the charging information generated in the charging information generation step are presented to the user. The charging power source includes a first power source derived from renewable energy and a second power source derived from energy other than renewable energy.

[0007] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the charge management method.

[0008] A charging management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, a charging information generation unit, and a presentation unit. The first acquisition unit acquires location information of an electric vehicle and battery information related to the remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle. The second acquisition unit acquires desired power source information related to a power source for charging the storage battery desired by a user of the electric vehicle. The charging information generation unit generates charging information related to charging of the storage battery based on the battery information acquired by the first acquisition unit and the desired power source information acquired by the second acquisition unit. The presentation unit presents to the user location information of recommended charging equipment recommended to the user from among multiple charging equipment based on the location information of the electric vehicle acquired by the first acquisition unit, and the charging information generated by the charging information generation unit. The charging power source includes a first power source derived from renewable energy and a second power source derived from energy other than renewable energy. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present disclosure has the advantage of making it easier for a user to charge a storage battery mounted on an electric vehicle using a charging power source of their choice. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a charge management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the charge management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on the information terminal according to the embodiment that allows the user to select a desired charging power source. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of a screen on the information terminal according to the embodiment, which allows the user to select a desired charging power source. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen presented to a user in an information terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a completion screen of a reservation at recommended charging equipment on the information terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the charge management system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A charging management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first acquisition step, a second acquisition step, a charging information generation step, and a presentation step. In the first acquisition step, location information of an electric vehicle and battery information related to the remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle are acquired. In the second acquisition step, desired power source information related to a power source for charging the storage battery desired by a user of the electric vehicle is acquired. In the charging information generation step, charging information related to charging of the storage battery is generated based on the battery information acquired in the first acquisition step and the desired power source information acquired in the second acquisition step. In the presentation step, location information of recommended charging equipment recommended to the user from among a plurality of charging equipment based on the location information of the electric vehicle acquired in the first acquisition step, and the charging information generated in the charging information generation step are presented to the user.

[0012] This makes it possible to present to the user recommended charging equipment 31 that can be used for charging with the charging power source 4 desired by the user. This has the advantage of making it easier for the user to charge the storage battery 21 mounted on the electric vehicle 2 with the charging power source 4 desired by the user. In other words, it has the advantage of being able to accommodate a variety of user needs, such as allowing the user to charge the storage battery 21 with a charging power source 4 that is configured to prioritize economic efficiency, or to charge the storage battery 21 with a charging power source 4 that is configured to prioritize environmental friendliness.

[0013] For example, the charging power source is , re The power supply may include a first power source derived from renewable energy and a second power source derived from energy other than renewable energy.

[0014] This has the advantage of being able to meet both the needs of users who want to use electricity derived from renewable energy sources with environmental considerations in mind, and the needs of users who want to use electricity derived from energy sources other than renewable energy sources with economic considerations in mind.

[0015] For example, the charging management method may further include a prediction step and a power supply procurement step. In the prediction step, charging demand at each of the plurality of charging facilities is predicted based on the battery information acquired in the first acquisition step and the desired power supply information acquired in the second acquisition step. In the power supply procurement step, the charging power source is procured for each of the plurality of charging facilities based on the charging demand predicted in the prediction step.

[0016] This has the advantage that it is easy to avoid a situation where there is a shortage of the charging power source 4 desired by the user in each of the plurality of charging facilities 3.

[0017] For example, the charging management method may further include a third acquisition step of acquiring reservation information regarding whether or not a reservation for charging has been made at the recommended charging facility presented in the presentation step. Then, in the prediction step, the charging demand may be predicted further based on the reservation information acquired in the third acquisition step.

[0018] This has the advantage that by referring to future charging at recommended charging equipment 31, where future charging that is likely to occur in the future is largely determined, rather than predicted charging, it is possible to expect an improvement in the accuracy of predicting charging demand.

[0019] For example, the presenting step may further present a cost required to charge the storage battery.

[0020] This allows the user to understand the cost required to charge the storage battery 21, making it easier for the user to choose whether to prioritize environmental friendliness or economic efficiency when charging the storage battery 21, which has the advantage of being expected to improve user convenience.

[0021] For example, the first acquisition step may further acquire route information regarding a planned travel route of the electric vehicle, and the presentation step may further present location information of the recommended charging facility based on the route information acquired in the first acquisition step.

[0022] This has the advantage that the user does not have to go to a charging facility 3 that is located off the planned driving route, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0023] A program according to an aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the charge management method.

[0024] This makes it possible to present to the user recommended charging equipment 31 that can be used for charging with the charging power source 4 desired by the user. This has the advantage of making it easier for the user to charge the storage battery 21 mounted on the electric vehicle 2 with the charging power source 4 desired by the user. In other words, it has the advantage of being able to accommodate a variety of user needs, such as allowing the user to charge the storage battery 21 with a charging power source 4 that is configured to prioritize economic efficiency, or to charge the storage battery 21 with a charging power source 4 that is configured to prioritize environmental friendliness.

[0025] Also, a charging management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first acquisition unit, a second acquisition unit, a charging information generation unit, and a presentation unit. The first acquisition unit acquires location information of an electric vehicle and battery information related to the remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle. The second acquisition unit acquires desired power source information related to a power source for charging the storage battery desired by a user of the electric vehicle. The charging information generation unit generates charging information related to charging of the storage battery based on the battery information acquired by the first acquisition unit and the desired power source information acquired by the second acquisition unit. The presentation unit presents to the user location information of recommended charging equipment recommended to the user from among multiple charging equipment based on the location information of the electric vehicle acquired by the first acquisition unit, and the charging information generated by the charging information generation unit.

[0026] This makes it possible to present to the user recommended charging equipment 31 that can be used for charging with the charging power source 4 desired by the user. This has the advantage of making it easier for the user to charge the storage battery 21 mounted on the electric vehicle 2 with the charging power source 4 desired by the user. In other words, it has the advantage of being able to accommodate a variety of user needs, such as allowing the user to charge the storage battery 21 with a charging power source 4 that is configured to prioritize economic efficiency, or to charge the storage battery 21 with a charging power source 4 that is configured to prioritize environmental friendliness.

[0027] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be realized as any combination of a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0028] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a specific example of the present disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step order shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not described in an independent claim that represents a superordinate concept will be described as optional components.

[0029] (Embodiment) [1. Overview] First, an overview of a charge management system according to an embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a charge management system 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the charge management system 100 is a system for managing the charging of a storage battery 21 in an electric vehicle 2 equipped with the storage battery 21. The storage battery 21 is charged by supplying power from a charging power source 4 to the storage battery 21 of the electric vehicle 2 via a charging facility 3.

[0030] The electric vehicle 2 is a vehicle that runs using electricity stored in a storage battery 21 as an energy source and an electric motor as a power source. The electric vehicle 2 may have multiple energy sources including electricity. For example, the electric vehicle 2 may be a hybrid vehicle that runs using both electricity and gasoline as energy sources and is powered by an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, respectively. In the embodiment, the electric vehicle 2 is an electric automobile. Note that the electric vehicle 2 may include, in addition to automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.

[0031] In the embodiment, the charging management system 100 manages electric vehicles 2 owned or temporarily rented by users who have concluded a service contract with a business operator that operates the charging management system 100. The number of electric vehicles 2 to be managed by the charging management system 100 is multiple, for example, tens of thousands.

[0032] The charging power source 4 is connected to the charging facility 3 via a power transmission facility and / or a transformer facility, and supplies power to the storage battery 21 mounted on the electric vehicle 2 via the charging facility 3. In the embodiment, the charging power source 4 includes a plurality of power sources that have different power generation modes. As an example, the charging power source 4 includes a first power source 41 derived from renewable energy and a second power source 42 derived from energy other than renewable energy (hereinafter also referred to as "fossil energy, etc.").

[0033] The first power source 41 may include a power source that supplies power generated by, for example, solar power generation, as well as a power source that supplies power generated by hydroelectric power generation, wind power generation, geothermal power generation, biomass power generation, or the like. In other words, the first power source 41 is a power source that can be adapted to a so-called decarbonized society that seeks to move away from fossil fuels such as oil and coal in order to prevent emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that cause global warming. In Fig. 1, as examples of the first power source 41, a power source that supplies power generated by solar power generation and a power source that supplies power generated by wind power generation are shown.

[0034] The second power source 42 may include, for example, a power source that supplies power generated by thermal power generation, nuclear power generation, or the like. Note that a power source that supplies power generated by nuclear power generation is a power source that can be adapted to the decarbonized society described above, but because it is not derived from renewable energy, it is included in the second power source 42. In FIG. 1 , a power source that supplies power generated by thermal power generation is illustrated as an example of the second power source 42.

[0035] The charging facilities 3 are installed by a business operator that operates the charging management system 100 in an area (for example, the entire country) where the business operator provides services, by the business operator or by another business operator that cooperates with the business operator. In the embodiment, a plurality of charging facilities 3 (for example, several thousand) are installed in a dispersed manner in the area. Note that only one charging facility 3 may be installed at each installation location, or several or a dozen charging facilities 3 may be installed.

[0036] The charging equipment 3 may include, for example, a normal charger as well as a rapid charger that has a higher output than a normal charger. Also, the charging equipment 3 may include, for example, a charger with a charging cable as well as a socket-type charger.

[0037] If the charging equipment 3 is a socket-type charger, the storage battery 21 of the electric vehicle 2 can be charged by inserting a power plug provided at one end of a charging cable mounted on the electric vehicle 2 and connecting a charging connector provided at the other end of the charging cable to a charging port provided on the electric vehicle 2. Furthermore, if the charging equipment 3 is a charger with a charging cable, the storage battery 21 of the electric vehicle 2 can be charged by connecting a charging connector provided at one end of the charging cable to a charging port provided on the electric vehicle 2.

[0038] Alternatively, the charging equipment 3 may be a wireless charging device. When the charging equipment 3 is a wireless charging device, it is possible to charge the storage battery 21 of the electric vehicle 2 by using electromagnetic induction technology to contactlessly feed power from a power transmitting coil embedded in the road surface to a power receiving coil mounted on the electric vehicle 2.

[0039] [2. Configuration] Next, the charging management system 100 will be described in detail. The charging management system 100 is configured by, for example, a server device. The following description focuses on one electric vehicle 2 or one user unless otherwise specified. In practice, the charging management system 100 executes the processing described below for each electric vehicle 2 or each user.

[0040] 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a charge management system 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the charge management system 100 includes a first acquisition unit 11, a second acquisition unit 12, a third acquisition unit 13, a charge information generation unit 14, a presentation unit 15, a prediction unit 16, and a power supply procurement unit 17.

[0041] The first acquisition unit 11 acquires battery information relating to the position information of the electric vehicle 2 and the remaining capacity of the storage battery 21 mounted on the electric vehicle 2. The first acquisition unit 11 is an entity that executes a first acquisition step ST1 (see FIG. 7) in the charge management method. The position information of the electric vehicle 2 includes, for example, coordinates of the current position of the electric vehicle 2 measured by a positioning system such as a GPS (Global Positioning System). The battery information may include, for example, the current remaining capacity of the storage battery 21, or the chargeable capacity obtained by subtracting the current remaining capacity from the capacity when fully charged. In addition, the battery information may include an SoC (State of Charge).

[0042] The first acquisition unit 11 periodically acquires the position information and battery information of the electric vehicle 2 from a server device operated by, for example, a manufacturer of the electric vehicle 2, by making a request via a communication network such as the Internet. This is because such manufacturers manage the state of the electric vehicle 2 by periodically acquiring the position information and battery information of the electric vehicle 2 from the electric vehicle 2. Note that the first acquisition unit 11 may also directly acquire the position information and battery information of the electric vehicle 2 by communicating with the electric vehicle 2 via a communication network.

[0043] The second acquisition unit 12 acquires desired power source information regarding the charging power source 4 for the storage battery 21 desired by the user of the electric vehicle 2. The second acquisition unit 12 is an entity that executes the second acquisition step ST2 (see FIG. 7 ) in the charge management method. The desired power source information may include, for example, information indicating that the user desires charging using either the first power source 41 or the second power source 42. Furthermore, if the user desires charging using both the first power source 41 and the second power source 42, the desired power source information may include information regarding the respective usage ratios of the first power source 41 and the second power source 42.

[0044] The second acquisition unit 12 acquires the desired power supply information input at the information terminal 5 by communicating with the information terminal 5 owned by the user via a communication network. The information terminal 5 may include a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, as well as a stationary terminal such as a desktop or laptop personal computer.

[0045] In the embodiment, a dedicated application for using the charge management system 100 is installed in the information terminal 5. Then, the user can operate the information terminal 5 to start the application, thereby selecting the charging power source 4 that the user desires.

[0046] Specifically, when a user operates the information terminal 5 to start the application, a screen such as that shown in Fig. 3 is displayed on the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on the information terminal 5 according to the embodiment, which allows the user to select the desired charging power source 4. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the display unit 51 displays a message M1 saying "Please select the type of electricity to charge," a first icon I1 containing the character string "normal electricity," and a second icon I2 containing the character string "CO2-free electricity (renewable energy)."

[0047] When the user selects the first icon I1, for example, by touching the display unit 51 with his / her finger, the information terminal 5 generates desired power source information including a request to use the second power source 42 as the charging power source 4, and transmits a signal including the generated desired power source information to the charge management system 100 via the communication network. Also, when the user selects the second icon I2, for example, by touching the display unit 51 with his / her finger, the information terminal 5 generates desired power source information including a request to use the first power source 41 as the charging power source 4, and transmits a signal including the generated desired power source information to the charge management system 100 via the communication network. The second acquisition unit 12 receives these signals to acquire the desired power source information.

[0048] Furthermore, when a user operates the information terminal 5 to launch the application, a screen such as that shown in Fig. 4 may be displayed on the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing another example of a screen on the information terminal 5 according to the embodiment, which allows the user to select a desired charging power source 4. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the display unit 51 displays a message M2 saying "Please enter the percentage of electricity to be charged," a first text box TB1 for inputting the percentage of electricity used that is derived from "renewable energy" (i.e., renewable energy), and a second text box TB2 for inputting the percentage of electricity used that is derived from "non-renewable energy" (i.e., fossil energy, etc.). The display unit 51 also displays the total percentage of electricity used that is derived from "renewable energy" and electricity used that is derived from "non-renewable energy."

[0049] When the user inputs numbers into the first text box TB1 and the second text box TB2, for example by touching the display unit 51 with a finger, the information terminal 5 generates desired power source information including the usage ratio of the first power source 41 as a charging power source 4 and the usage ratio of the second power source 42 as a charging power source 4, and transmits a signal including the generated desired power source information to the charging management system 100 via the communication network. The second acquisition unit 12 receives the signal and thereby acquires the desired power source information.

[0050] In addition, when the user launches the above application, the user can set, for example, in the above application, which of the screen shown in Figure 3 and the screen shown in Figure 4 will be displayed on the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5.

[0051] 3 and 4, the display unit 51 may also display a text box for inputting the time period during which the user will charge the storage battery 21. In this case, the desired power source information includes the time period during which the user will charge the storage battery 21.

[0052] 3 and 4, the unit price of charging (i.e., the cost of charging per kWh) may be displayed on the display unit 51. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the unit price of charging when the first icon I1 is selected and the unit price of charging when the second icon I2 is selected may be displayed on the display unit 51. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the unit price of charging according to the usage rates input in the first text box TB1 and the second text box TB2 may be displayed.

[0053] The charging unit price is displayed on the display unit 51 by the presentation unit 15 (presentation step ST5) described later transmitting a signal including the charging unit price to the information terminal 5. In other words, it can be said that the presentation unit 15 (presentation step ST5) further presents the cost required to charge the storage battery 21. The timing for presenting the charging unit price may be the timing when the screen shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 51 as described above, or may be the timing when the presentation unit 15 (presentation step ST5) presents location information or the like of recommended charging equipment 31 (see FIG. 5) as described below.

[0054] The charging information generation unit 14 generates charging information related to charging of the storage battery 21 based on the battery information acquired by the first acquisition unit 11 (first acquisition step ST1) and the desired power source information acquired by the second acquisition unit 12 (second acquisition step ST2). The charging information generation unit 14 is responsible for executing the charging information generation step ST4 in the charging management method. The charging information may include information indicating the type of charging power source 4 included in the desired power source information and the amount of charge required to fully charge the storage battery 21, which is calculated based on the battery information. Furthermore, if the desired power source information includes the respective usage rates of multiple power sources, the charging information may include information indicating the amount of charge required to fully charge the storage battery 21 for each power source. In addition, the charging information may include information indicating the cost required to fully charge the storage battery 21, i.e., the cost required to charge the storage battery 21. The cost may be the unit price of charging or the total cost required to charge the storage battery 21.

[0055] The presentation unit 15 presents to the user the location information of the recommended charging facility 31 and the charging information generated by the charging information generation unit 14 (charging information generation step ST4). The presentation unit 15 is an entity that executes the presentation step ST5 in the charging management method. The recommended charging facility 31 is charging facility 3 that is recommended to the user based on the location information of the electric vehicle 2 acquired by the first acquisition unit 11 (first acquisition step ST1) from among the multiple charging facilities 3.

[0056] Specifically, the recommended charging facility 31 is the charging facility 3 that can charge the storage battery 21 using the charging power source 4 desired by the user, and is, for example, the charging facility 3 that is closest to the user's current location (i.e., the current location of the electric vehicle 2). Furthermore, if the user specifies, for example, a time period during which the storage battery 21 is to be charged, the recommended charging facility 31 is the charging facility 3 that is closest to the estimated location of the electric vehicle 2 during the specified time period.

[0057] Furthermore, if the user has set a planned travel route for the electric vehicle 2 in advance using, for example, a car navigation system, the recommended charging facility 31 may be a charging facility 3 located on or near the planned travel route. In this case, the first acquisition unit 11 (first acquisition step ST1) further acquires route information related to the planned travel route for the electric vehicle 2, for example, by communicating with the electric vehicle 2 via a communication network. Then, the presentation unit 15 (presentation step ST5) presents location information of the recommended charging facility 31 further based on the route information acquired by the first acquisition unit 11 (first acquisition step ST1).

[0058] In the embodiment, the presentation unit 15 generates presentation information including location information and charging information of recommended charging equipment 31, and transmits a signal including the generated presentation information to the information terminal 5 via a communication network. Upon receiving the signal, the information terminal 5 displays the presentation information included in the signal on the display unit 51. In other words, the presentation unit 15 presents the location information and charging information of recommended charging equipment 31 to the user via the information terminal 5.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen presented to a user on the information terminal 5 according to the embodiment. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the display unit 51 displays a map including the current location P1 of the electric vehicle 2, the location of "charging facility A," which is a recommended charging facility 31, and a driving route from the current location P1 of the electric vehicle 2 to the location of "charging facility A." The display unit 51 also displays a message M3 asking, "Do you want to reserve charging at charging facility A?", a third icon I3 including the character string "Reserve," and a fourth icon I4 including the character string "Cancel." Although not illustrated in FIG. 5, the presentation unit 15 also displays, on the display unit 51, character strings indicating charging information such as the type of charging power source 4 and / or the amount of charge required to fully charge the storage battery 21. Although not illustrated in FIG. 5, the presentation unit 15 may also display, on the display unit 51, an estimated time required to reach "charging facility A."

[0060] The third acquisition unit 13 acquires reservation information regarding whether or not a reservation has been made for charging at the recommended charging facility 31 presented by the presentation unit 15 (presentation step ST5). The third acquisition unit 13 is an entity that executes the third acquisition step ST3 (see FIG. 7) in the charging management method. The third acquisition unit 13 acquires reservation information input by the user at the information terminal 5 by communicating with the information terminal 5 via a communication network.

[0061] 5 is displayed on the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5, when the user selects the third icon I3, for example, by touching the display unit 51 with his / her finger, the information terminal 5 generates reservation information including a request to reserve charging at the recommended charging equipment 31, and transmits a signal including the generated reservation information to the charging management system 100 via the communication network. The third acquisition unit 13 receives the signal and thereby acquires the reservation information.

[0062] In this case, the presentation unit 15 causes the display unit 51 to display a screen as shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a completion screen of a reservation at recommended charging facility 31 on the information terminal 5 according to the embodiment. In the example shown in Fig. 6, the display unit 51 displays a map similar to the example shown in Fig. 5, and also displays a message M4 saying "Charging at charging facility A has been reserved."

[0063] Note that when the user selects the fourth icon I4, for example, by touching the display unit 51 with his / her finger, charging at the recommended charging facility 31 is not reserved, and a signal including reservation information is not transmitted to the charging management system 100. In this case, the information terminal 5 may transmit, for example, a signal including a command to request re-presentation of the recommended charging facility 31 to the charging management system 100. When the presentation unit 15 of the charging management system 100 receives the signal, it presents to the user recommended charging facility 31 different from the recommended charging facility 31 presented previously.

[0064] The prediction unit 16 predicts the charging demand at each of the multiple charging facilities 3 based on the battery information acquired by the first acquisition unit 11 (first acquisition step ST1) and the desired power source information acquired by the second acquisition unit 12 (second acquisition step ST2). The prediction unit 16 is the entity that executes the prediction step ST6 in the charging management method. The charging demand is the amount of power required for charging the storage battery 21 that is expected to occur in the future at each charging facility 3, and is the amount of power for each type of charging power source 4. The amount of power is predicted by time period, for example, morning or every hour.

[0065] The prediction unit 16 calculates the amount of power estimated to be required in the future at each charging facility 3, for example, based on battery information (remaining capacity of storage battery 21) acquired from each electric vehicle 2 and the past charging history at each charging facility 3. The prediction unit 16 also calculates the usage rate of the charging power source 4 estimated to be required in the future at each charging facility 3, for example, based on desired power source information of the user of each electric vehicle 2 and the past usage rate history of the charging power source 4 at each charging facility 3. The prediction unit 16 predicts the charging demand at each charging facility 3 by comprehensively considering these calculation results.

[0066] In the embodiment, the prediction unit 16 (prediction step ST6) predicts the charging demand further based on the reservation information acquired by the third acquisition unit 13 (third acquisition step ST3). That is, the prediction unit 16 can grasp future charging at recommended charging equipment 31 by referring to the reservation information. The charging is not predicted charging, but charging that is likely to occur in the future and is generally confirmed. Therefore, by the prediction unit 16 further referring to the reservation information, there is an advantage that the accuracy of predicting the charging demand can be expected to improve.

[0067] The power supply procurement unit 17 procures the charging power source 4 for each of the plurality of charging facilities 3 based on the charging demand predicted by the prediction unit 16 (prediction step ST6). The power supply procurement unit 17 is the entity that executes the power supply procurement step ST7 in the charging management method. The power supply procurement unit 17 procures the charging power source 4 for each charging facility 3 so that there will be no shortage of power required when the storage battery 21 is charged at the charging facility 3 in the future.

[0068] The procurement means for procuring the charging power source 4 may include, for example, a means for procuring from a charging power source 4 (e.g., a power plant) owned by a business operator that operates the charging management system 100. The procurement means may also include a means for procuring from the charging power source 4 of an electric power utility that owns the charging power source 4 by concluding a power purchase agreement with the electric power utility that owns the charging power source 4. The procurement means may also include a means for procuring from the charging power source 4 purchased from a wholesale electricity trading market (e.g., JEPX (Japan Electric Power Exchange) in Japan). The power procurement unit 17 procures the charging power source 4 for each charging facility 3 using one or more of these multiple procurement means.

[0069] Note that power procurement unit 17 may use different procurement means for each type of charging power source 4. For example, power procurement unit 17 may procure first power source 41 from a first power source 41 owned by a first power supplier, and may procure second power source 42 from a second power source 42 owned by a second power supplier different from the first power supplier.

[0070] Furthermore, the power supply procurement unit 17 may procure the charging power source 4 so as to meet all the charging demand of each charging facility 3, or may procure only the charging power source 4 to meet the shortage at each charging facility 3.

[0071] [3. Operation] An example of the operation of the charge management system 100 (charge management method) according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the charge management system 100 according to the embodiment.

[0072] First, the first acquisition unit 11 periodically acquires battery information from the electric vehicle 2 (S1). Process S1 corresponds to a first acquisition step ST1 in the charge management method. Process S1 is executed independently of other processes described below.

[0073] Next, the second acquisition unit 12 acquires the desired power source information from the information terminal 5 (S2). Process S2 corresponds to the second acquisition step ST2 in the charge management method. Specifically, the user operates the information terminal 5 to input the desired power source information, and the second acquisition unit 12 acquires the desired power source information by receiving a signal including the desired power source information transmitted from the information terminal 5.

[0074] Next, the charging information generation unit 14 generates charging information based on the battery information acquired by the first acquisition unit 11 and the desired power source information acquired by the second acquisition unit 12 (S3). Process S3 corresponds to charging information generation step ST4 in the charging management method. Then, the presentation unit 15 presents to the user the location information of the recommended charging equipment 31 and the charging information generated by the charging information generation unit 14 (S4). Process S4 corresponds to presentation step ST5 in the charging management method. Specifically, the presentation unit 15 generates presentation information including the location information and charging information of the recommended charging equipment 31, and transmits a signal including the generated presentation information to the information terminal 5 via a communication network.

[0075] Thereafter, when the user operates the information terminal 5 to complete a reservation for charging at the recommended charging facility 31, the third acquisition unit 13 acquires the reservation information by receiving a signal including the reservation information transmitted from the information terminal 5 (S5). Process S5 corresponds to the third acquisition step ST3 in the charging management method.

[0076] The prediction unit 16 predicts the charging demand of each charging facility 3 based on the battery information of each electric vehicle 2 acquired by the first acquisition unit 11 and the desired power source information of each user acquired by the second acquisition unit 12 (S6). Process S6 corresponds to prediction step ST6 in the charging management method. Process S6 is executed, for example, every time the first acquisition unit 11 acquires battery information or every time the second acquisition unit 12 acquires desired power source information. Furthermore, process S6 is executed, for example, every time the third acquisition unit 13 acquires reservation information.

[0077] Then, the power supply procurement unit 17 procures a charging power source 4 for each charging facility 3 based on the charging demand of each charging facility 3 predicted by the prediction unit 16 (S7). Process S7 corresponds to power supply procurement step ST7 in the charging management method. Process S7 is executed, for example, every time the prediction unit 16 predicts a charging demand. Thereafter, the above series of processes are repeated.

[0078] [4. Advantages] The advantages of the charge management system 100 (charge management method) according to the embodiment will be described below. In recent years, there has been an increasing need to use electricity derived from renewable energy sources, taking into consideration the global environment and sustainability. Meanwhile, while electricity derived from fossil energy sources and other sources has a basically fixed electricity rate, electricity derived from renewable energy sources can fluctuate depending on the time of day, weather, and the like. For this reason, it is important to be able to respond to the diverse needs of users, such as whether to prioritize environmental friendliness and use electricity derived from renewable energy sources, whether to prioritize economic efficiency and use electricity derived from fossil energy sources and other sources, or whether to use both types of electricity.

[0079] In this regard, the charge management system 100 (charge management method) according to the embodiment can present to the user recommended charging equipment 31 that can be charged with the charging power source 4 desired by the user. Therefore, the embodiment has an advantage that it becomes easier for the user to charge the storage battery 21 mounted on the electric vehicle 2 with the charging power source 4 desired by the user. In other words, the embodiment has an advantage that it is possible to accommodate a variety of user needs, such as the user charging the storage battery 21 with a charging power source 4 configured to prioritize economy, or charging the storage battery 21 with a charging power source 4 configured to prioritize environmental friendliness.

[0080] (Variation) Although the charge management system 100 (charge management method) according to the embodiment has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to this embodiment.

[0081] In the above-described embodiment, the second acquisition unit 12 (second acquisition step ST2) may acquire more specific types of charging power source 4 desired by the user. For example, the second acquisition unit 12 may not only acquire that the first power source 41 is desired as the charging power source 4, but may also acquire that a power source that supplies power generated by solar power generation, a power source that supplies power generated by wind power generation, or the like is desired as the charging power source 4.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the third acquisition unit 13 (third acquisition step ST3) may acquire reservation information related to reservations for not only one charging session but also multiple charging sessions. In this case, the user may operate the information terminal 5 to reserve multiple charging sessions, for example, charging at the recommended charging facility 31 every few days.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, the presentation unit 15 (presentation step ST5) is not limited to presenting one recommended charging facility 31, but may present multiple recommended charging facilities 31. In this case, the user may select the charging facility 3 that the user wants to use from the presented multiple recommended charging facilities 31.

[0084] In the above-described embodiment, the prediction unit 16 (prediction step ST6) may predict the charging demand of each charging facility 3 without referring to the reservation information acquired by the third acquisition unit 13 (third acquisition step ST3). In this case, the charging management system 100 may not include the third acquisition unit 13. In other words, the charging management method may not include the third acquisition step ST3.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, the charge management system 100 (charge management method) may only present recommended charging equipment 31 to the user, and may not predict charging demand at each charging equipment 3 or procure a charging power source 4 for each charging equipment 3. For example, the prediction of charging demand at each charging equipment 3 and the procurement of a charging power source 4 for each charging equipment 3 may be performed by a system separate from the charge management system 100. In this case, the charge management system 100 may not include the prediction unit 16 and the power supply procurement unit 17. In other words, the charge management method may not include the prediction step ST6 and the power supply procurement step ST7.

[0086] In the embodiment, the desired power source information includes information on whether the user desires charging from the first power source 41 derived from renewable energy or the second power source 42 derived from fossil energy or other sources, but is not limited thereto. For example, the desired power source information may include only information indicating a desire to charge from one or more of a plurality of types of power sources as the first power source 41. In this case, the user would desire at least one of a power source that supplies power generated by solar power generation and a power source that supplies power generated by wind power generation as the charging power source 4, and the second power source 42 may not be included as an option. Similarly, the desired power source information may include only information indicating a desire to charge from one or more of a plurality of types of power sources as the second power source 42. In this case, the user would desire at least one of a power source that supplies power generated by thermal power generation and a power source that supplies power generated by nuclear power generation as the charging power source 4, and the first power source 41 may not be included as an option.

[0087] In the embodiment, machine learning may be used to calculate the charging demand by the prediction unit 16. For example, machine learning is performed using various parameters such as time of day and past charging history as input. Note that, since the charging demand changes from moment to moment, machine learning may be performed so that newer parameters and data have higher priority.

[0088] Furthermore, each processing unit included in the charge management system 100 according to the above-described embodiment is typically realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit. These may be individually implemented as single chips, or some or all of them may be integrated into a single chip.

[0089] Furthermore, the integration is not limited to LSI, but may be realized by dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), which can be programmed after LSI fabrication, or reconfigurable processors, which allow the connections and settings of circuit cells within LSIs to be reconfigured, may also be used.

[0090] In the above embodiments, each component may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU or processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory.

[0091] Furthermore, all the numbers used above are merely examples to specifically explain the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the numbers used as examples.

[0092] The division of functional blocks in the block diagram is an example, and multiple functional blocks may be realized as a single functional block, one functional block may be divided into multiple blocks, or some functions may be moved to another functional block.Furthermore, the functions of multiple functional blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or in time-sharing by a single piece of hardware or software.

[0093] The order in which the steps in the flowchart are executed is merely an example for specifically explaining the present disclosure, and other orders may be used. Some of the steps may be executed simultaneously (in parallel) with other steps.

[0094] Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the charge management system 100 is realized as a single device, but may be realized by multiple devices. When the charge management system 100 is realized by multiple devices, the components of the charge management system 100 may be distributed among the multiple devices in any manner. Furthermore, the present disclosure may be realized by cloud computing or edge computing.

[0095] While the charge management system according to one or more aspects has been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. As long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by a person skilled in the art to the embodiments and configurations constructed by combining components of different embodiments may also be included within the scope of one or more aspects. [Industrial Applicability]

[0096] The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a system for managing charging of a storage battery in an electric vehicle equipped with the storage battery. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 100 Charging Management System 11 First acquisition part 12 Second acquisition part 13 Third acquisition part 14 Charging information generation section 15 Presentation section 2. Electric vehicles 21 Storage battery 3 Charging equipment 31 Recommended charging equipment 4 Charging power supply 41 1st power supply 42 2nd power supply ST1 First acquisition step ST2 Second acquisition step ST3 Third acquisition step ST4 Charging information generation step ST5 Presentation step ST6 Prediction step ST7 Power Supply Step

Claims

1. A processor-implemented charge management method, comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring location information of an electric vehicle and battery information relating to a remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle; a second acquisition step of acquiring desired power source information related to a power source for charging the storage battery desired by a user of the electric vehicle; a charging information generating step of generating charging information related to charging of the storage battery based on the battery information acquired in the first acquiring step and the desired power source information acquired in the second acquiring step; a presentation step of presenting to the user location information of a recommended charging facility that is recommended to the user based on location information of the electric vehicle among a plurality of charging facilities that has been acquired in the first acquisition step, and the charging information that has been generated in the charging information generation step, The charging power source includes a first power source derived from renewable energy and a second power source derived from energy other than renewable energy. Charging management method.

2. a prediction step of predicting a charging demand at each of the plurality of charging facilities based on the battery information acquired in the first acquisition step and the desired power source information acquired in the second acquisition step; a power supply procurement step of procuring the charging power source for each of the plurality of charging facilities based on the charging demand predicted in the prediction step, The charge management method according to claim 1 .

3. further including a third acquisition step of acquiring reservation information regarding whether or not a reservation for charging has been made at the recommended charging facility presented in the presentation step; In the prediction step, the charging demand is predicted further based on the reservation information acquired in the third acquisition step. The charge management method according to claim 2 .

4. The presenting step further presents a cost required to charge the storage battery. The charge management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In the first acquisition step, route information relating to a planned travel route of the electric vehicle is further acquired, In the presenting step, location information of the recommended charging facility is presented further based on the route information acquired in the first acquisition step. The charge management method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. one or more processors, Executing the charge management method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, program.

7. a first acquisition unit that acquires location information of an electric vehicle and battery information related to a remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the electric vehicle; a second acquisition unit that acquires desired power source information related to a power source for charging the storage battery that is desired by a user of the electric vehicle; a charging information generation unit that generates charging information related to charging of the storage battery based on the battery information acquired by the first acquisition unit and the desired power source information acquired by the second acquisition unit; a presentation unit that presents to the user location information of a recommended charging facility that is recommended to the user based on location information of the electric vehicle among a plurality of charging facilities that is acquired by the first acquisition unit, and the charging information generated by the charging information generation unit, The charging power source includes a first power source derived from renewable energy and a second power source derived from energy other than renewable energy. Charging management system.

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