Charging management method, program, and charging management system

Abstract

This charge management method includes an acquisition step (ST1), a prediction step (ST2), and a planning step (ST3). In the acquisition step (ST1), position information pertaining to a moving body that is driven using electricity as an energy source, cell information relating to the residual capacity of a storage cell mounted in the moving body, and history information relating to the charge history of the storage cell are acquired. In the prediction step (ST2), the charge demand for one or more charge facilities is predicted on the basis of the position information, cell information, and history information acquired in the acquisition step (ST1). In the planning step (ST3), a charge plan for charging the storage cell is determined, on the basis of the charge demand predicted in the prediction step (ST2), such that the charge demand is suppressed to or below a prescribed value.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a charge management method, a program, and a charge management system for managing the charging of a storage battery in a mobile object that is driven by electricity as an energy source. [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] Patent Document 2 discloses a charging system for an electric vehicle that includes a power transmitting means and a power receiving means. The power transmitting means is installed below the ground surface, below a protective plate, and includes a power transmitting unit that supplies power using electromagnetic induction. The power receiving means charges a storage battery for driving the vehicle via the power receiving unit that receives power supplied from the power transmitting unit by electromagnetic induction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6085544 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5851731 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a charging management method, a program, and a charging management system that facilitate equalization of charging demand at one or more charging facilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A charge management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step, a prediction step, and a planning step. In the acquisition step, location information of a mobile body powered by electricity as an energy source, battery information related to the remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the mobile body, and history information related to the charging history of the storage battery are acquired. In the prediction step, charging demand of one or more charging facilities is predicted based on the location information, the battery information, and the history information acquired in the acquisition step. In the planning step, a charging plan for charging the storage battery is determined based on the charging demand predicted in the prediction step so as to keep the charging demand below a predetermined value.

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

[0008] A charge management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, a prediction unit, and a planning unit. The acquisition unit acquires location information of a mobile object powered by electricity as an energy source, battery information related to the remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the mobile object, and history information related to the charging history of the storage battery. The prediction unit predicts charging demand of one or more charging facilities based on the location information, the battery information, and the history information acquired by the acquisition unit. The planning unit determines a charging plan for charging the storage battery so as to keep the charging demand below a predetermined value based on the charging demand predicted by the prediction unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present disclosure has an advantage in that it becomes easier to level out charging demand at one or more charging facilities. [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 the distribution of a plurality of charging facilities. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a charging demand predicted by a prediction unit of the charging management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen presenting a charging plan in the information terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen presenting a result of charging completion in the information terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen prompting a user to change a charging plan, on the information terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 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 charge management method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition step, a prediction step, and a planning step. In the acquisition step, location information of a mobile body powered by electricity as an energy source, battery information related to the remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the mobile body, and history information related to the charging history of the storage battery are acquired. In the prediction step, charging demand of one or more charging facilities is predicted based on the location information, the battery information, and the history information acquired in the acquisition step. In the planning step, a charging plan for charging the storage battery is determined based on the charging demand predicted in the prediction step so as to keep the charging demand below a predetermined value.

[0012] This has the advantage that the charging demand can be adjusted so that it does not exceed the threshold value Th1 (predetermined value), making it easier to level the charging demand at one or more charging facilities 3.

[0013] For example, in the planning step, the charging plan is determined so that the storage battery is charged in a time period that includes the lower limit of the charging demand.

[0014] This has the advantage that if the storage battery 21 is charged preferentially during the time period (time period T2) that includes the lower limit of the charging demand, the charging demand during that time period is less likely to exceed the threshold value Th1 (predetermined value), making it easier to keep the charging demand below the threshold value Th1.

[0015] For example, the acquiring step further acquires reservation information including a charging schedule for the storage battery by a user of the mobile body, and the planning step determines the charging plan so as to change the charging schedule time if the charging schedule time indicated by the reservation information acquired in the acquiring step includes a peak time when the charging demand exceeds the predetermined value.

[0016] This has the advantage that by avoiding charging the storage battery 21 during the peak time T1, it becomes easier to keep the charging demand below the threshold value Th1 (predetermined value).

[0017] For example, the mobile object has an automatic movement function for autonomously moving without a human driver. The charge management method further includes an automatic charge control step of automatically moving the mobile object to any one of the one or more charging facilities and automatically charging the storage battery in accordance with the charging plan determined in the planning step.

[0018] This has the advantage of improving user convenience, as the user does not have to drive the mobile body 2 to the charging facility 3 specified in the charging plan and charge the storage battery 21 during the time period specified in the charging plan.

[0019] For example, in the planning step, the charging plan is determined so that the storage battery is charged at a charging facility among the one or more charging facilities that is within a range that the mobile object can travel within a predetermined time.

[0020] This allows the storage battery 21 to be charged at a charging facility 3 within a range that the mobile body 2 can travel within a specified time, which has the advantage that the charged power is less likely to be wasted when the mobile body 2 returns to its current position P1 after charging is completed.

[0021] For example, in the planning step, the charging plan is determined so that the storage battery is charged at a charging facility that is within a range that the mobile object can travel within a predetermined distance, out of the one or more charging facilities.

[0022] This allows the storage battery 21 to be charged at a charging facility 3 within a range that the mobile body 2 can move within a specified distance, which has the advantage that the charged power is less likely to be wasted when the mobile body 2 returns to its current position P1 after charging is completed.

[0023] For example, in the planning step, the charging plan is determined so that the storage battery is charged during a time period based on a schedule of a user of the mobile object.

[0024] This has the advantage that, for example, the storage battery 21 can be charged by effectively utilizing the time period when the user is not using the mobile object 2, making it easier to avoid a situation where the user cannot use the mobile object 2 because the storage battery 21 is being charged.

[0025] For example, the charge management method further includes a presenting step of presenting the charging plan determined in the planning step to a user of the mobile object.

[0026] This has the advantage that the user can grasp the charging plan.

[0027] For example, in the presenting step, guidance information is presented to the user that urges the user to charge the storage battery during times that do not coincide with peak times when the charging demand exceeds the predetermined value.

[0028] This has the advantage that, for example, even if the user has reserved charging of the storage battery 21 during peak time T1, it becomes easier to change the charging plan so that the storage battery 21 is charged during a time that avoids peak time T1.

[0029] For example, the guidance information includes information indicating that the unit price of charging the storage battery during the peak hours is higher than the unit price of charging the storage battery during times other than the peak hours.

[0030] This has the advantage that users who are concerned about the high unit cost of charging the storage battery 21 are more likely to change the time period to charge the storage battery 21 at a time other than the peak time T1, making it easier for users to agree to changes to the charging plan.

[0031] A program according to an aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the charge management method.

[0032] This has the advantage that the charging demand can be adjusted so that it does not exceed the threshold value Th1 (predetermined value), making it easier to level the charging demand at one or more charging facilities 3.

[0033] Also, a charge management system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit, a prediction unit, and a planning unit. The acquisition unit acquires location information of a mobile object powered by electricity as an energy source, battery information related to the remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the mobile object, and history information related to the charging history of the storage battery. The prediction unit predicts charging demand of one or more charging facilities based on the location information, the battery information, and the history information acquired by the acquisition unit. The planning unit determines a charging plan for charging the storage battery so as to keep the charging demand below a predetermined value based on the charging demand predicted by the prediction unit.

[0034] This has the advantage that the charging demand can be adjusted so that it does not exceed the threshold value Th1 (predetermined value), making it easier to level the charging demand at one or more charging facilities 3.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] (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 a mobile object 2 that is driven by electricity as an energy source. Charging of the storage battery 21 is performed by supplying power from a charging power source 4 to the storage battery 21 of the mobile object 2 via a charging facility 3.

[0038] The mobile object 2 moves using electricity stored in the storage battery 21 as its energy source and an electric motor as its power source. The mobile object 2 may have multiple energy sources, including electricity. For example, the mobile object 2 may be a hybrid type that uses both electricity and gasoline as its energy sources and moves using an electric motor and an internal combustion engine as its power sources, respectively. In the embodiment, the mobile object 2 is an electric vehicle such as an electric car. Note that electric vehicles may include, in addition to automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, etc. Furthermore, in addition to electric vehicles, the mobile object 2 may also include, for example, a drone, which is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that flies autonomously without a human driver.

[0039] In the embodiment, the moving object 2 (electric vehicle) has an automatic movement function (automatic driving function) for autonomously moving without a driver. For example, the moving object 2 is equipped with an automatic driving system of level 3 or higher defined in the SAE J3016: Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles standard. Therefore, in the embodiment, the moving object 2 can autonomously move to the charging facility 3 and automatically charge the storage battery 21 even when the user is not driving.

[0040] In the embodiment, the charging management system 100 manages mobile objects 2 that are 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 mobile objects 2 that are the management targets of the charging management system 100 is multiple, for example, tens of thousands.

[0041] The charging power source 4 is connected to the charging facility 3 via a power transmission facility and / or a transforming facility, and supplies power to the storage battery 21 mounted on the mobile object 2 via the charging facility 3. In the embodiment, the charging power source 4 includes a plurality of power sources with different power generation modes. As an example, the charging power source 4 includes a base load power source 41, an intermediate power source 42, and a peak power source 43.

[0042] The baseload power source 41 is a power source that basically operates continuously to generate electricity and supply it. The baseload power source 41 includes power sources that supply electricity generated by, for example, coal-fired power generation, hydroelectric power generation, geothermal power generation, or nuclear power generation. The unit price of electricity generated by the baseload power source 41 (i.e., the cost of generating electricity per kWh) is lower than the unit price of electricity generated by the intermediate power source 42 and the peak power source 43.

[0043] The middle power source 42 is a power source that operates to generate and supply electricity when the power demand cannot be met by the power generation alone from the base load power source 41. The middle power source 42 includes a power source that supplies electricity generated by, for example, thermal power generation using liquefied natural gas (LNG) or thermal power generation using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The unit price of electricity generated by the middle power source 42 is higher than the unit price of electricity generated by the base load power source 41.

[0044] The peak power source 43 is a power source that operates to generate electricity and supply power when the power demand cannot be met even when both the base load power source 41 and the middle power source 42 are operated. The peak power source 43 includes power sources that supply electricity generated by, for example, oil-fired thermal power plants or pumped-storage hydroelectric power plants. The unit price of electricity generated by the peak power source 43 is higher than the unit price of electricity generated by the base load power source 41 and the middle power source 42.

[0045] In addition to the base load power source 41, the middle power source 42, and the peak power source 43 described above, the charging power source 4 may also include a power source that supplies electricity generated using renewable energy such as solar, wind, or biomass.

[0046] The charging facilities 3 are installed by the business operator that operates the charging management system 100 or by other business operators that cooperate with the business operator in an area where the business operator provides services (for example, the entire country). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the distribution of a plurality of charging facilities 3. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates only the charging facilities 3 that are subject to management by the charging management system 100, but in reality, other charging facilities that are not subject to management may also be installed. In other words, the charging facilities 3 in the embodiment are charging facilities that are subject to management by the charging management system 100.

[0047] In this embodiment, a plurality of (for example, several thousand) charging facilities 3 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.

[0048] The charging equipment 3 may include, for example, a normal charger as well as a rapid charger with a higher output than a normal charger. In the embodiment, the charging equipment 3 is a wireless charging type charger. When the charging equipment 3 is a wireless charging type charger, it is possible to charge the storage battery 21 of the mobile object 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 mobile object 2.

[0049] The charging equipment 3 may include a charger with a charging cable in addition to a power outlet-type charger. When the charging equipment 3 is a power outlet-type charger, the storage battery 21 of the mobile object 2 can be charged by inserting a power plug provided at one end of a charging cable mounted on the mobile object 2 and connecting a charging connector provided at the other end of the charging cable to a charging port provided on the mobile object 2. When the charging equipment 3 is a charger with a charging cable, the storage battery 21 of the mobile object 2 can be charged by connecting a charging connector provided at one end of the charging cable to a charging port provided on the mobile object 2. When the charging equipment 3 is a power outlet-type charger or a charger with a charging cable, the mobile object 2 can be automatically charged if it has a mechanism for automatically connecting to the charger.

[0050] [2. Configuration] Next, the charge management system 100 will be described in detail. The charge management system 100 is configured by, for example, a server device. The following description focuses on one moving object 2 or one user unless otherwise specified. In practice, the charge management system 100 executes the process described below for each moving object 2 or each user.

[0051] 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 an acquisition unit 11, a prediction unit 12, a planner 13, a presentation unit 14, and an automatic charge control unit 15.

[0052] The acquisition unit 11 acquires location information of the mobile object 2, battery information related to the remaining capacity of the storage battery 21 mounted on the mobile object 2, and history information related to the charging history of the storage battery 21. The acquisition unit 11 is an entity that executes acquisition step ST1 (see FIG. 8) in the charge management method. The location information of the mobile object 2 includes, for example, coordinates of the current location of the mobile object 2 measured by a positioning system such as 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 SoC (State of Charge).

[0053] The history information includes the location, time period, and amount of charge when the storage battery 21 was charged in the past. Note that the history information does not need to include data on all past charging operations, and may include, for example, data on charging operations performed within a predetermined period in the past. In this case, data on charging operations performed before the predetermined period is not included in the history information.

[0054] The acquisition unit 11 periodically acquires the location information, battery information, and history information of the mobile object 2 from a server device operated by, for example, a manufacturer of the mobile object 2, by making a request via a communication network such as the Internet. This is because such manufacturers manage the status of the mobile object 2 by periodically acquiring the location information, battery information, and history information of the mobile object 2 from the mobile object 2. Note that the acquisition unit 11 may also directly acquire the location information, battery information, and history information of the mobile object 2 by communicating with the mobile object 2 via a communication network.

[0055] In the embodiment, the acquisition unit 11 (acquisition step ST1) further acquires reservation information including a charging schedule of the storage battery 21 by the user of the mobile object 2. The charging schedule includes a time period during which the user desires to charge the storage battery 21 and the charging facility 3 at which the user desires to charge the storage battery 21. The acquisition unit 11 acquires the reservation information input by the user 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, or a stationary terminal such as a desktop or laptop personal computer.

[0056] 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 making it possible to reserve charging of the storage battery 21 at the charging facility 3 and in the time period desired by the user.

[0057] Specifically, when the user operates the information terminal 5 to start the application, a reservation screen is displayed on the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5. Then, when the user performs input to specify the charging facility 3 desired by the user and the time period desired by the user, for example, by touching the display unit 51 with his / her finger, the information terminal 5 generates reservation information and transmits a signal including the generated reservation information to the charging management system 100 via the communication network. The acquisition unit 11 receives this signal to acquire the reservation information.

[0058] The prediction unit 12 predicts the charging demand of one or more charging facilities 3 (here, multiple charging facilities 3) based on the location information, battery information, and history information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (acquisition step ST1). The prediction unit 12 is the entity that executes prediction step ST2 in the charging management method. The charging demand is the total amount of power required for charging the storage batteries 21 that is expected to occur in the future at each charging facility 3. The amount of power is predicted by time period, for example, morning or every hour.

[0059] The prediction unit 12 predicts the charging demand of one or more charging facilities 3 by calculating the amount of electricity estimated to be required in the future at each charging facility 3 based on, for example, location information (current location of each mobile body 2) obtained from each mobile body 2, battery information (remaining capacity of the storage battery 21), and history information (location, time period, and amount of charge when the storage battery 21 was charged in the past).

[0060] When the acquisition unit 11 acquires reservation information, the prediction unit 12 predicts the charging demand further based on the reservation information. That is, the prediction unit 12 can grasp future charging in a specified time period 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 12 further referring to the reservation information, there is an advantage that the accuracy of predicting the charging demand can be expected to improve.

[0061] The planning unit 13 determines a charging plan for charging the storage battery 21 so as to keep the charging demand below a predetermined value, based on the charging demand predicted by the prediction unit 12 (prediction step ST2). The planning unit 13 is the entity that executes planning step ST3 in the charging management method. A charging plan is determined for each storage battery 21, that is, for each user. In the embodiment, the storage battery 21 of each mobile object 2 is charged during a time period and at a charging facility 3 specified by the corresponding charging plan. That is, the automatic charging control unit 15, which will be described later, autonomously moves each mobile object 2 to the charging facility 3 specified by the corresponding charging plan, and charges the storage battery 21 during a time period specified by the corresponding charging plan.

[0062] The process by which the planner 13 (planning step ST3) determines a charging plan will be described below with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of charging demand predicted by the predictor 12 of the charging management system 100 according to an embodiment. In FIG. 4, the vertical axis represents charging demand (unit: kW) of one or more charging facilities 3 (here, multiple charging facilities 3), and the horizontal axis represents time. As an example, FIG. 4 shows charging demand predicted by the predictor 12 as of 1:00 PM (1:00 PM) on Monday, July 7, 2025. Here, the predictor 12 predicts charging demand from 2:00 PM (2:00 PM) on July 7, 2025 to 2:00 PM (2:00 PM) on the following day, July 8, 2025.

[0063] In Fig. 4, threshold value Th1 represents an upper limit (predetermined value) of the charging demand assumed by the charging management system 100 (charging management method). For example, when the charging demand exceeds threshold value Th1, the excess cannot be met unless the peak power source 43 is operated, or unless both the middle power source 42 and the peak power source 43 are operated. Also, in Fig. 4, threshold value Th2 represents a lower limit of the charging demand assumed by the charging management system 100 (charging management method).

[0064] 4, time slot T11 from 7 PM (7 PM) to 9 PM (9 PM) on Monday, July 7, 2025, and time slot T12 from 6 AM to 2 PM (2 PM) on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, are both peak times T1 when the charging demand exceeds threshold value Th1 (predetermined value). Therefore, the planner 13 determines the charging plan for each storage battery 21 so that the charging demand in time slots T11 and T12 falls below threshold value Th1.

[0065] For example, the planner 13 determines a charging plan to specify a time period other than time periods T11 and T12 for some of the storage batteries 21 among the multiple storage batteries 21. Furthermore, for example, the planner 13 determines a charging plan to change the reserved time period for a storage battery 21 among the multiple storage batteries 21 that is reserved to be charged in time periods T11 and T12 to a time period other than time periods T11 and T12. That is, when the scheduled charging time indicated by the reservation information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (acquisition step ST1) includes a peak time T1 when the charging demand exceeds a threshold value Th1 (predetermined value), the planner 13 (planning step ST3) determines a charging plan to change the scheduled charging time.

[0066] In the embodiment, the planner 13 determines the charging plan so that the storage battery 21 is charged preferentially in the time slot T2 when the charging demand is below the threshold value Th2. That is, the planner 13 (planning step ST3) determines the charging plan so that the storage battery 21 is charged in the time slot T2 that includes the lower limit of the charging demand. For example, assume that the planner 13 determines the charging plan so that the storage battery 21 is charged in a time slot close to the time slots T11 and T12. In this case, charging the storage battery 21 in that time slot may cause the charging demand in that time slot to exceed the threshold value Th1 (predetermined value). In contrast, if the planner 13 preferentially charges the storage battery 21 in the time slot T2 when the charging demand is below the threshold value Th2, the charging demand in that time slot T2 is less likely to exceed the threshold value Th1, which has the advantage of making it easier to keep the charging demand at or below the threshold value Th1.

[0067] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the planner 13 specifies the charging facility 3 that will charge the storage battery 21 depending on the situation in which the mobile object 2 is placed. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the planner 13 may specify the charging facility 3 that is present within an imaginary circle A1 that has a center at the current position P1 of the mobile object 2 and a radius of a predetermined distance D1 as the charging facility 3 that will charge the storage battery 21. The predetermined distance D1 is, for example, about several kilometers. In other words, the planner 13 (planning step ST3) may determine the charging plan such that the storage battery 21 is charged at a charging facility 3 that is within a range that the mobile object 2 can travel within the predetermined distance, out of one or more charging facilities 3 (here, a plurality of charging facilities 3).

[0068] Furthermore, for example, the planner 13 may specify a charging facility 3 that exists within a range that the mobile object 2 can travel from the current position P1 of the mobile object 2 within a predetermined time (for example, approximately several tens of minutes to one hour) as the charging facility 3 that will charge the storage battery 21. In other words, the planner 13 (planning step ST3) may determine a charging plan such that the storage battery 21 is charged at a charging facility 3 that is within a range that the mobile object 2 can travel from within a predetermined time, out of one or more charging facilities 3 (here, a plurality of charging facilities 3).

[0069] If a charging facility 3 located relatively far from the current position P1 of the mobile object 2 is designated as the charging facility 3 for charging the storage battery 21, there is a possibility that the stored power will be wasted by having the mobile object 2 move back and forth to charge at the charging facility 3. In contrast, if the storage battery 21 is charged at a charging facility 3 located within a range that the mobile object 2 can move within a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time), as described above, there is an advantage in that the stored power is less likely to be wasted when the mobile object 2 returns to the current position P1 after charging is completed.

[0070] Furthermore, for example, when the planner 13 (planning step ST3) can acquire the schedule of the user of the mobile object 2, the planner 13 may determine the charging plan so that the storage battery 21 is charged during a time period based on the schedule. Specifically, the planner 13 may determine the charging plan so that the storage battery 21 is charged by avoiding a time period when the user uses the mobile object 2. In this case, for example, the storage battery 21 can be charged by effectively utilizing a time period when the user is not using the mobile object 2, which has the advantage of easily avoiding a situation where the user cannot use the mobile object 2 because the storage battery 21 is being charged.

[0071] The presentation unit 14 presents the charging plan determined by the planning unit 13 (planning step ST3) to the user of the mobile object 2. The presentation unit 14 is an entity that executes presentation step ST4 in the charging management method. Specifically, the presentation unit 14 generates presentation information including the time period specified in the charging plan and the location information of the charging facility 3, 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 14 presents the charging plan to the user via the information terminal 5.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that presents a charging plan in the information terminal 5 according to the embodiment. The screen shown in FIG. 5 is presented to the user after the planner 13 has determined the charging plan. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the display unit 51 displays a map that includes the current location P1 of the moving object 2 and the installation location of "charging facility A," which is the charging facility 3 specified in the charging plan. The display unit 51 also displays a message M1 that reads, "Charging will be performed at charging facility A from 1:00 to 2:00 AM on Tuesday, July 8, 2025," a first icon I1 that includes the character string "Accept," and a second icon I2 that includes the character string "Change."

[0073] The user can understand the charging plan by looking at the screen shown in Fig. 5 displayed on the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5. If the user is satisfied with the presented charging plan, the user selects the first icon I1, for example, by touching the display unit 51 with a finger. In this case, the automatic charging control unit 15 controls the mobile object 2 in accordance with the charging plan presented to the user. On the other hand, if the user wants to change the presented charging plan, the user selects the second icon I2. In this case, the user may change the charging plan by operating the information terminal 5, or the planning unit 13 may determine the charging plan again, and the presentation unit 14 may present the re-determined charging plan again.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that presents the result of charging completion on the information terminal 5 according to the embodiment. The screen shown in FIG. 6 is presented to the user after automatic charging of the storage battery 21 is executed in accordance with the charging plan. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a map is displayed on the display unit 51, similar to the example shown in FIG. 5. Also displayed on the display unit 51 is a message M2 that includes a character string saying "Automatic charging has been completed," a character string indicating the date and time when charging was performed, and a character string indicating the location where charging was performed. By looking at the screen shown in FIG. 6 that is displayed on the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5, the user can understand that charging of the storage battery 21 has been completed.

[0075] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen, displayed on the information terminal 5 according to the embodiment, that prompts the user to change the charging plan. The screen illustrated in FIG. 7 is presented to the user when the user has reserved charging of the storage battery 21 and the reserved time period falls within peak time T1. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the display unit 51 displays a map similar to the example illustrated in FIG. 5. The display unit 51 also displays a message M3 including a character string saying "The reservation time will be changed," a character string indicating the reservation time before the change, and a character string indicating the reservation time after the change, a third icon I3 including the character string "Accept," and a fourth icon I4 including the character string "Change." In other words, in this example, the presentation unit 14 (presentation step ST4) presents the user with guidance information that prompts the user to charge the storage battery 21 while avoiding peak time T1 when the charging demand exceeds the threshold value Th1 (predetermined value).

[0076] The guidance information may include, for example, information indicating that the unit price of charging the storage battery 21 during peak time T1 is higher than the unit price of charging the storage battery 21 during times other than peak time T1. For example, a message such as "If you charge at the reservation time before the change, the unit price of charging may increase" may be displayed as guidance information on the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5. This aspect has the advantage that a user who is concerned about the unit price of charging the storage battery 21 becoming higher is more likely to change the time slot to charge the storage battery 21 during times other than peak time T1, making it easier for the user to accept the change in the charging plan.

[0077] The user can understand the changed charging plan by looking at the screen shown in Fig. 7 displayed on the display unit 51 of the information terminal 5. If the user is satisfied with the presented changed charging plan, the user selects the third icon I3, for example, by touching the display unit 51 with a finger. In this case, the automatic charging control unit 15 controls the moving object 2 in accordance with the changed charging plan presented to the user. On the other hand, if the user wants to further change the presented changed charging plan, the user selects the fourth icon I4. In this case, the user may change the charging plan by operating the information terminal 5, or the planning unit 13 may determine the charging plan again, and the presentation unit 14 may present the re-determined charging plan again.

[0078] The automatic charging control unit 15 automatically moves the mobile object 2 to one or more charging facilities 3 (here, a plurality of charging facilities 3) in accordance with the charging plan determined by the planning unit 13 (planning step ST3), and automatically charges the storage battery 21. The automatic charging control unit 15 is the entity that executes the automatic charging control step ST5 in the charging management method.

[0079] Specifically, the automatic charging control unit 15 generates control information including a command to move to the charging facility 3 specified in the charging plan and a command to charge the storage battery 21 during a time period specified in the charging plan, in accordance with the charging plan determined by the planning unit 13. Then, the automatic charging control unit 15 transmits a signal including the generated control information to the mobile object 2 via a communication network. Upon receiving the signal, the mobile object 2 autonomously moves to the specified charging facility 3 in accordance with the control information included in the signal, and automatically charges the storage battery 21 during the specified time period. After the automatic charging of the storage battery 21 is completed, the mobile object 2 autonomously moves back to its original position (i.e., current position P1).

[0080] For example, if the charging facility 3 is a wireless power supply type charger, automatic charging of the storage battery 21 is performed by parking the mobile object 2 in a position facing a power transmission coil embedded in the road surface of the charging facility 3. Also, if the charging facility 3 is a power outlet type charger or a charger with a charging cable, automatic charging of the storage battery 21 is performed by parking the mobile object 2 near the charging facility 3 and automatically connecting to the charger.

[0081] [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. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the charge management system 100 according to the embodiment. In the following, the description will be given assuming that the user of the moving object 2 accepts the charging plan presented by the presentation unit 14.

[0082] First, the acquisition unit 11 periodically acquires location information, battery information, and history information from the mobile object 2 (S1). Process S1 is executed independently of other processes described below. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 11 acquires reservation information by receiving a signal including the reservation information transmitted from the information terminal 5 (S2). Process S2 is executed only when the user performs an operation to reserve charging of the storage battery 21 on the information terminal 5. Processes S1 and S2 correspond to acquisition step ST1 in the charge management method.

[0083] Next, the prediction unit 12 predicts the charging demand of one or more charging facilities 3 (here, a plurality of charging facilities 3) based on the location information, battery information, history information, and reservation information acquired by the acquisition unit 11 (S3). Process S3 corresponds to prediction step ST2 in the charging management method. Process S3 is executed, for example, every time the acquisition unit 11 acquires location information, etc.

[0084] Next, the planner 13 determines a charging plan for charging the storage battery 21 so as to suppress the charging demand to be equal to or less than a threshold value Th1 (predetermined value) based on the charging demand predicted by the predictor 12 (S4). Process S4 corresponds to planning step ST3 in the charging management method. Process S4 is executed, for example, every time the predictor 12 predicts the charging demand.

[0085] Next, the presentation unit 14 presents the charging plan determined by the planner 13 to the user of the mobile object 2 (S5). Process S5 corresponds to presentation step ST4 in the charging management method. Specifically, the presentation unit 14 generates presentation information including the time period specified in the charging plan and location information of the charging facility 3, and transmits a signal including the generated presentation information to the information terminal 5 via a communication network. Process S5 is executed, for example, when the planner 13 determines a charging plan for the first time, and when the charging plan determined by the planner 13 is changed from a previously determined charging plan.

[0086] Then, the automatic charging control unit 15 executes automatic charging control to automatically move the mobile object 2 to one of one or more charging facilities 3 (here, multiple charging facilities 3) in accordance with the charging plan determined by the planning unit 13, and to automatically charge the storage battery 21 (S6). Process S6 corresponds to automatic charging control step ST5 in the charging management method. Process S6 is executed, for example, when the user has accepted the charging plan and when the time period specified in the charging plan approaches. Thereafter, the above series of processes are repeated.

[0087] 4. Advantages The advantages of the charge management system 100 (charge management method) according to the embodiment will be described below. In order to meet the charging demand as shown in FIG. 4, it is necessary to procure power for each charging facility 3, but the cost of procuring the power source may vary depending on the charging demand. For example, when the charging demand is relatively small, it is possible to meet the charging demand by operating only the base load power source 41. In this case, the unit price of electricity generated by the base load power source 41 is low, and therefore the cost of procuring the power source is also low.

[0088] On the other hand, when the charging demand is relatively large, for example, when the charging demand exceeds the threshold value Th1 (predetermined value), the charging demand cannot be met by operating only the base load power source 41, and it becomes necessary to temporarily operate the middle power source 42 and further the peak power source 43. In this case, even if the operation of the middle power source 42 and / or the peak power source 43 is temporary, the cost of procuring the power source is calculated based on the unit price of electricity generated by the middle power source 42 and / or the peak power source 43, and therefore the cost of procuring the power source may become very high.

[0089] Therefore, it is important to level out the charging demand so that it is not necessary to operate the middle power source 42 and / or the peak power source 43. Here, leveling means reducing the disparity in charging demand that may vary depending on the time of day or season. Specifically, leveling means keeping the change in charging demand within a specified range.

[0090] In this regard, the charge management system 100 (charge management method) according to the embodiment can predict the charge demand at one or more charging facilities 3 and, based on the predicted charge demand, determine a charge plan for charging the storage battery 21 so as to keep the charge demand at or below a threshold value Th1 (predetermined value). That is, the embodiment has the advantage that the charge demand can be adjusted so that the charge demand does not exceed the threshold value Th1, which makes it easier to level the charge demand at one or more charging facilities 3. Therefore, the embodiment has the advantage that the charge demand can be met more easily without operating the middle power source 42 and / or the peak power source 43, and as a result, it is easier to reduce the cost of procuring power sources.

[0091] (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.

[0092] In the above-described embodiment, the prediction unit 12 (prediction step ST2) may predict the charging demand of one or more charging facilities 3 by further referring to the history of past traffic volume in the area where each charging facility 3 is installed.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is not necessary to inquire of the user of the moving object 2 to obtain consent from the user of the moving object 2 regarding the charging plan planned by the planner 13 (planning step ST3). In this case, the charging management system 100 does not need to include the presentation unit 14. In other words, the charging management method does not need to include the presentation step ST4.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the mobile object 2 does not need to have an automatic movement function. In this case, the user may drive the mobile object 2 to the charging facility 3 specified in the charging plan and charge the storage battery 21 during the time period specified in the charging plan. In this case, the charge management system 100 does not need to include the automatic charge control unit 15. In other words, the charge management method does not need to include the automatic charge control step ST5.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the charge management system 100 (charge management method) may further include a power supply procurement unit (power supply procurement step). The power supply procurement unit (power supply procurement step) procures a charging power source 4 for each of the multiple charging facilities 3 based on the charging demand predicted by the prediction unit 12 (prediction step ST2). The power supply procurement unit 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.

[0096] 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, etc.) 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, etc.). The power procurement unit (power procurement step) procures the charging power source 4 for each charging facility 3 using one or more of these multiple procurement means.

[0097] The power procurement unit (power procurement step) may use different procurement means for each type of charging power source 4. For example, the power procurement unit may procure the base load power source 41 from the base load power source 41 owned by the first power company, and may procure the middle power source 42 from the middle power source 42 owned by a second power company different from the first power company.

[0098] Furthermore, the power supply procurement unit (power supply procurement step) 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.

[0099] Furthermore, in the embodiment, machine learning may be used for the calculation of the charging demand by the prediction unit 12. 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.

[0100] In the above-described embodiment, the charging facility 3 may be, for example, a road in which a power transmission coil is embedded. In this case, the mobile object 2 can charge the storage battery 21 while traveling on the road.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] 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]

[0109] The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a system for managing the charging of a storage battery in a mobile object that is driven by electricity as an energy source. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 100 Charging Management System 11 Acquisition Department 12 Prediction Department 13 Planning Department 2. Mobile 21 Storage battery 3 Charging equipment ST1 Acquisition step ST2 prediction step ST3 Planning Step ST4 Presentation step ST5 Automatic charge control step T1 Peak Hour Th1 threshold (predetermined value)

Claims

1. A charge management method performed by a charge management system, an acquiring step of acquiring location information of a mobile body driven by electricity as an energy source, battery information relating to a remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the mobile body, and history information relating to a charging history of the storage battery; a prediction step of predicting charging demands of one or more charging facilities based on the location information, the battery information, and the history information acquired in the acquisition step; a planning step of determining a charging plan for charging the storage battery so as to keep the charging demand at or below a predetermined value, based on the charging demand predicted in the prediction step, Charging management method.

2. In the planning step, the charging plan is determined so that the storage battery is charged in a time period that includes a lower limit of the charging demand. The charge management method according to claim 1 .

3. The acquiring step further acquires reservation information including a charging schedule of the storage battery by a user of the mobile body; In the planning step, when the scheduled charging time indicated by the reservation information acquired in the acquisition step includes a peak time during which the charging demand exceeds the predetermined value, the charging plan is determined so as to change the scheduled charging time. The charge management method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The moving body has an automatic movement function that moves autonomously without a human driver, further including an automatic charging control step of automatically moving the mobile object to any one of the one or more charging facilities and automatically charging the storage battery in accordance with the charging plan determined in the planning step; The charge management method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. In the planning step, the charging plan is determined so that the storage battery is charged at a charging facility among the one or more charging facilities that is within a range that the mobile object can travel within a predetermined time. The charge management method according to claim 4 .

6. In the planning step, the charging plan is determined so that the storage battery is charged at a charging facility among the one or more charging facilities that is within a range in which the mobile object can move within a predetermined distance. The charge management method according to claim 4 or 5.

7. In the planning step, the charging plan is determined so that the storage battery is charged during a time period based on a schedule of a user of the mobile object. The charge management method according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. a presenting step of presenting the charging plan determined in the planning step to a user of the mobile object. The charge management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. In the presenting step, guidance information is presented to the user to encourage the user to charge the storage battery while avoiding peak times when the charging demand exceeds the predetermined value. The charge management method according to claim 8 .

10. the guidance information includes information indicating that a unit price of charging the storage battery during the peak hours is higher than a unit price of charging the storage battery during times other than the peak hours. The charge management method according to claim 9 .

11. In the prediction step, The total amount of power required for charging using a plurality of charging facilities is predicted as the charging demand. The charge management method according to claim 1 .

12. one or more processors, Executing the charge management method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, program.

13. an acquisition unit that acquires location information of a mobile body that is driven by electricity as an energy source, battery information relating to a remaining capacity of a storage battery mounted on the mobile body, and history information relating to a charging history of the storage battery; a prediction unit that predicts charging demand of one or more charging facilities based on the location information, the battery information, and the history information acquired by the acquisition unit; a planning unit that determines a charging plan for charging the storage battery so as to keep the charging demand at or below a predetermined value based on the charging demand predicted by the prediction unit, Charging management system.

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