Power supply control device and power supply control method

Abstract

To provide a power supply control device and power supply control method, which may reduce errors in a procurement plan formulated by a specific business operator.SOLUTION: A power supply control device is provided, comprising a control unit for controlling distributed power supplies installed in a facility, and a transmission unit for transmitting control commands for controlling the distributed power supplies to the distributed power supplies, where the control unit formulates a control plan for the distributed power supplies according to a specific market price of power procured by a specific business operator selling power to the facility from the electric power market.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a power control device and a power control method. 【Background Art】 【0002】 In recent years, in order to maintain the power supply-demand balance of the power system, a technique (for example, VPP (Virtual Power Plant)) of using a power storage device as a distributed power source is known. In VPP, the power storage device is controlled by a power management device that manages two or more facilities having the power storage device. 【0003】 Furthermore, a method of formulating a charge-discharge plan for a power storage device based on the needs of a facility has been proposed. The needs of a facility include the economic value of the facility, the environmental value of the facility, the BCP (Business Continuity Plan) value of the facility, etc. (for example, Patent Document 1). 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0004】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-17970 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0005】 By the way, in a case where a specific business operator (for example, a retail electricity business operator) that sells electricity to a facility procures electricity from the electricity market or a power generation business operator and then the retail electricity business operator sells electricity to the facility, a case is assumed where the entity formulating the charge-discharge plan (for example, a VPP operator) is different from the retail electricity business operator. 【0006】 As a result of diligent research, the inventors have found that, in such a case, if a retail electricity provider formulates a power procurement plan without knowing the control plan for distributed power sources (for example, the charge / discharge plan for energy storage devices), errors in the procurement plan may occur due to the control of distributed power sources. 【0007】 Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a power control device and a power control method that can reduce errors in procurement plans formulated by specific businesses. [Means for solving the problem] 【0008】 One aspect of the disclosure is a power control device comprising a control unit for controlling distributed power sources installed in a facility, and a transmission unit for transmitting control commands to the distributed power sources, wherein the control unit formulates a control plan for the distributed power sources based on a specific market price for electricity procured from the electricity market by a specific business operator that sells electricity to the facility. 【0009】 One aspect of the disclosure is a power source control method comprising: step A controlling distributed power sources installed in a facility; step B transmitting control commands to the distributed power sources to control the distributed power sources; and step C formulating a control plan for the distributed power sources based on specific market prices for electricity procured from the electricity market by a specific business operator that sells electricity to the facility. [Effects of the Invention] 【0010】 According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power control device and a power control method that can reduce errors in procurement plans formulated by specific businesses. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0011】 [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a power control system 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a facility 100 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows a VPP server 200 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a retail server 300 according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows a power supply control method according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a power supply control method according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a power supply control method according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the specification of charging and discharging time periods related to Change Example 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0012】 Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, identical or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic. 【0013】 [Embodiment] (Power control system) The power control system according to an embodiment will be described below. 【0014】 As shown in Figure 1, the power control system 1 includes a facility 100. The power control system 1 includes a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) server 200 and a retail server 300. 【0015】 Here, facility 100, VPP server 200, and retail server 300 are configured to communicate with each other via network 11. Network 11 may include the internet, a dedicated line such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network), or a mobile communication network. 【0016】 The facility 100 is connected to the power grid 12, and may be supplied with power from the power grid 12 or may supply power to the power grid 12. The power from the power grid 12 to the facility 100 may be referred to as forward power flow. The power from the facility 100 to the power grid 12 may be referred to as reverse power flow. In FIG. 1, as the facility 100, facilities 100A to 100C are illustrated. 【0017】 Although not particularly limited, the facility 100 may be a facility such as a house, a facility such as a store, or a facility such as an office. The facility 100 may be an apartment house including two or more houses. The facility 100 may be a complex facility including at least any two or more of houses, stores, and offices. Details of the facility 100 will be described later (see FIG. 2). 【0018】 The VPP server 200 is a server managed by an operator (for example, a VPP operator) responsible for controlling distributed power sources (for example, the power storage device 120 described later) installed in the facility 100. The VPP server 200 may be read as the VPP operator. Details of the VPP server 200 will be described later (see FIG. 3). 【0019】 In the embodiment, the VPP server 200 constitutes a power control device that controls distributed power sources installed in the facility 100. 【0020】 The retail server 300 is a server managed by an operator (for example, a retail electricity operator) that sells power to the facility 100. The retail electricity operator may procure power from the power market or a power generation company and sell the procured power to the facility 100. The retail server 300 may be read as the retail electricity operator. Details of the retail server 300 will be described later (see FIG. 4). 【0021】 In the embodiment, the retail electricity operator may be an example of a specific operator that sells power to the facility 100. 【0022】 While not particularly limited, the electricity market may be a market that trades electricity for a specified period (for example, one day from 0:00 to 24:00). The electricity market may be a market where electricity rates are set for each unit period that makes up the specified period (for example, 30 minutes). The electricity market may include a spot market where trading closes on the day before the specified period (for example, at 12:00 on the day before the specified period). The electricity market may include a forward market where trading closes immediately before a unit period that makes up the specified period (for example, one hour before). The electricity market may include a forward market or electricity forward market that trades electricity for a specific future period (for example, one year, one month, one week). 【0023】 While not particularly limited, power generation businesses may include businesses that trade electricity in the electricity market, or businesses that directly trade electricity with retail electricity businesses. 【0024】 (facility) The facility according to the embodiment will be described below. As shown in Figure 2, the facility 100 includes a solar cell device 110, an energy storage device 120, a fuel cell device 130, load equipment 140, and an EMS (Energy Management System) 160. The facility 100 may also include a measuring device 190. 【0025】 The solar cell system 110 is a distributed power source that generates electricity in response to light such as sunlight. For example, the solar cell system 110 consists of a PCS (Power Conditioning System) and solar panels. Here, installation may mean connecting the solar cell system 110 to the power grid 12. 【0026】 The energy storage device 120 is a distributed power source that charges and discharges electricity. For example, the energy storage device 120 is composed of a PCS and energy storage cells. Here, installation may mean connecting the energy storage device 120 to the power grid 12. 【0027】 The fuel cell system 130 is a distributed power source that generates electricity using fuel. For example, the fuel cell system 130 consists of a PCS and a fuel cell. Here, installation may mean connecting the fuel cell system 130 to the power grid 12. 【0028】 For example, the fuel cell device 130 may be a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC), a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), or a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). 【0029】 The load device 140 is a device that consumes electricity. For example, the load device 140 may include an air conditioner, a heat pump water heater, a lighting device, and the like. 【0030】 The EMS 160 manages the power supply for the facility 100. The EMS 160 may also control the solar cell system 110, the energy storage system 120, the fuel cell system 130, and the load equipment 140. In this embodiment, the EMS 160 is exemplified as a device that receives control commands from the VPP server 200, but such a device may also be called a Gateway or simply a control unit. The control commands may be instructions or commands to control distributed power sources (e.g., the energy storage system 120). To distinguish it from the VPP server 200, the EMS 160 may be called a LEMS (Local EMS), a HEMS (Home EMS), or a VPP controller. 【0031】 The measuring device 190 measures the forward power flow (hereinafter also referred to as demand power) from the power system 12 to the facility 100. The measuring device 190 may also measure the reverse power flow from the facility 100 to the power system 12. For example, the measuring device 190 may be a Smart Meter belonging to a power company. The measuring device 190 may transmit information elements indicating the measurement results (integral value of forward power flow or reverse power flow) for each first interval (e.g., 30 minutes) to the EMS 160. The measuring device 190 may also transmit information elements indicating the measurement results for a second interval (e.g., 1 minute) that is shorter than the first interval to the EMS 160. 【0032】 (VPP server) The following describes a VPP server according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the VPP server 200 includes a communication unit 210, a management unit 220, and a control unit 230. 【0033】 The communication unit 210 is comprised of a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, LTE, 5G, or 6G, or it may be a wired communication module compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.3. 【0034】 The communication unit 210 may receive facility information of facility 100. The facility information may include information indicating the configuration of the distributed power sources that facility 100 has, and may also include information indicating the specifications of the distributed power sources that facility 100 has. The communication unit 210 may receive the planned value of the power consumption of facility 100, or it may receive the actual value of the power consumption of facility 100. The communication unit 210 may receive the planned value of the power generated by the distributed power sources installed in facility 100, or it may receive the actual value of the power generated by the distributed power sources installed in facility 100. The communication unit 210 may receive the planned value of the power demand of facility 100, or it may receive the actual value of the power demand of facility 100. Note that power demand is the power generated minus power consumption. If the distributed power source is a power storage device 120, the communication unit 210 may receive information indicating the remaining amount of energy stored in the power storage device 120 (e.g., SOC; State Of Charge) (hereinafter referred to as remaining energy information). 【0035】 In this embodiment, the communication unit 210 constitutes a transmitting unit that transmits control commands to the facility 100 for controlling distributed power sources (e.g., energy storage devices 120) installed in the facility 100. The communication unit 210 may also constitute a receiving unit that receives market prices predicted by the retail server 300 from the retail server 300 (retail electricity provider). The communication unit 210 may also transmit a control plan for distributed power sources (e.g., a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage devices 120) formulated by the VPP server 200 to the retail server 300 (retail electricity provider). 【0036】 The management unit 220 is composed of storage media such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid State Drives), and non-volatile memory. 【0037】 For example, the management unit 220 may manage information regarding a facility 100 having a distributed power source controlled by a VPP server 200. For example, the information regarding the facility 100 may include the type of distributed power source (solar cell system 110, energy storage system 120, or fuel cell system 130) installed in the facility 100, and the specifications of the distributed power source (solar cell system 110, energy storage system 120, or fuel cell system 130) installed in the facility 100. The specifications may include the rated power generation of the solar cell system 110, the rated charging power of the energy storage system 120, the rated discharge power of the energy storage system 120, and the rated output power of the fuel cell system 130. The specifications may also include the rated capacity and maximum charge / discharge power of the energy storage system 120. 【0038】 The control unit 230 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may consist of a single integrated circuit (IC) or a plurality of communicatively connected circuits (such as integrated circuits and / or discrete circuits(s)). 【0039】 In this embodiment, the control unit 230 constitutes a control unit that controls distributed power sources (for example, energy storage devices 120) installed in the facility 100. Specifically, the control unit 230 formulates a control plan for the distributed power sources and then instructs the communication unit 210 to send control commands according to the formulated control plan. 【0040】 In the following example, we will illustrate the case where the distributed power source controlled by the VPP server 200 is the energy storage device 120. 【0041】 The control unit 230 formulates a control plan (hereinafter referred to as a charge / discharge plan) for the energy storage device 120 for each planning unit period (e.g., 30 minutes) that constitutes the planned period (e.g., 1 day). The charge / discharge plan includes the operating mode of the energy storage device 120 (e.g., discharge mode, charge mode, standby mode). The charge / discharge plan may also include the discharge power and charge power of the energy storage device 120. 【0042】 Specifically, the control unit 230 formulates a charge / discharge plan for each planning unit period that constitutes the planning period, based on the predicted power consumption of facility 100, the predicted power generation of distributed power sources (e.g., solar cell equipment 110 and / or fuel cell equipment 130), the predicted power demand of facility 100, and the predicted remaining energy storage capacity of energy storage device 120. The predicted power consumption of facility 100 may be determined based on the planned or actual power consumption. The predicted power demand of facility 100 may be determined based on the planned or actual power demand. The predicted power generation of solar cell equipment 110 may be determined based on the planned or actual power generation, or based on information affecting the power generation of solar cell equipment 110 (e.g., weather information). The predicted power generation of fuel cell equipment 130 may be determined based on the planned or actual power generation, or it may be determined assuming that fuel cell equipment 130 outputs rated power. The predicted remaining charge of the energy storage device 120 may be determined based on the remaining charge information received from the facility 100. 【0043】 Furthermore, the control unit 230 formulates a charge and discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 based on market prices. The control unit 230 formulates a charge and discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 so that it charges the energy storage device 120 when market prices are relatively low and discharges the energy storage device 120 when market prices are relatively high. Such a function may be called an arbitrage function or arbitrage trading function. According to the arbitrage function, retail electricity providers can reduce the cost of procuring electricity from the electricity market. 【0044】 For example, the control unit 230 may formulate a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 so that charging is performed during time periods when the market price is lower than a first threshold, in the case where the market price is relatively low. The first threshold may be set by the retail electricity provider. The control unit 230 may formulate a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 so that discharging is performed during time periods when the market price is higher than a second threshold, in the case where the market price is relatively high. The second threshold may be set by the retail electricity provider. The control unit 230 may have a table associating the first threshold with charging, and may have a table associating the second threshold with discharging. 【0045】 Against this backdrop, the control unit 230 formulates a control plan (e.g., a charge / discharge plan) for the distributed power source (e.g., the energy storage device 120) based on a specific market price, which is the price of electricity procured from the electricity market by a specific business operator (e.g., a retail electricity business operator) that sells electricity to the facility 100. The following options are possible for the specific market price to be referenced when formulating the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. 【0046】 In Option 1-1, the specific market price may be a market price predicted by the retail electricity provider. The price used to predict the market price may be the market price of electricity in the forward market. The specific market price may be considered as a market price predicted as the market price in the spot market. The market price predicted by the retail electricity provider may be received from the retail server 300 (retail electricity provider). That is, the control unit 230 uses the market price received from the retail server 300 (retail electricity provider) as the specific market price to formulate the charge and discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. In Option 1-1, the control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit the charge and discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. In Option 1-1, the charge and discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 does not have to be transmitted from the VPP server 200 to the retail server 300. 【0047】 In Option 1-2, the specific market price may be a market price predicted by the VPP server 200 (control unit 230). The price used to predict the market price may be the market price of electricity in the forward market. The specific market price may be considered as the market price predicted as the market price in the spot market. That is, the control unit 230 predicts the market price of electricity that the retail electricity provider procures from the electricity market, and uses the predicted market price as the specific market price to formulate a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. In Option 1-2, the control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. 【0048】 In options 1-3, the specific market price may be a moving average of market prices identified by the VPP server 200 (control unit 230). The price used to identify the moving average of market prices may be actual market prices (e.g., market prices in the time-ahead market). The specific market price is a moving average of actual market prices over a certain period (e.g., 7 days, 14 days, etc.) prior to calculating the moving average of market prices. The specific market price may be considered as a predicted market price in the spot market. That is, the control unit 230 predicts a moving average of market prices for electricity procured by retail electricity businesses from the electricity market, and uses the predicted moving average as the specific market price to formulate a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. In options 1-3, the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 does not need to be transmitted from the VPP server 200 to the retail server 300. 【0049】 The control unit 230 may modify the charge / discharge plan of the energy storage device 120 based on the market price in the advance market. The control unit 230 may instruct the communication unit 210 to transmit the modified charge / discharge plan. 【0050】 (Retail server) The retail server according to the embodiment will be described below. As shown in Figure 4, the retail server 300 has a communication unit 310, a management unit 320, and a control unit 330. 【0051】 The communication unit 310 is comprised of a communication module. The communication module may be a wireless communication module compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, ZigBee, Wi-SUN, LTE, 5G, or 6G, or it may be a wired communication module compliant with standards such as IEEE 802.3. 【0052】 For example, if option 1-1 described above is assumed, the communication unit 310 may transmit the market price predicted by the retail server 300 to the VPP server 200. The communication unit 310 may also receive the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 from the VPP server 200. 【0053】 For example, if options 1-2 described above are assumed, the communication unit 310 may receive the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 from the VPP server 200. 【0054】 The management unit 320 is composed of storage media such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid State Drives), and non-volatile memory. 【0055】 For example, the management unit 320 may manage information regarding the facilities 100 from which retail electricity businesses sell electricity. For example, the information regarding facilities 100 may include the type of distributed power source (solar cell system 110, energy storage system 120, or fuel cell system 130) installed in facilities 100, and the specifications of the distributed power source (solar cell system 110, energy storage system 120, or fuel cell system 130) installed in facilities 100. The specifications may include the rated power generation of the solar cell system 110, the rated charging power of the energy storage system 120, the rated discharge power of the energy storage system 120, and the rated output power of the fuel cell system 130. The specifications may also include the rated capacity and maximum charge / discharge power of the energy storage system 120. 【0056】 The control unit 330 may include at least one processor. The at least one processor may consist of a single integrated circuit (IC) or a plurality of communicatively connected circuits (such as integrated circuits and / or discrete circuits(s)). 【0057】 For example, the control unit 330 formulates a power procurement plan for the electricity to be procured from the electricity market (e.g., the spot market) during the target period. In this embodiment, the operation of procuring electricity from the spot market may be referred to as "bidding". 【0058】 Specifically, the control unit 330 formulates a power procurement plan for each unit period constituting the target period, based on the predicted power consumption of the facility 100, the predicted power generation of the distributed power sources (e.g., the solar cell system 110 and / or the fuel cell system 130), the predicted power demand of the facility 100, and the charge / discharge plan of the energy storage device 120. It should be noted that the target period for formulating the procurement plan is a term that refers to the same period as the planning target period for formulating the charge / discharge plan. 【0059】 Here, the procurement plan is submitted to a third-party organization by the day before the target period (for example, by 12:00 the day before the target period). If the amount of electricity actually procured from the spot market deviates from the procurement plan submitted to the third-party organization, the retail electricity provider may be penalized. 【0060】 Against this backdrop, the following options can be considered for the charge and discharge plan of the energy storage device 120, which will be referenced in formulating the procurement plan. 【0061】 In Option 2-1, the above-described Option 1-1 may be assumed. Specifically, the control unit 330 may formulate a power procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the electricity market (e.g., the spot market) based on the charge / discharge plan received from the VPP server 200. As described above, the charge / discharge plan received from the VPP server 200 may be formulated based on the market price (specific market price) transmitted from the retail server 300 to the VPP server 200. Alternatively, the control unit 330 may formulate a power procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the electricity market (e.g., the spot market) based on the charge / discharge plan estimated by the retail server 300. The charge / discharge plan may be estimated based on the market price (specific market price) transmitted to the VPP server 200. 【0062】 In Option 2-1, if the retail electricity provider has a power storage device or the like that can be controlled by the retail server 300, the control unit 330 may formulate a power procurement plan for the electricity to be procured from the electricity market (e.g., the spot market) based on the market price transmitted from the retail server 300 to the VPP server 200. For example, the control unit 330 may increase the amount of electricity procured from the electricity market when the market price is relatively low, and decrease the amount of electricity procured from the electricity market when the market price is relatively high. 【0063】 In Option 2-2, the above-described Options 1-2 may be assumed. Specifically, the control unit 330 formulates a power procurement plan for electricity to be procured from the power market (e.g., the spot market) based on the charge / discharge plan received from the VPP server 200. As described above, the charge / discharge plan received from the VPP server 200 is formulated based on the market price (specific market price) predicted by the VPP server 200. 【0064】 In Option 2-2, if the retail electricity provider has a power storage device or the like that can be controlled by the retail server 300, the control unit 330 may formulate a power procurement plan for the electricity to be procured from the electricity market (e.g., the spot market) based on the market price predicted by the retail server 300. For example, the control unit 330 may increase the amount of electricity procured from the electricity market when the market price is relatively low, and decrease the amount of electricity procured from the electricity market when the market price is relatively high. 【0065】 In Option 2-3, the above-described Options 1-3 may be assumed. Specifically, the control unit 330 predicts the power demand of facility 100 during the target period and formulates a power procurement plan for the power to be procured from the power market (e.g., the spot market) based on the predicted power demand. The power demand of facility 100 during the target period may be predicted based on the power demand of facility 100 in the past. The power demand of facility 100 during the target period may be predicted using a learning model generated by learning the correlation between various parameters (weather, temperature, day of the week, etc.) and power demand. The learning may include machine learning or deep learning. 【0066】 While not limited thereto, the control unit 330 may formulate a power procurement plan for the power to be procured from the advance market when the charge / discharge plan is modified based on the market price in the advance market. In this embodiment, the operation of procuring power from the advance market may be referred to as "re-bidding". 【0067】 (Power control method) The power control method according to the embodiment will be described below. 【0068】 Firstly, options 1-1 and 2-1 mentioned above will be explained with reference to Figure 5. 【0069】 As shown in Figure 5, in step S11, the retail server 300 predicts the market price. For example, the market price in the spot market may be predicted based on past spot market prices. 【0070】 In step S12, the retail server 300 sends the market price predicted in step S11 (predicted market price) to the VPP server 200. 【0071】 In step S13, the VPP server 200 uses the predicted market price as the specific market price to formulate a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. 【0072】 In step S14, the VPP server 200 transmits the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 to the retail server 300. 【0073】 In step S15, the retail server 300 formulates a power procurement plan for the spot market based on the charge / discharge plan received in step S14. In other words, the retail electricity provider bids on the spot market. The retail server 300 may also formulate a power procurement plan for the spot market based on the market price predicted in step S11. 【0074】 In step S16, the VPP server 200 modifies the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 based on the market price in the advance market and transmits the modified charge / discharge plan to the retail server 300. If the charge / discharge plan is not modified based on the market price in the advance market, step S16 may be omitted. 【0075】 In step S17, the retail server 300 formulates a power procurement plan to be procured from the advance market based on the charge / discharge plan received in step S16. In other words, the retail electricity provider re-bids for the advance market. 【0076】 In step S18, the VPP server 200 sends control commands to the facility 100 according to the charge / discharge plan formulated in step S13 or the charge / discharge plan modified in step S16. 【0077】 Here, communication between the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300 may be performed in a manner compliant with Open ADR (Automated Demand Response). For example, in steps S12, S14, and S16, messages such as a registration request for various reports (oadrRegisterReport), a registration response corresponding to the registration request (oadrRegistered), various reports (oadrCreatedReport), and responses to various reports (oadrResponse) may be used. 【0078】 Secondly, options 1-2 and 2-2 mentioned above will be explained with reference to Figure 6. 【0079】 As shown in Figure 6, in step S21, the retail server 300 predicts the market price. For example, the market price in the spot market may be predicted based on the market price in the forward market. If the market price is not referenced in formulating the procurement plan, the process in step S21 may be omitted. 【0080】 In step S22, the VPP server 200 predicts the market price. For example, the market price in the spot market may be predicted based on the market price in the forward market. 【0081】 In step S23, the VPP server 200 uses the market price predicted by the VPP server 200 as the specified market price to formulate a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. 【0082】 In step S24, the VPP server 200 transmits the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 to the retail server 300. 【0083】 In step S25, the retail server 300 formulates a power procurement plan for the spot market based on the charge / discharge plan received in step S24. In other words, the retail electricity provider bids on the spot market. The retail server 300 may also formulate a power procurement plan for the spot market based on the market price predicted in step S21. 【0084】 In step S26, the VPP server 200 modifies the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 based on the market price in the advance market and transmits the modified charge / discharge plan to the retail server 300. If the charge / discharge plan is not modified based on the market price in the advance market, step S26 may be omitted. 【0085】 In step S27, the retail server 300 formulates a power procurement plan to be procured from the advance market based on the charge / discharge plan received in step S26. In other words, the retail electricity provider re-bids for the advance market. 【0086】 In step S28, the VPP server 200 sends control commands to the facility 100 according to the charge / discharge plan formulated in step S23 or the charge / discharge plan modified in step S26. 【0087】 Here, communication between the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300 may be performed in a manner compliant with Open ADR. For example, in steps S24 and S26, messages such as a registration request for various reports (oadrRegisterReport), a registration response corresponding to the registration request (oadrRegistered), various reports (oadrCreatedReport), and a response to various reports (oadrResponse) may be used. 【0088】 Thirdly, options 1-3 and 2-3 mentioned above will be explained with reference to Figure 7. 【0089】 As shown in Figure 7, in step S31, the retail server 300 predicts the market price. For example, the market price in the spot market may be predicted based on the market price in the forward market. Alternatively, the market price in the spot market may be predicted based on a moving average of the actual market price (e.g., the market price in the time-ahead market). 【0090】 In step S32, the VPP server 200 predicts the market price in the spot market based on the moving average of historical market prices (e.g., market price in the market ahead of time). 【0091】 In step S33, the VPP server 200 uses the market price predicted in step S32 (moving average of actual market prices) as the specific market price to formulate a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. 【0092】 In step S35, the retail server 300 forecasts the power demand of facility 100 for the period and, based on the forecasted power demand, develops a power procurement plan for the spot market. In other words, the retail electricity provider bids on the spot market. The retail server 300 may also develop a power procurement plan for the spot market based on the market price forecasted in step S31. 【0093】 In step S37, the retail server 300 formulates a power procurement plan to be procured from the advance market based on the charge / discharge plan received in step S36. In other words, the retail electricity provider re-bids for the advance market. 【0094】 In step S38, the VPP server 200 sends a control command to the facility 100 according to the charge / discharge plan formulated in step S33 or the charge / discharge plan modified in step S36. 【0095】 Here, communication between the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300 may be performed in a manner compliant with Open ADR. For example, in step S36, messages such as a registration request for various reports (oadrRegisterReport), a registration response corresponding to the registration request (oadrRegistered), various reports (oadrCreatedReport), and a response to various reports (oadrResponse) may be used. 【0096】 (Mechanism of Action and Effects) In this embodiment, the VPP server 200 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 based on a specific market price for the electricity procured by the retail electricity provider from the electricity market (e.g., the spot market). With this configuration, by clarifying the specific market price used to formulate the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120, it becomes easier for the retail server 300 to grasp the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120, thereby reducing errors in the procurement plan formulated by the retail electricity provider based on the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. 【0097】 For example, according to options 1-1 and 2-1, the market price predicted by the retail electricity provider is used as the specific market price. With this configuration, the specific market price used in formulating the charge and discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 is shared between the VPP operator and the retail electricity provider, so that the retail electricity provider can formulate a procurement plan taking into account the charge and discharge plan for the energy storage device 120. Therefore, errors in the procurement plan formulated by the retail electricity provider can be reduced. Furthermore, if the market price predicted by the retail electricity provider is referenced in formulating the procurement plan, the market price referenced in the procurement plan and the charge and discharge plan are the same, so errors in the procurement plan formulated by the electricity seller can be further reduced. 【0098】 For example, under options 1-2 and 2-2, the market price predicted by the VPP operator is used as the specific market price, but since the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 is transmitted from the VPP operator to the retail electricity provider, the retail electricity provider can formulate a procurement plan that takes the charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 into consideration. Therefore, errors in the procurement plan formulated by the retail electricity provider can be reduced without sharing the market price referenced in formulating the charge / discharge plan between the VPP operator and the retail electricity provider. 【0099】 For example, according to options 1-3 and 2-3, a moving average of market prices is used as the specific market price. With this configuration, the daily fluctuations of the specific market price used in formulating the charge and discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 become gradual. Therefore, even if the market price and charge and discharge plan referenced in formulating the charge and discharge plan are not shared between the VPP operator and the retail electricity provider, the daily fluctuations of the charge and discharge plan referenced in formulating the procurement plan also become gradual, thereby reducing errors in the procurement plan formulated by the retail electricity provider. 【0100】 [Example of change 1] The following describes a modified example of the embodiment 1. The following primarily describes the differences from the embodiment described above. 【0101】 In modification example 1, as shown in Figure 8, the retail server 300 may specify at least one of the charging time zones and discharge time zones for the energy storage device 120. In other words, the VPP server 200 receives specification information specifying at least one of the charging time zones and discharge time zones for the energy storage device 120, and formulates a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 based on the specification information received from the retail server 300. 【0102】 For example, the VPP server 200 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 so that it charges the energy storage device 120 during the charging time period specified by the retail server 300. Similarly, the VPP server 200 formulates a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device 120 so that it discharges the energy storage device 120 during the discharge time period specified by the retail server 300. 【0103】 In modification example 1, the retail server 300 may specify at least one of the charging time zone and the discharging time zone for the energy storage device 120 based on the power demand of the facility 100. The power demand of the facility 100 may be the value obtained by subtracting the power generated by the facility 100 from the power consumed by the facility 100. 【0104】 In modification example 1, the retail server 300 may specify at least one of the charging time zones and discharging time zones for the energy storage device 120 based on the market price. The market price may be the market price in the spot market or the market price in the time-ahead market. 【0105】 [Other embodiments] Although the present invention has been described by the embodiments described above, the descriptions and drawings that constitute part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. 【0106】 The disclosure described above illustrates a case where the distributed power source controlled by the VPP server 200 is a battery storage device 120. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The distributed power source controlled by the VPP server 200 may also be a fuel cell device 130 or a diesel generator. 【0107】 The disclosure described above describes a case where the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300 are separate servers. However, the disclosure is not limited to this case. The VPP server 200 and the retail server 300 may be a single server. In such a case, the function corresponding to the VPP server 200 may be called the VPP function, and the function corresponding to the retail server 300 may be called the retail function. It may be assumed that the transmission and reception of information shown in Figures 5 and 6 are performed between the VPP function and the retail function. 【0108】 Although not specifically mentioned in the disclosure above, a program may be provided that causes a computer to execute each of the processes performed by the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300. Furthermore, the program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. Using a computer-readable medium, it is possible to install the program on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transient recording medium. The non-transient recording medium is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. 【0109】 Alternatively, a chip may be provided comprising memory for storing programs for executing each process performed by the VPP server 200 and the retail server 300, and a processor for executing the programs stored in memory. 【0110】 [Note] The disclosures described above may also be expressed as follows: 【0111】 The first feature is a power control device comprising a control unit for controlling distributed power sources installed in a facility, and a transmission unit for transmitting control commands to the distributed power sources to the distributed power sources, wherein the control unit formulates a control plan for the distributed power sources based on a specific market price for electricity procured from the electricity market by a specific business operator that sells electricity to the facility. 【0112】 The second feature is that, in the first feature, the power control device includes a receiving unit that receives from the specified business operator a market price predicted by the specified business operator as the market price of electricity procured by the specified business operator from the electricity market, and the control unit uses the market price received from the specified business operator as the specified market price to formulate a control plan for the distributed power source. 【0113】 The third feature is that, in the first feature, the control unit predicts the market price of electricity procured by the specified business operator from the electricity market, uses the predicted market price as the specified market price to formulate a control plan for the distributed power supply, and the transmission unit transmits the control plan for the distributed power supply to the specified business operator. 【0114】 The fourth feature is that, in the first feature, the control unit is a power supply control device that identifies a moving average of the market price of electricity procured by the specified business operator from the electricity market, and uses the identified moving average as the specified market price to formulate a control plan for the distributed power supply. 【0115】 The fifth feature is a power control device that, in at least one of the first to fourth features, when the distributed power source is an energy storage device, includes a receiving unit that receives designation information from the specified business operator that specifies at least one of the charging time period and the discharging time period of the energy storage device, and the control unit formulates a charging and discharging plan for the energy storage device based on the designation information. 【0116】 The sixth feature is a power control method comprising: step A controlling distributed power sources installed in a facility; step B transmitting control commands to the distributed power sources to control them; and step C formulating a control plan for the distributed power sources based on specific market prices for electricity procured from the electricity market by a specific business operator that sells electricity to the facility. [Explanation of symbols] 【0117】 1…Power control system, 11…Network, 12…Power grid, 100…Facilities, 110…Solar cell equipment, 120…Energy storage equipment, 130…Fuel cell equipment, 140…Load equipment, 160…EMS, 190…Measuring equipment, 200…VPP server, 210…Communication unit, 220…Management unit, 230…Control unit, 300…Retail server, 310…Communication unit, 320…Management unit, 330…Control unit

Claims

[Claim 1] A power control device managed by a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) operator, which is different from the retail electricity provider that sells electricity to the facility, A control unit for controlling distributed power sources installed in the aforementioned facility, The system includes a transmitting unit that transmits control commands to the distributed power supply to control the distributed power supply, The control unit formulates a control plan for the distributed power sources based on the specific market price for the electricity procured by the retail electricity business operator from the electricity market. The control unit predicts the market price of the electricity procured by the retail electricity business operator from the electricity market, and uses the predicted market price as the specific market price to formulate a control plan for the distributed power source. The transmitting unit is a power control device that transmits the control plan for the distributed power supply to a retail server managed by the retail electricity provider. [Claim 2] A power control device managed by a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) operator, which is different from the retail electricity provider that sells electricity to the facility, A control unit for controlling distributed power sources installed in the aforementioned facility, The system includes a transmitting unit that transmits control commands to the distributed power supply to control the distributed power supply, The control unit formulates a control plan for the distributed power sources based on the specific market price for the electricity procured by the retail electricity business operator from the electricity market. The control unit identifies a moving average of the market price of electricity procured by the retail electricity business operator from the electricity market, and uses the identified moving average as the specified market price to formulate a control plan for the distributed power sources. [Claim 3] The power control device according to claim 2, further comprising a receiving unit that receives from a retail server managed by the retail electricity business operator a market price predicted by the retail electricity business operator as the market price of electricity procured by the retail electricity business operator from the electricity market. [Claim 4] When the distributed power source is a power storage device, the system includes a receiving unit that receives designation information specifying at least one of the charging time period and the discharging time period of the power storage device from a retail server managed by the retail electricity provider. The power control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control unit formulates a charge / discharge plan for the energy storage device based on the specified information. [Claim 5] Step A involves a power control device managed by a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) operator, which is different from the retail electricity provider that sells electricity to the facility, controlling the distributed power sources installed at the facility. Step B, in which the power control device transmits a control command to the distributed power supply to control the distributed power supply, The power control device comprises step C, which formulates a control plan for the distributed power sources based on a specific market price for electricity procured from the electricity market by a retail electricity business that sells electricity to the facility. Step C includes the step of predicting the market price of the electricity that the retail electricity provider procures from the electricity market, and formulating a control plan for the distributed power source using the predicted market price as the specific market price. A power control method comprising step D, in which the power control device transmits the control plan for the distributed power supply to a retail server managed by the retail electricity provider. [Claim 6] Step A involves a power control device managed by a VPP (Virtual Power Plant) operator, which is different from the retail electricity provider that sells electricity to the facility, controlling the distributed power sources installed at the facility. Step B, in which the power control device transmits a control command to the distributed power supply to control the distributed power supply, The power control device includes step C, which formulates a control plan for the distributed power sources based on a specific market price for electricity procured from the electricity market by a retail electricity business that sells electricity to the facility, Step C is a power source control method comprising the steps of identifying a moving average of the market price of electricity procured by the retail electricity business operator from the electricity market, and formulating a control plan for the distributed power sources using the identified moving average as the identified market price.

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