control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle capable of at least one of charging and discharging with an external facility when the vehicle is connected to a power station after a scheduled departure time has passed.SOLUTION: A vehicle 10 controlled by a control apparatus includes a power storage device 11 and a power conversion device 13. The power conversion device 13 is configured to be capable of at least one of charging the power storage device 11 using power from outside the vehicle and discharging power from the power storage device 11 to the outside of the vehicle. The control apparatus includes a CPU 72 and a memory 73 that stores processes executed by a processor. A CPU 72 controls a power supply device so that a target SOC set by a user of the vehicle 10 is reached at scheduled departure time. If the vehicle 10 has not departed even after the scheduled departure time has passed, the CPU 72 causes the power supply device to perform at least one of charging and discharging in a range higher than a lower limit SOC.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device.

Background Art

[0002] The vehicle described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2021-177697 includes a power storage device and is configured to be able to charge the power storage device with power supplied from a power stand. Further, the above vehicle can perform timer charging by setting a scheduled departure time and completing charging by the scheduled departure time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, there has been a study on effectively utilizing surplus power in facilities such as homes by charging an in-vehicle power storage device during a time period when the power generation of renewable energy power generation peaks. In addition, when a vehicle is connected to a power stand, there has also been a study on supplementing the power consumption in facilities such as homes with the power in the vehicle's power storage device.

[0005] On the other hand, in the above vehicle, when the vehicle is connected to the power stand even after the scheduled departure time has passed, it is not possible to charge and discharge with the power stand.

[0006] Therefore, even if the vehicle is connected to a power station after the scheduled departure time, a problem arises in that surplus electricity from facilities such as homes cannot be used to charge the vehicle's battery. Furthermore, even if the vehicle is connected to a power station after the scheduled departure time, a problem arises in that the electricity in the vehicle's battery cannot be supplied to facilities such as homes.

[0007] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a control device that controls a vehicle so that, if the vehicle is connected to a power station after the scheduled departure time has elapsed, it can perform at least one of charging or discharging with external equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The control device according to the present disclosure is a control device for controlling a vehicle, wherein the vehicle comprises a power storage device and a power supply device, the power supply device is configured to be capable of at least one of charging the power storage device using power from outside the vehicle and discharging power from the power storage device to the outside of the vehicle, the control device comprises a processor and a memory for storing processing performed by the processor, the processor controls the power supply device so that the State of Charge (SOC) becomes a target set by the user of the vehicle at the scheduled departure time, and if the vehicle has not departed when the scheduled departure time has elapsed, the processor causes the power supply device to perform at least one of charging or discharging within a range higher than the lower limit SOC set by the user of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the control device described herein, if the vehicle is connected to a power station after the scheduled departure time has elapsed, it can perform at least one of charging or discharging with external equipment, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1]This diagram schematically shows the overall configuration of a power system including a vehicle according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the usable range of State of Computer (SOC) and the time evolution of SOC. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart showing the execution performed by ECU15, power stand 20, power equipment 30, server 70, and user terminal 80. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows a continuation of the flow shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This flowchart provides a detailed explanation of the command selection method related to power utilization control in step S17. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or equivalent components are given the same number.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a power system including a vehicle according to Embodiment 1. The power system 1 comprises a vehicle 10, a power stand 20, power equipment 30, a grid power supply 40, a distribution board 50, a load device 60, a server 70, and a user terminal 80.

[0013] The vehicle 10 and the charging station 20 are electrically connected via a charging cable. The vehicle 10 is a vehicle belonging to a user and only needs to be configured to allow plug-in charging; for example, it could be a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

[0014] Vehicle 10 includes a power storage device 11, a connector 12, a power converter 13, a power output device 14, an ECU (Home Energy Management System) 15, a communication device 16, an HMI (Human Machine Interface) device 17, a charging relay 18, and an SMR (System Main Relay) 19.

[0015] The vehicle 10 can charge the power storage device 11 using the power supplied from the power stand 20. Also, the vehicle 10 can discharge the power of the power storage device 11 to the power stand 20.

[0016] The power storage device 11 is a rechargeable secondary battery. The connector 12 can be connected to the connector 22 provided at the tip of the power cable 21 of the power stand 20.

[0017] The power converter 13 is a power supply device controlled by a control signal from the ECU 15. The power converter 13 converts the power supplied from the power stand 20 into power with which the power storage device 11 can be charged, and supplies it to the power storage device 11 to charge the power storage device 11. Also, the power converter 13 converts the power discharged from the power storage device 11 into power with which the power stand 20 can receive power, and supplies power to the power stand 20. The power converter 13 includes, for example, a bidirectional AC / DC converter.

[0018] The power output device 14 generates the driving force of the vehicle 10 using the power stored in the power storage device 11. Specifically, the power output device 14 generates the driving force of the vehicle 10 based on the drive command signal from the ECU 15, and outputs the generated driving force to the drive wheels of the vehicle 10. Also, when the power output device 14 receives a power generation command signal from the ECU 15, it discharges and supplies the power to the power storage device 11.

[0019] The vehicle 10 has a plurality of sensors that detect various physical quantities necessary for the control of the vehicle 10, such as monitoring sensors that detect the state (voltage, current, temperature, etc.) of the power storage device 11. Each of these sensors outputs the detection result to the ECU 15. Also, the vehicle 10 accumulates data on the electricity charge of the power charged in the power storage device 11. This accumulated data is output to the ECU 15. Based on this data, the price of the power stored in the power storage device 11 is calculated.

[0020] The ECU 15 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory (such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)) not shown in the figure, and controls each device of the vehicle 10 based on the information recorded in the memory and the information from each sensor. The ECU 15 communicates wirelessly or by wire with the communication devices 25, 74, and 83 provided in the power stand 20, power facility 30, server 70, and user terminal 80 outside the vehicle, respectively, through the communication device 16.

[0021] The communication device 16 is an interface for communicating with devices outside the vehicle (such as the power stand 20, power facility 30, server 70, user terminal 80, etc.). The communication device 16 transmits the information transmitted from the ECU 15 to the devices outside the vehicle, or transmits the information received from the devices outside the vehicle to the ECU 15.

[0022] The HMI device 17 is a device that provides various information to the user of the vehicle 10 and accepts the operations of the user of the vehicle 10. The HMI device 17 includes a display with a touch panel, a speaker, and the like.

[0023] The power stand 20 is a facility for the vehicle 10 to charge or discharge. The power stand 20 includes a power cable 21, a connector 22, a relay 23, a controller 24, and a communication device 25. The power stand 20 is electrically connected to the distribution board 50 via the PCU 32.

[0024] One end of the power cable 21 is connected to the relay 23, and a connector 22 is provided at the other end. When power is supplied to the vehicle 10 and power is received from the vehicle 10, the connector 22 of the power cable 21 is connected to the connector 12 of the vehicle 10, and the relay 23 is closed. The opening and closing operation of the relay 23 is controlled by the controller 24.

[0025] The power equipment 30 includes a solar panel 31 and a PCU 32. The solar panel 31 is a power generation device that generates electricity using the energy of sunlight. The solar panel 31 is electrically connected to the PCU 32. The solar panel 31 receives sunlight and generates a direct current, and supplies the generated direct current to the PCU 32.

[0026] The PCU 32 includes various power conversion devices (not shown), a control device, and a communication device 36. The control device includes a CPU 34 and a memory 35. The PCU 32 converts the DC current supplied from the solar panel 31 into AC current, adjusts the voltage and frequency of the power to the energy storage device 11 and the power supply, and supplies it to the energy storage device 11, the grid power supply 40, and the load device 60 via the power stand 20 and the distribution board 50. Alternatively, the PCU 32 adjusts the frequency and voltage of the power supplied to the energy storage device 11 via the power stand 20 and supplies it to the grid power supply 40. The communication device 36 is configured to communicate wirelessly or via wire with the communication device 16 of the vehicle 10.

[0027] The grid power supply 40 is commercial power supplied by the power company. The grid power supply 40 supplies power to the energy storage device 11 and the load device 60 via the distribution board 50. The distribution board 50 converts the voltage of the power supplied from the grid power supply 40 to a low voltage that can be used by the load device 60, etc.

[0028] The load device 60 is any electrical equipment that operates by receiving power from the distribution board 50. Examples of load devices 60 include household electrical appliances and commercial manufacturing equipment.

[0029] The server 70 is comprised of a control device 71 and a communication device 74. The control device 71 includes a CPU 72, a memory 73, and input / output ports for inputting and outputting various signals. The various controls performed by the control device 71 are software-based, meaning they are executed by the CPU 72 reading a program stored in the memory 73. The various controls performed by the control device 71 are not limited to software processing and may also be processed by dedicated hardware (electronic circuits).

[0030] The communication device 74 of the server 70 can communicate wirelessly with, for example, the communication device 16 of the vehicle 10. The communication device 74 can obtain information such as weather information and electricity charges via a communication network such as the Internet. The information such as electricity charges is provided by a server of the management company that manages the grid power supply 40.

[0031] Furthermore, the server 70 stores charge / discharge history information in the memory 73, which shows the past charge / discharge times of the vehicle 10 and the electricity charges incurred during those past charge / discharge periods.

[0032] The user terminal 80 is a portable communication terminal for the user of the vehicle 10, such as a smartphone. The user terminal 80 includes a control device 81, an HMI device 82, and a communication device 83.

[0033] The control device 81 includes a CPU and memory (not shown). Based on the information stored in the memory and the content input to the HMI device 82 of the user terminal 80, the control device 81 controls the HMI device 82 of the user terminal 80 and the communication device 83. The HMI device 82 is a device that provides various information to the user and accepts user operations. The communication device 83 can communicate wirelessly with the communication device 16 of the vehicle 10. Various functions using the power system 1 formed as described above will now be explained.

[0034] Onboard energy storage devices can implement power utilization control. Power utilization control includes at least one of the following: charging the energy storage device with surplus power such as solar panels; supplying power from the energy storage device to load devices; and adjusting the power supply and demand balance.

[0035] Vehicle users can authorize power utilization control of the energy storage device during periods when the vehicle is not in use, for example, before the vehicle's departure time. Timer charging control is a control system that ensures the Stock of Charge (SOC) of the energy storage device 11 reaches a target SOC at the scheduled departure time. In timer charging, to prevent the situation where the vehicle's energy storage device's SOC has decreased at the time of departure, the vehicle is charged so that the energy storage device reaches the target SOC at the scheduled departure time. The target SOC may be a value set by the user or a value set by default. The scheduled departure time may be a time arbitrarily set by the user or a time estimated from the vehicle's usage history.

[0036] On the other hand, it is anticipated that users may not use the vehicle even at the scheduled departure time. In this case, the vehicle may not be able to effectively utilize the power in the energy storage system in order to maintain the set target State of Charge (SOC) at departure even after the scheduled departure time has passed.

[0037] Therefore, the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment 1 has a configuration to suppress the occurrence of the above-mentioned situation. Specifically, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a power converter 13 that enables the energy storage device 11 to charge and discharge. When the power converter 13 is connected to the power stand 20 via a power cable 21, the vehicle 10 performs power utilization control within the SOC usable range of the energy storage device 11, which is arbitrarily set by the user. The SOC usable range consists of a lower limit SOC and an upper limit SOC. The lower limit SOC is less than or equal to the target SOC, and the upper limit SOC is set to a value greater than the target SOC.

[0038] The ECU 15 of the vehicle 10 sends instructions to the power stand 20 via communication devices 16 and 25 so that power utilization control can be performed within the usable range of the State of Charge (SOC). The power stand 20 opens and closes the relay 23 in accordance with the control instructions from the ECU 15.

[0039] With this configuration, even if a user is not using vehicle 10 after the scheduled departure time t10 has elapsed, power utilization control can be performed using the energy storage device 11 within the usable range of the State of Charge (SOC).

[0040] The target SOC, upper limit SOC, and lower limit SOC values ​​are set by default in the ECU 15. Alternatively, the user of the vehicle 10 may set these values ​​in advance using the user terminal 80. The values ​​set in the user terminal 80 via the HMI device 82 are reflected in the ECU 15 through communication between the communication device 83 and the communication device 16.

[0041] In the above embodiment, an example of a power system 1 comprising power equipment 30 and a distribution board 50 was shown, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the power system 1 may also have HEMS (Home Energy Management Service) functionality. Specifically, power from the grid power supply 40 is supplied to the load device 60 via a smart meter and a HEMS-compatible distribution board. The power equipment 30 has a HEMS controller. The HEMS controller is configured to communicate with the HEMS-compatible distribution board, load device 60, and PCU 32. As a result, the HEMS controller can acquire information on each electrical device and control the operation of each load device 60.

[0042] Figure 2 shows an example of the usable SOC range and the time evolution of SOC. Line k1 represents the target SOC. Line k2 represents the upper limit of the usable SOC range, and line k3 represents the lower limit of the usable SOC range. In this embodiment, the ranges of the target SOC, upper limit SOC, and lower limit SOC are, for example, 60%, 90%, and 40%. Line L1 shows the time evolution of the actual SOC. The time evolution of line L1 will be explained with reference to Figure 2.

[0043] The period from time t10 to time t11 indicates the timer charging period. Time t11 is the scheduled departure time of vehicle 10. Vehicle 10 is charged so that the State of Charge (SOC) of the energy storage device 11 reaches the target SOC at time t11.

[0044] The period from time t11 to time t12 indicates the vehicle's standby time. The lower limit of SOC of vehicle 10 remains in standby mode while maintaining the target SOC until time t12 has elapsed. During the standby time, power is required to maintain the operating state of the ECU 15 and other components. Therefore, by setting the standby time to, for example, about 15 minutes, excessive power consumption by the ECU 15 is suppressed.

[0045] The period from time t12 to time t15 indicates the time when vehicle 10 is implementing power utilization control. Specifically, from time t12 to time t13, surplus power is generated by the solar panels, and the energy storage device 11 is charged via the power stand 20. Subsequently, when the SOC reaches the upper limit SOC of line k2, the power supply from the power stand 20 to vehicle 10 is stopped until time t14. From time t14 to time t15, the energy storage device 11 supplies power to the grid power supply 40 and load device 60 via the power stand 20. At time t15, the user of vehicle 10 begins using vehicle 10. The use of vehicle 10 disconnects the electrical connection between vehicle 10 and the power stand 20, and the power utilization control of vehicle 10 ends.

[0046] The waiting time for vehicle 10 is pre-set by the user of vehicle 10 via the user terminal 80. Specifically, the value set on the user terminal 80 through the HMI device 82 is reflected in the ECU 15 through communication between the communication device 83 and the communication device 16. The waiting time may or may not be set in the ECU 15 by default.

[0047] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the flow performed by ECU 15, power stand 20, power equipment 30, server 70, and user terminal 80. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the flow shown in Figure 3.

[0048] In step S1, the ECU 15 determines whether timer charging is complete. Specifically, in this embodiment, it determines whether the scheduled departure time has elapsed.

[0049] If the scheduled departure time has not elapsed (No in step S1), the process in S1 is repeated. If the scheduled departure time has elapsed (YES in step S1), in step S3, it is determined whether or not vehicle 10 has departed.

[0050] If vehicle 10 has departed (YES in step S3), the process proceeds to step 9. On the other hand, if vehicle 10 has not departed, in step S5, the ECU 15 keeps the charging relay 18 ON.

[0051] In step S7, the ECU 15 determines whether the vehicle 10 has elapsed a predetermined waiting time. The waiting time is a fixed period starting from the scheduled departure time. The predetermined period may be arbitrarily set by the user through the HMI device 82 of the user terminal 80. Alternatively, the server 70 may set the predetermined period based on the difference between the scheduled departure time and the actual departure time of the vehicle 10 in past timer charging. If the waiting time has not elapsed (No in step S7), the flow returns to step S3, and the ECU 15 repeats the process. On the other hand, if the waiting time has elapsed (Yes in step S7), in step S9, the ECU 15 sends a vehicle status notification of the vehicle 10 to the server 70. The vehicle status notification includes information on whether the vehicle 10 has departed and information indicating the current SOC of the energy storage device 11. The vehicle status notification may also include information indicating the start time of charging and discharging.

[0052] In step S11, the server 70 determines whether or not it has received a vehicle status notification. If the server 70 has not received a vehicle status notification from the ECU 15 (No in step S11), step S11 is repeated. If the server 70 has received a vehicle status notification from the ECU 15 (YES in step S11), the flow proceeds to step S15.

[0053] In step S15, the server 70 obtains information via the communication device 74. This information includes weather information for the area where the solar panels 31 are installed.

[0054] In step S17, the server 70 selects a command related to power utilization control. The command selected is one of the following: controllable command (charge), controllable command (discharge), control cancellation command, or control stop command.

[0055] Figure 5 is a flowchart that explains in detail the command selection method related to power utilization control in step S17.

[0056] In step S201, the server 70 determines whether the vehicle has departed or not. This determination is based on the information contained in the vehicle status notification received from the ECU 15 in step S11. If the server 70 determines that the vehicle has departed (Yes in step S201), the server 70 selects a control stop command in step S209. If the server 70 determines that the vehicle has not departed (No in step S201), the flow proceeds to step S202.

[0057] In step S202, the server 70 determines whether the control period has been exceeded. The control period is a predetermined period starting from the start of control, during which power utilization control is performed. The predetermined period is set in advance on the server. Alternatively, the user may set it arbitrarily in advance.

[0058] If server 70 determines that the control period has been exceeded (No in step S202), server 70 selects a control stop command in step S209. If server 70 determines that the control period has not been exceeded (No in step S202), the flow proceeds to step S203.

[0059] In step S203, the server 70 determines whether the current SOC state of the energy storage device 11 is within the SOC setting range. This determination is based on the information contained in the vehicle status notification received from the ECU 15 in step S11. If the server 70 determines that the SOC state of the energy storage device 11 is not within the SOC setting range (No in step S203), the server 70 selects a control cancellation command in step S208. If the server 70 determines that the SOC state of the energy storage device 11 is within the SOC setting range (Yes in step S203), the flow proceeds to step S204.

[0060] In step S204, the server 70 determines whether or not there is surplus power in the power equipment 30. This determination is based on the information obtained in step S15. Specifically, in this embodiment, based on the weather information, calendar, and time of the area where the solar panel 31 is installed, the server 70 determines that there is surplus power if it is sunrise and the weather is clear.

[0061] If server 70 determines that there is surplus power (Yes in step S204), server 70 selects the controllable command (charge) in step S206. If server 70 determines that there is no surplus power (No in step S204), the flow proceeds to step S205.

[0062] In step S205, the server 70 determines whether the price of electricity supplied from the grid power supply 40 is higher than the price of electricity stored in the energy storage device 11. If the server 70 determines that the price of electricity supplied from the grid power supply 40 is higher than the price of electricity stored in the energy storage device 11, the server 70 determines in step S207 to issue a control command (discharge). If the server 70 determines that the price of electricity supplied from the grid power supply 40 is not higher than the price of electricity stored in the energy storage device 11, the server 70 selects a control cancellation command in step S208.

[0063] Returning to Figure 3, an example of the process is shown. In step S19, the server 70 transmits the control command selected by the server 70 in step S17 to the ECU 15.

[0064] In step S21, the ECU 15 determines whether the control command received from the server 70 in step S19 is a controllable command. If the ECU 15 determines that it is not a controllable command, the flow proceeds to step S23.

[0065] In step S23, the ECU 15 stops the power utilization control, and in step S25, the ECU 15 turns off the charging relay 18. If the power utilization control is already stopped, that state is maintained. Specifically, the ECU 15 stops the control of the power output device 14 and turns off the charging relay 18. The flow then proceeds to step S47.

[0066] In step S27, the ECU 15 transmits control commands to the communication devices 25 and 36 of the power equipment 30 and the power stand 20. The control commands transmitted by the ECU 15 include information on whether to charge or discharge.

[0067] In step S29, the power equipment 30 determines whether or not it has received a control command from the ECU 15. If it has not received a control command (No in step S29), the process in step S29 is repeated. If it has received a control command (Yes in step S29), in step S31, the power equipment 30 performs the operation associated with power utilization control.

[0068] Specifically, if the controllable command received in step S29 includes charging information, the power equipment 30 drives the energy storage device 11 to charge. More specifically, the CPU 34 of the power equipment 30 controls the PCU 32 to supply the power generated by the solar panel 31 to the energy storage device 11.

[0069] Furthermore, if the controllable command received in step S29 includes discharge information, the power equipment 30 drives the energy storage device 11 to discharge. Specifically, the CPU 34 of the power equipment 30 controls the PCU 32 to supply the power discharged by the energy storage device 11 to the distribution board 50.

[0070] In step S33, the power stand 20 determines whether or not it has received a control command from the ECU 15. If it has not received a control command (No in step S33), the process in step S33 is repeated. If it has received a control command (Yes in step S33), in step S33, the power stand 20 turns on the relay 23. The above control is the same regardless of whether charging or discharging is occurring.

[0071] In step S37, the ECU 15 sends a control start notification to the user terminal 80. In step S39, the user terminal 80 determines whether or not it has received the control start notification from the ECU 15. If it has not received the control start notification (No in step S39), the user terminal 80 repeats the process in step S39. If it has received the control start notification (Yes in step S39), the flow proceeds to step S41.

[0072] In step S41, the user terminal 80 determines whether the control start notification received in step S39 is the first time. If the control start notification is not the first time (No in step S41), the flow proceeds to step S61. If the control start notification is the first time (Yes in step S41), in step S43, the user terminal 80 notifies the user of the vehicle 10 that the vehicle 10 has started power utilization control via the HMI device 82.

[0073] In step S45, the ECU 15 performs the operation associated with power utilization control. Specifically, if the control command received in step S21 includes charging information, the ECU 15 controls the power output device 14 to start charging the energy storage device 11 through the power stand 20 using the surplus power from the solar panel 31. On the other hand, if the control command received in step S21 includes discharge information, the ECU 15 controls the power output device 14 to discharge the power from the energy storage device 11 and supply it to the power equipment 30.

[0074] In step S47, the ECU 15 determines whether the control command sent to the ECU 15 by the server 70 in step S19 is a control stop command. If the ECU 15 has not received a control stop command (No in step S47), the flow proceeds to step S3. If the ECU 15 has received a control stop command (Yes in step S47), the flow proceeds to step S49. In step S49, the ECU 15 sends a control stop command to the power equipment 30 and the power stand 20.

[0075] In step S51, the power equipment 30 determines whether or not it has received a control stop command from the ECU 15. If the power equipment 30 has not received a control stop command (No in step S51), the power equipment 30 repeats the process in step S51. If the power equipment 30 has received a control stop command (Yes in step S51), in step S53, in accordance with the control stop command from the CPU 34, the power equipment 30 stops the drive associated with power utilization control, and the control process ends.

[0076] In step S55, the power stand 20 determines whether or not it has received a control stop command from the ECU 15. If the power stand 20 has not received a control stop command (No in step S55), the power stand 20 repeats the process in step S55. If the power stand 20 has received a control stop command (Yes in step S55), in step S57, the controller 24 turns off the relay 23, and the control process ends.

[0077] In step S59, the ECU 15 provides a completion notification to the user terminal 80 and the server 70. The completion notification may also include information indicating the end time of charging and discharging.

[0078] In step S61, the user terminal 80 determines whether or not it has received a completion notification from the ECU 15. If it has not received a completion notification from the user terminal 80 (No in step S61), the user terminal 80 repeats the process in step S61. If it has received a completion notification from the user terminal 80 (Yes in step S61), in step S63, the user terminal 80 notifies the user of the vehicle 10 of the completion of power utilization control via the HMI device 82, and the control process of the user terminal 80 ends.

[0079] In step S65, the server 70 determines whether or not it has received a completion notification from the ECU 15. If the server 70 has not received a completion notification (No in step S65), the server 70 repeats the process in step S65. If the server 70 has received a completion notification (Yes in step S65), the control process of the server 70 ends.

[0080] As described above, in this embodiment, the ECU 15 determines that the vehicle 10 has not departed even after timer charging is complete, and after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, notifies the server 70 of the vehicle status. Upon receiving the vehicle status, the server 70 selects a control command for power utilization control based on the weather information acquired by the communication device 74, and commands the ECU 15 to perform power utilization control. This makes it possible to suppress the restriction of charging and discharging of the energy storage device 11 until the user departs the vehicle 10 after timer charging.

[0081] The above embodiment shows an example where power utilization control is performed within the SOC setting range, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the power output device 14 may be controlled to charge and discharge within a range higher than the lower limit SOC set by the user of the vehicle 10.

[0082] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the energy storage device 11 performs charging and discharging by power utilization control, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the device may be configured to allow at least one of charging the energy storage device 11 and discharging from the energy storage device 11.

[0083] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which power utilization control is performed by the server 70, but this disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the ECU 15 may determine whether or not to perform power utilization control by receiving weather information, etc., through the communication device 16 of the vehicle 10.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the necessity of a power utilization control command is shown to be determined by weather information acquired by the server 70, but the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the server 70 may make the determination based on the electricity rates provided by the management company that manages the grid power supply 40. Specifically, the server 70 acquires information on the electricity rates of the power stored in the energy storage device 11 from the ECU 15. When the electricity rate of the energy storage device 11 is lower than the electricity rate provided by the management company that manages the grid power supply 40, the server 70 sends a power utilization control command to the ECU 15, and the ECU 15 discharges the energy storage device 11 and supplies it to the load device 60 connected to the power equipment 30.

[0085] In the above embodiment, in the power utilization control, charging of the energy storage device 11 was started using surplus power from the solar panel 31 of the power equipment 30, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the power equipment 30 may have a power generation device that can generate electricity using renewable energy and supplies power to the load device 60. Renewable energy includes wind power, geothermal energy, hydroelectric power, biomass, etc.

[0086] In the above embodiment, the server 70 determines that there is surplus power based on weather information acquired by the server 70 and issues a power utilization control command to the ECU 15, but the disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the ECU 15 may determine whether there is surplus power by acquiring information from the HEMS. The information from the HEMS includes the amount of power generated by the solar panel 31, the amount of power consumed by the load device 60, the amount of power supplied from the grid power supply 40, the electricity charges for the power supplied from the grid power supply 40, and the selling price of the power generated by the solar panel 31. In this case, surplus power is the power that remains in surplus even after supplying the power generated by the solar panel 31 to the load device 60.

[0087] In the above embodiment, in step S202, the server 70 determines that it will stop power utilization control when the vehicle departs, but various conditions can be used when deciding whether to stop power utilization control.

[0088] For example, the system may decide to stop power utilization control if at least one of the following conditions is met: the number of times the charging relay 18 operates exceeds a predetermined number of times; the degree of deterioration indicating the deterioration state of the energy storage device 11 exceeds a predetermined value; or the cumulative charge and discharge time of the power converter 13 exceeds a predetermined value.

[0089] The following describes a case in which power utilization control is not performed when the number of times the charging relay 18 has operated exceeds a predetermined number. The ECU 15 stores information indicating the number of times the charging relay 18 has operated. The vehicle status notification in step S9 above includes information indicating the number of times the charging relay 18 has operated. The server 70 then determines that the number of times the charging relay 18 has operated exceeds a predetermined value, and decides to stop power utilization control.

[0090] This section describes a case where power utilization control is not performed when the degradation level, which indicates the deterioration state of the energy storage device 11, exceeds a predetermined value. The ECU 15 calculates the degradation level, which indicates the deterioration state of the energy storage device 11, and stores information indicating the degradation level of the energy storage device 11. The vehicle status notification in step S9 above includes information indicating the degradation level of the energy storage device 11. The server 70 then determines that the degradation level, which indicates the deterioration state of the energy storage device 11, exceeds a predetermined value, and decides to stop power utilization control.

[0091] The following describes the case in which power utilization control is stopped when the cumulative charge and discharge time of the power converter 13 exceeds a predetermined value. The ECU 15 stores information indicating the cumulative charge and discharge time of the power converter 13. The vehicle status notification in step S9 above includes information indicating the cumulative charge and discharge time of the power converter 13. The server 70 then determines that the cumulative charge and discharge time of the power converter 13 exceeds a predetermined value, and decides to stop power utilization control.

[0092] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims and all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1 Power system, 10 Vehicle, 11 Energy storage device, 12, 22 Connector, 13 Power converter, 14 Power output device, 16, 25, 36, 74, 83 Communication device, 17, 82 Device, 18 Charging relay, 20 Power stand, 21 Power cable, 23 Relay, 24 Controller, 30 Power equipment, 31 Solar panel, 35, 73 Memory, 40 System power supply, 50 Distribution board, 60 Load device, 70 Server, 71, 81 Control device, 80 User terminal.

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a vehicle, The aforementioned vehicle is equipped with a power storage device and a power supply device, The power supply device is configured to be capable of at least one of the following: charging the energy storage device using power from outside the vehicle, and discharging power from the energy storage device to the outside of the vehicle. The control device comprises a processor and a memory for storing processes performed by the processor, The processor controls the power supply device so that the vehicle's user-set target State of Control (SOC) is reached at the scheduled departure time. If the vehicle has not departed when the scheduled departure time has elapsed, the processor causes the power supply device to perform at least one of charging or discharging within a range higher than the lower limit of SOC set by the user of the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a relay provided in the electrical circuit between the power supply device and the energy storage device, The processor is a control device that turns on the relay from the scheduled departure time.

2. The power supply device is configured to be capable of at least one of the following: charging the energy storage device using power from a power facility located outside the vehicle, and discharging power from the energy storage device to the power facility. The aforementioned power equipment is connected to equipment having at least one power load, The control device according to claim 1, wherein if the electricity cost of the power consumed by the power load is higher than the electricity cost of the power stored in the energy storage device, the processor causes the power supply device to discharge power from the energy storage device to the power equipment.

3. The aforementioned power facility includes a power generation device capable of generating electricity using renewable energy and supplying power to the aforementioned power load, The control device according to claim 2, wherein when the control device determines that surplus power is being generated in the power generation device, it causes the power supply device to charge the energy storage device.

4. The aforementioned processor, When the number of times the relay has operated exceeds a predetermined number, When the degree of deterioration indicating the deterioration state of the energy storage device exceeds a predetermined value, When the cumulative charge and discharge time of the power supply device exceeds a predetermined value, In either of the cases, the control device according to claim 1 does not perform power utilization control.

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