Virtual power plant system, surplus electric power utilization method, and energy supply system

Abstract

This virtual power plant system for controlling electric power supply and demand of an energy supply platform that integrates a plurality of energy resources comprises: a surplus electric power aggregation control unit for controlling aggregation of surplus electric power, from the energy resources, of consumers connected to the energy supply platform; a supply destination determining unit for determining a supply destination for the surplus electric power; and a revenue return unit for returning, to the consumers, revenue obtained by supplying the surplus electric power to the supply destination.

Description

Virtual power plant system, surplus power utilization method, and energy supply system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a virtual power plant system, a method for utilizing surplus power, and an energy supply system.

[0002] A virtual power plant (VPP) is a system that uses information and communication technology (ICT) to control the supply and demand of electricity from multiple energy resources as if they were a single power plant.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that improves the profitability of power aggregators by paying incentives to a group of consumers based on the total amount of power received that is reduced by the devices of the group of consumers during the target time of demand response.

[0004] Patent No. 6411247

[0005] Energy supply platforms that integrate multiple energy resources are required to provide additional services to consumers in order to promote business development.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a virtual power plant system, a method for utilizing surplus power, and an energy supply system that are capable of providing additional services to consumers.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a virtual power plant system that controls the supply and demand of electricity of an energy supply platform that integrates multiple energy resources, and includes a surplus power aggregation control unit that controls the aggregation of surplus electricity from the energy resources of consumers connected to the energy supply platform, a supply destination determination unit that determines a supply destination of the surplus electricity, and a revenue return unit that returns revenue earned from the supply of the surplus electricity to the supply destination to the consumers.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a virtual power plant system, a method for utilizing surplus power, and an energy supply system that can provide further services to consumers.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an energy supply system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer. FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of a virtual power plant system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of the virtual power plant system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of determining a supply destination of surplus power. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of determining a supply destination of surplus power. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of determining a supply destination of surplus power. FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of an example of an energy supply system according to the present embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <System Configuration> Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an energy supply system 1 according to the present embodiment. The energy supply system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes an electric utility system 2, a customer information processing terminal 3, a trading market system 4, and customer energy resources 5. The electric utility system 2 shown in Fig. 1 includes a virtual power plant system 10, a centralized power source 12, a distributed power source 14, and a storage battery 16. The centralized power source 12, the distributed power source 14, and the storage battery 16 are owned, for example, by an electric utility of the electric utility system 2. The customer energy resources 5 shown in Fig. 1 include a solar power generation system 30, a storage battery system 32, an electric vehicle 34, a V2H device 35, and a charger / discharger 36 for the electric vehicle.

[0012] The electric power utility system 2 builds an energy supply platform that integrates a centralized power source 12, distributed power sources 14, and storage batteries 16. The centralized power source 12 is a large-scale power generation facility installed at a location away from the power demand area, such as a thermal power generation facility, a hydroelectric power generation facility, or a nuclear power generation facility. The distributed power sources 14 are relatively small-scale power generation facilities installed in locations close to the power demand area, such as a renewable energy power generation facility. The storage batteries 16 are power storage facilities that store energy for later use or for use as an energy regulator, etc.

[0013] The centralized power source 12, the distributed power source 14, and the storage battery 16 are examples of multiple energy resources. The virtual power plant system 10 controls the supply and demand of electricity of an energy supply platform that integrates multiple energy resources. The energy supply platform for which the virtual power plant system 10 controls the supply and demand of electricity is connected to a solar power generation system 30, a storage battery system 32, an electric vehicle 34, a V2H device 35, and a charger / discharger 36 for the electric vehicle, which are examples of energy resources 5 of consumers. Although not shown in the figure, the electric utility system 2 may supply electricity from the energy supply platform to consumer devices that consume the supplied electricity. Furthermore, although not shown in the figure, the energy supply platform for which the virtual power plant system 10 controls the supply and demand of electricity is connected to the energy resources 5 of multiple consumers.

[0014] The solar power generation system 30, which is an example of the consumer's energy resource 5, is an example of a renewable energy power generation facility installed in a home, etc. The storage battery system 32 is an example of a power storage facility installed in a home, etc.

[0015] V2H (Vehicle to Home) is a system that uses an on-board storage battery installed in an electric vehicle 34 as a home power source. The on-board storage battery of the electric vehicle 34, which is connected via V2H equipment 35 so as to be chargeable and dischargeable, can be used as a home storage battery. The electric vehicle 34 is a vehicle that charges the on-board storage battery with supplied power and runs using the power as an energy source. The electric vehicle 34, which is connected via V2H equipment 35 so as to be chargeable and dischargeable, is an example of a power storage facility that can be used instead of or in addition to the storage battery system 32.

[0016] The electric vehicle 34 may be a vehicle owned by a consumer, or may be a vehicle leased by a consumer from a leasing company. The electric vehicle charger / discharger 36 is an example of charging / discharging equipment that charges or discharges the on-board storage battery of the electric vehicle.

[0017] Furthermore, the virtual power plant system 10 utilizes information and communication technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to remotely control the charging and discharging of consumer energy resources 5 via a communication network such as the Internet. By remotely controlling the consumer energy resources 5, the virtual power plant system 10 controls the aggregation of surplus power from the consumer energy resources 5 connected to the energy supply platform. The surplus power is power generated or stored in the consumer energy resources 5 that exceeds the power consumed by the consumer.

[0018] The virtual power plant system 10 determines a supply destination of surplus power aggregated from the energy resources 5 of the consumers as described below. When the virtual power plant system 10 selects the market trading system 4 as the supply destination of the surplus power, it supplies the surplus power to the market trading system 4 and sells it, thereby earning revenue. When the virtual power plant system 10 selects an energy resource of a consumer other than the consumer to which the surplus power has been supplied as the supply destination of the surplus power, it supplies the surplus power to the other consumer and earns revenue. The virtual power plant system 10 may select a consumer other than the consumer to which the surplus power has been supplied, without selecting an energy resource of the consumer other than the consumer to which the surplus power has been supplied, as the supply destination of the surplus power. When the virtual power plant system 10 selects the adjustment power of the energy supply platform as the supply destination of the surplus power, it uses the surplus power as the adjustment power of the energy supply platform (power supplied to other consumers) and earns revenue. The adjustment power of the energy supply platform is the adjustment power that adjusts the supply and demand balance.

[0019] The trading market system 4 is, for example, a system of a wholesale electricity market, a capacity market, an advance market, or a supply and demand adjustment market. The wholesale electricity market is a trading market where electricity volume is bought and sold. The capacity market is a trading market where future supply capacity is bought and sold. The advance market (intraday market) is a trading market where electricity volume can be bought and sold up until just before actual supply and demand. The supply and demand adjustment market is a trading market where adjustment capacity is bought and sold.

[0020] The virtual power plant system 10 returns the profits gained from supplying surplus power to the selected supply destination to the consumer as described below. For example, the virtual power plant system 10 may use the profits gained from supplying surplus power to the selected supply destination to reduce electricity rates, award points, or provide new services. Furthermore, the profits gained from supplying surplus power to the selected supply destination may be shared between the electric utility and the consumer.

[0021] The information processing terminal 3 of the consumer is a computer operated by the consumer, such as a personal computer (PC), a home energy management system (HEMS), or a smartphone. The information processing terminal 3 of the consumer displays information received from the virtual power plant system 10. For example, the information processing terminal 3 of the consumer may display a notification to promote charging of the electric vehicle 34 with surplus power, as described below, or a notification to promote charging of the electric vehicle 34 with renewable energy. Furthermore, the information processing terminal 3 of the consumer may perform control to promote charging of the electric vehicle 34 with surplus power, as described below, or control to promote charging of the electric vehicle 34 with renewable energy, based on the information received from the virtual power plant system 10.

[0022] 1 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that there are various system configurations depending on the application and purpose. For example, the virtual power plant system 10 can have various configurations, such as a configuration in which multiple systems work together to perform processing.

[0023] <Hardware Configuration> Information processing in the virtual power plant system 10 of Fig. 1 is realized, for example, by a computer 500 having a hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the computer 500. Furthermore, if the information processing terminal 3 of the customer of Fig. 1 is a PC, it is realized, for example, by the computer 500 having a hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of a computer according to this embodiment.

[0024] The computer 500 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a HDD 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a data bus 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0025] The CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the computer 500 in accordance with a program. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HDD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls reading and writing of various data from and to the HDD 504 in accordance with the control of the CPU 501.

[0026] The display 506 displays various types of information such as a cursor, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various types of external devices. The external devices are USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories, etc. The network I / F 509 is an interface for performing data communication using a communication network such as the Internet. The data bus 510 is an address bus, data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501.

[0027] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means equipped with multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 515, such as a flash memory.

[0028] The hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2 is an example, and does not necessarily include all of the components shown in Fig. 2, and may include components other than those shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, the computer 500 may be realized by a workstation, an ASP (Application Service Provider), or cloud computing.

[0029] <Functional Configuration> The virtual power plant system 10 of the energy supply system 1 according to this embodiment is realized by, for example, the functional configuration shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of the virtual power plant system 10 according to this embodiment. Note that the functional configuration diagram in Fig. 3 appropriately omits components that are not necessary for explaining this embodiment. For example, the computer 500 in Fig. 2 that executes information processing in the virtual power plant system 10 executes programs such as an OS and applications, thereby realizing, for example, the functional configuration shown in Fig. 3.

[0030] The virtual power plant system 10 of FIG. 3 includes a surplus power collection control unit 50 , a supply destination determination unit 52 , a transaction price acquisition unit 54 , a revenue return unit 56 , a notification unit 58 , and a charge / discharge rate control unit 60 .

[0031] The surplus power collection control unit 50 controls the collection of surplus power from the energy resources 5 of consumers connected to the energy supply platform. The surplus power collection control unit 50 collects and adjusts surplus power provided from the energy resources 5 of multiple consumers by remotely controlling the charging and discharging of the energy resources 5 of consumers installed in homes, etc. The surplus power collection control unit 50 may also have a surplus power amount prediction function.

[0032] The supply destination determination unit 52 determines a supply destination of the aggregated surplus electricity as described below. For example, the supply destination determination unit 52 may select a supply destination with a high unit price for the consumer. The trading price acquisition unit 54 acquires the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4. The trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 is used when the supply destination determination unit 52 determines a supply destination of the surplus electricity. The trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 may also be used when the notification unit 58 notifies the information processing terminal 3 of the consumer of information.

[0033] The revenue return unit 56 performs processing to return to the consumer the revenue gained from the supply of surplus electricity to the supply destination determined by the supply destination determination unit 52. The notification unit 58 transmits information to be displayed on the information processing terminal 3 of the consumer to the information processing terminal 3 of the consumer. Furthermore, the charge / discharge rate control unit 60 controls the charge / discharge rate at which the V2H equipment 35 or the electric vehicle charger / discharger 36 of the consumer's energy resource 5 charges (or discharges from) the electric vehicle 34. By controlling the charge / discharge rate of the V2H equipment 35 or the electric vehicle charger / discharger 36, the energy supply system 1 according to this embodiment can be operated to charge the electric vehicle with only surplus electricity or to supply electricity consisting solely of surplus electricity.

[0034] <Processing> A description will be given of the processing procedure of the virtual power plant system 10 of the energy supply system 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the virtual power plant system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0035] In step S10, the surplus power aggregation control unit 50 of the virtual power plant system 10 aggregates surplus power from the energy resources 5 of the consumers connected to the energy supply platform.

[0036] In step S12, the supply destination determining unit 52 determines the supply destination of the aggregated surplus power by the process described below using the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 8, for example.

[0037] In step S14, the revenue return unit 56 performs processing to return to the consumer the revenue gained from the supply of surplus power to the supply destination determined by the supply destination determination unit 52. For example, if the supply destination of the surplus power is the trading market system 4, the revenue that can be gained from the supply of surplus power to the supply destination is the profit gained from selling the surplus power. Furthermore, if the supply destination of the surplus power is an energy resource of a consumer other than the consumer to which the surplus power was supplied, the revenue that can be gained from the supply to the energy resource of the other consumer. Furthermore, if the supply destination of the surplus power is the adjustment capacity of the energy supply platform, the revenue that can be gained from the supply of surplus power to the supply destination is the profit gained from reducing the procurement cost of power.

[0038] For example, the profit that can be obtained by supplying surplus electricity to a supply destination varies depending on the trading price in the trading market system 4 and the contents of the contract for electricity usage fees between the electric utility and the consumer.

[0039] Therefore, in the virtual power plant system 10 according to this embodiment, the supply destination of the surplus electricity is determined so as to maximize the profits that can be obtained from the supply of the surplus electricity, taking into consideration, for example, the electricity trading price in the trading market system 4 and the contents of the contract for electricity usage fees between the electric utility and the consumer.

[0040] The determination of the supply destination of the surplus power in step S12 in Fig. 4 is performed, for example, according to the procedure shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for determining the supply destination of the surplus power.

[0041] In step S20 , the supply destination determination unit 52 of the virtual power plant system 10 acquires the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 from the trading price acquisition unit 54 .

[0042] In step S22, the supply destination determination unit 52 determines whether or not profits will be earned by selling the surplus electricity, based on the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 acquired in step S20. For example, the supply destination determination unit 52 may determine that profits will be earned by selling the surplus electricity if the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 is higher than a reference price. The reference price may be the average or median of the trading prices in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 over a predetermined period. Furthermore, the reference price may be a turning point at which selecting the market system 4 as the supply destination of the surplus electricity will result in greater profits than selecting a system other than the market system 4.

[0043] In step S24, if the supply destination determination unit 52 determines that profits will be obtained by selling the surplus electricity, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S26, and the trading market system 4 is selected as the supply destination of the surplus electricity.

[0044] Furthermore, in step S24, if the supply destination determination unit 52 determines that no profit will be made by selling the surplus electricity, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S28, and a system other than the market trading system 4 is selected as a supply destination of the surplus electricity. The system other than the market trading system 4 is, for example, the energy resource 5 of the consumer or the adjustment power of the energy supply platform.

[0045] According to the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5, it is possible to increase profits from surplus electricity and provide further services to consumers using the profits as a source of funds. Furthermore, according to the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5, for example, when the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 is low and sufficient profits cannot be expected, it is possible to supply surplus electricity to the energy resources 5 of consumers or to use it as adjustment power for the energy supply platform.

[0046] The determination of the supply destination of the surplus power in step S12 in Fig. 4 may be performed, for example, according to the procedure shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for determining the supply destination of the surplus power.

[0047] In step S30 , the supply destination determination unit 52 of the virtual power plant system 10 acquires the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 from the trading price acquisition unit 54 .

[0048] In step S32, the supply destination determination unit 52 determines whether the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 acquired in step S30 is higher than the reference price. For example, the reference price may be the average or median of the trading prices in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 over a predetermined period. The reference price may also be a turning point at which selecting the trading market system 4 as the supply destination of surplus electricity becomes more profitable than selecting the energy resources of other consumers.

[0049] In step S34, if the supply destination determination unit 52 determines that the trading price of surplus electricity in the trading market system 4 is higher than the reference price, it proceeds from step S34 to step S36 and selects to earn revenue by supplying the surplus electricity to the trading market system 4 and selling it.

[0050] Also, in step S34, if the supply destination determination unit 52 determines that the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 is not higher than the reference price, the processing proceeds from step S34 to step S38, and the unit selects to supply surplus electricity to the energy resources of other consumers and earn profits.

[0051] According to the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 6, it is possible to increase profits from surplus power and provide further services to consumers using the profits as a source of funds. Furthermore, according to the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 6, it is possible to supply surplus power to the consumer's energy resource 5, for example, when the trading price in the surplus power trading market system 4 is low and sufficient profits are not expected.

[0052] The determination of the supply destination of the surplus power in step S12 in Fig. 4 may be performed, for example, according to the procedure shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for determining the supply destination of the surplus power.

[0053] In step S40 , the supply destination determination unit 52 of the virtual power plant system 10 acquires the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 from the trading price acquisition unit 54 .

[0054] In step S42, the supply destination determination unit 52 determines whether the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 acquired in step S40 is higher than the reference price. For example, the reference price may be the average or median of the trading prices in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 over a predetermined period. Furthermore, the reference price may be a turning point at which greater profits are made by utilizing the surplus electricity as an adjustment capacity for electricity supply and demand rather than selecting the surplus electricity as an energy resource of another consumer as a supply destination.

[0055] In step S44, if the supply destination determination unit 52 determines that the trading price of surplus electricity in the trading market system 4 is higher than the reference price, it proceeds from step S44 to step S46 and selects to earn revenue by supplying the surplus electricity to the trading market system 4 and selling it.

[0056] Also, in step S44, if the supply destination determination unit 52 determines that the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 is not higher than the reference price, the processing proceeds from step S44 to step S48, and selects to use the surplus electricity as the power to adjust the electricity supply and demand of the energy supply platform to earn profits.

[0057] According to the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 7, it is possible to increase profits from surplus electricity and provide further services to consumers using the profits as a source of funds. Furthermore, according to the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 7, it is possible to utilize surplus electricity as the adjustment power of the energy supply platform, for example, when the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 is low and sufficient profits cannot be expected.

[0058] The determination of the supply destination of the surplus power in step S12 in Fig. 4 may be performed, for example, according to the procedure shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for determining the supply destination of the surplus power.

[0059] In step S50 , the supply destination determination unit 52 of the virtual power plant system 10 acquires the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 from the trading price acquisition unit 54 .

[0060] In step S52, the supply destination determination unit 52 determines whether the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 acquired in step S50 is higher than the reference price. For example, the reference price may be the average or median of the trading prices in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 over a predetermined period. The reference price may also be a turning point at which selecting the trading market system 4 as the supply destination of surplus electricity results in a larger profit than selecting the V2H device 35 or the electric vehicle charger / discharger 36.

[0061] In step S54, if the supply destination determination unit 52 determines that the trading price of surplus electricity in the trading market system 4 is higher than the reference price, it proceeds from step S54 to step S56 and selects to earn revenue by supplying the surplus electricity to the trading market system 4 and selling it.

[0062] Furthermore, in step S54, if the supply destination determination unit 52 determines that the trading price in the surplus electricity trading market system 4 is not higher than the reference price, the process proceeds from step S54 to step S58, and the unit selects to earn profits by supplying surplus electricity to the V2H device 35 or the charger / discharger 36 for electric vehicles.

[0063] According to the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 8, it is possible to increase profits from surplus power and provide further services to consumers using the profits as a source of funds. Furthermore, according to the process shown in the flowchart of Fig. 8, for example, when the trading price in the surplus power trading market system 4 is low and sufficient profits are not expected, the surplus power can be supplied to a V2H device 35 or an electric vehicle charger / discharger 36.

[0064] When the supply destination determination unit 52 supplies surplus power to the energy resource 5 of another consumer to charge the energy resource 5, the supply destination determination unit 52 may perform control so that the charged surplus power is discharged from the energy resource 5 of the other consumer at the timing when the trading price in the market trading system 4 becomes higher than the reference price, and the surplus power is supplied to the market trading system 4 for sale to earn revenue. The revenue is the difference between the trading price in the market trading system 4 at the time of charging and the trading price in the market trading system 4 at the time of selling the power.

[0065] Furthermore, when an electric vehicle 34 included in the energy resource 5 of another consumer is used as an electric power storage facility, the amount of revenue returned to the other consumer may be determined by taking into account consumption due to charging and discharging of the on-board storage battery of the electric vehicle 34. Furthermore, the amount of revenue returned to the consumer may vary depending on whether the electric vehicle 34 is owned by the other consumer or leased from a leasing company. For example, if the electric vehicle 34 is owned by the other consumer, the amount of revenue returned to the consumer may be greater than if the electric vehicle 34 is leased from a leasing company.

[0066] Furthermore, the notification unit 58 of the virtual power plant system 10 may notify other consumers to connect their electric vehicles 34 to the V2H equipment 35 or the electric vehicle charger / discharger 36 during a time period when the trading price in the trading market system 4 is lower than the reference price so that the other consumers can charge their electric vehicles 34. Furthermore, the notification unit 58 may notify a consumer who wishes to charge his or her electric vehicle 34 with surplus renewable energy power of the predicted timing at which surplus power will be generated in the renewable energy supplied by the energy supply platform. Furthermore, the charge / discharge rate control unit 60 may control the charging rate of the V2H equipment 35 or the electric vehicle charger / discharger 36 so that the electric vehicle 34 is charged only with the surplus renewable energy power for the consumer who wishes to charge his or her electric vehicle 34 with surplus renewable energy power.

[0067] <Other Configuration Examples> The energy supply system 1 according to this embodiment may have a configuration as shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a configuration diagram of an example of the energy supply system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0068] 9, a virtual power plant system 10, which is an example of an aggregation coordinator system, is controllably connected to a plurality of small EMS systems 100, which are an example of a resource aggregator system. Energy resources 5 of a plurality of consumers are connected to the small EMS systems 100.

[0069] 9 shows a rechargeable battery, an electric vehicle connected to a V2H device so as to be capable of charging and discharging, and a solar power generation system as examples of the consumer's energy resources 5, which receive control regarding surplus power from the small-scale EMS system 100 via a gateway (GW). The small-scale EMS system 100 can control the consumer's energy resources 5 in accordance with control from the virtual power plant system 10.

[0070] While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the above embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the supply destination determination unit 52 may determine the supply destination of surplus power by combining the processes of the flowcharts of Figures 5 to 8.

[0071] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> A virtual power plant system that controls power supply and demand of an energy supply platform that integrates a plurality of energy resources, comprising: a surplus power collection control unit that controls collection of surplus power from energy resources of consumers connected to the energy supply platform; a supply destination determination unit that determines a supply destination of the surplus power; and a revenue return unit that returns revenue earned from supplying the surplus power to the supply destination to the consumer. <2> The virtual power plant system according to <1>, wherein the supply destination determination unit determines, according to a trading price of the surplus power market, whether to supply the surplus power to the trading market to earn revenue, or whether to supply the surplus power to a destination other than the trading market. <3> The virtual power plant system according to <2>, wherein the energy resources of the consumers are at least one of renewable energy power generation facilities, storage batteries, and electric vehicles of the consumers, which can collect the surplus power by remote control from the surplus power collection control unit. <4> The virtual power plant system according to <3>, wherein the supply destination determination unit determines to supply the surplus electricity to the trading market to sell it if the transaction price is higher than a reference price, and determines to supply the surplus electricity to at least one of a storage battery and an electric vehicle of a consumer other than the consumer to which the surplus electricity has been supplied to earn a profit if the transaction price is lower than the reference price. <5> The virtual power plant system according to <4>, wherein the supply destination determination unit determines to supply the surplus electricity charged to at least one of a storage battery and an electric vehicle of the other consumer to the trading market to sell it when the transaction price becomes higher than the reference price, to earn a profit. <6> The virtual power plant system according to <5>, wherein the profit return unit changes the return of the profit to the other consumer depending on whether the other consumer owns or leases the storage battery or the electric vehicle. <7> The virtual power plant system according to <3>, wherein the supply destination determination unit determines to supply the surplus electricity to the trading market and sell it if the transaction price is higher than a reference price, and determines to use the surplus electricity as an adjustment power for electricity supply and demand to earn profits if the transaction price is lower than the reference price.<8> The virtual power plant system according to <3>, wherein the supply destination determination unit determines to supply the surplus electricity to the trading market and sell it if the transaction price is higher than a reference price, and determines to supply the surplus electricity to an electric vehicle charger connected to the energy supply platform as a supply destination and earn revenue if the transaction price is lower than the reference price. <9> The virtual power plant system according to <8>, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the consumer to connect the electric vehicle to an electric vehicle charger so that the surplus electricity can be charged in an electric vehicle of another consumer other than the consumer that supplied the surplus electricity during a time period when the transaction price is lower than the reference price. <10> The virtual power plant system according to <9>, wherein the notification unit notifies at least one of the consumer and the other consumer of a predicted timing when surplus electricity will be generated in the renewable energy supplied by the energy supply platform. <11> The virtual power plant system according to <8>, further comprising a charging rate control unit that controls a charging rate of the electric vehicle charger so that the electric vehicle can be charged using only the surplus power. <12> A surplus power utilization method performed by a virtual power plant system that controls power supply and demand of an energy supply platform that integrates a plurality of energy resources, the method comprising: a step of controlling the aggregation of surplus power from energy resources of consumers connected to the energy supply platform; a step of determining a supply destination of the surplus power; and a step of returning profits obtained from the supply of the surplus power to the consumers.<13> An energy supply system including a virtual power plant system that controls the supply and demand of electricity of an energy supply platform that integrates multiple energy resources, and energy resources of consumers connected to the energy supply platform, wherein the virtual power plant system includes: a surplus power aggregation control unit that controls aggregation of surplus electricity from the energy resources of the consumers; a supply destination determination unit that determines a supply destination of the surplus electricity; and a revenue return unit that returns revenue earned from supplying the surplus electricity to the supply destination to the consumers, and wherein the energy resources of the consumers provide the surplus electricity to the virtual power plant system. While the present invention has been described above based on examples, the present invention is not limited to the above examples and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. This application claims priority to basic application No. 2023-131834, filed with the Japan Patent Office on August 14, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0072] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Energy supply system 2 Electric power company system 3 Consumer information processing terminal 4 Trading market system 5 Consumer energy resource 10 Virtual power plant system 30 Photovoltaic power generation system 32 Storage battery system 34 Electric vehicle 35 V2H device 36 Charger / discharger for electric vehicle 50 Surplus power aggregation control unit 52 Supply destination determination unit 54 Trading price acquisition unit 56 Revenue return unit 58 Notification unit 60 Charging / discharging speed control unit

Claims

1. A virtual power plant system that controls the supply and demand of electricity of an energy supply platform that integrates multiple energy resources, comprising: a surplus power aggregation control unit that controls the aggregation of surplus power from energy resources of consumers connected to the energy supply platform; a supply destination determination unit that determines a supply destination of the surplus power; and a revenue return unit that returns revenue gained from the supply of the surplus power to the supply destination to the consumers.

2. The virtual power plant system according to claim 1, wherein the supply destination determination unit determines, depending on the trading price of the surplus electricity in the trading market, whether to supply the surplus electricity to the trading market and sell it to earn profits, or to supply the surplus electricity to a destination other than the trading market.

3. The virtual power plant system according to claim 2, wherein the energy resource of the consumer is at least one of the consumer's renewable energy power generation equipment, storage battery, and electric vehicle capable of consolidating the surplus power by remote control from the surplus power consolidation control unit.

4. The virtual power plant system according to claim 3, wherein the supply destination determination unit determines, if the transaction price is higher than a reference price, to supply the surplus electricity to the trading market and sell it, and, if the transaction price is lower than the reference price, to supply the surplus electricity to at least one of a storage battery and an electric vehicle of a consumer other than the consumer to which the surplus electricity was supplied, thereby earning revenue.

5. The virtual power plant system according to claim 4, wherein the supply destination determination unit determines that the surplus electricity charged to at least one of the storage batteries and electric vehicles of the other consumers will be supplied to the trading market and sold at the timing when the trading price becomes higher than a reference price, thereby earning a profit.

6. The virtual power plant system according to claim 5, wherein the revenue return unit changes the return of the revenue to the other consumers depending on whether the other consumers own or lease the storage battery or the electric vehicle.

7. The virtual power plant system according to claim 3, wherein the supply destination determination unit determines that the surplus electricity should be supplied to the trading market and sold if the transaction price is higher than a reference price, and determines that the surplus electricity should be used to adjust electricity supply and demand to earn profits if the transaction price is lower than the reference price.

8. The virtual power plant system according to claim 3, wherein the supply destination determination unit determines, if the transaction price is higher than a reference price, to supply the surplus electricity to the trading market and sell it, and, if the transaction price is lower than the reference price, to supply the surplus electricity to a charger for electric vehicles connected to the energy supply platform as a supply destination and earn revenue.

9. The virtual power plant system according to claim 8, further comprising a notification unit that notifies a consumer other than the consumer that supplied the surplus power to connect the electric vehicle to a charger for electric vehicles so that the surplus power can be charged in the electric vehicle of the consumer other than the consumer that supplied the surplus power during a time period when the transaction price is lower than a reference price.

10. The virtual power plant system according to claim 9, wherein the notification unit notifies at least one of the consumer and the other consumer of a predicted timing at which surplus electricity will be generated in the renewable energy supplied by the energy supply platform.

11. The virtual power plant system according to claim 8, further comprising a charging speed control unit that controls a charging speed of the charger for the electric vehicle so that the electric vehicle can be charged using only the surplus power.

12. A method for utilizing surplus electricity carried out by a virtual power plant system that controls the supply and demand of electricity of an energy supply platform that integrates a plurality of energy resources, the method comprising the steps of: controlling the aggregation of surplus electricity from energy resources of consumers connected to the energy supply platform; determining a supply destination of the surplus electricity; and returning to the consumers revenue gained from the supply of the surplus electricity to the supply destination.

13. An energy supply system having a virtual power plant system that controls the supply and demand of electricity of an energy supply platform that integrates a plurality of energy resources, and energy resources of consumers connected to the energy supply platform, wherein the virtual power plant system comprises: a surplus power aggregation control unit that controls the aggregation of surplus electricity from the energy resources of the consumers; a supply destination determination unit that determines a supply destination of the surplus electricity; and a revenue return unit that returns revenue gained from the supply of the surplus electricity to the supply destination to the consumers, and wherein the energy resources of the consumers provide the surplus electricity to the virtual power plant system.

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