ESS management device, ESS management method, and ESS management system

Abstract

An ESS management device disclosed in the present document comprises: a memory; and a processor operatively connected to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to: obtain vehicle usage data from a first battery pack used in a vehicle among a plurality of battery packs of an energy storage system (ESS); obtain charge state data of remaining battery packs other than the first battery pack among the plurality of battery packs; and select a second battery pack to be replaced with the first battery pack among the remaining battery packs on the basis of the vehicle usage data and the charge state data.

Description

ESS management device, ESS management method, and ESS management system

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0088443, filed July 4, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0117274, filed September 4, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] Embodiments disclosed in this document relate to an energy storage system (ESS) management device, an ESS management method, and an ESS management system.

[0005] Recently, active research and development has been conducted on secondary batteries. The term "secondary battery" refers to a rechargeable battery, encompassing both conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries, as well as recent lithium-ion batteries. Among secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries can boast higher energy densities than conventional Ni / Cd and Ni / MH batteries. They can be manufactured in small and lightweight designs, making them highly versatile power sources for mobile devices. Recently, their use has expanded to include power sources for electric vehicles, attracting attention as a next-generation energy storage medium.

[0006] Embodiments disclosed in this document provide an energy storage system (ESS) management device, an ESS management method, and an ESS management system that enable power from an ESS to be utilized in an electric vehicle.

[0007] The embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the descriptions below.

[0008] According to some embodiments disclosed in the present document, an ESS management device includes a memory; and a processor operatively connected to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to obtain vehicle usage data from a first battery pack used in a vehicle among a plurality of battery packs of an energy storage system (ESS), obtain state-of-charge data of battery packs remaining from among the plurality of battery packs excluding the first battery pack, and select a second battery pack to be replaced with the first battery pack among the remaining battery packs based on the vehicle usage data and the state-of-charge data.

[0009] According to some embodiments, the processor is configured to establish a communication channel with a first pack management device of the first battery pack when entry into a replacement mode of the first battery pack is detected, and to obtain the vehicle usage data from the first pack management device through the communication channel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to enter the replacement mode when a battery replacement button provided for removing the first battery pack from the vehicle is pressed by a user, or when the first battery pack is separated from the vehicle.

[0011] According to some embodiments, the vehicle usage data includes auxiliary usage data regarding power usage of the first battery pack for auxiliary functions other than the driving function of the vehicle and acceleration data regarding an impact event in the vehicle of the first battery pack, wherein the auxiliary functions include an air conditioning function for the interior of the vehicle, and the air conditioning function includes a cooling function, a heating function, a ventilation function, and a dehumidification function.

[0012] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to display a location where the second battery pack is stored in the ESS and to inform the user of this, and to diagnose whether the first battery pack is abnormal based on the acceleration data after the first battery pack is returned to the ESS.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the processor is configured to calculate a first average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide to the vehicle on average based on accumulated data of the auxiliary usage data used by the vehicle of the first battery pack, and to select the second battery pack based on the first average power amount and a second average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide to the installation location of the ESS on average.

[0014] In some embodiments, the processor is configured to calculate recommendation scores for the remaining battery packs based on the health states of the remaining battery packs, the first average power amount, and the second average power amount, and to select the second battery pack from among the remaining battery packs based on the recommendation scores.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the processor is configured to calculate a first suitability score indicating whether each of the remaining battery packs is suitable for use in the vehicle based on the remaining charge amounts of the remaining battery packs and the first average power amount, calculate a second suitability score indicating whether each of the remaining battery packs is suitable for use at the installation site of the ESS based on the remaining charge amounts of the remaining battery packs and the second average power amount, and calculate a recommendation score for each of the remaining battery packs based on the health status of each of the remaining battery packs, the first suitability score, and the second suitability score.

[0016] According to some embodiments disclosed in the present document, an ESS management method includes the steps of: obtaining vehicle usage data from a first battery pack used in a vehicle among a plurality of battery packs of an energy storage system (ESS); obtaining state of charge data of battery packs remaining among the plurality of battery packs excluding the first battery pack; and selecting a second battery pack to be replaced with the first battery pack among the remaining battery packs based on the vehicle usage data and the state of charge data.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the step of acquiring the vehicle usage data includes the step of forming a communication channel with a first pack management device of the first battery pack when entry into a replacement mode of the first battery pack is detected; and the step of acquiring the vehicle usage data from the first pack management device through the communication channel.

[0018] In some embodiments, the step of forming the communication channel comprises entering the replacement mode when a battery replacement button provided for removing the first battery pack from the vehicle is pressed by a user, or when the first battery pack is separated from the vehicle.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the vehicle usage data includes auxiliary usage data regarding power usage of the first battery pack for auxiliary functions other than the driving function of the vehicle and acceleration data regarding an impact event in the vehicle of the first battery pack, wherein the auxiliary functions include an air conditioning function for the interior of the vehicle, and the air conditioning function includes a cooling function, a heating function, a ventilation function, and a dehumidification function.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the ESS management method further includes the step of displaying a location where the second battery pack is stored in the ESS and informing the user of this; and the step of diagnosing whether the first battery pack is abnormal based on the acceleration data after the first battery pack is returned to the ESS.

[0021] In some embodiments, the step of selecting the second battery pack includes: calculating a first average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide to the vehicle on average based on accumulated data of the auxiliary usage data of the first battery pack in the vehicle; and selecting the second battery pack based on the first average power amount and a second average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide to the installation location of the ESS on average.

[0022] In some embodiments, the step of selecting the second battery pack includes the step of calculating recommendation scores for the remaining battery packs based on the health states of the remaining battery packs, the first average power amount, and the second average power amount; and the step of selecting the second battery pack based on the recommendation scores.

[0023] In some embodiments, the step of calculating the recommendation scores includes: calculating a first suitability score indicating whether each of the remaining battery packs is suitable for use in the vehicle based on the remaining charge amounts of the remaining battery packs and the first average power amount; calculating a second suitability score indicating whether each of the remaining battery packs is suitable for use at the installation site of the ESS based on the remaining charge amounts of the remaining battery packs and the second average power amount; and calculating a recommendation score for each of the remaining battery packs based on the health state of each of the remaining battery packs, the first suitability score, and the second suitability score.

[0024] According to some embodiments disclosed in the present document, an ESS management system includes a plurality of battery packs of an energy storage system (ESS); and an ESS management device configured to obtain vehicle usage data from a first battery pack used in a vehicle among the plurality of battery packs, obtain state of charge data of battery packs remaining among the plurality of battery packs excluding the first battery pack, and select a second battery pack to be replaced with the first battery pack among the remaining battery packs based on the vehicle usage data and the state of charge data.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the ESS management device is configured to establish a communication channel with a first pack management device of the first battery pack when entry into a replacement mode of the first battery pack is detected, and to obtain the vehicle usage data from the first pack management device through the communication channel.

[0026] According to some embodiments, the ESS management device is configured to enter the replacement mode when a battery replacement button provided for removing the first battery pack from the vehicle is pressed by a user, or when the first battery pack is separated from the vehicle.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the vehicle usage data includes auxiliary usage data regarding power usage used for auxiliary functions other than the driving function of the vehicle and acceleration data regarding an impact event of the vehicle, wherein the auxiliary functions include an air conditioning function for the interior of the vehicle, and the air conditioning function includes a cooling function, a heating function, a ventilation function, and a dehumidification function.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the ESS management device is configured to display a location where the second battery pack is stored in the ESS and to inform the user of this, and to diagnose whether the first battery pack is abnormal based on the acceleration data after the first battery pack is returned to the ESS.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the ESS management device is configured to calculate a first average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide to the vehicle on average based on accumulated data of the auxiliary usage data of the first battery pack, and to select the second battery pack based on the first average power amount and a second average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide to the installation location of the ESS on average.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the ESS management device is configured to calculate recommendation scores for the remaining battery packs based on the health states of the remaining battery packs, the first average power amount, and the second average power amount, and to select the second battery pack based on the recommendation scores.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the ESS management device is configured to calculate a first suitability score indicating whether each of the remaining battery packs is suitable for use in the vehicle based on the remaining charge amounts of the remaining battery packs and the first average power amount, calculate a second suitability score indicating whether each of the remaining battery packs is suitable for use at the installation site of the ESS based on the remaining charge amounts of the remaining battery packs and the second average power amount, and calculate a recommendation score for each of the remaining battery packs based on the health state of each of the remaining battery packs, the first suitability score, and the second suitability score.

[0032] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, an energy storage system (ESS) management device, an ESS management method, and an ESS management system that enable power of an ESS to be utilized in an electric vehicle can be provided.

[0033] The technical effects according to the embodiments disclosed in this document are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art according to the disclosure of this document.

[0034] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 may illustrate elements constituting an ESS management system according to some embodiments.

[0036] FIG. 2 may illustrate a structure in which multiple battery packs are used in an ESS management system according to some embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 3 may illustrate elements constituting an ESS management device according to some embodiments.

[0038] FIG. 4 may illustrate the structure of a battery pack utilized in a home or vehicle in an ESS management system according to some embodiments.

[0039] FIG. 5 may illustrate how a battery pack of an ESS operates in a vehicle according to some embodiments.

[0040] FIG. 6 may illustrate a process of providing power to an air conditioning unit after a battery pack of an ESS according to some embodiments is mounted on a vehicle.

[0041] FIG. 7 may illustrate a process in which a battery pack is returned from a vehicle to an ESS according to some embodiments.

[0042] FIG. 8 may illustrate steps of configuring an ESS management method according to some embodiments.

[0043] FIG. 9 may illustrate a step of an ESS management device according to some embodiments to select a second battery pack to be replaced with a first battery pack.

[0044] In some of the accompanying drawings, corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings illustrate elements simply and clearly and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, to facilitate understanding of various embodiments, the dimensions of some elements depicted in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements. Furthermore, elements of known technology that are useful or essential in commercially feasible embodiments may often not be depicted so as not to obscure the spirit of various embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments described in this document are described with reference to the attached drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the disclosure of this document to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that various modifications, equivalents, and / or alternatives of the embodiments described in this document are included.

[0046] The embodiments and terminology used in this document are not intended to limit the technical features described in this document to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiment. In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the item, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0047] In this document, the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can each include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "first", "second", "first", "second", "A", "B", "(a)", or "(b)" may be used merely to distinguish the corresponding component from other corresponding components, and do not limit the corresponding components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order) unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0048] In this document, when a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected,” with or without the terms “functionally” or “communicatively,” or “coupled” or “connected,” it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., wired or wirelessly), or indirectly (e.g., via a third component).

[0049] The methods according to various embodiments disclosed in this document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a commodity between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read-only memory, CD-ROM), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) through an application store or directly between two user devices. In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0050] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include one or more entities, and some of the entities may be separated and placed in other components. According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, one or more components or operations of the aforementioned components may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components identically or similarly to those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, the operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0051] Embodiments disclosed in this document provide an energy storage system (ESS) management device, an ESS management method, and an ESS management system that enable power from an ESS to be utilized in an electric vehicle.

[0052] For efficient power utilization, secondary batteries can be configured as ESS. A residential ESS stores solar power in battery packs comprised of secondary batteries, allowing the stored energy to be used within the home. ESS can also be used in offices and commercial settings. Meanwhile, research is underway to expand the applications of ESS beyond the confines of the home, and even into mobility sectors like electric vehicles, where energy supply and demand issues related to driving range are constantly being addressed.

[0053] FIG. 1 illustrates elements constituting an ESS management system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 1, the ESS management system (100) disclosed herein may include an energy storage device (ESS) 120, and the ESS (120) may provide power not only to a home (110) but also to a vehicle (130). According to an embodiment, the ESS (120) may include a home solar power device, and may be utilized for office or business purposes in addition to the home.

[0055] An ESS (120) may include an ESS management device (121) and a plurality of battery packs (122). If the ESS (120) is a home ESS device, electric energy converted from solar energy may be charged into a plurality of battery packs (122), and the power of the plurality of battery packs (122) may be utilized for various purposes within the home. For such purposes, the ESS management device (121) may perform charging, discharging, and management functions of the plurality of battery packs (122).

[0056] For home ESS devices, battery utilization may be limited to home use, and a method for utilizing the power of multiple battery packs (122) outside the home may be needed. In this regard, power from home ESS devices may be utilized in electric vehicles.

[0057] Electric vehicles can utilize a main battery as a driving power source. A DC-DC converter can convert the main battery's power into control power, which can then be used in the vehicle's control unit. The main battery of an electric vehicle is also used to power air conditioning systems, such as heating and cooling systems. However, utilizing these air conditioning functions can reduce the main battery's capacity, which can shorten the vehicle's driving range. Furthermore, because it's generally difficult to predict air conditioning usage, the accuracy of predicting the vehicle's driving range can also be reduced.

[0058] The ESS management system (100) configures the battery pack (122) of the home ESS device (120) to be portable and movable, thereby increasing its usability, and as a result, the use of the battery pack can be expanded beyond home use to, for example, the air conditioning system of an electric vehicle. When an ESS battery is utilized in the air conditioning system of an electric vehicle, the problem of a driver not actively using the air conditioning system due to concern that he or she will not be able to reach the destination due to insufficient capacity of the main battery for driving the electric vehicle can be solved.

[0059] The home ESS device disclosed herein may be equipped with multiple battery packs of the same type. According to one embodiment, each battery pack of the battery packs (122) may be attachable and detachable, and may be charged and stored by the home ESS device (120). Each battery pack may be detachable and separated from the home ESS device, and may exchange battery information with the ESS (120) from outside the ESS (120) via a short-range communication method such as Bluetooth. Each battery pack may have an acceleration sensor, and when an impact event occurs, it may record the event and independently diagnose related problems. For example, information such as the state of health (SOH), state of charge (SOC), and whether or not the battery pack has been impacted may be transmitted to the ESS (120), and the ESS (120) may recommend the optimal battery pack for replacement through an algorithm.

[0060] The ESS management system (100) disclosed herein is configured to use a household ESS battery as a power source for an electric vehicle air conditioning system, and according to one embodiment, the main battery of the electric vehicle is selectively used only for power and control purposes, and the household ESS battery is used for driving the air conditioning system. Since the current technology covers both the driving and air conditioning systems with the main battery of the electric vehicle, there is a problem that the driving range of the electric vehicle is reduced when the air conditioning system is used, if the household ESS battery is used for the air conditioning system of the electric vehicle, the main battery can be used only as a power source, and thus the prediction consistency of the driving range by the main battery can be increased.

[0061] FIG. 2 may illustrate a structure in which multiple battery packs (121) are used in an ESS management system (100) according to some embodiments.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 2, in the ESS management system (100) disclosed herein, the plurality of battery packs (122) may include four battery packs, including the first battery pack (1221) to the fourth battery pack (1224). Meanwhile, the number of the plurality of battery packs (122) may be less than four or more than five, unlike the example.

[0063] In one embodiment, the first battery pack (1221) of the ESS (120) disclosed herein is designed to supply power to a vehicle (130). For example, the first battery pack (1221) can be removed and separated from the ESS (120) and mounted on the vehicle (130), and can supply power to an air conditioning unit of the vehicle (130). The air conditioning unit of the vehicle (130) can perform a heating function, a cooling function, a ventilation function, a dehumidification function, etc. When the first battery pack (1221) of the ESS (120) is discharged in the vehicle (130), the user can detach the first battery pack (1221) from the vehicle (130) and return it to the ESS (120).

[0064] The second battery pack (1222) to the fourth battery pack (1224) can provide power to the outside of the ESS (120) according to the original function of the ESS (120). According to an embodiment, the ESS (120) can be a home ESS device, and the second battery pack (1222) to the fourth battery pack (1224) can supply power to other electronic devices in a home where the ESS (120) is installed. When the first battery pack (1221) is returned, any one of the second battery pack (1222) to the fourth battery pack (1224) can be selected as the next battery pack by the ESS management device (121) of the ESS (120), and the selected battery pack can be mounted on the vehicle (130).

[0065] FIG. 3 may illustrate elements constituting an ESS management device according to some embodiments.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 3, the ESS management device (121) may include a memory (1211) and a processor (1212). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and some components may be omitted from the ESS management device (121), or other general-purpose components may be further included in the ESS management device (121).

[0067] The memory (1211) and the processor (1212) may be operatively connected. In an embodiment, the memory (1211) and the processor (1212) may be electrically connected to each other via a device-to-device communication method. In one embodiment, the device-to-device communication method may include a bus, a general purpose input and output (GPIO), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), a mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), and the like.

[0068] The memory (1211) of the ESS management device (121) may be configured to store various data, commands, software, mobile applications, computer programs, etc. For example, the memory (1211) may be implemented as a non-volatile device such as a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a flash memory, a PRAM, an MRAM, an RRAM, an FRAM, etc., or a volatile device such as a DRAM, an SRAM, an SDRAM, a PRAM, etc., and may be implemented in the form of an HDD, an SSD, an SD, a Micro-SD, etc., or in the form of a combination thereof.

[0069] The processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121) can implement operations of the ESS management device (121) by executing commands stored in the memory (1211). The processor (1212) can be implemented as an array of multiple logic gates for processing various operations or as a general-purpose microprocessor, and can be composed of a single processor or multiple processors. For example, the processor (1212) can be implemented in the form of at least one of a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, and an AP.

[0070] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the structure and operation of an ESS battery pack (500) that supplies power to a home (110) or a vehicle (130) in an ESS management system (100) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. According to an embodiment, the ESS battery pack (500) may correspond to each of a plurality of battery packs (122).

[0071] A battery pack (500) may include a plurality of battery modules (540) installed inside the pack and a pack management device (530) for managing the plurality of battery modules (540). The pack management device (530) may measure voltage, current, temperature, etc. of each of the plurality of battery modules (540) installed inside the pack, and may perform a management function for the plurality of battery modules (540) based on these. According to one embodiment, the pack management device (530) may operate according to instructions of the ESS management device (121).

[0072] The battery pack (500) is normally fixed to the ESS (120), and can be detached and separated from the ESS (120) as needed. The battery pack (500) detached and separated from the ESS (120) can be mounted on a vehicle (130). The battery pack (500) according to one embodiment can supply power to various electronic devices at a home (110) or another installation location of the ESS (120), and for this purpose can be carried or transported by a user. The front end (511) of the battery pack (500) can include a handle (512) that assists in mounting, detaching, and carrying the battery pack (500).

[0073] Referring to FIG. 5, a vehicle (130) may include a vehicle battery (131), a vehicle control device (132), a vehicle air conditioning device (133), and a vehicle driving device (134). According to an embodiment, an ESS battery pack (500) may mean a first battery pack (1221) mounted on a vehicle (130) among a plurality of battery packs (122), and the remaining battery packs (123) may be charged and stored by the ESS (120).

[0074] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle control device (132) in a vehicle (130) can operate a vehicle air conditioning device (133) and a vehicle drive device (134) using power from a vehicle battery (131). Meanwhile, when an ESS battery pack (500) is mounted in the vehicle (130), the vehicle control device (132) can selectively operate the vehicle air conditioning device (133) using power from the ESS battery pack (500), and can operate a vehicle drive device (134) of the vehicle (130), which is, for example, an electric vehicle, using power from the vehicle battery (131).

[0075] According to an embodiment, the ESS battery pack (500) may include a communication module (510), an acceleration sensor (520), a pack management device (530), and a plurality of battery modules (540). According to one embodiment, the communication module (510) may include a Bluetooth module for wirelessly communicating with the ESS management device (121). In addition, the acceleration sensor (520) of the ESS battery pack (500) may include a gyro sensor for recording an impact event of the vehicle (130). The pack management device (530) may include a memory and a processor on its own. The ESS battery pack (500) may further include a battery replacement button (550) for removal and separation.

[0076] Hereinafter, the operation of the ESS management system (100) disclosed in the present invention will be described, focusing on the operation of the ESS management device (121).

[0077] Below, the operation of the ESS management system (100) is described.

[0078] The processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121) may be configured to obtain usage data (vehicle usage data) in the vehicle (130) from a first battery pack (1221) used in the vehicle (130) among a plurality of battery packs (122) of the energy storage device (ESS) 120. The vehicle usage data may include data regarding the amount of power supplied by the first battery pack to the vehicle (130). According to an embodiment, the vehicle usage data may include the usage amount of the first battery pack in the air conditioning device of the vehicle (130). According to an embodiment, the first battery pack (1221) may not belong to the plurality of battery packs (122) of the ESS (120), in which case the first battery pack (1221) may be an external battery pack compatible with the ESS (120).

[0079] The processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121) may be configured to acquire charge status data of the remaining battery packs, excluding the first battery pack (1221), among the plurality of battery packs (122). According to an embodiment, the remaining battery packs may be charged by solar energy and supply power to the home (110). The charge status data may include the current charge level of each of the remaining battery packs, the solar energy charge level, the amount of power provided to the home (110), etc.

[0080] The processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121) may be configured to select a second battery pack (1222) to be replaced with the first battery pack (1221) among the remaining battery packs based on vehicle usage data and charging status data. For example, based on the vehicle usage data and charging status data, the average power consumed by the air conditioning device of the vehicle (130) and the average power supplied by the battery pack to the home (110) may be calculated, and based on these, the second battery pack (1222) to be replaced with the first battery pack (1221) may be selected.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121) may be configured to establish a communication channel with the pack management device (530) of the ESS battery pack (500) when entry into the replacement mode of the ESS battery pack (500) (e.g., the first battery pack (1221)) is detected, and to acquire vehicle usage data from the pack management device (530) through the communication channel. In the replacement mode, vehicle usage data of the ESS battery pack (500) may be acquired, and a second battery pack (1222) to be replaced with the ESS battery pack (500) may be selected. The communication channel between the pack management device (530) and the ESS management device (121) may include, for example, a short-range communication channel such as Bluetooth. Since short-range wireless communication is possible, a user can prepare for battery pack replacement simply by moving the vehicle (130) to a location close to the ESS (120) without a wired connection.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121) may be configured to enter a replacement mode when a battery replacement button (550) provided for removing the ESS battery pack (500) from the vehicle (130) is pressed by a user, or when the ESS battery pack (500) is separated from the vehicle (130). Each of the plurality of battery packs (122) in the ESS (120) may be provided with a battery replacement button (550), which may be configured to release the connection between the vehicle (130) and each battery pack. In this case, the battery pack replacement may be prepared by entering the replacement mode at the same time as the connection is released. Alternatively, the replacement mode may be started when the used ESS battery pack (500) is separated from the vehicle (130) without pressing the button (550). In this manner, the user's waiting time required for battery pack replacement may be reduced.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the vehicle usage data includes auxiliary usage data regarding power usage used for auxiliary functions other than the driving function of the vehicle (130) and acceleration data regarding an impact event of the vehicle (130), and the auxiliary functions include an air conditioning function for the interior of the vehicle (130), and the air conditioning function may include a cooling function, a heating function, a ventilation function, and a dehumidification function. The ESS battery pack (500) mounted in the vehicle (130) may provide power to the auxiliary functions, and the main battery of the vehicle (130) may provide power to the driving function. Therefore, in an electric vehicle, the driving distance of the vehicle (130) may be prevented from being shortened and the accuracy of the estimated driving distance may be prevented from being reduced due to the main battery being used for auxiliary functions. According to an embodiment, among the auxiliary functions, the air conditioning function may have the largest power consumption, and the ESS battery pack (500) may perform a power auxiliary function centered on the air conditioning function.

[0084] Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 5, the processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121) according to the embodiment may be further configured to display the location where the second battery pack (1222) is stored in the ESS (120) on the display (1213) and to inform the user thereof, and to diagnose whether the first battery pack (1221) is abnormal based on acceleration data after the first battery pack (1221) is returned to the ESS (120). When the second battery pack (1222) to be replaced with the first battery pack (1221) is selected, the ESS management device (121) may display the storage location of the second battery pack (1222) within the ESS (120) on the display (1213) and inform the user thereof. After the first battery pack (1221) is returned to the location where the second battery pack (1222) was stored, a diagnosis can be performed on the first battery pack (1221), and whether there is an abnormality due to an impact event of the vehicle (130) can be diagnosed based on acceleration data. For example, if an acceleration exceeding a reference value is detected, it can be diagnosed that pack damage due to the impact is suspected.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121) may be configured to calculate a first average power amount (P_avg_car) that the plurality of battery packs (122) provide to the vehicle (130) on average based on accumulated data of auxiliary usage data of the first battery pack (1221), and select a second battery pack (1222) based on the first average power amount (P_avg_car) and a second average power amount (P_avg_home) that the plurality of battery packs (122) provide to the installation location of the ESS (120). The ESS management device (121) may analyze how suitable each of the remaining battery packs (123) is for replacement based on the first average power amount (P_avg_car) and the second average power amount (P_avg_home). The installation location of the ESS (120) may be a home (110), but is not limited thereto, and may include an office or a business space.

[0086] According to an embodiment, the processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121) may be configured to calculate recommendation scores (R_i) for each of the remaining battery packs based on the health states (SOH_i), the first average power amount (P_avg_car), and the second average power amount (P_avg_home) of the remaining battery packs (123), and to select a second battery pack (1222) to be used as the ESS battery pack (500) among the remaining battery packs (123) based on the recommendation scores (R_i). The health state (SOH_i) of the ith battery pack of the ESS (120) may be calculated through an SOH estimation algorithm. The battery pack having the highest recommendation score (R_i) may be selected as the second battery pack (1222).

[0087] According to an embodiment, the processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121) may be configured to calculate a first suitability score (N_car) indicating whether each of the remaining battery packs (123) is suitable for use in a vehicle (130) based on the remaining charge amounts (SOC_i) and the first average power amount (P_avg_car) of the remaining battery packs (123), calculate a second suitability score (N_home) indicating whether each of the remaining battery packs (123) is suitable for use in an installation location of the ESS (120), for example, a home (110), based on the remaining charge amounts (SOC_i) and the second average power amount (P_avg_home) of the remaining battery packs (123), and calculate a recommendation score (R_i) of each of the remaining battery packs (123) based on the health state (SOH_i), the first suitability score (N_car), and the second suitability score (N_home) of each of the remaining battery packs (123). According to an embodiment, the recommendation score (R_i) of each of the remaining battery packs (123) can be calculated according to mathematical expression 1.

[0088]

[0089] In Equation 1, the recommendation score (R_i) can be calculated based on the first fitness score (N_car), the health status (SOH_i), and the second fitness score (N_home). To address the issue of the values ​​becoming small when using an exponential function, the first fitness score (N_car), the health status (SOH_i), and the second fitness score (N_home) can be normalized. Weights (w1, w2, w3) can be applied to the three normalized variables. Equations 2 to 4 can represent specific normalization methods.

[0090]

[0091]

[0092]

[0093] In mathematical expression 4, E_i may denote the current remaining charge of the ith battery pack. E_i may be calculated by multiplying the state of charge (SOC_i) by the conversion factor (C_i). E_total may denote the total power of the remaining battery packs (123) remaining in the ESS (120). In mathematical expression 3, E_left may denote the power remaining in the ESS (120) when the ith battery pack is excluded. The larger the value of E_left - P_avg_home, the higher the recommendation score (R_i). In mathematical expression 2, max_N_car may denote the largest value among the values ​​of E_i - P_avg_car of the remaining battery packs (123), and min_N_car may denote the smallest value among the values ​​of E_i - P_avg_car of the remaining battery packs (123).

[0094] FIG. 6 illustrates a process of providing power to an air conditioning device after an ESS battery pack (500) according to some embodiments is mounted on a vehicle.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 6, the process (600) of providing power to an air conditioning device after an ESS battery pack (500) is mounted on a vehicle (130) may include detailed steps (602, 604, ..., 628).

[0096] In step (602), an ESS battery pack (500) can be mounted on a vehicle (130), and in step (604), a control device (132) of the vehicle (130) can allow communication and power transfer with the ESS battery pack (500). In step (606), the ESS battery pack (500) can transfer power to an air conditioning system of the vehicle (130). In step (608), when an impact event of the vehicle (130) occurs, an acceleration sensor (520) of the ESS battery pack (500) can operate. In step (610), a pack management device (530) of the ESS battery pack (500) can record the frequency and magnitude of impact applied to the ESS battery pack (500).

[0097] In step (612), the pack management device (530) of the ESS battery pack (500) can diagnose the status of the ESS battery pack (500) in relation to the impact event. For example, the pack management device (530) can check whether the magnitude of the impact exceeds a reference value in step (614), check whether the frequency of the impact exceeds a reference value in step (616), check whether the state of charge (SOC) of the ESS battery pack (500) falls below a reference value in step (618), and check whether other problems of the ESS battery pack (500) occur in step (620).

[0098] If the results of steps (614) to (620) are all “N” (NO), the process returns to step (606) so that the ESS battery pack (500) can continue to supply power to the vehicle (130). If the results of steps (614) to (620) are at least one “Y” (YES), data regarding an impact event can be recorded in step (622), and in step (624), the vehicle control device (132) of the vehicle (130) can stop discharging the ESS battery pack (500), and in step (626), the vehicle control device (132) of the vehicle (130) can display the reason for the stop to the driver of the vehicle (130), and in step (628), the vehicle control device (132) of the vehicle (130) can operate the air conditioning system with power from the vehicle battery (131), which is the main battery.

[0099] FIG. 7 illustrates a process in which an ESS battery pack (500) is returned from a vehicle (130) to an ESS (120) according to some embodiments.

[0100] Referring to FIG. 7, the process (700) of returning a battery pack from a vehicle (130) to an ESS (120) may include detailed steps (702, 704, ..., 730).

[0101] In step (702), the ESS management device (121) of the ESS (120) can detect the separation or button input of the ESS battery pack (500). In step (704), the ESS management device (121) can be paired with the pack management device (530) of the ESS battery pack (500). In step (706), the pack management device (530) of the ESS battery pack (500) can transmit separation information, such as the remaining battery capacity and the impact event log, to the ESS management device (121). In step (708), the pack management device (530) can additionally transmit SOC information and diagnostic information to the ESS management device (121).

[0102] In step (710), the ESS management device (121) can receive information from the pack management device (530). In step (712), the ESS management device (121) can calculate the predicted usage and actual usage of the battery pack in the vehicle (130). In step (714), the ESS management device (121) can recommend a pack to be replaced through an algorithm for optimal battery selection among the remaining battery packs (123). In step (716), the ESS management device (121) can display the storage location of the pack to be replaced to the user. In step (718), the ESS management device (121) can recognize that the pack to be replaced is separated from the ESS (120). In step (720), the ESS management device (121) can recognize that the pack separated from the vehicle (130) and returned to the ESS (120) is located at the location where the pack to be replaced is separated.

[0103] In step (722), the ESS management device (121) can measure the SOC of the pack separated from the vehicle (130) and returned to the ESS (120), and can perform a diagnostic algorithm on the returned pack. In step (724), the ESS management device (121) can check whether a diagnostic record by the pack management device (530) of the returned pack exists. In step (726), the ESS management device (121) can check whether the impact frequency and size of the returned pack exceed a reference value. If the results of both steps (724) and (726) are "N" (NO), the ESS management device (121) can start charging the returned pack in step (728). If the result of either step (724) or step (726) is “Y” (YES), the ESS management device (121) can stop charging the slot where the returned pack is located and transmit relevant information to the user and / or administrator.

[0104] FIG. 8 may illustrate steps of an ESS management method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 8, the ESS management method (800) may include steps (810) to (830). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and some steps may be omitted or other general steps may be added, and the steps of the ESS management method (800) may be executed in a different order than the illustrated order.

[0106] The ESS management method (800) may be composed of steps that are processed in a time-series manner in the ESS management device (121). Therefore, even if the content is omitted below, the content described above for the ESS management device (121) may be equally applied to the ESS management method (800).

[0107] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, steps (810) to (830) of the ESS management method (800) may be performed by the memory (1211) and processor (1212) of the ESS management device (121).

[0108] In step (810), the ESS management device (121) can obtain vehicle usage data from a first battery pack (1221) used in the vehicle among a plurality of battery packs (122) of the ESS (120).

[0109] In step (820), the ESS management device (121) can obtain charge status data of the remaining battery packs (123) excluding the first battery pack (1221) among the plurality of battery packs (122).

[0110] In step (830), the ESS management device (121) may select a second battery pack (1222) to be replaced with the first battery pack (1221) among the remaining battery packs (123) based on the vehicle usage data and the state of charge data. Referring to FIG. 9, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ESS management device (121) may select a second battery pack (1222) to be replaced with the first battery pack (1221) among the remaining battery packs (123) by performing the following steps. However, these steps are not limited thereto, and some steps may be omitted or other general steps may be added, and the steps of the ESS battery pack selection method (900) may be executed in a different order from the illustrated order.

[0111] First, in step (910), the ESS management device (121) calculates a first average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide to the vehicle (130) on average based on accumulated data of the auxiliary usage data used by the vehicle (130) of the first battery pack (1221).

[0112] In step (920), the ESS management device (121) calculates a second average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide on average to the installation location of the ESS.

[0113] In step (930), the ESS management device (121) calculates the health status of the remaining battery packs (123) using, for example, an SOH estimation algorithm.

[0114] In step (940), the ESS management device (121) calculates a first suitability score indicating whether each of the remaining battery packs (123) is suitable for use in the vehicle (130) based on the remaining charge amounts of the remaining battery packs (123) and the first average power amount.

[0115] In step (950), the ESS management device (121) calculates a second suitability score indicating whether each of the remaining battery packs (123) is suitable for use at the installation site of the ESS based on the remaining charge amounts of the remaining battery packs (123) and the second average power amount.

[0116] In step (960), the ESS management device (121) calculates the recommendation scores of the remaining battery packs (123) using the first suitability score, the second suitability score, and the health status.

[0117] In step (970), the ESS management device (121) selects the battery pack with the highest recommendation score as the second battery pack (1222) to be replaced with the first battery pack (1221).

[0118] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the ESS management method (800) and the battery pack selection method (900) may be implemented in the form of a computer program stored on a computer-readable storage medium. That is, the computer program may include instructions for implementing the ESS management method (800) and the battery pack selection method (900), and the program instructions may be stored on the computer-readable storage medium. The computer program may include a mobile application.

[0119] According to an embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium may include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute computer program instructions such as ROMs, RAMs, flash memories, and the like. The computer program instructions may include machine language codes generated by a compiler and high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0120] The terms "include," "comprise," or "have" used herein, unless otherwise specifically stated, imply that the corresponding component may be included, and therefore should be interpreted to include other components rather than to exclude other components. All terms, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain, unless otherwise defined. Commonly used terms, such as terms defined in dictionaries, should be interpreted to be consistent with their contextual meaning in the relevant art, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined in this document.

[0121] The above description is merely an illustrative description of the technical idea disclosed in this document, and those skilled in the art to which the embodiments disclosed in this document pertain may make various modifications and variations without departing from the essential characteristics of the embodiments disclosed in this document. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in this document are not intended to limit the technical idea of ​​the embodiments disclosed in this document, but to explain it, and the scope of the technical idea disclosed in this document is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the technical idea disclosed in this document should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of rights of this document.

[0122] [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 100: ESS Management System 110: Home

[0124] 120: ESS 121: ESS management device

[0125] 1211: Memory 1212: Processor

[0126] 122: Multiple battery packs 1221: First battery pack

[0127] 123: Remaining battery packs 130: Vehicle

Claims

1. Memory; and comprising a processor operatively connected to said memory, The above processor obtains vehicle usage data from a first battery pack used in the vehicle, Obtaining charge status data of multiple battery packs of an energy storage system (ESS), An ESS management device configured to select a second battery pack to be replaced with the first battery pack among the plurality of battery packs based on the vehicle usage data and the charging status data.

2. In paragraph 1, The processor, when detecting entry into the replacement mode of the first battery pack, forms a communication channel with the first pack management device of the first battery pack, An ESS management device configured to obtain the vehicle usage data from the first pack management device through the communication channel.

3. In paragraph 2, An ESS management device, wherein the processor is configured to enter the replacement mode when a battery replacement button provided for removing the first battery pack from the vehicle is pressed by a user, or when the first battery pack is separated from the vehicle.

4. In paragraph 1, The vehicle usage data includes auxiliary usage data regarding the amount of power used by the first battery pack for auxiliary functions other than the driving function of the vehicle and acceleration data regarding an impact event in the vehicle of the first battery pack, An ESS management device wherein the above auxiliary functions include an air conditioning function for the interior of the vehicle, and the air conditioning function includes a cooling function, a heating function, a ventilation function, and a dehumidification function.

5. In paragraph 4, The processor displays the location where the second battery pack is stored in the ESS on the display and informs the user, An ESS management device further configured to diagnose whether the first battery pack is abnormal based on the acceleration data after the first battery pack is returned to the ESS.

6. In paragraph 4, The processor calculates a first average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide to the vehicle on average based on accumulated data of the auxiliary usage data used in the vehicle of the first battery pack, An ESS management device configured to select the second battery pack based on the first average power amount and the second average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide on average to the installation location of the ESS.

7. In paragraph 6, The processor calculates recommendation scores for the plurality of battery packs based on the health states of the plurality of battery packs, the first average power amount, and the second average power amount, An ESS management device configured to select the second battery pack from among the plurality of battery packs based on the above recommendation scores.

8. In paragraph 7, The processor calculates a first suitability score indicating whether each of the plurality of battery packs is suitable for use in the vehicle based on the remaining charge amounts of the plurality of battery packs and the first average power amount, Calculate a second suitability score indicating whether each of the plurality of battery packs is suitable for use at the installation site of the ESS based on the remaining charge amounts of the plurality of battery packs and the second average power amount, An ESS management device configured to calculate a recommendation score for each of the remaining battery packs based on the health status of each of the plurality of battery packs, the first suitability score, and the second suitability score.

9. A step of obtaining vehicle usage data from a first battery pack used in the vehicle; A step of acquiring charge status data of multiple battery packs of an energy storage system (ESS); and An ESS management method comprising a step of selecting a second battery pack to be replaced with the first battery pack among the plurality of battery packs based on the vehicle usage data and the charging status data.

10. In paragraph 9, The step of acquiring the above vehicle usage data is: A step of forming a communication channel with a first pack management device of the first battery pack when entry into the replacement mode of the first battery pack is detected; and An ESS management method comprising a step of obtaining the vehicle usage data from the first pack management device through the communication channel.

11. In paragraph 10, A method for managing an ESS, wherein the step of forming the communication channel includes a step of entering the replacement mode when a battery replacement button provided for removing the first battery pack from the vehicle is pressed by a user, or when the first battery pack is separated from the vehicle.

12. In paragraph 9, The vehicle usage data includes auxiliary usage data regarding the amount of power used by the first battery pack for auxiliary functions other than the driving function of the vehicle and acceleration data regarding an impact event in the vehicle by the first battery pack. A method for managing an ESS, wherein the above auxiliary functions include an air conditioning function for the interior of the vehicle, and the air conditioning function includes a cooling function, a heating function, a ventilation function, and a dehumidification function.

13. In paragraph 12, A step of displaying the location where the second battery pack is stored in the ESS and conveying it to the user; and An ESS management method further comprising a step of diagnosing whether the first battery pack is abnormal based on the acceleration data after the first battery pack is returned to the ESS.

14. In paragraph 12, The step of selecting the second battery pack is: A step of calculating a first average power amount provided to the vehicle by the plurality of battery packs on average based on accumulated data of the auxiliary usage data of the first battery pack in the vehicle; and An ESS management method comprising a step of selecting the second battery pack based on the first average power amount and the second average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide on average to the installation location of the ESS.

15. In paragraph 14, The step of selecting the second battery pack is: A step of calculating recommendation scores for the plurality of battery packs based on the health states of the plurality of battery packs, the first average power amount, and the second average power amount; and An ESS management method comprising a step of selecting the second battery pack from among the plurality of battery packs based on the above recommendation scores.

16. In paragraph 15, The steps for calculating the above recommended scores are: A step of calculating a first suitability score indicating whether each of the plurality of battery packs is suitable for use in the vehicle based on the remaining charge amounts of the plurality of battery packs and the first average power amount; A step of calculating a second suitability score indicating whether each of the plurality of battery packs is suitable for use at the installation site of the ESS based on the remaining charge amounts of the plurality of battery packs and the second average power amount; and An ESS management method comprising a step of calculating a recommendation score for each of the remaining battery packs based on the health status of each of the plurality of battery packs, the first suitability score, and the second suitability score.

17. Multiple battery packs of an energy storage system (ESS); and An ESS management system comprising an ESS management device configured to obtain vehicle usage data from a first battery pack used in a vehicle, obtain charging status data of the plurality of battery packs, and select a second battery pack to be replaced with the first battery pack among the plurality of battery packs based on the vehicle usage data and the charging status data.

18. In paragraph 17, The above vehicle usage data includes auxiliary usage data regarding power usage used for auxiliary functions other than the driving function of the vehicle and acceleration data regarding an impact event of the vehicle. An ESS management system wherein the above auxiliary functions include an air conditioning function for the interior of the vehicle, and the air conditioning function includes a cooling function, a heating function, a ventilation function, and a dehumidification function.

19. In paragraph 18, The ESS management device calculates a first average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide to the vehicle on average based on accumulated data of the auxiliary usage data of the first battery pack, An ESS management system configured to select the second battery pack based on the first average power amount and the second average power amount that the plurality of battery packs provide on average to the installation location of the ESS.

20. In paragraph 19, The ESS management device calculates recommendation scores for the plurality of battery packs based on the health states of the plurality of battery packs, the first average power amount, and the second average power amount, An ESS management system configured to select the second battery pack from among the plurality of battery packs based on the above recommendation scores.

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