Power trading matching device and power trading matching method

Abstract

This power trading matching device executes operations including: receiving a charging reservation for a battery from a first terminal used by a battery owner; predicting the amount of power to be generated by a power generation equipment owned by a power generation company; receiving an operation schedule of a delivery vehicle owned by a delivery company from a second terminal used by the delivery company; and creating, on the basis of charging reservation information indicating the received charging reservation for the battery, prediction result information indicating the result of prediction of the amount of power to be generated by the power generation equipment, and operation schedule information indicating the received operation schedule of the delivery vehicle, a delivery plan for the delivery vehicle to deliver the battery from a base facility of the battery owner to a charging facility for charging with the power generated by the power generation equipment.

Description

Power trading matching device and power trading matching method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power trading matching device and a power trading matching method. This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2025-017366 filed on February 5, 2025, and incorporates all the contents described in the Japanese application.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a management device for exchanging the battery of an electric vehicle, which is a distribution vehicle for collecting and delivering goods. When the remaining battery level of the first distribution vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 is below a threshold value, it is determined that the battery is insufficient, and it is determined whether there is an exchangeable battery at the charging facility. When there is no exchangeable battery at the charging facility, a second distribution vehicle with a larger remaining battery level than the first distribution vehicle is determined as a candidate for exchanging the battery with the first distribution vehicle.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-023574

[0004] A power trading matching device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a power trading matching device for matching a battery holder having a battery, a power generation facility holder having a power generation facility, and a vehicle holder having a delivery vehicle. The power trading matching device includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive a charging reservation for the battery from a first terminal used by the battery holder, predict the power generation amount by the power generation facility held by the power generation facility holder, receive an operation schedule of the delivery vehicle held by the vehicle holder from a second terminal used by the vehicle holder, and based on the charging reservation information indicating the received charging reservation for the battery, the prediction result information indicating the prediction result of the power generation amount by the power generation facility, and the operation schedule information indicating the received operation schedule of the delivery vehicle, create a delivery plan for the delivery vehicle to deliver the battery from the base facility of the battery holder to a charging facility for charging by the power generation by the power generation facility.

[0005] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the power trading matching system according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power trading matching system according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the power trading matching device according to the embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a charging plan. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power trading matching device according to the embodiment.

[0006] Electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power is supplied to the power grid of power companies. However, when the amount of electricity supplied from renewable energy sources exceeds the electricity demand, such as during sunny weather, surplus electricity is generated. However, the management device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the use of such surplus electricity.

[0007] According to this disclosure, surplus electricity can be utilized efficiently.

[0008] The embodiments of this disclosure are outlined below.

[0009] (1) The power trading matching system according to this embodiment is a power trading matching device for matching a battery owner who owns a battery, a power generation equipment owner who owns a power generation facility, and a vehicle owner who owns a delivery vehicle, and comprises a processor, the processor performing operations including receiving a battery charging reservation from a first terminal used by the battery owner, predicting the amount of power generated by the power generation facility owned by the power generation equipment owner, receiving the operating schedule of the delivery vehicle owned by the vehicle owner from a second terminal used by the vehicle owner, and creating a delivery plan for the delivery vehicle to deliver the battery from the battery owner's base facility to a charging facility for charging by power generated by the power generation facility, based on the received charging reservation information indicating the battery charging reservation, prediction result information indicating the prediction result of the amount of power generated by the power generation facility, and operating schedule information indicating the operating schedule of the delivery vehicle. This makes it possible to efficiently utilize surplus power to charge the battery owned by the battery owner.

[0010] (2) In (1) above, the charging reservation information may indicate the number of batteries to be charged and the desired delivery date. This allows battery owners to reserve battery charging by entering the number of batteries that need charging and the desired delivery date determined by their planned use of the batteries.

[0011] (3) In (1) or (2) above, the creation may include creating the delivery plan based on the number of batteries to be charged and the desired delivery date indicated by the battery charging reservation, the battery collection point and return point, the predicted power generation amount information from the power generation equipment, and the number of delivery vehicles. This makes it possible to create an accurate delivery plan based on the number of batteries to be charged, the desired delivery date, the battery collection point and return point, the predicted power generation amount information from the power generation equipment, and the number of delivery vehicles.

[0012] (4) In any one of (1) to (3) above, the operation may further include notifying the first terminal of the date and time of collection and return of the battery based on the created delivery plan. This allows the battery owner to know when the battery will be collected and when it will be returned, and to plan how to use the battery.

[0013] (5) In any one of (1) to (4) above, the operation may further include sending a delivery request by the delivery vehicle to the second terminal based on the created delivery plan. This allows the vehicle owner to arrange for a delivery vehicle in accordance with the delivery request.

[0014] (6) In any one of (1) to (5) above, the operation may further include transmitting the battery charging plan to a third terminal used by the power generation equipment owner based on the created delivery plan. This allows the power generation equipment owner to set a power generation schedule (plan).

[0015] (7) The power trading matching method according to this embodiment is a power trading matching method for matching a battery owner who owns a battery, a power generation equipment owner who owns a power generation equipment, and a vehicle owner who owns a delivery vehicle, and includes the steps of: receiving a battery charging reservation from a first terminal used by the battery owner; predicting the amount of power generated by the power generation equipment owned by the power generation equipment owner; receiving the operation schedule of the delivery vehicle owned by the vehicle owner from a second terminal used by the vehicle owner; and creating a delivery plan for the delivery vehicle to deliver the battery from the battery owner's base facility to a charging facility for charging by power generated by the power generation equipment, based on the received battery charging reservation information, prediction result information showing the predicted amount of power generated by the power generation equipment, and the received operation schedule information showing the operation schedule of the delivery vehicle.

[0016] This disclosure can be implemented not only as a power trading matching device having the characteristic configuration described above, and as a power trading matching method including the characteristic steps, but also as a power trading matching device including the power trading matching device, as a computer program that causes a computer to execute the characteristic steps, or as a part or all of the power trading matching device being implemented as a semiconductor integrated circuit.

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. At least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any way.

[0018] [1. Electricity Trading Matching System] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the electricity trading matching system.

[0019] The power trading matching system 10 according to this embodiment is used by a battery-owning business operator 200 that owns a battery 201, a power generation business operator 300 that owns a power generation facility 301, and a delivery business operator 400 that owns a delivery vehicle 401. The battery-owning business operator 200 is an example of a "battery owner". The battery owner may be an individual who owns the battery 201, rather than a company or organization. The power generation business operator 300 is an example of a "power generation facility owner". The power generation facility owner may be an individual who owns the power generation facility 301, rather than a company or organization. The delivery business operator 400 is an example of a "vehicle owner". The vehicle owner may be an individual who owns the delivery vehicle 401, rather than a company or organization.

[0020] More specifically, for example, battery owner 200 is a transportation company and owns multiple vehicles equipped with batteries 201. Battery owner 200 needs to charge batteries 201 for business purposes.

[0021] The power generation company 300 owns renewable energy power generation equipment 301, such as solar power panels and wind power generators. The electricity generated by the power generation company 300 is supplied to the power grid of a power company, for example, but a portion of it becomes surplus electricity.

[0022] The delivery company 400 owns one or more delivery vehicles 401. The delivery company 400 may be, for example, a company that owns multiple delivery vehicles 401, or an individual that owns one delivery vehicle 401.

[0023] The power trading matching system 10 matches battery owners 200 with power generators 300. This allows the batteries 201 owned by the battery owners 200 to be charged with electricity (surplus electricity) generated by the power generation equipment 301 owned by the power generators 300. Furthermore, the power trading matching system 10 matches battery owners 200 with distribution companies 400. This allows the distribution companies 400 to deliver the batteries 201 between the battery owners 200's base facilities and the power generators 300's charging equipment.

[0024] The electricity trading matching system 10 includes an electricity trading matching device 100. The electricity trading matching device 100 is operated by a service provider that provides electricity trading matching services.

[0025] Battery owner 200 reserves the charging of battery 201 with the power trading matching device 100. The power trading matching device 100 accepts the charging reservation for battery 201.

[0026] The power generation company 300 provides, for example, past surplus power information to the power trading matching device 100. The power trading matching device 100, for example, acquires weather forecast information and predicts the amount of power generated by the power generation company 300's power generation equipment 301. Furthermore, the power trading matching device 100 can predict future surplus power using the predicted amount of power generated and past surplus power information.

[0027] The delivery company 400 provides the power trading matching device 100 with the operating schedule of the delivery vehicle 401. The power trading matching device 100 acquires the operating schedule of the delivery vehicle 401. Based on the charging reservation information indicating the charging reservation of the battery 201 that was received, the operating schedule information indicating the operating schedule of the acquired delivery vehicle 401, and the prediction result information indicating the prediction result of the surplus power of the power generator 300, the power trading matching device 100 determines the charging plan for the battery 201 and the delivery plan.

[0028] The power trading matching device 100 notifies the battery owner 200 of the date and time for collection and return of the battery 201 (scheduled collection and delivery) based on the created delivery plan for the battery 201. The power trading matching device 100 requests the power generator 300 to charge the battery 201 and requests the delivery company 400 to deliver the battery 201.

[0029] Battery owner 200 can receive battery delivery services for battery 201 from delivery company 400 and battery charging services for battery 201 from power generation company 300. Battery owner 200 pays power generation company 300 for the amount of electricity used to charge battery 201 and pays transportation costs to delivery company 400 for the collection and delivery of battery 201.

[0030] Furthermore, in order to use the electricity trading matching system 10, it is necessary to pay a system usage fee to the service provider. Each of the battery owners 200, power generators 300, and delivery companies 400 pays a service usage fee to the service provider.

[0031] Figure 2 shows an example of the configuration of a power trading matching system according to an embodiment.

[0032] The electricity trading matching system 10 includes the electricity trading matching device 100, as well as terminals 210, 310, and 410. The electricity trading matching device 100 is, for example, a server, and the terminals 210, 310, and 410 are, for example, clients.

[0033] Each of the power trading matching device 100 and terminals 210, 310, and 410 is connected to a communication network 500. The communication network 500 includes, for example, the Internet and a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0034] Each of the terminals 210, 310, and 410 is connected to the communication network 500 either by wire or wireless connection. Each of the terminals 210, 310, and 410 is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, etc.

[0035] Terminal 210 is used by the battery owner 200. The battery owner 200 uses terminal 210 to make a reservation for charging battery 201. Terminal 210 is an example of the "first terminal".

[0036] Terminal 310 is used by the power generation company 300. The power generation company 300 uses terminal 310 to provide surplus power information to the power trading matching device 100 and receives a request to charge the battery 201 from the power trading matching device 100. Terminal 310 is an example of a "third terminal".

[0037] Terminal 410 is used by the delivery company 400. The delivery company 400 uses terminal 410 to provide the power trading matching device 100 with the operating schedule of the delivery vehicle 401 and receives a request for the delivery of battery 201 from the power trading matching device 100. Terminal 410 is an example of a "second terminal".

[0038] [2. Configuration of the Power Trading Matching Device] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the power trading matching device according to the embodiment.

[0039] The power trading matching device 100 includes a processor 101, a non-volatile memory 102, a volatile memory 103, and an interface (hereinafter also referred to as "IF") 104. The processor 101, the non-volatile memory 102, the volatile memory 103, and the IF 104 are each connected to one another by a bus (data bus). The processor 101, the non-volatile memory 102, the volatile memory 103, and the IF 104 can each transmit data to one another via the bus.

[0040] The volatile memory 103 is a semiconductor memory such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The non-volatile memory 102 is a rewritable storage device such as flash memory or a hard disk. The non-volatile memory 102 stores the power trading matching program 150. The power trading matching device 100 functions when the power trading matching program 150 is executed by the processor 101.

[0041] The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). However, the processor 101 is not limited to a CPU. The processor 101 may also be a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). In a specific example, the processor 101 is a multi-core processor. The processor 101 may also be a single-core processor. The processor 101 may include multiple processors or cores and be capable of performing parallel processing. The processor 101 is configured to execute computer programs. The processor 101 may, for example, include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) in part, or it may include programmable hardware such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) in part.

[0042] IF104 includes a communication interface for communication through the communication network 500. For example, IF104 is an Ethernet interface ("Ethernet" is a registered trademark).

[0043] [3. Functions of the Power Trading Matching Device] The power trading matching program 150 includes multiple codes that can be executed by the processor 101. The processor 101 executes the following based on the power trading matching program 150: charging reservation acceptance processing 151, power generation amount prediction processing 152, vehicle operation schedule acceptance processing 153, delivery plan creation processing 154, collection and delivery schedule notification processing 155, delivery request processing 156, and charging request processing 157.

[0044] The charging reservation acceptance process 151 includes a process of accepting a charging reservation for the battery 201 from the terminal 210. The charging reservation information indicates the number of batteries 201 to be charged and the desired delivery date. Further, the charging reservation information may indicate the collection location and return location of the battery 201. For example, a charging reservation screen is displayed on the terminal 210, and the battery custodian 200 inputs the number of batteries 201 to be charged, the desired delivery date, the collection location, and the return location to the terminal 210 according to the display of the charging reservation screen. The terminal 210 transmits the input charging reservation to the power trading matching device 100. The power trading matching device 100 receives (accepts) the charging reservation information transmitted from the terminal 210.

[0045] For example, the functions of the terminal 210 may be provided by the power trading matching device 100. Specifically, the power trading matching device 100 has the function of a Web server and can transmit HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) data for displaying a charging reservation screen to the terminal 210. The terminal 210 can display a charging reservation screen by Web client software (Web browser) based on the received HTML data. In another example, the terminal 210 may include client software for the power trading matching system 10 and display a charging reservation screen by the client software.

[0046] The power generation amount prediction process 152 predicts the power generation amount by the power generation facility 301 owned by the power generation business operator 300. For example, the power generation facility 301 includes solar power generation panels, and the power generation amount prediction process 152 predicts the power generation amount based on the weather forecast. Specifically, the power trading matching device 100 predicts a high power generation amount on sunny days and times in the weather forecast and predicts a low power generation amount on rainy days and times in the weather forecast.

[0047] For example, a database 600 is connected to the communication network 500 (see FIG. 2). The database 600 stores, for example, weather forecast information. The weather forecast information stored in the database 600 includes at least the weather forecast information in the area where the power generation facility 301 of the power generation business operator 300 is located.

[0048] For example, the terminal 310 can transmit the performance data of the past power generation amount in the power generation facility 301 of the power generation company 300 to the power trading matching device 100. For example, an input screen for the performance data of the power generation amount is displayed on the terminal 310, and the power generation company 300 inputs the performance data of the power generation amount into the terminal 310 according to the screen display. The terminal 210 transmits the input performance data of the power generation amount to the power trading matching device 100. The power trading matching device 100 receives the performance data of the power generation amount transmitted from the terminal 310.

[0049] In the power generation amount prediction process 152, the power generation amount in the power generation facility 301 of the power generation company 300 can be predicted based on the past actual value of the power generation amount and the past weather information. For example, the power trading matching device 100 predicts the power generation amount at the date and time when sunny weather is predicted based on the power generation amount at the date and time of past sunny days, and predicts the power generation amount at the date and time when rainy weather is predicted based on the power generation amount at the date and time of past rainy days.

[0050] The power generation amount prediction process 152 may include a process of predicting the surplus power generation amount generated in the power generation facility 301 of the power generation company 300. For example, the terminal 310 can transmit the performance data of the past surplus power generation amount in the power generation facility 301 of the power generation company 300 to the power trading matching device 100. An input screen for the performance data of the surplus power generation amount is displayed on the terminal 310, and the power generation company 300 inputs the performance data of the surplus power generation amount into the terminal 310 according to the screen display. The terminal 210 transmits the input performance data of the surplus power generation amount to the power trading matching device 100. The power trading matching device 100 receives the performance data of the surplus power generation amount transmitted from the terminal 310.

[0051] In the power generation amount prediction process 152, the surplus power generation amount at the future season, weather, and time can be predicted based on the past actual value of the surplus power generation amount and the past season, weather, and time. For example, the power trading matching device 100 predicts the surplus power generation amount at 12:00 on the day when sunny weather in summer is predicted based on the surplus power generation amount at 12:00 on a sunny day in summer in the past.

[0052] In another example, the power trading matching device 100 may predict surplus power in the power generation prediction process 152 based on the predicted power generation and the power demand in the power grid of the power company. For example, the database 600 stores historical data on the power demand in the power grid of the power company. The power trading matching device 100 obtains historical data on power demand from the database 600 and predicts future power demand based on the obtained historical data on power demand. Specifically, in the power generation prediction process 152, the power demand for future seasons, weather, and times can be predicted based on the correspondence between historical values ​​of past power demand and past seasons, weather, and times. For example, the power trading matching device 100 predicts the power demand at 12:00 on a day when sunny summer weather is predicted, based on the power demand at 12:00 on a past sunny summer day. The power trading matching device 100 can predict surplus power based on the predicted power demand information and the predicted power generation information.

[0053] For example, the functions of terminal 310 may be provided by the power trading matching device 100. Specifically, the power trading matching device 100 has the function of a Web server and can send HTML data to terminal 310 to display an input screen for actual power generation or surplus power data. Based on the received HTML data, terminal 310 can display an input screen for actual power generation or surplus power data using Web client software. In another example, terminal 310 may include client software for the power trading matching system 10, and the client software may display an input screen for actual power generation or surplus power data.

[0054] The vehicle operation schedule reception process 153 includes a process for receiving operation schedule information for delivery vehicles 401 owned by the delivery company 400 from a terminal 410 used by the delivery company 400. The operation schedule information includes, for example, the number of delivery vehicles 401 owned by the delivery company 400 that are not reserved for use (i.e., are scheduled to be available) for each future date and time. For example, the terminal 410 displays an input screen for the operation schedule information of the delivery vehicles 401, and the delivery company 400 inputs the operation schedule information of the delivery vehicles 401 into the terminal 410 according to the display on the input screen. The terminal 410 transmits the entered operation schedule information to the power trading matching device 100. The power trading matching device 100 receives (accepts) the operation schedule information transmitted from the terminal 410.

[0055] For example, the functions of terminal 410 may be provided by the power trading matching device 100. Specifically, the power trading matching device 100 has the function of a Web server and can send HTML data to terminal 410 to display an input screen for the scheduled operation information of delivery vehicles 401. Based on the received HTML data, terminal 410 can display the input screen for the scheduled operation information of delivery vehicles 401 using Web client software. In another example, terminal 410 may include client software for the power trading matching system 10, and the client software may display the input screen for the scheduled operation information of delivery vehicles 401.

[0056] The delivery plan creation process 154 includes the creation of a delivery plan for the delivery vehicle 401 to deliver the battery 201 from the base facility of the battery owner 200 to the charging facility of the power generation company 300, based on the battery 201 charging reservation information, the power generation amount prediction information from the power generation equipment 301, and the scheduled operation information of the delivery vehicle 401.

[0057] For example, in the power trading matching device 100, in the delivery plan creation process 154, it creates a delivery plan based on the number of batteries 201 to be charged, the desired delivery date, the collection and return locations of the batteries 201, the predicted power generation amount from the power generation equipment 301, and the number of delivery vehicles 401 available for each date and time.

[0058] For example, in the power trading matching device 100, in the delivery plan creation process 154, it creates a charging plan for the battery 201 of the battery owner 200 and a delivery plan for the battery 201.

[0059] For example, the power trading matching device 100 determines the date and time (hereinafter also referred to as the "charging date and time") for charging the batteries 201 based on the number of batteries 201 to be charged, the desired delivery date of the batteries 201, and the predicted amount of surplus power. The charging plan for the batteries 201 includes the charging date and time for each battery 201 to be charged.

[0060] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a charging plan. In Figure 4, the horizontal axis represents the date, and the vertical axis represents the amount of energy. For simplicity, the capacity of one battery 201 is assumed to be 100 kWh, and the amount of energy charged to one battery 201 in one cycle is also assumed to be 100 kWh.

[0061] In Figure 4, the smaller rectangle represents the charging of one battery 201, and the larger rectangular frame represents the predicted value of the surplus power amount of the power generation facility.

[0062] For example, one battery owner 200A has reserved charging for 13 batteries 201. Another battery owner 200B, separate from battery owner 200A, has reserved charging for 8 batteries 201.

[0063] In the example in Figure 4, the predicted surplus electricity for November 1st is 400 kWh, and the surplus electricity for November 2nd is 600 kWh. November 3rd and 4th are rainy days, and the predicted surplus electricity is 0 kWh. The predicted surplus electricity for November 5th is 600 kWh, and the surplus electricity for November 6th is 300 kWh. November 7th is rainy, and the predicted surplus electricity is 0 kWh. The predicted surplus electricity for November 8th is 400 kWh, and the surplus electricity for November 9th is 500 kWh.

[0064] In Figure 4, the small white rectangles indicate the planned charging schedule for one battery 201 owned by battery owner 200A, and the small hatched rectangles indicate the planned charging schedule for one battery 201 owned by battery owner 200B.

[0065] In the example in Figure 4, charging of four batteries 201 belonging to battery owner 200A is scheduled for November 1st. Charging of six batteries 201 belonging to battery owner 200A is scheduled for November 2nd. No charging of batteries 201 is scheduled for November 3rd and 4th. Charging of three batteries 201 belonging to battery owner 200A and three batteries 201 belonging to battery owner 200B is scheduled for November 5th. Charging of three batteries 201 belonging to battery owner 200B is scheduled for November 6th. No charging of batteries 201 is scheduled for November 7th. Charging of two batteries 201 belonging to battery owner 200B is scheduled for November 8th. No charging of batteries 201 is scheduled for November 7th.

[0066] In the example shown in Figure 4, charging of the 13 batteries 201 owned by battery owner 200A begins on November 1st and ends on November 5th. Therefore, the 13 batteries 201 to be charged should be collected from battery owner 200A by October 31st, the day before the charging start date, and the 13 batteries 201 that have completed charging should be returned on or after November 6th, the day after the charging end date.

[0067] In the example shown in Figure 4, charging of the eight batteries 201 owned by battery owner 200B begins on November 5th and ends on November 8th. Therefore, the eight batteries 201 to be charged should be collected from battery owner 200B by November 4th, the day before the charging start date, and the eight batteries 201 that have completed charging should be returned on or after November 9th, the day after the charging end date.

[0068] The delivery plan for battery 201 includes, for example, the collection date and time and return date and time for battery 201 for each battery-owning business. The power trading matching device 100 determines the collection date and time and return date and time for battery 201 based on the charging start date and charging end date in the battery 201 charging plan, the desired delivery date of battery 201 specified by the battery-owning business, and the operating schedule of the delivery vehicle.

[0069] For example, if a delivery vehicle 401 is available on October 31, the collection date for battery owner 200A's battery 201 can be set to October 31. For example, if battery owner 200A's desired delivery date for battery 201 is November 7, and a delivery vehicle 401 is available on November 6 or 7, the return date for battery owner 200A's battery 201 can be set to November 6 or 7. In this case, the 13 batteries 201 of battery owner 200A can be charged using the charging plan described above.

[0070] For example, if a delivery vehicle 401 is available (not reserved) on November 4th, the collection date for battery owner 200B's battery 201 can be set to November 4th. For example, if battery owner 200B's desired delivery date for battery 201 is November 9th, and a delivery vehicle 401 is available on November 9th, the return date for battery owner 200B's battery 201 can be set to November 9th. In this case, the eight batteries 201 of battery owner 200B can be charged using the charging plan described above.

[0071] For example, if the desired delivery date is before the charging completion date, the power trading matching device 100 can determine the earliest possible delivery date after the desired delivery date (the date on which an available delivery vehicle 401 exists) as the return date of the battery 201. For example, if some of the batteries 201 to be charged are fully charged by the desired delivery date, the power trading matching device 100 may determine the earliest possible delivery date up to the desired delivery date as the return date of the partially charged batteries 201, and the earliest possible delivery date after the desired delivery date as the return date of the remaining batteries 201.

[0072] For example, if the desired delivery date is after the charging completion date, but there are no available delivery dates between the charging completion date and the desired delivery date, the power trading matching device 100 can determine the earliest available delivery date after the desired delivery date as the return date of the battery 201. For example, if some of the batteries 201 to be charged have been fully charged by a delivery date prior to the desired delivery date, the power trading matching device 100 may determine that delivery date as the return date of the partially charged batteries 201, and determine the earliest available delivery date after the desired delivery date as the return date of the remaining batteries 201.

[0073] For example, the collection time and return time of the battery 201 can be determined according to the delivery order of the battery 201 by the delivery vehicle 401. For example, the delivery order of the battery 201 can be determined according to the delivery source and destination of each battery 201, as well as the desired delivery time of the battery owner or power generation company.

[0074] Returning to Figure 3, in the delivery plan creation process 154, the charging plan and delivery plan may be created by a known optimization algorithm (e.g., a heuristic such as a genetic algorithm or simulated annealing). For example, the power trading matching device 100 may create the charging plan and delivery plan using a trained model that has been machine-learned to create the charging plan and delivery plan. For example, the power trading matching device 100 may create a delivery plan for the battery 201 using a vehicle dispatch plan disclosed in at least one of the following: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-323229, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-197298, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-65705, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-118470.

[0075] The collection and delivery schedule notification process 155 includes a process of notifying the terminal 210 of the collection date and time and return date and time of the battery 201 based on the created delivery plan. For example, the terminal 210 displays the received collection date and time and return date and time. This allows the battery owner to know the collection date and time and return date and time of the battery 201. For example, along with the collection date and time and return date and time of the battery 201, the terminal 210 may also be notified of information about the delivery company 400 that will deliver the battery 201 (e.g., its name), the shipping cost for the battery 201, and the bank account information for payment of the shipping cost.

[0076] The delivery request process 156 includes sending a delivery request by the delivery vehicle 401 to the terminal 410 based on the created delivery plan. The delivery request includes the origin and destination locations of the batteries 201, the number of batteries 201 to be delivered, and information about the battery owner who requested the delivery (e.g., name and address). For example, the terminal 410 displays the origin and destination locations, the number of batteries 201, and the requester included in the received delivery request. This allows the delivery company 400 to obtain the information necessary for the delivery of the batteries 201.

[0077] The charging request process 157 includes the process of transmitting a charging plan for the battery 201 to a terminal 310 used by the power generation operator 300. The charging plan includes, for example, the number of batteries 201 to be charged each day. For example, the terminal 310 displays the number of batteries 201 to be charged each day included in the received charging plan for the battery 201. This allows the power generation operator 300 to obtain the information necessary for charging the battery 201. The charging plan may further include a predicted value of the surplus power amount each day. The charging plan may further include the delivery date and collection date of the battery 201, the number of batteries delivered, and the number of batteries collected. The charging plan may further include information (for example, the name) of the battery holding business that owns the battery 201 to be charged. The charging plan may further include a power generation plan by the power generation equipment 301.

[0078] [4. Operation of the Power Trading Matching Device] The operation of the power trading matching device 100 will be described below. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the power trading matching device according to this embodiment.

[0079] The battery owner 200 operates the terminal 210 to input charging reservation information into the terminal 210. The charging reservation information indicates at least the number of batteries 201 to be charged and the desired delivery date. The terminal 210 transmits the input charging reservation information to the power trading matching device 100. The processor 101 of the power trading matching device 100 receives the transmitted charging reservation information (step S101).

[0080] Next, the processor 101 predicts the amount of electricity generated by the power generation facility 301 of the power generation company 300 (step S102). Specifically, the processor 101 obtains weather forecast information from the database 600 and predicts the amount of electricity generated based on the weather forecast information. For example, the processor 101 can predict the amount of surplus electricity. For example, the power generation company 300 can input information used to predict the amount of electricity generated or surplus electricity (for example, actual data on the amount of electricity generated or surplus electricity) into the terminal 310 and transmit the input information to the power trading matching device 100. The processor 101 can predict the amount of electricity generated or surplus electricity based on the received information and the weather forecast information.

[0081] The delivery company 400 operates the terminal 410 to input the scheduled operation information of the delivery vehicles 401 into the terminal 410. The scheduled operation information includes, for example, the available dates and times and the number of available delivery vehicles 401. The terminal 410 transmits the entered scheduled operation information of the delivery vehicles 401 to the power trading matching device 100. The processor 101 of the power trading matching device 100 receives the transmitted scheduled operation information of the delivery vehicles 401 (step S103).

[0082] The processor 101 creates a charging plan for the batteries 201 based on the number of batteries 201 to be charged, the desired delivery date, and the predicted amount of power generated or surplus power per day (step S104). The charging plan includes at least the number of batteries 201 to be charged per day.

[0083] The processor 101 creates a delivery plan for the battery 201 based on the created battery 201 charging plan and the scheduled operation information of the delivery vehicle 401 (step S105). The delivery plan includes the delivery source, delivery destination, and the number of batteries 201 to be delivered.

[0084] The processor 101 notifies the terminal 210 of the date and time for collecting and returning the battery 201 (step S106). The terminal 210 displays the notified date and time for collecting and returning the battery 201.

[0085] The processor 101 sends a delivery request for the battery 201 to the terminal 410 (step S107). The delivery request includes the origin and destination locations of the battery 201, the number of batteries 201 to be delivered, and information about the battery owner who requested the delivery. The terminal 410 displays the received delivery request for the battery 201.

[0086] The processor 101 transmits the battery 201 charging plan to the terminal 310 (step S108). The battery 201 charging plan includes the number of batteries 201 to be charged each day. The terminal 410 displays the received battery 201 charging plan. This completes the operation of the power trading matching device 100.

[0087] [5. Modifications] In the embodiments described above, a single power trading matching device 100 was used to create a distribution plan for the battery 201, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, a distributed system in which multiple devices connected by a communication network 500 cooperate to share the operation of power trading matching may be used. In one specific example, the charging plan for the battery 201 and the distribution plan for the battery 201 may be created by different devices.

[0088] In the embodiment described above, the battery owner 200 pays the power generator 300 for the cost of electricity to charge the battery 201 and the delivery company 400 for the cost of transporting the battery 201, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the service provider operating the power trading matching system 10 may collect the cost of electricity and transport from the battery owner, pay the amount of electricity to the power generator 300, and pay the transport cost to the delivery company 400.

[0089] [6. Supplementary Notes] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the embodiments described above, and includes the meaning of equivalents of the claims and all modifications within that scope.

[0090] 10 Power trading matching system 100 Power trading matching device 101 Processor 102 Non-volatile memory 103 Volatile memory 104 Interface (IF) 150 Power trading matching program 151 Charging reservation acceptance processing 152 Power generation amount forecast processing 153 Vehicle operation schedule acceptance processing 154 Delivery plan creation processing 155 Collection and delivery schedule notification processing 156 Delivery request processing 157 Charging request processing 200 Battery owner 201 Battery 210 Terminal (Terminal 1) 300 Power generator 301 Power generation equipment 310 Terminal (Terminal 3) 400 Delivery company 401 Delivery vehicle 410 Terminal (Terminal 2) 500 Communication network 600 Database

Claims

1. A power trading matching device for matching a battery owner who owns a battery, a power generation equipment owner who owns a power generation equipment, and a vehicle owner who owns a delivery vehicle, comprising a processor, the processor performing operations including: receiving a battery charging reservation from a first terminal used by the battery owner; predicting the amount of power generated by the power generation equipment owned by the power generation equipment owner; receiving the scheduled operation of the delivery vehicle owned by the vehicle owner from a second terminal used by the vehicle owner; and creating a delivery plan for the delivery vehicle to deliver the battery from the battery owner's base facility to a charging facility for charging by power generated by the power generation equipment, based on the received charging reservation information indicating the battery charging reservation, the predicted result information indicating the predicted amount of power generated by the power generation equipment, and the received scheduled operation information indicating the scheduled operation of the delivery vehicle.

2. The power trading matching device according to claim 1, wherein the charging reservation information indicates the number of batteries to be charged and the desired delivery date.

3. The power trading matching device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the creation of the above includes creating a delivery plan based on the number of batteries to be charged and the desired delivery date indicated by the battery charging reservation information, the battery collection point and return point, the predicted power generation amount information from the power generation equipment, and the number of available delivery vehicles.

4. The power trading matching device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation further includes notifying the first terminal of the date and time for collection and the date and time for return of the battery based on the created delivery plan.

5. The power trading matching device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation further comprises transmitting a delivery request by the delivery vehicle to the second terminal based on the created delivery plan.

6. The power trading matching device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the operation further comprises transmitting a battery charging plan to a third terminal used by the power generation equipment owner based on the created delivery plan.

7. A power trading matching method for matching a battery owner who owns a battery, a power generation equipment owner who owns a power generation equipment, and a vehicle owner who owns a delivery vehicle, comprising: a step of receiving a battery charging reservation from a first terminal used by the battery owner; a step of predicting the amount of power generated by the power generation equipment owned by the power generation equipment owner; a step of receiving the vehicle owner's operational schedule for the delivery vehicle owned by the vehicle owner from a second terminal used by the vehicle owner; and a step of creating a delivery plan for the delivery vehicle to deliver the battery from the battery owner's base facility to a charging facility for charging by power generated by the power generation equipment, based on the received battery charging reservation information, prediction result information showing the predicted amount of power generated by the power generation equipment, and operational schedule information showing the received operational schedule for the delivery vehicle.

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