AU2017263912B2

AU2017263912B2 - Charge/discharge planning system, planning method, and program

Info

Publication number: AU2017263912B2
Application number: AU2017263912A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sihan Dong; Kenichi Watanabe
Original assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-12
Filing date: 2017-04-18
Publication date: 2020-05-14
Anticipated expiration: 2037-04-18
Also published as: WO2017195537A1; JPWO2017195537A1; DE112017002408T5; JP6583805B2; AU2017263912A1

Abstract

A charge/discharge planning system (10) equipped with: a storage battery information acquisition unit (110) that acquires storage battery information specifying a storage battery state schedule (charge/discharge schedule) indicating the remaining capacity of a storage battery (210) for each consumer (20) in a group of consumers; an overall charge/discharge planning unit (150) that, on the basis of the storage battery information, determines a target value for an overall storage battery state which should be changed by charging/discharging, for each unit amount of time in the next 24 hours, for example, and formulates an overall charge/discharge plan; and an output unit (170) that outputs information that is based on the overall charge/discharge plan.

Description

CHARGE AND DISCHARGE PLANNING SYSTEM, PLANNING METHOD, AND PROGRAM TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]

The present invention relates to a charge and discharge planning

system, and a planning method and a program which are used by the charge

and discharge planning system.

BACKGROUNDART

[0002]

A method is known, which defines an evaluation function that

evaluates a charge and discharge schedule of storage battery units, individually determines a charge and discharge schedule for each of the storage

battery units based on the defined evaluation function, and sends a charge and

discharge command value according to the charge and discharge schedule to

each storage battery unit (see PTL 1).

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0003]

PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.

2012-205490

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0004]

With the technique described in PTL 1, charge and discharge of each

storage battery can be managed according to an intended use, however, a 1 12077808_2(GHMatters) P109904.AU method of formulating an optimal charge and discharge planning for both a set of consumers (consumer group) and each consumer is not disclosed. For instance, in an apartment (collective housing) in which a storage battery is installed in each exclusive element, both energy cost reduction for the entire apartment (collective housing) and energy cost reduction for each exclusive element cannot be achieved by the technique described in PTL 1.

[0005]

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a charge and

discharge planning system that formulates an appropriate charge and

discharge planning that controls charge and discharge of a storage battery of

each consumer in order to enable appropriate electric power utilization for both

a set of consumers (consumer group) and each consumer. Here, a set of

consumers (consumer group) is a set of multiple consumers, and is for instance,

a consumer group (exclusive element group) in an apartment (collective

housing), or a consumer group in an area.

In addition, the present invention advantageously provides a planning method

and a program used by the charge and discharge planning system.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned advantages, a charge and

discharge planning system according to an aspect of the present invention

includes: a charge and discharge planning system including: a storage battery

information obtaining unit configured to, for each consumer of a consumer

group, obtain storage battery information that predicts a storage battery state

indicating electric energy stored in a storage battery included in a power

storage device installed at each consumer every lapse of a unit time in a future

predetermined period; an overall charge and discharge planning unit

2 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU configured to determine a target value of an overall storage battery state to be changed by charging/discharging every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period based on the storage battery information obtained by the storage battery information obtaining unit; and an output unit configured to output information to each consumer based on the target value, determined by the overall charge and discharge planning unit, of the overall storage battery state every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, to cause the power storage device installed at each consumer to charge and discharge the storage battery based on the information that has been output to the consumer.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned advantages, a charge and

discharge planning system according to an aspect of the present invention

includes: a charge and discharge planning device that transmits charge and

discharge planning information for causing a power storage device including a

storage battery to charge and discharge the storage battery, the power storage

device being provided to each consumer of a consumer group. The charge and

discharge planning device includes: a storage battery information obtaining

unit that, for each consumer of the consumer group, obtains storage battery

information which predicts a storage battery state indicating an electric energy

stored in the storage battery of the power storage device provided in the

consumer every lapse of a unit time in a future predetermined period; an

overall charge and discharge planning unit that calculates an overall storage

battery state showing a sum of electric energy indicated by a storage battery

state related to each consumer of the consumer group for the unit time, every

lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period based on the storage battery

information obtained by storage battery information obtaining unit, and

determine a target value of the overall storage battery state to be changed by 3 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU charge and discharge every lapse of the unit time so that a cumulative evaluation value which is an accumulated sum of an evaluation value during the predetermined period according to the overall storage battery state when the overall storage battery state is changed by the charge and discharge every lapse of the unit time meets a predetermined criterion; an individual charge and discharge planning unit that determines a target value of the storage battery state related to each consumer of the consumer group every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, based on the target value, determined by the overall charge and discharge planning unit, of the overall storage battery state every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period; and a transmission unit that transmits individual charge and discharge planning to the power storage device of each consumer of the consumer group, the individual charge and discharge planning indicating a target value, determined by the individual charge and discharge planning unit, of the storage battery state related to the consumer every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, to cause the power storage device installed at each consumer to charge and discharge the storage battery based on the information that has been output to the consumer.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned advantages, a planning

method according to an aspect of the present invention includes: for each

consumer of a consumer group, obtaining storage battery information which

predicts a storage battery state indicating electric energy stored in a storage

battery included in a power storage device installed at each consumer every

lapse of a unit time in a future predetermined period; determining a target

value of an overall storage battery state to be changed by charging and

discharging every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period based on 4 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU the storage battery information obtained in the obtaining, the overall storage battery state being a total of electric energy indicated by the storage battery state related to each consumer of the consumer group in the unit period; and outputting information to each consumer based on the target value of the overall storage battery state every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, to cause the power storage device installed at each consumer to charge and discharge the storage battery based on the information that has been output to the consumer.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned advantages, a program

according to an aspect of the present invention is for causing a computer to

execute predetermined planning processing including: for each consumer of a

consumer group, obtaining storage battery information which predicts a

storage battery state indicating electric energy stored in a storage battery

included in a power storage device installed at each consumer every lapse of a

unit time in a future predetermined period; determining a target value of an

overall storage battery state to be changed by charging and discharging every

lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period based on the storage battery

information obtained in the obtaining, the overall storage battery state being a

total of electric energy indicated by the storage battery state related to each

consumer of the consumer group in the unit period; and outputting information

based to each consumer on the target value of the overall storage battery state

every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, to cause the power

storage device installed at each consumer to charge and discharge the storage

battery based on the information that has been output to the consumer.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

[0010] 5 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

According to the present invention, a target value of an overall storage

battery state, which integrates the storage battery states of the storage

batteries of individual consumers, is determined, in other words, charge and

discharge planning for a set of a consumers (consumer group) is formulated.

In addition, the formulated charge and discharge planning is distributed to the

storage battery of each consumer as necessary and charge and discharge of the

storage battery is controlled, thereby achieving appropriate electric power

utilization for the consumer group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a charge

and discharge planning system according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a charge and discharge planning

device.

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating an example of storage battery information.

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating an example of received electric power

information.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a power storage device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of planning processing

performed by the charge and discharge planning device.

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a predicted amount of electric energy to be

received

FIG. 8 is a conceptual graph showing worth of an overall storage

battery state for each of periods of time.

FIG. 9 is a table illustrating the detail of control related to charge and

discharge performed by a control unit of the power storage device.

6 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of a

charge and discharge planning system according to Embodiment 2.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0012]

(EMBODIMENT 1)

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the

drawings. Each of the embodiments presented here shows a specific example

of the present invention. Thus, the numerical values, shapes, materials,

components, arrangement positions and connection configurations of the

components, steps (processes), the order of the steps shown in the following

embodiments each provide an example, and are not intended to limit the

present invention. Among the components in the following embodiments,

those components that are not stated in the independent claim are components

that can be added arbitrarily. It should be noted that the respective figures

are schematic diagrams and are not necessarily precise illustrations.

[0013]

Hereinafter, a charge and discharge planning system according to an

embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0014]

(CONFIGURATION)

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of charge

and discharge planning system 10 according to this embodiment.

[0015]

Charge and discharge planning system 10 is a system that formulates

charge and discharge planning for appropriately charging/discharging the

storage battery installed at each consumer. Charge and discharge planning

system 10 formulates charge and discharge planning to enable economical 7 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU electric power utilization for a consumer group and an individual consumer, for instance. Charge and discharge of each storage battery is performed based on the formulated charge and discharge planning. It should be noted that charge and discharge are collectively expressed by charge and discharge.

[0016]

As illustrated in FIG. 1. charge and discharge planning system 10

includes charge and discharge planning device 100, and power storage devices

200 of multiple consumers 20. Consumers 20 can be geographically apart

from each other. In other words, consumers 20 can be connected to different

power distribution lines 11. In the charge and discharge planning system 10,

the number of consumers 20 in a consumer group for whom charge and

discharge planning is to be formulated is not particularly limited, and may be,

for instance, several tens, several hundreds, or several thousands.

[0017]

Each of multiple consumers 20 receives and utilizes electric power from

power distribution line 11 of an electric power system or the like. The electric

power supplied from power distribution line 11 is passed through electric power

receiving point 21, and is consumed by load 30 in consumer 20. Load 30

includes various electrical appliances which use electric power, and for instance,

a lighting device, an air-conditioning apparatus, a television receiver, a

refrigerator, an induction cooker, or a charging device of an electric vehicle. It

should be noted that consumer 20 may be provided with an electric power

generation devices such as a solar power generation device (not illustrated).

[0018]

Power storage device 200 provided to each consumer 20 includes, for

instance, storage battery 210 such as a nickel hydride storage battery, a lithium

ion storage battery, and includes, a control circuit, PCS (Power Conditioning 8 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

System) for controlling charge and discharge of storage battery 210. The

detail of power storage device 200 will be described later.

[0019]

Power storage device 200 can communicate with charge and discharge

planning device 100 via wired or wireless communication path 12. It should

be note that EMS (Energy Management System) (not illustrated) may be

installed in consumer 20, and communication between power storage device

200 and charge and discharge planning device 100 may be performed via the

EMS. Alternatively, power storage device 200 may have a user interface that

receives an setting operation related to control of charge and discharge of

storage battery 210. The EMS may have a user interface that receives a user

operation and controls power storage device 200.

[0020]

Power storage device 200 has a function to obtaining the electric power

to be received (specifically, the electric power or the electric energy related to

the electric power received by consumer 20 at electric power receiving point 21)

at electric power receiving point 21. It should be noted that power storage

device 200 may measure the electric power to be received by itself, or may

obtain the electric power to be received measured by a measurement device

separately installed (not illustrated). A measurement device which measures

the electric power to be received at electric power receiving point 21 is, for

instance, a measurement device installed near a master breaker connected to

an electric power system of a power distribution board. When an electric

power generation device is provided in consumer 20, a surplus electric power in

consumer 20 may cause a reverse power flow to occur from electric power

receiving point 21 to the side of power distribution line 11, and the electric

energy measured then as the electric power to be received by the measurement

9 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU device shall take a negative value. In short, a power flow shall be positive and a reverse power flow shall be negative. A measurement device which measures the electric power to be received at electric power receiving point 21 may measure the electric power to be received, for instance, by adding together a measurement value of each current sensor installed for every branch circuit of the power distribution board. Alternatively, a measurement device which measures the electric power to be received at electric power receiving point 21 may be an electric energy meter (smart meter) for meter reading that measures the electric energy used by consumer 20 as an electricity rate to be charged, for instance, on the side of an electric power system from the power distribution board. The smart meter has a communication function by which remote meter reading is performed by an electric power provider or the like. It should be noted that power storage device 200 may include the function of EMS that performs energy management such as control of the electric power used by electrical appliances in consumer 20 and utilization (for instance, display) of measurement results of the electric energy. Charge and discharge planning device 100 is an information processing device (computer) that communicates with each power storage device 200 and has a function of formulating charge and discharge planning. Charge and discharge planning device 100 can be operated by, for instance, an electric power provider, a demand response (DR) aggregator that adjust demand for electric power. Charge and discharge planning device 100 may have a display device (display) and an input device

(such as a keyboard) as user interfaces. Alternatively, charge and discharge

planning device 100 may communicate with an external terminal device using

a communication interface, and thereby may utilize the terminal device as the

user interfaces (a display device and an input device) of charge and discharge

planning device 100. 10 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

[0021]

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of charge and discharge planning

device 100 will be described.

[0022]

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of charge and discharge planning

device 100. It should be noted that power storage device 200 in each consumer

20 is illustrated.

[0023]

In order to implement a function of formulating charge and discharge

planning based on information received from each power storage device 200,

charge and discharge planning device 100 includes storage battery information

obtaining unit 110, received electric power information obtaining unit 120,

prediction unit 130, electricity rate information obtaining unit 140, overall

charge and discharge planning unit 150, individual charge and discharge

planning unit 160, and output unit 170 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0024]

Storage battery information obtaining unit 110 receives storage battery

information transmitted from power storage device 200 (or the EMS) of each

consumer 20, thereby having a function of obtaining the storage battery

information. Here, the storage battery information obtained by storage

battery information obtaining unit 110 includes an individual storage battery

state that indicates the remaining capacity (scheduled value) of each storage

battery 210 every unit time (for instance, 30 minutes) in at least predetermined

period in the near future (for instance, from the present to 24 hours in the

future). Since a storage battery state at the subsequent unit time is

determined by the amount of charge and discharge and the storage battery

state of storage battery 210 per unit time based on the initial state of storage 11 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU battery 210, the individual storage battery state included in the storage battery information may be a schedule for charge and discharge every unit time in a predetermined period in the near future.

[0025]

Storage battery information obtaining unit 110 repeatedly obtains the

storage battery information every unit time. The storage battery information

may have contents different with every consumer 20 because scheduled use of

power storage device 200 varies with every consumer 20. For instance, as

illustrated in FIG. 3, the storage battery information may include an operation

schedule that sets the remaining capacity (scheduled value) of storage battery

210 at times in the near future. Also, as described above, the storage battery

information may include information indicating the amount of charge and

discharge for changing the remaining capacity every unit time in the near

future. The amount of charge and discharge refers to the amount of charge

and the amount of discharge, and the amount of charge is shown, for instance

by a positive value, and the amount of discharge is shown, for instance by a

negative value. Furthermore, storage battery information may include

information indicating the detail of control of charge and discharge, such as

charging, discharging storage battery 210 every unit time in the near future, or

no charging and discharging is performed on storage battery 210. The

operation schedule of FIG. 3 shows that an operation is scheduled in which

control of charge and discharge of storage battery 210 is performed by power

storage device 200 to secure 50% remaining capacity at 10:30, for instance. In

FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, the remaining capacity is expressed by the

ratio (%) of the electric energy stored to the capacity of storage battery 210.

However, the remaining capacity may be expressed by the electric energy (Wh).

Hereinafter, for the sake of simplification, units of the remaining capacity are

12 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU not distinguished except when necessary. It should be noted that the storage battery information may include information indicating the capacity of storage battery 210 or information indicating the degree of deterioration (for instance, the ratio of a substantial capacity decreased due to deterioration with respect to the rated capacity) of storage battery 210.

[0026]

Received electric power information obtaining unit 120 has a function of

obtaining received electric power information that indicates measurement

results related to the received electric power of a consumer group. Power

storage device 200 (or the EMS, the smart meter) of each consumer 20

transmits the received electric power information every certain time, and

received electric power information obtaining unit 120 receives the received

power information. The received electric power information includes at least

the electric power (kW) or the electric energy (kWh) received by consumer 20

from power distribution line 11. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the

received electric power information shows electric energy (Wh) in association

with the date and time, the electric energy being a measurement result at

electric power receiving point 21 every period of a unit time (for instance, 30

minutes). Hereinafter, for the sake of simplification, units of the received

electric power are not distinguished except when necessary.

[0027]

Prediction unit 130 has a function of predicting the total (the total

amount of electric power received) of received electric power of a consumer

group every unit time (for instance, 30 minutes) in a predetermined period in

the near future (for instance, from the present to 24 hours in the future) based

on the received electric power information obtained by received electric power

information obtaining unit 120. It should be noted that after adding together 13 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU the amount of received electric power of individual consumer, prediction unit

130 may predict the total amount of electric energy to be received, or may

predict the amount of received electric power of individual consumer, and may

determine the total amount of electric energy to be received by adding together

the amount of received electric power. Any method may be used for prediction.

For instance, an auto-regression model, a multiple regression model, or a

neural network may be used.

[0028]

Electricity rate information obtaining unit 140 has a function of

obtaining electricity rate information that indicates the rate (electricity rate)

related to received electric power of a consumer group. Basically, the

electricity rate is consists of a basic rate and an electric energy rate. The basic

rate refers to an electricity rate based on a minimum rate, a contract ampere,

and a maximum value of an average amount of purchased electric power per

unit time in the past one year. The electric energy rate is a rate according to

the amount used, and is expressed by unit price rate per kWh. The electric

energy rate may be difference between electricity purchasing and electricity

selling, and may vary with season and period of time. Electricity rate

information obtaining unit 140 obtains electricity rate information by receiving

input of electricity rate information, for instance, by an operator, or by receiving

electricity rate information from an external server apparatus (such as an

electric power supplier) that provides information on electricity rate. For

instance, when the detail of electricity rate information is updated due to

revision or the like of electricity rate, electricity rate information obtaining unit

140 obtains the electricity rate information after updated.

[0029]

Overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 has a function of 14 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU formulating charge and discharge planning (overall charge and discharge planning) for the entire storage batteries of a consumer group. In order to formulate overall charge and discharge planning, overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 calculates an overall storage battery state every unit time in a predetermined period in the near future based on the storage battery information. When the storage batteries in a consumer group are presumed to be a virtual large size storage battery, the overall storage battery state indicates the remaining capacity of the virtual large size storage battery.

When the unit of the remaining capacity of each storage battery 210 is Wh, the

overall storage battery state gives the total value of the remaining capacity. In

contrast, when the unit of the remaining capacity is %, the overall storage

battery state gives E {(the remaining capacity of storage battery 210)x (the

rated capacity of storage battery 210)} / E (the rated capacity of storage battery

210)x100. The predetermined period in the near future is, for instance, the

period from the present to 24 hours in the future. The unit time is 30 minutes,

for instance.

[0030]

Overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 formulates overall

charge and discharge planning in a predetermined period from the present

based on the electricity rate information obtained by electricity rate

information obtaining unit 140, a predicted value for the amount of received

electric power of a consumer group predicted by prediction unit 130, and the

storage battery information obtained by storage battery information obtaining

unit 110 in order to maximize the short term economic value such as electricity

rate reduction achieved by a state of the storage battery. Overall charge and

discharge planning unit 150 determines the amount of charge and discharge

that maximizes the total value of profit represented by (Expression 2) based on 15 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU the initial state of the storage battery and the equation of state represented by

(Expression 1).

[0031]

S t+1 = F (St, ut) ... (Expression 1)

[0032]

E1 Rt(St , ut) ... (Expression 2)

[0033]

(Expression 1) is an equation of state that determines state St+1 at unit

time t+1 from state St at a unit time t and the amount of charge and discharge

ut. When the unit of state is % in (Expression 1), F(St, ut) = St - ut/(rated

capacity), and when the unit of S is Wh, F(St, ut) = St - ut (when discharge

corresponds to positive). (Expression 2) is an expression to determine the total

value of profit up to unit time T (for instance, T = 48) in state St in a

predetermined time and profit function Re is determined based on the

electricity rate and the like. An overall storage battery state corresponding to

the determined amount of charge and discharge gives the overall charge and

discharge planning. Here, power storage device 200 of consumer 20 is to be

controlled, thus when overall charge and discharge planning is formulated,

storage battery information on power storage device 200 of each consumer 20

needs to be considered, and (Expression 1) and (expression 2) need to be solved

for the number of power storage devices 200. Thus, the storage battery

information on each power storage device 200 is taken into consideration by

increasing or decreasing the profit given by (Expression 2). Power storage

devices 200 are bundled to virtually create one storage battery (hereinafter

referred to as virtual large size storage battery), thus once (Expression 1) and

(Expression 2) are solved, charge and discharge planning can be formulated.

[0034] 16 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

Individual charge and discharge planning unit 160 has a function of

formulating individual charge and discharge planning of storage battery 210 of

individual consumer 20 based on the overall charge and discharge planning

formulated by overall charge and discharge planning unit 150, and the storage

battery information. The overall charge and discharge planning shows a

target of charge and discharge for a virtual large size storage battery of a

consumer group, whereas the individual charge and discharge planning is

obtained by distributing the overall charge and discharge planning for the

virtual large size storage battery to charge and discharge planning for

individual storage battery 210.

[0035]

Individual charge and discharge planning unit 160 determines a target

value of the storage battery state (the remaining capacity) of storage battery

210 in each consumer 20 every unit time in a predetermined period based on

the overall charge and discharge planning. Consequently, individual charge

and discharge planning, which shows a target value of the storage battery state

of storage battery 210 every unit time in a predetermined period, is formulated.

Individual charge and discharge planning unit 160 determines a target value in

accordance with the storage battery information on each storage battery 210.

For instance, for individual charge and discharge planning for storage battery

210 that transmits the storage battery information in FIG. 3, a target value is

determined in accordance with <10:30, 50%>, <11:00, 10%>. For instance,

when two storage batteries 210 are present: one transmits the storage battery

information of FIG. 3, and the other transmits storage battery information

indicating no schedule (no desire) for the period of time corresponding to the

storage battery information of FIG. 3, the individual charge and discharge

planning for the former of storage batteries 210 is <10:30, 50%> and <11:00, 17 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

10%>, and the individual charge and discharge planning for the latter of

storage batteries 210 is <10:30, the value obtained by removing the individual

charge and discharge planning 50% for the former of storage batteries 210 from

the overall charge and discharge planning>, <11:00, the value obtained by

removing the individual charge and discharge planning 10% for the former of

storage batteries 210 from the overall charge and discharge planning>.

[0036]

Output unit 170 has a function of outputting information based the

overall charge and discharge planning (the determined target value of overall

storage battery state every unit time in a predetermined period) formulated by

overall charge and discharge planning unit 150, and includes transmission unit

180. Output unit 170 outputs at least overall charge and discharge planning

or individual charge and discharge planning. Output unit 170 may be

implemented by display device or the like as a user interface, for instance, and

may display overall charge and discharge planning or individual charge and

discharge planning.

[0037]

The output of information by output unit 170 may be achieved by

various methods such as output by transmission, display, and voice.

Transmission unit 180 has a function of transmitting at least the individual

charge and discharge planning formulated by individual charge and discharge

planning unit 160 to power storage device 200 installed in each consumer 20 of

a consumer group. It should be noted that output unit 170 is an option and

only need to include transmission unit 180.

[0038]

Hereinafter, a specific configuration example of power storage device

200 will be described. 18 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

[0039]

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of power storage device 200. As

illustrated in FIG. 5, power storage device 200 includes storage battery 210,

received electric power information obtaining unit 220, information notification

unit 230, charge and discharge planning obtaining unit 240, and control unit

250.

[0040]

Received electric power information obtaining unit 220 has functions of

obtaining received electric power information at electric power receiving point

21 as needed, and of conveying the received electric power information to

control unit 250.

[0041]

Information notification unit 230 has a function of notifying (that is,

transmitting) charge and discharge planning device 100 of information

obtained by consumer 20 (specifically, storage battery information and received

electric power information related to storage battery 210) via communication

path 12.

[0042]

Charge and discharge planning obtaining unit 240 has functions of

receiving and obtaining individual charge and discharge planning transmitted

from charge and discharge planning device 100 via communication path 12, and

of conveying the individual charge and discharge planning to control unit 250.

[0043]

Control unit 250 has a function of controlling charge and discharge of

storage battery 210 based on the individual charge and discharge planning

obtained by charge and discharge planning obtaining unit 240. It should be

noted that control unit 250 can adjust the detail of control of charge and 19 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU discharge based on, for instance, the received electric power information obtained by received electric power information obtaining unit 220, and setting operation for charge and discharge performed via a user interface. Also control unit 250 has a function of managing various types of information on storage battery 210, such as a storage battery state (remaining capacity), a degree of deterioration, and an operation schedule showing scheduled control of charge and discharge of storage battery 210. In addition, control unit 250 has a function of controlling information notification unit 230 so that storage battery information including an operation schedule for storage battery 210, and received electric power information are transmitted to charge and discharge planning device 100.

[0044]

(OPERATION)

Hereinafter, an operation example of charge and discharge planning

system 10 in the above-described configuration will be described focused on the

operation of charge and discharge planning device 100.

[0045]

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of planning processing

performed by charge and discharge planning device 100. Hereinafter, the

planning processing will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Here, the

planning processing will be described using an example of formulating charge

and discharge planning which shows target of charge and discharge every unit

time of 30 minutes in a predetermined period from the present to 24 hours in

the future.

[0046]

Charge and discharge planning device 100 obtains electricity rate

information by electricity rate information obtaining unit 140 (step S11, S12). 20 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

For the first time or each time when the detail of electricity rate information is

updated due to change or the like of an electricity rate system, charge and

discharge planning device 100 obtains the electricity rate information after

updated.

[0047]

Charge and discharge planning device 100 obtains received electric

power information from power storage device 200 of each consumer 20 by

received electric power information obtaining unit 120 (step S13).

[0048]

Subsequently, prediction unit 130 of charge and discharge planning

device 100 predicts the total amount of electric energy to be received of a

consumer group in a predetermined period based on the received electric power

information obtained by received electric power information obtaining unit 120

(step S14).

[0049]

In addition, charge and discharge planning device 100 obtains storage

battery information from power storage device 200 of each consumer 20 by

storage battery information obtaining unit 110 (step S15). It should be noted

that step S13 and step S14, and step S15 can be performed at the same time,

thus it is not necessary to perform the steps in series.

[0050]

Subsequently, overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 of charge

and discharge planning device 100 calculates an overall storage battery state

every unit time in a predetermined period based on the storage battery

information obtained by storage battery information obtaining unit 110 (step

S16). The calculating method is as described above.

[0051] 21 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

Subsequently, overall charge and discharge planning unit 150

formulates overall charge and discharge planning in a predetermined period

from the present based on the electricity rate information obtained by

electricity rate information obtaining unit 140, a predicted value for the

amount of received electric power of a consumer group predicted by prediction

unit 130, and the storage battery information obtained by storage battery

information obtaining unit 110 in order to maximize the short term economic

value such as electricity rate reduction achieved by a state of the storage

battery (step S17).

[0052]

An example of a calculation method of (Expression 2) will be described,

in which the basic rate is reduced by performing peak shift using storage

batteries in an apartment (collective housing) where high-pressure bulk

receiving is provided. FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating predicted values of the

total amount of power received at an electric power receiving point in an

apartment (collective housing). The horizontal axis indicates time and the

vertical axis indicates electric energy as the total amount of electric energy

received. In the example of FIG. 7, predicted total amount of electric energy to

be received G1 exceeds target total amount of electric energy to be received Pt

in the demand period corresponding to time Ta to time Tb. When discharge of

the storage battery is not performed in the demand period, the following

electricity rate is charged: {(predicted amount of electric energy to be received

G1) - (target total amount of electric energy to be received P)} x (basic rate unit

price) x 12 months. Thus, overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 sets

a larger value of profit function Re for a higher overall storage battery state St

in the demand period corresponding to time Ta to time Tb. FIG. 8 is a

conceptual graph showing the value of profit function Re every period of time

22 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

(demand periods ti to t1O). Demand periods t2 to t7 of FIG. 8 correspond to

time Ta to time Tb of FIG. 7. in FIG. 8, for the sake of description, a portion

with a larger value of profit function Re is filled with a dark pattern, and a

portion with a smaller value of profit function Re is filled with a light pattern

correspondingly to St in each demand period. In FIG. 8, the worth for each

overall storage battery state is set correspondingly to the relationship between

predicted amount of electric energy to be received G1 and target total amount

of electric energy to be received Pt of FIG. 7. During time Ta to time Tb of FIG.

7, predicted amount of electric energy to be received G1 exceeds, for instance,

target total amount of electric energy to be received Pt as the upper limit target

based on the maximum value of the total amount of electric energy to be

received in the past 12 months. In order to supply the exceeded amount of

electric power by storage batteries, a larger value of profit function Re is set for

a higher St in demand periods t2 to t7 of FIG. 8. FIG. 8 illustrates overall

charge and discharge planning G2 every period of time, which is determined

based on the worth for the overall storage battery state. In the example

illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, overall charge and discharge planning unit 150

sets profit function Re based on a target value of electric power using a result of

comparison between predicted total amount of electric energy to be received G1

and target total amount of electric energy to be received Pt. In addition, for

instance, when a reverse power flow is reduced, a larger value of profit function

Rt may be set for a lower St. Also, profit function Re may be set so that the

worth is higher as predicted total amount of electric energy to be received G1 is

closer to equivalent to the total amount of electric energy to be received set as a

target in a specific period of time.

[0053]

Subsequently, individual charge and discharge planning unit 160

23 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU formulates individual charge and discharge planning distributed to each consumer 20, based on the formulated overall charge and discharge planning

(step S18).

[0054]

Specifically, for each consumer 20, individual charge and discharge

planning unit 160 refers to storage battery information obtained from power

storage device 200 of consumer 20 based on the overall charge and discharge

planning, and formulates individual charge and discharge planning for charge

and discharge control of storage battery 210 of consumer 20.

[0055]

Charge and discharge planning device 100 then transmits charge and

discharge planning information to power storage device 200 of each consumer

20 by transmission unit 180, the charge and discharge planning information

indicating individual charge and discharge planning related to consumer 20

(step S19). It should be noted that in addition to transmission in step S19, an

overall charge and discharge planning or each individual charge and discharge

planning may be displayed on a display device in output unit 170.

[0056]

In power storage device 200 which has received charge and discharge

planning information transmitted in step S19, control unit 250, to which charge

and discharge planning information has been conveyed from charge and

discharge planning obtaining unit 240, performs control of charge and

discharge of storage battery 210 in consideration of the target value of the

storage battery state according to individual charge and discharge planning.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the detail of control of charge and discharge of

storage battery 210 by control unit 250 (discharge corresponds to positive).

The example of FIG. 9 is an example in which control unit 250 performs charge

24 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU and discharge in accordance with individual charge and discharge planning in a range where a received electric power (predicted amount of electric energy to be received) in certain demand period t does not exceed the target value of electric power to be received (target amount of electric energy to be received ), the received electric power being predicted based on a result of measurement of received electric power at electric power receiving point 21, the result of measurement being obtained from received electric power information obtaining unit 220 in demand period t. As a target amount of electric energy to be received, for instance, the maximum electric power received in a certain period in the past may be set. In the example of FIG. 9, when the predicted amount of electric energy to be received is expected not to exceed the target value of electric power to be received (the lower row of the table of FIG. 9), control unit 250 charges or discharges storage battery 210 so that the current storage battery state (the current remaining capacity (Wh)) of storage battery

210 approaches the target remaining capacity. When the current remaining

capacity is smaller than the target remaining capacity (Wh), storage battery

210 is charged, whereas when the current remaining capacity is larger than the

target remaining capacity, storage battery 210 is discharged. Also, when the

predicted amount of electric energy to be received is expected to exceed the

target value of electric power to be received (the upper row of the table of FIG.

9), control unit 250 may discharge storage battery 210 in a range where the

target amount of electric energy to be received is not exceeded generally.

[0057]

In this manner, charge and discharge planning system 10 formulates

overall charge and discharge planning to enable economical electric power

utilization for a consumer group which is a set of consumers 20. Also, individual charge and discharge planning is formulated so that the overall 25 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU charge and discharge planning is distributed to the consumers. Consequently, charge and discharge of storage battery 210 of each consumer 20 may be performed to enable economical electric power utilization for the consumer group and individual consumer 20.

[0058]

(EMBODIMENT 2)

Part of charge and discharge planning systems 10 described above may

be modified to implement the system illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0059]

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of charge

and discharge planning system 10a.

[0060]

Although charge and discharge planning system 10a is basically similar

to (see FIG. 1) charge and discharge planning system 10, each consumer 20 is

an exclusive element of an apartment (collective housing), or a house of a smart

community, and includes electrical transformer equipment 700.

[0061]

Electrical transformer equipment 700 includes, for instance, electrical

transformer 701, a meter, a breaker, a protective device, and a communication

device. Electrical transformer equipment 700 is equipment that transforms

electric power from an electric power system by electrical transformer 701, and

supplies the electric power to each consumer 20 via power distribution line 11.

Electrical transformation equipment 700 has a function of measuring received

electric power at electric power receiving point 702. In addition, electrical

transformation equipment 700 has a function of transmitting received electric

power measured every certain period of time (for instance, 30 minutes) to

charge and discharge planning device 100 every certain period of time via 26 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU power distribution line 11.

[0062]

Received electric power information obtaining unit 120 (see FIG. 2) of

charge and discharge planning device 100 obtains received electric power

information not from power storage device 200 of consumer 20 but from

electrical transformation equipment 700.

[0063]

It should be noted that points not specifically described here about

charge and discharge planning system 10a are the same as in charge and

discharge planning system 10. Consequently, charge and discharge planning

device 100 in charge and discharge planning system 10a does not need to

individually receive (for each consumer 20) the received electric power at

electric power receiving point 21 in each consumer 20.

[0064]

(OTHER EMBODIMENTS)

Although charge and discharge planning systems 10, 10a have been

described with Embodiments 1, 2 above, the embodiments described above is

only an example, and it goes without saying that various types of changes,

additions, omissions are possible.

[0065]

In the embodiments described above, an example has been presented,

in which overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 sets the value of the

profit function which indicates the worth of an overall storage battery state

every unit time based on the relationship between a predicted total amount of

electric energy to be received and a target value of the total amount of electric

energy to be received, an operation schedule for storage battery 210 in

individual consumer 20, and an electricity rate. However, this is only an

27 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU example, and overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 may set the value of the profit function based on various types of information obtainable from power storage device 200 of each consumer 20 or other devices.

[0066]

Although charge and discharge planning device 100 described above

receives the received electric power information and the storage battery

information from power storage device 200 of consumer 20, these pieces of

information may be obtained by a method other than reception (for instance,

reception from EMS) from power storage device 200.

[0067]

Also, the components of charge and discharge planning device 100

described above may be provided in one device included in the charge and

discharge planning system or may be provided dispersedly over multiple

devices included in the charge and discharge planning system.

[0068]

Also, the execution sequence of the steps of processing (for instance, the

step of planning processing illustrated in FIG. 6) in charge and discharge

planning systems 10, 10a described above is not necessarily limited to the

sequence as described above. The execution sequence can be changed,

multiple steps can be performed in parallel, or part of the steps can be omitted

without departing from the essence of the invention. All or part of the

planning processing may be implemented by a method other than the software

for charge and discharge planning device 100. The processing by software is

implemented by execution of a processor included in charge and discharge

planning device 100. A program is recorded on a recording medium, and may

be distributed or circulated. For instance, a distributed program is installed

in a device (computer), and execution of a processor of the device can cause the 28 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU device to perform all or part of the planning processing.

[0069]

In addition, an embodiment implemented by combining the components

and the functions shown by the embodiments described above in any manner is

also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0070]

It should be noted that general or specific embodiments include one or

multiple combinations of a device, a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a

computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium.

[0071]

Hereinafter, a charge and discharge planning device, a charge and

discharge planning system, a planning method according to an aspect of the

present invention, and the configuration of a program used by the charge and

discharge planning device, modifications, and effects will be described.

[0072]

(1) Charge and discharge planning systems 10, 10a according to an

aspect of the present invention includes: storage battery information obtaining

unit 110 that, for each consumer 20 of a consumer group (a set of consumers 20),

obtains storage battery information which predicts a storage battery state

indicating an electric energy (that is, the remaining capacity) stored in storage

battery 210 of consumer 20 every lapse of a unit time (for instance, 30 minutes)

in a future predetermined period (for instance from the present to 24 hour in

the future); overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 that determines a

target value of an overall storage battery state showing a sum of electric energy

indicated by a storage battery state related to each consumer 20 of the

consumer group for the unit time, every lapse of the unit time in the

predetermined period based on the storage battery information obtained by 29 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU storage battery information obtaining unit 110, the storage battery state being to be changed by charge and discharge; and output unit 170 that outputs information (that is, information related to charge and discharge planning) based on the target value of the overall storage battery state every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period determined by overall charge and discharge planning unit 150.

[0073]

Consequently, charge and discharge planning systems 10, 10a can

formulate appropriate charge and discharge planning for controlling charge

and discharge of storage battery 210 of each consumer 20. With the above

configuration, charge and discharge planning systems 10, 10a regard a set of

storage batteries as a virtually one storage battery, the set integrating

individual storage batteries 210 in consumers 20. Charge and discharge

planning systems 10, 10a then determine a target value of an overall storage

battery state showing the remaining capacity (that is, the sum of the remaining

capacity of each storage battery 210) of the set every unit time (in other words,

formulate overall charge and discharge planning which is an operation

schedule for the set of the storage batteries). After the overall charge and

discharge planning is formulated, the overall charge and discharge planning

can be separately distributed to individual charge and discharge planning for

storage battery 210 in individual consumer 20. Each of the overall charge and

discharge planning and the individual charge and discharge planning is a type

of charge and discharge planning which is used directly or indirectly for charge

and discharge of a storage battery.

[0074]

(2) For instance, overall charge and discharge planning unit 150

calculates the overall storage battery state for the unit time every lapse of the

30 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU unit time in the predetermined period, and may determine the target value so that a cumulative evaluation value (for instance, see Expression 2 described above) which is an accumulated sum of an evaluation value (for instance, the value of a profit function) during the predetermined period according to the overall storage battery state when the overall storage battery state is changed by charge and discharge every lapse of the unit time meets a predetermined criterion (for instance, the cumulative evaluation value is to be maximized).

[0075]

Consequently, a schedule (operation schedule) for the storage battery

state of individual storage battery 210 can be reflected on the evaluation value

as necessary. Thus, with the above configuration, it is not necessary to solve

dynamic programming as many times as the total number of individual storage

batteries 210. Also, part of various changes over time of the storage battery

states of individual storage batteries 210 cancel each other, and is not reflected

on the change over time in the overall storage battery state. Therefore, charge

and discharge planning systems 10, 10a in the above configuration can

efficiently formulate the charge and discharge planning.

[0076]

(3) For instance, storage battery information obtaining unit 110 may

obtain storage battery information by receiving the obtain storage battery

information transmitted from each consumer 20 of the consumer group.

[0077]

Consequently, charge and discharge planning systems 10, 10a can

quickly collect the storage battery information.

[0078]

(4) For instance, the value of the profit function shows an economic

value, and the predetermined criterion may be that the cumulative value is

31 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU maximized.

[0079]

Consequently, it is possible to formulate useful charge and discharge

planning that maximizes the economic value for overall storage batteries 210 of

the consumer group in the predetermined period.

[0080]

(5) For instance, charge and discharge planning systems 10, 10a further

include: received electric power information obtaining unit 120 that obtains

received electric power information which indicates a result of measurement

related to received electric power of the consumer group; and prediction unit

130 that predicts received electric power of the consumer group every lapse of

the unit time in the predetermined period based on the received electric power

information. Overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 may set a value

of the profit function according to the overall storage battery state when the

overall storage battery state is changed by charge and discharge every lapse of

the unit time, based on whether or not received electric power of the consumer

group for the unit time predicted by prediction unit 130 meets a predetermined

condition.

[0081]

Consequently, it is possible to formulate charge and discharge planning

based on worth according to the relationship between the received electric

power in the consumer group and the target.

[0082]

(6) For instance, received electric power information obtaining unit 120

may obtain received electric power information by receiving the received

electric power information from each consumer 20 of the consumer group, the

received electric power information indicating a result of measurement related 32 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU to the received electric power of consumer 20.

[0083]

Consequently, charge and discharge planning system 10 can quickly

collect results of measurement of received electric power from consumers 20

who are dispersedly present. This is useful, for instance, when each consumer

20 of the consumer group lives in a single house (in other words, when results

of measurement of received electric power may not be obtained collectively for

the entire consumer group).

[0084]

(7) For instance, the predetermined condition includes a condition that

received electric power is greater than or equal to a predetermined lower limit,

and when the received electric power predicted by prediction unit 130 meets the

predetermined condition, overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 may

set the evaluation value to be larger, as compared with when the

predetermined condition is not met.

[0085]

Consequently, in a period of time when the received electric power of

the consumer group is reduced to a lower limit (for instance, a value

corresponding to a reverse power flow), for instance, each storage battery 210

leaves some space for storing electric power, and thus charge and discharge

planning can be formulated so as to direct a power flow to suppress the reverse

power flow.

[0086]

(8) For instance, the predetermined condition includes a condition that

received electric power is less than or equal to a predetermined upper limit, and

overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 may identify the predetermined

upper limit based on the received electric power information. 33 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

[0087]

Consequently, charge and discharge planning can be formulated so as to

direct a power flow to suppress the peak of the received electric power of the

consumer group.

[0088]

(9) For instance, charge and discharge planning systems 10, 10a further

including electricity rate information obtaining unit 140 that obtains electricity

rate information indicating a rate related to received electric power of the

consumer group. Overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 may set a

value of the profit function according to the overall storage battery state when

the overall storage battery state is changed by charge and discharge every

lapse of the unit time, based on the electricity rate information.

[0089]

Consequently, economical charge and discharge planning can be

formulated in consideration of the electricity rate.

[0090]

(10) For instance, overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 may

set a value of the profit function according to the overall storage battery state

when the overall storage battery state is changed by charge and discharge

every lapse of the unit time, based on the storage battery information.

[0091]

Consequently, charge and discharge planning can be formulated in

consideration of the worth of the overall storage battery state based on the

schedule (operation schedule) for the storage battery state of individual storage

battery 210.

[0092]

(11) For instance, charge and discharge planning systems 10, 10a

34 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU further including individual charge and discharge planning unit 160 that determines a target value of a storage battery state of storage battery 210 related to each consumer 20 of the consumer group every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, based on the target value of the overall storage battery state every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period determined by overall charge and discharge planning unit 150. Output unit

170 may perform output related to charge and discharge planning by

transmitting charge and discharge planning information to each consumer 20

of the consumer group, the charge and discharge planning information

indicating the target value of the storage battery state of storage battery 210

related to consumer 20 every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period,

the target value being determined by individual charge and discharge planning

unit 160.

[0093]

Consequently, each consumer 20 who has received charge and discharge

planning information from charge and discharge planning systems 10, 10a can

perform charge and discharge control of storage battery 210 in accordance with

the target value of the storage battery state indicated by the charge and

discharge planning information.

[0094]

(12) A charge and discharge planning system according to an aspect of

the present invention is charge and discharge planning systems 10, 10a

including charge and discharge planning device 100 that transmits charge and

discharge planning information for causing power storage device 200 including

storage battery 210 to charge and discharge storage battery 210, power storage

device 200 being provided to each consumer 20 of a consumer group. charge

and discharge planning device 100 includes: storage battery information

35 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU obtaining unit 110 that, for each consumer 20 of a consumer group, obtains storage battery information which predicts a storage battery state indicating an electric energy stored in storage battery 210 of power storage device 200 provided in consumer 20 every lapse of a unit time (for instance, 30 minutes) in a future predetermined period (for instance from the present to 24 hour in the future); overall charge and discharge planning unit 150 that calculates an overall storage battery state showing a sum of electric energy indicated by a storage battery state related to each consumer 20 of the consumer group for the unit time, every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period based on the storage battery information obtained by storage battery information obtaining unit 110, and determine a target value of the overall storage battery state to be changed by charge and discharge every lapse of the unit time so that a cumulative evaluation value which is an accumulated sum of an evaluation value during the predetermined period according to the overall storage battery state when the overall storage battery state is changed by the charge and discharge every lapse of the unit time meets a predetermined criterion; individual charge and discharge planning unit 160 that determines a target value of a storage battery state of storage battery 210 related to each consumer

20 of the consumer group every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined

period, based on the target value of the overall storage battery state every lapse

of the unit time in the predetermined period determined by overall charge and

discharge planning unit 150; and transmission unit 180 that transmits

individual charge and discharge planning to power storage device 200 of each

consumer 20 of the consumer group, the individual charge and discharge

planning indicating a target value of the storage battery state of storage

battery 210 related to the consumer every lapse of the unit time in the

predetermined period, the target value being determined by individual charge 36 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU and discharge planning unit 160.

[0095]

Consequently, appropriate charge and discharge planning for

controlling charge and discharge of storage battery 210 of each consumer 20

can be formulated.

[0096]

(13) A planning method according to an aspect of the present invention

includes the steps of: for each consumer 20 of a consumer group, obtaining (for

instance, step S15) storage battery information which predicts a storage

battery state indicating an electric energy stored in storage battery 210 of

consumer 20 every lapse of a unit time in a future predetermined period; and

determining (for instance, step S17) a target value of an overall storage battery

state to be changed by charge and discharge every lapse of the unit time in the

predetermined period based on the storage battery information obtained in the

obtaining.

[0097]

Consequently, appropriate charge and discharge planning for

controlling charge and discharge of storage battery 210 of each consumer 20

can be formulated.

[0098]

(14) A program according to an aspect of the present invention is for

causing a computer to execute predetermined planning processing (for instance,

planning processing illustrated in FIG. 6) including: for each consumer 20 of a

consumer group, obtaining (for instance, step S15) storage battery information

which predicts a storage battery state indicating an electric energy stored in

storage battery 210 of consumer 20 every lapse of a unit time in a future

predetermined period; and determining (for instance, step S17) a target value 37 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU of an overall storage battery state to be changed by charge and discharge every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period based on the storage battery information obtained in the obtaining.

[0099]

When this program is installed in a device (computer) including a

microprocessor, the device performs planning processing and can serve as

charge and discharge planning device 100. Appropriate charge and discharge

planning for controlling charge and discharge of storage battery 210 of each

consumer 20 can be formulated by charge and discharge planning device 100.

[0100]

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the

invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language

or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises"

or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the

stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features

in various embodiments of the invention.

[00101]

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to

herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication

forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any

other country.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

[0102]

10, 10a charge and discharge planning system

20 consumer

100 charge and discharge planning device 38 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

110 storage battery information obtaining unit

120 received electric power information obtaining unit

130 prediction unit

140 electricity rate information obtaining unit

150 overall charge and discharge planning unit

160 individual charge and discharge planning unit

170 output unit

180 transmission unit

200 power storage device

210 storage battery

39 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU

Claims

1. A charge and discharge planning system comprising:

a storage battery information obtaining unit configured to, for each

consumer of a consumer group, obtain storage battery information that predicts

a storage battery state indicating electric energy stored in a storage battery

included in a power storage device installed at each consumer every lapse of a

unit time in a future predetermined period;

an overall charge and discharge planning unit configured to determine

a target value of an overall storage battery state to be changed by

charging/discharging every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period

based on the storage battery information obtained by the storage battery

information obtaining unit; and

an output unit configured to output information to each consumer

based on the target value, determined by the overall charge and discharge

planning unit, of the overall storage battery state every lapse of the unit time in

the predetermined period, to cause the power storage device installed at each

consumer to charge and discharge the storage battery based on the information

that has been output to the consumer.

2. The charge and discharge planning system according to claim 1,

wherein the overall storage battery state shows a sum of the electric

energy indicated by the storage battery state related to each consumer of the

consumer group.

3. The charge and discharge planning system according to claim 1 or

2, 40 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU wherein the overall charge and discharge planning unit calculates the overall storage battery state for the unit time every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, and determines the target value so that a cumulative evaluation value which is an accumulated sum of an evaluation value during the predetermined period according to the overall storage battery state when the overall storage battery state is changed by charging and discharging every lapse of the unit time meets a predetermined criterion.

4. The charge and discharge planning system according to claim 3,

wherein the storage battery information obtaining unit obtains the

storage battery information by receiving the storage battery information

transmitted from each consumer of the consumer group.

5. The charge and discharge planning system according to claim 3 or

4,

wherein the evaluation value shows an economic value, and the

predetermined criterion is that the cumulative evaluation value is maximized.

6. The charge and discharge planning system according to any one of

claims 3 to 5, further comprising:

a received electric power information obtaining unit that obtains

received electric power information which indicates a result of measurement

related to received electric power of the consumer group; and

a prediction unit that predicts the received electric power of the

consumer group every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period based

on the received electric power information,

wherein the overall charge and discharge planning unit sets the 41 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU evaluation value according to the overall storage battery state when the overall storage battery state is changed by charging and discharging every lapse of the unit time, based on whether or not received electric power of the consumer group for the unit time predicted by prediction unit meets a predetermined condition.

7. The charge and discharge planning system according to claim 6,

wherein the received electric power information obtaining unit obtains

the received electric power information by receiving the received electric power

information indicating a result of measurement related to the received electric

power of each consumer of the consumer group, from the consumer.

8. The charge and discharge planning system according to claim 6 or

7,

wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition that the

and

when the received electric power predicted by the prediction unit meets

the predetermined condition, the overall charge and discharge planning unit

sets the evaluation value to be larger, as compared with when the received

electric power does not meet the predetermined condition.

9. The charge and discharge planning system according to any one of

claims 6 to 8,

wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition that the

the overall charge and discharge planning unit identifies the 42 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU predetermined upper limit based on the received electric power information.

10. The charge and discharge planning system according to any one of

claims 3 to 9, further comprising:

an electricity rate information obtaining unit that obtains electricity

rate information indicating a rate related to electric power receiving of the

consumer group,

wherein the overall charge and discharge planning unit sets the

evaluation value according to the overall storage battery state when the overall

storage battery state is changed by charging and discharging every lapse of the

unit time, based on the electricity rate information.

11. The charge and discharge planning system according to any one of

claims 3 to 10,

wherein the overall charge and discharge planning unit sets the

storage battery state is changed by charging and discharging every lapse of the

unit time, based on the storage battery information.

12. The charge and discharge planning system according to any one of

claims 1 to 11, further comprising

an individual charge and discharge planning unit that determines a

target value of the storage battery state related to each consumer of the

consumer group every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, based

on the target value, determined by the overall charge and discharge planning

unit, of the overall storage battery state every lapse of the unit time in the

predetermined period,

43 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU wherein the output unit performs the output related to charge and discharge planning by transmitting charge and discharge planning information to each consumer of the consumer group, the charge and discharge planning information indicating the target value, determined by the individual charge and discharge planning unit, of the storage battery state of storage battery related to the consumer every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period.

13. A charge and discharge planning system comprising

a charge and discharge planning device that transmits charge and

discharge planning information for causing a power storage device including a

storage battery to charge and discharge the storage battery, the power storage

device being provided to each consumer of a consumer group,

wherein the charge and discharge planning device includes:

a storage battery information obtaining unit that, for each consumer of

the consumer group, obtains storage battery information which predicts a

storage battery state indicating an electric energy stored in the storage battery

of the power storage device provided in the consumer every lapse of a unit time

in a future predetermined period;

an overall charge and discharge planning unit that calculates an overall

storage battery state showing a sum of electric energy indicated by a storage

battery state related to each consumer of the consumer group for the unit time,

every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period based on the storage

battery information obtained by storage battery information obtaining unit,

and determine a target value of the overall storage battery state to be changed

by charge and discharge every lapse of the unit time so that a cumulative

evaluation value which is an accumulated sum of an evaluation value during 44 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU the predetermined period according to the overall storage battery state when the overall storage battery state is changed by the charge and discharge every lapse of the unit time meets a predetermined criterion; an individual charge and discharge planning unit that determines a target value of the storage battery state related to each consumer of the consumer group every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, based on the target value, determined by the overall charge and discharge planning unit, of the overall storage battery state every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period; and a transmission unit that transmits individual charge and discharge planning to the power storage device of each consumer of the consumer group, the individual charge and discharge planning indicating a target value, determined by the individual charge and discharge planning unit, of the storage battery state related to the consumer every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, to cause the power storage device installed at each consumer to charge and discharge the storage battery based on the information that has been output to the consumer.

14. A planning method comprising:

for each consumer of a consumer group, obtaining storage battery

stored in a storage battery included in a power storage device installed at each

consumer every lapse of a unit time in a future predetermined period;

determining a target value of an overall storage battery state to be

changed by charging and discharging every lapse of the unit time in the

predetermined period based on the storage battery information obtained in the

obtaining; and

45 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU outputting information to each consumer based on the target value of the overall storage battery state every lapse of the unit time in the predetermined period, to cause the power storage device installed at each consumer to charge and discharge the storage battery based on the information that has been output to the consumer.

15. A program for causing a computer to execute predetermined

planning processing comprising:

for each consumer of a consumer group, obtaining storage battery

consumer every lapse of a unit time in a future predetermined period;

determining a target value of an overall storage battery state to be

changed by charging and discharging every lapse of the unit time in the

predetermined period based on the storage battery information obtained in the

obtaining; and

outputting information to each consumer based on the target value of

the overall storage battery state every lapse of the unit time in the

predetermined period, to cause the power storage device installed at each

consumer to charge and discharge the storage battery based on the information

that has been output to the consumer.

46 12077808_2 (GHMatters) P109904.AU