Patent Application
20240416791
The present invention relates to a charging/discharging control method and a charging/discharging control device.
An invention in which in a power system including a plurality of power conditioners (power modules) and a central management device which manages the plurality of power conditioners, a control unit included in each power conditioner calculates an individual target power of the power conditioner based on a signal transmitted from the central management device and controls an individual output power of the power conditioner such that the individual output power becomes equal to the individual target power has been known (Patent Literature 1).
According to the invention described in Patent Literature 1, since a signal from the central management device is transmitted through wireless communications, in a case where different power systems are adjacent to each other, there is a possibility that the control unit included in the power conditioner receives signals from a plurality of central management devices. In this case, there is a problem that it is necessary for the user to designate a signal that has to be followed in a charging/discharging control of the power conditioner from among a plurality of signals, thus increasing works until the start of the charging/discharging control of the power conditioner.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a charging/discharging control method and a charging/discharging control device that are capable of specifying a signal that has to be followed in a charging/discharging control of a power module without designation from a user and starting the charging/discharging control of the power module even in a case where a receiver included in the power module receives signals from a plurality of power systems.
A charging/discharging control method and a charging/discharging control device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when controlling a power module connected to any of a plurality of power systems, receive a signal broadcast for each of the power systems via a receiver included in the power module. The method and the device then calculate a degree of relationship between the acquired signal and an input voltage inputted to the power module for each of the power systems, and control the power module based on the signal relating to the power system having the degree of relationship greater than or equal to a prescribed threshold.
The present invention makes it possible to specify a signal that has to be followed in a charging/discharging control of a power module without designation from a user and to start the charging/discharging control of the power module even in a case where a receiver included in the power module receives signals from a plurality of power systems.
Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same parts are denoted by the same reference signs, and description of these will be omitted.
An example of a configuration of a power system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to
In addition,
Moreover,
Not limited to the example shown in
It should be noted that in
At a time point when the vehicle V2 and the vehicle V3 are connected respectively to the charging spot SP2 and the charging spot SP3 to start charging, which signal of the first signal and the second signal the control of the power module 50 mounted on the vehicle V2 or V3 has to be based on is unclear. On the other hand, it can be seen that the power module 50 mounted on the vehicle V2 or V3 is connected to either one of the first power system and the second power system based on the fact that the vehicle V2 or V3 can receive both first signal and second signal.
If the user were to specify which signal the control of the power module 50 has to be based on, a problem would occur that works until the start of the charging/discharging control of the power module 50 increase, which is cumbersome to the user. In addition, if which signal the control of the power module 50 has to be based on were specified through communications between the charging spot SP2 and the vehicle V2 or communications between the charging spot SP3 and the vehicle V3, it would be necessary to provide a facility for communications between charging spots and vehicles, which causes a problem that the cost increases. As described later, the charging/discharging control device 10 which controls the power module 50 can solve these problems.
The receiver 15 receives a signal broadcast from the transmitter (the transmitter 23 or 33 in
The receiver 15 receives a signal broadcast for each power system. The receiver 15 may receive the signal at at least two or more time points for each power system. A larger number of time points at which signals are acquired by the receiver 15 for each power system allow the precision of calculation of a degree of relationship, which will be described later, to be improved. Note that the receiver 15 may receive the signal during a duration time greater than or equal to a prescribed time period for each power system.
The controller 100 is a general-purpose computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a storage device, an input-output unit, and the like.
In the controller 100, a computer program (charging/discharging control program) for allowing the controller 100 to function as the charging/discharging control device 10 is installed. By executing the computer program, the controller 100 functions as a plurality of information processing circuits included in the charging/discharging control device 10.
Note that although an example of achieving the plurality of information processing circuits included in the charging/discharging control device 10 by means of software is shown here, it is of course also possible to configure the information processing circuits by preparing hardware dedicated to executing each information processing shown below. In addition, the plurality of information processing circuits may be configured by means of individual hardware.
The controller 100 includes a voltage acquisition unit 110, a calculation unit 120, a determination unit 130, and a power determination unit 140.
The voltage acquisition unit 110 acquires an input voltage of power inputted from the power system to the power module 50. Note that the voltage acquisition unit 110 may acquire an input voltage at at least two or more time points for each power system while the receiver 15 is receiving signals broadcast for each power system. In addition, the voltage acquisition unit 110 may acquire an input voltage during a duration time greater than or equal to a prescribed time period for each power system.
The calculation unit 120 calculates a degree of relationship between a signal (signal to be evaluated) received via the receiver 15 and an input voltage acquired by the voltage acquisition unit 110 for each power system. Note that the calculation unit 120 may use a signal having an intensity greater than or equal to a prescribed intensity as a signal to be evaluated and calculate the degree of relationship based on the signal to be evaluated.
More specifically, the calculation unit 120 calculates a predicted amount of change in the power of the power module 50 based on a signal. In addition, the calculation unit 120 calculates an amount of change in the input voltage. Then, the calculation unit 120 calculates the degree of relationship between the signal and the input voltage based on the calculated predicted amount of change in the power and the calculated amount of change in the input voltage.
For example, there is a relation that as the charged power in the entire power module connected to a power system increases, the input voltage of the power module decreases, while as the charged power in the entire power module connected to the power system decreases, the input voltage of the power module increases. That is, the predicted amount of change in the power of the power module 50, which is calculated based on a signal for adjusting the supply power in the power system, and the amount of change in the input voltage are in a negative correlation.
Hence, the calculation unit 120 calculates the degree of relationship such that the degree of relationship calculated in a case where the calculated predicted amount of change in the power and the calculated amount of change in the input voltage have opposite signs becomes larger than the degree of relationship calculated in a case where the calculated predicted amount of change in the power and the calculated amount of change in the input voltage have the same sign.
In addition, the calculation unit 120 may calculate a ratio of the calculated amount of change in the input voltage to the calculated predicted amount of change in the power and calculate, for a signal having smaller dispersion of the calculated ratio, a larger degree of relationship for the signal. Note that to improve the precision of the dispersion of the ratio to be calculated, the aforementioned voltage acquisition unit 110 may acquire input voltages at at least three or more time points for each power system. With a larger number of time points at which to acquire input voltages, the precision of the dispersion of the ratio to be calculated is improved.
Besides, in the case where there are a plurality of signals for which the calculated degrees of relationship are equal, the calculation unit 120 may recalculate the degree of relationship based on a plurality of signals acquired after the power of the power module 50 is changed by a prescribed amount. For explanation, a signal relating to a first power system is called a first signal, and a signal relating to a second power system different from the first power system is called a second signal. Here, in a case where a degree of relationship calculated based on the first signal and a degree of relationship calculated based on the second signal are equal, the calculation unit 120 may recalculate the degree of relationship based on the first signal and the second signal acquired after the power of the power module 50 is changed by a prescribed amount.
The reason why the power of the power module 50 is changed by a prescribed amount in the above description is for measuring a response of the power system to the change in the power of the power module 50. A variation can occur in a signal for adjusting the supply power in the power system to which the power module 50 the power of which has been changed is connected. Hence, it is expected that for a signal in which a variation has occurred among a plurality of signals acquired after the power of the power module 50 is changed, the degree of relationship after the recalculation becomes large. Hence, it becomes easy to specify a signal that has to be used in controlling the power module 50 by recalculating the degree of relationship.
The determination unit 130 determines whether or not the receiver 15 has received a plurality of signals. In addition, the determination unit 130 determines whether or not the degree of relationship has been calculated by the calculation unit 120 for all signals to be evaluated among the plurality of signals received by the receiver 15.
Moreover, the determination unit 130 selects a signal to be used in controlling the power module 50 based on degrees of relationship from among a plurality of signals broadcast for each power system. More specifically, the determination unit 130 selects a signal having the degree of relationship greater than or equal to a prescribed threshold. In addition, the determination unit 130 may select a signal having the highest degree of relationship from among a plurality of signals broadcast for each power system. The number of signals to be selected by the determination unit 130 may be one or more.
The power determination unit 140 controls the power module 50 based on a signal selected by the determination unit 130.
Note that in the case where there are a plurality of signals selected by the determination unit 130, the power determination unit 140 may determine the amount of change in the power of the power module 50 based on the plurality of signals thus selected.
For explanation, a signal relating to a first power system is called a first signal, and a signal relating to a second power system different from the first power system is called a second signal. In addition, an absolute value of a predicted amount of increase in the power of the power module based on the first signal is called a first amount of increase, and an absolute value of a predicted amount of increase in the power of the power module based on the second signal is called a second amount of increase. The power determination unit 140 may determine a smaller amount of the first amount of increase and the second amount of increase as the amount of increase in the power of the power module 50. In the case of increasing the power of the power module 50, the reason why to select a smaller amount of the amounts of increase in the power calculated based on a plurality of signal includes stabilizing an operation of the entire power system, for example.
In addition, an absolute value of a predicted amount of decrease in the power of the power module based on the first signal is called a first amount of decrease, and an absolute value of a predicted amount of decrease in the power of the power module based on the second signal is called a second amount of decrease. The power determination unit 140 may determine a larger amount of the first amount of decrease and the second amount of decrease as the amount of decrease in the power of the power module 50. In the case of decreasing the power of the power module 50, the reason why to select a larger amount of the amounts of decrease in the power calculated based on a plurality of signals includes stabilizing the operation of the entire power system, for example.
Next, a procedure of processing of the charging/discharging control according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of
In step S101, the receiver 15 receives a signal broadcast from the transmitter included in the power system through wireless communications.
In step S103, the determination unit 130 determines whether or not the receiver 15 has received a plurality of signals.
If it is determined that the receiver 15 has not received a plurality of signals (NO in step S103), the processing proceeds to step S121.
If it is determined that the receiver 15 has received a plurality of signals (YES in step S103), the processing proceeds to step S105, and the calculation unit 120 selects a signal to be evaluated from among the plurality of signals thus received in order to evaluate the degree of relationship. For example, the controller 100 may set the receiver 15 in order to receive a signal to be evaluated.
In step S107, the receiver 15 receives a signal to be evaluated.
In step S109, the voltage acquisition unit 110 acquires an input voltage of the power to be inputted from the power system to the power module 50.
In step S111, the calculation unit 120 calculates a predicted amount of change in the power of the power module 50 based on the signal.
In step S113, the calculation unit 120 calculates an amount of change in the input voltage.
In step S115, the calculation unit 120 calculates a degree of relationship between the signal and the input voltage based on the calculated predicted amount of change in the power and the calculated amount of change in the input voltage.
In step S117, the determination unit 130 determines whether or not the degree of relationship has been calculated for all signals to be evaluated among the plurality of signals received by the receiver 15.
If it is determined that the degree of relationship has not been calculated for all the signals (NO in step S117), the processing proceeds to step S105.
If it is determined that the degree of relationship has been calculated for all the signals (YES in step S117), the processing proceeds to step S119, and the determination unit 130 selects a signal to be used in controlling the power module 50, based on the degree of relationship, from among a plurality of signals broadcast for each power system.
In step S121, the power determination unit 140 controls the power module 50 based on the signal selected by the determination unit 130. Note that in the case where only one signal has been received by the receiver 15, the power determination unit 140 controls the power module 50 based on that received signal. Thereafter, the processing shown in the flowchart of
As described above in detail, when controlling a power module connected to any of a plurality of power systems, the charging/discharging control method and the charging/discharging control device according to the present embodiment receive a signal broadcast for each of the power systems via a receiver included in the power module and acquire an input voltage inputted to the power module. The charging/discharging control method and the charging/discharging control device then calculate a degree of relationship between the signal and the input voltage for each power system and control the power module based on the signal relating to the power system having the degree of relationship greater than or equal to a prescribed threshold.
This makes it possible to specify a signal that has to be followed in a charging/discharging control of a power module without designation from a user and start the charging/discharging control of the power module even in a case where a receiver included in the power module receives signals from a plurality of power systems.
Moreover, it is unnecessary to provide a facility that communicates with a controller for controlling a power module in a charging spot which is supplied with power of a power system. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost.
In addition, the charging/discharging control method and the charging/discharging control device according to the present embodiment may be such that the signal is received at at least two or more time points for each power system. This makes it possible to surely calculate the degree of relationship between the signal and the input voltage. In addition, since with a larger number of time points at which signals are received, the precision of the degree of relationship to be calculated is improved, and it is thus possible to specify a signal that has to be followed in a charging/discharging control of a power module with high precision.
Moreover, the charging/discharging control method and the charging/discharging control device according to the present embodiment may be such that the signal is received for a prescribed time period or more for each power system. This makes it possible to surely calculate the degree of relationship between the signal and the input voltage. In addition, as the signal is received for a prescribed time period or more, the number of time points at which the signals are received increases, and the precision of the degree of relationship to be calculated is improved. Thus, it is possible to specify a signal that has to be followed in a charging/discharging control of a power module with high precision.
In addition, the charging/discharging control method and the charging/discharging control device according to the present embodiment may be such that the degree of relationship calculated based on the signal in a case where a predicted amount of change in the power of the power module and an amount of change in the input voltage have opposite signs is calculated to become larger than the degree of relationship calculated based on the signal in a case where the amount of change and the amount of change in the input voltage have the same sign.
There is a relation that as the charged power in the entire power module connected to a power system increases, the input voltage of the power module decreases, while as the charged power in the entire power module connected to the power system decreases, the input voltage of the power module increases. The above-described configuration makes it possible to reflect the relation between the charged power in the entire power module and the input voltage in the calculation of the degree of relationship. Therefore, it is possible to improve the precision of the degree of relationship.
Moreover, the charging/discharging control method and the charging/discharging control device according to the present embodiment may be such that when the signal relating to a first power system is called a first signal, and the signal relating to a second power system different from the first power system is called a second signal, in a case where a degree of relationship calculated based on the first signal and a degree of relationship calculated based on the second signal are equal, the degree of relationship is recalculated based on the first signal and the second signal acquired after the power of the power module is changed.
A variation can occur in a signal for adjusting supply power in a power system to which a power module the power of which has been changed is connected. Hence, it is expected that for a signal in which a variation has occurred among a plurality of signals acquired after power of a power module is changed, the degree of relationship after the recalculation becomes large. It becomes easy to specify a signal that has to be used in controlling a power module by recalculating the degree of relationship. By changing the power of the power module by a prescribed amount, it is possible to measure a response of the power system to the change in the power of the power module, and it is thus possible to specify a signal that has to be followed in a charging/discharging control of a power module with high precision.
In addition, the charging/discharging control method and the charging/discharging control device according to the present embodiment may be such that when the signal relating to a first power system is called a first signal, the signal relating to a second power system different from the first power system is called a second signal, an absolute value of a predicted amount of increase in the power of the power module based on the first signal is called a first amount of increase, and an absolute value of a predicted amount of increase in the power of the power module based on the second signal is called a second amount of increase, a control of increasing the power of the power module by a smaller amount of the first amount of increase and the second amount of increase is conducted. This makes it possible to stabilize an operation of the entire power system. In addition, it is possible to reduce an influence on charging/discharging of another power module connected to the power system.
Moreover, the charging/discharging control method and the charging/discharging control device according to the present embodiment may be such that when the signal relating to a first power system is called a first signal, the signal relating to a second power system different from the first power system is called a second signal, an absolute value of a predicted amount of decrease in the power of the power module based on the first signal is called a first amount of decrease, and an absolute value of a predicted amount of decrease in the power of the power module based on the second signal is called a second amount of decrease, a control of decreasing the power of the power module by a larger amount of the first amount of decrease and the second amount of decrease. This makes it possible to stabilize an operation of the entire power system. In addition, it is possible to reduce an influence on charging and discharging of another power module connected to the power system.
In addition, the charging/discharging control method and the charging/discharging control device according to the present embodiment may be such that the degree of relationship is calculated based on the signal having an intensity greater than or equal to a prescribed intensity. This makes it possible to calculate the degree of relationship by narrowing down a plurality of received signals to a signal to be evaluated. As a result, it is possible to reduce a calculation load. Furthermore, time taken to specify a signal that has to be followed in a charging/discharging control of a power module is shortened, and it is thus possible to shorten time until the start of the charging/discharging control.
Moreover, the charging/discharging control method and the charging/discharging control device according to the present embodiment may be such that the signal is transmitted through wireless communications. This makes it possible to broadcast (simultaneously transmit) a control on power modules connected to the power system. It is unnecessary to provide a facility that communicates with a controller for controlling a power module in a charging spot which is supplied with the power of the power system, and it is thus possible to suppress an increase in cost.
Each function shown in the above-mentioned embodiment may be implemented by one or more processing circuits. The processing circuits include a programmed processor, an electric circuit, and the like, and further also include a device such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a circuit component arranged to execute a described function, and the like.
Although the content of the present invention has been described along with the embodiment, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these descriptions, and various changes and modifications are possible. The discussions and drawings constituting part of this disclosure shall not be construed as limiting the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operational techniques will be revealed to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure.
It goes without saying that the present invention encompasses various embodiments and the like that are not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention shall be determined only by the invention-specifying matters according to Claims that are reasonable from the above descriptions.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2021/000763 | 11/8/2021 | WO |
