Control apparatus, control method, and power storage control apparatus

[Object] To provide a control apparatus capable of optimum power interchange in the whole of a community including a plurality of customers. [Solution] There is provided a control apparatus including: an acquisition section configured to acquire information regarding consumption of power from a plurality of nodes that store and consume power; and a control section configured to use the information regarding consumption of power to generate data regarding target power storage in each of the nodes, the data being provided to the node.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2017/013932 filed on Apr. 3, 2017, which claims priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2016-098255 filed in the Japan Patent Office on May 16, 2016. Each of the above-referenced applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a control apparatus, a control method, and a power storage control apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

An uninterruptible power source apparatus has been known that includes a storage battery, and can hereby keep on supplying power from the storage battery to an apparatus connected thereto for a predetermined time without causing power interruptions even when power from an input power source is cut off. Technology has been developed for supplying power to customers in which such a power source apparatus is provided when an abnormality occurs in supplying power due to power interruption or the like (see Patent Literature 1, Patent Literature 2, and the like).

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Patent Literature WO2015/072304

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

When power is autonomously interchanged between customers, storage batteries installed at the respective customers are individually optimized. However, when power is autonomously interchanged between customers, the optimization is not carried out in the whole of a community including a plurality of customers, failing in efficient energy use.

Accordingly, the present disclosure proposes a novel and improved control apparatus, control method, and power storage control apparatus capable of optimum power interchange in the whole of a community including a plurality of customers.

Solution to Problem

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a control apparatus including: an acquisition section configured to acquire information regarding consumption of power from a plurality of nodes that store and consume power; and a control section configured to use the information regarding consumption of power to generate data regarding target power storage in each of the nodes, the data being provided to the node.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a control method including: acquiring information regarding consumption of power from a plurality of nodes that store and consume power; and using the information regarding consumption of power to generate data regarding target power storage in each of the nodes, the data being provided to the node.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a power storage control apparatus including: an acquisition section configured to acquire data regarding target power storage, the data being generated in an apparatus to which information regarding consumption of power is provided; and a control section configured to perform control regarding interchange of power stored in a storage battery on a basis of the data regarding target power storage.

In addition, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a control method including: acquiring data regarding target power storage, the data being generated in an apparatus to which information regarding consumption of power is provided; and performing control regarding interchange of stored power on a basis of the data regarding target power storage.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present disclosure as described above, it is possible to provide a novel and improved control apparatus, control method, and power storage control apparatus capable of optimum power interchange in the whole of a community including a plurality of customers.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Note that description will be made in the following order.1. Embodiment of the Present Disclosure1.1. Overview1.2. Configuration Example and Operation Example2. Conclusion

1. Embodiment of the Present Disclosure

Before an embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail, the overview of the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

As described above, the technology is disclosed for a power supply system in which, between nodes each including a power generation apparatus such as a solar power generation apparatus that uses natural energy and renewable energy to generate power and a battery that stores the power generated by the power generation apparatus, the power stored in the batteries is interchanged (see Patent Literature 1 and the like).

Technology is also disclosed for a system in which power is autonomously interchanged between the respective nodes in such a power supply system (see Patent Literature 2 and the like). Autonomously interchanging power between nodes individually optimizes the respective batteries.

FIG. 1is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a power supply system in which power stored in batteries is interchanged between nodes.

FIG. 1illustrates four nodes10ato10d. Each node is one power generation and power consumption unit including, for example, a home, a company, a school, a hospital, a city office, and the like. The nodes10ato10dare connected through a communication line30and a power line40.

The node10aincludes a storage battery20a, a DC-DC converter21a, a CPU22a, and a solar power generation apparatus23a. Then, the node10aretains control data24a. The control data24ais data for controlling a charge and discharge of the storage battery20a. The control data24ais data in which it is described, for example, how low the remaining power level of the storage battery20abecomes when a charge request is sent to another node, how high the remaining power level of the storage battery20abecomes when a discharge is permitted in response to a charge request from another node, or the like. The nodes10bto10dalso have similar configurations.

In the power supply system illustrated inFIG. 1, the respective nodes10ato10dautonomously interchange power. For example, a CPU22brefers to control data24band the remaining power level of a storage battery20b. If the remaining capacity of the storage battery20bof the node10bis lowered to such a level that a charge request is sent to another node, the CPU22bsends charge requests to the other nodes10a,10c, and10dthrough the communication line30. The nodes10a,10c, and10d, which receive the charge requests from the node10b, respectively refer to the pieces of control data24a,24cand24d, and the remaining power levels of the storage batteries20a,20c, and20dto determine whether to permit discharges.

The example ofFIG. 1shows that only the node10cpermits a discharge in response to a charge request from the node10b. As a result, power is interchanged between the node10band the node10c.

In such a power supply system, pieces of control data are independently decided in the respective nodes. Therefore, the system does not always carry out the optimum power interchange as a whole. In other words, autonomous power interchange between a plurality of nodes does not sometimes result in the optimum power interchange as the whole of a community including the nodes. In that case, it is impossible to efficiently use the generated energy. For example, another node whose battery is fully charged as a result of power interchange from a certain node to the other node cannot store the power generated by the power generation apparatus in the battery. The power generated by the power generation apparatus comes to nothing.

In the example ofFIG. 1, power is interchanged between the node10band the node10c, whose batteries have relatively low remaining power levels. To maximize the efficiency of the whole of the system, it is desirable to transmit power from the node10aand the node10d, whose batteries have relatively high remaining power levels, to the node10b. In addition, in the example ofFIG. 1, the remaining power level of the storage battery20dis almost full. Unless power is transmitted from the node10d, the power generated by a solar power generation apparatus23dis not stored in the storage battery20dor comes to nothing.

Thus, when pieces of control data on the basis of which the power stored in the storage batteries is interchanged are independently decided in the respective nodes, it is impossible to efficiently use the generated energy in some cases.

Then, in view of what has been described above, the present disclosers have assiduously studied technology capable of carrying out the optimum power interchange on the whole of a community including a plurality of customers. As a result, the present disclosers have devised technology capable of efficiently using generated energy by providing a plurality of nodes with a central control apparatus that controls power interchange.

The above describes the overview of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

1.2. Configuration Example and Operation Example

System Configuration Example

First, an overall configuration example of the power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.FIG. 2is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of a power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The following usesFIG. 2to describe an overall configuration example of the power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the nodes10ato10dand a central control apparatus100. Each node is one power generation and power consumption unit including, for example, a home, a company, a school, a hospital, a city office, and the like. The nodes10ato10dare connected through the communication line30and the power line40. Note thatFIG. 1illustrates the four nodes10ato10d, but, needless to say, the number of nodes included in the power supply system is not limited to this example.

The node10aincludes the storage battery20a, the DC-DC converter21a, the CPU22a, and the solar power generation apparatus23a. Then, the node10aretains control data24a. The control data24ais data for controlling a charge and discharge of the storage battery20a. The control data24ais data in which it is described, for example, how low the remaining power level of the storage battery20abecomes when a charge request is sent to another node, how high the remaining power level of the storage battery20abecomes when a discharge is permitted in response to a charge request from another node, or the like. The nodes10bto10dalso have similar configurations.

The central control apparatus100has a function of performing wired or wireless communication with the nodes10ato10d, and regularly updating the pieces of control data24ato24dretained by the respective nodes such that the whole of the system has the optimum energy efficiency. A specific functional configuration example of the central control apparatus100will be described in detail below.

In addition, update processing of the pieces of control data24ato24dby the central control apparatus100will also be described in detail below, but an example is like the following. The central control apparatus100acquires data (consumption history data or consumption prediction data) regarding the consumption of power from the respective nodes, updates the pieces of control data24ato24don the basis of the acquired data, and provides them to the respective nodes. The central control apparatus100may predict future consumed power on the basis of future weather and temperature, the predicted amount of solar radiation, information of an event that takes place in a region to which each node belongs, and the like, and use a result of the prediction to update the pieces of control data24ato24d.

In other words, it is the same as the power supply system illustrated inFIG. 1that the nodes10ato10drespectively send charge requests and discharge permission on the basis of the pieces of control data24ato24dand the remaining power levels of the storage batteries20ato20d. However, it is different from the power supply system illustrated inFIG. 1that the pieces of control data24ato24dare regularly updated by the central control apparatus100.

The power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is configured as illustrated inFIG. 2, and the respective nodes10ato10dhereby interchange power under the control of the central control apparatus100. For example, the CPU22brefers to the control data24band the remaining power level of the storage battery20b. If the remaining capacity of the storage battery20bof the node10bis lowered to such a level that a charge request is sent to another node, the CPU22bsends charge requests to the other nodes10a,10c, and10dthrough the communication line30. The nodes10a,10c, and10d, which receive the charge requests from the node10b, respectively refer to the pieces of control data24a,24cand24d, and the remaining power levels of the storage batteries20a,20c, and20dto determine whether to permit discharges.

The example ofFIG. 2shows that only the node10dincluding the storage battery20d, whose remaining power level is almost full, permits a discharge in response to a charge request from the node10b. As a result, power is interchanged between the node10band the node10d. Thus, the power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated inFIG. 2can realize more efficient energy interchange than the power supply system illustrated inFIG. 1does.

The above usesFIG. 2to describe an overall configuration example of the power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Next, functional configuration examples of the respective nodes10ato10dand the central control apparatus100included in the power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

Functional Configuration Examples of Nodes and Central Control Apparatus

FIG. 3is an explanatory diagram illustrating functional configuration examples of the nodes10aand10band the central control apparatus100included in the power supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The following usesFIG. 3to describe functional configuration examples of the nodes10aand10band the central control apparatus100. Note thatFIG. 3illustrates only the nodes10aand10b, but the nodes10cand10dinFIG. 2also have configurations similar to those of the nodes10aand10b.

First, functional configuration examples of the nodes10aand10bwill be described. The following describes a functional configuration example of the node10a, but the same applies to a functional configuration example of the node10b.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the node10aaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the storage battery20a, the DC-DC converter21a, communication sections51aand57a, communication control sections52aand56a, a storage section53a, a power shortage and surplus determination section54a, and a DC-DC control section55a.

The communication section51aexecutes communication processing with the central control apparatus100. The communication control section52acontrols the communication processing by the communication section51a. The communication section51atransmits data (consumption history data or consumption prediction data) regarding the consumption of power to the central control apparatus100, and receives control data24afrom the central control apparatus100according to the communication processing with central control apparatus100.

The storage section53aincludes, for example, a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and retains information regarding power interchange with another node, for example, the control data24a.

The power shortage and surplus determination section54arefers to the amount of power stored in the storage battery20aand the control data24astored in the storage section53ato determine a shortage or surplus of the power stored in the storage battery20a.

When the power shortage and surplus determination section54adetermines that the power stored in the storage battery20aruns short, the power shortage and surplus determination section54ainstructs the communication control section56ato send a charge request to another node. When the power shortage and surplus determination section54adetermines that the power stored in the storage battery20ais sufficient to transmit power in the case where the power shortage and surplus determination section54areceives a charge request from another node, the power shortage and surplus determination section54ainstructs the communication control section56ato send power transmission permission to the other node. The power shortage and surplus determination section54acan function as an example of a control section of a power storage control apparatus according to the present disclosure.

An example of the control data24awill be shown here. Table 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the control data24a. The control data24ais, as illustrated in Table 1, data in which the target remaining power level, the interchange price, and the interchange partner for each time slot are described. The power shortage and surplus determination section54arefers to the control data24alike this to determine a shortage or surplus of the power stored in the storage battery20a.

TABLE 1(Example of Control Data)interchangeinterchangetarget remainingpricepartnerpower level (A)(Option)(Option)0:00 to 1:0040%¥40anyone1:00 to 2:0038%¥40anyone2:00 to 3:0036%¥40anyone3:00 to 4:0034%¥40anyone4:00 to 5:0032%¥40anyone5:00 to 6:0030%¥30anyone6:00 to 7:0020%¥30anyone7:00 to 8:0020%¥20anyone8:00 to 9:0020%¥20A9:00 to 10:0020%¥20A10:00 to 11:0020%¥20A11:00 to 12:0030%¥20anyone12:00 to 13:0040%¥20anyone13:00 to 14:0050%¥20anyone14:00 to 15:0060%¥20anyone15:00 to 16:0070%¥20anyone16:00 to 17:0080%¥30B17:00 to 18:0075%¥30B18:00 to 19:0070%¥30B19:00 to 20:0065%¥30anyone20:00 to 21:0060%¥30anyone21:00 to 22:0055%¥30anyone22:00 to 23:0050%¥30anyone23:00 to 24:0045%¥30anyone

The target remaining power level is the remaining power level of the storage battery20ain that time slot, and may be described in percentages like the example of the control data illustrated in Table 1 or as an absolute value. The interchange price is the amount of money for interchanging power in that time slot. The interchange partner is a partner with which power can be interchanged in that time slot. If power can be interchanged with any node, “anyone” is described. If power can be interchanged with only a specific node, information for identifying that node is described. In the case where power can be interchanged with only a specific node, the number of pieces of information for identifying the node may be one or more. In addition, the setting is also possible that does not interchange power with the specific node.

The control data24ahas a function of controlling power interchange with an external power source. For example, in the case where bad weather is expected, the control data24afor purchasing power from an electric power company in a time slot such as a nighttime power service that costs less, and fully charging the storage battery20acan be generated by the central control apparatus100. In addition, in the case where fine weather is expected, the control data24afor selling the power of the storage battery to an electric power company, and keeping the storage battery empty as long as possible to take in as much solar power as possible can be generated by the central control apparatus100.

The DC-DC control section55acontrols the DC-DC converter21ato control a discharge of direct current power from the storage battery20aand a supply of direct current power to the storage battery20a. The DC-DC control section55ais based on a charge request or discharge permission acquired by the communication control section56ato control to what extent and how long power is discharged or supplied.

The communication section57aexecutes communication processing with another node through the communication line30. The communication control section56acontrols the communication processing by the communication section57a. The communication section57atransmits a charge request or discharge permission to the other node, or receives a charge request or discharge permission from the other node according to the communication processing with the other node.

The above describes functional configuration examples of the nodes10aand10b. Next, a functional configuration example of the central control apparatus100will be described.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, the central control apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes communication sections102and120, communication control sections104and118, a storage section106, a generated-power calculation section108, a consumed-power calculation section110, a remaining-battery-power-level calculation section112, a power distribution calculation section114, and a control data generation section116.

The communication section102executes communication processing with an external cloud200. The communication control section104controls the communication processing by the communication section102. The communication section102acquires future weather data of a region to which the nodes10ato10dbelong, the region to which the nodes10ato10dbelong, information of an event in the area (such as a town, a city, a prefecture, and a country) to which the region belongs, or other information that can relate to power consumption according to the communication processing with the external cloud200.

The storage section106includes, for example, a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and retains information regarding inter-node power interchange between the nodes10ato10d, for example, information that can relate to power consumption which is acquired by the communication section102and control data to be provided to each node. The control data retained by the storage section106can be control data that is transmitted from each node or generated by the control data generation section116.

The generated-power calculation section108calculates the power generated by a solar power generation apparatus installed at each node. When the generated-power calculation section108calculates the power generated by the solar power generation apparatus installed at each node, the generated-power calculation section108uses, for example, the future weather data that is acquired by the communication section102and stored in the storage section106.

In addition, when the generated-power calculation section108calculates the power generated by the solar power generation apparatus installed at each node, the generated-power calculation section108may use the history of the amount of power generated in the past by the solar power generation apparatus installed at the node. For example, referring to the amount of power generated on one day in the past, and the weather, temperature and sunshine duration of that day, the generated-power calculation section108can predict the more accurate value of the amount of power generated by the solar power generation apparatus installed at each node from future weather data.

Note that the present embodiment shows an example in which a solar power generation apparatus is installed at each node. However, for example, if a wind power generation apparatus is additionally installed at each node, the generated-power calculation section108can calculate the power generated by the wind power generation apparatus installed at the node. When the generated-power calculation section108calculates the power generated by the wind power generation apparatus, the generated-power calculation section108refers to information, for example, a wind direction and wind strength that influence the power generation of the wind power generation apparatus as future weather data.

The consumed-power calculation section110calculates the power consumed by each node. When the consumed-power calculation section110calculates the power consumed by each node, the consumed-power calculation section110uses, for example, information that is acquired by the communication section102and stored in the storage section106, and can relate to power consumption.

For example, if the information acquired by the communication section102notifies the consumed-power calculation section110that a sport event is going to take place on one day in the future, the consumed-power calculation section110calculates consumed power by taking it into consideration that more people are each viewing television at home. In addition, for example, if the information acquired by the communication section102notifies the consumed-power calculation section110that temperature is going to rise on one day in the future, the consumed-power calculation section110calculates consumed power by taking it into consideration that more people are each using an air conditioner at home. In addition, for example, if the information acquired by the communication section102notifies the consumed-power calculation section110that a festival is going to take place in a region to which each node belongs on one day in the future, the consumed-power calculation section110calculates consumed power by taking it into consideration that each of people is absent at home in the time slot of the festival.

The remaining-battery-power-level calculation section112uses the power generated by the solar power generation apparatus which is calculated by the generated-power calculation section108, and the power consumed by each node which is calculated by the consumed-power calculation section110to calculate the future remaining power level of the storage battery of the node.

The power distribution calculation section114is based on the future remaining power level of the storage battery of each node which is calculated by the remaining-battery-power-level calculation section112to calculate the distribution amount of power to be interchanged between nodes. For example, to take in as much generated power as possible from renewable energy, the power distribution calculation section114calculates such a distribution amount that the power distribution is achieved for charging a storage battery having a charge spare capacity from a storage battery having a discharge spare capacity.

The control data generation section116is based on the distribution amount of power to be interchanged between nodes which is calculated by the power distribution calculation section114to generate control data to be provided to each node. The control data generated by the control data generation section116is data of the target remaining power level, the interchange price, and the interchange partner for each time slot like the data illustrated in Table 1. The control data generation section116can function as an example of a control section of a control apparatus according to the present disclosure.

The communication section120executes communication processing with each node. The communication control section1187controls the communication processing by the communication section120. The communication section120can provide the control data generated by the control data generation section116to each node, and acquire the history of the power generated and the history of the power consumed by each node, the history of interchange power with another node and the like from the node according to the communication processing with the node.

Configured in this way, the central control apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can generate control data to be provided to each node on the basis of information regarding future power consumption, and provide the generated control data to the node.

The above usesFIG. 3to describe functional configuration examples of the nodes10aand10band the central control apparatus100. Next, an operation example of the central control apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

Operation Example

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the central control apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. What is illustrated inFIG. 4is an operation example of the central control apparatus100to generate control data for each node. The following usesFIG. 4to describe an operation example of the central control apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The central control apparatus100regularly acquires data regarding the power consumption of each node from the cloud200or the node (step S101). The data regarding the power consumption of each node is the data of the history of power consumed in the past by the node or the prediction of the future power generation and consumption of the node.

Regularly acquiring the data regarding the power consumption of each node from the cloud200or the node, the central control apparatus100is then based on the acquired data regarding the power consumption to generate control data for each node (step S102). When the central control apparatus100generates control data, the central control apparatus100uses a calculation result of the remaining power level of the storage battery of each node and the distribution amount of power between nodes which are derived from a calculation result of the power generated by the solar power generation apparatus installed at the node and a calculation result of the power consumed by the node.

Generating control data for each node, the central control apparatus100then provides the generated control data to the node (step S103).

The central control apparatus100regularly generates control data. For example, the central control apparatus100can generate control data at predetermined intervals, for example, various intervals such as every one hour, every six hours, every half a day, and every day.

Here, the flow in which the central control apparatus100generates control data will be described in further detail while specific information is presented.

FIG. 5is an explanatory diagram for describing a flow in which control data is generated by the central control apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The central control apparatus100acquires, from each node10, information such as the history of the power generated by the solar power generation apparatus, the history of the power consumed by the node, the history of interchange power with another node, and control data uniquely retained in the node.

In addition, the central control apparatus100acquires, for example, from the cloud200, information such as the predicted amount of solar radiation in a region to which each node belongs which influences the power generation of the solar power generation apparatus and information such as predicted temperature, a day/season and event information which influences the amount of power consumed in the future.

The central control apparatus100uses the history of the generated power acquired from each node10and, for example, the predicted amount of solar radiation acquired from the cloud200to calculate the power generated in the future by the solar power generation apparatus installed at the node10.

In addition, the central control apparatus100is based on the information, for example, the predicted amount of solar radiation acquired from the cloud200and the like which influences the power generation of the solar power generation apparatus, the information such as predicted temperature, a day/season and event information which influences the amount of power consumed in the future, and the control data and the history of the consumed power which are acquired from each node10to calculate the power consumed by the node in the future.

When the central control apparatus100calculates the power consumed in the future by each node, the central control apparatus100may use a schedule of a person who resides in the node. The central control apparatus100can predict that, if a person who resides in each node goes out, less power is consumed, while the central control apparatus100can predict that, if a person who resides in each node does not go out, more power is consumed.

Once the central control apparatus100calculates the power generated in the future by the solar power generation apparatus installed at each node10and the power consumed in the future by the node, the central control apparatus100is based on a calculation result to calculate the future remaining capacity of the storage battery of the node.

Once the central control apparatus100calculates the future remaining capacity of the storage battery of each node, the central control apparatus100is based on a calculation result to decide future power distribution between nodes. For example, knowing that the remaining capacity of the storage battery20aof the node10ais running short at a certain time point in the future while the storage battery20bof the node10bhas a spare remaining capacity, the central control apparatus100decides that power is interchanged from the node10bto the node10aat that time.

Then, once the central control apparatus100decides future power distribution between nodes, the central control apparatus100generates such control data for each node that the power distribution is carried out. For example, as described above, knowing that the remaining capacity of the storage battery20aof the node10ais running short at a certain time point in the future while the storage battery20bof the node10bhas a spare remaining capacity, the central control apparatus100generates such control data that power is interchanged from the node10bto the node10aat that time.

When the central control apparatus100generates control data, the central control apparatus100may refer to the past power interchange history acquired from each node. For example, if power is frequently interchanged between the node10aand the node10b, such control data may be generated that power is interchanged between the node10aand the node10b. In addition, such control data may also be generated that power is interchanged between nodes other than the node10aand the node10b.

The central control apparatus100may determine from the interchange power history and remaining-battery-power history of each node whether the interchange is effective. Then, in the case where the interchange of each node is not effective, the central control apparatus100may generate such control data that the interchange does not occur under the same condition.

For example, if the interchange power history and the remaining-battery-power history notify the central control apparatus100that the storage battery of a node that receives power by interchanging power is fully charged afterward, and the situation occurs in which solar power cannot be taken in, the central control apparatus100determines that the interchange is not effective and generates such control data that the same power interchange does not occur under the same condition.

Once the central control apparatus100generates control data for each node, the central control apparatus100provides the generated control data to the node10.

Executing an operation as described above, the central control apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can generate control data to be provided to each node on the basis of information regarding future power consumption, and provide the generated control data to the node.

In this way, each node10can interchange power on the basis of control data generated by the central control apparatus100, but all the nodes10do not necessarily have to interchange power in accordance with the control data generated by the central control apparatus100.

FIG. 6is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the power supply system in the case where only some of the nodes interchange power in accordance with the control data generated by the central control apparatus100.

In the example illustrated inFIG. 6, the nodes10aand10binterchange power in accordance with not the control data generated by the central control apparatus100, but control data uniquely retained in the nodes10aand10b, respectively. The nodes10cand10dinterchange power in accordance with the control data generated by the central control apparatus100. Power is interchanged between the respective nodes irrespective of the presence or absence of a connection to the central control apparatus100. Thus, if the conditions of the remaining power level of a storage battery and control data are met, power can also be interchanged between the node10band the node10c.

Even if a communication failure occurs between the central control apparatus100and each node, and the central control apparatus100becomes incapable of providing control data to the node, the node can interchange power on the basis of control data provided from the central control apparatus100before the failure occurs or control data uniquely retained therein.

FIG. 7is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the power supply system in the case where a communication failure occurs between the central control apparatus100and each node. As illustrated inFIG. 7, even if a communication failure occurs between the central control apparatus100and each node, the nodes10ato10dcan transmit a charge request or discharge permission to another node, or receive a charge request or discharge permission from another node on the basis of control data provided from the central control apparatus100before the failure occurs or control data uniquely retained therein.

By generating control data to be provided to each node, the central control apparatus100can cause the node to interchange power between clusters including a plurality of nodes together. In other words, even if information cannot be exchanged between clusters, it is possible to interchange power between clusters by the central control apparatus100generating control data and providing the control data to each node. The following shows the example.

FIG. 8is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the power supply system in the case where the respective nodes are caused to interchange power between clusters on the basis of the control data generated by the central control apparatus100. InFIG. 8, the node10bserves as a node that relays a cluster1and a cluster2.

In the case where the power supply system is configured likeFIG. 8, the node10bincludes a DC-DC converter21bfor the cluster1, and a DC-DC converter21b′ for the cluster2. Note that it is assumed that a node belonging to only the cluster1cannot directly exchange information and power with a node belonging to only the cluster2. In other words, the node10acannot directly exchange information and power with the node10cor the node10d.

For example, in the case where the remaining capacities of the respective storage batteries20aand20bof the nodes10aand10bincluded in the cluster1are running short, and the storage batteries20cand20dof the nodes10b,10c, and10dincluded in the cluster2have spare remaining capacities, the central control apparatus100can generate such control data that power is interchanged from the cluster2to the cluster1and provide the control data to each node.

For example, in the case where the remaining capacity of the storage battery20ais running short, the node10asends a charge request to the node10b. The node10bsends charge requests to the nodes10cand10dbelonging to the cluster2. Here, the node10cis based on the control data generated by the central control apparatus100to return discharge permission in response to the charge request from the node10band transmit power to the node10b. Afterward, the node10btransmits power to the node10a.

The central control apparatus100generates control data for all nodes to provide the control data to each node in this way, and can hereby cause the node to interchange power between clusters.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure as described above, there are provided a central control apparatus capable of efficiently using power generated with natural energy and renewable energy by controlling power interchange for a plurality of nodes and a node that control uses control data from the central control apparatus or its own control data to control exchange of generated energy.

The central control apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure acquires various kinds of information from each node, a cloud and the like, and is based on the information to generate control data to be provided to the node. The central control apparatus100generates control data such that power interchange between nodes is optimized in the whole of the power supply system. Then, the central control apparatus100provides the generated control data to each node. The central control apparatus100regularly generates control data, and regularly provides the generated control data to each node.

Each node is based on the control data generated by the central control apparatus100to interchange power, and can hereby efficiently use power generated with natural energy and renewable energy.

Steps in processes executed by the respective devices in this specification are not necessarily executed chronologically in the order described in the sequence chart or the flow chart. In one example, steps in processes executed by the respective devices may be executed in a different order from the order described in the flow chart or may be executed in parallel.

Further, a computer program for causing hardware such as a CPU, ROM, or RAM, incorporated in the respective devices, to execute a function equivalent to each configuration of the above-described respective devices. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a recording medium having the computer program recorded thereon. In addition, the respective functional blocks illustrated in the functional block diagram can be configured as hardware or hardware circuits, and thus a series of processing can be implemented using the hardware or hardware circuits.

A control apparatus including:

an acquisition section configured to acquire information regarding consumption of power from a plurality of nodes that store and consume power; and

a control section configured to use the information regarding consumption of power to generate data regarding target power storage in each of the nodes, the data being provided to the node.

The control apparatus according to (1), in which

the control section generates data regarding power distribution between power storage apparatuses in the respective nodes as the data regarding target power storage, the power storage apparatuses storing power.

The control apparatus according to (1) or (2), in which

the acquisition section acquires information regarding a power consumption history from each of the nodes as the information regarding consumption of power.

The control apparatus according to any of (1) to (3), in which

the acquisition section acquires information regarding a power consumption prediction from each of the nodes as the information regarding consumption of power.

The control apparatus according to any of (1) to (4), in which

the control section uses the information regarding consumption of power and the data regarding target power storage to determine effectiveness of the data regarding target power storage, the data being provided to each of the nodes in past.

The control apparatus according to (5), in which

when the control section determines that the data regarding target power storage which is provided to each of the nodes in the past is not effective, the control section generates the data regarding target power storage which is different under a same condition.

The control apparatus according to any of (1) to (6), in which

the control section generates data for which a target amount of stored power is set for each time slot as the data regarding target power storage.

The control apparatus according to (7), in which

the control section further generates data for which an interchange partner is designated for each time slot as the data regarding target power storage.

The control apparatus according to (7) or (8), in which the control section further generates data for which price at time of interchange is designated for each time slot as the data regarding target power storage.

A control method including:

acquiring information regarding consumption of power from a plurality of nodes that store and consume power; and

using the information regarding consumption of power to generate data regarding target power storage in each of the nodes, the data being provided to the node.

A power storage control apparatus including:

an acquisition section configured to acquire data regarding target power storage, the data being generated in an apparatus to which information regarding consumption of power is provided; and

a control section configured to perform control regarding interchange of stored power on a basis of the data regarding target power storage.

The power storage control apparatus according to (11), in which

the control section provides the information regarding consumption of power.

The power storage control apparatus according to (12), in which

the control section provides information regarding a schedule of a user who uses stored power as the information regarding consumption of power.

The power storage control apparatus according to any of (11) to (13), in which

in a case where the acquisition section fails to acquire the data regarding target power storage, the control section performs control on a basis of data regarding target power storage specific to an own apparatus.

A control method including:

acquiring data regarding target power storage, the data being generated in an apparatus to which information regarding consumption of power is provided; and

performing control regarding interchange of stored power on a basis of the data regarding target power storage.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST