WO2016017018A1

WO2016017018A1 - Home energy management system, home energy management method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2016017018A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/070276
Authority: WO
Inventors: 雄喜小川; 一郎丸山; 矢部　正明; 聡司峯澤; 裕信矢野
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2014-07-31
Filing date: 2014-07-31
Publication date: 2016-02-04
Also published as: JPWO2016017018A1; JP6180639B2

Abstract

A vehicle communication unit (101) responds to the connection of an electric vehicle to a power conditioner (200) by transmitting a start instruction signal to the electric vehicle and receiving from the electric vehicle information related to the electric vehicle. A first home communication unit (103) that is provided to the power conditioner (200) transmits to a control device (100) the information related to the electric vehicle that is received by the vehicle communication unit (101). A second home communication unit (104) that is provided to the control device (100) receives the information related to the electric vehicle that is transmitted by the first home communication unit (103) that is provided to the power conditioner (200).

Description

Home energy management system, home energy management method, and program

The present invention relates to a home energy management system, a home energy management method, and a program that exchange power with an electric vehicle including a storage battery.

Currently, there is known a home energy management system including a power conditioner connected to an electric vehicle, an electric device, and a commercial power source, and a control device that controls the operation of the power conditioner. This power conditioner converts AC power supplied from a commercial power source into DC power, and supplies it to the electric vehicle as electric power for charging a storage battery included in the electric vehicle. Moreover, this power conditioner discharges a storage battery, converts the direct-current power supplied from the electric vehicle into alternating current power, and supplies it to an electric equipment.

In such a home energy management system, it is preferable that the control device can use information about the electric vehicle such as information indicating the remaining amount of the storage battery. In Patent Document 1, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) included in an electric vehicle calculates an SOC (State of Charge) indicating a state of charge of a storage battery based on battery data, and a control device via a communication unit. It communicates by radio | wireless or wire communication between.

JP 2013-94026 A

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, information indicating the SOC generated by the ECU is not transmitted to the control device simply by connecting the power conditioner to the electric vehicle. For this reason, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the control device cannot use information related to the electric vehicle immediately after the electric vehicle is connected to the power conditioner. Therefore, a technique for making it possible to use information on an electric vehicle immediately after the electric vehicle is connected is desired.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a home energy management system, a home energy management method, and a program that make it possible to use information related to an electric vehicle immediately after the electric vehicle is connected. For the purpose.

In order to achieve the above object, a home energy management system according to the present invention includes:
In response to the connection of the electric vehicle having a storage battery to the power conditioner, a start instruction signal instructing the start of charging or discharging is transmitted to the electric vehicle, and information on the electric vehicle is received from the electric vehicle. Automobile communication department,
A first in-home communication unit that transmits information about the electric vehicle received by the vehicle communication unit, and a power conditioner,
A control device including a second in-home communication unit that receives information on the electric vehicle transmitted by the first in-home communication unit.

In the present invention, in response to the connection of the electric vehicle to the power conditioner, a start instruction signal instructing the start of charging or discharging is transmitted from the power conditioner to the electric vehicle. Information about the car is sent. Therefore, according to the present invention, information about an electric vehicle can be used immediately after the electric vehicle is connected.

It is a lineblock diagram of a home energy management system concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the power conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of the home energy management system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the vehicle relevant information acquisition process which the power conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the charging / discharging control process which the control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the electric quantity measurement process shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the charging / discharging process which the power conditioner which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
First, a home energy management system (HEMS) 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The home energy management system 1000 is a system that efficiently manages power consumed in a home. Home energy management system 1000 also manages charging / discharging by storage battery 320 provided in electric vehicle 300. For this reason, it is preferable that the home energy management system 1000 grasps the capacity and remaining amount of the storage battery 320. Note that the capacity and the remaining amount are the amount of electricity, and the unit is, for example, Ah (ampere-hour).

However, the home energy management system 1000 may not be able to obtain information indicating the capacity or remaining capacity of the storage battery 320 directly from the electric vehicle 300. Even if the home energy management system 1000 can acquire information indicating the capacity of the storage battery 320 when it is new, the capacity of the storage battery may be reduced due to use or deterioration over time.

Therefore, the home energy management system 1000 obtains the capacity and remaining capacity of the storage battery 320 based on the information indicating the charging rate of the storage battery 320 acquired from the electric vehicle 300. Further, even if the electric vehicle 300 is connected to the home energy management system 1000, the electric vehicle 300 does not automatically transmit information indicating the charging rate of the storage battery 320 to the home energy management system 1000. Accordingly, home energy management system 1000 executes a process for acquiring information indicating the charging rate of storage battery 320 in response to detecting that electric vehicle 300 is connected.

As shown in FIG. 1, the home energy management system 1000 includes a control device 100, a power conditioner 200, an electric device 400, a power generation panel 500, a power conditioner 510, a distribution board 610, and a wattmeter 620. And a home network 710. The power conditioner 200 is connected to the electric vehicle 300. Distribution board 610 is connected to AC power supply 600. Then, the control device 100 is connected to an external network 720 to which the cloud server 800 is connected.

The control device 100 manages information related to power and information indicating the operating status of the electric device 400. The information regarding the power is information indicating the power consumption of the electric device 400, the generated power of the power generation panel 500, the remaining amount of the storage battery 320, and the like. In the present embodiment, the control device 100 has a function as a home controller in addition to a function as a power control device. Therefore, the control device 100 also has a function of controlling and monitoring the electric device 400. The control device 100 communicates with the power conditioner 200, the electric device 400, the power conditioner 510, and the wattmeter 620 via the home network 710. In addition, the control device 100 communicates with the cloud server 800 via the outside network 720. Hereinafter, the configuration of the control device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a flash memory 14, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 15, and a touch screen. 16, an in-home interface 17 and an out-of-home interface 18 are provided. Each component included in the control device 100 is connected to each other via a bus.

The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the control device 100. The CPU 11 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 12 and uses the RAM 13 as a work area. The ROM 12 stores programs and data for controlling the overall operation of the control device 100. The RAM 13 functions as a work area for the CPU 11. That is, the CPU 11 temporarily writes programs and data in the RAM 13 and refers to these programs and data as appropriate.

The flash memory 14 is a nonvolatile memory that stores various types of information. The RTC 15 is a time measuring device. The RTC 15 incorporates a battery, for example, and keeps timing while the control device 100 is powered off. The RTC 15 includes an oscillation circuit including a crystal oscillator, for example.

The touch screen 16 detects a touch operation performed by the user and supplies a signal indicating the detection result to the CPU 11. The touch screen 16 displays an image based on the image signal supplied from the CPU 11 or the like. As described above, the touch screen 16 functions as a user interface of the control device 100.

The home interface 17 is an interface for connecting the control device 100 to the home network 710. The control device 100 communicates with a device connected to the home network 710 via the home network 710. The home interface 17 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card).

The outside interface 18 is an interface for connecting the control device 100 to the outside network 720. The control device 100 communicates with a device connected to the outside network 720 via the outside network 720. The outside interface 18 includes a LAN interface such as a NIC.

The power conditioner 200 executes processing such as DC / AC (Direct Current / Alternating Current) conversion in accordance with control by the control device 100. The power conditioner 200 converts AC power supplied from the power conditioner 510 and the commercial power supply 600 into DC power and supplies the DC power to the electric vehicle 300. In addition, the power conditioner 200 converts the DC power supplied from the electric vehicle 300 into AC power and supplies the AC power to the electric device 400.

The power conditioner 200 includes a charging gun 210 connected to the main body of the power conditioner 200 by a cable including a power line and a signal line. Charging gun 210 is connected to charging / discharging device 310 included in electric vehicle 300. Therefore, the power conditioner 200 and the electric vehicle 300 can exchange DC power and information via the charging gun 210. The charging gun 210 transmits information indicating whether or not it is connected to the charging / discharging device 310 (hereinafter referred to as “connection state information”) to the power conditioner 200 via a signal line. In the present embodiment, the charging gun 210 is assumed to be a CHAdeMO (registered trademark) standard charging gun. CHAdeMO is a standard for a quick charging method using DC up to 62.5 kW, and is a standard for a connector, a charging method, a communication method, and the like. Hereinafter, the configuration of the power conditioner 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the power conditioner 200 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a flash memory 24, a DC / AC converter 25, an ammeter 26, a home interface 27, and an automobile interface 28. The components included in the inverter 200 are connected to each other via a bus.

CPU 21 controls the overall operation of the power conditioner 200. The CPU 21 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 22 and uses the RAM 23 as a work area. The ROM 22 stores a program and data for controlling the overall operation of the power conditioner 200. The RAM 23 functions as a work area for the CPU 21. That is, the CPU 21 temporarily writes programs and data in the RAM 23 and refers to these programs and data as appropriate. The flash memory 24 is a nonvolatile memory that stores various types of information.

The DC / AC converter 25 converts AC power supplied from the power conditioner 510 or the commercial power supply 600 through the distribution board 610 into DC power. The DC / AC converter 25 supplies the DC power obtained by the conversion to the charging / discharging device 310 via the charging gun 210. Further, the DC / AC converter 25 converts the DC power supplied from the charging / discharging device 310 via the charging gun 210 into AC power. The DC / AC converter 25 supplies the AC power obtained by the conversion to the electric device 400 via the distribution board 610.

The ammeter 26 measures the value of the current flowing through the power line connecting the power conditioner 200 and the charge / discharge device 310. In the present embodiment, all the current flowing from the power conditioner 200 to the charging / discharging device 310 is charged in the storage battery 320, and all the current discharged from the storage battery 320 flows from the charging / discharging device 310 to the power conditioner 200. Therefore, the ammeter 26 records the value of the current flowing through the power line at every predetermined sampling period, and accumulates the recorded current value, thereby discharging the electricity stored in the storage battery 320 and the storage battery. The amount of electricity can be calculated.

The home interface 27 is an interface for connecting the inverter 200 to the home network 710. The inverter 200 communicates with a device connected to the home network 710 via the home network 710. The home interface 27 includes a LAN interface such as a NIC.

The vehicle interface 28 is an interface for connecting the power conditioner 200 to the electric vehicle 300. The automobile interface 28 is connected to the charging gun 210 via the signal line described above. The inverter 200 communicates with the electric vehicle 300 via the vehicle interface 28. The automobile interface 28 includes, for example, an interface for CAN (Controller Area Network) communication.

The electric vehicle 300 is a vehicle that uses electric energy as a power source. The electric vehicle 300 includes a storage battery 320 and a charging / discharging device 310, and operates with electrical energy stored in the storage battery 320.

The charging / discharging device 310 charges the storage battery 320 with DC power supplied from the power conditioner 200 via the charging gun 210. The charging / discharging device 310 supplies the DC power discharged from the storage battery 320 to the power conditioner 200 via the charging gun 210. In the present embodiment, charging of the storage battery 320 by the charging / discharging device 310 and discharging of the storage battery 320 by the charging / discharging device 310 are performed at a constant voltage. The charging / discharging device 310 acquires information related to the electric vehicle 300 by CAN communication, for example.

The storage battery 320 stores power supplied from the power generation panel 500 or the commercial power source 600. The electric power stored in the storage battery 320 is used as a power source for the electric vehicle 300. Further, the electric power stored in the storage battery 320 may be consumed by the electric device 400. The power supplied from the external device to the storage battery 320 is DC power. Further, the power supplied from the storage battery 320 to an external device is DC power.

The electrical device 400 is a device that is arranged in a house and operates by consuming electrical energy. The electric device 400 operates with AC power supplied from the power conditioner 200, the power conditioner 510, or the commercial power supply 600 via the distribution board 610. The electric device 400 has the same configuration as the home interface 17 and has a function of connecting to the home network 710. The electric device 400 is controlled by the control device 100 and monitored by the control device 100. In the present embodiment, the number of electrical devices 400 is assumed to be one, but it is needless to say that the number of electrical devices 400 may be two or more.

The power generation panel 500 converts solar energy into electrical energy. The power generation panel 500 supplies DC power obtained by power generation to the power conditioner 510.

The power conditioner 510 performs processing such as DC / AC conversion in accordance with control by the control device 100. The power conditioner 510 converts the DC power supplied from the power generation panel 500 into AC power and supplies the AC power to the electric vehicle 300 and the electric device 400.

The commercial power source 600 is a power source for supplying power to consumers by an electric power company or the like. The power supplied from the commercial power source 600 is AC power. The commercial power supply 600 supplies AC power to the power conditioner 200 and the electric device 400 via the distribution board 610. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the consumer can buy power from the power company, but cannot sell power to the power company.

Distribution board 610 is a case for storing a wiring board and a breaker for distributing AC power supplied from power conditioner 200, power conditioner 510, and commercial power supply 600 to power conditioner 200 and electric device 400. . Note that the sum of the values of AC power supplied from the external device to the distribution board 610 is equal to the sum of values of AC power supplied from the distribution board 610 to the external device.

The power meter 620 measures the power supplied via the power line provided in the home energy management system. The wattmeter 620 measures the power supplied from the power conditioner 200 to the distribution board 610 or the power supplied from the distribution board 610 to the power conditioner 200. The wattmeter 620 measures the power supplied from the distribution board 610 to the electric device 400. The wattmeter 620 measures the power supplied from the power conditioner 510 to the distribution board 610. The wattmeter 620 measures the power supplied from the commercial power supply 600 to the distribution board 610. The power meter 620 has the same configuration as the home interface 17 and has a function of connecting to the home network 710. Further, the power meter 620 is controlled by the control device 100 and monitored by the control device 100.

The home network 710 is a network constructed in the home. The home network 710 is, for example, a home network for the control device 100, the power conditioner 200, the electric device 400, the power conditioner 510, and the wattmeter 620 to communicate with each other. The home network 710 is a network such as a wireless LAN, for example.

The outside network 720 is a network constructed outside the house. The outside network 720 is, for example, a network for the control device 100 and the cloud server 800 to communicate with each other. The outside network 720 is, for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet.

The cloud server 800 is a server that provides resources in cloud computing. The cloud server 800 includes a control unit 801, an out-of-home interface 802, and a storage unit 803. The control unit 801 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the overall operation of the cloud server 800. The outside interface 802 connects the cloud server 800 to the outside network 720 according to control by the control unit 801. The storage unit 803 stores information provided to the control device 100. The information stored in the storage unit 803 may be information supplied from the control device 100 or information supplied from another device. The cloud server 800 supplies information stored in the storage unit 803 to the control device 100 in response to a request from the control device 100. In addition, the cloud server 800 executes the requested processing in response to the request from the control device 100 and transmits information indicating the processing result to the control device 100.

Next, functions of the home energy management system 1000 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the home energy management system 1000 functionally includes an automobile communication unit 101, a connection detection unit 102, a first in-home communication unit 103, a second in-home communication unit 104, and an electric quantity measurement. Unit 105, capacity calculation unit 106, capacity information storage unit 107, and capacity information update unit 108.

The home energy management system 1000 includes a control device 100 that controls the operation of the power conditioner 200, and a power conditioner 200 that is connected to the electric vehicle 300, the commercial power source 600, and the electric device 400. The power conditioner 200 converts AC power supplied from the commercial power source 600 into DC power and supplies it to the electric vehicle 300. Further, the power conditioner 200 converts the DC power supplied from the electric vehicle 300 into AC power and supplies the AC power to the electric device 400.

As a premise, charging / discharging device 310 included in electric vehicle 300 causes storage battery 320 to start charging or discharging in response to receiving a start instruction signal instructing the start of charging or discharging, and electric vehicle 300. Information related to this (hereinafter referred to as “automobile related information”) is transmitted to the transmission source of the start instruction signal. That is, the charging / discharging device 310 does not transmit the vehicle-related information to the power conditioner 200 simply by being connected to the power conditioner 200. And when the start of charge or discharge is instruct | indicated from the power conditioner 200, the charging / discharging apparatus 310 not only performs charge or discharge, but transmits automobile related information to the power conditioner 200.

The power conditioner 200 includes an automobile communication unit 101, a connection detection unit 102, and a first in-home communication unit 103. In response to the connection of the electric vehicle 300 to the power conditioner 200, the vehicle communication unit 101 transmits a start instruction signal to the electric vehicle 300 and receives vehicle-related information from the electric vehicle 300. The start instruction signal is transmitted not for charging or discharging but for acquiring automobile-related information. The start instruction signal is one of dummy signals for acquiring automobile-related information. The automobile communication unit 101 includes, for example, a CPU 21 and an automobile interface 28.

The connection detection unit 102 detects the connection state between the power conditioner 200 and the electric vehicle 300. The connection detection unit 102 supplies connection state information indicating the detected connection state to the vehicle communication unit 101. The connection state information is information indicating whether or not the power conditioner 200 and the electric vehicle 300 are connected. The vehicle communication unit 101 can determine whether or not the electric vehicle 300 is connected to the power conditioner 200 based on the connection state information supplied from the connection detection unit 102. The connection detection unit 102 includes a charging gun 210, for example.

The first in-home communication unit 103 transmits the vehicle-related information received by the vehicle communication unit 101 to the control device 100. The first home communication unit 103 includes, for example, a CPU 21 and a home interface 27.

The control device 100 includes a second in-home communication unit 104. Second in-home communication unit 104 receives the vehicle-related information transmitted by first in-home communication unit 103 provided in power conditioner 200. The second in-home communication unit 104 includes, for example, a home interface 17.

In response to receiving information related to the electric vehicle 300, the vehicle communication unit 101 transmits an end instruction signal instructing the end of charging or discharging to the electric vehicle 300. That is, the start instruction signal is a dummy signal transmitted to acquire automobile-related information, and charging or discharging is not necessary.

The automobile-related information includes information indicating a charging rate that is a ratio of the remaining amount of the storage battery 320 to the capacity of the storage battery 320. The second in-home communication unit 104 included in the control device 100 transmits a control signal instructing charging or discharging to the power conditioner 200.

Here, the electric quantity measuring unit 105 measures the electric quantity charged or discharged by the storage battery 320 during the period when the storage battery 320 is charged or discharged according to the control signal (hereinafter referred to as “charge / discharge period”). The electric quantity measuring unit 105 includes an ammeter 26, for example.

The first in-home communication unit 103 provided in the power conditioner 200 includes information indicating the amount of electricity measured by the amount-of-electricity measuring unit 105 (hereinafter referred to as “amount of electricity information”), and a charging rate at the start of the charge / discharge period. (Hereinafter referred to as “charge rate information before charge / discharge”) and information indicating the charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period (hereinafter referred to as “charge rate information after charge / discharge”), It transmits to the control apparatus 100. The second in-home communication unit 104 included in the control device 100 receives, from the power conditioner 200, electricity amount information, charging rate information before charging / discharging, and charging rate information after charging / discharging.

The capacity calculation unit 106 calculates the capacity by dividing the amount of electricity charged or discharged during the charge / discharge period by the difference between the charge rate at the start of the charge / discharge period and the charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period. To do. For example, the amount of electricity charged or discharged during the first charge / discharge period is Q1 (where charge is positive and discharge is negative), and the charge rate at the start of the first charge / discharge period is S11, When the charging rate at the end of the charging / discharging period is S12, the capacity Qmax is calculated by Qmax = Q1 / (S12−S11).

Alternatively, the capacity calculation unit 106 divides the total amount of electricity measured in each of the plurality of charge / discharge periods by the total value of the difference in charge rate in each of the plurality of charge / discharge periods, thereby calculating the capacity. It may be calculated. For example, the amount of electricity charged or discharged during the second charge / discharge period is Q2 (where charge is positive and discharge is negative), and the charge rate at the start of the second charge / discharge period is S21, The charging rate at the end of the charging / discharging period is S22. In this case, the capacity Qmax is calculated by Qmax = (Q1 + Q2) / ((S12−S11) + (S22−S21)).

Note that the resolution of the charging rate indicated by the charging rate information acquired from the electric vehicle 300 may not be very high. For example, the charging rate is expressed in 1% increments with the decimal part rounded. In such a case, when the difference between the charge rate at the start of the charge / discharge period and the charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period is small, the accuracy of the calculated capacity decreases. Here, this difference becomes larger as the charge / discharge period is longer. For this reason, it is desirable that the charge / discharge period be as long as possible. However, it may be difficult to provide a long charge / discharge period. In this case, the accuracy of the calculated capacity can be increased to some extent by providing a plurality of charge / discharge periods as described above.

The capacity information storage unit 107 stores information indicating capacity (hereinafter referred to as “capacity information”). The capacity information storage unit 107 includes, for example, a flash memory 14.

When the difference between the capacity newly calculated by the capacity calculation unit 106 and the capacity indicated by the capacity information stored in the capacity information storage unit 107 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the capacity information update unit 108 The capacity information stored in the information storage unit 107 is updated so as to indicate the newly calculated capacity. The capacity threshold is, for example, a value of about 5% of the capacity when the storage battery 320 is new. That is, if the capacity changes by more than 5% of the capacity when it is new since the last update, the capacity information is not updated because it is considered that the calculation process or the like is not reliable.

The capacity calculation unit 106 preferably calculates the capacity when both the charging rate at the start of the charging / discharging period and the charging rate at the end of the charging / discharging period are within a predetermined range. is there. For example, when the charging rate is in the range of about 30% to 70%, it can be said that the reliability is high. On the other hand, when the charging rate is out of this range, the charging characteristics are not linear, and it cannot be said that the reliability is high. Therefore, the capacity is calculated only when both the charging rate at the start of the charging / discharging period and the charging rate at the end of the charging / discharging period are within this range.

In calculating the capacity of the storage battery 320, the control device 100 can determine whether the storage battery 320 is to be charged or discharged depending on the charging rate of the storage battery 320. For example, it is preferable that the storage battery 320 is charged when the charging rate of the storage battery 320 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and that the storage battery 320 is discharged when the charging rate of the storage battery 320 exceeds this threshold. The threshold of the charging rate is 90%, for example. The second in-home communication unit 104 provided in the control device 100 instructs charging when the charge rate indicated by the charge rate information received from the first in-home communication unit 103 provided in the power conditioner 200 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. The control signal to be transmitted is transmitted to the power conditioner 200.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle related information acquisition process executed by the power conditioner 200 will be described. For example, in response to power being turned on, the power conditioner 200 starts the vehicle-related information acquisition process shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 21 detects the connection state of the charging gun 210 (step S101). For example, the CPU 21 acquires connection state information received from the charging gun 210 by the automobile interface 28. The CPU 21 stores various types of information in the flash memory 24, reads out from the flash memory 24, and updates the information on the flash memory 24. However, in the following description, to facilitate understanding, the fact that the CPU 21 accesses the flash memory 24 when processing various types of information is omitted.

CPU21 will complete | finish the process of step S101, and will discriminate | determine whether the charging gun 210 is the state connected to the electric vehicle 300 (step S102). For example, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the charging gun 210 is connected to the electric vehicle 300 based on the connection state information acquired from the charging gun 210.

If the CPU 21 determines that the charging gun 210 is not connected to the electric vehicle 300 (step S102: NO), the CPU 21 returns the process to step S101. On the other hand, when determining that the charging gun 210 is connected to the electric vehicle 300 (step S102: YES), the CPU 21 determines the content of the start instruction signal (step S103). The content of the start instruction signal can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the content of the start instruction signal is whether charging or discharging is started, how much electricity is charged or discharged, or the like. The purpose of transmitting the start instruction signal is not to charge or discharge, but to acquire automobile related information. For this reason, for example, the CPU 21 can set the start instruction signal to start charging with a small amount of electricity.

CPU21 will transmit a start instruction | indication signal to the electric vehicle 300, if the process of step S103 is completed (step S104). Specifically, the CPU 21 transmits a start instruction signal indicating the determined content to the charging / discharging device 310 via the automobile interface 28. In response to receiving the start instruction signal from the power conditioner 200, the charge / discharge device 310 starts charging or discharging the storage battery 320 and transmits vehicle-related information to the power conditioner 200. This automobile related information includes charging rate information.

CPU21 will start the input / output of an electric current, if the process of step S104 is completed (step S105). For example, the CPU 21 controls the DC / AC converter 25 so that the storage battery 320 can be charged or discharged.

CPU21 will complete | finish the process of step S105, and will discriminate | determine whether the vehicle relevant information was received from the electric vehicle 300 (step S106). For example, the CPU 21 determines whether or not automobile-related information has been received by the automobile interface 28.

CPU21 will return a process to step S106, if it discriminate | determines that the vehicle relevant information is not received from the electric vehicle 300 (step S106: NO). On the other hand, when determining that the vehicle-related information is received from the electric vehicle 300 (step S106: YES), the CPU 21 transmits the vehicle-related information to the control device 100 (step S107). For example, the CPU 21 transmits the vehicle related information received from the electric vehicle 300 to the control device 100 via the home interface 27. On the other hand, the CPU 11 provided in the control device 100 acquires the automobile related information received by the home interface 17.

First, when the processing of step S107 is completed, the CPU 21 ends the input / output of current (step S108). For example, the CPU 21 controls the DC / AC converter 25 so that charging or discharging by the storage battery 320 is impossible.

CPU21 will transmit a completion | finish instruction | indication signal to the electric vehicle 300, if the process of step S108 is completed (step S109). Specifically, the CPU 21 transmits an end instruction signal instructing the end of charging or discharging to the charging / discharging device 310 via the automobile interface 28. The charging / discharging device 310 ends charging or discharging of the storage battery 320 in response to receiving the end instruction signal from the power conditioner 200. When completing the process in step S109, the CPU 21 completes the automobile-related information acquisition process.

Next, the charge / discharge control process executed by the control device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, the control device 100 starts the charge / discharge control process shown in FIG. 6 in response to the power being turned on.

First, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a capacity calculation request flag is set (step S201). The capacity calculation request flag is a flag that requests to calculate the capacity of the storage battery 320. The capacity calculation request flag is set every predetermined period (for example, one month) by timer interruption or the like. Setting the capacity calculation request flag means that the time for calculating the capacity of the storage battery 320 has arrived. It is assumed that the capacity calculation request flag is stored in the flash memory 14.

When determining that the capacity calculation request flag is not set (step S201: NO), the CPU 11 returns the process to step S201. On the other hand, when determining that the capacity calculation request flag is set (step S201: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether charging or discharging is in progress (step S202). For example, when information indicating the charge / discharge state of the storage battery 320 (hereinafter referred to as “charge / discharge state information”) is stored in the flash memory 14, the CPU 11 is charging or discharging based on the charge / discharge state information. It is determined whether it is in the middle. On the other hand, when the charge / discharge status information is not stored in the flash memory 14, the CPU 11 transmits a signal requesting the charge / discharge status information to the power conditioner 200 via the home interface 17, and passes the home interface 17. The charge / discharge state information is acquired from the power conditioner 200.

The CPU 11 stores various information in the flash memory 14, reads out from the flash memory 14, and updates the information on the flash memory 14. However, in the following description, in order to facilitate understanding, the fact that the CPU 11 accesses the flash memory 14 when processing various types of information is omitted.

When the CPU 11 determines that the battery is not being charged or discharged (step S202: NO), the process returns to step S201. On the other hand, when the CPU 11 determines that charging or discharging is in progress (step S202: YES), the CPU 11 executes an electric quantity measurement process (step S203). Hereinafter, the electric quantity measurement process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, the CPU 11 acquires the charging rate at the start of the charge / discharge period (step S301). For example, the CPU 11 transmits a signal instructing acquisition of the charging rate information to the power conditioner 200 via the home interface 17 at the start of the charge / discharge period. In response to receiving this signal, power conditioner 200 acquires charging rate information from electric vehicle 300 and transmits the acquired charging rate information to control device 100. Then, the CPU 11 acquires the charging rate information received from the power conditioner 200 by the home interface 17.

When the CPU 11 completes the process of step S301, it starts measuring the amount of electricity that is charged and discharged (step S302). For example, the CPU 11 transmits a signal instructing the start of measurement of the amount of electricity to be charged / discharged to the power conditioner 200 via the home interface 17. The power conditioner 200 starts measuring the amount of electricity that is charged and discharged in response to receiving this signal.

CPU11 will wait for predetermined time, if the process of step S302 is completed (step S303). The predetermined time is the length of the charge / discharge period, for example, about 10 minutes. Note that the CPU 11 can grasp the elapsed time based on, for example, time information supplied from the RTC 15.

CPU11 will acquire the charging rate in the time of the end of a charging / discharging period, if the process of step S303 is completed (step S304). For example, the CPU 11 transmits a signal instructing acquisition of the charging rate information to the power conditioner 200 via the home interface 17 at the end of the charging / discharging period. In response to receiving this signal, power conditioner 200 acquires charging rate information from electric vehicle 300 and transmits the acquired charging rate information to control device 100. Then, the CPU 11 acquires the charging rate information received from the power conditioner 200 by the home interface 17.

CPU11 will complete | finish the measurement of the electric quantity charged / discharged, if the process of step S304 is completed (step S305). For example, the CPU 11 transmits a signal instructing the end of measurement of the amount of electricity to be charged / discharged to the power conditioner 200 via the home interface 17. In addition, in response to receiving this signal, the power conditioner 200 ends the measurement of the amount of electricity to be charged / discharged.

CPU11 will acquire the electric charge charged or discharged in the charging / discharging period, if the process of step S305 is completed (step S306). For example, the CPU 11 transmits to the power conditioner 200 a signal instructing transmission of electric quantity information indicating the electric quantity charged or discharged during the charge / discharge period via the home interface 17. The power conditioner 200 transmits the electrical quantity information to the control device 100 in response to receiving this signal. The CPU 11 acquires the electrical quantity information received from the power conditioner 200 by the home interface 17. When completing the process in step S306, the CPU 11 completes the electric quantity measurement process. Returning to the description of FIG.

CPU11 will complete | finish the process of step S203, and will discriminate | determine whether the acquired charging rate is appropriate (step S204). The method for determining whether or not the acquired charging rate is appropriate can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, when both the charge rate at the start of the charge / discharge period and the charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period are within a predetermined range (for example, 30% to 70%), It is determined that the acquired charging rate is appropriate. Alternatively, for example, the CPU 11 is acquired when the difference between the charge rate at the start of the charge / discharge period and the charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (for example, 5%). Is determined to be appropriate.

When the CPU 11 determines that the acquired charging rate is not appropriate (step S204: NO), the process returns to step S201. On the other hand, if CPU11 discriminate | determines that the acquired charging rate is appropriate (step S204: YES), it will calculate a capacity | capacitance (step S205). For example, the CPU 11 calculates the capacity by dividing the amount of electricity charged / discharged during the charge / discharge period by the difference between the charge rate at the start of the charge / discharge period and the charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period.

CPU11 will complete | finish the process of step S205, and will discriminate | determine whether the calculated capacity | capacitance is appropriate (step S206). The method for determining whether or not the calculated capacity is appropriate can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the CPU 11 determines that the calculated capacity is appropriate when the difference between the calculated capacity and the capacity indicated by the capacity information stored in the flash memory 14 is 5% or less of the capacity when the storage battery 320 is new. Determine that there is.

When the CPU 11 determines that the calculated capacity is not appropriate (step S206: NO), it returns the process to step S201. On the other hand, when determining that the calculated capacity is appropriate (step S206: YES), the CPU 11 updates the capacity information (step S207). For example, the CPU 11 updates the capacity information stored in the flash memory 14 so as to indicate the calculated capacity.

CPU11 will reset a capacity | capacitance calculation request | requirement flag, if the process of step S207 is completed (step S208). For example, the CPU 11 resets the capacity calculation request flag stored in the flash memory 14. When completing the process in step S208, the CPU 11 returns the process to step S201.

Next, the charge / discharge process executed by the power conditioner 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, the power conditioner 200 starts the charge / discharge process illustrated in FIG. 8 after the automobile-related information acquisition process is completed.

First, the CPU 21 determines whether or not there is an instruction to acquire charging rate information (step S401). For example, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the home interface 27 has received an instruction to acquire charging rate information from the control device 100.

CPU21 will transmit a start instruction signal to the electric vehicle 300, if it determines with there being an acquisition instruction | indication of charging rate information (step S401: YES) (step S402). Specifically, the CPU 21 transmits a start instruction signal to the charge / discharge device 310 via the automobile interface 28. On the other hand, charging / discharging device 310 transmits charge rate information to power conditioner 200 in response to receiving the start instruction signal. In addition, since charging / discharging device 310 receives a start instruction signal during charging or discharging, charging / discharging device 310 continues charging or discharging.

CPU21 will receive charge rate information from the electric vehicle 300, if the process of step S402 is completed (step S403). Specifically, the CPU 21 acquires the charging rate information received from the charging / discharging device 310 by the automobile interface 28.

CPU21 will transmit charge rate information to the control apparatus 100, if the process of step S403 is completed (step S404). Specifically, the CPU 21 transmits the acquired charging rate information to the control device 100 with respect to the home interface 27.

When it is determined that there is no instruction for acquiring the charging rate information (step S401: NO), or when the process of step S404 is completed, the CPU 21 determines whether there is an instruction to start measuring the amount of electricity (step S405). ). For example, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the home interface 27 has received a signal for instructing the start of measurement of electricity from the control device 100.

CPU21 will start the measurement of an electric quantity, if it discriminate | determines that there exists a measurement start instruction | indication of an electric quantity (step S405: YES) (step S406). For example, the CPU 21 instructs the ammeter 26 to start measuring the amount of electricity charged or discharged by the storage battery 320. On the other hand, the ammeter 26 starts integrating the amount of electricity charged or discharged by the storage battery 320 in accordance with this instruction.

When determining that there is no instruction to start measuring the amount of electricity (step S405: NO), or when completing the process of step S406, the CPU 21 determines whether there is an instruction to end the measurement of the amount of electricity (step S407). ). For example, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the home interface 27 has received a signal for instructing the end of the measurement of the amount of electricity from the control device 100.

CPU21 will complete | finish the measurement of an electric quantity, if it discriminate | determines that there exists a measurement end instruction | indication of an electric quantity (step S407: YES) (step S408). For example, the CPU 21 instructs the ammeter 26 to end measurement of the amount of electricity charged or discharged by the storage battery 320. On the other hand, the ammeter 26 ends the integration of the amount of electricity charged or discharged by the storage battery 320 according to this instruction.

When it is determined that there is no electric quantity measurement end instruction (step S407: NO), or when the process of step S408 is completed, the CPU 21 determines whether there is an electric quantity information acquisition instruction (step S409). ). For example, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the home interface 27 has received a signal instructing acquisition of the electrical quantity information from the control device 100.

When the CPU 21 determines that there is an instruction for acquiring the electric quantity information (step S409: YES), the CPU 21 transmits the electric quantity information to the control device 100 (step S410). For example, the CPU 21 transmits a signal requesting transmission of the electric quantity information to the charging / discharging device 310 via the automobile interface 28. On the other hand, the charging / discharging device 310 transmits electric quantity information to the power conditioner 200 in response to receiving this signal. Then, the CPU 21 acquires the electrical quantity information received from the charging / discharging device 310 by the automobile interface 28. The CPU 21 transmits the acquired electricity quantity information to the control device 100 via the home interface 27.

When the CPU 21 determines that there is no instruction for acquiring the electrical quantity information (step S409: NO), or when the process of step S410 is completed, the process returns to step S401.

In the present embodiment, in response to the connection of the electric vehicle 300 to the power conditioner 200, a start instruction signal instructing the electric vehicle 300 to start charging or discharging is transmitted from the power conditioner 200, and the electric vehicle 300 is transmitted. Information about the electric vehicle 300 is transmitted to the inverter 200. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the home energy management system 1000 can use the information regarding the electric vehicle 300 immediately after the electric vehicle 300 is connected.

Further, in this embodiment, the power conditioner 200 transmits an end instruction signal instructing the end of charging or discharging to the electric vehicle 300 in response to receiving the information related to the electric vehicle 300. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the information regarding the electric vehicle 300 can be acquired without charging and discharging as much as possible.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the storage battery 320 is obtained by dividing the amount of electricity charged or discharged during the charge / discharge period by the difference between the charge rate at the start of the charge / discharge period and the charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period. Is calculated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the capacity of the storage battery 320 can be calculated based on the information indicating the charging rate of the storage battery 320 provided from the electric vehicle 300 that does not provide the information indicating the capacity of the storage battery 320.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the capacity | capacitance of the storage battery 320 is calculated by dividing the total value of the electric quantity measured in each of several charging / discharging periods by the difference of the charging rate in each of several charging / discharging periods. The Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the capacity of the storage battery 320 can be accurately calculated even when the charge / discharge period cannot be made longer at once.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the difference between the newly calculated capacity and the capacity indicated by the stored capacity information is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the capacity information indicates the newly calculated capacity. Is updated. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the reliability of the capacity indicated by the stored capacity information can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the capacity of the storage battery 320 is calculated when both the charging rate at the start of the charging / discharging period and the charging rate at the end of the charging / discharging period are within a predetermined range. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the reliability of the calculated capacity can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the charging rate of the storage battery 320 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it is instructed to charge in the charge / discharge period. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the capacity of the storage battery 320 can be calculated while suppressing overcharge.

(Modification)
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, when implementing this invention, a deformation | transformation and application with a various form are possible.

In the present invention, which part of the configuration, function, and operation described in the embodiment is adopted is arbitrary. Further, in the present invention, in addition to the configuration, function, and operation described above, further configuration, function, and operation may be employed.

In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the power conditioner 200 executes the vehicle-related information acquisition process independently has been described. In the present invention, the power conditioner 200 may execute the vehicle-related information acquisition process according to the control by the control device 100.

In the above embodiment, the control device 100 has been described with respect to an example in which the capacity of the storage battery 320 is calculated when the storage battery 320 is being charged or discharged. In the present invention, the control device 100 may forcibly shift to the measurement mode for a predetermined period when the storage battery 320 is not being charged or discharged. The control device 100 may calculate the capacity of the storage battery 320 by controlling the storage battery 320 so as to be charged or discharged during the measurement mode. In this case, for example, it is preferable to control so as to be charged or discharged with a constant current. In such a configuration, since the charge / discharge amount does not change, the capacity of the storage battery 320 can be accurately calculated with low sampling.

In addition, it is preferable that the control device 100 adjusts the power consumption by the home electrical device 400 during the measurement mode. Moreover, after charging or discharging by the storage battery 320 is started, the control device 100 may set the measurement mode and control so that charging or discharging is performed with a constant current until a certain period elapses. Moreover, the control apparatus 100 may set a measurement mode in the midnight time zone, and may control it so that the storage battery 320 is charged with a fixed electric current.

In the above embodiment, the power conditioner 200 has described a method for determining whether or not the charging gun 210 is connected to the electric vehicle 300 based on the connection state information received from the charging gun 210. In the present invention, the power conditioner 200 transmits a start instruction signal or the like to the charge / discharge device 310 on a trial basis, and determines whether or not the charge gun 210 is connected to the electric vehicle 300 based on the response. Good.

In the above-described embodiment, the power conditioner 200 transmits the start instruction signal to the electric vehicle 300, and transmits the end instruction signal to the electric vehicle 300 immediately after receiving the charging rate information. In the present invention, the process for acquiring the charging rate information is not limited to this example. For example, the power conditioner 200 may transmit a start instruction signal that sets the charge / discharge amount to a minimum value (0 if possible) to the electric vehicle 300. Alternatively, the power conditioner 200 may transmit a start instruction signal for setting the charge / discharge input / output target current value to 0 to the electric vehicle 300.

Alternatively, the power conditioner 200 may transmit a start instruction signal that sets the charging current upper limit value or the discharging current upper limit value to the minimum value to the electric vehicle 300. Alternatively, the power conditioner 200 may transmit a start instruction signal for setting the charging upper limit current rate to a value smaller than the current charging rate to the electric vehicle 300. As described above, the power conditioner 200 can transmit various dummy signals to the electric vehicle 300 in order to acquire the charging rate information. Note that it is preferable that the power conditioner 200 transmits a signal for returning the setting value changed by the dummy signal to the electric vehicle 300 after acquiring the charging rate information.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the dummy signal for acquiring the charging rate information is a start instruction signal instructing the start of charging or discharging has been described. In the present invention, the dummy signal is of course not limited to this start signal. That is, when the power conditioner 200 is connected to the electric vehicle 300, the power conditioner 200 can transmit various dummy signals that can acquire the charging rate information to the electric vehicle 300 according to the response.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the capacity of the storage battery 320 is calculated at a predetermined cycle has been described. In the present invention, the capacity of the storage battery 320 may be calculated every time the power conditioner 200 is connected to the electric vehicle 300. Or the capacity | capacitance of the storage battery 320 may be calculated when the switching frequency of charging / discharging of the storage battery 320 exceeds a threshold value. The control device 100 stores the history of the calculated capacity, and updates the capacity information when the difference between the average value of the capacity for the past several times and the newly calculated capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. You can also avoid it.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the power conditioner 200 executes the charge / discharge process in conjunction with the charge / discharge control process executed by the control device 100 has been described. In the present invention, the power conditioner 200 may execute the charge / discharge process independently.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the control device 100 has a function as a home controller in addition to a function as a power control device has been described. In the present invention, the control device 100 has a function as a power control device, and may not have a function as a home controller. In the present invention, the function of the control device 100 may be incorporated in the power conditioner 200.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the control device 100 executes the charge / discharge control process without cooperation with the cloud server 800 has been described. In the present invention, the control device 100 may execute charge / discharge control processing in cooperation with the cloud server 800. In this case, for example, the control device 100 can cause the cloud server 800 to execute a part of the processes included in the charge / discharge control process, or acquire information used in the charge / discharge control process from the cloud server 800. . The cloud server 800 may store information indicating the past capacity of the storage battery 320, information indicating the degree of deterioration of the storage battery 320, and the like.

By applying an operation program that defines the operation of the control device 100 or the power conditioner 200 according to the present invention to an existing personal computer or information terminal device, the personal computer or the like can be used as the control device 100 or the power conditioner according to the present invention. It is also possible to function as 200.

Further, such a program distribution method is arbitrary. For example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (Magneto Optical Disk), a memory card, etc. can be read by a computer. It may be distributed by storing in a recording medium, or distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

The present invention is capable of various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the above-described embodiment is for explaining the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is shown not by the embodiments but by the claims. Various modifications within the scope of the claims and within the scope of the equivalent invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is applicable to a home energy management system that exchanges power with an electric vehicle including a storage battery.

11, 21 CPU, 12, 22 ROM, 13, 23 RAM, 14, 24 flash memory, 15 RTC, 16 touch screen, 17, 27 home interface, 18, 802 home interface, 25 DC / AC converter, 26 ammeter 28, automobile interface, 100 control device, 101 automobile communication unit, 102 connection detection unit, 103 first in-home communication unit, 104 second in-home communication unit, 105 electric quantity measurement unit, 106 capacity calculation unit, 107 capacity information storage unit, 108 capacity information update unit, 200 power conditioner, 210 charging gun, 300 electric vehicle, 310 charging / discharging device 310 storage battery, 400 electric equipment, 500 power generation panel, 510 power conditioner, 600 commercial power supply, 610 minutes Board, 620 power meter, 710 home network, 720 external network, 800 cloud server, 801 control unit, 803 storage unit, 1000 Home Energy Management System

Claims

In response to the connection of the electric vehicle having a storage battery to the power conditioner, a start instruction signal instructing the start of charging or discharging is transmitted to the electric vehicle, and information on the electric vehicle is received from the electric vehicle. Automobile communication department,
A first in-home communication unit that transmits information about the electric vehicle received by the vehicle communication unit, and a power conditioner,
A control device including a second in-home communication unit that receives information on the electric vehicle transmitted by the first in-home communication unit;
Home energy management system.
In response to receiving the information related to the electric vehicle, the vehicle communication unit transmits an end instruction signal instructing the end of charging or discharging to the electric vehicle.
The home energy management system according to claim 1.
The information on the electric vehicle includes information indicating a charging rate that is a ratio of the remaining amount of the storage battery to the capacity of the storage battery,
The second in-home communication unit transmits a control signal instructing charging or discharging to the first in-home communication unit,
The inverter is
In a charge / discharge period, which is a period during which the storage battery is charged or discharged according to the control signal, further comprises an electricity quantity measuring unit that measures the quantity of electricity charged or discharged by the storage battery,
The first in-home communication unit includes information indicating the amount of electricity measured by the electricity amount measuring unit, information indicating a charge rate at the start of the charge / discharge period, and a charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period. Information to be transmitted to the second in-home communication unit,
The second in-home communication unit includes information indicating the amount of electricity, information indicating a charge rate at the start of the charge / discharge period, and information indicating a charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period. Received from the home communications department,
The controller is
A capacity calculator that calculates the capacity by dividing the amount of electricity by a difference between a charge rate at the start of the charge / discharge period and a charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period;
The home energy management system according to claim 1 or 2.
The capacity calculation unit calculates the capacity by dividing the total amount of electricity measured in each of the plurality of charge / discharge periods by the total value of the difference in charge rate in each of the plurality of charge / discharge periods. To
The home energy management system according to claim 3.
The controller is
A capacity information storage unit for storing information indicating the capacity;
When the difference between the capacity newly calculated by the capacity calculation unit and the capacity indicated by the information stored in the capacity information storage unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the capacity information storage unit stores the difference. A capacity information update unit that updates the information to indicate the newly calculated capacity,
The home energy management system according to claim 3 or 4.
The capacity calculation unit calculates the capacity when both the charge rate at the start of the charge / discharge period and the charge rate at the end of the charge / discharge period are within a predetermined range,
The home energy management system according to any one of claims 3 to 5.
When the charging rate indicated by the information received from the first in-home communication unit is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the second in-home communication unit transmits a control signal instructing charging to the first in-home communication unit. To
The home energy management system according to any one of claims 3 to 6.
In response to the power conditioner being connected to the electric vehicle including the storage battery, a transmission step of transmitting a start instruction signal instructing the start of charging or discharging to the electric vehicle;
The power conditioner comprises receiving information about the electric vehicle from the electric vehicle;
Home energy management method.
The computer that the inverter is equipped with
In response to the connection of the electric vehicle having a storage battery to the power conditioner, a start instruction signal instructing the start of charging or discharging is transmitted to the electric vehicle, and information on the electric vehicle is received from the electric vehicle. Car communication department,
Causing the information relating to the electric vehicle received by the vehicle communication unit to function as a first in-home communication unit that transmits to the control device;
program.