WO2012004897A1 - Information-providing device and information-providing method - Google Patents

Information-providing device and information-providing method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012004897A1
WO2012004897A1 PCT/JP2010/061932 JP2010061932W WO2012004897A1 WO 2012004897 A1 WO2012004897 A1 WO 2012004897A1 JP 2010061932 W JP2010061932 W JP 2010061932W WO 2012004897 A1 WO2012004897 A1 WO 2012004897A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
power
information
user
battery
consideration
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2010/061932
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
悟 松本
Original Assignee
トヨタ自動車株式会社
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Publication date
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Priority to PCT/JP2010/061932 priority Critical patent/WO2012004897A1/en
Publication of WO2012004897A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012004897A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Systems or methods specially adapted for specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/06—Electricity, gas or water supply
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/30—Constructional details of charging stations
    • B60L53/305—Communication interfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/60—Monitoring or controlling charging stations
    • B60L53/63—Monitoring or controlling charging stations in response to network capacity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L53/00—Methods of charging batteries, specially adapted for electric vehicles; Charging stations or on-board charging equipment therefor; Exchange of energy storage elements in electric vehicles
    • B60L53/60—Monitoring or controlling charging stations
    • B60L53/64—Optimising energy costs, e.g. responding to electricity rates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
    • B60L55/00—Arrangements for supplying energy stored within a vehicle to a power network, i.e. vehicle-to-grid [V2G] arrangements
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
    • Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
    • Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/12—Electric charging stations
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
    • Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/16—Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
    • Y02T90/167—Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles, i.e. smartgrids as interface for battery charging of electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S10/00—Systems supporting electrical power generation, transmission or distribution
    • Y04S10/12—Monitoring or controlling equipment for energy generation units, e.g. distributed energy generation [DER] or load-side generation
    • Y04S10/126—Monitoring or controlling equipment for energy generation units, e.g. distributed energy generation [DER] or load-side generation the energy generation units being or involving electric vehicles [EV] or hybrid vehicles [HEV], i.e. power aggregation of EV or HEV, vehicle to grid arrangements [V2G]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S30/00—Systems supporting specific end-user applications in the sector of transportation
    • Y04S30/10—Systems supporting the interoperability of electric or hybrid vehicles
    • Y04S30/14—Details associated with the interoperability, e.g. vehicle recognition, authentication, identification or billing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing method for providing various types of information, and in particular, an information providing apparatus and an information providing method for providing useful information related to power trading to a user of a vehicle equipped with a large-capacity battery. About.
  • nuclear power generation is generally an effective power generation means that emits very little carbon dioxide, but output adjustment is extremely difficult.
  • Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-178237 electric power generated by natural energy is stored in a storage battery (battery) mounted on a vehicle or a residential storage battery by storing and using cheap electric power (surplus power).
  • a household power supply system for selling power is shown.
  • Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-276252 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-136860 disclose a vehicle energy recovery system and a power supply / reception system that sells electric power generated (recovered) as the vehicle travels as needed. The device is shown.
  • Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-240552 discloses a charging service system for efficiently charging power to a storage battery (battery) mounted on a vehicle.
  • the power seller and the vehicle user since the price when selling power, that is, the selling price, fluctuates from time to time depending on the supply and demand at the time of selling power, the power seller and the vehicle user must It is necessary to identify. Further, in particular, when selling power charged in a storage battery (battery) mounted on a vehicle, it is necessary to maintain a traveling function as a basic function of the vehicle. ) Must determine the amount of power sold by securing the necessary remaining amount of power in the storage battery (battery). Therefore, in order to keep track of these matters, it may impose a burden on the power seller (and vehicle user) who sells the power, and as a result, the power charged as necessary. There is a possibility that the social mechanism of selling electricity will not penetrate and will not function fully.
  • the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide information providing apparatus and information that provide useful information regarding power sale to power sellers who sell power at an appropriate timing. It is to provide a providing method.
  • the present invention is characterized in that, in an information providing apparatus that provides various types of information to a user, a battery remaining amount acquisition that acquires a battery remaining amount that represents the amount of power charged in a battery mounted on a moving body used by the user Means, and a required remaining power amount acquisition means for acquiring a required remaining power amount representing a power amount required for the mobile body to move from a current position to a predetermined location using the power charged in the battery, and the battery
  • a power sale price acquisition means for acquiring a power sale price when selling the power charged in the battery, a battery remaining amount acquired by the battery remaining amount acquisition means, and a need acquired by the required remaining power amount acquisition means
  • a counter for creating consideration information associated with the power sale of the power charged in the battery of the mobile unit
  • An information creating means certain consideration information created by the consideration information generating means that a consideration information providing means for providing to the user.
  • Another feature of the present invention is an information providing method using a computer device that provides various types of information to a user, wherein the computer device is charged in a battery mounted on a moving body used by the user. Obtaining a battery remaining amount representing the amount of power, obtaining a necessary remaining power amount representing a power amount necessary for the mobile body to move from a current position to a predetermined location using the power charged in the battery, and A power selling price when selling the power charged in the battery is acquired, and the battery of the mobile body is obtained using the acquired remaining battery amount, the acquired required remaining power amount and the acquired power selling price. It is also possible to create consideration information associated with the sale of electric power charged to the user and to provide the created consideration information to the user.
  • the created consideration information can be provided to the user in response to a request from the user.
  • the information providing device and the computer device can be provided in the mobile body, for example, an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
  • the compensation information can be created by calculating a margin generated with the sale of power charged in the battery of the mobile body. And in this case, it is possible to obtain the power conversion efficiency when purchasing and charging the battery mounted on the mobile body, and using the conversion efficiency at the time of power purchase, the consideration information can be obtained. Can be created.
  • the information providing device and the computer device can further determine whether the demand amount of power is smaller than the amount of power generated and power surplus occurs, When it is determined that a surplus of power is generated, surplus power generation information indicating that the surplus of power is generated can be generated and provided to the user.
  • the information providing device and the computer device are provided in an electric power company that generates electric power, and at least the electric power generation amount information indicating the electric power generation amount and the demand amount information indicating the electric power demand amount Can communicate with a computer device that obtains.
  • the consideration information can be created by using the remaining battery amount, the required remaining power amount, and the power sale price that change from moment to moment, and the consideration information can be provided to the user. Therefore, when the user sells the power charged in the battery, the user can accurately determine the remaining battery amount, the required remaining power amount, and the selling price by checking useful consideration information provided at an appropriate timing. There is no need to keep track of it, and it will be possible to sell power easily and positively.
  • the user is promptly and effectively encouraged to sell power, so that the social mechanism of selling the charged power when necessary can be effectively functioned.
  • the consideration information to be provided to the user can be created taking into account the power conversion efficiency at the time of power purchase and power sale, or it can be created taking into account the margins that accompany power sale, It is possible to provide more accurate and useful consideration information to the user and to promote power sales more effectively.
  • consideration information when consideration associated with power sale is larger than a predetermined consideration, it is possible to appropriately provide consideration information that is more useful to the user. In such a situation, the user can be effectively promoted to sell power.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information providing system including an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the in-vehicle information terminal device of FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the supply and demand information providing center of FIG.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the electric power company of FIG.
  • FIG. 5 is a functional block illustrating an operation of charging (purchasing) power to a battery mounted on the vehicle, which is executed in the in-vehicle information terminal device, the supply and demand information providing center, the power company, and the charging / discharging stand of FIG. FIG. FIG.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a margin information providing program executed by the information management server (control device) of the supply and demand information providing center of FIG.
  • FIG. 7 is a functional block showing an operation of discharging (selling) power from a battery mounted on the vehicle, which is executed in the in-vehicle information terminal device, the supply and demand information providing center, the power company and the charge / discharge stand of FIG. FIG.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram schematically showing an information providing system having an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • This information providing system includes a vehicle 10 as a moving body, an in-vehicle information terminal device 20 mounted on the vehicle 10, a portable information terminal device 30 carried by a user, an in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and a portable information terminal device 30.
  • a supply and demand information providing center 40 as an information providing device that provides information on the supply and demand of electric power, an electric power company 50 that generates commercial power and controls the supply of electric power, and a charging / discharging stand 60 that is electrically connected to the vehicle 10 And.
  • the in-vehicle information terminal device 20, the portable information terminal device 30, the information providing center 40, and the power company 50 are each connected to a network 70 (for example, the Internet).
  • the power company 50 and the charge / discharge stand 60 are connected by a power line 80.
  • the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) equipped with a large-capacity battery 11.
  • the battery 11 mounted in the vehicle 10 is electrically connected to the charging / discharging stand 60 via the inlet 12, and charging or discharging is enabled.
  • the vehicle 10 includes a known charge / discharge circuit 13 that switches and controls the charge state and the discharge state of the battery 11.
  • the battery 11 is assembled with a state of charge (SOC) state, that is, a charge state detection sensor 14 as a battery remaining amount acquisition means for detecting a charge amount.
  • SOC state of charge
  • the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 is disposed, for example, in the vicinity of the driver's seat in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10, and as shown in FIG. 2, an input device 21, a display device 22, a control device 23, and a communication device connected to each other.
  • a storage device 24, a communication device 25, a navigation device 26, and various sensors 27 are provided.
  • the input device 21 includes an operation switch provided in the vicinity of the display device 22, a panel touch switch that is incorporated in the display device 22 and detects a touch operation of the display panel, and inputs a driver's instruction. .
  • the display device 22 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays characters, graphics, and the like on the display panel.
  • the control device 23 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like as main components, and performs overall operations of the display device 22, the storage device 24, the communication device 25, and the navigation device 26 by executing a program. To control. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the control device 23 inputs the charging state of the battery 11 detected by the charging state detection sensor 14, and controls the charging / discharging circuit 13 of the vehicle 10 to control the charging state of the battery 11. Switch between discharge states.
  • the storage device 24 includes a storage medium such as a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a drive device for the storage medium, and stores various programs (for example, a browser program) and various data in advance. ing.
  • the communication device 25 enables wireless communication with the supply and demand information providing center 40 via a relay station. For this reason, the communication device 25 is provided with an antenna 25a for wireless communication with the relay station.
  • the navigation device 26 has a microcomputer composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like as main components, and uses detection values detected by various sensors 27 by executing a program stored in the storage device 24 in advance.
  • the various sensors 27 are connected to the navigation device 26 and mainly include sensors for detecting the current position of the vehicle, that is, a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro, a GPS (Global Positioning System), a vehicle speed sensor, a wheel speed sensor, and the like. .
  • the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 configured as described above has a function of receiving and displaying information related to power sale of power provided from the supply and demand information providing sensor 40 by executing the various programs, and a supply and demand information providing center 40. Various functions such as a function for transmitting various information can be realized.
  • the portable information terminal device 30 is configured in substantially the same manner as the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 described above, and is connected to each other so as to be communicable with each other, an input device, a display device, a control device, a storage device, A communication device is provided. And this portable information terminal device 30 is comprised compactly in order to enable a user to carry. As the portable information terminal device 30 having such a configuration, a mobile phone or a portable personal computer having a communication function is suitable.
  • the supply and demand information providing center 40 can be installed, for example, in a dealer that sells the vehicle 10 and includes an information management server 41 and a communication device 42 that are communicably connected to each other as shown in FIG.
  • the information management server 41 includes a control device 41a, a storage device 41b, and a communication interface 41c.
  • the control device 41a also has a microcomputer composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like as main components, and comprehensively controls the operation of the information management server 41.
  • the storage device 41b includes a storage medium such as a hard disk and a drive device for the storage medium, and stores various programs and various data including programs to be described later.
  • the communication interface 41c is an interface for connecting to a communication line (for example, a LAN line) constructed in the supply and demand information providing center 40.
  • the communication device 42 is wired to the network 70 to perform wired communication with the electric power company 50 and enables wireless communication with the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30 using a relay station.
  • a user specifying information registration database 43, a contract information registration database 44, a charge / discharge history database 45, and a supply / demand information database 46 are constructed in the supply / demand information providing center 40.
  • Each of these databases 43, 44, 45, 46 is connected to a communication line constructed in the supply and demand information providing center 40 and is accessible from the information management server 41.
  • the user specifying information registration database 43 stores and registers user specifying information given in advance to specify a user.
  • the contract information registration database 44 stores, for each user, power purchase contract content information representing the content of the power purchase contract that is contracted to buy and sell power in view of the usage status of the purchased vehicle 10.
  • the power sales contract that the user contracts will be described.
  • the power purchase contract that the user ties is a power purchase price in which power is set in advance for the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 in a time zone (for example, midnight time zone) when the demand for power is low and there is a margin for power supply.
  • the electric power charged in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is sold at a preset power selling price in a time zone (for example, a daytime time zone) when power demand increases and power supply cannot be afforded. It is premised on discharging by electricity.
  • a time zone for example, a daytime time zone
  • the power is charged at a power purchase price that is higher than the power purchase price determined by the contract.
  • a power sales time zone for example, daytime time zone
  • the user purchases power from the power company 50 in the preset power purchase time zone (midnight time zone) and charges the battery 11 of the vehicle 10.
  • the vehicle 10 is driven using the electric power charged in the battery 11.
  • the user sells the electric power charged in the battery 11 to the electric power company 50 in principle in a preset power selling time zone (daytime time zone) based on the power sales contract.
  • the electric power company 50 side can reduce the frequency which increases / decreases the electric power generation amount according to the change of electric power demand, and can generate electric power efficiently.
  • the user purchases the vehicle 10 for the purpose of traveling and moving.
  • a specific power sales amount is determined in consideration of the usage status of the purchased vehicle 10, that is, the usage frequency of running the vehicle 10. More specifically, the user sets in advance a power amount that can be purchased (charged) to the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 and a power amount that can be sold (discharged) from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10. In this case, for example, if the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle, the vehicle 11 travels using only the electric power charged in advance in the battery 11. For this reason, in order for the vehicle 10 to exhibit the basic performance as an automobile, the battery 11 must be charged with at least enough power to run the vehicle 10 within the movement range assumed by the user.
  • the battery 11 must be charged with electric power (hereinafter referred to as “required residual electric energy”) for a distance (minimum travel distance) that allows the vehicle 10 to travel at a minimum. And about this movement range (namely, minimum mileage), it changes with individual users, and a certain user moves comparatively near distance from bases, such as a house, and a certain user is from a base. For example, the vehicle 10 is moved over a relatively long distance. For this reason, the amount of remaining electric power necessary to drive the vehicle 10, specifically, the amount of charge (SOC) of the battery 11 varies depending on the use state of the vehicle 10 by the user.
  • SOC amount of charge
  • the amount of charge purchased from the power company 50 and charged to the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 and the amount of discharge to sell the charged power to the power company 50 differ depending on the usage state of the vehicle 10 by each user.
  • the charging / discharging time of the battery 11 described above also varies depending on the usage state of the vehicle 10 by each user. For example, when the frequency of using the vehicle 10 on weekdays is low and the time for which the vehicle 10 is parked is long, the charging time for the battery 11 (power purchase time) becomes long and the battery 11 is discharged with electric power charged. The time (power selling time) also becomes longer.
  • the vehicle 10 owned by the user can reliably charge the battery 11 in a time zone in which surplus is generated in the generated power due to a decrease in the demand amount of the power.
  • the power charged in the battery 11 can be surely discharged in a time zone in which the demand amount increases and there is a concern that the power shortage will occur.
  • the user can favorably contribute to fluctuations in power supply and demand.
  • the charging time (power purchase time) for the battery 11 is relatively short, and the power charged in the battery 11 is relatively short.
  • the discharge time (power selling time) is relatively short.
  • a user with a low use frequency of the vehicle 10 has a longer power purchase time (charge time) in a preset power purchase time zone based on an electric power sales contract and is in a preset power sale time zone.
  • Power selling time discharge time
  • the priority of charging becomes low, while the amount of power that can be sold (discharged) increases. Therefore, since the power sales contract that is made by such users has a high degree of contribution to fluctuations in power supply and demand, the basic fee for receiving the information providing service (providing profit forecast notification), which will be described later, is low. Is set.
  • a power sales contract is referred to as a sales contract 1.
  • a user who frequently uses the vehicle 10 may have a shorter power purchase time (charge time) in a preset power purchase time zone based on an electric power sales contract and a preset power sale time.
  • the power selling time (discharge time) in the band may be shortened.
  • the priority of charging is high, while the amount of power that can be sold (discharged) is small.
  • the electric power sales contract that is made by such a user has a lower contribution to power supply and demand fluctuation than the above-mentioned sales contract 1, and therefore the basic charge for receiving the information providing service related to power sale is high.
  • the power purchase price that is increased when such a user charges the battery 11 outside, for example, a preset power purchase time period is lower than the sales contract 1, and the minimum mileage is changed.
  • the amount of billing when doing this is also cheaper than the sales contract 1.
  • a power sales contract 2 is referred to as a sales contract 2.
  • the user who has concluded the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2 can freely sell the power charged in the battery 11 as needed outside a predetermined power selling time zone defined by the contract. it can.
  • the power selling price when power is sold outside the predetermined time is determined in a manner that varies depending on the current power supply / demand situation at that time or in the future, as will be described later. Thereby, the user who sells electric power can obtain a difference from the electric power purchase price at the time of electric power purchase depending on the fluctuating electric power sale price.
  • the contract information registration database 44 registers the power sales contract content information (hereinafter also simply referred to as contract information) representing the above-mentioned power sales contract (that is, the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2) so as to be identifiable for each user. And remember.
  • the information management server 41 associates the user specifying information stored in the user specifying information registration database 43 with the contract information for each user stored in the contract information database 44.
  • the information management server 41 uses the user identification information transmitted from the user to identify the power sales contract, that is, the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2 contracted by the user.
  • the contract information representing the power sales contract with which the user has contracted is also stored in a predetermined storage location of the storage device 24 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20.
  • the charge / discharge history database 45 stores a charge / discharge history of the battery 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 for each vehicle 10 (that is, a user). Thereby, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the information management server 41 is charged with the user identification information and the battery 11 from the information terminal device 20 (more specifically, the control device 23) mounted on the vehicle 10.
  • the vehicle used by the user in the charge / discharge history database 45 using the body number information included in the received user identification information Charging completion information and discharging completion information are stored every 10th.
  • the information management server 41 may increment and store the charge history and the discharge history of the battery 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 by “1”. it can.
  • the supply and demand information database 46 includes data representing patterns related to fluctuations in power supply and demand, which will be described later, power generation amount information representing power generation continuously transmitted from the power company 50, demand amount information representing demand (power consumption), and power
  • the power purchase price and the power sale price are stored in an updatable and searchable manner.
  • the information management server 41 uses various information stored in the supply and demand information database 46 to change the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30 used by the user according to the power supply and demand situation.
  • a margin prediction notification described later is created using the power selling price to be transmitted and transmitted (provided) to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30. As shown in FIG.
  • the electric power company 50 includes a management server 51 and a communication device 52 that are communicably connected to each other.
  • the management server 51 includes a control device 51a, a storage device 51b, and a communication interface 51c.
  • the control device 51a also has a microcomputer composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like as main components, and comprehensively controls the operation of the management server 51.
  • the storage device 51b includes a storage medium such as a hard disk and a drive device for the storage medium, and stores various programs and various data.
  • the communication interface 51c is an interface for connecting to a communication line (for example, a LAN line) constructed in the electric power company 50, and is provided in a power plant (not shown) via the communication line in the electric power company 50.
  • the communication device 52 is wired to the network 70 and performs wired communication with the supply and demand information providing center 40, and the power incorporated in the charge / discharge station 60 through power line communication using the power line 80 as shown in FIG. It enables wired communication with the trade management device 61 (hereinafter referred to as smart meter 61).
  • smart meter 61 since the smart meter 61 incorporated in the charging / discharging stand 60 is well-known, specific description is abbreviate
  • a smart meter registration database 53 is constructed in the electric power company 50.
  • the smart meter registration database 53 is information for identifying the charging / discharging stand 60 (more specifically, the built-in smart meter 61) installed in each home or public place (for example, position information indicating the installation position or in advance).
  • the allocated number information is stored in a searchable manner.
  • the smart meter registration database 53 is connected to a communication line built in the electric power company 50 and can be accessed from the management server 51.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 purchases power from the power company 50 during a preset power purchase time zone based on the contract information stored in advance in a predetermined storage position of the storage device 24. Then, the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is charged until reaching a preset charge amount (SOC). At this time, for example, when the vehicle 10 is parked at home and the charging / discharging stand 60 installed at home and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are already electrically connected, or the user uses the vehicle 10.
  • SOC preset charge amount
  • the control device 23 automatically connects the charging / discharging circuit 13 to the battery 11. Control to switch to the mode of charging.
  • the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 notifies the user via the display device 22.
  • the user specifying information and the charging / discharging stand 60 and the vehicle 10 are connected to the supply / demand information providing center 40 via the communication device 25.
  • Unconnected information indicating that the inlet 12 is not electrically connected is transmitted.
  • the information management server 41 receives the transmitted user identification information and unconnected information via the communication device 42. Then, the information management server 41 searches the user identification information registration database 43 using the received user identification information to identify the user, and the portable information terminal device used by the identified user based on the received unconnected information A notification for urging the connection between the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 is transmitted to 30. Thereby, it is possible to effectively prompt the user to electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10, and the user charges the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 in accordance with the power sales contract. Can do.
  • the control device 23 determines the current position of the vehicle 10 with respect to the navigation device 26.
  • the nearest charging / discharging stand 60 is searched for.
  • the control apparatus 23 makes a navigation apparatus 26 guide a user to the nearest charging / discharging stand 60 searched.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 enters a mode for charging the battery 11 to the charging / discharging circuit 13 of the vehicle 10.
  • the switching control is performed to charge (purchase) the power supplied from the power company 50.
  • the functions realized by the control device 23, the storage device 24, the communication device 25, and the navigation device 26 are described as a charging request transmission unit 91a in FIG.
  • the information management server 41 receives request information, user identification information, and current position information transmitted from the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 via the communication device 42.
  • the information management server 41 searches the user identification information registration database 43 using the received user identification information to authenticate the user, and searches the contract information registration database 44 to obtain the contract information (sales and purchases) that the user has previously contracted. Identify contract 1 or sales contract 2).
  • the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, the user identification information registration database 43, and the contract information registration database 44 are described as an authentication unit 91b in FIG.
  • the information management server 41 authenticates the user and specifies the contract information
  • the information management server 41 transmits the received current position information and the specified contract information to the power company 50 via the communication device 42.
  • the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the contract information registration database 44 are described as a charging start request unit 91c in FIG.
  • the management server 51 receives the current position information and contract information transmitted from the supply and demand information providing center 40 via the communication device 52. Then, the management server 51 searches the smart meter registration database 53 using the received current position information, and identifies the charge / discharge station 60 that is electrically connected to the vehicle 10. Then, the management server 51 supplies power to the vehicle 10 from the charge amount information indicating the charge amount based on the received contract information and the charge / discharge stand 60 with respect to the smart meter 61 incorporated in the specified charge / discharge stand 60.
  • the permission information for permitting the transmission is transmitted via the communication device 52 and the power line 80.
  • the functions realized by the management server 51, the communication device 52, and the smart meter registration database 53 are described as a charging start information transmission unit 91d in FIG.
  • the smart meter 61 receives the charge amount information and the permission information. Then, the smart meter 61 allows electric power to flow from the charging / discharging stand 60 to the vehicle 10 based on the permission information, and the electric power corresponding to the charge amount determined by the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2 concluded by the user based on the charge amount information. Supply.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 monitors the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 11 based on the value detected by the charge state detection sensor 14, and whether or not the battery 11 has been charged until reaching a predetermined SOC. And the conversion efficiency of power during charging (hereinafter referred to as conversion efficiency during charging) is detected.
  • SOC state of charge
  • the control apparatus 23 will be the charge completion information showing that charge with the user specific information was completed with respect to the supply-and-demand information provision center 40 via the communication apparatus 25. And the charge conversion efficiency information showing the conversion efficiency at the time of charge is transmitted.
  • the functions realized by the control device 23, the charging state detection sensor 14, and the communication device 25 are described as a charging completion information transmission unit 92a in FIG.
  • the information management server 41 receives the user specifying information, the charging completion information, and the charging conversion efficiency information transmitted via the communication device 42.
  • the information management server 41 specifies the charge / discharge history database 45 provided for each user based on the received user specifying information, and the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 constructed in the charge / discharge history database 45 based on the received charge completion information.
  • the charging history is updated by incrementing, for example, “1”.
  • the information management server 41 stores the received charge conversion efficiency information in the charge / discharge history database 45 in association with the charge / discharge history information of the battery 11 of the vehicle 10. Therefore, the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the charge / discharge history database 45 are described as a charge history update unit 92b in FIG.
  • the power when charging the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 during the preset power purchase time period, the power can be purchased at the power purchase price determined in the power purchase contract, and the user can use the daytime. In the belt, the user can drive the vehicle 10 and use it as usual. If it is not necessary to charge the battery 11 of the vehicle 10, the user may not electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10. In this case, although it is different from the contents of the power sales contract, the supply and demand information providing center 40 is not charged. Next, the case where the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is charged (purchased power) outside the conditions of the power sales contract for the convenience of the user will be described.
  • the user charges the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 in a predetermined power purchase time zone according to the power sales contract, but the vehicle 10 is charged in the power purchase time zone in which the power is charged due to an emergency or the like. In some cases, the battery 11 may not be charged. In this case, based on the power sales contract, the user can electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 to charge the battery 11 even outside the preset power purchase time zone. Can do. However, when the battery 11 is charged outside the conditions of the power purchase contract as described above, as described above, the power purchase price is an extra charge.
  • the information management server 41 receives the power generation amount information and the demand amount information transmitted from the management server 51 of the power company 50 via the communication device 42 and stores them in the supply and demand information database 46. Then, the information management server 41 uses the power generation amount information and the demand amount information stored in the supply and demand information database 46 to generate surplus power when the demand amount is significantly lower than the power generation amount or when surplus power is generated in the future.
  • the information management server 41 predicts a power purchase price that fluctuates depending on the generated surplus power, and transmits the predicted power purchase price information to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 (or the portable information terminal device 30).
  • functions realized by the management server 51 and the communication device 52 are described as a power generation demand information transmission unit 93a in FIG.
  • functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the supply and demand information database 46 are described as surplus power generation confirmation unit 93b in FIG.
  • functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the user identification information registration database 43 are described as a surplus power information transmission unit 93c in FIG. Further, functions realized by the control device 23 and the communication device 25 are described as a surplus power information receiving unit 93d in FIG.
  • the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 receiving the surplus power generation information notifies the user that surplus power is currently generated or that surplus power will be generated in the future. be able to.
  • the user who acquired the surplus power generation information and the power purchase price information transmitted in this manner charges the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 with surplus power provided from the power company 50 as necessary.
  • the description is abbreviate
  • the operation of discharging (power selling) the power (surplus power) charged (purchased) in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 will be described.
  • the user can sell the power charged in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 by using the margin information provided from the supply and demand information providing center 40.
  • the provision of this margin information will be described in detail below.
  • the information management server 41 executes a margin information providing program shown in FIG. 6 in order to provide margin information to the user.
  • the information management server 41 (more specifically, the CPU of the control device 41a) starts execution of the margin providing program in step S10, and in step S11, the information management server 41 is preset by the current user signing an electric power sales contract. It is determined whether it is a power selling time zone. That is, the information management server 41 searches all the contract information registration database 44 and enters the power sale time zone based on the content of the power sales contract (ie, sales contract 1 or sales contract 2) that each user has concluded ( Alternatively, the power sales contract (which is in the power selling time zone) is specified.
  • the information management server 41 searches the user specific information registration database 43 and specifies the user who has concluded the specified electric power sales contract, and acquires the user specific information of this specified user. If the user who is in the power sale time zone (or the power sale time zone) is specified, the information management server 41 determines “Yes” and proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the information management server 41 uses the user identification information acquired in step S11, and the amount of electric power currently charged in the battery 11 (hereinafter referred to as the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20). (Referred to as “remaining battery level”) and obtaining the remaining battery level information.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 receives a battery remaining amount information transmission request from the information management server 41 via the communication device 25, the charge amount detected by the charge state detection sensor 14. That is, the remaining battery level is acquired. And the control apparatus 23 transmits the acquired battery remaining amount to the information management server 41 via the communication apparatus 25 as battery remaining amount information.
  • the information management server 41 when the battery remaining amount information is acquired via the communication device 42, the acquired battery remaining amount information is temporarily stored in the charge / discharge history database 45, and the process proceeds to step S13.
  • the information management server 41 uses the contract information specified in step S11 and the battery remaining amount information acquired in step S12 to calculate the profit when the user sells power during the power selling time zone.
  • Equation 1 (Remaining battery amount—required remaining power amount) ⁇ (current power selling price—average power purchase price of remaining battery amount / power conversion efficiency during charging) / power conversion efficiency during discharge (1)
  • the “current power selling price” in Equation 1 is the power selling price determined by the contract when selling power during the power selling time zone based on the power sales contract.
  • the “average power purchase price of the remaining battery power” and “power conversion efficiency during charging” in Formula 1 are stored in the charge / discharge history database 45 so as to be identifiable for each vehicle 10 as prices at the time of power purchase. Is.
  • the “power conversion efficiency during discharge” is the power conversion efficiency when discharging (selling) power, and the supply and demand from the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 when the previous power sale is completed, as in the case of charging. It is transmitted to the information providing center 40 and stored in the charge / discharge history database 45 so as to be updated for each vehicle 10. If the value calculated according to Equation 1 is a positive value, the information management server 41 can obtain a profit by selling the power charged in the battery 11 at the present time. It determines with "Yes” and progresses to step S14. On the other hand, if the value calculated according to Equation 1 is a negative value (or “0”), no difference is generated even if the power currently charged in the battery 11 is sold.
  • step S24 the process proceeds to step S24, and the execution of the margin information providing program is terminated.
  • the case where a profit does not arise includes the case where there is a margin in the amount of power generation and the user does not need to sell power. For this reason, when it determines with "No" in the said step S13, the user does not need to sell electric power according to an electric power sales contract.
  • the information management server 41 uses the user identification information acquired in step S11 to calculate the expression 1 for the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30 used by the user. A profit forecast notification for notifying that a profit is expected to be generated is transmitted.
  • step S ⁇ b> 15 the information management server 41 determines whether or not the power sale is started and terminated from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10. And this determination process is repeatedly performed until electric power sale is started from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 and is complete
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 is pre- Based on the stored contract information, the power is sold to the electric power company 50 during a preset power sale time period, and the amount of charge (SOC) preset in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10, in other words, necessary remaining Discharge until the amount of power is reached.
  • SOC amount of charge
  • the amount of power sold from the battery 11 to the power company 50 will be described.
  • the basic function of the vehicle 10 is to travel and move. In particular, when the vehicle 10 is an EV, the electric motor must be driven only by the electric power supplied from the battery 11 to travel.
  • the control device 23 travels at least the above-mentioned minimum travel distance from the remaining battery level of the battery 11 based on the power sales contract (ie, the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2) that the user has previously contracted.
  • the amount of power that can be sold is determined by subtracting the necessary remaining power.
  • control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 causes the navigation device 26 to calculate the travel distance necessary for traveling from the current position of the vehicle 10 to the home, for example. And the control apparatus 23 calculates the electric energy required in order to drive
  • the control device 23 automatically connects the charging / discharging circuit 13 from the battery 11. Switch to discharge mode.
  • the vehicle-mounted information terminal device is similar to the operation at the time of charging described above.
  • the 20 displays and prompts the user to electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 via the display device 22, and the information management server 41 uses the mobile phone used by the identified user.
  • a notification that prompts the information terminal device 30 to connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 is transmitted.
  • the user can, for example, from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 according to the power sales contract. Can be discharged.
  • the control device 23 is a navigation device as in the above-described operation during charging. 26, the nearest charging / discharging stand 60 is searched and guided. Accordingly, even when the user is out, the user can quickly and easily move to the nearest charging / discharging stand 60 and electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10. Can do.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 enters a mode in which the charging / discharging circuit 13 of the vehicle 10 is discharged from the battery 11.
  • Switching control is performed to discharge (sell power) power to the power company 50.
  • the control device 23 is also used when the charge / discharge stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are electrically connected to discharge (sell power) from the battery 11.
  • request information indicating a request for power sale
  • user identification information stored in the storage device 24, and the vehicle 10 acquired from the navigation device 26.
  • Current position information representing the current position (that is, corresponding to the installation position of the charge / discharge stand 60) is transmitted.
  • the functions realized by the control device 23, the storage device 24, the communication device 25, and the navigation device 26 are described as a discharge request transmission unit 94a in FIG.
  • the information management server 41 receives request information, user identification information, and current position information transmitted from the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 via the communication device 42. Then, the information management server 41 uses the received user identification information to search the user identification information registration database 43 and authenticate the user, and also searches the contract information registration database 44 to contract information (sales and purchases) that the user has previously contracted. Identify contract 1 or sales contract 2).
  • the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, the user specifying information registration database 43, and the contract information registration database 44 are described as an authentication unit 94b in FIG.
  • the information management server 41 When the information management server 41 authenticates the user and specifies the contract information, the information management server 41 transmits the received current position information and the specified contract information to the power company 50 via the communication device 42.
  • the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the contract information registration database 44 are described as a discharge start request unit 94c in FIG.
  • the management server 51 receives the current position information and contract information transmitted from the supply and demand information providing center 40 via the communication device 52. Then, the management server 51 searches the smart meter registration database 53 using the received current position information, and identifies the charge / discharge station 60 that is electrically connected to the vehicle 10.
  • the management server 51 causes the electric power to flow from the charging / discharging stand 60 to the vehicle 10 with respect to the smart meter 61 incorporated in the specified charging / discharging stand 60 and the discharging amount information indicating the discharging amount based on the received contract information.
  • the permission information for permitting the transmission is transmitted via the communication device 52 and the power line 80.
  • the functions realized by the management server 51, the communication device 52, and the smart meter registration database 53 are described as a discharge start information transmission unit 94d in FIG.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 is changed to the power company 50 via the supply and demand information providing center 40.
  • the smart meter 61 receives the discharge amount information and the permission information. Then, the smart meter 61 supplies power from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 to the charging / discharging stand 60 based on the permission information, and is determined based on, for example, the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2 concluded by the user based on the discharge amount information. Electric power corresponding to the discharge amount is supplied to the power line 80. Thereby, the user can sell the electric power charged in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 to the electric power company 50.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 monitors the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 11 based on the value detected by the state of charge detection sensor 14 until the battery 11 reaches a predetermined SOC, that is, the required remaining power. It is determined whether or not the battery has been discharged, and the power conversion efficiency during discharge (hereinafter referred to as discharge conversion efficiency) is detected. Then, when the battery 11 is discharged until the predetermined SOC is reached, the control device 23 notifies the supply / demand information providing center 40 via the communication device 25 of the discharge completion information and the discharge indicating that the discharge is completed together with the user specifying information. Discharge conversion efficiency information representing the conversion efficiency is transmitted.
  • SOC state of charge
  • the functions realized by the control device 23, the charge state detection sensor 14, and the communication device 25 are described as a discharge completion information transmission unit 95a in FIG.
  • the information management server 41 receives the user specifying information, the discharge completion information and the discharge conversion efficiency information transmitted via the communication device. Then, the information management server 41 specifies the charge / discharge history database 45 provided for each user based on the received user specifying information, and the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 constructed in the charge / discharge history database 45 based on the received discharge completion information.
  • the discharge history is updated by incrementing, for example, “1”.
  • the information management server 41 stores the received discharge conversion efficiency information in the charge / discharge history database 45 in association with the charge / discharge history information of the battery 11 of the vehicle 10. Therefore, the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the charge / discharge history database 45 are described as a discharge history update unit 95b in FIG.
  • the information management server 41 updates and manages the charge / discharge history database 45, so that the burden associated with the charge / discharge of the battery 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 is increased. The deterioration state can be properly grasped.
  • the information management server 41 can appropriately maintain the traveling function that is the basic function of the vehicle 10 and can reliably perform charging (power purchase) and discharging (power selling). That is, since the information management server 41 can appropriately grasp the state of the battery 11 that is different for each vehicle 10, for example, there is a concern that the deterioration of the battery 11 may progress beyond the recommended number of times of charge and discharge of the battery 11. In this case, the battery 11 may be deteriorated with respect to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30 used by the user, and can be prompted to replace them. Therefore, when the user replaces the battery 11, the battery 11 can be operated satisfactorily.
  • the user since it is highly likely that the vehicle 10 is used when selling power, the user uses the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 to supply and demand information providing center 40. Thus, it is possible to reserve the charge / discharge station 60 used for selling power. More specifically, for example, when the user sells power by a margin prediction notification when going out, the user inputs power sale to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20. In response to the input by the user, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 causes the navigation device 26 to search for the nearest charge / discharge station 60 from the current position.
  • the control device 23 transmits the request information, the user identification information, and the power sale request information to the supply and demand information providing center 40 via the communication device 25, as shown in FIG.
  • the installation position information of the discharge stand 60 is also transmitted.
  • the information management server 41 receives each transmitted information via the communication device 42.
  • the information management server 41 transmits the received installation position information to the management server 51 of the power company 50, and the user specified by the user specification information uses the charge / discharge station 60 specified by the installation position information. Reservation information representing is sent.
  • the management server 51 of the power company 50 receives each information via the communication device 52.
  • the management server 51 searches the smart meter registration database 53 using the received installation position information, and specifies the charging / discharging stand 60 which a user desires to use. Then, the management server 51 restricts the operation of the smart meter 61 so that the specified charge / discharge station 60 is preferentially used by the reserved user based on the received reservation information. Thus, the user can preferentially sell power by moving the searched nearest to the charge / discharge station 60 and electrically connecting the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 can output the user specifying information to the smart meter 61 via a connection cable connected to the inlet 12, for example.
  • the smart meter 61 can authenticate the user identification information output by communicating with the management server 51 of the electric power company 50 via the power line 80, and can make the reserved user use the charge / discharge station 60 only. .
  • user identification information is registered in advance in an IC card (credit card) possessed by the user, and the smart meter 61 authenticates the registered user identification information. Only the reserved user can use the charging / discharging stand 60.
  • the information management server 41 receives the discharge completion information and the discharge conversion efficiency information from the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 in step S15, the information management server 41 proceeds to step S16.
  • step S16 the information management server 41 notifies the user of profit information indicating the actual profit. That is, the information management server 41 gives the actual (final) power sale price in the power sale time and the amount of power sale discharged (power sale) from the vehicle 10 to the management server 51 of the power company 50 this time. get.
  • the management server 51 of the electric power company 50 acquires the amount of electric power discharged (sold) from the charging / discharging stand 60 from the smart meter 61 provided in the specified charging / discharging stand 60 via the power line 80. be able to.
  • the information management server 41 applies the acquired actual power sale amount and the power sale price to the formula 1 to calculate the final margin due to the user selling power.
  • the information management server 41 transmits the profit information indicating the calculated final profit to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30, and ends the execution of the profit information providing program in step S24.
  • step S11 if it is not the preset power selling time zone, in other words, for a user who does not correspond, the information management server 41 determines “No” and proceeds to step S17. .
  • step S ⁇ b> 17 the information management server 41 uses the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 to request power sale outside the power sale time period determined by the power purchase contract from the user. It is determined whether request information is acquired.
  • the user when the user sells the power charged in the battery 11 outside the conditions of the power sales contract concluded by the user, the user operates the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 to supply and demand information.
  • the overtime sales request information is transmitted to the information management server 41 of the providing center 40.
  • the overtime power sale request information specifically includes information for requesting user identification information, battery remaining amount information, and a margin prediction notification. If the information management server 41 has received the overtime power sale request information transmitted from the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 via the communication device 42, the information management server 41 determines “Yes” and performs step S18.
  • the information management server 41 specifies the user by searching the user specifying information registration database 43 using the user specifying information included in the overtime power sale request information determined to have been received in step S17.
  • the contract information registration database 44 is searched to confirm the contents of the power purchase contract of the identified user.
  • the information management server 41 proceeds to step S12 to acquire battery remaining amount information, and proceeds to step S13.
  • the information management server 41 calculates the profit margin at the present time according to the above-described equation 1, similarly to the processing content of step S13 described above.
  • the “current power selling price” in Equation 1 is a power selling price that fluctuates depending on the supply and demand of power at the time of power selling.
  • the power selling price increases in a situation where, for example, the amount of power demand increases and the power generation amount supplied from the power company 50 has no margin, and falls in a situation where surplus power is generated.
  • the fluctuating power selling price may be acquired by the information management server 41 from the management server 51 of the power company 50, or may be included in the power generation amount information and the demand amount information supplied from the management server 51 of the power company 50. Based on this, the information management server 41 may predict the power selling price. Therefore, in a situation where there is a concern about power shortage when the user sells power outside the power sale time zone, the information management server 41 increases the power sale price and the value calculated according to the above equation 1 is correct.
  • step S13 i.e., it is predicted that a margin will be generated, so that "Yes” is determined in step S13, and the respective steps of steps S14 to S17 are executed.
  • the information management server 41 has a negative power selling price and the value calculated according to Equation 1 is negative. Value (or “0”), that is, since it is predicted that no margin will be generated, “No” is determined in step S13, and the process proceeds to step S24. In this way, when it is predicted that no profit will be generated when the user sells power outside the power sale time period, the information management server 41 uses the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 used by the user.
  • the information management server 41 determines “No” and proceeds to step S19. . In each step process after step S19, the information management server 41 predicts future power supply and demand, and provides (distributes) a profit prediction notification to the user. For this reason, the user registers in advance the provision timing for requesting provision (distribution) of the margin prediction notification to the information management server 41 of the supply and demand information provision center 40.
  • provision timing which desires provision (delivery) of a profit forecast notification
  • a time arbitrarily set by the user for example, a day of the week, a time point when charging of the battery 10 is started (or before charging is started), or It can be set in a charging time zone (or before the charging time) based on an electric power sales contract.
  • provision timings may be registered in association with the user identification information registered in the user identification information registration database 43 of the supply and demand information provision center 40, for example.
  • a forecast period desired by the user for example, a specific day, a week, a month, etc.
  • step S19 in the margin information providing program the information management server 41 determines whether or not it is the provision timing currently registered in advance by the user. That is, the information management server 41 searches all of the user identification information registration database 43, identifies the user corresponding to the provision timing, acquires the user identification information, and identifies the prediction period registered in advance by the user. If the user corresponding to the provision timing is specified, the information management server 41 determines “Yes” and proceeds to step S20.
  • step S20 the information management server 41 charges the current battery 11 to the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 using the user specifying information acquired in step S19, as in step S12. It requests transmission of the amount of electric power (hereinafter referred to as battery level) and receives battery level information.
  • the information management server 41 temporarily stores the acquired battery remaining amount information in the charge / discharge history database 45 and proceeds to step S21.
  • step S ⁇ b> 21 the information management server 41 uses the remaining battery amount information acquired in step S ⁇ b> 20 to calculate a profit when the user sells power in the following equation 2 below.
  • Equation 2 (Remaining battery amount—required remaining power amount) ⁇ (Future power selling price— (Current average power purchase price of remaining battery power + Current power purchase price ⁇ Chargeable charge amount) / Power conversion efficiency during charging) / Power conversion efficiency during discharge: Equation 2 It should be noted that the “average power purchase price of the remaining battery level” and “electric power conversion efficiency during charging” in Equation 2 are stored in the charge / discharge history database 45 in the charge / discharge history database 45 in the same manner as in Equation 1 above. Each is stored so as to be identifiable. In addition, “current power purchase price ⁇ chargeable charge amount” represents a cost that accompanies charging of the battery 11 until power is sold in the future. For example, charging is performed based on an electric power sales contract.
  • the power purchase price determined by the contract is multiplied by the charge amount, and when surplus power is charged, the power purchase price that fluctuates as described above is multiplied by the charge amount.
  • the “power conversion efficiency during discharge” is the power conversion efficiency when discharging (selling) power, and the supply and demand from the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 when the previous power sale is completed, as in the case of charging.
  • the information is transmitted to the information providing center 40 and stored in the charge / discharge history database 45 for each vehicle 10.
  • the “future power selling price” in Equation 2 will be described. In general, it is said that the amount of electric power demand increases and decreases depending on variable factors such as season, time of day, and day of the week.
  • the increase / decrease (fluctuation) of this electric power demand can be patterned based on the past fluctuation factor. For example, looking at the season as a variable factor, since air conditioners are used in homes and shops, the amount of power demand in summer and winter tends to increase relatively compared to spring and autumn. Moreover, if it sees about a time slot
  • the power demand can be patterned by statistically analyzing and processing the fluctuation tendency of the past power demand with respect to the fluctuation element. Therefore, by using this pattern, an approximate amount of power demand can be predicted.
  • the amount of power generated by the power company 50 can be determined based on a power generation plan that is planned in advance. For this reason, in the supply and demand information providing center 40, data of such a pattern and actual power generation amount information and demand amount information supplied from the management server 51 of the electric power company 50 are stored in the supply and demand information database 46 in an updatable manner. Yes. Then, the information management server 41 uses the pattern of the power demand stored in the supply and demand information database 46 and predicts the future power demand using the actual demand represented by the demand information.
  • the information management server 41 uses the power generation amount represented by the power generation amount information stored in the supply and demand information database 46 to determine the future power supply and demand situation based on the predicted power demand and power generation amount. Decide (predict). The information management server 41 then determines the future power selling price based on the determined future supply and demand situation, for example, in a situation where the amount of power demand increases and the power generation amount supplied from the power company 50 is not sufficient. In the situation where surplus power is generated, it is predicted that the future power selling price will fall. As a result, the information management server 41 calculates a profit when the user sells power in the future, according to the formula 2 using a predictable future power sale price.
  • the information management server 41 may generate a profit by selling the power charged in the battery 11 at a time desired by the user in the future. Since it is predicted, it is determined as “Yes”, and the above-described steps after step S14 are executed. On the other hand, if the value calculated according to Equation 2 is a negative value (or “0”), there will be no difference even if the power charged in the battery 11 is sold at a time desired by the user. Therefore, it is determined as “No”, the process proceeds to step S24, and the execution of the margin information providing program is terminated.
  • the information management server 41 uses the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device used by the user. 30 can be informed that no margin is generated and that it is not necessary to connect the vehicle 10 to the charging / discharging stand 60.
  • the information management server 41 determines “No” and proceeds to step S22.
  • step S ⁇ b> 22 the information management server 41 determines whether or not the distribution request information of the profit prediction notification outside the provision timing is acquired from the user using the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30. .
  • the user operates the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 when selling the power charged in the battery 11 by obtaining the margin prediction notification outside the provision timing registered by the user.
  • the distribution request information of the margin prediction notification is transmitted to the information management server 41 of the supply and demand information providing center 40.
  • the distribution request information specifically includes information for requesting user identification information, battery remaining amount information, and a margin prediction notification. If the information management server 41 has received the distribution request information transmitted from the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 via the communication device 42, the information management server 41 determines “Yes” and proceeds to step S23.
  • step S23 the information management server 41 specifies the user by searching the user specifying information registration database 43 using the user specifying information included in the distribution request information determined to be received in step S22, The contract information registration database 44 is searched to confirm the content of the power purchase contract of the identified user, and the steps of steps S20, S21, S14 to S16, and S24 are executed.
  • the power company 50 pays for the amount of power sold provided by the user via the charging / discharging stand 60.
  • the power company 50 pays an information provision fee set in advance according to the information provided to the user (the surplus power generation information and the margin prediction notification) to the supply and demand information provision center 40.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 stores the difference prediction notification provided from the supply and demand information providing center 40 in a predetermined storage location of the storage device 24 every time it is received. Then, the control device 23 graphs and displays, for example, the amount of power sold per month, the margin obtained from the power sale, the consideration, etc., using the stored profit prediction notification, in other words, the history of power sale so far.
  • the user mounts the generated surplus power in the vehicle 10 based on the surplus power generation information transmitted (provided) from the supply and demand information providing center 40.
  • the battery 11 can be charged at low cost.
  • the user can function as a tray for surplus power by charging the surplus power to the battery 11, so that power generation continues without deteriorating the power generation efficiency of the power company 50. can do.
  • a user can obtain a profit by selling surplus power charged at low cost.
  • the user calculates from the supply and demand information provision center 40 based on the margin prediction notification that is calculated using the battery remaining amount of the fluctuating battery 11, the necessary remaining power amount required for traveling, and the power selling price and is provided in a timely manner. Therefore, it can be very easily determined whether or not to sell power.
  • the profit will be larger, that is, the user can sell power on conditions that are advantageous to the user, so that the user can sell power in a timely and effective manner. Promptly. Therefore, it is possible to effectively function a social mechanism of selling charged power when necessary, and as a result, it is possible to smoothly meet the supply and demand of power.
  • an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle is employed as the moving body.
  • any movable body may be used as long as it is equipped with a rechargeable battery (battery) that can be charged and discharged.
  • a rechargeable battery battery
  • an electric two-wheeled vehicle electric A bicycle with an assist function or an electric motorcycle may be employed.
  • the supply and demand information providing center 40 transmits the surplus power generation information and the margin prediction notification to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and / or the portable information terminal device 30 to provide necessary information to the user.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 communicates with the management server 51 of the electric power company 50 to generate surplus power generation information and a margin prediction notification and display the display device. 22 may be displayed or transmitted to the portable information terminal device 30.
  • control device 23 makes the surplus by constructing each database corresponding to the charge / discharge history database 45 and the supply / demand information database 46 of the supply / demand information providing center 40 in the storage device 24 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20. Since it is possible to create the power generation information and the margin prediction notification, the same effect as the above embodiment can be expected.
  • the supply and demand information providing center 40 uses the power purchase price and the power sale price to calculate the profit associated with the power sale, creates a profit forecast notification, and provides it to the user. .
  • the power sale price prediction information indicating the power sale predicted price expected at the time of power sale or the power sale price information representing the power sale price at the time of power sale, that is, consideration information is provided to the user. It is also possible to implement. Thereby, the user can determine whether or not to sell power, although it is difficult to directly grasp the profit associated with power sale. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to sell power. Moreover, in the said embodiment, it implemented so that a profit might be calculated using the power conversion efficiency at the time of charging and the power conversion efficiency at the time of discharge in the said Formula 1 and the said Formula 2.
  • the difference can be calculated more simply by setting the power conversion efficiency during charging and the power conversion efficiency during discharge in Formula 1 and Formula 2 as “1”, for example.
  • the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 together with the user specifying information The current position information is transmitted to the electric power company 50 via the supply and demand information providing center 40, and the electric power company 50 identifies the charging / discharging stand 60 connected to the vehicle 10.
  • a database equivalent to the user identification information database 43 provided in the supply and demand information providing center 40 is also constructed in the power company 50, and the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are electrically connected.
  • the smart meter 61 automatically transmits identification information for identifying itself via the power line 80, and the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 is connected to the user via the charge / discharge stand 60 and the power line 80. It is also possible to automatically transmit the specific information to the electric power company 50.
  • the management server 51 of the electric power company 50 can specify the charging / discharging stand 60 to which the user specifying information is transmitted and can also specify the user, the user, as in the above embodiment, In any place, using the charge / discharge stand 60, it is possible to purchase (charge) power or sell (discharge) power very easily.

Abstract

In the present disclosures, an information management server (43) of a supply/demand information providing center (40) communicates with the control device (23) of the vehicle-mounted information terminal device (20) of a vehicle (10), and for example, acquires remaining battery power information that indicates the remaining battery power of the battery (11) that is of the vehicle (10) and that is charged during times of surplus power generation. Also, the server (43) determines (or predicts) the price of electricity sale when power is sold, and using the remaining battery power represented by the acquired remaining battery power information and using the necessary remaining power that is necessary for running the vehicle (10) and that is ordained ahead of time by a contract, predicts the profit arising by means of a user selling power. Also, when profits are predicted, the user (43) is furnished a profit prediction notification that represents the predicted profit. As a result, the user can, on the basis of the profit prediction notification, obtain profit by actively selling electric power charged in the battery (11), and as a result, a power company (50) can stably supply power even during times of peak power demand.

Description

情報提供装置および情報提供方法Information providing apparatus and information providing method
　本発明は、各種情報を提供する情報提供装置および情報提供方法に関し、特に、大容量のバッテリを搭載する車両のユーザに対して電力の売買に関する有用な情報を提供する情報提供装置および情報提供方法に関する。 The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing method for providing various types of information, and in particular, an information providing apparatus and an information providing method for providing useful information related to power trading to a user of a vehicle equipped with a large-capacity battery. About.
　近年、地球環境を保全する観点から、エネルギーを無駄なく利用することが広く検討されている。このような検討の一環として、例えば、発電所においては、電力の需要変動に対応するべく、所謂、電力ミックスが行われている。すなわち、安価に電力を安定して供給できる原子力発電をベースとし、出力調整が容易な火力発電と、自然エネルギーを利用した水力発電、風力発電、太陽光発電などを組み合わせて、電力の需要変動に対応するようになっている。
　この場合、原子力発電は、一般に、二酸化炭素の排出量が極めて少なく有効な発電手段であるが、出力調整が極めて困難である。このため、例えば、電力の需要ピークに合わせて原子力発電の出力を調整すると、電力の需要が少なくなる時間帯（例えば、深夜時間帯など）では発電した電力が余る、所謂、余剰電力が発生することになる。一方、余剰電力の発生を抑制するために原子力発電よる発電量を小さくし、電力の需要ピーク時に火力発電の利用や自然エネルギーの利用によって電力の需要に対応することが考えられる。しかし、この場合、火力発電への依存を大きくすることは二酸化炭素の排出量増大など環境への負荷が大きくなり、自然エネルギー利用の依存を大きくすると安定した電力の供給が難しくなるために余剰発電設備を維持管理しなければならないという課題が存在する。したがって、電力会社は、環境を保全しつつ電力を安定してより安価に供給するために、原子力発電をベースとする電力ミックスを推し進めている。
　ここで、余剰電力を効率よく利用する方法としては、発生した余剰電力を予め蓄電池に充電しておき、電力の需要ピーク時に充電した余剰電力を放電して電力需要に対応することが考えられる。この点に関し、例えば、特開２００２−１０４９５号公報および特開２００５−３３３７５１号公報には、住宅に設置された蓄電池を利用して安価な夜間電力（余剰電力）を充電しておき、昼間における電力需要に対して蓄電池に充電した電力を売電する電力供給システムが示されている。また、例えば、特開平１１−１７８２３７号公報には、車両に搭載された蓄電池（バッテリ）や住宅用蓄電池に安価な電力（余剰電力）を蓄電して利用し、自然エネルギーによって発電された電力を売電する家庭用電力供給システムが示されている。さらに、例えば、特開２００３−２７６４５２号公報および特開２００４−１３６８６０号公報には、車両の走行に伴って発生した（回収した）電力を必要に応じて売電する車両エネルギー回収システムおよび受給電装置が示されている。なお、例えば、特開２００９−２５４０５２号公報には、車両に搭載された蓄電池（バッテリ）に電力を効率よく充電するための充電サービスシステムが示されている。 In recent years, from the viewpoint of preserving the global environment, it has been widely studied to use energy without waste. As a part of such examination, for example, at a power plant, so-called power mixing is performed to cope with fluctuations in power demand. In other words, based on nuclear power generation that can stably supply power at low cost, combining thermal power generation with easy output adjustment with hydroelectric power generation using natural energy, wind power generation, solar power generation, etc. It comes to correspond.
In this case, nuclear power generation is generally an effective power generation means that emits very little carbon dioxide, but output adjustment is extremely difficult. For this reason, for example, when the output of nuclear power generation is adjusted in accordance with the power demand peak, so-called surplus power is generated, in which the generated power is surplus in a time zone where the demand for power is low (for example, midnight time zone). It will be. On the other hand, in order to suppress the generation of surplus power, it is conceivable to reduce the amount of power generated by nuclear power generation and respond to the demand for power by using thermal power generation or natural energy at the peak of power demand. However, in this case, increasing the dependence on thermal power generation increases the burden on the environment, such as an increase in carbon dioxide emissions, and increasing the dependence on the use of natural energy makes it difficult to supply stable power. There is a problem that equipment must be maintained. Therefore, electric power companies are pushing forward with an electric power mix based on nuclear power generation in order to stably supply electric power at a lower cost while preserving the environment.
Here, as a method of efficiently using surplus power, it is conceivable that the generated surplus power is charged in a storage battery in advance, and the surplus power charged at the power demand peak is discharged to meet the power demand. In this regard, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-10495 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-333751 charge inexpensive nighttime power (surplus power) using a storage battery installed in a house, and in daytime An electric power supply system for selling electric power charged in a storage battery in response to electric power demand is shown. In addition, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-178237, electric power generated by natural energy is stored in a storage battery (battery) mounted on a vehicle or a residential storage battery by storing and using cheap electric power (surplus power). A household power supply system for selling power is shown. Further, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-276252 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-136860 disclose a vehicle energy recovery system and a power supply / reception system that sells electric power generated (recovered) as the vehicle travels as needed. The device is shown. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-240552 discloses a charging service system for efficiently charging power to a storage battery (battery) mounted on a vehicle.
　ところで、上記従来の各装置やシステムにおいては、安価な電力を住宅用蓄電池や車両に搭載された蓄電池（バッテリ）に充電して利用しながら、例えば、電力の需要ピークに対応して充電した電力の一部を売電することにより、差益が得られる場合がある。この場合、電力会社は売電された電力によって需要ピークに対応することができるため発電量を増減させる頻度を抑制することができて発電の高効率化を達成することができ、一方では電力を売電する売電者（および車両のユーザ）は差益が得られることによって光熱費や車両の維持費を抑制することができる。
　しかしながら、電力を売電する売電者および車両のユーザは、売電に伴って差益を得るためには、少なくとも以下の事項を常に把握しておく必要がある。まず、電力を売電するときの価格すなわち売電価格が売電時点における需要と供給によって時時刻刻と変動するものであるため、売電者および車両のユーザは、この売電価格の変動を見極める必要がある。また、特に、車両に搭載された蓄電池（バッテリ）に充電されている電力を売電する場合には車両の基本機能としての走行する機能を維持しなければならないため、車両のユーザ（売電者）は蓄電池（バッテリ）における電力の必要残量を確保して売電量を決定しなければならない。したがって、これらの事項を常に把握しておくためには、電力を売電する売電者（および車両のユーザ）に対して負担を強いる可能性があり、その結果、必要に応じて充電した電力を売電するという社会的な仕組みが浸透せずまた十分に機能しない可能性がある。このため、電力を売電する売電者および車両のユーザに対して売電に関する有用な情報を適切なタイミングによって提供し、売電を促すことが望まれる。
　本発明は、上記課題を解決するためになされたものであり、その目的は、電力を売電する売電者に対して売電に関する有用な情報を適切なタイミングによって提供する情報提供装置および情報提供方法を提供することにある。
　本発明の特徴は、ユーザに対して各種情報を提供する情報提供装置において、ユーザが利用する移動体に搭載されたバッテリに充電されている電力量を表すバッテリ残量を取得するバッテリ残量取得手段と、前記移動体が前記バッテリに充電された電力を用いて現在位置から所定地まで移動するために必要な電力量を表す必要残存電力量を取得する必要残存電力量取得手段と、前記バッテリに充電された電力を売電するときの売電価格を取得する売電価格取得手段と、前記バッテリ残量取得手段によって取得されたバッテリ残量、前記必要残存電力量取得手段によって取得された必要残存電力量および前記売電価格取得手段によって取得された売電価格とを用いて、前記移動体のバッテリに充電された電力の売電に伴う対価情報を作成する対価情報作成手段と、前記対価情報作成手段によって作成された対価情報を前記ユーザに提供する対価情報提供手段とを備えたことにある。
　また、本発明の他の特徴は、ユーザに対して各種情報を提供するコンピュータ装置を用いた情報提供方法において、前記コンピュータ装置が、ユーザが利用する移動体に搭載されたバッテリに充電されている電力量を表すバッテリ残量を取得し、前記移動体が前記バッテリに充電された電力を用いて現在位置から所定地まで移動するために必要な電力量を表す必要残存電力量を取得し、前記バッテリに充電された電力を売電するときの売電価格を取得し、前記取得したバッテリ残量、前記取得した必要残存電力量および前記取得した売電価格とを用いて、前記移動体のバッテリに充電された電力の売電に伴う対価情報を作成し、前記作成された対価情報を前記ユーザに提供することにもある。
　そして、これらの発明においては、前記ユーザからの要求に応答して前記作成された対価情報を前記ユーザに提供することができる。また、これらの発明においては、前記情報提供装置および前記コンピュータ装置を、前記移動体、例えば、電気自動車またはプラグインハイブリッド車に設けることができる。
　また、これらの発明においては、電力の需給状況に応じて、今後電力を売電するときの売電価格を予測することができ、この予測された売電価格を取得して前記対価情報を作成することができる。
　また、これらの発明においては、前記移動体に搭載されたバッテリに充電された電力を放電して売電するときの電力変換効率を取得することができ、この売電変換効率を用いて、前記対価情報を作成することができる。
　また、これらの発明においては、前記移動体に搭載されたバッテリに充電されているバッテリ残量を買電したときの買電価格を取得することができ、前記売電価格と前記買電価格とを用いて、前記移動体のバッテリに充電された電力の売電に伴って発生する差益を計算して前記対価情報を作成することができる。そして、この場合には、前記移動体に搭載されたバッテリに電力を買電して充電するときの電力変換効率を取得することができ、この買電時変換効率を用いて、前記対価情報を作成することができる。
　また、これらの発明においては、前記作成された対価情報により表される対価の大きさと所定の対価の大きさとを比較して、前記作成された対価情報の提供の可否を決定することができ、より具体的には、例えば、前記作成された対価情報により表される対価の大きさと前記所定の対価の大きさとを比較して、前記対価情報により表される対価の大きさが前記所定の対価の大きさよりも大きいときに前記作成された対価情報を提供することを決定することができる。
　また、これらの発明においては、前記情報提供装置およびコンピュータ装置が、さらに、電力の発電量に比して電力の需要量が小さくなって電力の余剰が生じるか否かを判定するができ、前記電力の余剰が生じると判定されたとき、前記電力の余剰が生じることを表す余剰電力発生情報を作成して前記ユーザに提供することもできる。
　また、これらの発明においては、前記情報提供装置および前記コンピュータ装置は、電力を発電する電力会社に設けられて、少なくとも、電力の発電量を表す発電量情報および電力の需要量を表す需要量情報を取得するコンピュータ装置と通信することができる。
　これらによれば、時々刻々と変化するバッテリ残量、必要残存電力量および売電価格を用いて対価情報を作成し、ユーザに対価情報を提供することができる。したがって、ユーザは、バッテリに充電した電力を売電するときに、適切なタイミングにより提供される有用な対価情報を確認することによって、上記バッテリ残量、必要残存電力量および売電価格を正確に把握しておく必要がなく、容易にかつ積極的に売電することができるようになる。その結果、ユーザは売電することをタイミング良くかつ効果的に促されるため、充電した電力を必要時に売電するという社会的な仕組みを効果的に機能させることができる。
　また、ユーザに提供する対価情報を、買電時および売電時における電力変換効率を考慮して作成したり、売電に伴って発生する差益を考慮して作成したりすることができるため、ユーザにより正確かつ有用な対価情報を提供して売電をより効果的に促すことができる。また、売電に伴う対価が所定の対価よりも大きいときに対価情報を提供することにより、ユーザにとってより有用な対価情報を適切に提供することができる一方で、例えば、電力の不足が懸念される状況下においてユーザによる売電を効果的に促すことができる。この場合、特に、売電に伴って発生する差益を考慮して対価情報を作成する場合には、発生する差益額がある程度の額になることをユーザに提供することもできる。これにより、売電することに対してユーザをより積極的に参加させることができ、充電した電力を必要時に売電するという社会的な仕組みをより効果的に機能させることができる。
　さらに、ユーザに対して余剰電力発生情報を提供することもできる。これにより、電力の余剰が生じた（または生じる）場合には、ユーザに対してバッテリへの充電を促すことができる。このため、電力の余剰が発生した場合においては、ユーザは、安価に提供される余剰電力をバッテリに充電することができ、電力会社は移動体に搭載されたバッテリを余剰電力の受け皿として好適に利用することができる。したがって、例えば、ユーザは安価に充電した電力を売電することによって十分な差益を得ることができるとともに、電力会社は発電効率を悪化させることなく発電を継続することができる。 By the way, in each of the above conventional devices and systems, for example, electric power charged corresponding to the demand peak of electric power while charging inexpensive electric power to a storage battery (battery) mounted on a residential storage battery or vehicle Profit may be obtained by selling a part of the power. In this case, the electric power company can respond to the demand peak with the sold electric power, so it is possible to suppress the frequency of increasing or decreasing the amount of power generation and achieve high efficiency of power generation. A power seller (and vehicle user) who sells power can reduce utility costs and vehicle maintenance costs by obtaining a margin.
However, a power seller who sells electric power and a user of a vehicle need to always grasp at least the following matters in order to obtain a profit with the sale of electric power. First, since the price when selling power, that is, the selling price, fluctuates from time to time depending on the supply and demand at the time of selling power, the power seller and the vehicle user must It is necessary to identify. Further, in particular, when selling power charged in a storage battery (battery) mounted on a vehicle, it is necessary to maintain a traveling function as a basic function of the vehicle. ) Must determine the amount of power sold by securing the necessary remaining amount of power in the storage battery (battery). Therefore, in order to keep track of these matters, it may impose a burden on the power seller (and vehicle user) who sells the power, and as a result, the power charged as necessary. There is a possibility that the social mechanism of selling electricity will not penetrate and will not function fully. For this reason, it is desired to provide useful information regarding power sale to power sellers and vehicle users who sell power at an appropriate timing to promote power sale.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide information providing apparatus and information that provide useful information regarding power sale to power sellers who sell power at an appropriate timing. It is to provide a providing method.
The present invention is characterized in that, in an information providing apparatus that provides various types of information to a user, a battery remaining amount acquisition that acquires a battery remaining amount that represents the amount of power charged in a battery mounted on a moving body used by the user Means, and a required remaining power amount acquisition means for acquiring a required remaining power amount representing a power amount required for the mobile body to move from a current position to a predetermined location using the power charged in the battery, and the battery A power sale price acquisition means for acquiring a power sale price when selling the power charged in the battery, a battery remaining amount acquired by the battery remaining amount acquisition means, and a need acquired by the required remaining power amount acquisition means Using the remaining power amount and the power sale price acquired by the power sale price acquisition means, a counter for creating consideration information associated with the power sale of the power charged in the battery of the mobile unit An information creating means, certain consideration information created by the consideration information generating means that a consideration information providing means for providing to the user.
Another feature of the present invention is an information providing method using a computer device that provides various types of information to a user, wherein the computer device is charged in a battery mounted on a moving body used by the user. Obtaining a battery remaining amount representing the amount of power, obtaining a necessary remaining power amount representing a power amount necessary for the mobile body to move from a current position to a predetermined location using the power charged in the battery, and A power selling price when selling the power charged in the battery is acquired, and the battery of the mobile body is obtained using the acquired remaining battery amount, the acquired required remaining power amount and the acquired power selling price. It is also possible to create consideration information associated with the sale of electric power charged to the user and to provide the created consideration information to the user.
In these inventions, the created consideration information can be provided to the user in response to a request from the user. In these inventions, the information providing device and the computer device can be provided in the mobile body, for example, an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Further, in these inventions, it is possible to predict a power selling price when power is sold in the future according to the power supply and demand situation, and obtain the predicted power selling price and create the consideration information. can do.
Further, in these inventions, it is possible to obtain power conversion efficiency when selling by selling the power charged in the battery mounted on the mobile body, and using the power selling conversion efficiency, Consideration information can be created.
Further, in these inventions, it is possible to obtain a power purchase price when the remaining amount of battery charged in the battery mounted on the mobile body is purchased, and the power sale price and the power purchase price The compensation information can be created by calculating a margin generated with the sale of power charged in the battery of the mobile body. And in this case, it is possible to obtain the power conversion efficiency when purchasing and charging the battery mounted on the mobile body, and using the conversion efficiency at the time of power purchase, the consideration information can be obtained. Can be created.
Further, in these inventions, it is possible to determine whether or not to provide the created consideration information by comparing the magnitude of the consideration represented by the created consideration information with a predetermined consideration size, More specifically, for example, by comparing the value of the consideration represented by the created consideration information with the size of the predetermined consideration, the value of the consideration represented by the consideration information is the predetermined consideration. It is possible to decide to provide the generated consideration information when the size is larger than.
Further, in these inventions, the information providing device and the computer device can further determine whether the demand amount of power is smaller than the amount of power generated and power surplus occurs, When it is determined that a surplus of power is generated, surplus power generation information indicating that the surplus of power is generated can be generated and provided to the user.
Further, in these inventions, the information providing device and the computer device are provided in an electric power company that generates electric power, and at least the electric power generation amount information indicating the electric power generation amount and the demand amount information indicating the electric power demand amount Can communicate with a computer device that obtains.
According to these, the consideration information can be created by using the remaining battery amount, the required remaining power amount, and the power sale price that change from moment to moment, and the consideration information can be provided to the user. Therefore, when the user sells the power charged in the battery, the user can accurately determine the remaining battery amount, the required remaining power amount, and the selling price by checking useful consideration information provided at an appropriate timing. There is no need to keep track of it, and it will be possible to sell power easily and positively. As a result, the user is promptly and effectively encouraged to sell power, so that the social mechanism of selling the charged power when necessary can be effectively functioned.
In addition, the consideration information to be provided to the user can be created taking into account the power conversion efficiency at the time of power purchase and power sale, or it can be created taking into account the margins that accompany power sale, It is possible to provide more accurate and useful consideration information to the user and to promote power sales more effectively. In addition, by providing consideration information when consideration associated with power sale is larger than a predetermined consideration, it is possible to appropriately provide consideration information that is more useful to the user. In such a situation, the user can be effectively promoted to sell power. In this case, it is also possible to provide the user with a certain amount of profit margin when the consideration information is generated in consideration of the profit generated with the power sale. As a result, the user can be more actively involved in selling power, and the social mechanism of selling charged power when necessary can be made to function more effectively.
Furthermore, surplus power generation information can be provided to the user. Thereby, when the surplus of electric power occurs (or occurs), it is possible to prompt the user to charge the battery. For this reason, when surplus power occurs, the user can charge the surplus power provided at low cost to the battery, and the power company preferably uses the battery mounted on the mobile body as a tray for surplus power. Can be used. Therefore, for example, the user can obtain a sufficient margin by selling the power charged at low cost, and the electric power company can continue the power generation without deteriorating the power generation efficiency.
　図１は、本発明の実施形態に係る情報提供装置を備えた情報提供システムの概略図である。
　図２は、図１の車載情報端末装置の概略ブロック図である。
　図３は、図１の需給情報提供センタの概略ブロック図である。
　図４は、図１の電力会社の概略ブロック図である。
　図５は、図１の車載情報端末装置、需給情報提供センタ、電力会社および充放電スタンドにて実行されて、車両に搭載されたバッテリに電力を充電（買電）する動作を示した機能ブロック図である。
　図６は、図１の需給情報提供センタの情報管理サーバ（制御装置）によって実行される差益情報提供プログラムのフローチャートである。
　図７は、図１の車載情報端末装置、需給情報提供センタ、電力会社および充放電スタンドにて実行されて、車両に搭載されたバッテリから電力を放電（売電）する動作を示した機能ブロック図である。 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information providing system including an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the in-vehicle information terminal device of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the supply and demand information providing center of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the electric power company of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a functional block illustrating an operation of charging (purchasing) power to a battery mounted on the vehicle, which is executed in the in-vehicle information terminal device, the supply and demand information providing center, the power company, and the charging / discharging stand of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a margin information providing program executed by the information management server (control device) of the supply and demand information providing center of FIG.
FIG. 7 is a functional block showing an operation of discharging (selling) power from a battery mounted on the vehicle, which is executed in the in-vehicle information terminal device, the supply and demand information providing center, the power company and the charge / discharge stand of FIG. FIG.
　以下、本発明の実施形態について図面を用いて詳細に説明する。図１は、本発明の実施形態に係る情報提供装置を有する情報提供システムを概略的に示した概略ブロック図である。
　この情報提供システムは、移動体としての車両１０と、車両１０に搭載された車載情報端末装置２０と、ユーザが携帯する携帯情報端末装置３０と、車載情報端末装置２０および携帯情報端末装置３０に電力の需給に関する情報を提供する情報提供装置としての需給情報提供センタ４０と、商用電力を発電するとともに電力の供給を制御する電力会社５０と、車両１０と電気的に接続される充放電スタンド６０とを備えている。車載情報端末装置２０、携帯情報端末装置３０、情報提供センタ４０および電力会社５０は、それぞれ、ネットワーク７０（例えば、インターネット）に接続されている。また、電力会社５０と充放電スタンド６０とは、電力線８０によって接続されている。
　車両１０は、図１に概略的に示すように、大容量のバッテリ１１を搭載している電気自動車（ＥＶ）やプラグインハイブリッド車（ＰＨＶ）などである。そして、車両１０に搭載されたバッテリ１１は、インレット１２を介して充放電スタンド６０に電気的に接続されて、充電または放電が可能とされている。このため、車両１０は、バッテリ１１の充電状態および放電状態を切替制御する周知の充放電回路１３を備えている。また、バッテリ１１には、充電状態（ＳＯＣ：Ｓｔａｔｅ　Ｏｆ　Ｃｈａｒｇｅ）すなわち充電量を検出するバッテリ残量取得手段としての充電状態検出センサ１４が組み付けられている。
　車載情報端末装置２０は、例えば、車両１０の車室内における運転席近傍に配置されており、図２に示すように、互いに通信可能に接続された入力装置２１、表示装置２２、制御装置２３、記憶装置２４、通信装置２５、ナビゲーション装置２６および各種センサ２７を備えている。入力装置２１は、表示装置２２の近傍に設けられた操作スイッチ、表示装置２２内に組み込まれて表示パネルのタッチ操作を検出するパネルタッチスイッチなどからなり、運転者の指示を入力するものである。表示装置２２は、例えば、液晶表示器などからなり、文字、図形などを表示パネル上に表示するものである。
　制御装置２３は、ＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭなどからなるマイクロコンピュータを主要構成部品とするものであり、プログラムの実行により、表示装置２２、記憶装置２４、通信装置２５およびナビゲーション装置２６の作動を統括的に制御する。また、制御装置２３は、図１に示すように、充電状態検出センサ１４によって検出されたバッテリ１１の充電状態を入力するとともに、車両１０の充放電回路１３を制御してバッテリ１１の充電状態と放電状態とを切り替える。
　記憶装置２４は、ハードディスク、半導体メモリ、ＣＤ−ＲＯＭ、ＤＶＤ−ＲＯＭなどの記憶媒体および同記憶媒体のドライブ装置を含むものであり、予め各種プログラム（例えば、ブラウザプログラムなど）および各種データを記憶している。通信装置２５は、中継局を介して、需給情報提供センタ４０と無線通信を可能とするものである。このため、通信装置２５には、中継局と無線通信するためのアンテナ２５ａが設けられている。
　ナビゲーション装置２６は、ＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭなどからなるマイクロコンピュータを主要構成部品とするものであり、記憶装置２４に予め記憶されたプログラムの実行により、各種センサ２７によって検出された検出値を用いて車両の現在位置を把握するとともに、運転者に対して、目的地までの経路を案内するものである。各種センサ２７は、ナビゲーション装置２６に接続されており、主に車両の現在位置を検出するためのセンサすなわち地磁気センサ、ジャイロ、ＧＰＳ（Ｇｌｏｂａｌ　Ｐｏｓｉｔｉｏｎｉｎｇ　Ｓｙｓｔｅｍ）、車速センサ、車輪回転数センサなどを含むものである。このように構成された車載情報端末装置２０は、前記各種プログラムの実行により、需給情報提供センサ４０から提供される電力の売電に関する情報を受信して表示する機能、需給情報提供センタ４０に対して各種情報を送信する機能など、各種機能を実現することができる。
　携帯情報端末装置３０も、図示を省略するが、構成的には前述した車載情報端末装置２０とほぼ同様に構成され、互いに通信可能に接続された入力装置、表示装置、制御装置、記憶装置、通信装置を備えている。そして、この携帯情報端末装置３０は、ユーザによる携帯を可能とするため、コンパクトに構成されている。このような構成の携帯情報端末装置３０としては、携帯電話や通信機能を備えた携帯パーソナルコンピュータなどが好適である。
　需給情報提供センタ４０は、例えば、車両１０を販売するディーラなどに設置可能であり、図３に示すように、互いに通信可能に接続された情報管理サーバ４１および通信装置４２を備えている。情報管理サーバ４１は、制御装置４１ａ、記憶装置４１ｂおよび通信インタフェース４１ｃから構成されている。制御装置４１ａも、ＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭなどからなるマイクロコンピュータを主要構成部品とするものであり、情報管理サーバ４１の動作を統括的に制御する。記憶装置４１ｂは、ハードディスクなどの記憶媒体および同記憶媒体のドライブ装置を含むものであり、後述するプログラムを含む各種プログラムおよび各種データを記憶している。通信インタフェース４１ｃは、需給情報提供センタ４０内に構築された通信回線（例えば、ＬＡＮ回線など）に接続するためのインタフェースである。通信装置４２は、ネットワーク７０に有線接続されて電力会社５０と有線通信するとともに、中継局を利用して車載情報端末装置２０および携帯情報端末装置３０と無線通信を可能とするものである。
　また、需給情報提供センタ４０には、図３に示すように、ユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３、契約情報登録データベース４４、充放電履歴データベース４５および需給情報データベース４６が構築されている。これら各データベース４３，４４，４５，４６は、需給情報提供センタ４０内に構築された通信回線に接続されており、情報管理サーバ４１からアクセス可能とされている。
　ユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３は、ユーザを特定するために予め付与されたユーザ特定情報を記憶して登録している。このユーザ特定情報としては、例えば、ユーザの氏名情報（メールアドレスを含む）や、車両１０を識別する車体番号情報、需給情報提供センタ４０にアクセスするためのユーザＩＤ情報およびパスワード情報などである。
　契約情報登録データベース４４は、ユーザが車両１０を購入する際、購入した車両１０の使用状況を鑑みて電力を売買するために契約した電力売買契約の内容を表す電力売買契約内容情報をユーザごとに記憶して登録している。ここで、ユーザが契約する電力売買契約について説明しておく。まず、ユーザが結ぶ電力売買契約は、電力の需要が少なくなり電力の供給に余裕のある時間帯（例えば、深夜時間帯）に車両１０のバッテリ１１に対して電力を予め設定された買電価格により買電して充電し、電力の需要が多くなり電力の供給に余裕がなくなる時間帯（例えば、昼間時間帯）に車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電した電力を予め設定された売電価格により売電して放電することを前提とするものである。なお、例えば、電力売買契約によって予め設定された買電時間帯（例えば、深夜時間帯）外で充電した場合には、契約によって定められた買電価格よりも割増された買電価格により電力を買電しなければならなかったり、また、電力売買契約によって予め設定された売電時間帯（例えば、昼間時間帯）に売電しない場合には、課金対象となったりする。
　このため、ユーザは、電力売買契約に基づき、原則として、電力会社５０から予め設定した買電時間帯（深夜時間帯）に電力を買電して車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電しておき、このバッテリ１１に充電した電力を利用して車両１０を走行させる。一方で、ユーザは、電力売買契約に基づき、原則として、予め設定した売電時間帯（昼間時間帯）に電力会社５０に対してバッテリ１１に充電されている電力を売電する。これにより、電力会社５０側は、電力需要の変化に応じて発電量を増減する頻度を低減することができ、効率よく電力を発電することができる。
　ところで、ユーザは、車両１０を走行させて移動することを目的として購入する。したがって、電力売買契約を結ぶ際には、購入した車両１０の使用状況すなわち車両１０を走行させる使用頻度を勘案して具体的な電力の売買量を決定する。より詳しくは、ユーザは、車両１０のバッテリ１１への買電（充電）可能な電力量と車両１０のバッテリ１１からの売電（放電）可能な電力量を予め設定しておく。
　この場合、例えば、車両１０が電気自動車であれば、バッテリ１１に予め充電された電力のみを利用して走行する。このため、車両１０が自動車としての基本性能を発揮するためには、少なくとも、ユーザが想定する移動範囲内で車両１０を走行させるだけの電力がバッテリ１１に充電されていなければならない。言い換えれば、車両１０を最低限走行させる距離（最低走行距離）分の電力（以下、この電力を必要残存電力量という）がバッテリ１１に充電されていなければならない。そして、この移動範囲（すなわち、最低走行距離）については、個々のユーザによって異なり、あるユーザは自宅などの拠点から比較的近距離を車両１０を使用して移動し、また、あるユーザは拠点から比較的長距離を車両１０を使用して移動したりする。
　このため、車両１０を走行させるために必要残存電力量、具体的には、バッテリ１１の充電量（ＳＯＣ）はユーザによる車両１０の使用状態によって異なる。言い換えれば、電力会社５０から買電して車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電する充電量および充電した電力を電力会社５０に売電する放電量は、個々のユーザによる車両１０の使用状態によって異なる。
　また、上述したバッテリ１１の充放電時間に関しても、個々のユーザによる車両１０に使用状態によって異なる。例えば、平日に車両１０を使用する頻度が低く車両１０を駐車しておく時間が長い場合には、バッテリ１１への充電時間（買電時間）は長くなり、またバッテリ１１に充電した電力の放電時間（売電時間）も長くなる。すなわち、この場合には、ユーザが所有する車両１０は、例えば、電力の需要量が低下して発電した電力に余剰が発生する時間帯においては確実にバッテリ１１に充電することができるとともに、電力の需要量が増加して電力の不足が懸念される時間帯においては確実にバッテリ１１に充電した電力を放電することができる。言い換えれば、この場合には、ユーザは、電力の需給変動に対して好適に寄与することができる。
　一方、平日も車両１０を使用する頻度が高く車両１０を駐車しておく時間が短い場合には、バッテリ１１への充電時間（買電時間）は相対的に短くなり、バッテリ１１に充電した電力の放電時間（売電時間）も相対的に短くなる。すなわち、この場合には、確実な充電および放電ができない場合があるものの、少なくとも車両１０を使用しない場合には、例えば、余剰電力をバッテリ１１に充電することができるとともに、電力の需要量が増加して電力の不足が懸念される時間帯においてはバッテリ１１に充電した電力を放電することができる。したがって、この場合にも、ユーザは、電力の需給変動に対して少なからず寄与することができる。
　ところで、このように、ユーザによる車両１０の使用状態によって電力の需給状況に対する寄与度が異なるため、この寄与度すなわち車両１０の使用状態に応じて、電力売買契約の内容は異なるようになっている。具体的に、車両１０の使用頻度の少ないユーザは、電力売買契約に基づいて、予め設定された買電時間帯における買電時間（充電時間）が長くなるとともに予め設定された売電時間帯における売電時間（放電時間）も長くなる。さらに、車両１０の使用頻度の少ないユーザは、上述した最低走行距離が短いため、充電の優先度が低くなる一方で売電（放電）できる電力量が多くなる。
　したがって、このようなユーザが結ぶ電力売買契約は、電力の需給変動に対する寄与度が高いため、後述する売電に関する情報提供サービスの提供（差益予測通知の提供）を受けるための基本料金が低額に設定される。その代わり、このようなユーザが、例えば、予め設定された買電時間帯外にバッテリ１１に充電する際に割増される買電価格はより高額となり、また、最低走行距離を変更する際の課金額も高くなる。なお、以下の説明においては、このような電力売買契約を売買契約１という。
　一方、車両１０の使用頻度の多いユーザは、電力売買契約に基づいて、予め設定された買電時間帯における買電時間（充電時間）が短くなる可能性があるとともに予め設定された売電時間帯における売電時間（放電時間）も短くなる可能性がある。さらに、車両１０の使用頻度の多いユーザは、最低走行距離が長いため、充電の優先度が高くなる一方で売電（放電）できる電力量が少なくなる。このため、このようなユーザが結ぶ電力売買契約は、上述した売買契約１に比して電力の需給変動に対する寄与度が低いため、売電に関する情報提供サービスの提供を受けるための基本料金が高額に設定される。その代わり、このようなユーザが、例えば、予め設定された買電時間帯外にバッテリ１１に充電する際に割増される買電価格は売買契約１よりも低額となり、また、最低走行距離を変更する際の課金額も売買契約１より安くなる。なお、以下の説明においては、このような電力売買契約を売買契約２という。
　ここで、前記売買契約１または売買契約２を結んだユーザは、契約によって定められた所定の売電時間帯外において、必要に応じて、バッテリ１１に充電した電力を自由に売電することができる。そして、この所定の時間外で電力を売電する際の売電価格は、後述するように、その時点または今後の電力の需給状況に応じて変動して決定される。これにより、電力を売電するユーザは、変動する売電価格によっては、買電時の買電価格との差益を得ることが可能となっている。
　そして、契約情報登録データベース４４は、上述した電力売賈契約（すなわち売買契約１または売買契約２）を表す電力売買契約内容情報（以下、単に、契約情報ともいう）をユーザごとに識別可能に登録して記憶する。この場合、情報管理サーバ４１は、ユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３に記憶したユーザ特定情報と契約情報データベース４４に記憶したユーザごとの契約情報とを互いに関連付ける。これにより、情報管理サーバ４１は、ユーザから送信されたユーザ特定情報を用いて、ユーザが契約した電力売買契約すなわち売買契約１または売買契約２を特定するようになっている。なお、ユーザが契約した電力売買契約を表す契約情報については、車載情報端末装置２０の記憶装置２４の所定記憶位置にも記憶されるようになっている。
　充放電履歴データベース４５は、車両１０に搭載されたバッテリ１１の充放電履歴を車両１０（すなわちユーザ）ごとに記憶する。これにより、情報管理サーバ４１は、例えば、図５および図７に示すように、車両１０に搭載された情報端末装置２０（より詳しくは、制御装置２３）からユーザ特定情報とバッテリ１１が充電されたことを表す充電完了情報またはバッテリ１１が放電したことを表す放電完了情報とを受信すると、受信したユーザ特定情報に含まれる車体番号情報を用いて充放電履歴データベース４５内にユーザが使用する車両１０ごとに充電完了情報および放電完了情報を記憶する。この場合、情報管理サーバ４１は、充電完了情報および放電完了情報を受信するごとに、例えば、車両１０に搭載されたバッテリ１１の充電履歴および放電履歴を「１」ずつインクリメントして記憶することもできる。
　需給情報データベース４６は、後述する電力需給の変動に関するパターンを表すデータ、電力会社５０から継続して送信される発電量を表す発電量情報および需要量（電力消費量）を表す需要量情報、電力の買電価格および売電価格などを更新可能かつ検索可能に記憶している。これにより、情報管理サーバ４１は、需給情報データベース４６に記憶された各種情報を利用して、ユーザが利用する車載情報端末装置２０および携帯情報端末装置３０に対し、電力の需給状況に応じて変動する売電価格を用いて後述する差益予測通知を作成して車載情報端末装置２０および携帯情報端末装置３０に送信（提供）する。
　電力会社５０は、図４に示すように、互いに通信可能に接続された管理サーバ５１および通信装置５２を備えている。管理サーバ５１は、制御装置５１ａ、記憶装置５１ｂおよび通信インタフェース５１ｃから構成されている。制御装置５１ａも、ＣＰＵ、ＲＯＭ、ＲＡＭなどからなるマイクロコンピュータを主要構成部品とするものであり、管理サーバ５１の動作を統括的に制御する。記憶装置５１ｂは、ハードディスクなどの記憶媒体および同記憶媒体のドライブ装置を含むものであり、各種プログラムおよび各種データを記憶している。通信インタフェース５１ｃは、電力会社５０内に構築された通信回線（例えば、ＬＡＮ回線など）に接続するためのインタフェースであり、電力会社５０内の通信回線を介して図示を省略する発電所に設けられた端末装置と通信するものである。通信装置５２は、ネットワーク７０に有線接続されて需給情報提供センタ４０と有線通信するとともに、図１に示したように、電力線８０を利用する電力線通信を介して充放電スタンド６０に組み込まれた電力売買管理装置６１（以下、スマートメータ６１という）と有線通信を可能とするものである。なお、充放電スタンド６０に組み込まれたスマートメータ６１については周知であるため、具体的な説明を省略する。
　また、電力会社５０には、図４に示すように、スマートメータ登録データベース５３が構築されている。スマートメータ登録データベース５３は、各家庭や公共の場所に設置された充放電スタンド６０（より詳しくは、組み込まれたスマートメータ６１）を識別するための情報（例えば、設置位置を表す位置情報や予め割り振られた番号情報など）を検索可能に記憶している。そして、スマートメータ登録データベース５３は、電力会社５０内に構築された通信回線に接続されており、管理サーバ５１からアクセス可能とされている。
　次に、上記のように構成した実施形態の動作のうち、車両１０のバッテリ１１に電力（余剰電力）を充電する動作を、図５に示した機能ブロック図を参照しながら詳細に説明する。ここで、図５に示した機能ブロック図は、ユーザが車載情報端末装置２０を利用する場合を例として挙げて記載されている。
　まず、ユーザが予め結んだ電力売買契約に従って、車両１０のバッテリ１１に電力を充電（買電）する場合から説明する。この場合においては、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３は、記憶装置２４の所定記憶位置に予め記憶された契約情報に基づき、予め設定された買電時間帯に電力会社５０から電力を買電して車両１０のバッテリ１１に予め設定された充電量（ＳＯＣ）となるまで充電する。
　このとき、例えば、車両１０が自宅に駐車されていて自宅に設置された充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とが既に電気的に接続されている場合、または、ユーザが車両１０を使用して外出していて外出先に設置された充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とが既に電気的に接続されている場合には、制御装置２３は、自動的に充放電回路１３をバッテリ１１に充電するモードに切替制御する。
　ここで、予め設定された買電時間帯に充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とが未だ電気的に接続されていなければ、車載情報端末装置２０は、表示装置２２を介して、ユーザに充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続することを表示して促すとともに、通信装置２５を介して、需給情報提供センタ４０にユーザ特定情報および充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とが電気的に接続されていないことを表す未接続情報を送信する。
　需給情報提供センタ４０においては、情報管理サーバ４１が、通信装置４２を介して、送信されたユーザ特定情報および未接続情報を受信する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、受信したユーザ特定情報を用いてユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３を検索してユーザを特定し、受信した未接続情報に基づいてこの特定したユーザが利用する携帯情報端末装置３０に対して充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２との接続を促す通知を送信する。これにより、ユーザに対して、充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続することを効果的に促すことができ、ユーザは電力売買契約に従って車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電することができる。
　また、この場合、ユーザが車両１０を使用して外出しているときに前記接続を促す表示または通知を取得する状況においては、制御装置２３は、ナビゲーション装置２６に対して、車両１０の現在位置から最寄の充放電スタンド６０を検索させる。そして、制御装置２３は、ナビゲーション装置２６に対して、検索された最寄りの充放電スタンド６０までユーザを案内させる。これにより、ユーザは、外出中であっても、速やかにかつ容易に最寄の充放電スタンド６０まで移動することができ、この充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続することができる。このように、充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とが電気的に接続されると、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３は、車両１０の充放電回路１３をバッテリ１１に充電するモードに切替制御して、電力会社５０から供給される電力を充電（買電）する。
　ところで、充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続してバッテリ１１に電力を充電（買電）する場合には、図５に示すように、制御装置２３は、通信装置２５を介して、需給情報提供センタ４０の情報管理サーバ４１に対し、充電の開始を要求する要求情報、記憶装置２４に記憶されたユーザ特定情報およびナビゲーション装置２６から取得した車両１０の現在位置（すなわち、充放電スタンド６０の設置位置に対応）を表す現在位置情報を送信する。このように、制御装置２３、記憶装置２４、通信装置２５およびナビゲーション装置２６によって実現される機能が、図５に充電要求送信部９１ａとして記述されている。
　需給情報提供センタ４０においては、情報管理サーバ４１が、通信装置４２を介して、車載情報端末装置２０から送信された要求情報、ユーザ特定情報および現在位置情報を受信する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、受信したユーザ特定情報を用いてユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３を検索してユーザを認証するとともに、契約情報登録データベース４４を検索してユーザが予め契約した契約情報（売買契約１または売買契約２）を特定する。このように、情報管理サーバ４１、通信装置４２、ユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３および契約情報登録データベース４４によって実現される機能が、図５に認証部９１ｂとして記述されている。
　そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、ユーザを認証するとともに契約情報を特定すると、前記受信した現在位置情報および特定した契約情報を通信装置４２を介して電力会社５０に送信する。このように、情報管理サーバ４１、通信装置４２および契約情報登録データベース４４によって実現される機能が、図５に充電開始要求部９１ｃとして記述されている。
　電力会社５０においては、管理サーバ５１が、通信装置５２を介して、需給情報提供センタ４０から送信された現在位置情報および契約情報を受信する。そして、管理サーバ５１は、受信した現在位置情報を用いてスマートメータ登録データベース５３を検索し、車両１０に対して電気的に接続された充放電スタンド６０を特定する。そして、管理サーバ５１は、この特定した充放電スタンド６０に組み込まれたスマートメータ６１に対して、受信した契約情報に基づく充電量を表す充電量情報および充放電スタンド６０から車両１０に電力が流れることを許可する許可情報を通信装置５２および電力線８０を介して送信する。このように、管理サーバ５１、通信装置５２およびスマートメータ登録データベース５３によって実現される機能が、図５に充電開始情報送信部９１ｄとして記述されている。
　充放電スタンド６０においては、スマートメータ６１（すなわち、図５に記述した充電開始情報受信部９１ｅ）が充電量情報および許可情報を受信する。そして、スマートメータ６１は、許可情報に基づいて充放電スタンド６０から車両１０に電力を流し、充電量情報に基づいてユーザが結んだ売買契約１または売買契約２によって定めた充電量に相当する電力を供給する。これにより、例えば、安価に提供される電力をユーザが充電しすぎて却って電力が不足することを効果的に防止することができる。なお、電力の供給に余裕がある場合には、電力売買契約によって定めた充電量に関わらず、例えば、車両１０のバッテリ１１が満充電となるまで電力を供給することもできる。
　一方、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３は、充電状態検出センサ１４による検出値に基づいてバッテリ１１の充電状態（ＳＯＣ）をモニタし、バッテリ１１が所定のＳＯＣとなるまで充電されたか否かを判定するとともに、充電時における電力の変換効率（以下、充電時変換効率という）を検出する。そして、バッテリ１１が所定のＳＯＣとなるまで充電されると、制御装置２３は、通信装置２５を介して、需給情報提供センタ４０に対し、ユーザ特定情報とともに充電が完了したことを表す充電完了情報および充電時変換効率を表す充電変換効率情報を送信する。このように、制御装置２３、充電状態検出センサ１４および通信装置２５によって実現される機能が、図５に充電完了情報送信部９２ａとして記述されている。
　需給情報提供センタ４０においては、情報管理サーバ４１が通信装置４２を介して送信されたユーザ特定情報、充電完了情報および充電変換効率情報を受信する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、受信したユーザ特定情報によってユーザごとに設けられた充放電履歴データベース４５を特定するとともに、受信した充電完了情報によって充放電履歴データベース４５に構築された車両１０のバッテリ１１の充放電履歴情報のうち、充電履歴を例えば「１」だけインクリメントして更新する。さらに、情報管理サーバ４１は、充放電履歴データベース４５に、車両１０のバッテリ１１の充放電履歴情報と関連付けて、受信した充電変換効率情報を記憶する。したがって、情報管理サーバ４１、通信装置４２および充放電履歴データベース４５によって実現される機能が、図５に充電履歴更新部９２ｂとして記述されている。
　このように、予め設定された買電時間帯に電力を車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電する場合には、電力売買契約に定められた買電価格で電力を買電することができ、ユーザは昼間帯においてユーザは車両１０を走行させて通常通り利用することができる。なお、車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電する必要がなければ、ユーザは充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続しないことも可能である。この場合、電力売買契約の内容とは異なるが、需給情報提供センタ４０によって課金されない。
　次に、ユーザの都合によって電力売買契約の条件外で車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電（買電）する場合を説明する。原則としては、ユーザは電力売買契約に従って、所定の買電時間帯に電力を車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電することになるが、急用などの都合によって電力を充電する買電時間帯に車両１０を利用することがあり、バッテリ１１に充電できない場合がある。
　この場合、電力売買契約に基づいて、ユーザは予め設定された買電時間帯外であっても、充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続してバッテリ１１に充電することができる。ただし、このように電力売買契約の条件外でバッテリ１１に充電する場合には、上述したように、買電価格は割増料金となる。
　次に、電力会社５０にて発電される発電量が需要量を大きく上回って余剰電力が発生したときに、車両１０のバッテリ１１に発生した余剰電力を充電（買電）する場合を説明する。
　需給情報提供センタ４０においては、情報管理サーバ４１が通信装置４２を介して電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１から送信された発電量情報および需要量情報を受信し、需給情報データベース４６に記憶する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、需給情報データベース４６に記憶された発電量情報および需要量情報を用いて発電量に比して需要量が大きく下回って余剰電力が発生した場合または今後余剰電力の発生が予測される場合には、ユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３に予め登録されているユーザ特定情報に基づいて車載情報端末装置２０（または携帯情報端末装置３０）に余剰電力の発生を報知する余剰電力発生情報を送信する。また、情報管理サーバ４１は、発生した余剰電力量によって変動する買電価格を予測し、この予測した買電価格情報も車載情報端末装置２０（または携帯情報端末装置３０）に送信する。
　ここで、管理サーバ５１および通信装置５２によって実現される機能が、図５に発電需要情報送信部９３ａとして記述されている。また、情報管理サーバ４１、通信装置４２および需給情報データベース４６によって実現される機能が、図５に余剰電力発生確認部９３ｂとして記述されている。また、情報管理サーバ４１、通信装置４２およびユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３によって実現される機能が、図５に余剰電力情報送信部９３ｃとして記述されている。さらに、制御装置２３および通信装置２５によって実現される機能が、図５に余剰電力情報受信部９３ｄとして記述されている。
　これにより、余剰電力発生情報を受信した車載情報端末装置２０（または携帯情報端末装置３０）は、ユーザに対して、現在余剰電力が発生していることまたは今後余剰電力が発生することを報知することができる。このように送信された余剰電力発生情報および買電価格情報を取得したユーザは、必要に応じて、電力会社５０から提供される余剰電力を車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電する。なお、余剰電力を車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電する動作は、上述した充電動作と同様であるため、その説明を省略する。
　次に、車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電（買電）した電力（余剰電力）を放電（売電）する動作を説明する。この電力の売電においては、ユーザは、需給情報提供センタ４０から提供される差益情報を利用して、車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電した電力を売電することができる。以下、この差益情報の提供を詳細に説明する。
　需給情報提供センタ４０においては、情報管理サーバ４１がユーザに対して差益情報を提供するために、図６に示す差益情報提供プログラムを実行する。なお、この差益情報提供プログラムを説明するにあたり、理解を容易とするために、まず、現在、電力売買契約によって予め設定された売電時間帯である場合から説明する。
　情報管理サーバ４１（より詳しくは、制御装置４１ａのＣＰＵ）は、ステップＳ１０にて差益提供プログラムの実行を開始し、続くステップＳ１１にて、現在、ユーザが電力売買契約を結ぶことによって予め設定された売電時間帯であるか否かを判定する。すなわち、情報管理サーバ４１は、契約情報登録データベース４４を全検索し、各ユーザが結んでいる電力売買契約（すなわち、売買契約１または売買契約２）の内容に基づき、売電時間帯となる（あるいは、売電時間帯になっている）電力売買契約を特定する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、特定した電力売買契約を結んでいるユーザをユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３を検索して特定するとともに、この特定したユーザのユーザ特定情報を取得する。
　そして、売電時間帯になる（あるいは、売電時間帯になっている）ユーザが特定されれば、情報管理サーバ４１は、「Ｙｅｓ」と判定してステップＳ１２に進む。ステップＳ１２においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記ステップＳ１１にて取得したユーザ特定情報を用いて、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３に対して、現在バッテリ１１に充電されている電力量（以下、バッテリ残量という）の送信を要求し、バッテリ残量情報を取得する。
　具体的には、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３は、通信装置２５を介して、情報管理サーバ４１からバッテリ残量情報の送信要求を受信すると、充電状態検出センサ１４によって検出された充電量すなわちバッテリ残量を取得する。そして、制御装置２３は、取得したバッテリ残量をバッテリ残量情報として、通信装置２５を介して、情報管理サーバ４１に送信する。
　情報管理サーバ４１においては、通信装置４２を介して、バッテリ残量情報を取得すると、この取得したバッテリ残量情報を充放電履歴データベース４５に一旦記憶して、ステップＳ１３に進む。ステップＳ１３においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記ステップＳ１１にて特定した契約情報および前記ステップＳ１２にて取得したバッテリ残量情報を用いて、売電時間帯においてユーザが売電した場合の差益を下記式１に従って計算する。
　（バッテリ残量—必要残存電力量）×（現時点の売電価格—バッテリ残量の平均買電価格／充電時電力変換効率）／放電時電力変換効率　…式１
　ただし、前記式１中における「現時点の売電価格」は、電力売買契約に基づいて売電時間帯に売電する場合には契約によって定められた売電価格となる。また、前記式１中における「バッテリ残量の平均買電価格」および「充電時電力変換効率」は、買電時における価格として充放電履歴データベース４５に車両１０ごとに識別可能に記憶されているものである。また、「放電時電力変換効率」は、電力を放電（売電）時における電力の変換効率であり、充電時と同様に、前回の売電完了時に車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３から需給情報提供センタ４０に送信されて充放電履歴データベース４５に車両１０ごとに更新可能に記憶されているものである。
　そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記式１に従って計算した値が正の値であれば、現時点でバッテリ１１に充電されている電力を売電することによってユーザが差益を得ることができるため、「Ｙｅｓ」と判定してステップＳ１４に進む。一方、前記式１に従って計算した値が負の値（または「０」）であれば、現時点でバッテリ１１に充電されている電力を売電しても差益が生じないため、「Ｎｏ」と判定してステップＳ２４に進み、差益情報提供プログラムの実行を終了する。なお、差益が生じない場合には、発電量に余裕がありユーザによる売電を必要としない場合が含まれる。このため、前記ステップＳ１３にて「Ｎｏ」と判定される場合には、ユーザは電力売買契約に従って電力を売電する必要がない。
　ステップＳ１４においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記ステップＳ１１にて取得したユーザ特定情報を用いて、ユーザが使用する車載情報端末装置２０および携帯情報端末装置３０に対して、前記式１の計算によって差益の発生が予想されることを報知するための差益予測通知を送信する。このように、差益予測通知をユーザに送信することにより、契約によって定めた売電時間帯において、ユーザが積極的に売電することを効果的に促すことができる。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、差益予測通知を送信すると、ステップＳ１５に進む。
　ステップＳ１５においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、車両１０のバッテリ１１から売電が開始されて終了したか否かを判定する。そして、この判定処理は、車両１０のバッテリ１１から売電が開始されて終了するまで繰り返し実行される。この売電に関しては、図７に示すように、基本的に、上述した充電時と同様に動作する。
　すなわち、ユーザが予め結んだ電力売買契約に従って車両１０のバッテリ１１から電力会社５０に電力を売電する場合には、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３は、記憶装置２４の所定記憶位置に予め記憶された契約情報に基づき、予め設定された売電時間帯に電力会社５０に対して電力を売電して車両１０のバッテリ１１に予め設定された充電量（ＳＯＣ）、言い換えれば、必要残存電力量となるまで放電する。
　ここで、バッテリ１１から電力会社５０に売電する売電量について説明しておく。上述したように、車両１０の基本機能は、走行して移動することである。特に、車両１０がＥＶである場合には、バッテリ１１から供給される電力のみによって電動モータを駆動させて走行させなければならない。言い換えれば、車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電されている電力を全て売電（放電）してしまうと、車両１０の「走行する」という基本機能が発揮できなくなる。したがって、制御装置２３は、ユーザが予め契約した電力売買契約（すなわち売買契約１または売買契約２）に基づいて、現在のバッテリ１１のバッテリ残量から、少なくとも、上述した最低走行距離を走行するために必要残存電力量を差し引いた分を売電可能電力量として決定する。
　ところで、例えば、売買契約１を契約したユーザが車両１０を使用して自宅から最低走行距離以上に外出していてこの外出先で電力を売電すると、自宅まで車両１０を走行させることが困難となる場合がある。この場合には、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３は、ナビゲーション装置２６に対して、例えば、車両１０の現在位置から自宅まで走行するために必要な走行距離を算出させる。そして、制御装置２３は、算出された走行距離を走行するために必要な電力量を算出し、この算出した電力量を新たな必要残存電力量として決定する。これにより、制御装置２３は、現在のバッテリ１１の充電量から新たな必要残存電力量を差し引いた分を売電可能電力量として決定する。
　そして、例えば、車両１０が自宅に駐車されていて自宅に設置された充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とが既に電気的に接続されている場合、または、ユーザが車両１０を使用して外出していて外出先に設置された充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とが既に電気的に接続されている場合には、制御装置２３は、自動的に充放電回路１３をバッテリ１１から放電するモードに切替制御する。
　ここで、例えば、予め設定された売電時間帯に充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とが未だ電気的に接続されていなければ、上述した充電時の動作と同様に、車載情報端末装置２０は、表示装置２２を介して、ユーザに充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続することを表示して促すとともに、情報管理サーバ４１は、特定したユーザが利用する携帯情報端末装置３０に対して充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２との接続を促す通知を送信する。これにより、ユーザに対して、充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続することを効果的に促すことができ、ユーザは、例えば、電力売買契約に従って車両１０のバッテリ１１から放電することができる。
　また、この場合、ユーザが車両１０を使用して外出しているときに前記接続を促す表示または通知を取得する状況においては、上述した充電時の動作と同様に、制御装置２３は、ナビゲーション装置２６に対して、最寄りの充放電スタンド６０を検索させて案内させる。これにより、ユーザは、外出中であっても、速やかにかつ容易に最寄りの充放電スタンド６０まで移動することができ、この充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続することができる。このように、充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とが電気的に接続されると、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３は、車両１０の充放電回路１３をバッテリ１１から放電するモードに切替制御して、電力会社５０に電力を放電（売電）する。
　ところで、このように、充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続してバッテリ１１から電力を放電（売電）する場合にも、図７に示すように、制御装置２３は、通信装置２５を介して、需給情報提供センタ４０の情報管理サーバ４１に対し、売電の要求を表す要求情報、記憶装置２４に記憶されたユーザ特定情報およびナビゲーション装置２６から取得した車両１０の現在位置（すなわち、充放電スタンド６０の設置位置に対応）を表す現在位置情報を送信する。このように、制御装置２３、記憶装置２４、通信装置２５およびナビゲーション装置２６によって実現される機能が、図７に放電要求送信部９４ａとして記述されている。
　需給情報提供センタ４０においては、情報管理サーバ４１が、通信装置４２を介して、車載情報端末装置２０から送信された要求情報、ユーザ特定情報および現在位置情報を受信する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、受信したユーザ特定情報を用いて、ユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３を検索してユーザを認証するとともに契約情報登録データベース４４を検索してユーザが予め契約した契約情報（売買契約１または売買契約２）を特定する。このように、情報管理サーバ４１、通信装置４２、ユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３および契約情報登録データベース４４によって実現される機能が、図７に認証部９４ｂとして記述されている。
　そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、ユーザを認証するとともに契約情報を特定すると、前記受信した現在位置情報および特定した契約情報を通信装置４２を介して電力会社５０に送信する。このように、情報管理サーバ４１、通信装置４２および契約情報登録データベース４４によって実現される機能が、図７に放電開始要求部９４ｃとして記述されている。
　電力会社５０においては、管理サーバ５１が、通信装置５２を介して、需給情報提供センタ４０から送信された現在位置情報および契約情報を受信する。そして、管理サーバ５１は、受信した現在位置情報を用いてスマートメータ登録データベース５３を検索し、車両１０に対して電気的に接続された充放電スタンド６０を特定する。そして、管理サーバ５１は、この特定した充放電スタンド６０に組み込まれたスマートメータ６１に対して、受信した契約情報に基づく放電量を表す放電量情報および充放電スタンド６０から車両１０に電力が流れることを許可する許可情報を通信装置５２および電力線８０を介して送信する。このように、管理サーバ５１、通信装置５２およびスマートメータ登録データベース５３によって実現される機能が、図７に放電開始情報送信部９４ｄとして記述されている。なお、上述したように、必要残存電力量が変更される場合には、契約情報に加えてまたは代えて、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３から需給情報提供センタ４０を介して電力会社５０に必要残存電力量を表す情報が送信されることはいうまでもない。
　充放電スタンド６０においては、スマートメータ６１（すなわち、図７に記述した放電開始情報受信部９４ｅ）が放電量情報および許可情報を受信する。そして、スマートメータ６１は、許可情報に基づいて車両１０のバッテリ１１から充放電スタンド６０に電力を流し、放電量情報に基づいて、例えば、ユーザが結んだ売買契約１または売買契約２によって定めた放電量に相当する電力を電力線８０に流す。これにより、ユーザは、車両１０のバッテリ１１に充電された電力を電力会社５０に売電することができる。
　一方、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３は、充電状態検出センサ１４による検出値に基づいてバッテリ１１の充電状態（ＳＯＣ）をモニタし、バッテリ１１が所定のＳＯＣすなわち必要残存電力量となるまで放電されたか否かを判定するとともに、放電時における電力の変換効率（以下、放電時変換効率という）を検出する。そして、バッテリ１１が所定のＳＯＣとなるまで放電すると、制御装置２３は、通信装置２５を介して、需給情報提供センタ４０に対し、ユーザ特定情報とともに放電が完了したことを表す放電完了情報および放電変換効率を表す放電変換効率情報を送信する。このように、制御装置２３、充電状態検出センサ１４および通信装置２５によって実現される機能が、図７に放電完了情報送信部９５ａとして記述されている。
　需給情報提供センタ４０においては、情報管理サーバ４１が通信装置４２を介して送信されたユーザ特定情報、放電完了情報および放電変換効率情報を受信する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、受信したユーザ特定情報によってユーザごとに設けられた充放電履歴データベース４５を特定するとともに、受信した放電完了情報によって充放電履歴データベース４５に構築された車両１０のバッテリ１１の充放電履歴情報のうち、放電履歴を例えば「１」だけインクリメントして更新する。さらに、情報管理サーバ４１は、充放電履歴データベース４５に、車両１０のバッテリ１１の充放電履歴情報と関連付けて、受信した放電変換効率情報を記憶する。したがって、情報管理サーバ４１、通信装置４２および充放電履歴データベース４５によって実現される機能が、図７に放電履歴更新部９５ｂとして記述されている。
　ところで、このように、需給情報提供センタ４０においては、情報管理サーバ４１が充放電履歴データベース４５を更新して管理することにより、車両１０に搭載されたバッテリ１１の充放電に伴う負担の大きさや劣化状態を適切に把握することができる。これにより、情報管理サーバ４１は、車両１０の基本的な機能である走行する機能を適切に維持することができるとともに、充電（買電）および放電（売電）を確実に行うことができる。すなわち、情報管理サーバ４１は、車両１０ごとに異なるバッテリ１１の状態を適切に把握することができるため、例えば、バッテリ１１の充放電回数が推奨される回数を超えて劣化の進行が懸念される場合には、ユーザが使用する車載情報端末装置２０および携帯情報端末装置３０に対して、バッテリ１１が劣化している可能性があり交換するように促すことができる。したがって、ユーザがバッテリ１１を交換することによってバッテリ１１を良好に作動させることができる。
　また、電力を売電するときには車両１０を使用して外出している可能性が高いため、ユーザは、車載情報端末装置２０または携帯情報端末装置３０を使用して、需給情報提供センタ４０に対して、売電に利用する充放電スタンド６０を予約しておくことができる。具体的に説明すると、ユーザは、例えば、外出時に差益予測通知によって電力を売電するときには、車載情報端末装置２０に対して売電することを入力する。
　車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３は、ユーザによる入力に応答し、ナビゲーション装置２６に対して現在位置から最寄りの充放電スタンド６０を検索させる。そして、制御装置２３は、通信装置２５を介して、需給情報提供センタ４０に要求情報、ユーザ特定情報および売電要求情報を送信することに加えて、図７に示すように、検索された充放電スタンド６０の設置位置情報も送信する。
　需給情報提供センタ４０においては、情報管理サーバ４１が、通信装置４２を介して、送信された各情報を受信する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、受信した設置位置情報を電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１に送信するとともに、設置位置情報によって特定される充放電スタンド６０をユーザ特定情報によって特定されたユーザが利用することを表す予約情報を送信する。
　電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１は、通信装置５２を介して、各情報を受信する。そして、管理サーバ５１は、受信した設置位置情報を用いてスマートメータ登録データベース５３を検索し、ユーザが利用を希望する充放電スタンド６０を特定する。そして、管理サーバ５１は、受信した予約情報に基づき、特定した充放電スタンド６０が、予約されたユーザによって優先的に利用されるように、スマートメータ６１の作動を制限する。これにより、ユーザは、検索された最寄りも充放電スタンド６０まで移動して車両１０のインレット１２を電気的に接続することにより、優先的に電力を売電することができる。
　なお、この場合、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３は、例えば、インレット１２に接続される接続ケーブルを介してスマートメータ６１にユーザ特定情報を出力することができる。これにより、スマートメータ６１は、電力線８０を介して電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１と通信して出力されたユーザ特定情報を認証し、予約されたユーザのみに充放電スタンド６０を利用させることができる。あるいは、このような認証に代えて、例えば、ユーザが所持するＩＣカード（クレジットカード）などにユーザ特定情報予め登録しておき、スマートメータ６１がこの登録されたユーザ特定情報を認証するようにして、予約されたユーザのみに充放電スタンド６０を利用させることもできる。
　ふたたび、図６に戻り、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記ステップＳ１５にて、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３から放電完了情報および放電時変換効率情報を受信すると、ステップＳ１６に進む。ステップＳ１６においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、実際の差益を表す差益情報をユーザに通知する。すなわち、情報管理サーバ４１は、電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１に対して、今回、車両１０から放電（売電）された売電量および売電時間帯における実際の（最終的な）売電価格を取得する。ここで、電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１は、特定した充放電スタンド６０に設けられたスマートメータ６１から電力線８０を介して、この充放電スタンド６０から放電（売電）された電力量を取得することができる。
　情報管理サーバ４１は、例えば、前記式１に対して前記取得した実際の売電量と売電価格とを適用して、ユーザが売電したことによる最終的な差益を計算する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、計算した最終的な差益を表す差益情報を車載情報端末装置２０および携帯情報端末装置３０に送信し、ステップＳ２４にて差益情報提供プログラムの実行を終了する。
　一方、前記ステップＳ１１にて、現在、予め設定された売電時間帯でなければ、言い換えれば、該当しないユーザに対しては、情報管理サーバ４１は、「Ｎｏ」と判定してステップＳ１７に進む。ステップＳ１７においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、車載情報端末装置２０または携帯情報端末装置３０を使用してユーザから電力売買契約により定めた売電時間帯外での売電を要求する時間外売電要求情報を取得しているか否かを判定する。具体的に説明すると、ユーザは、自身が結んだ電力売買契約の条件外でバッテリ１１に充電した電力を売電するときには、車載情報端末装置２０または携帯情報端末装置３０を操作して、需給情報提供センタ４０の情報管理サーバ４１に時間外売電要求情報を送信する。ここで、時間外売電要求情報は、具体的に、ユーザ特定情報、バッテリ残量情報および差益予測通知を要求する情報を含むものである。
　情報管理サーバ４１は、通信装置４２を介して、車載情報端末装置２０または携帯情報端末装置３０から送信された時間外売電要求情報を受信していれば、「Ｙｅｓ」と判定してステップＳ１８に進む。ステップＳ１８においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記ステップＳ１７にて受信したと判定された時間外売電要求情報に含まれるユーザ特定情報を用いてユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３を検索してユーザを特定するとともに、契約情報登録データベース４４を検索して特定したユーザの電力売買契約内容を確認する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記ステップＳ１２に進んでバッテリ残量情報を取得し、前記ステップＳ１３に進む。
　そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、上述したステップＳ１３の処理内容と同様に、前記式１に従って現時点での差益を計算する。ただし、ユーザが売電時間帯外で電力を売電するときには、前記式１中の「現時点の売電価格」は、売電時における電力の需給によって変動する売電価格となる。すなわち、売電価格は、例えば、電力の需要量が増大して電力会社５０から供給される発電量に余裕がなくなる状況において上昇し、余剰電力が発生している状況において下落する。なお、この変動する売電価格については、情報管理サーバ４１が電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１から取得してもよいし、電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１から供給される発電量情報および需要量情報に基づいて情報管理サーバ４１が売電価格を予測してもよい。
　したがって、情報管理サーバ４１は、ユーザが売電時間帯外で電力を売電するときに電力の不足が懸念される状況では、売電価格が上昇して前記式１に従って計算される値が正の値、すなわち、差益が発生することが予測されるため、ステップＳ１３にて「Ｙｅｓ」と判定して前記ステップＳ１４~ステップＳ１７の各ステップ処理を実行する。一方、情報管理サーバ４１は、ユーザが売電時間帯外で電力を売電するときに余剰電力が発生している状況では、売電価格が下落して前記式１に従って計算される値が負の値（または「０」）、すなわち、差益が発生しないことが予測されるため、ステップＳ１３にて「Ｎｏ」と判定してステップＳ２４に進む。
　なお、このように、ユーザが売電時間帯外で電力を売電するときに、差益が発生しないことが予測される場合には、情報管理サーバ４１は、ユーザが使用する車載情報端末装置２０および携帯情報端末装置３０に対して、差益が発生しないことを報知するとともに車両１０を充放電スタンド６０に接続する必要がないことを報知することができる。
　一方、前記ステップＳ１８にて、車載情報端末装置２０または携帯情報端末装置３０から時間外売電要求情報を受信していなければ、情報管理サーバ４１は、「Ｎｏ」と判定してステップＳ１９に進む。ステップＳ１９以降の各ステップ処理においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、今後の電力の需給を予測して、ユーザに対して差益予測通知を提供（配信）する。このため、ユーザは、需給情報提供センタ４０の情報管理サーバ４１に対して、差益予測通知の提供（配信）を希望する提供タイミングを予め登録しておく。なお、差益予測通知の提供（配信）を希望する提供タイミングとしては、例えば、ユーザが任意に設定する時間や、曜日、あるいは、バッテリ１０に充電を開始する時点（または充電開始前）、または、電力売買契約に基づく充電時間帯（または充電時間前）などに設定することができる。そして、これらの提供タイミングは、例えば、需給情報提供センタ４０のユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３内に登録されたユーザ特定情報に関連付けて登録されるとよい。
　また、電力の需給を予測する期間についても、ユーザが希望する予測期間（例えば、ある特定の日、週間、月など）を設定することができ、設定された期間も、例えば、需給情報提供センタ４０のユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３内に登録されたユーザ特定情報に関連付けて登録されるとよい。
　具体的に、差益情報提供プログラムにおけるステップＳ１９以降の各ステップ処理を説明する。情報管理サーバ４１は、差益情報提供プログラムにおけるステップＳ１９にて、現在、ユーザが予め登録した提供タイミングであるか否かを判定する。すなわち、情報管理サーバ４１は、ユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３を全検索し、提供タイミングに該当するユーザを特定してユーザ特定情報を取得するとともに、ユーザが予め登録した予測期間を特定する。
　そして、提供タイミングに該当するユーザが特定されれば、情報管理サーバ４１は、「Ｙｅｓ」と判定してステップＳ２０に進む。ステップＳ２０においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記ステップＳ１２と同様に、前記ステップＳ１９にて取得したユーザ特定情報を用いて、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３に対して、現在バッテリ１１に充電されている電力量（以下、バッテリ残量という）の送信を要求し、バッテリ残量情報を受信する。
　このようにバッテリ残量情報を受信して取得すると、情報管理サーバ４１は、この取得したバッテリ残量情報を充放電履歴データベース４５に一旦記憶して、ステップＳ２１に進む。ステップＳ２１においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記ステップＳ２０にて取得したバッテリ残量情報を用いて、今後、ユーザが売電した場合の差益を下記式２に従って計算する。
　（バッテリ残量—必要残存電力量）×（今後の売電価格—（現時点のバッテリ残量の平均買電価格＋現時点の買電価格×充電可能な充電量）／充電時電力変換効率）／放電時電力変換効率　…式２
　なお、前記式２中における「現時点のバッテリ残量の平均買電価格」および「充電時電力変換効率」は、前記式１と同様に、買電時における価格として充放電履歴データベース４５に車両１０ごとに識別可能に記憶されているものである。また、「現時点の買電価格×充電可能な充電量」は、今後、売電するまでにバッテリ１１への充電に伴って発生するコストを表すものであり、例えば、電力売買契約に基づいて充電する場合には契約によって定めされた買電価格に充電量を乗算し、余剰電力を充電する場合には上述したように変動する買電価格に充電量を乗算したものとなる。また、「放電時電力変換効率」は、電力を放電（売電）時における電力の変換効率であり、充電時と同様に、前回の売電完了時に車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３から需給情報提供センタ４０に送信されて充放電履歴データベース４５に車両１０ごとに記憶されているものである。
　ここで、前記式２中における「今後の売電価格」について説明しておく。電力の需要量は、一般に、季節や、時間帯、曜日などの変動要素によって増減するといわれている。そして、この電力需要の増減（変動）は、過去の変動要素に基づいてパターン化することができる。例えば、変動要素として季節について見れば、家庭や商店などでエアコンが使用されるため、夏場や冬場における電力の需要量は春や秋と比較して相対的に増大する傾向を有する。また、変動要素として時間帯について見れば、外気温が高くなる午後２時頃の電力の需要量が増大する傾向を有する。さらに、変動要素として曜日について見れば、稼働を停止する工場が多いため、土曜日および日曜日における電力の需要量は他の曜日と比較して相対的に小さくなる傾向を有する。
　このように、電力の需要量は、変動要素に対する過去の電力の需要量の変動傾向を統計的に解析して処理することによってパターン化することができる。したがって、このパターンを用いることにより、概算的な電力の需要量を予測することができる。一方、電力会社５０によって発電される発電量については、予め計画された発電計画すなわちに基づいて決定することができる。このため、需給情報提供センタ４０においては、このようなパターンのデータや電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１から供給される実際の発電量情報および需要量情報が需給情報データベース４６に更新可能に記憶されている。
　そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、需給情報データベース４６に記憶された電力の需要量のパターンを用いるとともに需要量情報によって表される実際の需要量を用いて、今後の電力の需要量を予測する。また、情報管理サーバ４１は、需給情報データベース４６に記憶された発電量情報によって表される発電量を用いて、予測した電力の需要量と発電量とに基づいて、今後の電力の需給状況を決定（予測）する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、この決定した今後の需給状況に基づいて、例えば、電力の需要量が増大して電力会社５０から供給される発電量に余裕がなくなる状況においては今後の売電価格が上昇すると予測し、余剰電力が発生している状況においては今後の売電価格が下落すると予測する。
　これにより、情報管理サーバ４１は、予測可能な今後の売電価格を用いた前記式２に従って、今後、ユーザが売電した場合の差益を計算する。そして、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記式２に従って計算した値が正の値であれば、今後、ユーザが希望する時点でバッテリ１１に充電されている電力を売電することによって差益が生じることが予測されるため、「Ｙｅｓ」と判定して、上述したステップＳ１４以降の各ステップ処理を実行する。一方、前記式２に従って計算した値が負の値（または「０」）であれば、今後、ユーザが希望する時点でバッテリ１１に充電されている電力を売電しても差益が生じないことが予測されるため、「Ｎｏ」と判定してステップＳ２４に進み、差益情報提供プログラムの実行を終了する。
　なお、このように、ユーザが今後電力を売電するときに、差益が発生しないことが予測される場合には、情報管理サーバ４１は、ユーザが使用する車載情報端末装置２０および携帯情報端末装置３０に対して、差益が発生しないことを報知するとともに車両１０を充放電スタンド６０に接続する必要がないことを報知することができる。
　一方、前記ステップＳ１９にて、現在、ユーザが予め登録した提供タイミングでなければ、情報管理サーバ４１は、「Ｎｏ」と判定してステップＳ２２に進む。ステップＳ２２においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、車載情報端末装置２０または携帯情報端末装置３０を使用してユーザから提供タイミング外での差益予測通知の配信要求情報を取得しているか否かを判定する。具体的に説明すると、ユーザは、自身が登録した提供タイミング外で差益予測通知を取得してバッテリ１１に充電した電力を売電するときには、車載情報端末装置２０または携帯情報端末装置３０を操作して、需給情報提供センタ４０の情報管理サーバ４１に差益予測通知の配信要求情報を送信する。ここで、配信要求情報は、具体的に、ユーザ特定情報、バッテリ残量情報および差益予測通知を要求する情報を含むものである。
　情報管理サーバ４１は、通信装置４２を介して、車載情報端末装置２０または携帯情報端末装置３０から送信された配信要求情報を受信していれば、「Ｙｅｓ」と判定してステップＳ２３に進む。一方、車載情報端末装置２０または携帯情報端末装置３０から送信された配信要求情報を受信していなければ、「Ｎｏ」と判定してステップＳ２４に進み、差益情報提供プログラムの実行を終了する。
　ステップＳ２３においては、情報管理サーバ４１は、前記ステップＳ２２にて受信したと判定された配信要求情報に含まれるユーザ特定情報を用いてユーザ特定情報登録データベース４３を検索してユーザを特定するとともに、契約情報登録データベース４４を検索して特定したユーザの電力売買契約内容を確認し、前記ステップＳ２０，Ｓ２１，Ｓ１４~Ｓ１６，Ｓ２４の各ステップ処理を実行する。
　なお、上述したようにユーザが売電した場合においては、電力会社５０は、ユーザが充放電スタンド６０を介して提供した売電量に対する対価を支払う。また、電力会社５０は、需給情報提供センタ４０に対して、ユーザに提供した情報（余剰電力発生情報および差益予測通知）に応じて予め設定された情報提供料を支払う。
　また、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３においては、需給情報提供センタ４０から提供された差益予測通知を受信するごとに記憶装置２４の所定記憶位置に記憶する。そして、制御装置２３は、記憶した差益予測通知、言い換えれば、これまでに売電した履歴を用いて、例えば、月当たりの売電量、売電によって得られた差益や対価などをグラフ化して表示装置２２に表示することができる。これにより、ユーザに対して、より積極的な電力会社５０への電力の売電を促すことができる。
　以上の説明からも理解できるように、上記実施形態によれば、ユーザは、需給情報提供センタ４０から送信（提供）される余剰電力発生情報に基づいて、発生した余剰電力を車両１０に搭載されたバッテリ１１に安価に充電することができる。これにより、余剰電力が発生した場合においても、ユーザが余剰電力をバッテリ１１に充電することによって余剰電力の受け皿として機能することができるため、電力会社５０による発電効率を悪化させることなく発電を継続することができる。また、ユーザにおいては、安価に充電した余剰電力を売電することによって差益を得ることができる。
　一方、ユーザは、需給情報提供センタ４０から、変動するバッテリ１１のバッテリ残量、走行に必要な必要残存電力量および売電価格を用いて計算されてタイミング良く提供される差益予測通知に基づいて、売電するか否かを極めて容易に判断することができる。これにより、例えば、昼間帯のピーク時間に電力の不足が懸念されると、より差益が大きくなる、すなわち、ユーザにとって有利な条件で売電できることにより、ユーザは売電することをタイミング良くかつ効果的に促される。したがって、充電した電力を必要時に売電するという社会的な仕組みを効果的に機能させることができ、その結果、電力の需給を円滑に満たすことができる。
　また、ユーザは、自宅であっても外出先であっても、電力を売買することができる。これにより、電力の売買に伴う利便性を良好に確保することができ、これによっても、充電した電力を必要時に売電するという社会的な仕組みを効果的に機能させることができる。
　本発明の実施にあたっては、上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の目的を逸脱しない限りにおいて、種々の変更が可能である。
　例えば、上記実施形態においては、移動体として電気自動車やプラグインハイブリッド車を採用して実施した。この場合、移動体としては、電力を充電可能でありかつ放電可能な蓄電池（バッテリ）を搭載しているものであれば、いかなるものを採用してもよく、例えば、電動式２輪車（電動アシスト機能付き自転車や電動式オートバイなど）を採用してもよい。
　また、上記実施形態においては、需給情報提供センタ４０が車載情報端末装置２０または／および携帯情報端末装置３０に対して余剰電力発生情報および差益予測通知を送信してユーザに必要な情報を提供するように実施した。この場合、需給情報提供センタ４０を設けることに代えて、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３が電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１と通信して余剰電力発生情報および差益予測通知を作成して表示装置２２に表示したり、携帯情報端末装置３０に送信したりしてもよい。この場合には、上述した需給情報提供センタ４０が有する充放電履歴データベース４５および需給情報データベース４６に相当する各データベースを車載情報端末装置２０の記憶装置２４に構築することにより、制御装置２３が余剰電力発生情報および差益予測通知を作成することが可能となるため、上記実施形態と同様の効果が期待できる。
　また、上記実施形態においては、需給情報提供センタ４０が買電価格と売電価格とを用いて、売電に伴う差益を計算して差益予測通知を作成し、ユーザに提供するように実施した。この場合、差益予測通知に代えて、売電時に予想される売電予測価格を表す売電価格予測情報または売電時における売電価格を表す売電価格情報すなわち対価情報をユーザに提供するように実施することも可能である。これにより、ユーザは、売電に伴う差益を直接的に把握しにくくなるものの、売電するか否かを判断することができる。したがって、ユーザに対して売電を促すことができる。
　また、上記実施形態においては、前記式１および前記式２に充電時電力変換効率および放電時電力変換効率を用いて差益を計算するように実施した。この場合、より簡便に、例えば、前記式１および前記式２における充電時電力変換効率および放電時電力変換効率を「１」として差益の計算が可能であることは言うまでもない。
　さらに、上記実施形態においては、例えば、外出先において最寄りの充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とを電気的に接続するときに、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３がユーザ特定情報とともに車両の現在位置情報を需給情報提供センタ４０を介して電力会社５０に送信し、電力会社５０が車両１０と接続された充放電スタンド６０を特定するように実施した。この場合、例えば、電力会社５０にも、需給情報提供センタ４０が備えるユーザ特定情報データベース４３と同等のデータベースを構築しておき、充放電スタンド６０と車両１０のインレット１２とが電気的に接続された時点で、例えば、スマートメータ６１が自身を識別する識別情報を電力線８０を介して自動的に送信するとともに、車載情報端末装置２０の制御装置２３が充放電スタンド６０および電力線８０を介してユーザ特定情報を自動的に電力会社５０に送信することも可能である。これにより、電力会社５０の管理サーバ５１は、ユーザ特定情報の送信された充放電スタンド６０を特定することができるとともにユーザをも特定することができるため、上記実施形態と同様に、ユーザは、いかなる場所であっても、充放電スタンド６０を利用して、極めて容易に電力を買電（充電）したり、電力を売電（放電）したりすることができる。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram schematically showing an information providing system having an information providing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
This information providing system includes a vehicle 10 as a moving body, an in-vehicle information terminal device 20 mounted on the vehicle 10, a portable information terminal device 30 carried by a user, an in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and a portable information terminal device 30. A supply and demand information providing center 40 as an information providing device that provides information on the supply and demand of electric power, an electric power company 50 that generates commercial power and controls the supply of electric power, and a charging / discharging stand 60 that is electrically connected to the vehicle 10 And. The in-vehicle information terminal device 20, the portable information terminal device 30, the information providing center 40, and the power company 50 are each connected to a network 70 (for example, the Internet). In addition, the power company 50 and the charge / discharge stand 60 are connected by a power line 80.
As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle (EV) or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) equipped with a large-capacity battery 11. And the battery 11 mounted in the vehicle 10 is electrically connected to the charging / discharging stand 60 via the inlet 12, and charging or discharging is enabled. For this reason, the vehicle 10 includes a known charge / discharge circuit 13 that switches and controls the charge state and the discharge state of the battery 11. Further, the battery 11 is assembled with a state of charge (SOC) state, that is, a charge state detection sensor 14 as a battery remaining amount acquisition means for detecting a charge amount.
The in-vehicle information terminal device 20 is disposed, for example, in the vicinity of the driver's seat in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10, and as shown in FIG. 2, an input device 21, a display device 22, a control device 23, and a communication device connected to each other. A storage device 24, a communication device 25, a navigation device 26, and various sensors 27 are provided. The input device 21 includes an operation switch provided in the vicinity of the display device 22, a panel touch switch that is incorporated in the display device 22 and detects a touch operation of the display panel, and inputs a driver's instruction. . The display device 22 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays characters, graphics, and the like on the display panel.
The control device 23 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like as main components, and performs overall operations of the display device 22, the storage device 24, the communication device 25, and the navigation device 26 by executing a program. To control. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the control device 23 inputs the charging state of the battery 11 detected by the charging state detection sensor 14, and controls the charging / discharging circuit 13 of the vehicle 10 to control the charging state of the battery 11. Switch between discharge states.
The storage device 24 includes a storage medium such as a hard disk, a semiconductor memory, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a drive device for the storage medium, and stores various programs (for example, a browser program) and various data in advance. ing. The communication device 25 enables wireless communication with the supply and demand information providing center 40 via a relay station. For this reason, the communication device 25 is provided with an antenna 25a for wireless communication with the relay station.
The navigation device 26 has a microcomputer composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like as main components, and uses detection values detected by various sensors 27 by executing a program stored in the storage device 24 in advance. While grasping | ascertaining the present position of a vehicle, the route | root to a destination is guided with respect to a driver | operator. The various sensors 27 are connected to the navigation device 26 and mainly include sensors for detecting the current position of the vehicle, that is, a geomagnetic sensor, a gyro, a GPS (Global Positioning System), a vehicle speed sensor, a wheel speed sensor, and the like. . The in-vehicle information terminal device 20 configured as described above has a function of receiving and displaying information related to power sale of power provided from the supply and demand information providing sensor 40 by executing the various programs, and a supply and demand information providing center 40. Various functions such as a function for transmitting various information can be realized.
Although not shown, the portable information terminal device 30 is configured in substantially the same manner as the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 described above, and is connected to each other so as to be communicable with each other, an input device, a display device, a control device, a storage device, A communication device is provided. And this portable information terminal device 30 is comprised compactly in order to enable a user to carry. As the portable information terminal device 30 having such a configuration, a mobile phone or a portable personal computer having a communication function is suitable.
The supply and demand information providing center 40 can be installed, for example, in a dealer that sells the vehicle 10 and includes an information management server 41 and a communication device 42 that are communicably connected to each other as shown in FIG. The information management server 41 includes a control device 41a, a storage device 41b, and a communication interface 41c. The control device 41a also has a microcomputer composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like as main components, and comprehensively controls the operation of the information management server 41. The storage device 41b includes a storage medium such as a hard disk and a drive device for the storage medium, and stores various programs and various data including programs to be described later. The communication interface 41c is an interface for connecting to a communication line (for example, a LAN line) constructed in the supply and demand information providing center 40. The communication device 42 is wired to the network 70 to perform wired communication with the electric power company 50 and enables wireless communication with the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30 using a relay station.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a user specifying information registration database 43, a contract information registration database 44, a charge / discharge history database 45, and a supply / demand information database 46 are constructed in the supply / demand information providing center 40. Each of these databases 43, 44, 45, 46 is connected to a communication line constructed in the supply and demand information providing center 40 and is accessible from the information management server 41.
The user specifying information registration database 43 stores and registers user specifying information given in advance to specify a user. Examples of the user specifying information include user name information (including an email address), body number information for identifying the vehicle 10, user ID information for accessing the supply and demand information providing center 40, password information, and the like.
When the user purchases the vehicle 10, the contract information registration database 44 stores, for each user, power purchase contract content information representing the content of the power purchase contract that is contracted to buy and sell power in view of the usage status of the purchased vehicle 10. Remember and register. Here, the power sales contract that the user contracts will be described. First, the power purchase contract that the user ties is a power purchase price in which power is set in advance for the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 in a time zone (for example, midnight time zone) when the demand for power is low and there is a margin for power supply. The electric power charged in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is sold at a preset power selling price in a time zone (for example, a daytime time zone) when power demand increases and power supply cannot be afforded. It is premised on discharging by electricity. In addition, for example, when charging outside a power purchase time zone (for example, midnight time zone) set in advance by a power sales contract, the power is charged at a power purchase price that is higher than the power purchase price determined by the contract. When power must be purchased or when power is not sold in a power sales time zone (for example, daytime time zone) set in advance by an electric power sales contract, it is charged.
Therefore, based on the power purchase contract, the user, in principle, purchases power from the power company 50 in the preset power purchase time zone (midnight time zone) and charges the battery 11 of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 is driven using the electric power charged in the battery 11. On the other hand, the user sells the electric power charged in the battery 11 to the electric power company 50 in principle in a preset power selling time zone (daytime time zone) based on the power sales contract. Thereby, the electric power company 50 side can reduce the frequency which increases / decreases the electric power generation amount according to the change of electric power demand, and can generate electric power efficiently.
By the way, the user purchases the vehicle 10 for the purpose of traveling and moving. Therefore, when signing a power sales contract, a specific power sales amount is determined in consideration of the usage status of the purchased vehicle 10, that is, the usage frequency of running the vehicle 10. More specifically, the user sets in advance a power amount that can be purchased (charged) to the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 and a power amount that can be sold (discharged) from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10.
In this case, for example, if the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle, the vehicle 11 travels using only the electric power charged in advance in the battery 11. For this reason, in order for the vehicle 10 to exhibit the basic performance as an automobile, the battery 11 must be charged with at least enough power to run the vehicle 10 within the movement range assumed by the user. In other words, the battery 11 must be charged with electric power (hereinafter referred to as “required residual electric energy”) for a distance (minimum travel distance) that allows the vehicle 10 to travel at a minimum. And about this movement range (namely, minimum mileage), it changes with individual users, and a certain user moves comparatively near distance from bases, such as a house, and a certain user is from a base. For example, the vehicle 10 is moved over a relatively long distance.
For this reason, the amount of remaining electric power necessary to drive the vehicle 10, specifically, the amount of charge (SOC) of the battery 11 varies depending on the use state of the vehicle 10 by the user. In other words, the amount of charge purchased from the power company 50 and charged to the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 and the amount of discharge to sell the charged power to the power company 50 differ depending on the usage state of the vehicle 10 by each user.
Further, the charging / discharging time of the battery 11 described above also varies depending on the usage state of the vehicle 10 by each user. For example, when the frequency of using the vehicle 10 on weekdays is low and the time for which the vehicle 10 is parked is long, the charging time for the battery 11 (power purchase time) becomes long and the battery 11 is discharged with electric power charged. The time (power selling time) also becomes longer. That is, in this case, for example, the vehicle 10 owned by the user can reliably charge the battery 11 in a time zone in which surplus is generated in the generated power due to a decrease in the demand amount of the power. The power charged in the battery 11 can be surely discharged in a time zone in which the demand amount increases and there is a concern that the power shortage will occur. In other words, in this case, the user can favorably contribute to fluctuations in power supply and demand.
On the other hand, when the frequency of using the vehicle 10 is high on weekdays and the time for which the vehicle 10 is parked is short, the charging time (power purchase time) for the battery 11 is relatively short, and the power charged in the battery 11 is relatively short. The discharge time (power selling time) is relatively short. That is, in this case, although reliable charging and discharging may not be possible, at least when the vehicle 10 is not used, for example, surplus power can be charged to the battery 11 and the amount of power demand increases. Thus, the power charged in the battery 11 can be discharged in a time zone in which the shortage of power is a concern. Therefore, in this case as well, the user can contribute to the fluctuation of power supply and demand.
By the way, since the degree of contribution to the power supply / demand situation differs depending on the usage state of the vehicle 10 by the user, the content of the power purchase contract differs depending on the contribution degree, that is, the usage state of the vehicle 10. . Specifically, a user with a low use frequency of the vehicle 10 has a longer power purchase time (charge time) in a preset power purchase time zone based on an electric power sales contract and is in a preset power sale time zone. Power selling time (discharge time) also becomes longer. Furthermore, since the user who uses the vehicle 10 less frequently has the above-mentioned minimum travel distance, the priority of charging becomes low, while the amount of power that can be sold (discharged) increases.
Therefore, since the power sales contract that is made by such users has a high degree of contribution to fluctuations in power supply and demand, the basic fee for receiving the information providing service (providing profit forecast notification), which will be described later, is low. Is set. Instead, for example, when such a user charges the battery 11 outside a preset power purchase time period, the power purchase price is higher, and the charge for changing the minimum travel distance is higher. The amount of money also increases. In the following description, such a power sales contract is referred to as a sales contract 1.
On the other hand, a user who frequently uses the vehicle 10 may have a shorter power purchase time (charge time) in a preset power purchase time zone based on an electric power sales contract and a preset power sale time. There is also a possibility that the power selling time (discharge time) in the band may be shortened. Furthermore, since the user who frequently uses the vehicle 10 has a long minimum travel distance, the priority of charging is high, while the amount of power that can be sold (discharged) is small. For this reason, the electric power sales contract that is made by such a user has a lower contribution to power supply and demand fluctuation than the above-mentioned sales contract 1, and therefore the basic charge for receiving the information providing service related to power sale is high. Set to Instead, the power purchase price that is increased when such a user charges the battery 11 outside, for example, a preset power purchase time period is lower than the sales contract 1, and the minimum mileage is changed. The amount of billing when doing this is also cheaper than the sales contract 1. In the following description, such a power sales contract is referred to as a sales contract 2.
Here, the user who has concluded the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2 can freely sell the power charged in the battery 11 as needed outside a predetermined power selling time zone defined by the contract. it can. The power selling price when power is sold outside the predetermined time is determined in a manner that varies depending on the current power supply / demand situation at that time or in the future, as will be described later. Thereby, the user who sells electric power can obtain a difference from the electric power purchase price at the time of electric power purchase depending on the fluctuating electric power sale price.
Then, the contract information registration database 44 registers the power sales contract content information (hereinafter also simply referred to as contract information) representing the above-mentioned power sales contract (that is, the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2) so as to be identifiable for each user. And remember. In this case, the information management server 41 associates the user specifying information stored in the user specifying information registration database 43 with the contract information for each user stored in the contract information database 44. As a result, the information management server 41 uses the user identification information transmitted from the user to identify the power sales contract, that is, the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2 contracted by the user. Note that the contract information representing the power sales contract with which the user has contracted is also stored in a predetermined storage location of the storage device 24 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20.
The charge / discharge history database 45 stores a charge / discharge history of the battery 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 for each vehicle 10 (that is, a user). Thereby, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the information management server 41 is charged with the user identification information and the battery 11 from the information terminal device 20 (more specifically, the control device 23) mounted on the vehicle 10. When the charging completion information indicating that the battery 11 has been discharged or the discharging completion information indicating that the battery 11 has been discharged is received, the vehicle used by the user in the charge / discharge history database 45 using the body number information included in the received user identification information Charging completion information and discharging completion information are stored every 10th. In this case, whenever the information management server 41 receives the charge completion information and the discharge completion information, for example, the information management server 41 may increment and store the charge history and the discharge history of the battery 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 by “1”. it can.
The supply and demand information database 46 includes data representing patterns related to fluctuations in power supply and demand, which will be described later, power generation amount information representing power generation continuously transmitted from the power company 50, demand amount information representing demand (power consumption), and power The power purchase price and the power sale price are stored in an updatable and searchable manner. As a result, the information management server 41 uses various information stored in the supply and demand information database 46 to change the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30 used by the user according to the power supply and demand situation. A margin prediction notification described later is created using the power selling price to be transmitted and transmitted (provided) to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30.
As shown in FIG. 4, the electric power company 50 includes a management server 51 and a communication device 52 that are communicably connected to each other. The management server 51 includes a control device 51a, a storage device 51b, and a communication interface 51c. The control device 51a also has a microcomputer composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like as main components, and comprehensively controls the operation of the management server 51. The storage device 51b includes a storage medium such as a hard disk and a drive device for the storage medium, and stores various programs and various data. The communication interface 51c is an interface for connecting to a communication line (for example, a LAN line) constructed in the electric power company 50, and is provided in a power plant (not shown) via the communication line in the electric power company 50. It communicates with the terminal device. The communication device 52 is wired to the network 70 and performs wired communication with the supply and demand information providing center 40, and the power incorporated in the charge / discharge station 60 through power line communication using the power line 80 as shown in FIG. It enables wired communication with the trade management device 61 (hereinafter referred to as smart meter 61). In addition, since the smart meter 61 incorporated in the charging / discharging stand 60 is well-known, specific description is abbreviate | omitted.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a smart meter registration database 53 is constructed in the electric power company 50. The smart meter registration database 53 is information for identifying the charging / discharging stand 60 (more specifically, the built-in smart meter 61) installed in each home or public place (for example, position information indicating the installation position or in advance). The allocated number information is stored in a searchable manner. The smart meter registration database 53 is connected to a communication line built in the electric power company 50 and can be accessed from the management server 51.
Next, of the operations of the embodiment configured as described above, the operation of charging the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 with electric power (surplus power) will be described in detail with reference to the functional block diagram shown in FIG. Here, the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 5 is described by taking the case where the user uses the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 as an example.
First, the case where the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is charged with power (purchased) according to a power purchase / purchase contract concluded in advance by the user will be described. In this case, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 purchases power from the power company 50 during a preset power purchase time zone based on the contract information stored in advance in a predetermined storage position of the storage device 24. Then, the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is charged until reaching a preset charge amount (SOC).
At this time, for example, when the vehicle 10 is parked at home and the charging / discharging stand 60 installed at home and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are already electrically connected, or the user uses the vehicle 10. When the charging / discharging stand 60 installed outside and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 is already electrically connected, the control device 23 automatically connects the charging / discharging circuit 13 to the battery 11. Control to switch to the mode of charging.
Here, if the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are not yet electrically connected in a preset power purchase time zone, the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 notifies the user via the display device 22. In addition to displaying and prompting the electrical connection between the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10, the user specifying information and the charging / discharging stand 60 and the vehicle 10 are connected to the supply / demand information providing center 40 via the communication device 25. Unconnected information indicating that the inlet 12 is not electrically connected is transmitted.
In the supply and demand information providing center 40, the information management server 41 receives the transmitted user identification information and unconnected information via the communication device 42. Then, the information management server 41 searches the user identification information registration database 43 using the received user identification information to identify the user, and the portable information terminal device used by the identified user based on the received unconnected information A notification for urging the connection between the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 is transmitted to 30. Thereby, it is possible to effectively prompt the user to electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10, and the user charges the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 in accordance with the power sales contract. Can do.
In this case, in a situation where the display or notification that prompts the connection is acquired when the user goes out using the vehicle 10, the control device 23 determines the current position of the vehicle 10 with respect to the navigation device 26. The nearest charging / discharging stand 60 is searched for. And the control apparatus 23 makes a navigation apparatus 26 guide a user to the nearest charging / discharging stand 60 searched. As a result, even when the user is out, the user can quickly and easily move to the nearest charging / discharging stand 60 and electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 to the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10. be able to. Thus, when the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are electrically connected, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 enters a mode for charging the battery 11 to the charging / discharging circuit 13 of the vehicle 10. The switching control is performed to charge (purchase) the power supplied from the power company 50.
By the way, when the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are electrically connected to charge the battery 11 (power purchase), as shown in FIG. The request information for requesting the information management server 41 of the supply and demand information providing center 40 to start charging, the user specifying information stored in the storage device 24, and the current position of the vehicle 10 acquired from the navigation device 26 (that is, , Corresponding to the installation position of the charging / discharging stand 60). As described above, the functions realized by the control device 23, the storage device 24, the communication device 25, and the navigation device 26 are described as a charging request transmission unit 91a in FIG.
In the supply and demand information providing center 40, the information management server 41 receives request information, user identification information, and current position information transmitted from the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 via the communication device 42. Then, the information management server 41 searches the user identification information registration database 43 using the received user identification information to authenticate the user, and searches the contract information registration database 44 to obtain the contract information (sales and purchases) that the user has previously contracted. Identify contract 1 or sales contract 2). As described above, the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, the user identification information registration database 43, and the contract information registration database 44 are described as an authentication unit 91b in FIG.
When the information management server 41 authenticates the user and specifies the contract information, the information management server 41 transmits the received current position information and the specified contract information to the power company 50 via the communication device 42. As described above, the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the contract information registration database 44 are described as a charging start request unit 91c in FIG.
In the electric power company 50, the management server 51 receives the current position information and contract information transmitted from the supply and demand information providing center 40 via the communication device 52. Then, the management server 51 searches the smart meter registration database 53 using the received current position information, and identifies the charge / discharge station 60 that is electrically connected to the vehicle 10. Then, the management server 51 supplies power to the vehicle 10 from the charge amount information indicating the charge amount based on the received contract information and the charge / discharge stand 60 with respect to the smart meter 61 incorporated in the specified charge / discharge stand 60. The permission information for permitting the transmission is transmitted via the communication device 52 and the power line 80. As described above, the functions realized by the management server 51, the communication device 52, and the smart meter registration database 53 are described as a charging start information transmission unit 91d in FIG.
In the charging / discharging stand 60, the smart meter 61 (that is, the charging start information receiving unit 91e described in FIG. 5) receives the charge amount information and the permission information. Then, the smart meter 61 allows electric power to flow from the charging / discharging stand 60 to the vehicle 10 based on the permission information, and the electric power corresponding to the charge amount determined by the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2 concluded by the user based on the charge amount information. Supply. Thereby, for example, it is possible to effectively prevent the user from overcharging the power provided at a low cost and insufficient power. In addition, when there is a margin in the supply of electric power, for example, the electric power can be supplied until the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is fully charged regardless of the charging amount determined by the electric power sales contract.
On the other hand, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 monitors the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 11 based on the value detected by the charge state detection sensor 14, and whether or not the battery 11 has been charged until reaching a predetermined SOC. And the conversion efficiency of power during charging (hereinafter referred to as conversion efficiency during charging) is detected. And if the battery 11 is charged until it becomes predetermined | prescribed SOC, the control apparatus 23 will be the charge completion information showing that charge with the user specific information was completed with respect to the supply-and-demand information provision center 40 via the communication apparatus 25. And the charge conversion efficiency information showing the conversion efficiency at the time of charge is transmitted. Thus, the functions realized by the control device 23, the charging state detection sensor 14, and the communication device 25 are described as a charging completion information transmission unit 92a in FIG.
In the supply and demand information providing center 40, the information management server 41 receives the user specifying information, the charging completion information, and the charging conversion efficiency information transmitted via the communication device 42. Then, the information management server 41 specifies the charge / discharge history database 45 provided for each user based on the received user specifying information, and the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 constructed in the charge / discharge history database 45 based on the received charge completion information. Of the charging / discharging history information, the charging history is updated by incrementing, for example, “1”. Furthermore, the information management server 41 stores the received charge conversion efficiency information in the charge / discharge history database 45 in association with the charge / discharge history information of the battery 11 of the vehicle 10. Therefore, the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the charge / discharge history database 45 are described as a charge history update unit 92b in FIG.
As described above, when charging the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 during the preset power purchase time period, the power can be purchased at the power purchase price determined in the power purchase contract, and the user can use the daytime. In the belt, the user can drive the vehicle 10 and use it as usual. If it is not necessary to charge the battery 11 of the vehicle 10, the user may not electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10. In this case, although it is different from the contents of the power sales contract, the supply and demand information providing center 40 is not charged.
Next, the case where the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is charged (purchased power) outside the conditions of the power sales contract for the convenience of the user will be described. As a general rule, the user charges the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 in a predetermined power purchase time zone according to the power sales contract, but the vehicle 10 is charged in the power purchase time zone in which the power is charged due to an emergency or the like. In some cases, the battery 11 may not be charged.
In this case, based on the power sales contract, the user can electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 to charge the battery 11 even outside the preset power purchase time zone. Can do. However, when the battery 11 is charged outside the conditions of the power purchase contract as described above, as described above, the power purchase price is an extra charge.
Next, the case where the surplus power generated in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is charged (purchased) when the amount of power generated by the power company 50 greatly exceeds the demand amount and surplus power is generated will be described.
In the supply and demand information providing center 40, the information management server 41 receives the power generation amount information and the demand amount information transmitted from the management server 51 of the power company 50 via the communication device 42 and stores them in the supply and demand information database 46. Then, the information management server 41 uses the power generation amount information and the demand amount information stored in the supply and demand information database 46 to generate surplus power when the demand amount is significantly lower than the power generation amount or when surplus power is generated in the future. Is predicted, surplus power generation that notifies the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 (or the portable information terminal device 30) of the generation of surplus power based on the user specifying information registered in the user specifying information registration database 43 in advance. Send information. In addition, the information management server 41 predicts a power purchase price that fluctuates depending on the generated surplus power, and transmits the predicted power purchase price information to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 (or the portable information terminal device 30).
Here, functions realized by the management server 51 and the communication device 52 are described as a power generation demand information transmission unit 93a in FIG. Further, functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the supply and demand information database 46 are described as surplus power generation confirmation unit 93b in FIG. Further, functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the user identification information registration database 43 are described as a surplus power information transmission unit 93c in FIG. Further, functions realized by the control device 23 and the communication device 25 are described as a surplus power information receiving unit 93d in FIG.
Thereby, the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 (or the portable information terminal device 30) receiving the surplus power generation information notifies the user that surplus power is currently generated or that surplus power will be generated in the future. be able to. The user who acquired the surplus power generation information and the power purchase price information transmitted in this manner charges the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 with surplus power provided from the power company 50 as necessary. In addition, since the operation | movement which charges the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 with surplus electric power is the same as that of the charging operation mentioned above, the description is abbreviate | omitted.
Next, the operation of discharging (power selling) the power (surplus power) charged (purchased) in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 will be described. In this power selling, the user can sell the power charged in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 by using the margin information provided from the supply and demand information providing center 40. The provision of this margin information will be described in detail below.
In the supply and demand information provision center 40, the information management server 41 executes a margin information providing program shown in FIG. 6 in order to provide margin information to the user. In describing this margin information providing program, in order to facilitate understanding, first, the case where it is a power selling time zone preset by a power sales contract will be described first.
The information management server 41 (more specifically, the CPU of the control device 41a) starts execution of the margin providing program in step S10, and in step S11, the information management server 41 is preset by the current user signing an electric power sales contract. It is determined whether it is a power selling time zone. That is, the information management server 41 searches all the contract information registration database 44 and enters the power sale time zone based on the content of the power sales contract (ie, sales contract 1 or sales contract 2) that each user has concluded ( Alternatively, the power sales contract (which is in the power selling time zone) is specified. And the information management server 41 searches the user specific information registration database 43 and specifies the user who has concluded the specified electric power sales contract, and acquires the user specific information of this specified user.
If the user who is in the power sale time zone (or the power sale time zone) is specified, the information management server 41 determines “Yes” and proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the information management server 41 uses the user identification information acquired in step S11, and the amount of electric power currently charged in the battery 11 (hereinafter referred to as the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20). (Referred to as “remaining battery level”) and obtaining the remaining battery level information.
Specifically, when the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 receives a battery remaining amount information transmission request from the information management server 41 via the communication device 25, the charge amount detected by the charge state detection sensor 14. That is, the remaining battery level is acquired. And the control apparatus 23 transmits the acquired battery remaining amount to the information management server 41 via the communication apparatus 25 as battery remaining amount information.
In the information management server 41, when the battery remaining amount information is acquired via the communication device 42, the acquired battery remaining amount information is temporarily stored in the charge / discharge history database 45, and the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the information management server 41 uses the contract information specified in step S11 and the battery remaining amount information acquired in step S12 to calculate the profit when the user sells power during the power selling time zone. Calculate according to Equation 1 below.
(Remaining battery amount—required remaining power amount) × (current power selling price—average power purchase price of remaining battery amount / power conversion efficiency during charging) / power conversion efficiency during discharge (1)
However, the “current power selling price” in Equation 1 is the power selling price determined by the contract when selling power during the power selling time zone based on the power sales contract. In addition, the “average power purchase price of the remaining battery power” and “power conversion efficiency during charging” in Formula 1 are stored in the charge / discharge history database 45 so as to be identifiable for each vehicle 10 as prices at the time of power purchase. Is. The “power conversion efficiency during discharge” is the power conversion efficiency when discharging (selling) power, and the supply and demand from the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 when the previous power sale is completed, as in the case of charging. It is transmitted to the information providing center 40 and stored in the charge / discharge history database 45 so as to be updated for each vehicle 10.
If the value calculated according to Equation 1 is a positive value, the information management server 41 can obtain a profit by selling the power charged in the battery 11 at the present time. It determines with "Yes" and progresses to step S14. On the other hand, if the value calculated according to Equation 1 is a negative value (or “0”), no difference is generated even if the power currently charged in the battery 11 is sold. Then, the process proceeds to step S24, and the execution of the margin information providing program is terminated. In addition, the case where a profit does not arise includes the case where there is a margin in the amount of power generation and the user does not need to sell power. For this reason, when it determines with "No" in the said step S13, the user does not need to sell electric power according to an electric power sales contract.
In step S14, the information management server 41 uses the user identification information acquired in step S11 to calculate the expression 1 for the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30 used by the user. A profit forecast notification for notifying that a profit is expected to be generated is transmitted. In this manner, by transmitting the margin prediction notification to the user, it is possible to effectively encourage the user to actively sell power during the power selling time period determined by the contract. And the information management server 41 will progress to step S15, if a profit prediction notification is transmitted.
In step S <b> 15, the information management server 41 determines whether or not the power sale is started and terminated from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10. And this determination process is repeatedly performed until electric power sale is started from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 and is complete | finished. As shown in FIG. 7, this power sale basically operates in the same manner as the above-described charging.
That is, when selling power from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 to the power company 50 in accordance with a power sales contract that the user has previously concluded, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 is pre- Based on the stored contract information, the power is sold to the electric power company 50 during a preset power sale time period, and the amount of charge (SOC) preset in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10, in other words, necessary remaining Discharge until the amount of power is reached.
Here, the amount of power sold from the battery 11 to the power company 50 will be described. As described above, the basic function of the vehicle 10 is to travel and move. In particular, when the vehicle 10 is an EV, the electric motor must be driven only by the electric power supplied from the battery 11 to travel. In other words, if all the electric power charged in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 is sold (discharged), the basic function of the vehicle 10 “running” cannot be exhibited. Accordingly, the control device 23 travels at least the above-mentioned minimum travel distance from the remaining battery level of the battery 11 based on the power sales contract (ie, the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2) that the user has previously contracted. The amount of power that can be sold is determined by subtracting the necessary remaining power.
By the way, for example, if a user who has signed a sales contract 1 has gone out of his / her home more than the minimum travel distance using the vehicle 10 and sells electric power at this destination, it is difficult to drive the vehicle 10 to his home. There is a case. In this case, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 causes the navigation device 26 to calculate the travel distance necessary for traveling from the current position of the vehicle 10 to the home, for example. And the control apparatus 23 calculates the electric energy required in order to drive | work the calculated travel distance, and determines this calculated electric energy as new required residual electric energy. As a result, the control device 23 determines the amount of power that can be sold by subtracting the new required remaining power amount from the current charge amount of the battery 11.
For example, when the vehicle 10 is parked at home and the charging / discharging stand 60 installed at home and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are already electrically connected, or when the user uses the vehicle 10 When the charging / discharging stand 60 installed outside and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are already electrically connected, the control device 23 automatically connects the charging / discharging circuit 13 from the battery 11. Switch to discharge mode.
Here, for example, if the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are not yet electrically connected in a preset power selling time zone, the vehicle-mounted information terminal device is similar to the operation at the time of charging described above. 20 displays and prompts the user to electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 via the display device 22, and the information management server 41 uses the mobile phone used by the identified user. A notification that prompts the information terminal device 30 to connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 is transmitted. Thereby, it is possible to effectively urge the user to electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10, and the user can, for example, from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 according to the power sales contract. Can be discharged.
In this case, in a situation where the display or notification for prompting the connection is acquired when the user is out of the vehicle 10, the control device 23 is a navigation device as in the above-described operation during charging. 26, the nearest charging / discharging stand 60 is searched and guided. Accordingly, even when the user is out, the user can quickly and easily move to the nearest charging / discharging stand 60 and electrically connect the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10. Can do. Thus, when the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are electrically connected, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 enters a mode in which the charging / discharging circuit 13 of the vehicle 10 is discharged from the battery 11. Switching control is performed to discharge (sell power) power to the power company 50.
By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device 23 is also used when the charge / discharge stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are electrically connected to discharge (sell power) from the battery 11. Via the communication device 25, to the information management server 41 of the supply and demand information providing center 40, request information indicating a request for power sale, user identification information stored in the storage device 24, and the vehicle 10 acquired from the navigation device 26. Current position information representing the current position (that is, corresponding to the installation position of the charge / discharge stand 60) is transmitted. As described above, the functions realized by the control device 23, the storage device 24, the communication device 25, and the navigation device 26 are described as a discharge request transmission unit 94a in FIG.
In the supply and demand information providing center 40, the information management server 41 receives request information, user identification information, and current position information transmitted from the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 via the communication device 42. Then, the information management server 41 uses the received user identification information to search the user identification information registration database 43 and authenticate the user, and also searches the contract information registration database 44 to contract information (sales and purchases) that the user has previously contracted. Identify contract 1 or sales contract 2). As described above, the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, the user specifying information registration database 43, and the contract information registration database 44 are described as an authentication unit 94b in FIG.
When the information management server 41 authenticates the user and specifies the contract information, the information management server 41 transmits the received current position information and the specified contract information to the power company 50 via the communication device 42. Thus, the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the contract information registration database 44 are described as a discharge start request unit 94c in FIG.
In the electric power company 50, the management server 51 receives the current position information and contract information transmitted from the supply and demand information providing center 40 via the communication device 52. Then, the management server 51 searches the smart meter registration database 53 using the received current position information, and identifies the charge / discharge station 60 that is electrically connected to the vehicle 10. Then, the management server 51 causes the electric power to flow from the charging / discharging stand 60 to the vehicle 10 with respect to the smart meter 61 incorporated in the specified charging / discharging stand 60 and the discharging amount information indicating the discharging amount based on the received contract information. The permission information for permitting the transmission is transmitted via the communication device 52 and the power line 80. Thus, the functions realized by the management server 51, the communication device 52, and the smart meter registration database 53 are described as a discharge start information transmission unit 94d in FIG. As described above, when the required remaining power amount is changed, in addition to or in place of the contract information, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 is changed to the power company 50 via the supply and demand information providing center 40. It goes without saying that information representing the required remaining power amount is transmitted.
In the charging / discharging stand 60, the smart meter 61 (that is, the discharge start information receiving unit 94e described in FIG. 7) receives the discharge amount information and the permission information. Then, the smart meter 61 supplies power from the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 to the charging / discharging stand 60 based on the permission information, and is determined based on, for example, the sales contract 1 or the sales contract 2 concluded by the user based on the discharge amount information. Electric power corresponding to the discharge amount is supplied to the power line 80. Thereby, the user can sell the electric power charged in the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 to the electric power company 50.
On the other hand, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 monitors the state of charge (SOC) of the battery 11 based on the value detected by the state of charge detection sensor 14 until the battery 11 reaches a predetermined SOC, that is, the required remaining power. It is determined whether or not the battery has been discharged, and the power conversion efficiency during discharge (hereinafter referred to as discharge conversion efficiency) is detected. Then, when the battery 11 is discharged until the predetermined SOC is reached, the control device 23 notifies the supply / demand information providing center 40 via the communication device 25 of the discharge completion information and the discharge indicating that the discharge is completed together with the user specifying information. Discharge conversion efficiency information representing the conversion efficiency is transmitted. As described above, the functions realized by the control device 23, the charge state detection sensor 14, and the communication device 25 are described as a discharge completion information transmission unit 95a in FIG.
In the supply and demand information providing center 40, the information management server 41 receives the user specifying information, the discharge completion information and the discharge conversion efficiency information transmitted via the communication device. Then, the information management server 41 specifies the charge / discharge history database 45 provided for each user based on the received user specifying information, and the battery 11 of the vehicle 10 constructed in the charge / discharge history database 45 based on the received discharge completion information. Among the charge / discharge history information, the discharge history is updated by incrementing, for example, “1”. Furthermore, the information management server 41 stores the received discharge conversion efficiency information in the charge / discharge history database 45 in association with the charge / discharge history information of the battery 11 of the vehicle 10. Therefore, the functions realized by the information management server 41, the communication device 42, and the charge / discharge history database 45 are described as a discharge history update unit 95b in FIG.
By the way, in the supply and demand information providing center 40 as described above, the information management server 41 updates and manages the charge / discharge history database 45, so that the burden associated with the charge / discharge of the battery 11 mounted on the vehicle 10 is increased. The deterioration state can be properly grasped. Thereby, the information management server 41 can appropriately maintain the traveling function that is the basic function of the vehicle 10 and can reliably perform charging (power purchase) and discharging (power selling). That is, since the information management server 41 can appropriately grasp the state of the battery 11 that is different for each vehicle 10, for example, there is a concern that the deterioration of the battery 11 may progress beyond the recommended number of times of charge and discharge of the battery 11. In this case, the battery 11 may be deteriorated with respect to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30 used by the user, and can be prompted to replace them. Therefore, when the user replaces the battery 11, the battery 11 can be operated satisfactorily.
Moreover, since it is highly likely that the vehicle 10 is used when selling power, the user uses the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 to supply and demand information providing center 40. Thus, it is possible to reserve the charge / discharge station 60 used for selling power. More specifically, for example, when the user sells power by a margin prediction notification when going out, the user inputs power sale to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20.
In response to the input by the user, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 causes the navigation device 26 to search for the nearest charge / discharge station 60 from the current position. Then, the control device 23 transmits the request information, the user identification information, and the power sale request information to the supply and demand information providing center 40 via the communication device 25, as shown in FIG. The installation position information of the discharge stand 60 is also transmitted.
In the supply and demand information providing center 40, the information management server 41 receives each transmitted information via the communication device 42. The information management server 41 transmits the received installation position information to the management server 51 of the power company 50, and the user specified by the user specification information uses the charge / discharge station 60 specified by the installation position information. Reservation information representing is sent.
The management server 51 of the power company 50 receives each information via the communication device 52. And the management server 51 searches the smart meter registration database 53 using the received installation position information, and specifies the charging / discharging stand 60 which a user desires to use. Then, the management server 51 restricts the operation of the smart meter 61 so that the specified charge / discharge station 60 is preferentially used by the reserved user based on the received reservation information. Thus, the user can preferentially sell power by moving the searched nearest to the charge / discharge station 60 and electrically connecting the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10.
In this case, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 can output the user specifying information to the smart meter 61 via a connection cable connected to the inlet 12, for example. Thereby, the smart meter 61 can authenticate the user identification information output by communicating with the management server 51 of the electric power company 50 via the power line 80, and can make the reserved user use the charge / discharge station 60 only. . Alternatively, instead of such authentication, for example, user identification information is registered in advance in an IC card (credit card) possessed by the user, and the smart meter 61 authenticates the registered user identification information. Only the reserved user can use the charging / discharging stand 60.
Returning to FIG. 6, when the information management server 41 receives the discharge completion information and the discharge conversion efficiency information from the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 in step S15, the information management server 41 proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the information management server 41 notifies the user of profit information indicating the actual profit. That is, the information management server 41 gives the actual (final) power sale price in the power sale time and the amount of power sale discharged (power sale) from the vehicle 10 to the management server 51 of the power company 50 this time. get. Here, the management server 51 of the electric power company 50 acquires the amount of electric power discharged (sold) from the charging / discharging stand 60 from the smart meter 61 provided in the specified charging / discharging stand 60 via the power line 80. be able to.
For example, the information management server 41 applies the acquired actual power sale amount and the power sale price to the formula 1 to calculate the final margin due to the user selling power. Then, the information management server 41 transmits the profit information indicating the calculated final profit to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device 30, and ends the execution of the profit information providing program in step S24.
On the other hand, in step S11, if it is not the preset power selling time zone, in other words, for a user who does not correspond, the information management server 41 determines “No” and proceeds to step S17. . In step S <b> 17, the information management server 41 uses the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 to request power sale outside the power sale time period determined by the power purchase contract from the user. It is determined whether request information is acquired. More specifically, when the user sells the power charged in the battery 11 outside the conditions of the power sales contract concluded by the user, the user operates the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 to supply and demand information. The overtime sales request information is transmitted to the information management server 41 of the providing center 40. Here, the overtime power sale request information specifically includes information for requesting user identification information, battery remaining amount information, and a margin prediction notification.
If the information management server 41 has received the overtime power sale request information transmitted from the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 via the communication device 42, the information management server 41 determines “Yes” and performs step S18. Proceed to In step S18, the information management server 41 specifies the user by searching the user specifying information registration database 43 using the user specifying information included in the overtime power sale request information determined to have been received in step S17. At the same time, the contract information registration database 44 is searched to confirm the contents of the power purchase contract of the identified user. Then, the information management server 41 proceeds to step S12 to acquire battery remaining amount information, and proceeds to step S13.
Then, the information management server 41 calculates the profit margin at the present time according to the above-described equation 1, similarly to the processing content of step S13 described above. However, when the user sells power outside the power selling time zone, the “current power selling price” in Equation 1 is a power selling price that fluctuates depending on the supply and demand of power at the time of power selling. That is, the power selling price increases in a situation where, for example, the amount of power demand increases and the power generation amount supplied from the power company 50 has no margin, and falls in a situation where surplus power is generated. Note that the fluctuating power selling price may be acquired by the information management server 41 from the management server 51 of the power company 50, or may be included in the power generation amount information and the demand amount information supplied from the management server 51 of the power company 50. Based on this, the information management server 41 may predict the power selling price.
Therefore, in a situation where there is a concern about power shortage when the user sells power outside the power sale time zone, the information management server 41 increases the power sale price and the value calculated according to the above equation 1 is correct. Value, i.e., it is predicted that a margin will be generated, so that "Yes" is determined in step S13, and the respective steps of steps S14 to S17 are executed. On the other hand, in a situation where surplus power is generated when the user sells power outside the power selling time zone, the information management server 41 has a negative power selling price and the value calculated according to Equation 1 is negative. Value (or “0”), that is, since it is predicted that no margin will be generated, “No” is determined in step S13, and the process proceeds to step S24.
In this way, when it is predicted that no profit will be generated when the user sells power outside the power sale time period, the information management server 41 uses the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 used by the user. And it can alert | report that it is not necessary to connect the vehicle 10 to the charging / discharging stand 60 while notifying that the margin does not generate | occur | produce with respect to the portable information terminal device 30.
On the other hand, if the overtime power sale request information is not received from the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 in step S18, the information management server 41 determines “No” and proceeds to step S19. . In each step process after step S19, the information management server 41 predicts future power supply and demand, and provides (distributes) a profit prediction notification to the user. For this reason, the user registers in advance the provision timing for requesting provision (distribution) of the margin prediction notification to the information management server 41 of the supply and demand information provision center 40. In addition, as a provision timing which desires provision (delivery) of a profit forecast notification, for example, a time arbitrarily set by the user, a day of the week, a time point when charging of the battery 10 is started (or before charging is started), or It can be set in a charging time zone (or before the charging time) based on an electric power sales contract. These provision timings may be registered in association with the user identification information registered in the user identification information registration database 43 of the supply and demand information provision center 40, for example.
In addition, as for the period for forecasting the supply and demand of power, a forecast period desired by the user (for example, a specific day, a week, a month, etc.) can be set. It may be registered in association with the user identification information registered in the 40 user identification information registration database 43.
Specifically, each step process after step S19 in the margin information providing program will be described. In step S19 in the margin information providing program, the information management server 41 determines whether or not it is the provision timing currently registered in advance by the user. That is, the information management server 41 searches all of the user identification information registration database 43, identifies the user corresponding to the provision timing, acquires the user identification information, and identifies the prediction period registered in advance by the user.
If the user corresponding to the provision timing is specified, the information management server 41 determines “Yes” and proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the information management server 41 charges the current battery 11 to the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 using the user specifying information acquired in step S19, as in step S12. It requests transmission of the amount of electric power (hereinafter referred to as battery level) and receives battery level information.
When the battery remaining amount information is received and acquired in this manner, the information management server 41 temporarily stores the acquired battery remaining amount information in the charge / discharge history database 45 and proceeds to step S21. In step S <b> 21, the information management server 41 uses the remaining battery amount information acquired in step S <b> 20 to calculate a profit when the user sells power in the following equation 2 below.
(Remaining battery amount—required remaining power amount) × (Future power selling price— (Current average power purchase price of remaining battery power + Current power purchase price × Chargeable charge amount) / Power conversion efficiency during charging) / Power conversion efficiency during discharge: Equation 2
It should be noted that the “average power purchase price of the remaining battery level” and “electric power conversion efficiency during charging” in Equation 2 are stored in the charge / discharge history database 45 in the charge / discharge history database 45 in the same manner as in Equation 1 above. Each is stored so as to be identifiable. In addition, “current power purchase price × chargeable charge amount” represents a cost that accompanies charging of the battery 11 until power is sold in the future. For example, charging is performed based on an electric power sales contract. In this case, the power purchase price determined by the contract is multiplied by the charge amount, and when surplus power is charged, the power purchase price that fluctuates as described above is multiplied by the charge amount. The “power conversion efficiency during discharge” is the power conversion efficiency when discharging (selling) power, and the supply and demand from the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 when the previous power sale is completed, as in the case of charging. The information is transmitted to the information providing center 40 and stored in the charge / discharge history database 45 for each vehicle 10.
Here, the “future power selling price” in Equation 2 will be described. In general, it is said that the amount of electric power demand increases and decreases depending on variable factors such as season, time of day, and day of the week. And the increase / decrease (fluctuation) of this electric power demand can be patterned based on the past fluctuation factor. For example, looking at the season as a variable factor, since air conditioners are used in homes and shops, the amount of power demand in summer and winter tends to increase relatively compared to spring and autumn. Moreover, if it sees about a time slot | zone as a fluctuation | variation factor, it will have the tendency for the demand amount of the electric power around 2:00 pm when external temperature becomes high to increase. Furthermore, when looking at the day of the week as a variable factor, since there are many factories that stop operating, the demand for power on Saturdays and Sundays tends to be relatively small compared to other days of the week.
In this way, the power demand can be patterned by statistically analyzing and processing the fluctuation tendency of the past power demand with respect to the fluctuation element. Therefore, by using this pattern, an approximate amount of power demand can be predicted. On the other hand, the amount of power generated by the power company 50 can be determined based on a power generation plan that is planned in advance. For this reason, in the supply and demand information providing center 40, data of such a pattern and actual power generation amount information and demand amount information supplied from the management server 51 of the electric power company 50 are stored in the supply and demand information database 46 in an updatable manner. Yes.
Then, the information management server 41 uses the pattern of the power demand stored in the supply and demand information database 46 and predicts the future power demand using the actual demand represented by the demand information. Further, the information management server 41 uses the power generation amount represented by the power generation amount information stored in the supply and demand information database 46 to determine the future power supply and demand situation based on the predicted power demand and power generation amount. Decide (predict). The information management server 41 then determines the future power selling price based on the determined future supply and demand situation, for example, in a situation where the amount of power demand increases and the power generation amount supplied from the power company 50 is not sufficient. In the situation where surplus power is generated, it is predicted that the future power selling price will fall.
As a result, the information management server 41 calculates a profit when the user sells power in the future, according to the formula 2 using a predictable future power sale price. If the value calculated according to Equation 2 is a positive value, the information management server 41 may generate a profit by selling the power charged in the battery 11 at a time desired by the user in the future. Since it is predicted, it is determined as “Yes”, and the above-described steps after step S14 are executed. On the other hand, if the value calculated according to Equation 2 is a negative value (or “0”), there will be no difference even if the power charged in the battery 11 is sold at a time desired by the user. Therefore, it is determined as “No”, the process proceeds to step S24, and the execution of the margin information providing program is terminated.
In this way, when it is predicted that no profit will be generated when the user sells power in the future, the information management server 41 uses the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and the portable information terminal device used by the user. 30 can be informed that no margin is generated and that it is not necessary to connect the vehicle 10 to the charging / discharging stand 60.
On the other hand, if it is not the provision timing registered in advance by the user in step S19, the information management server 41 determines “No” and proceeds to step S22. In step S <b> 22, the information management server 41 determines whether or not the distribution request information of the profit prediction notification outside the provision timing is acquired from the user using the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30. . More specifically, the user operates the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 when selling the power charged in the battery 11 by obtaining the margin prediction notification outside the provision timing registered by the user. Thus, the distribution request information of the margin prediction notification is transmitted to the information management server 41 of the supply and demand information providing center 40. Here, the distribution request information specifically includes information for requesting user identification information, battery remaining amount information, and a margin prediction notification.
If the information management server 41 has received the distribution request information transmitted from the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 via the communication device 42, the information management server 41 determines “Yes” and proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if the distribution request information transmitted from the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 or the portable information terminal device 30 has not been received, it is determined as “No”, the process proceeds to step S24, and the execution of the margin information providing program is terminated.
In step S23, the information management server 41 specifies the user by searching the user specifying information registration database 43 using the user specifying information included in the distribution request information determined to be received in step S22, The contract information registration database 44 is searched to confirm the content of the power purchase contract of the identified user, and the steps of steps S20, S21, S14 to S16, and S24 are executed.
Note that, when the user sells power as described above, the power company 50 pays for the amount of power sold provided by the user via the charging / discharging stand 60. In addition, the power company 50 pays an information provision fee set in advance according to the information provided to the user (the surplus power generation information and the margin prediction notification) to the supply and demand information provision center 40.
Further, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 stores the difference prediction notification provided from the supply and demand information providing center 40 in a predetermined storage location of the storage device 24 every time it is received. Then, the control device 23 graphs and displays, for example, the amount of power sold per month, the margin obtained from the power sale, the consideration, etc., using the stored profit prediction notification, in other words, the history of power sale so far. It can be displayed on the device 22. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user to sell power to the power company 50 more actively.
As can be understood from the above description, according to the embodiment, the user mounts the generated surplus power in the vehicle 10 based on the surplus power generation information transmitted (provided) from the supply and demand information providing center 40. The battery 11 can be charged at low cost. As a result, even when surplus power is generated, the user can function as a tray for surplus power by charging the surplus power to the battery 11, so that power generation continues without deteriorating the power generation efficiency of the power company 50. can do. In addition, a user can obtain a profit by selling surplus power charged at low cost.
On the other hand, the user calculates from the supply and demand information provision center 40 based on the margin prediction notification that is calculated using the battery remaining amount of the fluctuating battery 11, the necessary remaining power amount required for traveling, and the power selling price and is provided in a timely manner. Therefore, it can be very easily determined whether or not to sell power. Thus, for example, if there is a concern about a shortage of power during peak hours in the daytime, the profit will be larger, that is, the user can sell power on conditions that are advantageous to the user, so that the user can sell power in a timely and effective manner. Promptly. Therefore, it is possible to effectively function a social mechanism of selling charged power when necessary, and as a result, it is possible to smoothly meet the supply and demand of power.
In addition, the user can buy and sell power at home or on the go. As a result, the convenience associated with the buying and selling of electric power can be ensured satisfactorily, and this also makes it possible to effectively function a social mechanism for selling charged electric power when necessary.
The implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the object of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle is employed as the moving body. In this case, any movable body may be used as long as it is equipped with a rechargeable battery (battery) that can be charged and discharged. For example, an electric two-wheeled vehicle (electric A bicycle with an assist function or an electric motorcycle may be employed.
In the above embodiment, the supply and demand information providing center 40 transmits the surplus power generation information and the margin prediction notification to the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 and / or the portable information terminal device 30 to provide necessary information to the user. Was carried out as follows. In this case, instead of providing the supply and demand information providing center 40, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 communicates with the management server 51 of the electric power company 50 to generate surplus power generation information and a margin prediction notification and display the display device. 22 may be displayed or transmitted to the portable information terminal device 30. In this case, the control device 23 makes the surplus by constructing each database corresponding to the charge / discharge history database 45 and the supply / demand information database 46 of the supply / demand information providing center 40 in the storage device 24 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20. Since it is possible to create the power generation information and the margin prediction notification, the same effect as the above embodiment can be expected.
In the above embodiment, the supply and demand information providing center 40 uses the power purchase price and the power sale price to calculate the profit associated with the power sale, creates a profit forecast notification, and provides it to the user. . In this case, instead of the profit forecast notification, the power sale price prediction information indicating the power sale predicted price expected at the time of power sale or the power sale price information representing the power sale price at the time of power sale, that is, consideration information is provided to the user. It is also possible to implement. Thereby, the user can determine whether or not to sell power, although it is difficult to directly grasp the profit associated with power sale. Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to sell power.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, it implemented so that a profit might be calculated using the power conversion efficiency at the time of charging and the power conversion efficiency at the time of discharge in the said Formula 1 and the said Formula 2. In this case, it is needless to say that the difference can be calculated more simply by setting the power conversion efficiency during charging and the power conversion efficiency during discharge in Formula 1 and Formula 2 as “1”, for example.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, for example, when the nearest charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are electrically connected to the vehicle outside, the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 together with the user specifying information The current position information is transmitted to the electric power company 50 via the supply and demand information providing center 40, and the electric power company 50 identifies the charging / discharging stand 60 connected to the vehicle 10. In this case, for example, a database equivalent to the user identification information database 43 provided in the supply and demand information providing center 40 is also constructed in the power company 50, and the charging / discharging stand 60 and the inlet 12 of the vehicle 10 are electrically connected. For example, the smart meter 61 automatically transmits identification information for identifying itself via the power line 80, and the control device 23 of the in-vehicle information terminal device 20 is connected to the user via the charge / discharge stand 60 and the power line 80. It is also possible to automatically transmit the specific information to the electric power company 50. Thereby, since the management server 51 of the electric power company 50 can specify the charging / discharging stand 60 to which the user specifying information is transmitted and can also specify the user, the user, as in the above embodiment, In any place, using the charge / discharge stand 60, it is possible to purchase (charge) power or sell (discharge) power very easily.

Claims (24)

  1. ユーザに対して各種情報を提供する情報提供装置において、
    　ユーザが利用する移動体に搭載されたバッテリに充電されている電力量を表すバッテリ残量を取得するバッテリ残量取得手段と、
    　前記移動体が前記バッテリに充電された電力を用いて現在位置から所定地まで移動するために必要な電力量を表す必要残存電力量を取得する必要残存電力量取得手段と、
    　前記バッテリに充電された電力を売電するときの売電価格を取得する売電価格取得手段と、
    　前記バッテリ残量取得手段によって取得されたバッテリ残量、前記必要残存電力量取得手段によって取得された必要残存電力量および前記売電価格取得手段によって取得された売電価格とを用いて、前記移動体のバッテリに充電された電力の売電に伴う対価情報を作成する対価情報作成手段と、
    　前記対価情報作成手段によって作成された対価情報を前記ユーザに提供する対価情報提供手段とを備えたことを特徴とする情報提供装置。     In an information providing apparatus that provides various information to a user,
    A battery remaining amount acquisition means for acquiring a battery remaining amount representing an amount of power charged in a battery mounted on a mobile body used by a user;
    A required residual power amount acquisition means for acquiring a required residual power amount representing a power amount required for the mobile body to move from a current position to a predetermined location using the power charged in the battery;
    A power selling price acquisition means for acquiring a power selling price when selling power charged in the battery;
    The movement using the remaining battery level acquired by the remaining battery level acquisition unit, the required remaining power level acquired by the required remaining power level acquisition unit, and the power sale price acquired by the power sale price acquisition unit. Compensation information creating means for creating compensation information associated with the sale of power charged in the body battery;
    An information providing apparatus comprising: consideration information providing means for providing the user with consideration information created by the consideration information creating means.
  2. 請求項１に記載した情報提供装置において、さらに、
    　電力の需給状況に応じて、今後電力を売電するときの売電価格を予測する売電価格予測手段を備え、
    　前記売電価格取得手段は、
    　前記売電価格予測手段によって予測された売電価格を取得することを特徴とする情報提供装置。     The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
    Power selling price prediction means for predicting the power selling price when selling power in the future depending on the power supply and demand situation,
    The power selling price acquisition means includes:
    An information providing apparatus for acquiring a power sale price predicted by the power sale price prediction means.
  3. 請求項１または請求項２に記載した情報提供装置において、さらに、
    　前記移動体に搭載されたバッテリに充電された電力を放電して売電するときの電力変換効率を取得する売電時変換効率取得手段を備え、
    　前記対価情報作成手段は、
    　前記売電時変換効率取得手段によって取得された売電変換効率を用いて、前記対価情報を作成することを特徴とする情報提供装置。     The information providing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
    A power sale conversion efficiency acquisition means for acquiring power conversion efficiency when discharging and selling power charged in a battery mounted on the mobile body;
    The consideration information creating means
    An information providing apparatus that creates the consideration information by using the power selling conversion efficiency acquired by the power selling conversion efficiency acquiring means.
  4. 請求項１ないし請求項３のうちのいずれか一つに記載した情報提供装置において、さらに、
    　前記移動体のバッテリ残量取得手段によって取得された前記バッテリのバッテリ残量を買電したときの買電価格を取得する買電価格取得手段を備え、
    　前記対価情報作成手段は、
    　前記売電価格取得手段によって取得された売電価格と前記買電価格取得手段によって取得された買電価格とを用いて、前記移動体のバッテリに充電された電力の売電に伴って発生する差益を計算して前記対価情報を作成することを特徴とする情報提供装置。     The information providing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
    A power purchase price acquisition means for acquiring a power purchase price when the battery remaining power of the battery acquired by the battery remaining power acquisition means of the mobile unit is purchased;
    The consideration information creating means
    Occurs with the power sale of the power charged in the battery of the mobile unit using the power sale price acquired by the power sale price acquisition means and the power purchase price acquired by the power purchase price acquisition means. An information providing apparatus that calculates a margin and creates the consideration information.
  5. 請求項４に記載した情報提供装置において、さらに、
    　前記移動体に搭載されたバッテリに電力を買電して充電するときの電力変換効率を取得する買電時変換効率取得手段を備え、
    　前記対価情報作成手段は、
    　前記買電時変換効率取得手段によって取得された買電時変換効率を用いて、前記対価情報を作成することを特徴とする情報提供装置。     The information providing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:
    A power conversion efficiency acquisition means for acquiring power conversion efficiency when power is purchased and charged in a battery mounted on the mobile body;
    The consideration information creating means
    An information providing apparatus that creates the consideration information using the conversion efficiency during power purchase acquired by the conversion efficiency acquisition means during power purchase.
  6. 請求項１ないし請求項５のうちのいずれか一つに記載した情報提供装置において、
    　前記対価情報提供手段は、
    　前記対価情報作成手段によって作成された対価情報により表される対価の大きさと所定の対価の大きさとを比較して、前記作成された対価情報の提供の可否を決定することを特徴とする情報提供装置。     In the information provision device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
    The consideration information providing means includes:
    Comparing the value of the value represented by the value information created by the value information creating means with a predetermined value, and determining whether or not to provide the created value information apparatus.
  7. 請求項６に記載した情報提供装置において、
    　前記対価情報提供手段は、
    　前記対価情報作成手段によって作成された対価情報により表される対価の大きさと前記所定の対価の大きさとを比較して、前記対価情報により表される対価の大きさが前記所定の対価の大きさよりも大きいときに前記作成された対価情報を提供することを決定することを特徴とする情報提供装置。     The information providing device according to claim 6,
    The consideration information providing means includes:
    The amount of consideration represented by the consideration information created by the consideration information creation means is compared with the predetermined amount of consideration, and the amount of consideration represented by the consideration information is greater than the size of the predetermined consideration. An information providing apparatus that determines to provide the created consideration information when the value is also larger.
  8. 請求項１に記載した情報提供装置において、さらに、
    　電力の発電量に比して電力の需要量が小さくなって電力の余剰が生じるか否かを判定する余剰電力発生判定手段と、
    　前記余剰電力発生判定手段によって前記電力の余剰が生じると判定されたとき、前記電力の余剰が生じることを表す余剰電力発生情報を作成する余剰電力発生情報作成手段と、
    　前記余剰電力発生情報作成手段によって作成された余剰電力発生情報を前記ユーザに提供する余剰電力発生情報提供手段とを備えたことを特徴とする情報提供装置。     The information providing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
    Surplus power generation determination means for determining whether or not a surplus of power occurs due to a decrease in power demand compared to the amount of power generated;
    Surplus power generation information creating means for creating surplus power generation information indicating that the surplus of power occurs when it is determined by the surplus power generation determination means that the surplus of power occurs;
    An information providing apparatus comprising surplus power generation information providing means for providing surplus power generation information created by the surplus power generation information creating means to the user.
  9. 請求項１に記載した情報提供装置において、
    　前記対価情報提供手段は、
    　前記ユーザからの要求に応答して前記対価情報作成手段によって作成された対価情報を前記ユーザに提供することを特徴とする情報提供装置。     The information providing apparatus according to claim 1,
    The consideration information providing means includes:
    An information providing apparatus that provides the user with consideration information created by the compensation information creation means in response to a request from the user.
  10. 請求項１ないし請求項９のうちのいずれか一つに記載した情報提供装置を前記移動体に設けたことを特徴とする情報提供装置。 10. An information providing apparatus comprising the information providing apparatus according to claim 1 provided on the moving body.
  11. 請求項１０に記載した情報提供装置において、
    　前記移動体は、
    　電気自動車またはプラグインハイブリッド車であることを特徴とする情報提供装置。     In the information provision apparatus described in Claim 10,
    The moving body is
    An information providing apparatus which is an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
  12. 請求項１ないし請求項１１のうちのいずれか一つに記載した情報提供装置は、電力を発電する電力会社に設けられて、少なくとも、電力の発電量を表す発電量情報および電力の需要量を表す需要量情報を取得するコンピュータ装置と通信することを特徴とする情報提供装置。 The information providing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is provided in an electric power company that generates electric power, and at least generates electric power generation amount information indicating electric power generation amount and electric power demand amount. An information providing device that communicates with a computer device that acquires demand amount information to be expressed.
  13. ユーザに対して各種情報を提供するコンピュータ装置を用いた情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置が、
    　ユーザが利用する移動体に搭載されたバッテリに充電されている電力量を表すバッテリ残量を取得し、
    　前記移動体が前記バッテリに充電された電力を用いて現在位置から所定地まで移動するために必要な電力量を表す必要残存電力量を取得し、
    　前記バッテリに充電された電力を売電するときの売電価格を取得し、
    　前記取得したバッテリ残量、前記取得した必要残存電力量および前記取得した売電価格とを用いて、前記移動体のバッテリに充電された電力の売電に伴う対価情報を作成し、
    　前記作成した対価情報を前記ユーザに提供することを特徴とする情報提供方法。     In an information providing method using a computer device that provides various information to a user,
    The computer device is
    Obtain the remaining battery level representing the amount of power charged in the battery mounted on the mobile unit used by the user,
    Obtaining a necessary remaining power amount representing a power amount necessary for the mobile body to move from a current position to a predetermined location using the power charged in the battery;
    Obtain a power sale price when selling the power charged in the battery,
    Using the acquired battery remaining amount, the acquired required remaining power amount and the acquired power selling price, create consideration information associated with the sale of power charged in the battery of the mobile unit,
    An information providing method comprising providing the created consideration information to the user.
  14. 請求項１３に記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置が、
    さらに、
    　電力の需給状況に応じて、今後電力を売電するときの売電価格を予測して取得することを特徴とする情報提供方法。     In the information provision method described in Claim 13,
    The computer device is
    further,
    An information providing method characterized by predicting and acquiring a power selling price when power is sold in the future according to the power supply and demand situation.
  15. 請求項１３または請求項１４に記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置が、さらに
    　前記移動体に搭載されたバッテリに充電された電力を放電して売電するときの電力変換効率を取得し、
    　前記取得した売電変換効率を用いて前記対価情報を作成することを特徴とする情報提供方法。     In the information provision method according to claim 13 or 14,
    The computer device further obtains power conversion efficiency when selling power by discharging power charged in a battery mounted on the mobile body,
    The information providing method, wherein the consideration information is created using the acquired power selling conversion efficiency.
  16. 請求項１３ないし請求項１５のうちのいずれか一つに記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置が、さらに、
    　前記移動体のバッテリのバッテリ残量を買電したときの買電価格を取得し、
    　前記取得した売電価格と前記取得した買電価格とを用いて前記移動体のバッテリに充電された電力の売電に伴って発生する差益を計算し、
    　前記対価情報を作成することを特徴とする情報提供方法。     In the information provision method as described in any one of Claim 13 thru | or 15,
    The computer device further comprises:
    Obtain a power purchase price when the remaining battery power of the mobile unit is purchased,
    Using the acquired power sale price and the acquired power purchase price to calculate the margin generated with the power sale of the power charged in the battery of the mobile unit,
    A method for providing information, wherein the consideration information is created.
  17. 請求項１６に記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置が、さらに、
    　前記移動体に搭載されたバッテリに電力を買電して充電するときの電力変換効率を取得し、
    　前記取得した買電時変換効率を用いて前記対価情報を作成することを特徴とする情報提供方法。     The information providing method according to claim 16, wherein
    The computer device further comprises:
    Obtain power conversion efficiency when purchasing and charging power to the battery mounted on the mobile body,
    The information providing method, wherein the consideration information is created using the acquired conversion efficiency during power purchase.
  18. 請求項１３ないし請求項１７のうちのいずれか一つに記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置が、
    　前記作成した対価情報により表される対価の大きさと所定の対価の大きさとを比較して、前記作成された対価情報の提供の可否を決定することを特徴とする情報提供方法。     In the information provision method as described in any one of Claim 13 thru | or 17,
    The computer device is
    A method of providing information, comprising: comparing the value of the consideration represented by the created consideration information with a predetermined value of the consideration and determining whether or not to provide the created consideration information.
  19. 請求項１８に記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置が、
    　前記作成した対価情報により表される対価の大きさと前記所定の対価の大きさとを比較し、
    　前記対価情報により表される対価の大きさが前記所定の対価の大きさよりも大きいときに前記作成された対価情報を提供することを決定することを特徴とする情報提供方法。     The information providing method according to claim 18,
    The computer device is
    Compare the value of the consideration represented by the created consideration information with the predetermined value of the consideration,
    An information providing method, comprising: determining that the created consideration information is to be provided when a magnitude of the consideration represented by the consideration information is larger than a magnitude of the predetermined consideration.
  20. 請求項１３に記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置が、さらに、
    　電力の発電量に比して電力の需要量が小さくなって電力の余剰が生じるか否かを判定し、
    　前記電力の余剰が生じると判定したとき、前記電力の余剰が生じることを表す余剰電力発生情報を作成し、
    　前記作成した余剰電力発生情報を前記ユーザに提供することを特徴とする情報提供方法。     In the information provision method described in Claim 13,
    The computer device further comprises:
    Determine whether the demand for power is small compared to the amount of power generated and power surplus occurs,
    When it is determined that the power surplus occurs, surplus power generation information indicating that the power surplus occurs is created,
    An information providing method comprising providing the created surplus power generation information to the user.
  21. 請求項１３に記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置が、
    　前記ユーザからの要求に応答して前記作成した対価情報を前記ユーザに提供することを特徴とする情報提供方法。     In the information provision method described in Claim 13,
    The computer device is
    An information providing method comprising: providing the created consideration information to the user in response to a request from the user.
  22. 請求項１３ないし請求項２１のうちのいずれか一つに記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置を前記移動体に設けたことを特徴とする情報提供方法。     In the information provision method as described in any one of Claim 13 thru | or 21,
    An information providing method, wherein the computer device is provided in the moving body.
  23. 請求項２２に記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記移動体は、
    　電気自動車またはプラグインハイブリッド車であることを特徴とする情報提供方法。     In the information provision method described in Claim 22,
    The moving body is
    An information providing method, which is an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle.
  24. 請求項１３ないし請求項２３のうちのいずれか一つに記載した情報提供方法において、
    　前記コンピュータ装置が、
    　電力を発電する電力会社に設けられて、少なくとも、電力の発電量を表す発電量情報および電力の需要量を表す需要量情報を取得するコンピュータ装置と通信することを特徴とする情報提供方法。     In the information provision method as described in any one of Claim 13 thru | or 23,
    The computer device is
    An information providing method provided in an electric power company that generates electric power, and communicating with a computer device that acquires at least electric power generation amount information indicating electric power generation amount and demand amount information indicating electric power demand amount.
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