The present disclosure relates to a power transmission and reception device, a method
for controlling transmission and reception of power, and a power transmission and
reception control system
[Background Art]
[0002]
There is known an uninterruptible power supply provided with a storage battery for
continuing to provide power from the storage battery to equipment connected thereto for
a predetermined time without causing power failure even when the power from an input
power source is interrupted. Techniques are developed for extending such a power
supply into each consumer and supplying power to the consumers when an abnormality
occurs in supplying power due to power failure, shortage of storage battery capacity, or
other reasons (see PTLs 1 and 2).
[Prior Art Literature(s)]
[Patent Literature(s)]
[0003]
[Patent Literature 11 JP 2011-205871A
[Patent Literature 21 JP 2013-09056OA
[Summary of the invention]
[Problem(s) to Be Solved by the Invention]
[0004]
When consumers supply power to each other, it is desirable, for the sake of efficiency, to
supply direct-current power in consideration of supply of power from a storage battery.
However, if a consumer transmits direct-current power without any permission or
instruction, the power will not be properly transmitted to a target receiver of power.
Thus, il is desirable to efficiently manage the right to control the transmission and
reception of direct-current power.
[0005]
Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosures, there is provided a
novel and improved power transmission and reception device, method for controlling
transmission and reception of powel; and power transmission and reception control
system, capable of efficiently managing the right to control the trans~nission and
reception of direct-current powel; when direct-current power is interchanged among
consumers.
[Means for Solving the Problem(s)]
[OOOb]
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a power
transmission and reception control device including: a power transmission and reception
control unit configured to control transmission and reception of direct-cunent power
over a direct-current power line through a DC-to-DC converter connected to the directcurrent
power line; a power transmission and reception management unit configured to
be activated upon acquisition of a control right capable of controlling the power
transmission and reception control unit and configured to request the power transmission
and reception control unit to control the DC-to-DC converter; and a power transmission
and reception arbitration unit configured to request the power transmission and reception
management unit to perform transmission and reception of power through the DC-to-DC
converter. The power transmission and reception control unit and the power
transmission and reception management unit communicate with another power
transmission and reception control device over a first communication channel. The
power transmission and reception arbitration unit communicates with the other power
transmission and reception control device over a second communication channel
! different from the first communication channel, arbitrates acquisition of the control right
between the power transmission and reception control device and the other power
transmission and reception control device over the second co~n~ii~~nicacthiaonnn cl, and
activates the power transmission and reception managemelit unit upon acquisition of the
control right.
[0007]
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a control
method of a power transmissio~i and reception control device, the method including:
controlling, by a power trans~iiission and reception control unit, transmission and
reception of direct-current power over a direct-current power line through a DC-to-DC
converter connected to the direct-current power line; requesting, by a power
transmission and reception management unit configured to be activated upon acquisition
of a control right capable of controlling the power transmission and reception control
unit, the power transmission and reception control unit to control the DC-to-DC
converter; and requesting, by a power transmission and reception arbitration unit, the
power transmission and reception management unit to perform transmission and
reception of power through the DC-to-DC converter. The power transmission and
reception control unit and the power transmission and reception management unit
communicate with another power transmission and reception control device over a first
communication channel. The power transmission and reception arbitration unit
communicates with the other power transmission and reception control device over a
second communication channel different from the first communication channel,. The
method further includes arbitrating, by the power transmission and reception arbitratio11
unit, the control right between the power transmission and reception control device and
the other power transmission and reception control device over the second
communication channel.
[OOOS]
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a power
transmission and reception control system including: a plurality of power transmissio~i
and reception control devices each configured to control transmission and reception of
direct-current power over a direct-current power line through a DC-to-DC converter
connected to the direct-current power line. Each of the power transmission and
reception control devices includes a power tra~ismission and reception control unit
configured to control transmission and reception of direct-current power over the directcurrent
power line through the DC-to-DC converter, a power transmission and reception
management unit configured to be activated upon acquisition of a control right capable
of controlling the power trans~nission and reception control unit and configured to
request the power transmission and reception control unit to control the DC-to-DC
converter, and a power transmission and reception arbitration unit configured to request
the power transmission and reception management unit to perform transmission and
reception of power through the DC-to-DC converter. The power transmission and
reception control unit and the power transmission and reception management unit
communicate with another power transmission and reception control unit and another
power transmission and reception management unit over a first co~nmunicationc hannel.
The power transmission and reception arbitration unit communicates with another power
transmission and reception arbitration unit over a second corn~nunication channel
different from the first communication channel. The power transmission and reception
arbitration unit arbitrates the control right between the power transmission and reception
control device and another power transmission and reception control dcvice over the
second communication channel.
[Effect(s) of the Invention]
[0009]
According to one or more of embodiments of the present disclosure as described above,
it is possible to provide a novel and improved power transmission and reception device,
method for controlling transmission and reception of power, and power transmission and
reception control system, capable of efficiently managing the right to control the
transmission and reception of direct-current power, when direct-current power is
interchanged among consumers.
[OO lo]
Note that the effects described above are not necessarily limited, and along with or
instead of the effects, any effect that is dcsired to be introduccd in the present
specification or other effects that can be expected from the present specification may be
cxhibited.
[Brief Description of the Drawing(s)]
[OO 111
[FIG. 11 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrated to describe an overall configuration example of a
power transmission and reception control system according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[FIG. 21 FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrated to describe a functional configuration example of
the power transmission and reception control system according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[FIG. 31 FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrated to describe an example of a task.
[FIG. 41 FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of a U-Agent IIOa.
[FIG. 51 FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of an M-Agent 120a.
[FIG. 61 FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of a GM-Agent 130a.
[FIG. 71 FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of a C-Agent 140a.
[FIG. 81 FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrated to describe a mode transition example of a GMAgent.
[Mode(s) for Carrying out the Invention]
[OO 121
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail
with reference to the appended drawings. Note that, in this specification and the
appended drawings, structural elements that have substantially the same function and
structure are denoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of
these structural elements is omitted.
[O013]
The description will be made in the following order.
1. Embodiment of present Disclosure
1.1. Overview
1.2. Exemplary System Configuration
1.3. Exemplary Operation
2. Conclusion
[00 141

(1. I . Overview)
An overview of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described prior to the
description of an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[00 151
The description is based on the assumption that an environment becomes increasingly
popular in which each consumer is provided with a battery server having a storage
battery, the storage battery stores power using a commercial power supply or power
generated from a natural energy source such as solar, wind, and geothermal, and the
power stored in the storage battery drives electrical appliances. With the spread of
such environment, a power interchange system is designed for interchanging power
between consumers, as described above. When power is insufficient in a battery server
of a consumer, the power interchange system allows a battery server of a consumer
having extra power to supply power to the battery server of the consuiner having
insufficient power. When consumers supply power to each other, it is preferable, for
the sake of efficiency, to supply direct-current power in consideration of the supply of
power from a storage battery.
[OOI 61
However, if consumers transmit direct-current power from their battery servers without
any permission or instruction, the power will not be properly transmitted to a target
receiver of power. Thus, it is desirable to efficiently manage the right to control the
transmission and reception of direct-cusrent power to and from a battery server. From
the point of view of management of the control right, there is considered a method of
mutually interchanging the direct-current power among consumers by sharing the roles
of a battery server between a master and a slave. The master controls operations of all
of the battery servers connected to a direct-cur~.cnt power grid that transmits directcurrent
power from a consuruer, and a slave is operated in accordance with the
instructions of the master.
[OO 171
The battery server acting as a master sets a voltage of a direct-current power grid, and
transmits direct-current power from the master or requests a slave to transmit directcurrent
power, thereby transmitting direct-current power to a target receiver of power.
When roles are shared between a master and a slave in this way, for example, there is
considered a method of allowing a battery server acting as a master to be set to keep its
role as a mastet; or setting a battery server that first responds to a request from a
cons~~mienr w hich the power is insufficient as a master.
[0018]
However, if a battery server acting as a master is set to keep its role as a master, a load
is concentrated on the battery server, thereby causing an imbalance. When a battery
server acting as a master is stopped for any reason, the transmission and reception of
direct-current power between consumers will be not allowed. After a battery server
acting as a master requests a battery server acting as a slave to transmit power to the
battery server acting as a master, if the slave stops transmitting power or starts receiving
power for reasons such as a change in the mind of the user in the slave consumer in spite
of a promise to transmit power by the slave, it is considered that there is a phenomenon
where the slave which has started receiving power may take the stored power from the
battery server acting as a master, or the voltage of the direct-current power grid may
vary significantly.
[OO 191
When a battery server acting as a master is requested to transmit and receive power
between battery servers acting as a slave, if the battery server acting as a slave changes
the amount of power transmission or receplion, or switches from power transmission to
power reception, for reasons such as a change in the user's tnind similarly as described
above, it is considered that there is a phenomenon where the battery server acting as a
master should take responsibility for the difference caused by the change or switching,
and thus a significant load may be applied to thc battery server acting as a master.
[0020]
When a battery server acting as a slave is stopped for reasons such as failure, if a battery
server acting as a master does not recognize the stop, it is considered that there is a
phenomenon where an instruction to the slave is made unable to function and thus it will
no longer be able to control the direct-current power grid, or the stored power may be
taken from the battery server acting as a master.
[0021]
When the grid is connected with a device, which is not authorized for connection or is
not intended to be connected thereto, the device is not under the control of a master, and
thus it is considered that there is a phenomenon where the device receives power from
the grid without any permission or sends a command for control to other battery servers
without being asked for it, thereby throwing the grid into confusion.
[0022]
When the user of each battery server wants to find out the state of all devices connected
to the grid, if each battery server sends a request for information to a network
individually, it may be considered that there is a phenomenon where the network is in
congestion thereby causing problems with appropriate operations of the system.
[0023]
The present inventors have made extensive studies to achieve a technology capable of
managing efficiently the right to control the transmission and reception of direct-current
power while avoiding the occurrence of phenomena as described above. As a result,
the present inventors have developed the technology capable of managing efficiently the
right to control the transmission and reception of direct-current power while avoiding
the occurrence of phenomena as described above.
[0024]
An overview of an elnbodiment of the present disclosure has been described. Next, a
functional configuration example of the power transmission and reception control
system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.
l00251
(1.2. Exemplary System Configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustlated to describe an overall configuration example of the power
transmission and reception control system according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. FIG 1 illustrates an overall configuration exarnple of the power
transmission and rcception control system that interchanges direct-current power
between battery servers having their own storage batteries. An overall configuration
example of the power transmission and reception control system according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 1, the power transmission and reception control system 1 is
constructed to mutually supply direct-current power as necessary among battery servers
provided in the respective consumers (four in FIG. 1). A consumer 1Oa is provided
with a battery server 100a. Similarly, a consumer lob, a consumer 10c, and a consumer
10d are provided with a battery server IOOb, a battery server 100c, and a battery server
100d, respectively. Each ofthe battery servers IOOa to 100d has a rechargeable battery
provided inside or outside of each battery server.
[0027]
The battery servers lOOa to lOOd are connected to a direct-current bus line 20 over
which direct-current power is mutually supplied among the battery servers as necessary.
Each of the battery servers lOOa to lOOd is provided with a bidirectional DC-to-DC
converter that converts voltage of a battery and voltage of the direct-current bus line 20
from one level to another. The battery servers lOOa to lOOd are connected to a
communication wire 30. When the battery servers lOOa to lOOd mutually supply
direct-current power over the direct-current bus line 20, the battery servers 100a to 100d
transmit and receive information over the co~ilmunicationw ire 30. The communication
wire 30 is,illustrated as being wired in FIG. 1, but the communication wire 30 may be
wireless.
[0028]
The consuniers 10a to I Od (nay be provided with solar panels 200a to 200d, respectively.
Each of the solar panels 200a to 200d receives irradiation of sunlight and generates
electric power. The solar panels 200a to 200d are configured so that the generated
elcctric power may be stored in the respective batteries provided in the battery servers
lO0a to 100d. The electric power stored in the battery servers 100a to 100d may be
generated by natural energy, such as wind or geothermal, other than sunlight.
[0029]
The power trans~nission and reception control system 1 according to the present
embodiment is characterized by a mechanism for arbitrating power transmission and
reception among the battery servers lOOa to lOOd in such a way that only one of the
battery servers lOOa to lOOd connected to the direct-current bus line 20 has the right to
control the transmission and reception of direct-current power over the direct-current
bus line 20. In other words, the power transmission and reception control system 1
according to the present embodiment is configured to have a mechanism that allows only
the batter server having the control right among the battery servers lOOa to lOOd to
instruct other battery servers to transmit power stored in their own batteries or to receive
power for charging their own batteries, and that prevents a battery server having no
control right from performing the power transmission and reception without permission
or instruction.
[0030]
In this way, only one of the battery servers lOOa to 100d connected to the direct-current
bus line 20 has the right to control the transmission and reception of direct-current
power to and from other battery servers over the direct-current bus line 20. This makes
it possible for the power transmission and reception control system 1 according to the
present embodiment to avoid phenomena caused when the roles are simply shared
between a master and a slave as described above and to efficiently manage the right to
control the power transmission and reception of direct-current power. The power
transmission and reception control system 1 according to the present embodiment
efficiently manages the right to control the power transmission and reception of directcurrent
power, thereby keeping the order of objects to be controlled among the battery
servers.
[003 I ]
An overall configuratio~i example of the power transmission and reception control
system according to an e~iibodiment of the present disclosure has been described with
reference to FIG. 1. Subsequently, a functional configuration example of the power
transmission and reception control system according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described.
[0032]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrated to describe a functional configuration example of the
power transmission and reception control system according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure. A functional configuration example of the power transmission and
reception control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 2, the battery server lOOa is configured to include a U-Agent 110a, an
M-Agent 120a, a GM-Agent 130a, a C-Agent 140% a DC-to-DC converter 150a, and a
battery 160a. The battery servers 100b, 100c, and 100d have a configuration similar to
the battery server 100a. The components that constitute the battery server lOOa will be
described.
[0034]
As described in FIG. 2, the communication wire 30 is composed of two paths (channels)
including a communication wire 30a and a communication wire 30b. The
comlnunication wires 30a and 30b may be physically different wired communication
wires, or may be physically identical wired or wireless communication wires, which are
divided logically for authentication, encryption, or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the
I communication wire 30a allows the U-Agent 110a to co~nmunicatew ith other U-Agents
1 lob to 110d, and the M-Agent 120a to com~nunicatew ith other M-Agents 120b to 120d.
'flic communicalion wire 30b allows the GM-Agent 130a to communicate with other
GM-Agents 130b to 130d, and the C-Agent 140a to communicate with other C-Agents
140b to 140d.
[0035]
The power transmission and reception control system 1 according to the present
embodiment uses separate coin~nunicationw ires for the U-Agent 110a and the M-Agent
120a and for the GM-Agent 130a and the C-Agent 140a. As a result, the U-Agent 1 lOa
and the M-Agent 120a are prevented from directly sending an instruction lo the GMAgent
130a and the C-Agent 140a. The GM-Agent 130a and the C-Agent 140a are also
prevented from directly sending an instruction to the U-Agent 110a and the M-Agent
120a.
100361
The U-Agent 110a is an example of a power transmission and reception requesting unit
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The U-Agent 110a periodically
checks the state of charge (SOC) in the battery 160a. If the state of charge in the
battery 160a satisfies a predetermined condition, the U-Agent l IOa requests the MAgent
120a to receive power. The request to be sent from the U-Agent 110a to the MAgent
120a may include a voltage value or current value upon reception of power, a time
for receiving power (e.g., start time, end time, and duration), and a state of charge in the
battery 160a that stops receiving power.
[0037]
The U-Agent 110a refers to a scenario 170a lo determine whether the state of charge in
the battery 160a satisfies a predetermined condition. The scenario 170a describes a
condition of the state of charge in the battery 160a, which is used to request the MAgent
120a to receive power from the U-Agent 110a. The condition described in the
scenario 170a may include contents of the U-Agent 1lOa requesting the M-Agent 120a to
receive power if the state of charge in the battery 160a is lower than or equal to 20%.
[0038]
The U-Agent 1 IOa may have a function that edits contents of the scenario 17Oa based on
the request from the uscr. The contcnts of the scenario 170a rnay be described in text, a
marltup language such as extensible marltup language (XMI,), or a scripting language
such as Lisp, Perl, and PHP. When the contents of the scenario 170a are described in a
scripting language, the contents of the scenario 170a may be described in a set of
functions.
[0039]
The scenario 170a rnay be edited using a text editor, a dedicated editor, or a web browser.
The U-Agent 110a may be configured so that a tool capable of editing the contents of the
scenario 170a is operable.
[0040]
When there is a request for supply of power from another battery server, the scenario
170a may describe a way of determining whether power transmission is permitted in
response to the request depending on what condition is satisfied. For example, when
there is a request for supply of power from another battery server, the scenario 170a may
describe contents in which power transmission is permitted in response to the request
under the condition that the state of charge in the battery 160a is greater than or equal to
80%. For example, when there is a request for supply of power from another battery
server, the scenario 170a may describe contents in which power transmission is
permitted in response to the request under the condition that the state of charge in the
battery 160a is greater than or equal to 80% and the usage rate per hour of the power is
less than or equal to 10%. In other words, the condition described in the scenario 170a
may include not only the state of charge in the battery 160a but also the state of usage of
electric power stored in the battery 160a.
[0041]
The contents of the scenario are possible to be defined independently at the respective
batteries. Accordingly, the condition in which power reception is requested or the
condition in which power transmission is permitted in response to a rcquest for supply of
power from another battery server may be different for each battery server. The
number of scenarios to be defined at each battcry server is not limited to only one. The
scenario referred to by the U-Agent l lOa may be switched into anothcr, depending on
the situation.
[0042]
The M-Agent 120a is an example of a power tra~ismission and reception arbitration unit
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. When the M-Agent 120a
receives a request for power reception from the U-Agent IIOa, the M-Agent 120a
inquires of the M-Agents 1.20b, 120c, and 120d of other battery servers about whether
they are allowed to transmit power by performing communication among the M-Agents
120b, 120c, and 120d via the comlnunication wire 30a. When the M-Agent 120a
receives an inquiry about whether the M-Agent 120a is allowed to transmit power from
the M-Agents 120b, 120c, and 120d of other battery servers, the M-Agent 12021 responds
that power is allowed to be transmitted or not.
[0043]
When the M-Agent 120a receives an inquiry as to whether the M-Agent 120a is allowed
to transmit power from the M-Agents 120b, 120c, and 120d of other battery servers, the
M-Agent 120a may respond that power is allowed to be transmitted. In this case, if the
GM-Agent 130a is not started, the M-Agent 120a inquires of the M-Agents 120b, 120c,
and 120d of other battery servers about whether the GM-Agents 130b, 130c, and 130d
are started over the communication wire 30a. As will be described in detail later, the
GM-Agent 130a is started based on the start instruction fiom the M-Agent 120a and
controls the operation of the DC-to-DC converters 150a to 150d of the battery servers.
[0044]
In the power transmission and reception control system 1 according to the present
embodiment, only one of the GM-Agents 130a to 130d is permitted to start. Thus,
when the GM-Agent 130a is not started, the M-Agent 120a determines that the battery
server 100a does not have the right to control the power translnission and reception and
inquires of the M-Agents 120b, 120c, and 120d of other battery servers about whether
they have the right to control the power transmission and reception, that is, whether they
are starting or not, over the co~nmunication wire 30a. If there is a GM-Agent being
started, the M-Agent 120a requcsts the GM-Agcnt being started to transinit and receive
power through the M-Agent that causes the GM-Agent to start. For example, if the
GM-Agcnt 130b is being started, the M-Agent 120a requests the M-Agent 120b to
transmit and receive power through the M-Agent 120b.
[0045]
On the other hand, if there is an inquiry about whether the power transmission is
possible or not from the M-Agents 120b, 120c, and 120d of other battery servers, it may
be responded that the power transmission is possible. In this case, if the GM-Agent
130a is started, the fact that the GM-Agent 130a is started is responded together.
[0046]
The M-Agent 120a notifies the C-Agent 140a to follow an instruction only from a GMAgent
of the battery server having a control right. For example, the M-Agent 120a
notifies identification information, which identifies a GM-Agent of the battery server
having a control right, to the C-Agent 140a. when the C-Agent 140a receives the
notification of identification information that identifies a GM-Agent of the battery
server having a control right, the C-Agent 140a may ignore an instruction from a GMAgent
that contains identification information other than the identification information.
[00471
The GM-Agent 130a is an example of a power transmission and reception management
unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The GM-Agent 130a is
started and activated according to a start instruction from the M-Agent 120a. The GMAgent
130a is stopped and deactivated according to a stop instruction from the M-Agent
120a. The activated GM-Agent 130a controls the power transmission and reception by
the DC-to-DC converters 150a to 150d through the C-Agents 140a to 140d over the
cotnmunication wire 30b based on the request for the power transmission and reception
from the M-Agents 120a to 120d. When the requested power transmission and
reception is all ended, the GM-Agent 130a performs a process for releasing the control
right. When the control right is released, the GM-Agent 130a is stopped and
deactivated according to the stop instruction from the M-Agent 120a.
[0048]
Whcn there is a request for thc power transtnission and reception from the M-Agents
120a to 120d, the GM-Agent 130a acquires the power tra~isrnission capacity and power
reception capacity of the respective battery servers l00a to IOOd from the C-Agents
140a to 140d over the co~ntnunication wire 30b. The GM-Agent 130a also calculates
an amount of electric current that can be transmitted, from the total transmission current
amount of the direct-current bus line 20. Whcn the accumulated power transmission
amount reaches a desired power transmission amount after power trans~nission is started,
the GM-Agent 130a instructs the C-Agents 140a to i40d to stop transmitting power over
the communication wire 30b.
[0049]
The C-Agent 140a is an example of a power transmission and reception control unit
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The C-Agent 140a controls the
DC-to-DC converter 150a based on an instruction from the activated (i.e. having a
control right) GM-Agent among the GM-Agents 130a to 130d. The C-Agent 140a
receives the notification from the M-Agent 120a to follow the instruction only from the
GM-Agent of the battery server having the control right. Thus, the C-Agent 140a
controls the DC-to-DC converter 150a according to the instruction only from the GMAgent
of the battery server having the control right.
[0050]
The C-Agent 140a periodically checks a parameter of the DC-to-DC converter 150a, and
warns a target transmitter or receiver of power upon occurrence of an abnormality in the
parameter of the DC-to-DC converter 150a.
[005 11
The DC-to-DC converter 150a is connected between the battery 160a or the solar panel
200a and a local bus line 21a, and is connected to the DC-to-DC converters 150b to 150d
of the other battery serve~s IOOb to l00d over the direct-current bus liue 20. The DCto-
DC converter 150a converts a direct-current power between the direct-current bus line
20 and the local bus line 21a under the control by the C-Agent 140a.
[0052]
The U-Agent I IOa operates according to the sccnario 170a defined independently in the
respective hattery servers lOOa to 100d. The M-Agent 120a, the GM-Agent 130a, and
the C-Agent 140a operate according to a common policy 180 to all of the hattery servers
100a to 100d. Thus, the M-Agent 120a, the GM-Agent 130a, and the C-Agent 140a are
not allowed to operate according to different rules of the other battery servers lOOb to
100d.
[0053]
The contents of the policy 180 may be described in a text, a markup language such as
extensible markup language (XML), or a scripting language such as Lisp, Perl, and PHP.
When the contents of the policy 180 are described in a scripting language, the contents
of the scenario 170a may be described in a set of functions.
[0054]
The policy 180 may be edited using a text editor, a dedicated editor, or a web browser.
As described above, the policy 180 is commonly referred to by all of the battery servers
lOOa to IOOd, and thus it is desirable that the user is unable to edit easily, but it may be
possible that the user can edit as necessary. The M-Agent 120a, the GM-Agent 130a,
or the C-Agent 140a may edit the policy 180 based on the rule defined in the policy 180.
[OOSS]
Examples of the contents described in the scenario 170a may include as follows:
- State of charge (SOC) level to request supply of power
- SOC level to determine that power is able to be supplied
- Method of predicting and calculating battery residual amount with power consumption
cycle in a day
- Technique of predicting and calculating power generation amount in a week depending
on acquisition of weather information
- Calculation of reduction in AC power usage depending on power interchange
LO0561
Examples of the contents described in the policy 180 ]nay include a document version,
date of modification, rule in modifying described contents, and respective rules defined
for the M-Agents 120a to 120d, the GM-Agents 130a to 130d, and the C-Agents 140a to
140d.
[00571
Examples of rules defined for the M-Agents 12021 to I20d may include as follows:
- Determination condition and decision procedure for acquiring control right
- Decision procedure for appeal from other devices
- Procedure of checking survival of battery server joined in the power transmission and
reception control system I
- Procedure of deleting registration of battery server previously joined in the power
transmission and reception control system 1
- List and authentication information of members joined in the power transmission and
reception control system I
[OOSS]
Examples of the determination condition for acquiring a control right may include a
condition in which a control right can be acquired if there is even one M-Agent being in
favor and a condition in which a control right can be acquired if a majority is in favor.
Examples of the decision procedure for acquiring a control right may include a decision
procedure in which a command is transmitted to other M-Agents in broadcast mode to
acquire a control right and whether the control right is acquired is determined based on
the response from the other M-Agent that returned an answer in a predetermined time.
Similarly, examples of the decision procedure for appeal from other devices may include
a decision procedure in which a command is transmitted to other M-Agents to acquire a
control right and whether the control right is acquired is determined based on the
contents of appeal from the other M-Agent that returned an answer in a predetermined
time.
[0059]
Examples of the procedure of checking survival of a battery server joined in the power
transmission and reception control system 1 may include an example where the M-Agent
of thc battery server which is the last one to acquire a control right checks wllether other
battery servers are survived.
[0060l
Examples of the procedure of deleting registration of a battery server previously joined
in the power transmission and reception control system 1 may include a procedure of
deleting registration information described in the policy 180 based on the command for
requesting the deletion.
[0061]
The list and authentication information of members joined in the power transmission and
reception control system 1 are described in the policy 180, and thus the M-Agent call
transmit various command only to the joined member and can add authentication
information upon transmission of the command. Examples of the authentication
information of a member may include address information of each battery server and an
authentication key that is common to the battery servers.
[0062]
Examples of rules defined for the GM-Agents 130a to 130d may include as follows:
- Information on connection state of battery servers as viewed from their position
- Method of calculating current capacity based on information on connection state of
each battery server
- Control procedure and limitations of DC-DC converter
- Procedure from start to end for power transmission and reception in each battery server
-Abandonment or transfer procedure of control right after supply of power is stopped
- Processing procedure when abnormality is notified
[0063]
The direct-current power flows in the direct-current bus line 20, and thus the GM-Agents
130a to 130d are necessary to know the connection state of the battery servers lOOa to
lOOd to the direct-current bus line 20 and to determine how to supply power based on
position information of the battery servers lOOa to 100d. The connection state of the
battery servers lOOa to lOOd to the direct-current bus line 20 is described in the
policyl80, and thus the GM-Agents 130a to 130d refer to the connection state to control
the DC-to-DC converters 150a to 150d.
[0064]
Examples of the procedure of controlling a DC-to-DC converter may include contents of
an instruction sent to the DC-to-DC converter when direct-current power is converted.
Examples of the limitations of a DC-to-DC converter may include a range in which
power can be converted.
[0065]
Examples of the procedure from start to end for power transmission and reception in
each battery server may include a procedure of increasing electric current at the start of
the power transmission or reception and a procedure of decreasing electric current at the
end of the power transmission or reception.
[0066]
Examples of the abandonment or transfer procedure of a control right after supply of
power is stopped may include a procedure in which, for example, if there is another
battery server that supplies power, the control right is transferred to the other battery
server.
[0067]
Examples of the processing procedure when abnormality is notified may include a
procedure in which, if a batter server has a failure, the failed battery server is ignored
and the processing proceeds.
[0068]
Examples of rules defined for the C-Agents 140a to 140d may include as follows:
- Procedure of checking whether it is continued to be controlled by a GM-Agent of a
battery server having the control right and processing procedure upon occurrence of
abnormality
- Procedure of checking whether it is controlled sitnultaneously by a plurality of GMAgents
-Processing procedure when it is controlled simultaneously by a plurality of GM-Agents
- Monitoring procedure of checking operations of a DC-to-DC converter and
appropriately notifying the checlc results to a GM-Agent of a battery server having the
control right
[0069]
Examples of the procedure of checlting whether it is continued to be controlled by a
GM-Agent of a battery server having a control right may include a procedure of
checking whether it is controlled by the GM-Agent at predetermined time intervals.
Examples of the processing procedure upon occurrence of abnormality may include a
procedure of notifying the GM-Agent of a battery server having a control right that
control by the GM-Agent is interrupted for more than a predetermined time.
[0070]
Examples of the procedure of checking whether it is controlled simultaneously by a
plurality of GM-Agents may include a procedure of checking whether it is controlled by
a GM-Agent having identification information different from that notified from the MAgent.
Examples of the processing procedure when it is controlled simultaneously by a
plurality of GM-Agents may include a procedure of ignoring the control by the GMAgent
having identification information different from that notified from the M-Agent
and notifying a GM-Agent of a battery server having a control right that it is controlled
simultaneously by a plurality of GM-Agents by dealing with the control from all of the
GM-Agents as errors.
[0071]
Examples of the monitoring procedure of checking operations of a DC-to-DC converter
and appropriately notifying the check results to a GM-Agent of a battery server having
the control right may include a procedure of checking a parameter of a DC-to-DC
converter at predetermined time intervals and notifying a parameter of the DC-to-DC
convert to a GM-Agent of a battery server having the control right.
[0072]
The policy 180 defined as described above allows the C-Agents 140a to 140d to send an
instruction to stop transmitting power to the DC-to-DC converters 150a to 150d
immediately when the instruction from the GM-Agent violates the contents of the policy
180.
[0073]
The description contents of the above scenario 170a or the policy 180 and examples of
the description contents of the above scenario 170a or the policy 180 are not limited to
those described above. The description contents of the scenario 170a or the policy 180
may be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the power transmission
and reception control system 1 or the configuration of each of the battery servers 100a to
100d.
[0074]
The battery 160a is composed of a rechargeable secondary battery. The battery 160a
may be charged with power generated by the solar panel 200a or power supplied from
the commercial supply of power (not shown). The battery 160a may be charged with
power supplied from other battery servers lOOb to lOOd as necessary. The power stored
in the battery 160a may be supplied to electric appliances such as air conditioner,
refrigerator, washing machine, television set, and microwave, provided in the consumer
10a. The power stored in the battery 160a may be supplied from the DC-to-DC
converter 150a to other battery servers lOOb to lOOd depending on the request from the
other battery servers lOOb to 100d.
[0075]
The battery servers 100a to 100d according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
have the configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and thus only one battery server of them
having a control right can control power transmissiou and reception of direct-current
power to and from the other battery servers over the direct-current bus line 20. The
battery servers lOOa to 100d according to an embodiment of the present disclosure have
the configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and thus it is possible to avoid phenomena caused
when the roles are simply shared between a master and a slave as described above and to
efficiently manage the right to control the power transmission and reception of direct- ~
current power. The battery servers IOOa to lOOd according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure have the configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and thus it is possible to
efficiently manage the right to control the power transmission and reception of directcurrent
powel; thereby keeping the order of objects to be controlled among the battery
servers.
[0076]
The direct-current bus line 20 or the local bus lines 21a to 21d are not limited to the
particular configuration. For example, the direct-current bus line 20 or the local bus
lines 21a to 21d may be configured as a direct-current single-phase three-wire bus line
having two lines supplied with positive voltage and negative voltage, and a line
connected to the ground.
[0077]
The functional configuration example of the power transmission and reception control
system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described with
reference to FIG. 2. Next, an exemplary operation of the power transmission and
reception control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described.
[0078]
(1.3. Exemplary Operation)
Tasks of the U-Agent IIOa, the M-Agent 120a, the GM-Agent 130a, and the C-Agent
140a included in the battery server lOOa according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described in that order.
[0079]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrated to describe a task of the U-Agent 110a, the M-Agent 120a,
the GM-Agent 130a, and the C-Agent 140a included in the battery server lOOa according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[OOSO]
The U-Agent llOa refers to the scenario 170a on a periodic basis by a timer and
determines whether the state of the battery server 100a (e.g., SOC of the battery l6Oa)
satisfies a condition defined in the scenario 170a. If it is determined that the state of
the battery server IOOa (e.g., SOC of the battery 160a) satisfies a condition defined in
the scenario 170a, the U-Agent 110a requests the M-Agent 120a to ieceive powei.
[0081]
If the M-Agent 120a receives the request of power reccption from the U-Agent IlOa, the
M-Agent 120a arbitrates the right to control transnlission and reception of dircct-current
power between the M-Agent 120a and other M-Agents 120b to 120d. When there is
any request for receiving power from other battery servers lOOb to IOOd, the M-Agent
120a similarly arbitrates the right to control transmission and reception of direct-current
power between the M-Agent 120a and other M-Agents 120b to 120d.
[0082]
The arbitration may cause the battery server lOOa to be assumed to obtain a control right.
The M-Agent 120a starts the GM-Agent 130a to activate the GM-Agent 130a. The MAgent
120a notifies identification information that identifies the GM-Agent 130a to the
C-Agent 140a. The activated GM-Agent 130a refers to the policy 180 and notifies
information used to transmit and receive power on a periodic basis by a timer to the CAgent
140a.
[0083]
The C-Agent 140a controls the DC-to-DC converter 150a based on the notification from
a GM-Agent (GM-Agent 130a in this example) having the identification information
notified from the M-Agent 120a and perform the transmission and reception of power
over the direct-current bus line 20. The C-Agent 140a refers to a parameter of the DCto-
DC converter 150a to check whether an abnormality in the parameter of the DC-to-
DC converter 150a occurs on a periodic basis by a time^.
[0084]
If there is an abnormality in the parameter of the DC-to-DC converter 150a, the C-Agent
140a notifies the occurrence of abnormality in the DC-to-DC converter 150a to the GMAgent
130a. The C-Agent 140a checks the presence or absence of the occurrence of the
notification from the GM-Agent 130 on a periodic basis by a timer. If the notification
from the GM-Agent 130a does not occur for a predetermined time or more, the C-Agent
140a notifics the GM-Agent 130a that the notification from the GM-Agent 130a does not
occur for a prcdetermitied time or more. The C-Agent 140a may stop the DC-to-DC
converter 150a from transmitting and receiving direct-current power after the C-Agent
140a notifies the GM-Agent 130a that the notification from the GM-Agent 130a does not
occur for a predetermined time or more.
[OOZS]
The U-Agent IIOa, the M-Agent 120a, the GM-Agent 130a, and the C-Agent 140a
included in the battery server 100a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
perform the respective tasks as shown in FIG. 3, and thus it is possible to keep the order
of objects to be controlled among the battery servers.
[0086]
Subsequently, operations performed by each of the U-Agent llOa, the M-Agent 120a, the
GM-Agent 130a, and the C-Agent 140a included in the battery server 1OOa according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.
[0087]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the U-Agent 1 1Oa included
in the battery server 100a according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5
is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the M-Agent 120a included in the
battery server lOOa according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a
flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the GM-Agent 130a included in the
battery server lOOa according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a
flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the C-Agent 140a included in the
battery server lOOa according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[OOSS]
An exemplary operation of the U-Agent 11Oa will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
The U-Agent 110a reads the scenario 170a defined in the battery server 100a (step S101)
and determines whether the contents of the scenario 170a is changed (step S102). If the
U-Agent 110a determines that there is no change in the contents of the ,scenario 170a
(No in step S102), the U-Agent I lOa waits until the contents of the scenario 170a is
changed. On the other hand, if the U-Agcnt 1 1 Oa determines that there is a change in
the contents of the scenario 170a (Yes in step S102), the U-Agent 1 IOa sends a control
request to thc M-Agent 120a based 011 the contents of the scenario 170a (step S103).
The U-Agent I lOa requests the M-Agent 120a to receive power, for example, when the
statc of charge of the battery 160a is lower than or equal to 20%, as the control request.
[008Y]
Next, an exemplary operation of the M-Agent 120a will be described with reference to
FIG. 5. The M-Agent 120a reads the policy 180 defined in the battery server IOOa (step
S l l l ) , and checks whether there is a control request transmitted from the U-Agent 110a
(step S112). The M-Agent 120a determines whether there is a control request
transmitted from the U-Agent 110a (step S1 13). If M-Agent 120a determines that there
is no control request transmitted from the U-Agent 11 0a (No in step S113), the M-Agent
120a waits until there is a control request transmitted from the U-Agent 1 lOa. On the
other hand, if M-Agent 120a determines that there is a control request transmitted from
the U-Agent 1 l Oa (Yes in step S113), the M-Agent 120a determines whether the control
request from the U-Agent llOa is acceptable (step S114). The determination of
whether the control request is acceptable may be performed by the M-Agent 120a based
on the contents described in the policy 180.
[009O]
If the M-Agent 120a determines that the control request from the U-Agent ll0a is
unacceptable (No in step S114), the M-Agent 120a waits until another control request is
transmitted from the U-Agent IlOa. On the other hand, if the M-Agent 120a
determines that the control request from the U-Agent llOa is acceptable (Yes in step
S114), the M-Agent 120a performs arbitration of acquiring the right to control
transmission and reception of direct-current power between the M-Agent 120a and the
other M-Agents 120b to 120d of the battery servers 100b to 100d.
[009 I ]
The arbitration of the acquisition of a control right between the M-Agent 120a and the
other M-Agents 120b to 120d of the battery servers 100b to 1OOd is performed, and as a
result of arbitration, if the battery server 100a has a control right, the M-Agent 120a
causes the GM-Agent 130a to activate, and sends a control instruction for transmitting or
receiving power to the GM-Agent 130a (step St 16). When the M-Agent 120a sends a
control instruction for causing the GM-Agent 130a to transmit or receive power in step
S 1 16, accordingly the M-Agent 120a notifies the C-Agent 140a of the identification
information used to identify a GM-Agent 130a that acquires a control right. The other
M-Agents 120b to 120d of the battery servers 100b to 100d also notify the respective CAgents
140b to 140d of the identification infornlation used to identify a GM-Agent 130a
that acquires a control right.
[0092]
Next, an exemplary operation of the CM-Agent 130a will be described with reference to
FIG. 6. The CM-Agent 130a activated by the M-Agent 120a reads the policy 180
defined in the battery server lO0a and the list of battery servers that constitute the power
transmission and reception control system I (step S121), and checks whether a control
instruction is transmitted from the M-Agent 120a (step S122).
[0093]
The GM-Agent 130a determines whether there is a control instruction from the M-Agent
120a (step S123). If it is determined that there is a control instruction from the MAgent
120a (Yes in step S123), the GM-Agent 130a controls the transmission and
reception of power for the C-Agents 140a to 140d as a target (being described in the list
that is read in step S121) of power transmission and reception control based on the
control instruction (step S124). On the other hand, if it is determined by the GM-Agent
130a that there is no control instruction from the M-Agent 120a (No in step S123), the
GM-Agent 130a determines whether the power transmission and reception control for
the C-Agents 140a to 140d is all ended (step S125).
[0094]
If the GM-Agent 130a determines that the power tratlsrnission and reception control for
all of the C-Agents 140a to 140d is not ended (No in step S125), the GM-Agent 130a
performs the power transmission and reception control for the C-Agents 140a to 140d
(step S124). On the other hand, if thc GM-Agent 130a determines that the power
transmission and reccption control for all of the C-Agents 140a to 140d is ended (Yes in
step S126), the GM-Agent 130a notifies the C-Agents 140a to 140d of the end of the
power transmission and reception control (step S126), and then a series of power
transmission and reccption control processing is ended.
[0095]
If the GM-Agent 130a that acquires a control right ends the series of power transmission
and reception control processing, the GM-Agent 130a transfers or abandon the control
right based on the contents of the policy 180. If the GM-Agent 130a abandons the
control right, the GM-Agent 130a is deactivated.
[0096]
Subsequently, an exemplary operation of the C-Agent 140a will be described with
reference to FIG. 7. The C-Agent 140a reads the policy 180 defined in the battery
server lOOa and starts a timer (step S131). The time started by the C-Agent 140a in
step S131 is used to check whether the power transmission and reception control from
the GM-Agent 130a (having a control right) is performed.
[0097]
Next, the C-Agent 140a (having a control right) checks whether the power transmission
and reception control is transmitted from the GM-Agent 130a (step S132). The CAgent
140a determines whether there is a power transmission and reception control from
the GM-Agent 130a (step S133). If it is determined that there is a power transmission
and reception control from the GM-Agent 130a (Yes in step S133), the C-Agent 140a
controls the DC-to-DC converter 150a based on the power transmission and reception
control from the GM-Agent 130a (step S134). Specifically, the C-Agent 140a transmits
direct-current power to the direct-current bus line 20 or receives direct-current power
from the direct-current bus line 20 by setting a parameter of the DC-to-DC converter
150a to control the DC-to-DC converters 150a.
[0098]
If the C-Agent 140a controls the DC-to-DC converter 150a based on the power
transmission and reception control from the GM-Agent 130a, the C-Agent 140a resets
the timel; which has bcen started in step S131 (step S135), and returns to the process for
checking whether the power transmission and reception control is trans~nitted from the
GM-Agent 130a in step S132.
[0099]
On the other hand, if the C-Agent 140a determines that there is no power tra~ismission
and reception control from the GM-Agent 130a (No in step S133), the C-Agent 140a
determines whether a value of the timer has lasted for a predetermined time or more
(step S136). If it is determined that a value of the timer has not lastcd for a
predetermined time or more (No in step S136), the C-Agent 140a returns to the process
for checking whether the power transmission and reception control is transmitted from
the GM-Agent 130a in step S132. On the other hand, if it is determined that a value of
the timer has lasted for a predetermined time or more (Yes in step S136), the C-Agent
140a resets the setting of the DC-to-DC converter 150a (step S137), and returns to the
process for checking whether the power transmission and reception control is
transmitted from the GM-Agent 130a in step S132.
[OI 001
The respective operations of the U-Agent 110a, the M-Agent 120a, the GM-Agent 130a,
and the C-Agent 140a included in the battery server lOOa according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure have been described in detail.
[OlOl]
When the battery server lOOa according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
operates in this way, in some cases, it is necessary to collect the states of the battery
server lOOa and present it to the user. The battery server lOOa can obtain the right to
collect data in which a data collection task for displaying a state of system is performed.
Such a right to collect data is obtained by the arbitration between the battery server lOOa
and other battery servers lOOb to IOOd in a similar way to the right to control. When
the GM-Agent 130a is not started, the right to collect data can be obtained through a
process similar to the selection of the control right by the arbitration. When any other
candidates to perform the data collection task are not found, the battery scrvcr lOOa can
obtain the right to collect data voluntarily.
[O 1021
The battery server lOOa which acquires the right to collect data informs all other battery
servers lOOb to lOOd connected thereto that battery server lOOa acquires the right to
collect data, aud thus the battery server lOOa is set as contact for inquiry in the case
where information is obtained. The detailed procedure may be determined as described
below.
[0 1031
When the user of the battery server I OOa requests information of the entire system from
the U-Agent 1 IOa, the request is transmitted to the M-Agent 120a. The M-Agent 120a
outputs the request of information collection to the battery server having a control right
(e.g., the battery server lOOb in the example). If there is no battery server having a
control right when the request from the user is outputted, the request is outputted to a
battery server having the right to collect data (e.g., the battery server lOOc in the
example). If there is also no battery server having the right to collect data, the battery
server lOOa declares to be a data collection device itself and waits to ask whether a
response from other devices is yes or no for a predetermined time. If there is no
negative response, the battery server 100a acquires the right to collect data and starts the
GM-Agent 130a only using the right to collect data.
[0 1041
The GM-Agent 130a which acquires the right to collect data informs all of the C-Agents
140a to 140d that the GM-Agent 130a performs a data collection task. The C-Agents
14Oa to 140d stores an IP address of the battery server lOOa operating as a data
collection device. If there is a data display request from the U-Agents 110a to 110d,
each of the battery servers lOOb to 100d, which do not have the right to collect data,
serves as a proxy server, and transfers the request to the battery server lOOa operating as
a data collection device. By transferring the request to the battery scrver lOOa
operating as a data collection device, each of the battery servers lOOb to lOOd that do
not have tlie right to collect data can be shown to the user as if data collectioti is
perforliied by own device.
[0105]
The data collection task, which is performed by the battery server lOOa operating as a
data collection device, increases slightly power consumption because of use of a CPU
installed in tlie battery server 100a. However, when the data collection task that is
performed by the battery server lOOa operating as a data collection device is performed,
the power is not transferred in practice.
[OI 061
If a GM-Agent having a power transmission control right is started independently, the
right to collect data is forwarded to the GM- Agent having a power transmission control
right. In this case, a battery server including the GM- Agent having a power
transmission control right withdraws from a DC grid (grid to which direct-current power
is supplied over a direct-current bus line) or is continued to operate as a data collection
device until the next GM-Agent is determined.
[OI 071
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrated to describe a mode transition example of a GM-Agent.
In other words, as shown in FIG. 8, the GM-Agent operates in a state of transition
between three modes of idle mode, data collection mode, and DC grid control mode.
The GM-Agent operates in idle mode during normal operation. When the GM-Agent
acquires a control right by the arbitration between battery servers, the transition from
idle mode to DC grid control mode is performed. When the GM-Agent acquires the
right to collect data by the arbitration between battery servers, the transition to the data
collection mode is performed. When the GM-Agent acquires a control right by the
arbitration between battery servers, the transition from the data collection mode to the
DC grid control mode is performed
[O 1081
If the GM-Agent that is in DC grid control mode ends the power transmission and
reception control, the transition from the DC grid mode to the data collection mode is
performed. If the GM-Agcnt that is in the DC grid control mode withdraws from the
DC grid, the transition from the DC grid control mode to the idle mode is performed.
If the GM-Agent that is in the data collection mode similarly withdraws from the DC
grid, the transition from the data collection mode to the idle mode is performed.
[0 1091
<2. Conclusion>
As described above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is
provided a power transmission and reception control system I that performs
transmission and reception of direct-current power between a plurality of battery servers
over a direct-current bus line connected to the battery servers. According to an
embodiment of the present disclosure, there are provided battery servers lOOa to IOOd in
which only one battery server is allowed to have a control right and is allowed to control
transmission and reception of direct-current power to and from other battery servers over
a direct-current bus line 20.
[OllO]
The battery servers 100a to lOOd according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
are configured to have individual functions, that is, four tasks. An instruction is
prevented from being sent directly from a lower task (task of requesting power to be
received) to an upper task (task of controlling DC-to-DC converter).
[Olll]
The battery servers 100a to 100d according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
can avoid phenomena caused when the roles are simply shared between a master and a
slave as described above and can efficiently manage a control right for controlling the
transmission and reception of direct-current power. The battery servers lOOa to 1OOd
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure efficiently manages the right to
control the transmission and reception of direct-current power, thereby keeping the order
of objects to be controlled among the battery servers.
[0112]
Steps in processes executed by devices in this specification are not necessarily executed
chronologically in the order dcscribcd in a scquence chart or a flow chart. For exaniple,
steps in processes executed by deviccs may be executed in a different order from the
order described in a flow chart or may be executed in parallel.
[0113]
Further, a computer program can be created which causes hardware such as a CPU, ROM,
or RAM, incorporated in each of the devices, to function in a manner similar to that of
structures in the above-described devices. Furthermore, it is possible to provide a
recording medium having the computer program recorded thereon. Moreover, the
hardware configuration of each function block shown in functional block diagrams
allows a series of processes to be implemented in hardware.
[0114]
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications,
combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design
requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended
claims or the equivalents thereof.
[0115]
In addition, the effects described in the present specification are merely illustrative and
demonstrative, and not limitative. In other words, the technology according to the
present disclosure can exhibit other effects that are evident to those skilled in the art
along with or instead of the effects based on the present specification.
[0116]
Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.
(1)
A power transmission and reception control device including:
a power transmission and reception control unit configured to control transmission and
reception of direct-current power over a direct-current power line through a DC-to-DC
converter connected to the direct-current power line;
a power transmission and reception management unit configured to be activated upon
acquisition of a control right capable of controlling the power transmission and
reception control unit and co~ifigured to request the power transmission and leception
control unit to control the DC-to-DC converter; and
a power transmission and reception arbitration unit configured to request the powet.
transmission and receptio~i managenletit unit to perform transmission and reception of
power through the DC-to-DC converter,
wherein the power transniission and reception control unit and the power transmission
and reception management unit communicate with another power transmission and
reception control device over a first conlmunication channel, and
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit communicates with the
other power transmission and reception control device over a second communication
channel different from the first conimunication channel, arbitrates acquisition of the
control right between the power transmission and reception control device and the other
power transmission and reception control device over the second communication channel,
and activates the power transmission and reception management unit upon acquisition of
the control right.
(2)
The power transmission and reception control device according to (I),
wherein the activated power transmission and reception management unit requests the
power transmission and reception control unit to control the DC-to-DC converter
individually over the first communication channel, the power transmission and reception
control unit controlling the DC-to-DC converter as a target subjected to transmission and
reception of power over the direct-current power line.
(3
The power transmission and reception control device according to ( I ) or (2),
wherein the power transniission and reception control unit, the power transmission and
reception management unit, and the power transmission and reception arbitration unit
operate on the basis of policy information that is common between the power
transmission and reception control device and all of the other power transmission and
reception control devices.
The power trans~nission and reception control device according lo ( 3 ) ,
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit arbitrates acquisition of
the control right between the power transmission and reception control device and the
other power transmission and reception contt.01 device over the second communicalion
channel on the basis of the policy information.
( 5 )
The power transmission and reception control device according to (3) or (4),
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit notifies identification
information of the activated power transmission and reception management unit to the
power transmission and reception control unit,
wherein the activated power transmission and reception management unit sends a
request for control of the DC-to-DC converter lo the power transmission and reception
control unit, the request being added with identification information of the activated
power transmission and reception management unit, and
wherein the power transmission and reception control unit, when receiving a request for
control of the DC-to-DC converter added with identification information different from
the identification information notified from the power transmission and reception control
unit, processes the request on the basis of the policy information.
(6)
The power transmission and reception control device according to any one of (3) lo (9,
wherein the policy information is described as a scripting language.
(7)
The power transmission and reception control device according to any one of (1) to (6),
further including:
a power transmission and reception requesting unit configured to request the power
transmission and reception arbitration unit to arbitrate the control right when a
predetermined condition is satisfied.
(8)
The power transmission and reception control device according to (7),
wherein the power trans~nission and rcception requesting unit is connected to the second
comniunication channel to communicate with the other powcr transmission and reception
control device.
(9)
The power transmission and reception control device according to (7) or (8),
wherein the power transmission and rcception requesting unit operates on the basis of
scenario information defined independently of all of the other power transmission and
reception control devices.
(10)
The power transn~ission and reception control device according to (9),
wherein the scenario information is described as a scripting language
(11)
The power transmission and reception control device according to any one of (1) to (lo),
wherein the first com~nunication channel and the second communication channel are
both wireless co~nmunication channels.
(12)
The power transmission and reception control device according to any one of (1) to (1 I),
wherein the power transmission and reception control unit controls charge and discharge
of a secondary battery through the DC-to-DC converter, the secondary battery being
connected to the DC-to-DC converter.
(13)
The power trans~nissiona nd reception control device according to any one of (1) to (12),
wherein the power trans~nission and reception control unit periodically checks whether
there is a request from the power transmission and receptio~im anagement unit, and when
no request froin the power transmission and reception nlanagement unit occurs for a
predetermined time or more, stops the DC-to-DC converter from performing
transmission and reception of direct-current power over the direct-current power line.
(14)
A control method of a power transmission and reception control device, the mcthod
including:
controlling, by a power transmission and reception cont~ol unit, transmission and
reception of direct-current power ovcr a direct-current power line through a DC-to-DC
convelter connected to the direct-current power line;
requesting, by a power transmission and reception managenlent unit configured to be
activated upon acquisition of a control right capable of controlling the power
trans~iiission and reception control unit, the power transmission and reception control
unit to control the DC-to-DC converter; and
requesting, by a power transmission and reception arbitration unit, the power
transmission and reception management unit to perform transmission and reception of
power through the DC-to-DC converter,
wherein the power transmission and reception control unit and the power transmission
and reception management unit communicate with another power transmission and
reception control device over a first communication channel,
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit com~nunicates with the
other power transmission and reception control device over a second communication
channel different from the first co~nmunication channel, and
wherein the method further includes arbitrating, by the power transmission and reception
arbitration unit, the control right between the power transmission and reception control
device and the other power transmission and reception control device over the second
communication channel.
(15)
A power transmission and reception control system including:
a plurality of power transmission and reception control devices each configured to
control trans~nission and reception of direct-current power over a direct-current power
line through a DC-to-DC converter co~inectedto the direct-current power line,
wherein each of the power transmission and reception control devices includes
a power transmission and reception control unit configured to control transmission and
reception of direct-current power over the direct-current power line through the DC-to-
DC converter,
a power trans~nission and reception management unit configured to be activated upon
acquisition of a control right capable of co~itrolling the power transmission and
reception control unit and configured to request the power transmission and reception
control unit to control the DC-to-DC converter, and
a power transmission and reccption arbitration unit configured to request the power
trans~liission and reception management unit to perform transmission and reception of
power through the DC-to-DC converter,
wherein the power transmission and reception control unit and the power transmission
and reccption management unit co~nmunicate with another power transmission and
reception control unit and another power transmission and reception management unit
over a first communication channel,
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit communicates with
another power transmission and reception arbitration unit over a second communication
channel different from the first communication channel, and
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit arbitrates the control right
between the power transmission and reception control device and another power
transmission and reception control device over the second communication channel.
[Reference Signs List]
[0117]
I power transmission and reception control system
10a to 10d consumer
20 direct-current bus line
21a to 21d local bus line
30, 30a, 30b colnmunication wire
lOOa to 100d battery server
150a to 150d DC-to-DC converter
160a to 160d battery
170a lo 170d sccnario
180 policy
200a to 200d solar panel
[Name of Document] CLAIMS

[Claim I]
A power transmission and reception control device comprising:
a power transniission and reception control unit configured to control trans~iiission and
reception of direct-current power over a direct-current power line through a DC-to-DC
converter connected to the direct-current power line;
a power transmission and reception management unit configured to be activated upon
acquisition of a control right capable of controlling the power trans~nissio~ain d
reception control unit and configured to request the power transmission and reception
control unit to control the DC-to-DC converter; and
a power transmission and reception arbitration unit configured to request the power
transmission and reception management unit to perform transmission and reception of
power through the DC-to-DC converter,
wherein the power transmission and reception control unit and the power trans~nission
and reception management unit comtnunicate with another power transmission and
reception control device over a first co~nmunicationc hannel, and
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit communicates with the
other power transmission and reception control device over a second communication
channel different from the first eo~nmuuication channel, arbitrates acquisition of the
control right between the power transmission and reception control device and the other
power transmission and reception control device over the second com~nunication channel,
and activates the power transmission and reception management unit upon acquisition of
the control right.
[Claim 21
The power transmission and reception control device according to claim 1,
wherein the activated power transmission and reception management unit requests the
power transmission and reception control unit to control the DC-to-DC converter
individually over the first co~nmunicationc hannel, the power transmission and reception
control unit controlling the DC-to-DC converter as a target subjected to transmission and
reception of power over the direct-current power line.
[Claim 31
The power transmission and reception control device according to claim I,
wherein the power transmission and reception control unit, the power transmission and
reception management unit, and the power transmission and reception arbitration unit
operate on the basis of policy information that is common between the power
trans~nission and reception control device and all of the other power transmission and
reception control devices.
[Claim 41
The power transmission and reception control device according to claim 3,
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit arbitrates acquisition of
the control right between the power transmission and reception control device and the
other power transmission and reception control device over the second communication
channel on the basis of the policy information.
[Claim 51
The power trans~nissiona nd reception control device according to claim 3,
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit notifies identification
information of the activated power transmission and reception management unit to the
power transmission and reception control unit,
wherein the activated power transmission and reception management unit sends a
request for control of the DC-to-DC converter to the power transmission and reception
control unit, the request being added with identification information of the activated
power transmission and reception management unit, and
wherein the power transmission and reception control unit, when receiving a request for
control of the DC-to-DC converter added with identification information different fro111
the identification information notified from the power transmission and reception control
unit, processes the request on the basis of the policy information.
[Claim 61
The power transmission and reception control device according to claim 3,
whcrein the policy information is described as a scripting language.
[Claim 71
The power trans~iiission and reception control device according to claiin 1, further
comprising:
a power transmission and reception requesting unit configured to request the power
transmission and reception arbitration unit to arbitrate the control right when a
predetermined condition is satisfied.
[Claim 81
The power transmission and reception control device according to claim 7,
wherein the power transmission and reception requesting unit is connected to the second
communication channel to communicate with the other power transmission and reception
control device.
[Claim 91
The power transmission and reception control device according to claim 7,
wherein the power transmission and reception requesting unit operates on the basis of
scenario information defined independently of all of the other power transmission and
reception control devices.
[Claim 101
The power transmission and reception control device according to claim 9,
wherein the scenario information is described as a scripting language.
[Claim I I ]
The power transmission and reception control device according to claim 1,
wherein the first communication channel and the second co~nmunication channcl are
both wireless communication channels.
[Claim 121
The power transmission and reception control device according to claim 1,
wherein the power transmission and reception control unit controls charge and discharge
of a secondary battery through the DC-to-DC converter, the secondary battery being
connected to the DC-to-DC converter.
[Claim 131
The powcr transmission and reception control device according to claim 1,
wherein the power transmission and rcception control unit periodically checks whether
there is a request fro111 the power transmission and rcception iuanage~nentu nit, and when
no request from the power transmission and reception management unit occurs for a
predetermined ti~nc or more, stops the DC-to-DC converter from performing
transmission and reception of direct-current power over the direct-current power line.
[Claim 141
A control method of a power transmission and reccption control device, the method
comprising:
controlling, by a power transmission and reception control unit, transmission and
reception of direct-current power over a direct-current power line through a DC-to-DC
converter connected to the direct-current power line;
requesting, by a power transmission and reception management unit configured to be
activated upon acquisition of a control right capable of controlling the power
transmission and reception control unit, the power transmission and reception control
unit to control the DC-to-DC converter; and
requesting, by a power transmission and reception arbitration unit, the power
transmission and reception management unit to perform trans~nission and reccption of
power through the DC-to-DC converter,
wherein the powcr transmission and reception control unit and the power transmission
and rcception management unit communicate with another power transmission and
reccption control device over a first communication channel,
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit communicates with the
other power trans~nission and reception control dcvice over a second communication
channel different from the first commun~cation channel, and
wherein the method further includes arbitrating, by the power transmission and reception
arbitration unit, the control right between the power transmission and reception control
device and the other power transmission and reccption control dcvice over the second
cornmunication channel.
[Claim 151
A power transmission and reception control system comprising:
a plurality of power transmission and reception control devices each configured to
control transmission and reception of direct-current power over a direct-current power
line through a DC-to-DC converter connected to the direct-current power line,
wherein each of the power transmission and reception control devices includes
a power transmission and reception control unit configured to control transmission and
reception of direct-current power over the direct-current power line through the DC-to-
DC converter,
a power transmission and reception management unit configured to be activated upon
acquisition of a control right capable of controlling the power transmission and
reception control unit and configured to request the power transmission and reception
control unit to control the DC-to-DC converter, and
a power transmission and reception arbitration unit configured to request the power
transmission and reception management unit to perform transmission and reception of
power through the DC-to-DC converter,
wherein the power transmission and reception control unit and the power transmission
and reception management unit communicate with another power transmission and
reception control unit and another power transmission and reception management unit
over a first communication channel,
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit communicates with
another power transmission and reception arbitration unit over a second communication
channel different from the first communication channel, and
wherein the power transmission and reception arbitration unit arbitrates the control right
between the power transmission and reception control device and another power
transmission and reception control device over the second communication channel.