DE102011078042A1 - Decentralized energy network and method of distributing energy in a decentralized energy network - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a decentralized energy network and a method for distributing energy in a decentralized energy network. In the future, electrical energy networks will increasingly generate energy in a decentralized manner through a large number of energy generation units. To do this, the networks must structure themselves much more strongly than before through self-organization. In order to ensure the robustness of such decentralized energy networks and a suitable distribution of the energy in such networks to a large number of energy consumption units, the energy network according to the invention comprises corresponding agents, with at least one agent being assigned to each energy consumption and / or energy generation unit in the decentralized energy network. The agents are networked with one another in such a way that each agent can communicate with other agents in the energy network. Every change in power output or power consumption requires a trade act, which avoids major balance errors. To avoid or reduce phase asymmetries, it is provided according to the invention that the energy is distributed in the energy network based on phase-specifically negotiated monetary transactions between the agents. In order to make this coupling between electrical and monetary acts practicable, various types of electricity purchase agreements can be concluded between producers and consumers. The energy network is designed in such a way that the energy is distributed in the network phase-specifically, at least in part based on monetary transactions negotiated between the agents. In this way a suitable energy distribution based on free market mechanisms is achieved. The decentralized energy network preferably also contains further components. In particular, an energy exchange unit is provided, via which the agents negotiate the monetary transactions when the energy network is in operation.

Description

The invention relates to a three-phase, decentralized energy network, in particular a low-voltage network, for the distribution of electrical energy and a method for distributing the electrical energy in such a power grid.

The generation of energy in electric power grids today is increasingly based on a plurality of decentralized power generation units in the form of small and medium size generator systems, such. As photovoltaic systems, combined heat and power plants and other decentralized and renewable energy generation plants. The number of these power generation units is continuously increasing, so that a paradigm shift in the energy supply takes place in such a way that the energy of power generation units is atomically distributed without the interposition of a central energy supplier to energy consumers in the energy networks.

As energy consumers are z. As heat pumps, compression refrigerators or chargers for electric vehicles connected to the power grid. Especially for cost reasons, both the power generation units and the energy consumers are trained in single phase with powers of up to 3kW. The connection of single-phase power generation units and energy consumers to a three-phase power grid can lead to an unbalanced load on the power grid. The greater the number of single-phase connected power generation units and energy consumers, the stronger the load in the phases of the power grid can increase.

From the different loading of the phases, i. the external conductor of the power grid, faults in electrical components connected to the power grid can occur. These include, for example, the saturation of transformers, the overloading of cable connections and the disconnection of individual components due to a tolerance range violation of the mains voltage. In order to avoid phase imbalances, the coordinated connection of power generation units and energy consumption units would be required for an equal distribution of the power fed into and related to the individual phases.

From the WO 2009/040140 A1 For example, an energy network having a plurality of energy consumption and / or energy generation units is known, to each of which at least one agent is assigned, wherein the agents are networked with each other so that each agent can communicate with other agents in the energy network. Any change in power output or power consumption, ie both active and reactive power, presupposes a trade action, thereby avoiding large balance errors. Electricity purchase contracts of various kinds are concluded between producers and consumers. The power grid is configured such that the distribution of electrical energy in the power grid is at least partially based on monetary transactions negotiated between the agents. A distribution of energy is achieved based on market mechanisms of supply and demand of energy. In order to keep the voltage and the frequency in the energy grid stable energy equalization systems are used. In order to reduce the use of such energy balancing systems as possible, uneven energy distributions are identified.

The object of the invention is to provide a decentralized energy network which meets the above requirements and distributes the energy of several energy consumption and / or energy generation units in a meaningful way depending on the energy requirement and the energy that can be generated.

This object is solved by the independent claims. Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The energy network according to the invention comprises a plurality of energy consumption and / or energy generation units, each associated with at least one agent, wherein the agents are networked with each other so that each agent can communicate with other agents in the power grid. Any change in power output or power consumption requires a commercial act, which avoids large balance errors. In order to make this coupling between the electric and the monetary act practicable, it is possible to conclude electricity purchase contracts of various kinds between producers and consumers. The energy network is designed in such a way that the distribution of the electrical energy in the energy network is at least partially based on monetary transactions negotiated between the agents.

In order to avoid or reduce phase imbalances, it is provided according to the invention that the distribution of the energy in the energy network takes place on the basis of phase-specific monetary transactions negotiated between the agents. This means that as a result of a commercial act, the energy or energy supplied by a component from the three-phase power network is selectively connected to a particular outer conductor of the power network to the voltages between the individual phases (conductors) of the energy network in the desired manner to influence. The more electrical components in phase-specific trade file be integrated, the more the phase imbalances can be reduced.

The method according to the invention thus achieves a phase-specific distribution of the energy based on market mechanisms of supply and demand for energy. The monetary transactions are in particular negotiated contracts between individual agents, with which the sale or purchase of certain amounts of energy is determined. These contracts also include the price at which the energy is sold by one agent and purchased by the other agent.

According to the invention, the energy generation or energy provision is thus self-organizing regulated by the fact that the agents include the functionality of the phase-specific negotiation of monetary transactions. As a result, a decentralized, self-organizing distribution of energy is achieved in a simple manner with uniform loading of the phases in the network. An agent assigned to a respective energy consumption and / or energy generation unit may for this purpose comprise a controllable switching means which selectively connects the energy consumption and / or energy generation unit to one of the phases of the energy network.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the power grid may also couple to other energy networks and draw energy from other energy networks or provide surplus energy to other energy networks.

To carry out the above monetary transactions, each agent in the power grid preferably has a transaction unit which automatically negotiates prices with other agents for providing and / or purchasing energy and concludes corresponding contracts. An agent associated with a respective power and / or power generation unit preferably also includes an energy measurement and / or power control unit for selectively measuring and / or controlling the power consumed and provided by the respective power and / or power generation unit to thereby determine whether or not How much energy can be offered for sale in the energy network or whether it should be acquired through a purchase.

Each agent preferably comprises one or more communication interfaces, in particular an external communication interface for communication with other agents and / or an internal communication interface for communication with the energy consumption and / or energy generation unit (s) to which the respective agent is assigned.

To allow a user easy access to the agent's settings, each agent may include one or more user interfaces for accessing and setting parameters of the respective agent.

A particularly simple check of the parameters of an agent is made possible by the fact that a respective agent automatically generates reports about its state. These reports can then, for example, be viewed by a user via corresponding user interfaces.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the negotiation of the monetary transactions is regulated by a central unit. It is an energy exchange unit, which is preferably configured to phase-collect offers and requests from the agents for energy and, based on the offers and requests, provides phase-specific purchases and sales of energy between the agents. In this way, a central trading platform is created in the manner of a stock exchange, on which the energy in the energy network is traded as commodity. Thus, a suitable distribution of the energy in the energy network is easily achieved by market mechanisms.

In order to perform as large a number of transactions as possible at a particular time in the power grid, the energy exchange unit is, in a preferred embodiment, configured to phase-calculate an energy price at which the greatest number of monetary transactions occur between the agents. This price is called the market clearing price, the calculation of which is explained in more detail in the detailed description. Based on these phase-specific energy prices, the Energy Exchange Unit then mediates the purchases and sales of energy.

Furthermore, the energy exchange unit is preferably configured such that this unit can be accessed by the agents to view the transactions mediated by the energy exchange unit. In order to carry out transactions outside the network, if appropriate, in a further embodiment of the invention, the energy exchange unit is designed such that it can contact energy exchange units of other energy networks in order to provide energy to or from the other energy networks.

In order to avoid abuses when carrying out the energy and monetary transactions, in a preferred variant of the invention a monitoring unit is also provided in the energy network. This unit monitors the execution of the monetary transactions and the phase-selective provision based thereon and the phase-selective consumption of energy based thereon by the energy consumption and / or energy generation units. The monitoring unit has the authorization to initiate countermeasures in the presence of predetermined criteria. Such criteria are, in particular, identified cases of abuse or emergency situations. For example, in the case of energy shortages, it must be ensured that the energy still available is first sent to public entities, such as As hospitals, is distributed before it is provided to other industrial facilities.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the countermeasures that can be carried out by the monitoring unit include the reduction and / or increase of the energy provided and / or consumed by a respective energy-consuming and / or energy-generating unit; in particular, the countermeasure can also be the complete shut-down of a respective energy-generating unit include.

The countermeasure may also include the issuance of a corresponding command to reduce or increase the power provided by a respective power and / or power generation unit and / or the output of a corresponding phase change command.

Furthermore, the agents may each have electronic seals to prevent manipulation of the agents, in which case the monitoring unit preferably has the authorization to check the electronic seals of the agents. In addition, the Surveillance Unit may be granted the right to receive reports of suspected abuses and to investigate and / or initiate investigations into suspected abuses.

In a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a management unit for managing the energy consumption and / or energy generation units belonging to the energy network and their agents is also provided in the energy network. The administrative unit is preferably configured such that it registers and / or logs off agents in the energy network. In this way, the administrative unit stores how many and which energy generating units are involved in the energy network. In particular, the administrative unit is configured such that it provides information about the energy network via an interface, in particular a website, and makes it possible to register and / or log off agents.

Preferably, an object of the management unit is the monitoring of the energy consumption and the energy production of the energy consumption and / or energy generation units, countermeasures being determined by the management unit in the event of energy bottlenecks and / or imbalances in the energy distribution and corresponding instructions and / or proposals to the agents the administrative unit is issued. In particular, countermeasures may include decoupling the power grid from other power networks and issuing instructions to the agents to increase power generation and / or reduce power consumption of the power and / or power generation units associated with the respective agents and / or change the phase of the power grid include. The administrative unit may further comprise, if appropriate, analysis means for analyzing the energy distribution in the energy network, wherein based on the analysis, for example, corresponding statistics for later evaluation can be generated.

Furthermore, the administrative unit may offer advisory services and / or services to promote the technical development of the energy network. For example, the advisory services may consist of accessing a web page where relevant information for advice to the energy network users can be obtained. A service for furthering technical development may consist in defining programs via the administrative unit which, for example via monetary rewards, cause the subscribers in the network to develop better algorithms (for example for rapid decoupling of the energy network) and to make them available to the administrative unit.

The management unit may also interface to other power networks, i. the management unit is designed such that it can communicate with other energy networks, in particular with administrative units of other energy networks.

In addition to the decentralized energy network described above, the invention further comprises a method for distributing energy in such an energy network, wherein the distribution of energy in the Energy network based at least partially on phase-specific monetary transactions negotiated between the agents.

Embodiments of the invention are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying figure.

It shows:

1 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a power grid according to the invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a three-phase power network will be described which distributes energy based on the principles of self-organization and decentralization. For this purpose, the energy network comprises a plurality of individual PEAs (PEA = private energy agents), which are each assigned to a power generation and / or energy consumption unit in the network. In the following, the term PEA is generally also used as a synonym for the associated power generation or energy consumption unit. The power generation units are for example photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, Sterling engines, batteries or electrochemical storage and so-called. CHP plants (CHP = Combined Heat and Power). The CHP plants can use energy z. B. based on the combustion of diesel or based on the combustion of hydrogen or hydrocarbons in fuel cells generate. The energy consumption units are in particular private households, industrial consumers (such as office buildings, public baths and the like) as well as industrial consumers. Optionally, the power generation units may be combined units that both consume energy and can provide (excess) generated energy in the network. This applies in particular to energy storage, such. As electrochemical storage, but may also include memory such as flywheels and combinations such as electrolytes hydrogen storage reconverting units.

The three-phase power network comprises in a manner known to those skilled in three outer conductor (L1, L2, L3) and a neutral conductor (N) and a protective conductor (PE). The power grid is preferably a low voltage network, i. a power grid in which the voltage between one of the outer conductors and the neutral conductor is for example 230V.

Ideally, in the three-phase power network, there is a symmetrical load on the three phase conductors or phases with respect to the neutral conductor. This means, in the ideal case, the voltage applied between a respective outer conductor and the neutral conductor N is the same. An uneven distribution of stress is called phase asymmetry, which is characterized by a (strongly) different loading of the three phases of the energy network. Possible errors caused by such a phase asymmetry are, for example, the saturation of distribution networks of the power grid, the overloading of cable connections and the disconnection of individual components due to a tolerance band violation of the voltage prevailing between one of the outer conductors and the neutral conductor.

In order to avoid such phase asymmetry or to reduce an existing phase asymmetry, devices for controlling the loading of the phases of the energy network are respectively provided in the PEAs (or alternatively in the energy consumption and / or production units assigned to them). These devices are connected on the one hand to the three-phase power grid and on the other hand to the energy consumption and / or generation units (electrical components). The device is connected to all three outer conductors, the neutral conductor and the protective conductor and has a switching means with which the electrical component can receive phase-selectively energy from the three phases of the energy network or feed into it in response to a control signal.

If the energy consumption and / or generation unit is a single-phase electrical component, then the switching means of the device can be designed as a controllable switching element, which connects the electrical component for the energy extraction or feed with one of the three phases. The switching means may alternatively comprise a converter circuit. For example, two inverters are coupled to one another via their DC intermediate circuit, which has a capacitor for smoothing ripple currents. The electrical component may then be not only a single-phase power generation and / or power consumption unit but also a three-phase component. By means of the two inverters coupled together, a variable, phase-specific energy supply or removal can take place. In particular, it is possible to obtain different powers from individual phases or to feed them into them. Another advantage is that a phase change without shutdown of the electrical component is possible. In addition, the cosφ of the line-side converter can be specified via a corresponding control. Thus, a reactive power compensation is possible.

The basic procedure of a phase-selective energy supply and / or energy extraction is as follows: If the electrical component is an energy generating unit, the connection is made with that outer conductor, which has the smallest voltage relative to the neutral conductor. If the electrical component refers to electricity from the three-phase energy network, then the electrical component is connected to that outer conductor which has the greatest voltage with respect to the neutral conductor of the energy network. Whether the electrical component must be connected to the outer conductor with the highest voltage or the outer conductor with the lowest voltage can be determined by the detection of the current direction. The current measurement is used in particular to detect whether the component is a power generator or an energy consumer. This information is used to select the "right" phase.

When energy stores, i. Operated components that can be both producers and consumers, the phase change, in the case of the communication device, can be transmitted from the higher-level control. If this is not available, the hysteresis band can be placed around the zero point so that even relatively low load requirements, to the memory, do not lead to any switching of the component. In the case of fast request changes, the switch can inhibit the phase, i. be z. For example, if a switching frequency> 10 is detected within 10 seconds, the switching is blocked and only released again in accordance with the set maximum current sign change per time.

The phase-selective energy supply and / or removal phase asymmetries can be avoided. If phase asymmetries already exist in the three-phase energy network, they can be reduced by the (control) device. The effect is greater, the greater the number of components connected via a respective control device according to the invention.

A change of phase is basically possible during operation of the electrical component. However, it is expedient to carry out the phase change as a function of a current detected by the current measuring device. In particular, a switching of the phase should only take place if the current fed into the energy grid or taken from the power grid is below a predetermined threshold. As a result, a low-load or load-free switching can be made possible. It is also expedient if a hysteresis curve for the (phase) voltage is stored in the device. The hysteresis is selected for the switchover criterion of the mains voltage, in order to determine if necessary a blocking of the phase change for a defined time after the switchover. In this way - if the phase asymmetry around the switching criterion oscillates around - excessively frequent phase changes can be avoided.

This in 1 shown energy network distributes the generated or consumed energy as evenly as possible to the phases within the network, which may be surplus energy also other networks can be provided or in energy shortages and energy from other networks can be obtained. The boundary conditions of this self-organizing energy distribution in this case is that on the one hand, the voltage and the frequency of the electrical energy supplied should be kept constant and, secondly, an operation of the network autonomously, ie independent of other energy networks, should be possible. To achieve this, the PEAs are networked with each other so that each PEA can communicate with another PEA, ie can exchange appropriate information. In addition, a central local energy exchange unit LEX is provided, which can be accessed by each PEA. The communication of the PEAs with one another is hereby indicated with corresponding arrows P1, whereas the communication of the individual PEAs with the energy exchange unit LEX is reproduced with corresponding arrows P2. The communication of PEAs among each other is not limited to neighboring PEAs, but each PEA can communicate with each PEA.

The distribution of energy in the energy network of 1 is essentially market-based in that the individual PEAs provide each other or with the interposition of the local energy exchange unit LEX their required or excess energy as a commodity and perform based on monetary transactions. The local energy exchange unit LEX thus essentially represents a switching unit of supply and demand of the individual PEAs, which buy or sell energy for money. Since a purely market-controlled distribution of energy in emergencies or abuse by the PEAs may possibly lead to a strong imbalance of energy distribution, in the embodiment of the 1 Furthermore, an administration unit IA (IA = Island Administration) and a monitoring unit EP (EP = Electricity Police) provided by which in case of emergency or misuse control mechanisms are provided for power distribution, which intervene in the purely market-based distribution of energy. The administrative unit IA and the monitoring unit EP provide preferably public institutions established by the energy network related PEAs to perform tasks that can not be optimally controlled by pure market regulation mechanisms, such as: For example, the monitoring of the legal admissibility of a commercial act for the purchase or sale of energy or the decoupling of the in 1 illustrated power network of other networks.

The following are the tasks and functions of each component of the network 1 , ie the agent PEAs, the energy exchange unit LEX, the management unit IA and the monitoring unit EP, described in detail.

• – Messfunktionen,
• – Funktionen zur Steuerung des Energieflusses innerhalb der Phasen des Energienetzes,
• – Benutzerschnittstellen-Funktionen,
• – interne Kommunikation,
• – externe Kommunikation,
• – Berichtsfunktionen,
• – finanzielle Funktionen.

As already mentioned, the PEAs either negotiate monetary transactions for the provision or purchase of energy either with each other or with the interposition of the energy exchange unit LEX. The PEAs can be assigned to any power generation or energy consumption units, the PEAs z. B. be divided into three classes. The first class concerns micro-PEAs associated with power and / or power generation units with a consumption or generator power of 5 kW and less. The second class concerns mini-PEAs, which are assigned to energy consumption and / or energy production units with a consumption or generator power of 30 kW and less. The third class includes industrial PEAs associated with energy and / or power generation units having a consumption or generator power of 30 kW and more. The most important functions of each PEA can be divided into a total of seven functional classes, which are as follows:

• - measuring functions,
• Functions for controlling the flow of energy within the phases of the energy network,
• - user interface functions,
• - internal communication,
• - external communication,
• - reporting features,
• - financial functions.

It may possibly be realized only a part of the functions in a PEA. According to the measurement functions, the time-resolved flow of total energy and the flow of energy for specific loads and generators are monitored and stored for each phase. Furthermore, statistical functions are implemented which calculate the average energy curve (load curve, energy production curve) for an "average day" or an "average week". In addition, the measurement functions provide power quality functions that monitor the quality of the provided frequency, voltage, and the like.

The functions of the PEA to control the flow of energy allow a user of the PEA to parameterize certain prescribed load curves to be met in the PEA. In addition, the user may program certain reaction mechanisms that determine how the PEA should respond to significant deviations from a predetermined energy consumption behavior. If the PEA includes its own energy generators (eg, wind generators, biomass generators, and the like), the PEA will phase-balance the balance between internal and external power generation and power consumption. In addition, a PEA has different energy reduction scenarios, which are performed by the PEA when needed and which z. B. from the administration unit IA or the monitoring unit EP can be triggered from the outside. If necessary, these scenarios can be programmed individually.

The user interface functions of a PEA are implemented, for example, by an internal web server, which enables the parameterization of the PEAs with the aid of a computer, in particular a commercially available PC. The user interface functions also control access to the PEA from outside. In particular, the parameterization of the PEA can be delegated to a service provider who offers the management of the PEAs as a service. The user interface functions further include alarm mechanisms that may be programmed to inform a user of the PEA when significant deviations from a predetermined load behavior occur, resulting in, for example, very high energy costs due to a deviation from a given contract. The alarm can be implemented acoustically, visually, by sending an SMS, email or in any other way.

Based on the internal communication function, a PEA communicates with internal generators and loads, as well as with the phase selection switching means via a standardized interface through which it issues, for example, commands to turn on a generator. In addition, the PEA can communicate with so-called "intelligent" loads to reduce its performance. For example, such an intelligent load may be a cooker that prevents a user from turning on another hob when a hot plate is already active. Intelligent loads can also take the form of a smart home, intelligent building management or in the form of intelligent industrial plants of small and medium size can be realized.

Based on the external communication function, a respective PEA communicates with the energy exchange unit LEX to conclude a corresponding contract for the phase-selective purchase or sale of energy. In addition, external communication can also take place directly between individual PEAs. Further, each PEA has a communication interface with the management unit IA described later, for example, to receive an instruction to reduce the load. Each PEA also communicates with the monitoring unit EP described in more detail below. Furthermore, corresponding safety functions are realized via the function of the external communication.

According to the reporting functions, a PEA generates reports on the generation and consumption of energy, single event reports, financial statistics reports and reports containing proposals for optimizing the PEA (eg recalibration of the load curve, flexible handling of the negotiation of contracts) and the same).

According to the financial functions, a respective PEA negotiates with other PEAs to buy the energy they need or to sell a surplus of energy. The energy thus represents a commodity, this good is preferably traded on the energy exchange unit LEX. Another function of the PEA is the autonomous realization of phase-specific energy contracts through the LEX energy exchange unit or directly with other PEAs. In addition, a PEA preferably includes optimization algorithms to reduce the cost of purchasing energy and to maximize revenue from the sale of energy. Furthermore, further optimization mechanisms may be envisaged when negotiating the contracts. The financial functions also include an electronic seal which safeguards the data relevant to the monetary trade file so that a user can not manipulate it. In addition, security features are implemented to protect the data on the PEAs and prevent their spying.

As mentioned above, the autonomous realization of energy contracts should be achieved through a PEA. This means that a PEA should act autonomously in most cases. Under certain general rules imposed by the user of the PEA, he should be able to perform standard situations for negotiating monetary transactions relating to the purchase and sale of energy.

If such standard situations deviate from given profiles under certain conditions, the user is informed and can intervene manually. In order to add further intelligent functionalities in addition to the elementary functionalities of a PEA at a later date, a generic platform for the implementation of the PEAs should be used.

A PEA can be implemented analogously to a DSL router, wherein preferably an open-source operating system for operating the PEAs, for example Linux, is used. A standard user uses only the standard functionalities of the router. Users with more experience can implement and dynamically customize additional functions based on the open source operating system.

To realize an energy network according to 1 it is necessary that the operators / users of individual power generation units are willing to purchase a corresponding PEA with phase selection mechanism. This is achieved, in particular, when the energy producers cause the energy consumers to use a PEA by providing discounted energy tariffs when a PEA is used by a consumer. The price for the purchase of a PEA should stand for the annual energy consumption costs in a ratio of 1: 1 up to 2: 1.

The user interface functionality of the PEA should be sufficiently complex to provide reporting functionality, control functionality, and the like. That's why a big screen is mandatory. As this may result in an unacceptable price for the PEA, in particular, there should be the possibility that the PEA can be connected to a standard PC. The PEA should therefore be implemented as a web server.

• – Sammeln von Angeboten und Anfragen für alle Phasen des Energienetzes,
• – Berechnung eines sog. Markt-Clearing-Preises,
• – Realisation von Verträgen,
• – Anzeige von Handelsaktivitäten auf einer Webseite,
• – Verhandeln mit anderen und größeren LEXs, um eine Über- bzw. Unterversorgung an Energie zu berücksichtigen,
• – Berichterstattung an Energieerzeuger und Energieverbraucher.

The functionalities of the energy exchange unit LEX are described below. A basic idea that is based on the use of a LEX is that each act of trading is assigned an act of energy consumption or energy production. The PEA is an agent acting on behalf of the corresponding consumer or generator to which the PEA is assigned. In addition to local functions for measuring and controlling local demand and supply of energy, a LEX should also be able to operate outside the market associated with the local energy network in order to buy energy or for sale. The main task of the LEX, however, is to provide a platform for the local PEAs of the energy network of the 1 , The LEX is preferably implemented as a web server on which the PEAs can access via standardized protocols. The key features of the LEX are as follows:

• - collecting offers and inquiries for all phases of the energy network,
• - calculation of a so-called market clearing price,
• - realization of contracts,
• - Display of trading activities on a website,
• - Negotiate with other and larger LEXs to address energy shortages or shortages,
• - Reporting to energy producers and consumers.

It may possibly be realized only a part of the functions in a LEX.

To realize the functionality of collecting offers and requests, a standardized interface is provided via which the PEAs contact the LEX. You can query the current market clearing price and submit offers regarding the purchase and sale of energy and request the current status of trading records.

In accordance with the functionality of calculating the market clearing price, LEX calculates the price that leads to the largest number of monetary transactions to buy or sell energy, according to the offers and requests for energy. This market clearing price is determined as follows:
It is assumed that at a given time t, a total of N _i PEAs would buy a total of n _{i of} electricity (in kWh) at a price of p _i . Of course, these PEAs would also buy the same amount of energy / electricity at a lower price. Therefore, for a given price p _k, a total amount of electricity would be purchased, which reads as follows:

Here, all prices are summed which are larger than p _k , ie the prices are arranged as follows: p _i-1 <p _i <p _{i + 1} .

Conversely, that at a given time t _j, a number A of PEAs a total quantity of electricity at a price a _j p _j or sell higher would. The total amount of energy that is eventually sold at a price p _k is then as follows:

From these aggregated offers and inquiries, finally, the market clearing price p _MCP can be calculated, at which the largest number of transactions is performed. Assuming a continuous presentation of the price, this market clearing price results if the following condition is met:

The calculation of this market clearing price is carried out by the LEX and based on this price the monetary transactions between the individual PEAs are then mediated.

In order for the LEX to be able to implement the corresponding monetary transactions, the LEX itself contains a broker function, ie each PEA can access the LEX directly without having another trader interposed. The LEX should thus have banking rights and be able to conclude the corresponding purchase contracts and manage the bank accounts of the PEAs. Optionally, a LEX may also be implemented as an interregional energy exchange unit to facilitate energy exchange between individual local, in 1 To enable energy networks shown. For this purpose, if appropriate, an intermediate layer between the PEA and the LEX in the form of an energy distributor can be provided.

In order to make trading activities visible to PEAs, such activities are reflected on a website that can be visited by individual consumers or energy producers. This site can thus be a platform to stimulate new market developments, inform consumers, and communicate trends and estimates to consumers.

A LEX may also, under certain circumstances, contact other or larger LEXs, especially if there is a local demand or surplus of energy. The LEX can then offer the energy surplus of other LEXs or buy energy from other LEXs. The LEX thus mediates contracts between distant contracting parties.

The above-mentioned reporting functionality of LEX is especially important as the PEAs are very work autonomously. This is because a user often desires a high degree of automation for a commodity such as electricity. Based on the reporting functionality, a user can then check what amounts of energy were purchased by whom and what prices were paid for them.

The LEX can also have security functionality. This security functionality should comply with the security requirements of the PEAs, as the LEX is a communication partner of the PEAs.

• – Der Verkäufer verkauft Energie, welche er nicht in den Pool gestellt hat.
• – Der Verbraucher entnimmt Energie aus dem Pool, für welche er nicht bezahlt hat.

The functionalities of the monitoring unit in the form of the electricity police EP will be explained below. It should be noted that a difference of electrical energy as a commodity to other goods is that electrical energy is indistinguishable. The seller of electricity can not provide the transmitted quantity of electricity with corresponding markings which clearly indicate the origin of the energy. There is thus no intermediary entity that can track the transmission of an energy packet. Instead, each seller places the amount of energy that he has generated into a common pool, and the consumer extracts a corresponding amount of energy from the pool according to the certificate with which he purchased the amount of energy. There are thus essentially two types of fraud:

• - The seller sells energy that he has not put into the pool.
• - The consumer draws energy from the pool, for which he has not paid.

• – Überwachung von Handelsakten,
• – Überprüfung der Erfüllung von Verträgen,
• – Durchführung von Messungen zur Nachverfolgung von Energieengpässen,
• – Zugriffsrecht auf die PEAs,
• – Überprüfung der Integrität des elektronischen Siegels eines PEAs,
• – Berechtigung, ein Abschalten bzw. eine Verminderung der Leistung eines Energieerzeugers oder eines Energieverbrauchers anzuweisen,
• – Berechtigung, ein Abschalten oder eine Leistungsverminderung eines Energieerzeugers oder Energieverbrauchers zu erzwingen,
• – Entgegennahme von Anzeigen bezüglich eines vermuteten Missbrauchs,
• – Durchführung von Untersuchungen betreffend vermuteten Missbrauch.

There is therefore a need for a supervisory authority which is entitled to verify the legality of commercial files and which is also entitled to intervene in cases of fraud. This institution is the one in 1 shown monitoring unit EP. This monitoring unit can be realized, for example, as a web server. The basic functionalities of this unit are as follows:

• - monitoring of trade files,
• - verification of the fulfillment of contracts,
• - carrying out measurements to track energy shortages,
• - right of access to the PEAs,
• - checking the integrity of the electronic seal of a PEA,
• - authorization to instruct a shutdown or reduction of the power of an energy producer or an energy consumer,
• - Authorization to force a shutdown or degradation of an energy producer or energy consumer,
• - receiving reports of suspected abuse,
• - conducting investigations concerning suspected abuse.

If necessary, only some of the functionalities in an EP can be realized.

The functionality of the monitoring of the trade file ensures the legality of every trade act. This is done by reporting each trade act to the monitoring unit, the message comprising the amount of energy traded and the time of manufacture or consumption. The monitoring unit inserts this trading act into a total time schedule. When the time of realization of the trade cycle is reached, the monitoring unit performs measurements of both power generation and power consumption to verify that the trade act has been performed correctly.

The functionality of performing measurements to track energy bottlenecks serves to identify such energy bottlenecks that are not caused by abuse. Such energy bottlenecks can be caused, for example, by incorrect calibration of measuring devices, losses on the lines and the like. Accurate measurements at various locations, especially at energy balancing facilities, are the basis for accurate system verification and detection of technical problems of all kinds.

In accordance with the functionality of access to the PEAs, the Surveillance Unit has the exclusive right to access the PEAs with or without appropriate court orders, depending on the situation. There is a standard access to the respective PEA for monitoring trade files. This access is secured by a cryptographic mechanism so that only the monitoring unit can access this data.

According to the electronic seal verification functionality of a PEA, it allows the monitoring unit to access the PEA to verify the integrity of that seal. The seal protects the data area of the PEA, which contains trade-relevant information.

Since the monitoring unit performs a variety of measurements, it can quickly identify problems in the provision or demand of electrical energy. To forestall damage, which larger public institutions, such as hospitals, public institutions and the like, the monitoring unit has the functionality of disabling or reducing the power of energy producers. In doing so, the PEAs implement mechanisms for responding to such commands. Such a command may involve time delays, it may be conditional and it may be prioritized.

In emergencies where damage is to be avoided, the monitoring unit may also issue a command not tied to a condition. Among other things, this command includes an increase in power or a differentiated increase or decrease in the power or a shutdown of the power of individual consumers or energy producers. For example, switching off televisions can be forced because a heavy electrical appliance must remove a tree from train tracks.

In accordance with another functionality, the monitoring unit also serves to receive advertisements regarding suspected fraud.

The monitoring unit may also be entitled in suspected cases of fraud in the energy network itself to conduct investigations. The investigations can be initiated, for example, by weaving robots. The administrative unit can also serve only for the initialization of examinations, the examinations being carried out by human users themselves.

When implementing the monitoring unit, various safety aspects must be taken into account in order to implement the functionality of a police authority. These aspects include, among others, the traceability of frauds, i. funds must be provided that an agent on the network who has performed a particular action can not deny authorship of this action.

Below are the functionalities of in 1 explained management unit IA explained. According to the in 1 The PEAs involved form a kind of "island", which is managed by the administrative unit IA. The importance of such an island is that in case of problems that are caused by distant places on the island, the "inhabitants of the island" (which are the PEAs) have the opportunity to move on from the "rest of the world" decouple and solve their energy problems themselves. Such a distant cause may be, for example, the shutdown of a high voltage power line in another country. The possibility of decoupling implies that the capacity of energy production and energy demand on the island are balanced. The principle of the island is "self-similar", ie islands from every possible power class up to a single household can be realized. If every household, or at least a major part of a household, owns a form of energy production (such as a photovoltaic roof), then at least for a certain time the operation of the island is possible on that very small scale.

• – Registrieren und Abmeldung von PEAs bei der Verwaltungseinheit,
• – Verwalten einer Webseite mit Informationen über die Insel,
• – Durchführen des Entkoppelns der Insel,
• – Überwachen von Leistungsungleichgewichten,
• – Beratungsleistungen,
• – Analyse,
• – technische Entwicklung der Insel,
• – Kommunikation mit anderen Inseln.

According to the invention, the administrative unit IA represents a unit which assumes administrative tasks for each island from PEAs and implements the required administrative structures. In particular, such an administrative unit comprises the following functions:

• - registration and deregistration of PEAs at the administrative unit,
• - manage a website with information about the island,
• Performing the decoupling of the island,
• - monitoring performance imbalances,
• - consulting services,
• - analysis,
• - technical development of the island,
• - Communication with other islands.

If necessary, only a part of the functions can be realized in an IA.

According to the functionality of the registration or the deregistration, a new consumer can register to an administrative unit. If necessary, several administrative units may be active in a given geographical area. The advantage of registering at an administrative unit is that, in the event of a remote power failure, the individual, registered unit is embedded in a wider context so as to ensure the proper operation of the unit after such an event. Competition between individual administrative units is, of course, welcome, and thus there is also the possibility for the PEAs to log off at an administrative unit.

Via a website, the administrative unit informs about the number and capacities of energy consumers or energy producers that belong to an island. The website also provides access to the registration process. In addition, information about the rules given for the island is given, for example which actions are performed if an island decouples, how the administrative unit deals with the market-based energy distribution and the like.

The process of decoupling the island is initialized by the management unit, in particular, when a remote power failure occurs, which has an impact on the power supply of the PEAs of the island.

In order to implement the decoupling of the island, the administrative unit has the authorization to specify energy controls for the energy producers and energy consumers. The administrative unit includes a database containing information regarding the flexibility of the different energy producers and energy consumers. This information can be collected early on automatically through communication between the IA administrative unit and the PEAs. If, for example, the external power supply reaches a level of 30% and then suddenly fails completely, the administrative unit instructs the energy consumers to immediately reduce their energy consumption accordingly. Then, the management unit determines the power generation capacities within the island and instructs the power producers to appropriately take the necessary generation of power. In principle, such a failure of an external energy supply could also be controlled via the market. However, then there is a risk that industrial plants compete with hospitals for the purchase of energy. Therefore, it makes sense to balance the mechanisms of the free market, which is achieved through the administrative unit, which operates according to generally accepted action plans in case of emergency situations.

In order to keep the voltage and frequency stable in the power grid, energy balancers typically exist in conventional power networks that compensate for poor estimates of line losses, incorrect performance of contracts, incorrect measurements, or the like. Such balancing systems always lead to additional losses. In order to reduce the use of such energy equalization systems as possible, the management unit pursues phase-specific uneven energy distributions, for example with the aid of the monitoring unit EP, which identifies their causes. The administrative unit then proposes - also phase-specific - appropriate measures to remedy the problem. The administrative unit also provides advisory services to the individual PEAs regarding energy related products, energy savings and the like.

The management unit further performs analyzes based on the data measured in the operation of the power grid. From this statistics are generated, which make it possible to define appropriate measures to improve the energy supply situation of the whole network or individual energy producers and energy consumers.

The administrative unit may also support the technical development of the energy network by establishing appropriate programs. Of course, this can only be done based on the free market mechanism. The focus of the technical development, however, is on features which only concern the administrative unit, for example the development of better algorithms in order to carry out the rapid decoupling of the energy network.

The management unit also enables communication with other power networks, whereby corresponding mechanisms of cooperation with other networks can be implemented.

The security requirements for the administrative unit IA are similar to the security requirements for the monitoring unit EP, since the administrative unit, like the monitoring unit, is a public authority and has certain execution rights. It must therefore be dangerous actions that may be feasible by the administrative unit can be prevented, such. For example, the administrative unit incorrectly separates an industrial facility from the power grid. The management unit may also be the target of attacks by hackers. Therefore, access control in the administrative unit is an important security requirement.

By coordinating power consumption units and power generation units that are capable of phase-specific power consumption, the problems caused by phase asymmetries in the power grid can be reduced independently. As already explained, coordination takes place through agent-based and phase-specific trading. The trade mechanism can ensure problem solving via market prices. At the same time, problem solving takes place at economically optimized costs, since technical measures are taken where they make economic sense.

An additional supply / removal of reactive power allows the mains voltage to be kept within a tolerance band, which ensures better network utilization. Phase-specific trading is applied to both active and reactive power.

This will be illustrated by the following examples.

example 1

In a residential area, a large number of small photovoltaic systems are connected in a single phase to the outer conductor L1 of the three-phase energy network. At noon, on sunny days, there is a simultaneous strong power feed into the outer conductor L1. As a result, an unbalanced load of a distribution network transformer of the energy network, which leads to shutdown of individual photovoltaic inverters by the voltage overshoot on the outer conductor L1. Using the inventive agent-based trading mechanism, it is possible to put the feeding of the photovoltaic systems depending on the load of the phases of the power grid, on different outer conductors L1, L2, L3. Likewise, several consumers can be connected to those outer conductor, which has the highest voltage.

Example 2

In a residential area, a plurality of small photovoltaic systems is installed, which are connected by way of example to the outer conductor L1 in a single phase. In hours of strong sunlight there is a large power feed into this outsider or this phase. On the other hand, electrical stoves in the apartments or houses are three-phase connected to the power grid and provided with a power electronics, which allows to make the outer conductor L1 an increased or complete power extraction. In the case of agent-based and phase-specific trading, the price of L1 phase power decreases during periods of high solar radiation. The agents assigned to the respective control devices or the electrical components register this and adjust their purchasing behavior accordingly.

Example 3

In a residential area, a large number of small photovoltaic systems are connected in a single phase to the outer conductor L1. In hours of strong sunlight, there is a strong power feed into this phase. Heat pumps in the residences of the residential area are single-phase connected to the power grid and have a device for controlling the loading of the phases of the power grid, which allows the selection of the phase. In an agent-based energy-based trading network, the price of the L1 phase power decreases in the hours of high solar radiation. The heat pump agents register this and adjust their buying behavior accordingly.

Example 4

For reasons unknown, a large photovoltaic system is connected to the outer conductor L1 in a single phase. Conventional equipped with monitoring relay motors for example pumps would be unplugged off in this subnetwork of the power network with correspondingly pronounced phase balance. By way of example, a commercial enterprise is to be located in the subnetwork with machines whose electric motors are capable of phase-specific power consumption. According to the invention, the price for the power from the phase L1 decreases in the hours of strong sunlight. The agents assigned to the electric motors of the business register this and adjust their purchasing behavior accordingly.

Example 5

At the end of a stub of the power grid, power generation units are connected in a single phase. Conventional motors equipped with monitoring relays for pumps, for example, would be disconnected unscheduled in this subnetwork with correspondingly pronounced phase asymmetry. In the subnetwork is also a commercial enterprise with machines whose electric motors are capable of phase-specific power consumption. According to the invention, the price for power from the phase L1 decreases in the hours of strong solar radiation. The agents assigned to the electric motors of the business machines register this and adjust their purchasing behavior accordingly.

Example 6

Power generation units, such. As combined heat and power plants, usually feed three-phase in the power grid. When phase asymmetries occur, the variable phase-specific feed makes a contribution to network symmetry when, on the one hand, the combined heat and power plant is connected to the energy grid via a control device according to the invention and, on the other hand, the described trading mechanism is used.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2009/040140 A1 [0005]

Claims (17)

A decentralized energy network with a plurality of energy consumption and / or energy generation units, each associated with at least one agent (PEA), wherein the agents (PEA) are interconnected such that each agent (PEA) communicate with other agents (PEA) in the energy network can be, and wherein the energy network is configured such that the distribution of energy in the energy network is at least partially based on monetary transactions negotiated between the agents (PEA), characterized in that the distribution of the energy in the energy network based on phase-specific between the agents ( PEA) negotiated monetary transactions. The power grid of claim 1, wherein the power grid is configured to receive power from other power networks and / or to provide other power networks. Power network according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each agent (PEA) comprises a transaction unit which automatically negotiates prices with other agents (PEA) for providing and / or purchasing energy and concludes corresponding contracts. A power grid as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein an agent (PEA) associated with respective power and / or power generation units comprises an energy measurement and / or power control unit for selectively measuring and / or controlling the power consumed and provided by the respective power and / or power generation units Energy includes. Power network according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each agent (PEA) comprises one or more communication interfaces, in particular an external communication interface for communication with other agents (PEA) and / or an internal communication interface for communication with the energy consumption and / or energy generation units to which the agent (PEA) is assigned. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the energy network comprises a local energy exchange unit (LEX), via which the agents (PEA) negotiate the monetary transactions in the operation of the energy network. The power grid of claim 6, wherein the energy exchange unit (LEX) is configured to phase-collect energy-agent quotes and requests from the agents (PEAs), and based on the quotes and requests, purchases and sales of energy phase-specific between the agents PEA). The power grid of claim 6 or 7, wherein the energy exchange unit (LEX) is configured to phase-calculate an energy price at which the greatest number of monetary transactions between the agents (PEA) take place and based on that phase-specific one Energy prices that conveys purchases and sales of energy. Power network according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the energy exchange unit (LEX) can be accessed by the agents (PEA) to view the transactions exchanged by the energy exchange unit (LEX). A power grid as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the energy exchange unit (LEX) is arranged to contact energy exchange units (LEX) of other power networks to provide power to or from the other power networks Respectively. Energy network according to one of the preceding claims, in which the energy network comprises a monitoring unit (EP) which, during operation of the energy network, carries out the monetary transactions and the phase-selective provision based thereon and the phase-selective consumption of energy based thereon by the energy consumption and / or energy generation units has the authority to access the respective agents (PEA) and initiate countermeasures if predetermined criteria are present. The power grid of claim 11, wherein the countermeasures include reducing and / or increasing the power provided and / or consumed by a respective power and / or power generation unit and / or outputting a corresponding command to reduce and / or increase power consumption and / or power generation unit and / or the output of a corresponding phase change command. Power grid according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the power grid comprises a management unit (IA) for managing the energy consumption and / or power generation unit and its agent (PEA) belonging to the power grid. The power grid of claim 13, wherein the management unit (IA) controls the power consumption and power generation of the power and / or energy or energy generating units monitored and determined in the occurrence of energy shortages and / or imbalances in the energy distribution countermeasures and issues appropriate instructions and / or proposals to the agents (PEA). The power grid of claim 14, wherein the countermeasures include decoupling the power grid from other power networks and issuing instructions to the agents (PEA) to increase power generation and / or reduce power consumption of the energy consumption and / or power associated with each agent (PEA). or power generation unit and / or the change of phase of the power grid. A power grid as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the management unit (IA) comprises analyzing means for analyzing the power distribution in the power grid. A method of distributing energy in a power grid according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distribution of energy in the power grid is at least partially based on phase-specific monetary transactions negotiated between the agents (PEA).

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