EP3314713A1

EP3314713A1 - Method of controlling appliances and sources of electrical energy in the distribution networks to optimize the production and consumption of electrical energy and a system for its implementation.

Info

Publication number: EP3314713A1
Application number: EP16754167.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Zdenek Kretek
Original assignee: Ecos Chocen Sro
Current assignee: Ecos Chocen Sro
Priority date: 2015-06-24
Filing date: 2016-06-23
Publication date: 2018-05-02
Also published as: WO2016206664A1; CZ309546B6; CZ2015426A3; WO2016206664A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of controlling appliances and sources of electrical energy in distribution networks to optimize production and consumption of electrical energy, in which the consumption and/or production of electrical energy is controlled by at least one control node with control software, which is connected to a system for monitoring the distribution network and is also connected to the controlled electrical devices and to sources of electrical energy, whereby the controlled electrical devices are lifting devices (8). The current operational status and height of the loads of the individual lifting devices (8) in different parts of the distribution network is continuously monitored and according to the current status of the distribution network a corresponding number of individual lifting devices (8) - individually or in groups currently selected by the control node (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) - is put specifically into a mode of controlled consumption or controlled generation of electrical energy, thereby reducing the fluctuations in the distribution network. The invention also relates to a system for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption, which comprises at least one control node with control software, wherein the control node is connected to a system for monitoring the distribution network and is also connected to a system of controlled electrical devices, which are connected to the distribution network, whereby the controlled electrical devices are lifting devices (8). The control node (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) with the control software is provided with means for monitoring the status of each of the controlled lifting devices (8) and with means for controlled start-up of a selectable lifting device (8) or of formed groups of lifting devices (8) in a mode of consumption of energy or in a mode of generating electrical energy for the distribution network.

Description

Method of controlling appliances and sources of electrical energy in the distribution networks to optimize the production and consumption of electrical energy and a system for its implementation Technical field

The invention relates to a method of controlling appliances and sources of electrical energy in distribution networks to optimize the production and consumption of electrical energy, in which the consumption and/or production of electrical energy is controlled by at least one control node with control software which is connected to a system for monitoring the distribution network and is further connected to controlled electrical devices and to sources of electrical energy, whereby the controlled electrical devices are lifting devices.

The invention also relates to a system for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption, which comprises at least one control node with control software, wherein the control node is connected to a system for monitoring the distributipn network and is also connected to a system of controlled electrical devices, which are connected to the distribution network, whereby the controlled electrical devices are lifting devices.

Background art

Contemporary society is facing a number of problems caused by imbalance between momentary production and momentary consumption of electrical energy. The imbalance is primarily due to the fact that some types of sources of electrical energy production can only be regulated to a low extent, which is especially the case of photovoltaic power plants, wind power plants, plants based on biological sources of energy, etc., particularly as a result of sudden weather changes at the site of a wind power plant, of a photovoltaic power plant. Other factors of imbalances that arise between production and consumption of electrical energy include a sudden drop in consumption due to a sudden shutdown of consumers^' location, excess energy production, distribution network failures, etc. All these phenomena lead to an increase in the amount of energy in a particular section of the distribution network, which in combination with conventional energy sources, such as hydroelectric power stations, coal-fired power plants, nuclear power plants, etc., can either result in a significant lack of energy, or, conversely, in excess energy. Both these conditions can lead to high losses in the distribution network, as well as on the connected consumer devices, can cause the occurrence of the so-called blackout, etc.

For this reason, there are various solutions which allow to consume excess power during periods of surplus power and, conversely, to produce energy during periods of a lack of energy. These are various systems based on controlled accumulation of energy and controlled supply of the accumulated energy, e.g. various electric batteries, compressed air energy storage systems, pumped hydroelectric energy storage, etc.

The disadvantage of electrical batteries is the fact that it is impossible to store very large amounts of power. The drawback of storing energy by means of compressed air is low efficiency, i.e. high losses. The disadvantage of pumped hydroelectric energy storage is the high price, construction and environmental demands and a long process of construction of such systems, which is feasible only at certain locations and not everywhere where it would be needed.

The aim of the invention is to eliminate or at least to reduce the shortcomings of the background art, particularly to provide a system for optimizing the production and consumption of electric power, which allows controlled and efficient energy accumulation, as well as controlled and efficient supply of the accumulated energy. Principle of the invention

The aim of the invention is achieved by a method of controlling appliances and sources of electrical energy in distribution networks to optimize electrical energy production and consumption, whose principle consists in that the current operating status and height position of the loads of the individual lifting devices in the individual parts of the distribution network are continuously monitored and according to the current status of the distribution network a corresponding number of the individual lifting devices is intentially put into a controlled consumption mode or controlled power generation mode individually or in groups currently selected by the control node, thereby reducing fluctuations in the status of the distribution network. The principle of the system for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption consists in that the control node with control sofware is provided with means for monitoring the status of each of the controlled lifting devices and with means for putting a selectable lifting device or the formed groups of lifting devices in a controlled manner into an energy consumption mode or into a power generation mode to the distribution network.

The method and the system for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption according to the invention allows controlled and efficient accumulation of energy which is in excess in the distribution network, and controlled and efficient supply of the accumulated energy back to the distribution network. The system according to the invention facilitates the use of renewable energy sources, which are connected to the distribution network in conjunction with conventional and stable sources of electrical energy. The system helps remove regulatory inadequacy of the performance of renewable energy sources, since their performance is unstable especially during sudden changes of the weather (sunshine, cloud occurrence, wind, etc.). This is due to the fact that the system enables to accumulate energy relatively effectively by means of time and quantity-controlled conversion of electric energy in the distribution network into potential energy of the loads of the system of the connected lifting devices, and it also allows controlled conversion of the potential energy of the loads of the system of the connected lifting devices thus accumulated back into the energy supplied in a controlled manner - both in terms of time as well as quantity (performance), back to the distribution network by controlled intentional lowering of the loads of the lifting devices connected to the system and controlled by the system. The system allows operation both on the regional or even only local level, e.g. within a city, a town or a village, but at the same time it allows operation on a larger scale - national, multinational or even global. In essence, the system can be used also for the exact time and quantity-controlled transmission of the accumulated and reproduced electric power even over long distances, etc.

If a sufficient number of lifting devices with a generator mode of operation of its electric motor during lowering and/or lifting loads are connected to the control nodes of the system according to this invention, a system for controllable consumption of the controllable amount of energy from the distribution network is formed, but also for generating a controllable amount of energy in a controlled manner and its supply back to the distribution network. The system thus conceived can be regulated very well and maintains the primary purpose of lifting devices, namely utility function of the lifting devices, i.e. lifting and lowering loads, transport, etc. The new use of the lifting devices, namely their connection to the system for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption according to this invention enhances the regulation and protection of the distribution networks. The system allows repeated and very fast controlled responses of the lifting devices, i.e. the start-up of the lifting devices (from individual lifting devices to large groups of lifting devices) to ensure consumption of the required amount of energy, as well as putting the lifting devices (from from individual lifting devices to large groups of lifting devices) into a generator operating mode of their electric motors with the necessary generated output and supply of the generated energy to the distribution network, all that taking place multiple times in a 24-hour period, both locally in terms of geographical and time zones, as well as globally, ie. in a broad geographic scope across multiple time zones, or even all time zones.

The use or introduction of new types of lifting devices, particularly in terms of the general switch to lifting devices with a generator operating mode of their electric motors when lowering loads and with the supply of the generated energy to the distribution network, is substantially similar to, e.g., already implemented global switch of cooling systems to systems containing no greenhouse gases.

The invention effectively utilizes coordination of the activities of the lifting devices and whole groups of lifting devices in different places, areas, regions, countries, etc., or even on a multinational or global level, thus optimizing the individual local, but also backbone distribution networks of electrical energy from the point of view of balance between energy consumption and real-time production.

Description of drawings

The invention is schematically represented in the drawing where Fig. 1 shows a global block diagram of the system according to the invention, Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of the local level of the system according to the invention, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an end node of the system according to the invention.

Examples of embodiment

The invention will be described on an example of embodiment of a system for optimizing the production and consumption of electrical energy including the global configuration of the whole system, a local level configuration of the system and the arrangement of the lowest stage, the so- called end node.

The system is based on the principle of efficient control of a group of lifting devices whereby in terms of effective use it is advantageous if the controlled group of lifting devices is sufficiently large, i.e. large enough to ensure both the required controlled consumption of electrical energy from the distribution network, and the required controlled supply of the electric power accumulated by the system back to the distribution network. The system uses especially lifting devices without counterweight, which are characterized in that during the lifting of the load, i.e. on the way of the load„upwards" their electric motors (especially asynchronous, but after adjustment, other types of motors) consume the electric energy from the network and, conversely, while lowering the loads, i.e. on the way of the loads„downwards", these electric motors generate electrical energy. This is caused by the fact that when lowering the loads, the lifting devices brake these loads by their electric motors, which during such lowering of the loads braked by the motor operate in the so-called generator mode, i.e. they generate electric current. Nowadays the electrical energy thus geberated is used only either for charging local batteries, e.g. for the operation of emergency lighting of a building, or the electric power thus generated is supplied only to the local network of a building in question, etc.

From this point of view, hereinafter the term lifting device will always refer to a lifting device, such as a passenger elevator, a freight elevator, a construction elevator, a kitchen food elevator, a construction crane, a chair lift, a roller coaster, etc., and other lifting devices, whose electric motors during at least a part of the operation of the lifting device work in a generator mode, i.e. generate electric current. Such lifting devices are widely used and are commonly installed in apartment buildings, office buildings, industrial and commercial buildings, medical facilities, at construction sites, in the great outdoors, etc., in villages, towns and cities, regions, states and continents.

The system is based on the fact that individual lifting devices and/or other massively used appliances of electrical energy with an input of more than 0.5 kW, as will be described in more detail below, are connected by data links, for example via the Internet, GSM networks, local networks to global networks, or, as the case may be, also via the existing control technologies of HDO signal, etc., to the control nodes of the system forming a functional whole, whereby the individual control nodes are equipped with control software and means for communicating with the control elements of the individual lifting devices assigned to a respective control node of the system according to the invention. The control nodes are also connected to systems for monitoring energy distribution networks and, optionally, are also connected to systems for monitoring major sources of electrical energy, i.e. particularly large power plants (gas, coal, nuclear, wind, photovoltaic, etc.), and so the control nodes are able to respond in time and in an adequate manner by means of the control software to the occurrence of problematic phenomena in the distribution networks or their parts. If a problematic phenomenon occurs in the distribution network or in its part, the control nodes are able to ensure by means of the control software that a corresponding number of lifting devices are connected in time and in an appropriate manner as appliances consuming possibly excessive electrical energy or even as generators of electrical energy to supply the generated energy back to the distribution network, as will be described in more detail further on. The response times of the system are ideally very short, preferably in the order of seconds or at the most in the order of minutes fromthe moment of detecting the presence of a problematic phenomenon in the network or a part of the network, when the required energy consumption, or, conversely, generating energy with the supply of the generated energy to the distribution network is started by means of connecting a group of ZZ selected by control nodes in a suitable city or town, region, state or even at a multinational or at a global level, by which means it is possible to eliminate very quickly, or, in other words, to optimize the occurrence of problematic phenomena in a respective part of the distribution network, or in the distribution network as a whole. The control software is at all levels secured against attack and taking control of the controlled lifting devices by unauthorized persons, especially by the software autonomously disconnecting a respective lifting device or a group of lifting devices from the control, which means that a respective lifting device or a group of lifting devices can be henceforth controlled only with the aid of means of local control, i.e. the button panel of a respective lifting device, the local control network of the administrator of the building, etc., until the secured function of the system is restored.

The control software also ensures that during the time when there is currently no excess energy in the distribution network, the so-called preventive accumulation of electrical energy into the potential energy of the lifting devices is not performed. Similarly, if in the distribution network there is currently excess energy, electricity is not generated (not produced) by intentional control of the operation of the lifting devices with supplying the generated energy to the distribution network, but the generated energy, as before, is either marred by intentional heating an auxiliary heating element, or it is used for charging local batteries, local lighting, etc. These rules apply at all levels of the system according to the invention, i.e. for all the control nodes of the system, the lifting devices being in normal operation.

The system according to the invention operates in such a manner that users during the day at the installation sites normally use the lifting devices - riding elevators, using building cranes, etc. At the same time, the status of utilization of the individual lifting devices is monitored by control nodes according to the invention and the position of the individual lifting devices above their lowest position, e.g. in passenger elevators it is the position of the elevator car in relation to the lowest possible position of the elevator car, depends on the current status of the distribution network. If there is currently surplus energy in the distribution network or in its part and there is danger of the occurrence of an undesired phenomenon in the distribution network, then the control nodes issue a command for one or more lifting devices connected to this distribution network or to a respective part of the distribution network to move upwards, by which means these lifting devices controllably connect to the distribution network or the respective part of the distribution network as other appliances consuming energy controlled according to this invention. In contrast, if there is currently a lack of energy in the distribution network, then the control nodes issue a command for one or more lifting devices connected to this distribution network or to a respective part of the distribution network to move downwards, or, more specifically, a command is issued for the lifting devices to move with the electric motor in the generator mode, thereby connecting controllably other sources of energy, which is controllably supplied back to the distribution network or to a respective part of the distribution network. If the distribution network is stable, there is no need for the control nodes to intervene in the operation of the individual lifting devices. In that case they only monitor the status of the individual lifting devices to get ready for the start-up of a respective lifting device either in a power consumption mode, or, conversely, in a electric power generation mode using the lifting devices by the method described above. If in a part of the distribution network there is excess energy and in another part, on the contrary, there is shortage of energy, then it depends on the decision of the control of the distribution network how this difference will be regulated, i.e. whether it will be regulated solely by the means of the administrators of the distribution network or solely by the means according to this invention or by a combination of the means of this invention and the means of the administrators of the distribution network, whereby even in that case this invention can greatly help to address the potential problem of the respective parts of the network.

The control software has been programmed for priorities of using the lifting devices on the basis of local needs of the users of the lifting devices and possible utilization of a respective lifting device for the system according to this invention. It is always the local utilization of the lifting devices that has priority over the utilization of the lifting devices for the needs of the system, since considering the enormous number of potentially usable lifting devices it is assumed that there will not be a situation when all the lifting devices are being used at one point by the local operator, i.e. when they are not available for usage by the system according to this invention. Only in a very critical situation, when there is a risk of acute total failure of the distribution network, the so- called blackout, it is allowed to take over the control of the available lifting devices or gradually take over the available lifting devices according to how the local use of the availale lifting devices by the local user is gradually terminated by the control of the system according to this invention, whereby the local use is rejected. It is assumed, however, that the threat of total blackout could be effectively eliminated during a relatively short period of time by using the system according to the present invention. Moreover, it is possible to distribute using the available lifting devices across the distribution network, thereby promoting the effective elimination of the impending blackout in a relatively short time. This period of absolute domination by the lifting devices system according to the invention is relatively short, lasting from minutes to tens of minutes, which, compared with the consequences of a potential blackout, is a justifiable inconvenience to local users who cannot use their lifting devices.

Nevertheless, even in the event of an impending blackout, it is allowed for the components of the integrated rescue system, i.e. firefighters, paramedics, doctors, police, etc., to use particular lifting devices, by which means ensuring the major priority of the rescue system is ensured. Given the priorities, the individual lifting devices can be divided into groups according to the electrical (power) parameters and parameters of importance for the local operation, whereby these are all the criteria according to which the control nodes and control software make a decision about the intentional engagement of the individual lifting devices as appliances or, on the contrary, as generators of energy, supplying the generated power to the distribution network.

In order to achieve the economic effectiveness of the accumulation and consumption of energy by using the system according to the invention, the system is based on the effect which ensures putting the lifting devices into a consumption mode or a power generation mode, supplying the generated energy to the distribution network in groups, preferably putting the lifting devices in groups of a specific number, e.g. groups of ten lifting devices or even more, whereby the individual lifting devices or groups of lifting devices are put into a mode of consumption or generating energy, supplying the generated energy to the distribution network either successively or simultaneously or a part of the lifting devices simultaneously and part successively, but always depending on the currently requiered amount of energy, which is to be consumed at a certain time, or on the currently required size of the generated power during a certain period of time. The outcome is the accumulation (consumption) of energy and/or generating energy with the supply of the generated energy to the distribution network using the system according to the invention during a longer time interval, preferably from 10 minutes to 30 - 50 minutes, in case of need even more.

From the point of view of the consumed energy, as well as the generated energy supplied to the distribution network, the individual lifting devices are measured by the so-called smart electric meters, which are preferably also multi-tariff. For the reasons of the economic motivation of the owners and operators of the individual lifting devices it is advantageous if the respective lifting devices are in terms of consumption included in a multiple-tariff mode, when the price of the consumed energy changes during 24 hours of one day depending on the current time or the current consumption in the network, similarly to the already existing so-called high tariff and low tariff (night current), as it is used, e.g., by electric boilers, electric heat storage stoves, etc. The individual lifting devices are charged not only for the consumed energy for local usage, but they are also charged in terms of the generated energy with the supply of the generated energy to the distribution network and according to the tariff ication, which is provided by the system according to this invention on the basis of smart multi-tariff electric meters. Preferably, the price of the consumed energy, as well as that of the generated energy with the supply of the generated energy to the distribution network changes after each hour during the whole 24 hours of one day. To improve the motivation and overview of the operators and owners of the lifting devices, each lifting device is at the installation site equipped with light and/or acoustic indication of the current status of the power supply of the lifting device, i.e. whether the particular lifting device is currently in the normal power tariff or it is in priority use of the system according to this invention, which is reflected in the final operation costs of the lifting device, e.g. also due to possible negative electricity prices during certain hours according to the tariffs, etc.

The individual lifting devices, which are not being currently used, will be given a command„to park" on the top floor. For example, during the morning peak hours, when most of the people go to work, i.e. approximately from 7:00 to 9:00 o'clock, the individual lifting devices which are not being used gradually descend according to the commands of the control program, whereby they descend in the generator mode, which means that they operate as a perfectly regulatable (locally, regionally, nationwide, transnational^, Europe-wide, globally) and centrally controlled superior source of energy supplying the generated energy to the distribution network, which, in addition, can exploit its properties with respect to the number of the controlled lifting devices even repeatedly throughout the day, i.e. 24 hours a day. On the contrary, during periods of surplus electricity, e.g., during the morning and then during lunch breaks, the control elements of the system according to this invention gradually give commands according to the current status of surplus energy in the distribution network in a respective region, area, state, continent, etc., whereupon the individual lifting devices, especially passenger elevators, move upwards (to the upper positions), by which means the surplus electrical energy in the distribution network is converted into potential energy of the lifting devices. At predetermined upper positions the particular lifting devices „park" and wait for other control commands, whether from the control elements of the system according to the invention or from the local controls, e.g. pushbutton boards placed on the frame of the respective lifting device, etc.

In the illustrated example of embodiment, the system for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption has a strictly hierarchic structure of superior and subordinate elements. The highest element of the system is the global control node 1, which is connected to the systems 2 for monitoring distribution networks. The global control node 1 ensures the global functionality of the whole system according to the invention.

The systems 2 for monitoring the distribution networks have different levels, e.g. a transnational system 20 for monitoring distribution networks, national systems 2J_ for monitoring the distribution network, systems 22 for monitoring regional distribution networks, systems 23 for monitoring district distribution networks and systems 24 for monitoring local distribution networks. In the illustrated example of embodiment, each of the systems 20 to 24 for monitoring distribution networks is drawn only once, but it is apparent that according to the complexity of the distribution network a corresponding number of the systems 20 to 24 for monitoring the distribution networks are connected to the global control system i depending on the complexity and structure of the distribution networks.

The global control node 1 is further connected to a system of national control nodes 3, which ensure the functionality of the system according to the invention at national level. The national control node 3 is connected to national systems 21 for monitoring the distribution network and indirectly to the other systems 20 to 24 for monitoring the distribution networks. The global control node 1 is substantially the central point of the system, e.g., at least one for each continent, with the system according to the invention being globally spread. The global control node 1 determines global priorities for the activities of the subordinate elements of the system.

The national control node 3 is connected to a group of regional control nodes 4, which ensure the functionality of the system according to the invention in the individual regions of a respective state. The regional control nodes 4 are connected to systems 22 for monitoring regional distribution networks and indirectly also to the other systems 20 to 24 for monitoring the distribution networks.

The regional control node 4 is connected to a group of district control nodes 5, which ensure the functionality of the system according to the invention at the district level. The regional control nodes 5 are connected to the systems 23 for monitoring the regional distribution networks and indirectly also to the other systems 20 to 24 for monitoring the distribution networks. The district control node 5 is connected to a group of local control nodes 6, which ensure the functionality of the system according to the invention at the local level. The district control nodes 6 are connected to systems 24 for monitoring the local distribution networks and indirectly also to the other systems 20 to 24 for monitoring the distribution networks.

The local control node 6 is coupled to a group of nodes 7 for controlling the end lifting device 8. The nodes 7 for controlling the end lifting device 8 preferably comprise a suitable electric meter 70 for measuring the consumed or, conversely, the generated amount of electrical energy with the supply of the generated energy to the distribution network. The end device, whether it is a lifting device 8 or a massively spread electrical appliance 80 with an electrical input of over 0.5 kW, is in its control portion provided with its own control unit 81 coupled to the electric circuits 82 of the end device.

In an unillustrated example of embodiment, the system for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption is implemented on the national scale and with a corresponding hierarchy, i.e. without the global control node Λ . In another unillustrated example of embodiment, the system for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption is implemented on a regional scale and with a corresponding hierarchy, e.g. i.e. without the global control node 1 and the national control node 3. In another unillustrated example of embodiment, the system for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption is implemented on a local scale and with a corresponding hierarchy, e.g., without the global control node 1 , national control node 3 and regional control node 4, etc. The system in the illustrated example of embodiment is controlled by the global control node 1, which according to the current status of energetic security of the distribution network, i.e. according to momentary surplus of electrical energy and momentary lack of electrical energy in the distribution network at local, regional, national and supranational etc., level, and also according to the requirements of the electricity market makes a decision about putting the lifting devices into a mode of energy consumption or into a mode of energy generation supplying the generated energy to the distribution network, whereby it is possible that some of the lifting devices are running in a consumption mode and other lifting devices are running in a power generation mode to supply the generated energy to the distribution network, that being possible even within individual parts of the distribution network.

The global control node Λ maintains the necessary numbers of lifting devices attainable for the purposes of the system according to the present invention in the required time of repetition according to the control nodes 1, 3 to 7 and priorities and conditions set by them, including consumption reserves and the generated output with the supply of the generated power to the distribution network, namely preferably during a required time period, e.g. 10 min., 20 min., 30 min., etc. These time intervals and numbers of the lifting devices 8 with known inputs and generated performance with the supply of the generated energy to the distribution network are continuously amended and optimized according to the current status of the distribution network and according to the current requirements of the control nodes 1 , 3 to 7 in order to attain the required effect of the accumulation of electric energy in the required time and performance after the evaluation of the current status of the distribution network or its part, etc.

A specific example of the operation of the system according to the invention while eliminating excess electricity is such that first the extent of a problem and its location is analyzed and on the basis of this analysis the number and location of the lifting devices 8 envisaged to solve the problem is determined in a given distribution network or a respective part of the distribution network.

The control node 1, 3 to 7 appropriate for the distribution network, or the affected part of distribution network gives a command to start gradually the operation of the individual lifting devices 8 or also groups of lifting devices 8 in a power consumption mode with the accumulation of energy in the location of the lifting devices 8. In the event of the group start-up of lifting devices 8 when groups of lifting devices 8 have a selectable number of lifting devices 8, e.g. 24, 32, 100, 200, etc. of units of lifting devices 8, a decision will be made in each group whether the individual lifting devices 8 within the group of lifting devices 8 start simultaneously or whether the individual lifting devices 8 within the group of lifting devices 8 start successively at specific time intervals (intervals) for a certain period of time. Next, the control node i, 3 to 7 responsible for the affected distribution network or affected part of the distribution network evaluates the effect of currently running lifting devices 8 on the distribution network, and if it finds that so far running lifting devices 8 or groups of lifting devices 8 is not sufficient to affect the distribution network, the appropriate control node 1, 3 to 7 gives a command to put other lifting devices 8 or other groups of lifting devices 8 having a selected number of units of lifting devices 8 into the same mode of operation, i.e. either "into a consumption mode" or " into a power generation mode supplying the generated electrical energy to the distribution network."

If the control node 1_, 3 to 7 responsible for the affected distribution network or affected part of the distribution network determines that even after the start-up of available lifting devices 8 under its control it is not possible to solve the problem in the respective distribution network or its part, it reports it to the superior control node 1, 3 to 7, which issues commands to start lifting devices 8 or groups of lifting devices 8 in a greater part of the distribution network, e.g. in the national network, and supranational network etc.

If any of the control nodes 1, 3 to 7 determines that there is total failure of the distribution network, the so-called blackout, the system, of course, with regard to the safety of local current users of the individual lifting devices 8, will take over the control of all available lifting devices 8 and uses them directively to solve the problem. The above-mentioned "safety consideration of local current users of the lifting devices 8" means that the respective control node , 3 to 7 is connected to an alarm system of the lifting devices 8, from which it obtains information about the current usage of the individual lifting devices 8 by a local user (the load of the lifting devices 8_by persons or cargo, etc.), the respective control node i, 3 to 7 declares the so-called STOP status of the lifting devices 8, when the respective lifting device 8 completes the current local task and the local use is prevented (persons getting into an elevator, loading cargo etc.), e.g. by light or sound, or combined signaling and the respective lifting device 8 is fully taken over by the control node 1 , 3 to 7_i which uses it for the purposes of the system according to the present invention. In that case it is advantageous if the status of the control of the respective lifting device 8 or massively spread appliances 80 is indicated optically and/or acoustically, directly on the site lifting devices 8 or massively spread appliances 80 to avoid misleading information about the current operation status of the devices 8, 80, in particular to avoid understanding the usage of the devices 8, 80 for the purpose of the system according to the present invention by mistake as faulty status of the devices 8, 80.

Similarly, the system works even in the event of a lack of electric power in the distribution network or its part, with the only difference that the individual lifting devices 8 and/or groups of lifting devices 8 are put into a power generation mode by its electric motors, e.g. elevators are lowered in a controlled manner from the upper down floors etc., supplying the generated power to the distribution network.

So as to achieve efficient operation of the system it is advisable if the individual control nodes 1, 3 to 7 continuously form a reserve of a certain number of individual lifting devices 8 and/or groups of lifting devices 8 for use for the purposes of the system according to the present invention, i.e. on the basis of continuous monitoring of the status of the distribution network and its parts, a certain number of individual lifting devices 8 and/or groups of lifting devices 8 is constantly maintained ready to be put immediately into a consumption mode, in the lowest vertical positions, and, conversely, a certain number of individual lifting devices 8 and/or groups of lifting devices 8 is maintained ready to be put immediately into a power generation mode, supplying the generated electrical energy into the distribution network, i.e. in the highest positions.

In an unillustrated exemplary embodiment, other types of massively spread appliances 80 are connected to the control node 1 , 3 to 7 as controllable appliances for the purposes of the present invention with an input of over 0.5 kW, which have a sufficiently large consumption per unit (per piece of equipment), and which can be remotely started in a controlled manner without endangering the public, such as electric storage water heaters (electric heaters), electric storage heaters and other massively spread electrical appliances with a relatively safe operation, which are nowadays controlled solely for the purpose of switching in the so-called high and low tariff once or twice a day using a HDO signal. These other massively spread appliances 80 in case of need complement the above-described system with lifting devices 8 and also enable to start or, conversely, switch off electrical energy consumption in a controlled manner, wherein electrical energy is converted into heat, which is subsequently effectively used by local users in the form of thermal energy, so that no direct loss of energy occurs, and therefore these appliances are suitable to complement the lifting devices 8 in the system according to the invention, thereby creating a hybrid system. These other massively spread appliances 80 are a part of the system for optimizing the consumption and production of electrical energy during periods of current surplus electrical energy. Using these other appliances 80 creates either a hybrid system, as has been mentioned above, or, conversely, a system solely for energy consumption is created, as will be described in more detail further on.

Preferably, the massively spread appliances 80 have their own systems of measuring the consumption of energy.

Under the term hybrid system according to this invention we understand a system in which part of the end controlled devices, i.e. lifting devices 8, allows both controlled start-up of energy consumption and controlled start-up of generating energy with the supply of the generated energy to the distribution network, whereas part of the end devices, i.e. appliances 80, allow only controlled start-up of energy consumption.

The system exclusively for energy consumption according to this invention means a system in which end devices 80 are capable of a controlled start-up of energy consumption only, whereby this energy is returned to the place of consumption in the form of thermal energy generated by the end devices, preferably within 24 hours after the engagement of a particular appliance into the system according to this invention.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A method of controlling electrical appliances and sources of electrical energy in distribution networks for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption, in which consumption and/or production of electrical energy is controlled by at least one control node with control software connected to a system for monitoring the distribution network and also connected to controlled electrical devices and to sources of electrical energy, whereby the controlled electrical devices are lifting devices (8), characterized in that the current operating status and height position of the burden of the individual lifting devices (8) in the individual parts of the distribution network is continuously monitored, whereby according to the current status of the distribution network a corresponding number of the individual lifting devices (8) is intentially put into a controlled consumption mode or controlled power generating mode, while the lifting devices (8) are put into the controlled modes individually or in groups currently selected by the control node (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), thereby reducing fluctuations of the status of the distribution network.

2. The method according to Claim 1 , characterized in that preventive accumulation of electrical energy to potential energy of a lifting device (8) and/or preventive consumption of the accumulated electrical energy is performed continuously by the control node (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), whereby a selected number of lifting devices (8) in the distribution network or in its part is maintained in the status of readiness to be put into a mode of controlled consumption of electrical energy and at the same time a selected number of lifting devices (8) in the distribution network or its part is maintained in the status of readiness to be put into a mode of controlled power generation.

3. The method according to any of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the engagement of the individual lifting devices (8) individually or in groups is continuously updated or, where appropriate, also changed. 4. The method according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the engagement of the individual lifting devices (8) individually or in groups is performed in successive time intervals determined by the control node (1 , 3,

4, 5, 6, 7) according to the current status of the distribution network and according to the current requirements for electrical energy production or consumption in the distribution network or in its individual parts.

5. The method according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that engagement of the individual lifting devices (8) individually or in groups is performed by the control node (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) successively at specific time intervals within a specific time period according to the current status of the distribution network and according to the current requirements for electrical energy production or consumption in the distribution network or in its individual parts.

6. A system for optimizing electrical energy production and consumption according to any of Claims 1 to 5, which comprises at least one control node with control software, whereby the control node is connected to a system for monitoring the distribution network and is further connected to a system of controlled electrical devices connected to the distribution network, whereby the controlled electrical devices are lifting devices (8), characterized in that the control node (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) with control software is provided with means for monitoring the status of each of the controlled lifting devices (8) and means for controlled putting an selectable lifting device (8) or formed groups of lifting devices (8) into a energy consumption mode or into a power generating mode to the distribution network.

7. The system according to Claim 6, characterized in that the lifting device (8) is selected from a group of devices consisting of a passenger elevator, a freight elevator, a construction elevator, a kitchen food elevator, a construction crane, a chair lift, a roller coaster.

8. The system according to Claim 6 nebo 7, characterized in that the lifting device (8) is coupled to a control node (7) for controlling the end lifting device (8), whereby a group of nodes (7) for controlling the end lifting device (8) is coupled to a local control node (6), whereby a group of local control nodes (6) is coupled to a district control node (5), a group of district control nodes (5) is coupled to a regional control node (4), a group of regional control nodes (4) is coupled to a national control node (3) and a group of national control nodes (3) is coupled to a global control node (1), whereby the individual control nodes (1 , 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) are connected to the systems (20, 21 , 22, 23, 24) for monitoring the distribution networks or its parts.