ES2946772A1 - Hybrid data communication system using the electricity distribution tele-management system (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Communications system, the result of the concatenation of different means of communication, including that of the distributors (1) that have the transformers (6) between the medium (7) and low voltage (8) lines, to which the measuring equipment (3) of the consumers (2) are connected, and which are integrated into the remote management system of said distributors (1) through intermediate concentrators (4) that can communicate with them and these measuring equipment (3). This communication extends downstream of the concentrator (4), it is equipped with a PLC modem (9) connected to the electrical network, so that it can communicate with the concentrator (4) of the distributor (1) adapting to the same frequency/communications protocol of the corresponding distributor (1), and it has means for bidirectional and remote communication to any third party (10) that use this communication system via the electrical network and is the final sender/receiver of the data exchanged. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Hybrid data communication system using the electricity distribution tele-management system

Technical sector

The invention falls within the technical field of digital communication systems, more specifically in that relating to data communication systems by wired, non-wired and Internet media.

state of the art

DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/944 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of June 5, 2019 on common rules for the internal electricity market and which modifies Directive 2012/27/EU, defines the "metering system intelligent" as an electronic system capable of measuring the amount of electricity fed into the grid or the consumption of electricity from the grid, providing more information than a conventional meter, and capable of transmitting and receiving data, for reporting, monitoring and control, using a form of electronic communication. Similarly, it establishes the obligation of Member States to guarantee the deployment of these smart metering systems, which could be subject to an assessment of costs and benefits.

In Spain, the Unified Regulation for metering points defines the tele-management system as a "two-way measurement and communication system between meters and electricity distributors that, with the maximum guarantees of integrity and security, allows remote access to the electricity meters, with readability, energy management, control of demanded and contracted power, supply connection/disconnection management and other functionalities, enabling the exchange of information and actions between company systems and electric meters.

The electricity distribution companies are the owners of the electrical networks and those in charge of their planning, expansion, operation and maintenance. The operation of electrical networks includes the task of reading the necessary parameters for the billing of supplies (active and reactive energy consumption, demanded power, etc.). The tele-management system is used by electricity distribution companies, in Spain and in other countries, to remotely read consumer measurement equipment and perform other tasks related to the management of electrical networks (carry out supply ups and downs, detect phase imbalances and derivations to neutral, fraud control, etc.).

Electricity meters or measurement equipment currently installed in Spain and other countries are digital, with a memory with the capacity to store consumption history, have a screen for local data consultation and are incorporated, in addition to one or more external ports for communications. premises, a PLC ( p ow er line carrier or pow er line Communications) modem with two-way remote communication capability through the power supply cables.

PLC technology takes advantage of the electrical network to convert it into a digital data transmission line at a much higher frequency than that of the network (which can be 50Hz or 60Hz), and is widely used in private electrical networks of individual consumers. . Any device can be connected simply by plugging it into conventional electrical outlets, as long as the emitters and receivers are connected to the same electrical network.

Some manufacturers of metering equipment offer to incorporate these electricity meters, in addition to the PLC modem, radio transmitters/receivers or other wireless technology. These measuring devices can communicate, through this PLC modem (or other means), with other measuring devices or any device connected to the same network and that is also equipped with a PLC modem (or other means).

Electricity distribution companies, as owners and operators of electrical networks, include among their managed assets not only power lines but also transformation centers. Transformation centers are specific buildings or dedicated spaces to house power transformers (6), which are the electrical elements responsible for converting the energy that comes from medium voltage lines (usually from 15kV to 36kV) to low voltage (400V ); that is to say, the transformation centers are the elements that separate the medium voltage network from the low voltage one.

The electricity distribution companies, in charge of reading and, where appropriate, billing electricity consumption, use equipment called intermediate concentrators for this task, which are normally installed in transformation centers, in the low voltage network upstream of measuring equipment. These intermediate concentrators are electronic equipment that are designed to be able to communicate bidirectionally with any measurement equipment that is connected to the low-voltage networks that are supplied from the transformation centers where they are installed, and have a memory with a large storage capacity for all the data supplied.

This intermediate concentrator, also defined in the Unified Regulation of metering points, has at least two communication systems:

a) A PLC modem (and, if applicable, transmitter/receiver via radio or other technology) to be able to communicate bidirectionally with the measurement equipment installed downstream.

b) A transmitter/receiver equipment to communicate with the control centers of the electricity distribution company. The communications technology of this emitter/receiver equipment could also be PLC (connected upstream of the transformer, since depending on the frequency of the PLC signal it may have difficulties passing through the transformers), mobile signal, conventional telephone, ADSL, fiber optics, radio, etc. In Spain and other countries such as Portugal, France, Italy or Romania, this communication is usually done by PLC, ADSL or by means of a mobile signal, either GPRS or higher technologies such as 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.

The electricity distributor communicates with each of the intermediate concentrators to issue orders, receive information on electricity consumption and exchange data with these and other devices connected to the network to manage the service, control fraud, etc. In some cases, the measurement equipment can exchange information with each other through their PLC modems, being able to become repeater antennas for each other and work in a network. This PLC communication can be done in one or several frequency bands (usually between 40 kHz and 500 kHz), which are usually defined by international standardization committees, such as CENELEC, CISPR or ARIB.

On the other hand, the PLC communication protocols used by the distribution companies are not unique, and depending on the distribution network, one or the other can be used. The communication protocols via PLC most used in these tele-management systems of electricity distribution companies are PRIME, METERS & MORE and G3.

The electricity distributor knows the exact location of each transformation center connected to its infrastructure and knows which intermediate concentrator has installed in each transformation center. It also knows what metering equipment is connected to each transformation center, which communicates with the intermediate concentrator located there.

Description of the invention

In all known cases, the communications made by electricity distributors are limited to the energy sector both from the point of view of the data and of the agents participating in them. There are also known cases of PLC communications unrelated to energy or electrical uses using the electrical networks of the distributors, but without using the intermediate concentrators or their communication capacity with the distribution companies. According to the invention, this tele-management system offers the possibility of adding additional capabilities to make it usable beyond the energy sector. This inefficiency in the optimal use of the electrical network itself can be considered as the biggest problem that the system of the invention solves.

With the new communications system that is the object of the invention, it is possible for electrical distribution companies to be able to offer a series of services that until now were not offered and consequently fills a supply gap and solves the corresponding problem.

Specifically, with the new communications system of the invention, electricity distribution companies can offer the following services that were not offered until now:

1. Remote monitoring and management of boilers, heaters and air conditioning equipment, as well as any other electrical appliance or equipment. Not only could they be managed remotely by the user, but the maintenance companies for this equipment could also receive status signals and error messages, which would facilitate corrective maintenance. Great potential for use in second homes that are not equipped with other communication systems.

2. Private security systems (alarms), offering a redundant communication channel and with signal emission from the transformation center, therefore, far from the alarm switchboard, which makes its violation very difficult.

3. Fire detection. In this case, the information on the geographical location of the element emitting the signal that could be supplied by the electricity distributor can be very useful for the emergency services.

4. Home automation in general.

5. Attention to dependent or threatened persons. In these cases, even the electricity distribution company could provide the approximate location of the alarm signal, since it knows the transformation center or even the measurement equipment from which the signal is emitted.

6. Home hospitalization. By equipping the different medical devices that the patient can use at home with this communications system, the medical team can be kept fully informed of their progress and provide alarm signals if necessary.

7. Supervision of life support equipment. If this communication system is provided to a respirator or other life support equipment, it is possible to monitor the patient's health status and receive alarm signals.

8. Management and maintenance of swimming pool treatment plants. As they are equipment that is usually buried and with possible coverage problems of other technologies, this communication system can be a viable and economical alternative.

9. Remote management of electric vehicle charging points, including the management of electric vehicle recharging and the discharge of electrical energy from the vehicle's batteries to the electrical grid. This is especially useful in covered or underground garages where there is no communication coverage through other technologies.

10. Management of other types of measures, energy or not, such as water, heat, fuel, temperature, etc. With high potential for use in central boilers for reading consumption in individual meters or heating cost allocators.

11. Management of water purification and channeling systems, including sewerage. High potential as they are installations below ground level, buried or in rural or remote areas, with possible communication coverage problems through other technologies.

12. Management of exterior lighting systems, traffic lights, communication with bus shelters and other public transport applications.

13. Remote management of irrigation systems and other agricultural and livestock applications in rural environments, where there may be no coverage of other communication systems.

The communication system object of the invention, obtains the aforementioned results, by a concatenation of several different means of communication, including the means of communication of the electrical distributors that have among their assets the power transformers between the medium voltage lines and the low voltage ones, to which the electricity metering equipment (3) of the electricity consumers is connected, and which are integrated into the remote management system of said electricity distributors by means of intermediate concentrators that can communicate with the electricity distribution companies and these measurement equipment, characterized in that this communication extends:

• Downstream of the intermediate concentrator, any device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element connected to the electrical network is equipped with a PLC modem, so that it can communicate, directly or indirectly, with the intermediate concentrator of the electricity distribution company. and adapting said PLC modem to the same frequency and communications protocol of the corresponding electricity distributor,

• means of communication to communicate bidirectionally and remotely to any third party, company or entity that, being the final transmitters and receivers of the data exchanged with the devices, sensors, actuators, electrical/electronic elements equipped with said PLC modems, use this communication system. communications via electrical network.

It is also characterized in that the device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element with PLC modem installed downstream of the measurement equipment detects and adapts to the communications protocol used by the electricity distributor of the low voltage electrical network to which it is connected. has connected.

It is also characterized in that the electrical-electronic device, sensor, actuator or element with PLC modem installed downstream of the intermediate concentrator detects and adapts to the communications protocol used by the electricity distributor that manages the electrical network (high, medium or low voltage) to which it has been connected.

It is also characterized in that the device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element with PLC modem communicates with the intermediate concentrator of the electricity distribution company using electricity measurement equipment.

It is also characterized by the existence of an electrical-electronic device, sensor, actuator or element equipped with a PLC modem installed downstream of the intermediate concentrator or the measurement equipment and that makes a link with other electrical-electronic devices, sensors, actuators or elements. by means of other technologies besides PLC, such as by wired or wireless means such as radio, WIFI, Bluetooth, radio frequency or Zigbee.

It is also characterized by the existence, at least, of a management center that acts as an intermediary between the electricity distributors and any third-party user of the information, managing the information messaging, checking that all the information exchanged has the authorization of the owner. of that data and assigning the messages to the correct recipient.

It is also characterized by the fact that the information exchanged is encrypted, so that only the final recipient can access its content.

It is also characterized by the fact that the electricity distributor accompanies the information received from the approximate location of the signal, since it knows the exact location of the metering equipment or the transformation center from where the signal emitted by the devices is received. , sensors, actuators or electrical-electronic elements equipped with a PLC modem.

Description of the drawings

In order to better understand the object of the invention, the attached figure shows a preferred embodiment, susceptible to accessory changes that do not undermine its foundation. In this case:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of the set of companies and components that, in the object of the invention, are related to each other.

Description of figure 1

1. Electricity distribution companies

2. Consumer of electricity

3. Electricity metering equipment

4. Intermediate hub

5. Transformation center

6. Power transformer

7. Medium voltage electrical network

8. Low voltage electrical network

9. Devices, sensors, actuators or electric-electronic elements located downstream of the measurement equipment, equipped with a PLC modem

10. Third party users of the communication channel

11. Communications Management Center

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention refers to a data communications system that is based on the tele-management systems of electricity distribution companies, its operating procedure and the equipment that should be installed to carry out said procedure.

Since the current communications system begins in the metering equipment and ends in the offices of the electricity distribution companies, it is necessary to extend these communications at the beginning and end of this system in order to make it useful for other applications.

The first of these extensions must be done at the supply points, connected to the electrical networks owned by the consumers, downstream of the metering equipment, expanding this communication system towards electricity consumers or any facility connected to the electrical networks. . Any device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element that is connected to the electrical network (9) that supplies energy to the consumer infrastructures from the transformation center must be equipped with a PLC modem, so that it can communicate via of this network. For this communication to be possible, it must be done on the same frequency and with the same protocol as the one used by the measurement equipment and the intermediate concentrators of the electricity distribution company. This communication can therefore be with the metering equipment or with the intermediate concentrator that is connected upstream, normally in the transformation center.

In this way, by equipping any device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element with a PLC modem compatible with the PLC communications system of the electrical distribution company, the range of this communications system is automatically extended to any point that the electricity supply network.

In turn, the equipment with PLC modem connected to the private networks downstream of the measurement equipment can be transmitters and receivers of data to be exchanged with any device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element by wired means, via radio, WIFI , etc. In this way, a device with a PLC modem compatible with the remote management system of the electricity distribution company can act as a grouping antenna for the signals that it could receive or emit with these other devices, sensors, actuators or electrical-electronic elements.

This communication would also be possible between the intermediate concentrator (4) or the measurement equipment (3) and any device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element with a PLC modem without it being necessary to connect it downstream of the measurement equipment. Simply by being connected to the electrical network, the PLC signal can arrive through this network directly to the intermediate concentrator (4) or indirectly through the measurement equipment (3), to be transmitted to the energy distribution company (1).

Since, depending on the electricity distribution company, the frequency and the communication protocol can be one or the other, the PLC modem of the device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element could be equipped with an element that detects the frequency and the communication protocol. communications of that network, and thus be able to establish communications with any distribution company.

On the other hand, so that this new communications system is not confined solely to the energy sector, it is also necessary to extend the communications channel beyond the electricity distribution company. For this, it is necessary for the electricity distributor to bidirectionally communicate the necessary data with any third-party user of this service (10), or in any case with the clients of the information.

Two-way communication between the energy distribution companies and any third (10) user of this communication system may be carried out by any means (telephony, internet, etc.). In this way, a two-way communication system is established between any device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element with a PLC modem compatible with the remote management system of the electricity distribution company (3) and any third party, which may use this communication system to offer products and services in the places where these devices, sensors, actuators or electrical-electronic elements are connected. The recipient of the communication can be also the owner or user of the device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element with a PLC modem, in addition to any service provider entity.

Communication protocols will be developed between the electricity distribution companies (3) and the users of the information (10), so that the data with origin or destination in the devices, sensors, actuators or electrical elements can be fully exchanged. -Electronic with PLC modem compatible with the PLC communications system of the electrical distribution company.

With the current technological development (which will be improved in the future) the bandwidth of these communications may not be enough for certain uses, such as video conferencing, but a significant amount of data that is very useful for many could be handled. sectors. Since the information that can be exchanged between users and the devices, sensors, actuators or electrical-electronic elements equipped with PLC modems connected to the particular consumer networks can refer to any field, the services associated with that communication and the nature of the companies that use this hybrid communications system has no limitations. The electricity distributor can also provide information on the geographical location of the signal origin that comes from its low voltage network, since it knows the emitting intermediate concentrator and the location of the transformation center where it is installed. It is even possible that the electricity distributor has identified the measurement equipment that is upstream of the device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element equipped with a PLC modem, so that the knowledge of the geographical location can be much more detailed, by energy consumer level.

Currently, two-way data communication with an electricity consumer is usually restricted to the use of radio and the Internet, and only in situations where there is coverage of these two means of communication, wired or wireless. On the other hand, the cost of the hardware of the WIFI connection and the fixed costs of the Internet tend to restrict the use of these communications only to uses in which it is worth making the necessary investment. This is the main current difficulty in the development of home automation, for example, and that practically restricts its use to first residences and those with high purchasing power. However, this invention develops a communication system whose coverage reaches any place where the electricity supply arrives and with very limited hardware and connection costs that makes it applicable to many uses. This not only reduces the cost of the connection, facilitating its use, but also allows connect inaccessible areas, garages and underground facilities, storage rooms, rural areas, urban elements or land transport routes.

Additionally, the use of a separate and completely new channel for uses other than electrical network management and the possibility of incorporating information on the geographic location of the emission makes this communication system extensible to many more applications, in which the Redundancy of the emitting channel or location information provide great added value. The redundancy of a physically separate communication channel represents a great value in private security applications, and the geographic information of the signal can be of vital importance in the communication of emergency signals.

Since the most common is that there are several electricity distributors providing this communication service to the same client companies, the intervention of at least one management center would be highly recommended (11).

The management center would have to carry out all the activities of a communications management platform, and which by their nature are outside the scope of action of the electricity distribution companies. One of its tasks would be to control and monitor third-party companies that use this communications system to exchange information with the different equipment installed downstream of the electricity metering equipment, since it is possible that the company that communicates with a certain equipment to provide its services may change over time. Another of the tasks of the management center may be to act as the sole interlocutor with the different electricity distribution companies, controlling at all times which equipment communicates with which service provider. This management center will be able to perfectly identify the origin of each message, if applicable, incorporate the location information provided by the electricity distribution company and send it to the appropriate recipient. It will also be important to control the registrations and cancellations of the different communication elements (any device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element with a PLC modem connected to the energy consumer's network), to guarantee that all communication is carried out with the knowledge and express authorization of the users, in accordance with current regulations, and this is another task that the management center must do.

Although the electricity distribution companies are regulated bodies and have completely independent management, messages can be encrypted at source so that neither the electricity distribution companies, not even in the management center, have access to the details of this information. Even in the event that the protocols of the electricity distribution companies already incorporate encryption, additional encryption can be added from the beginning to the end of the communication, that is, between the devices, sensors, actuators or electrical-electronic elements with modems. PLC and third party customers of this communications system.

Claims (8)

1. Communications System, result of the concatenation of several different means of communication, among them the means of communication of the electrical distributors (1) that have among their assets the power transformers (6) between the medium voltage lines (7 ) and low voltage (8), to which the electricity metering equipment (3) of electricity consumers (2) are connected, and which are integrated into the remote management system of said electricity distributors (1) through intermediate concentrators (4) that can communicate with the electricity distribution companies (1) and these measurement equipment (3), characterized in that this communication extends: a) downstream of the intermediate concentrator (4), any device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element connected to the electrical network is equipped with a PLC modem (9), so that it can communicate, directly or indirectly, with the concentrator intermediate (4) of the electricity distribution company (1) and adapting said PLC modem (9) to the same frequency and communications protocol of the corresponding electricity distributor (1), b) means of communication to communicate bidirectionally and remotely to any third party, company or entity (10) that, being the final transmitters and receivers of the data exchanged with the devices, sensors, actuators, electrical/electronic elements equipped with said PLC modems (9) use this communication system via the electrical network. 2. Communications system according to claim 1, in which the device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element with PLC modem (9) installed downstream of the measurement equipment (3) detects and adapts to the communications protocol used by the electricity distributor (1) of the low voltage electrical network (8) to which it has been connected. 3. Communications system according to claim 1, in which the device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element with PLC modem (9) installed downstream of the intermediate concentrator (4) detects and adapts to the communications protocol used by the distributor. of electricity (1) that manages the electrical network (high, medium or low voltage) to which it has been connected. 4. Communications system according to any of the preceding claims, in which the device, sensor, actuator or electrical-electronic element with PLC modem (9) is communicates with the intermediate concentrator (4) of the electricity distribution company (1) using the electricity measurement equipment (3). 5. Communications system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the existence of an electrical-electronic device, sensor, actuator or element equipped with a PLC modem (9) installed downstream of the intermediate concentrator (4) or measurement equipment (3) and that makes a link with other devices, sensors, actuators or electrical-electronic elements through other technologies in addition to PLC, such as by wired or wireless means such as radio, WIFI, Bluetooth, radio frequency or Zigbee. 6. Communications system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the existence of at least one management center (11) that acts as an intermediary between the electricity distributors (1) and any third-party user of the information (10), managing information messaging, checking that all information exchanged has the authorization of the owner of that data and assigning messages to the correct recipient. 7. Communications system according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the information exchanged is encrypted, so that only the final recipient can access its content. 8. Communications system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the electricity distributor (1) accompanies the information received on the approximate location of the signal, since it knows the exact location of the measurement equipment (3). or from the transformation center (5) from where the signal emitted by the devices, sensors, actuators or electric-electronic elements equipped with a PLC modem is received.