KR101736688B1 - Network system and control method the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a network system and a control method thereof.
A network system according to the present invention includes at least a first energy generation unit, a utility network capable of transmitting energy information including electricity rate information or electric fee information; At least one energy consuming unit consuming energy generated in the energy generating unit, the home network capable of receiving the energy information; An energy measuring unit, which is associated with the energy consuming unit, for recognizing the energy information; And an energy management unit that is capable of communicating with the energy consuming unit and manages information related to the operation of the energy consuming unit, wherein, in the energy peak period of the energy information, the function of one component constituting the energy consuming unit is limited Wherein the driving time or the output of the energy consuming part is adjusted corresponding to the limited function of the one component in order to replace the limited function of the one component and the driving time adjustment of the energy consuming part is controlled by the energy consuming part or the one component Wherein the output adjustment of the energy consuming part includes increasing the output of the one component at the end of the on peak time interval and during the on peak time interval.

Description

Network system and control method thereof

The present invention relates to a network system and a control method thereof.

Suppliers simply supply energy sources such as electricity, water, and gas, and demanders simply use the supplied energy sources. Therefore, effective management in terms of energy production, distribution, or energy use is difficult to perform.

In other words, energy is a radial structure that is distributed from an energy supplier to a large number of consumers, that is, from the center to the periphery, and is characterized by a one-way supplier center rather than a consumer center.

The price information of electricity can not be known in real time, but it can be seen only through the power exchange, and because the price system is also a fixed price system, incentives such as incentives for consumers through price changes can not be used There was also a problem.

In order to solve these problems, there has been a lot of efforts recently to implement a horizontal, cooperative and distributed network that can efficiently manage energy and enable interaction between a consumer and a supplier.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a network system capable of effectively managing an energy source, and reducing electric charges and energy consumption.

In the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the network system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes at least a first energy generation unit, and is capable of transmitting energy information including electricity rate information or electric fee information, ; At least one energy consuming unit consuming energy generated in the energy generating unit, the home network capable of receiving the energy information; An energy measuring unit, which is associated with the energy consuming unit, for recognizing the energy information; And an energy management unit that is capable of communicating with the energy consuming unit and manages information related to the operation of the energy consuming unit, wherein, in the energy peak period of the energy information, the function of one component constituting the energy consuming unit is limited Wherein the driving time or the output of the energy consuming part is adjusted corresponding to the limited function of the one component in order to replace the limited function of the one component and the driving time adjustment of the energy consuming part is controlled by the energy consuming part or the one component Wherein the output adjustment of the energy consuming part includes increasing the output of the one component at the end of the on peak time interval and during the on peak time interval.

According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently produce, use, distribute, and store an energy source, thereby effectively managing the energy source.

In addition, it is possible to drive and control the electric appliances in the home using the energy information transmitted from the supplier, and it is possible to reduce the energy usage fee or power consumption.

1 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic diagram of a home network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating an example of power information and corresponding power consumption changes provided to a component according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a block diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of an energy consuming unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a block diagram of a network system according to another embodiment of the energy consuming unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a block diagram of a network system according to another embodiment of the energy consuming unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a schematic view illustrating an example of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The network system is a system for managing energy sources such as electricity, water, and gas. The energy source means that the generated amount or the used amount can be measured. Therefore, the energy source can be SOURCE not mentioned above. Hereinafter, electricity will be described as an example of the energy source, and the contents of this specification can be equally applied to other energy sources.

Referring to FIG. 1, the network system of one embodiment includes a power plant that produces electricity. The power plant may include a power plant that generates electricity through thermal power generation or nuclear power generation, and a power plant that uses eco-friendly energy such as hydroelectric power, solar power, and wind power.

Electricity generated in the power plant is transmitted to a substation through a transmission line, and electric power is transmitted to a substation in a power station so that electricity is distributed to consumers such as a home or an office.

Electricity generated by environmentally friendly energy is also transmitted to the substation and distributed to each customer. Electricity transmitted from the substation is distributed through an electric storage device or directly to the office or each household.

In the home using a home network (HAN, home area network), electric power can be produced, stored, distributed, or distributed through a solar cell or a fuel cell mounted on a PHEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) The remaining electricity can be returned to the outside.

In addition, the network system may include a smart meter for real-time grasping the amount of electricity used by the customer (home or office) or the amount of electricity supplied to the customer, in real time, And an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for measuring the amount of electricity supplied in real time.

In addition, the network system may further include an energy management system (EMS: Energy Management System) for managing energy. The energy management device can generate information about the operation of one or more components in relation to energy (generation, distribution, use, storage, etc.) of the energy. The energy management device may generate at least instructions related to operation of the component.

In the present specification, a function or a solution performed by the energy management apparatus may be referred to as an energy management function or an energy management solution.

In the network system of the present invention, the energy management device may be included in one or more components in a separate configuration, or may be included as an energy management function or solution in one or more components.

2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an example of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the network system of the present invention is configured by a plurality of components. For example, power plants, substations, power stations, energy management devices, household appliances, smart meters, capacitors, web servers, measuring devices, and home servers are components of the network system.

Further, in the present invention, each component can be constituted by a plurality of detailed components. For example, when one component is an electrical product, the microcomputer, the heater, the display, and the like may be detailed components.

That is, in the present invention, everything that performs a specific function may be a component, and these components constitute the network system of the present invention. And the two components can communicate by communication means.

Further, one network may be a single component or may be composed of a plurality of components.

In this specification, a network system in which communication information is related to an energy source may be referred to as an energy grid.

The network system of one embodiment may be composed of a utility network (UAN) 10 and a home network (HAN) 20. The utility network 10 and the home network 20 can be wired or wirelessly communicated by communication means.

In this specification, the assumption means a group including one or more specific components such as a building, a company, and the like, as well as assumptions of a dictionary meaning. A utility is a group that includes one or more specific components outside the home.

The utility network 10 includes an energy generation component 11 for generating energy, an energy distribution component 12 for distributing or transferring energy, and an energy storage unit An energy storage component 13 for managing energy, an energy management component 14 for managing energy, and an energy metering component 15 for measuring energy related information.

When one or more components of the utility network 10 consume energy, the energy consuming component may be an energy consuming part.

The energy generating unit 11 may be, for example, a power plant. The energy distribution unit 12 distributes or delivers the energy generated by the energy generation unit 11 and / or the energy stored in the energy storage unit 13 to the energy consumption unit 26 consuming energy. The energy distribution unit 12 may be a power transmission unit, a substation, a power station, or the like.

The energy storage unit 13 may be a battery and the energy management unit 14 may include an energy generation unit 11, an energy distribution unit 12, an energy storage unit 13, an energy consumption unit 26). ≪ / RTI > The energy management unit 14 may generate at least instructions related to the operation of the specific component.

The energy management unit 14 may be an energy management device and may exist in a separate configuration or may be included as an energy management function in another component. The energy measurement unit 15 may measure information related to the generation, distribution, use, storage, etc. of energy, and may be, for example, an Advanced Metering Infra-structure (AMI).

The utility network 10 can transmit information or receive information via a terminal component (not shown). That is, the information generated or transmitted by the specific components constituting the utility network 10 can be transmitted through the terminal component or receive information from other components.

In addition, the two components constituting the utility network 10 can communicate by communication means.

The home network 20 includes an energy generation component 21 for generating energy, an energy distribution component 22 for distributing energy, an energy storage component 22 for storing energy, 23, an energy management component 24 for managing energy, an energy metering component 25 for measuring energy related information, and an energy consumption component 26, a central management component 27 and an energy grid assistance component 28 for controlling a number of components.

The energy generation unit 11, the energy distribution unit 12, the energy storage unit 13, the energy management unit 14, and the energy measurement unit 15 are connected to a first energy generation unit, a first energy distribution unit, The energy storage unit 22, the energy storage unit 23, the energy management unit 24, and the energy measurement unit 25, which are referred to as a storage unit, a first energy management unit, and a first energy measurement unit, May be referred to as a second energy generation unit, a second energy distribution unit, a second energy storage unit, a second energy management unit, and a second energy measurement unit.

The energy generation component 21 may be a household power generator and the energy storage component 23 may be a battery and the energy management component 24 may be an energy management device. The energy metering component 25 may measure information related to energy generation, distribution, use, storage, and the like. For example, the energy metering component 25 may be a smart meter.

The energy consuming unit 26 may be, for example, a heater, a motor, a display, etc. constituting an electric product or an electric product. It is to be noted that there is no limitation in the kind of the energy consuming section 26 in the present embodiment.

The energy management unit 24 may exist in a separate configuration or may be included in at least one component as an energy management function.

The energy generating unit 21, the energy distributing unit 22, and the energy storing unit 23 may be individual components or a single component.

The central management unit 27 may be, for example, a home server that controls a plurality of appliances.

The energy network auxiliary unit 28 is a component having an original function while performing an additional function for the energy network. For example, the energy network sub-unit may be a web service provisioning (e.g., a computer), a mobile device, a television, and the like.

The two components constituting the home network 20 can be communicated by communication means.

The energy distributing units 12 and 22, the energy storing units 13 and 23, the energy managing units 14 and 24, the energy measuring units 15 and 25, The central management unit 26 and the central management unit 27 may exist independently of each other, or two or more may constitute a single component.

For example, the energy management units 14 and 24, the energy measurement units 15 and 25, and the central management unit 27 exist as a single component, and each of the smart meters, the energy management device, Or the energy management units 14 and 24, the energy measurement units 15 and 25, and the central management unit 27 may constitute a single apparatus.

Further, in performing a single function, the functions may be sequentially performed in a plurality of components and / or communication means. For example, an energy management function may be sequentially performed in a separate energy management unit, an energy measurement unit, and an energy consumption unit.

In this network system, a plurality of utility networks 10 can communicate with a single home network 20, and a single utility network 10 can communicate with a plurality of home networks 20.

In addition, a plurality of components of a specific function configuring the utility network and the home network may be provided. For example, the energy generating unit or the energy consuming unit may be plural.

3 is a schematic diagram of a home network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the home network 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an energy measurement unit 25 that can measure power and / or electricity charges supplied to the homes from the utility network 10 in real time For example, a smart meter, the energy measurement unit 25, and an energy management unit 24 connected to and controlling the operation of the electric product.

On the other hand, the electricity rate of each household is charged at an hourly rate, and the electricity rate per hour becomes high at a time interval in which the electric power consumption is rapidly increased, and the electricity rate per hour may become low at the time of the midnight at which the electric power consumption is relatively low .

The energy management unit 24 is connected to the electric energy consuming unit 26 through the network in the home such as the washing machine 100, the refrigerator 200, the dryer 300, the cooking appliance 400, And can be used for bi-directional communication.

Communication in the home can be done through wired such as Zigbee, wifi, or a power line communication (PLC, Power line communication), and one household appliance can be connected to communicate with other household appliances.

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of power information and corresponding power consumption changes provided to a component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Energy information can be received through the communication means for the specific components constituting the utility network 10 or the home network 20. For example, the electricity amount or electricity bill information supplied from the utility network 10 to each household may be received by the energy management unit 24 or the energy measurement unit 25. [

For example, information relating to electricity includes information other than time-based pricing and electricity rates. The information other than the above electric bill includes energy curtailment, grid emergency, grid reliability, energy amount, operation priority, and the like.

Such information can be divided into scheduled information generated in advance based on previous information and real time information that varies in real time. The schedule information and the real-time information can be classified according to the prediction of the information after the present time (future).

The energy information may be transmitted or received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean on a network system, an actual price may be transmitted or received, or a plurality of levels may be transmitted and received.

The energy information may be time of use (TOU) information, critical peak pattern (CPP) information, or real time pattern (RTP) information according to a change pattern of data over time.

According to the TOU information, data is changed stepwise according to time. According to the CPP information, the data changes stepwise or real-time with time, and emphasis is displayed at a specific time point. According to the RTP information, data changes in real time.

If the energy information is electricity rate information, the information related to the electricity rate may vary. The electricity bill information may be transmitted or received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean on a network system, a real price may be transmitted or received, or a plurality of levels may be transmitted and received.

Fig. 4 shows an example in which the energy related information (electric power information) of a specific component, for example, an electric product, i.e., information values regarding driving of the electric product is leveled and received.

The time interval in which the leveled information value regarding the driving of the electric appliance exceeds a predetermined reference value S may be defined as an on-peak time interval, and a time interval less than the reference value S is off Can be defined as an off-peak time interval.

The information value regarding the driving may be at least one of an electric charge, a power amount, a rate of change of the electric charge, a rate of change of the electric power amount, an average value of the electric charge and an average value of the electric power amount. The reference value S may be at least one of an average value, an average value of a minimum value and a maximum value of power information during a predetermined section, and a reference change rate of power information during a predetermined section (for example, a slope of power consumption amount per unit time).

The reference value S may be set in real time or may be set in advance. The reference value S may be set in a utility network, or may be set in a home network (input by a consumer direct input, energy management unit, central management unit, etc.).

In summary, the on-peak time period may mean a time period during which an electric appliance can be driven with a relatively high electricity rate (or excess power demand), and the off-peak time period may be a relatively low electricity rate It may mean a time interval during which the electric appliance can be driven.

From the point of view of the electric power source, the on-peak time period is a time period in which power demand is concentrated, and therefore, it means a time period in which it is necessary to disperse the electric power demand in the off-peak time period.

When the on-peak is recognized (for example, when the electric appliance 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 as the energy consuming unit 26) recognizes the on-peak (for example, the recognition time) And the power consumption can be lowered.

On the other hand, when the electrical products 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 recognize off-peaks (for example, when they recognize), the output can be increased. In this case, the electric power consumed by the electric appliances (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) can be increased.

The energy curtailment information is information related to a mode in which the component is stopped or the electricity fee is reduced. The energy reduction information may be transmitted or received as a true or false signal, for example, as a Boolean on a network system.

When the specific component recognizes the energy reduction information, the output can be set to 0 (stop or stop) and the output can be reduced as described above.

The emergency information (Grid emergency) is information related to a power failure or the like, and can be transmitted and received as a true or false signal, for example, as a Boolean. The information related to the power failure or the like is related to the reliability of components using energy.

If the specific component recognizes the emergency information, it can be shut down immediately.

The grid reliability information may be defined as information about the amount of electricity supplied or the amount of electricity supplied or the quality of electricity. The network security information can be recognized through a true or false signal, such as a Boolean, or a frequency of an AC power source supplied as a component (e.g., an electrical product).

That is, if the frequency lower than the reference frequency of the AC power supplied to the component is detected, it is determined that the supplied electricity quantity is small. If a frequency higher than the reference frequency of the AC power supply is detected, it can be determined that the supplied electricity quantity is large.

When the specific component recognizes that the amount of electricity is low among the network safety information or recognizes that the electrical quality is not good, the specific component may set the output 0 (stop or stop) Or to maintain the output or to increase the output.

Generated electricity quantity excess information is information about the state where surplus electricity is generated because the electricity consumption of the component consuming energy is smaller than the electricity generation amount and can be transmitted or received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean.

When the specific component recognizes the electricity generation amount excess information, the output can be increased.

5 is a block diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of an energy consuming unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5, the home network system 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a washing machine 100 as an energy consuming unit 26, a power supply source 80 for supplying power to the home, An energy measuring unit 25 for measuring an amount of electricity supplied from the washing machine 80 or an amount of electricity used in the washing machine 100 and an energy managing unit 24 for managing energy related to the operation of the washing machine 100.

5 shows the energy management unit 26 as a configuration for controlling the operation of the washing machine 100. The energy management unit 24 may be replaced with the central management unit 27 or the energy network auxiliary unit 28 .

The washing machine 100 includes a heating device 120 for heating the washing water to supply hot water, a timer 130 for measuring the washing time of the washing machine 100, A hot water tank 150 capable of storing hot water, and a control unit 110 for controlling the operation of the washing machine 100. The control unit 110 controls the operation of the washing machine 100,

The heating device 120 may be understood as a component having relatively high power consumption as one energy consuming part among a plurality of energy consuming parts constituting the washing machine 100. The heating device 120 may include a heater, and the heater may generate heat to heat the washing water. The heated washing water contributes to improvement of the washing performance.

When the heating device 120 is driven in the on-peak time interval, the electric charge according to the amount of electricity consumed in the washing machine 100 becomes relatively expensive. Therefore, the efficient use of energy by the washing machine 100 is limited, and there is a disadvantage that concentration of power demand is concentrated in the view of a supplier that supplies energy.

As a result, in order to reduce the power consumption of the washing machine 100 during an on peak time interval, the driving of the heating device 120 may be limited. However, when the driving of the heating device 120 is restricted, it may become difficult to secure the washing performance required by the user.

In this case, the washing machine 100 may increase the predetermined washing time according to a specific stroke (course) instead of limiting the function of the heating device 120. For example, a washing course set to be washed with washing water at 60 ° C for one hour may be adjusted (replaced) to a washing course at 25 ° C for 1 hour and 20 minutes during an on peak time period.

Of course, the power consumption when driving with the adjusted course can be made lower than the power consumption when driving with the previous course.

When the on-peak time period is recognized, the energy management unit 24 may transmit a predetermined command to the control unit 110 to adjust the washing course.

On the other hand, the function of the driving motor 140 may be limited in the on-peak time period. For example, the rpm of the driving motor 140 may be reduced in the dewatering stroke, and the driving time of the driving motor 140 may be increased instead.

In the hot water tank 150, the wash water can be heated and stored during the off peak time period. The hot water tank 150 may be maintained in an adiabatic state with respect to the outside to maintain the hot water state.

When the on-peak time period comes, the control unit 110 controls the heating unit 120 to perform washing using the hot water stored in the hot water tank 150, instead of heating the washing water using the heating unit 120 .

In this way, the function (operation) of the energy consuming part having a large power consumption is restricted, while the replacement function is performed in order to secure the washing performance of the washing machine.

6 is a block diagram of a network system according to another embodiment of the energy consuming unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

6, the home network system 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigerator 200 as an energy consuming unit 26, a power supply source 80 for supplying power to the home, An energy measuring unit 25 for measuring the amount of electricity supplied from the refrigerator 80 or the amount of electricity used in the refrigerator 200 and an energy management unit 24 for managing energy related to the operation of the refrigerator 200.

6 shows the energy management unit 24 as a configuration for controlling the operation of the washing machine 100. The energy management unit 24 may be replaced with the central management unit 27 or the energy network auxiliary unit 28, .

The refrigerator 200 includes a compressor 220 for compressing a predetermined refrigerant to drive a refrigeration cycle, a timer 130 for measuring a driving time of the refrigeration cycle 100, A defrost heater 240 for defrosting, a cooling unit 250 for storing cool air generated by driving the refrigeration cycle, and a control unit 210 for controlling the operation of the refrigerator 200.

The compressor 220 and the defrost heater 240 are energy consuming parts constituting the refrigerator 200, respectively, and can be understood as a component having relatively high power consumption.

When the on peak time interval comes, the function of the compressor 220 may be limited. That is, by controlling the current applied to the compressor 220, the cooling power (input date of the compressor) of the compressor 220 can be lowered.

When the cooling power of the compressor 220 is lowered, the cooling performance of the refrigerator 200 may be lowered. In order to prevent the deterioration of the cooling performance, the operation rate of the compressor 220 (that is, the on time ratio of the compressor with respect to the entire time) can be increased.

Of course, the power required to raise the operation rate of the compressor 220 may be less than the power required to increase the cooling power of the compressor 220.

On the other hand, the function of the defrost heater 240 can be limited. However, instead of restricting the operation of the defrost heater 240 with a high power consumption, the defrosting effect of the evaporator can be obtained by driving the reverse refrigeration cycle using the four-way valve.

Of course, the power consumed for driving the reverse refrigeration cycle for a predetermined time may be lower than the power consumed for operating the defrost heater 240.

During the peak time period, the cold storage unit 250 may store a part of the cold storage formed by the refrigeration cycle. For easy storage of cold air, a heat insulating structure may be applied to the cold storage part 250.

The refrigerator can be cooled by using the cold air stored in the cold storage part 250 instead of driving the compressor 220 to generate cold air.

7 is a block diagram of a network system according to another embodiment of the energy consuming unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

7, the home network system 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a dryer 300 as an energy consuming unit 26, a power supply source 80 for supplying power to the home, An energy measuring unit 25 for measuring an amount of electricity supplied from the refrigerator 80 or an amount of electricity used in the dryer 300 and an energy managing unit 24 for managing energy related to the operation of the refrigerator 200.

7 shows the energy management unit 24 as a configuration for controlling the operation of the dryer 300. The energy management unit 24 may be replaced by the central management unit 27 or the energy network auxiliary unit 28, .

The dryer 300 includes a heating device 320 for heating the air to dry the laundry 300, a timer 330 for measuring the operation time of the dryer 200, And a control unit 310 for controlling the operation of the fan motor 340 and the dryer 300 for circulation.

The heating device 320 is an energy consuming part of the dryer 300, and can be understood as a component having relatively high power consumption.

When the on-peak time period comes, the function of the heating device 320 may be limited. That is, the current applied to the heating device 320 can be switched off. In this case, formation of hot air can be limited.

However, when the operation of the heating device 320 is turned off, the drying performance may be lowered. In order to prevent such deterioration of drying performance, it is possible to increase the number of revolutions of the fan motor 340 or to increase the driving time of the fan motor 340. In this case, the amount of air circulating inside the dryer 300 can be increased.

Of course, the power required to increase the number of revolutions of the fan motor 340 or increase the driving time of the fan motor 340 may be less than the power required to turn on the heating device 320.

According to such a configuration and control method, there is an effect that the energy management and use efficiency related to the driving of the electric product can be improved.

10: utility network 20: home network
24: Energy management unit 25: Energy measurement unit
26: Energy consumption unit 100: Washing machine
200: Refrigerator 300: Dryer

Claims (4)

A utility network including at least a first energy generating unit and capable of transmitting energy information including electricity rate information or information other than electric charges;
A home network including at least one energy consuming unit consuming energy generated in the first energy generating unit and capable of receiving the energy information;
An energy measuring unit, which is associated with the energy consuming unit, for recognizing the energy information; And
And an energy management unit communicable with the energy consumption unit and managing information related to the operation of the energy consumption unit,
The output of one component having a relatively high power consumption among a plurality of components constituting the energy consuming unit is reduced in an on peak time interval of the energy information,
The drive time or output of the energy consuming part is adjusted corresponding to the reduced output of the one component to replace the reduced output of the one component,
Wherein the driving time adjustment of the energy consuming portion includes increasing the driving time of the energy consuming portion or the one component,
Wherein the output adjustment of the energy consuming section includes increasing the output of the one component at the end of the on peak time interval beyond the output of the one component at the on peak time interval. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the energy consuming portion is a washing machine and the one component is a driving motor for driving the drum. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the energy consuming portion is a refrigerator and the one component is a compressor. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the energy consuming portion is a washing machine, and the one component is a heater for heating washing water.

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