KR20110138814A - Network system and energy consumption component - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A network system and energy consumption unit are provided to reduce electronic charges by operating home electronic apparatus in a low price time. CONSTITUTION: A communication apparatus transmits and receives energy information including information about electronic charges. An input unit includes a course selection unit(333), a function selection unit(335), an operation button(332), and a smart reservation button. The course selection unit and the function selection unit select an operation mode. A smart reservation button selects a smart mode in order to reduce electronic charges.

Description

Network system and energy consumption component

The present invention relates to a network system and an energy consumer.

The supplier simply supplied energy sources such as electricity, water and gas, and the consumer simply used the supplied energy sources. Therefore, effective management in terms of energy production, distribution, or energy use has been difficult to carry out. Therefore, a network system for effectively managing energy is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a network system and an energy consuming unit that can effectively manage an energy source.

Energy consumption unit according to one aspect, the communication means for receiving information related to the electricity bill; And an input unit having a selection unit for selecting an operation mode, an operation button for starting operation, and a smart reservation button for selecting a smart mode for reducing an electric charge, and when the operation mode is selected and the smart mode is selected, The selected operation mode is performed in the off peak period when the electric charge is the lowest or the electric charge is below a predetermined reference value.

According to another aspect, a network system includes an energy generator configured to generate energy; The energy consuming unit of any one of claims 1 to 10 for consuming energy generated by the energy generating unit; And an energy measuring unit capable of obtaining energy consumption information from the energy consuming unit.

According to the proposed invention, since the washing machine operates in a time when the electricity rate is minimum or the electricity rate is low in the smart mode, there is an advantage to reduce the electricity bill.

In addition, by setting the time limit, as the washing machine is operated at a time other than the time limit, the damage that may be caused to the people around it is reduced as the washing machine is operated at the time limit.

In addition, when electricity is used at a time when the electric charge is cheap, the concentration of electric power demand can be eliminated, so that the electric power supplier can efficiently manage electric power demand.

Electricity rates are set high during times of high power demand, so that when electricity usage increases during times when electricity rates are low, the concentration of power demand can be resolved as a result.

1 is a view schematically showing an example of a network system according to the present invention;
2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a network system according to the present invention;
3 is a view showing an example of an energy consumption unit constituting a home network of the present invention.
4 is a view showing in detail the control panel of the energy consumption unit;
5 is a view for explaining a method of setting a time limit according to the first embodiment;
6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of operating the energy consumption unit in the smart mode according to the first embodiment.
7 is a view for explaining a method for setting a time limit according to the second embodiment.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of operating the energy consumption unit in the smart mode according to the second embodiment.

1 is a view schematically showing an example of a network system according to the present invention.

This network system is a system for managing energy sources such as electricity, water, and gas. The energy source means that the amount of generation, the amount of use, etc. can be measured. Thus, energy sources not mentioned above may also be included in the management of this system. Hereinafter, as an energy source, electricity will be described as an example, and the contents of the present specification may be equally applied to other energy sources.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary network system includes a power plant that generates electricity. The power plant may include a power plant that generates electricity through thermal power generation or nuclear power generation, and a power plant using hydro, solar, wind, and the like, which are environmentally friendly energy.

In addition, the electricity generated in the power plant is transmitted to the power station through the transmission line, and in the power station (substation) to transmit electricity to the substation so that the electricity is distributed to the demand destination, such as home or office.

In addition, the electricity produced by the environmentally friendly energy is also transmitted to the substation to be distributed to each customer. Then, the electricity transmitted from the substation is distributed to the office or home via the electrical storage device or directly.

Even in homes that use a home area network (HAN), they can produce, store, or distribute their own electricity through solar light or fuel cells mounted on a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), The surplus electricity can also be sold back to the outside world (for example, the utility).

In addition, the network system includes a smart meter for real-time measuring the electricity usage of the demand destination (home or office, etc.), and a meter (AMI: Advanced Metering infrastructure) for real-time measurement of the electricity usage of a plurality of demand destinations. May be included. That is, the measuring device may receive the information measured by the plurality of smart meters to measure the electricity usage.

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

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

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

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

1 and 2, the network system of the present invention is constituted by a plurality of components. For example, power plants, substations, power stations, energy management devices, appliances, smart meters, capacitors, web servers, instrumentation devices, and home servers are the components of network systems.

In addition, in the present invention, each component may be constituted by a plurality of detailed components. For example, when one component is a home appliance, a detailed component may be a microcomputer, a heater, a display, etc. constituting the home appliance.

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

In addition, one network may be one component or may be composed of multiple components.

In the present specification, a network system in which communication information is associated with an energy source may be referred to as an energy grid.

The network system according to an exemplary embodiment may be configured of a utility network (UAN) 10 and a home network (HAN) 20. The utility network 10 and the home network 20 may communicate by wire or wirelessly by communication means. For example, the communication means may be a simple communication line or a power line communication means. Of course, the power line communication means may include a communicator (eg, a modem) connected to each of the two components. As another example, the communication means may be zigbee, wi-fi, or the like.

In the present specification, there is no limitation on the method for wired communication or the method for wireless communication.

In this specification, a home means a group of specific components such as a building, a company, as well as a home in a dictionary meaning. And, utility means a group of 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 for storing energy. An energy storage component 13), an energy management component 14 for managing energy, and an energy metering component 15 for measuring energy related information.

When one or more components constituting the utility network 10 consume energy, the component that consumes energy may be an energy consumer.

The energy generator 11 may be, for example, a power plant. The energy distributor 12 distributes or delivers the energy generated by the energy generator 11 and / or the energy stored in the energy storage 13 to the energy consumer 26. The energy distribution unit 12 may be a power transmitter, a substation, or a power station.

The energy storage unit 13 may be a storage battery, and the energy management unit 14 is related to energy, the energy generating unit 11, energy distribution unit 12, energy storage unit 13, energy consumption unit ( 26) generates information for one or more of driving. The energy management unit 14 may generate a command regarding the operation of at least a specific component.

The energy management unit 14 may be an energy management device. The energy measuring unit 15 may measure information related to energy generation, distribution, use, storage, and the like, and may be, for example, a measuring device (AMI). The energy management unit 14 may be a separate configuration or may be included as an energy management function in other components.

The utility network 10 may communicate with the home network 20 by a terminal component (not shown). The terminal component may be, for example, a gateway. Such terminal components may be provided in one or more of the utility network 10 and the home network 20.

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

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

The energy generation component 21 may be a household generator, the energy storage component 23 may be a storage battery, and the energy management component 24 may be an energy management device. The energy metering component 25 may measure information related to generation, distribution, use, and storage of energy. For example, the energy metering component 25 may be a smart meter. The energy consumption unit 26 may be, for example, a heater, a motor, a display, or the like constituting a home appliance or a home appliance. Note that there is no restriction on the type of energy consumption unit 26 in this embodiment.

The energy management unit 24 may be a separate configuration or may be included as an energy management function in other components.

The energy generator 21, the energy distributor 22, and the energy storage unit 23 may be individual components or may constitute a single component.

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

The energy network assistant 28 is a component that has an original function while performing an additional function for the energy network. For example, the energy network assistant may be a web service provider (for example, a computer), a mobile device, a television, or the like.

In addition, the two components constituting the home network 20 may communicate by a communication means.

Energy generation unit 11, 21, energy distribution unit 12, 22, energy storage unit 13, 23, energy management unit 14, 24, energy measuring unit 15, 25, energy consumption unit mentioned above (26), 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 unit 14 and 24, the energy measuring unit 15 and 25, and the central management unit 27 each exist as a single component, and perform smart functions, energy management devices, and home servers that perform their respective functions. Or the energy management unit 14, 24, the energy measuring unit 15, 25, the central management unit 27 may mechanically constitute a single device.

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

In the case of the present network system, a plurality of utility networks 10 may communicate with a single home network 20, and a single utility network 10 may communicate with a plurality of home networks 20.

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

Meanwhile, in the network system of the present invention, a specific component may receive information related to energy (hereinafter referred to as "energy information") by the communication means. In addition, the specific component may further receive additional information (environmental information, status or operation information of another component, time information, etc.) in addition to energy information by the communication means. At this time, the information may be received from other components. In other words, the received information includes at least energy information.

The specific component may be one component constituting the utility network 10 or one component constituting the home network 20.

As described above, the energy information may be one of information such as electricity, water, and gas.

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

Such information may be classified into schedule information previously generated based on previous information and real time information that changes in real time. The schedule information and the real time information may be distinguished by predicting information after the current time (future).

The energy information may be transmitted / received by 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 classified into 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 gradually changed over time. According to the CPP information, the data changes step by step or in real time with time, and emphasis is displayed at a specific time point. According to the RTP information, data changes in real time with time.

If the energy information is, for example, electricity rate information, the information related to the electricity rate is changed. The electric charge information may be transmitted / received by 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.

When the specific component receives a true or false signal such as a Boolean, one signal may be recognized as an on-peak signal and the other signal may be regarded as an off-peak signal. have.

In contrast, a specific component may recognize information on at least one driving including the electric charge, and the specific component compares the recognized information value with the reference information value to turn on-peak and off-peak. (off-peak) can be recognized.

For example, when a specific component recognizes the leveled information or the actual price information, the specific component compares the recognized information value and the reference information value to the on-peak and off-peak ( off-peak).

In this case, the information value related to the driving may be at least one of an electric charge, a power amount, a change rate of the electric charge, a change rate of the power amount, an average value of the electric charge, and an average value of the electric power. The reference information value may be at least one of an average value, an average value of minimum and maximum values of power information during a predetermined section, and a reference rate of change of power information (eg, slope of power consumption per unit time) during the predetermined section.

The reference information value may be set in real time or may be set in advance. The reference information value may be set in a utility network or in a home network (input from a consumer direct input, an energy manager, a central manager, etc.).

When the specific component (for example, the energy consumption unit) recognizes an on-peak (for example, a recognition time point), the output may be zero (stopped or stopped) and the output may be reduced. And, if necessary, the output can be restored or increased. The specific component may determine the driving method in advance before starting the operation, or change the driving method when the on-peak is recognized after starting the operation.

Alternatively, when the specific component recognizes an on-peak (for example, a recognition time), the output is maintained when the specific component is operable. At this time, the operable condition means that the information value for driving is below a certain standard. The information value related to the driving may be information about an electric charge, power consumption, or operation time. The predetermined criterion may be a relative value or an absolute value.

The schedule standard may be set in real time or may be set in advance. The schedule criterion may be set in the utility network or in a home network (input from a consumer direct input, an energy manager, a central manager, etc.).

Alternatively, when the specific component recognizes an on-peak (eg, a recognition time), the output may be increased. However, even when the output is increased when the on-peak is recognized, the total output amount during the entire driving period of the specific component may be reduced or maintained than the total output amount when the specific component operates at the normal output. Or, even if the output is increased when the on-peak is recognized, the total power consumption or total electric charge for the entire operating period of a particular component is the total power consumption or total power when the specific component operates at normal output. It can be lower than the electricity bill.

When the specific component recognizes an off-peak (for example, a recognition time), the output may be increased. For example, when an operation reservation is set, a specific component may start driving before a set time, or a component having a larger output among a plurality of components may be driven first. In addition, in the case of the refrigerator to increase the output than the existing output supercooled, or in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine, the hot water can be stored by driving the heater in advance than the scheduled time of operation of the heater. Alternatively, when a specific component recognizes an off-peak (eg, a recognition time), power storage may be performed.

The energy reduction information is information related to a mode in which a component is stopped or a low electric charge is used. The energy saving information may be transmitted and received with a true or false signal, for example, as a Boolean on a network system.

The grid emergency information is information related to a power failure and the like, and may be transmitted / received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean. Information related to the power outage is related to the reliability of the component using energy.

When the specific component recognizes the emergency information, it may be immediately shut down.

The grid reliability information is information about a high or low amount of electricity supplied or information on the quality of electricity. The AC power is transmitted or received as a true or false signal, such as Boolean, or supplied to a component (for example, home appliance). The component may determine the frequency of the signal.

That is, when a frequency lower than the reference frequency of the AC power supplied to the component is detected, the amount of supply electricity may be determined to be small, and when a frequency higher than the reference frequency of the AC power may be determined, the amount of supply electricity may be determined.

When the specific component recognizes that the amount of electricity is low in the network safety information or the information that the electrical quality is not good, as described above, the specific component may be output 0 (stopped or stopped) in some cases. Can be reduced, the output maintained or the output increased.

The excessive amount of generated electricity information is information on a state in which surplus electricity is generated because the amount of electricity consumed by the component consuming energy is smaller than the amount of generated electricity. For example, the generated electricity amount may be transmitted and received as a true or false signal such as a Boolean.

When the specific component recognizes excess electricity quantity information, the output may be increased. For example, when an operation reservation is set, a specific component may start driving before a set time, or a component having a larger output among a plurality of components may be driven first. In addition, in the case of the refrigerator to increase the output than the existing output supercooled, or in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine, the hot water can be stored by driving the heater in advance than the scheduled time of operation of the heater.

3 is a view showing an example of an energy consumption unit constituting the home network of the present invention, Figure 4 is a view showing a control panel of the energy consumption unit in detail.

3 shows an example of a washing machine as an energy consuming part, but it is clear that the type of the energy consuming part is not limited in the present invention.

3 and 4, the washing machine 30 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 310 having a drum in which laundry is accommodated, a door 320 opening and closing the drum, and the washing machine 30. The control panel 330 for inputting the operating conditions and the like, and a detergent box 340 for storing the detergent. In addition, although not shown, the washing machine 30 includes communication means for transmitting and receiving at least energy-related information.

In detail, the control panel 330 includes a power button 331 for turning on / off the power of the washing machine, an operation button 332 for starting an operation of the washing machine or pausing or restarting the washing machine, and an operation course. Alternatively, a course or mode selection unit (hereinafter, referred to as a course selection unit) for selecting a mode, a function selection unit 335 including a plurality of buttons for selecting a function desired by a user, and a function selection unit 335 Display unit 340 for displaying the selected item, the progress of the corresponding course (mode), the remaining time, and the like, and controls various parts and controls information related to the electric charge ( Not shown).

The function selection unit 335 includes at least a smart reservation button 336 and a limit button 337. The smart reservation button 336 may select a smart mode for operating at a time when the electricity rate is the lowest or when the electricity rate is low (off-peak period: off-peak). In other words, the smart mode refers to a mode for reducing the electricity bill or energy.

The time limit for limiting the operation of the washing machine may be input using the limit button 337.

In the present embodiment, the function selection unit 335 and the course selection unit 333 may be collectively referred to as an input unit.

Hereinafter, the operation of the washing machine when the smart reservation button is selected while the time limit is set will be described.

5 is a view illustrating a method of setting a time limit according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of operating the energy consumption unit in the smart mode according to the first embodiment.

First, referring to FIG. 5, the user selects the limit button 337 to input or change the time for limiting the operation of the washing machine (S11). At this time, the time limit may or may not be set in advance during production of the product. When the time limit is set during the production of the product, the time limit may be set, for example, between 0 am and 6 am.

For example, the time limit may be set to reduce noise that may be generated as the washing machine is operated during the late night time zone. That is, when a washing machine is used in a common living area such as an apartment, a multi-family house, or a multi-family house, a time limit may be set in order not to cause damage to other households due to noise.

Then, the time limit is set using the selection button and / or the move button (S12). In the present embodiment, there is no restriction in the method for setting the time limit, and the time limit may set a start time and an end time, and may set a plurality of time intervals. In general, the time limit can be set during the night time, but can also be set during the day according to the living patterns of residents.

Next, it is determined whether all of the time except the set time limit is included in the on-peak period (S13). If all of the time other than the set time limit is not included in the on-peak period, that is, if a part of the time is included in the off-peak period, the input time is stored in a memory (not shown) (S14).

On the other hand, when all the time other than the input time limit is included in the on-peak period, a re-input request message is generated (S15). For example, the re-input request message may be displayed on the display unit.

On the other hand, referring to Figure 6, the user enters a specific course for the operation of the washing machine (S21). Then, the smart reservation button 336 is selected (S22). Then, the smart mode is set. When the smart mode is set, the washing machine starts the operation at the time when the electric charge is lowest among the times except the set time limit or starts the operation in the off-peak period. At this time, the washing machine operates within the set end time after the smart mode is selected. That is, for example, the washing machine starts to operate at a time when electricity rates are lowest within 12 hours or at an off-peak period.

If the washing machine receives TOU information and schedule information, the controller may determine on-peak and off-peak using the TOU information. In contrast, the washing machine may receive on-peak and off-peak information from other external components.

On the other hand, when the washing machine receives the TOU information in real time, the received information is stored, and on-peak and off-peak are stored by using electric charge information of the previous day or the previous week. peak) (actually on-peak and off-peak prediction). In contrast, the washing machine may receive on-peak and off-peak information from other external components.

On the other hand, when the time limit is set but the course is selected and the operation button is selected without selecting the smart mode, if the current time is included in the time limit, a message for notifying that the time limit is set is generated. For example, the display unit may display a warning message for notifying that the time limit is set.

According to the present invention as described above, since the washing machine operates in a time when the electricity rate is minimum or the electricity rate is low in the smart mode, there is an advantage that the electricity rate can be reduced.

In addition, by setting the time limit, as the washing machine is operated at a time other than the time limit, as the washing machine is operated at the time limit, noise and related damage that may be given to the people around it are reduced.

In addition, when electricity is used at a time when the electric charge is cheap, the concentration of power demand can be eliminated, so that the power supplier can efficiently manage power demand and power supply.

Electricity rates are set high during times of high power demand, so that when electricity usage increases during times when electricity rates are low, the concentration of power demand can be resolved as a result.

Although various courses and functions are selected by the function selection unit and the course selection unit, the display unit may include a touch screen for selecting various functions by a touch method. In this case, the touch screen performs the function of the input unit.

7 is a view illustrating a method of setting a time limit according to a second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of operating in an energy consumption unit smart mode according to a second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the user selects the limit button to input or change the time at which the washing machine should be operated (S31). In the present embodiment, since the washing machine enters or changes a time so that the washing machine operates only in a specific section, the set operable time may be referred to as a time limit.

That is, in the first embodiment, the time limit is an operation time limit, and in the present embodiment, the time limit is a time that should be operated.

At this time, the time limit may or may not be set in advance during production of the product. When a time limit is set during production, the time limit may be set, for example, between 6 am and 12 pm (or 0 am).

For example, the time limit may be set to reduce noise that may be generated as the washing machine is operated during the late night time zone.

Then, the time limit is set using the selection button and / or the move button (S32). Next, it is determined whether the set time limit is included in all of the on-peak periods (S33). If all of the set time limits are not included in the on-peak period, that is, even if some of them are included in the off-peak period, the input time is stored in the memory (S34). On the other hand, if all of the input timeouts are included in the on-peak period, a re-input request message is generated (S35). For example, the re-input request message may be displayed on the display unit.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 8, the user inputs a specific course for the operation of the washing machine (S41). Then, the smart reservation button is selected (S42). Then, the smart mode is set. When the smart mode is set, the washing machine starts operation at a time when electricity rates are lowest among the set time limits (operation time) or at an off-peak period.

On the other hand, if the operating time is set, but the course is selected without selecting the smart mode and the operation button is selected, if the current time is not included in the operable time, a message for notifying that the time limit is set occurs do. For example, the display unit may display a warning message for notifying that the time limit is set.

10: utility network 20: home network
26: Energy Consumption Department

Claims (11)

Communication means for transmitting or receiving energy information including electricity rate information or information other than electricity rate; And
An input unit including a selection unit for selecting an operation mode, an operation button for starting operation, and a smart reservation button for selecting a smart mode for reducing an electric charge,
When the operation mode is selected and the smart mode is selected, the energy consuming unit is performed in the selected operating mode during the off-peak period when the electricity bill is the lowest or the electricity bill is below a predetermined reference value. The method of claim 1,
The input unit further includes a limit button for selecting the operation time limit. The method of claim 2,
And when the smart mode is selected, the selected energy consumption mode is performed at a time excluding an operation time limit. The method of claim 3, wherein
When the operation mode is selected and the operation button is selected when the smart mode is not selected, an energy consumption unit for generating a message indicating that the time limit is set when the current time is included in the time limit. The method of claim 3, wherein
The energy consuming unit for generating a re-entry notification message when the time other than the set time limit is entirely included in the on-peak period when the electric charge exceeds a predetermined reference value. The method of claim 1,
The input unit further comprises a limit button for selecting an operable time. The method according to claim 6,
And if the smart mode is selected, performing the selected operation mode within an operable time. The method according to claim 6,
An energy consumption unit for generating a reset notification message when all of the set operable times are included in the on peak period when the electric charge exceeds a predetermined reference value. The method according to claim 6,
When the operation mode is selected and the operation button is selected when the smart mode is not selected, an energy consuming unit generates a message for notifying when the current time corresponds to a time other than the available time. The method of claim 1,
And when the smart mode is selected, performing the selected operation mode within a set end time. An energy generator for generating energy;
The energy consuming unit of any one of claims 1 to 10 for consuming energy generated by the energy generating unit; And
And an energy measuring unit capable of obtaining energy consumption information from the energy consuming unit.

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