KR20120000016A - A network system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A network system and a control method thereof are provided to reduce power consumption. CONSTITUTION: An energy measuring unit is placed in a utility network or a home network. The energy measuring unit recognizes energy information or additional information excluding the energy information. An energy managing unit(24) is placed in the utility network or the home network. The energy managing unit manages the energy information or the additional information in connection with an energy consuming unit(100). An energy storing unit stores energy for operating at least one component configuring the energy consuming unit when a power supply to the energy consuming unit is stopped.

Description

Network system and control method

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

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.

In other words, energy is a radial structure that is distributed from energy suppliers toward multiple demand sources, that is, spreads from the center to the periphery, and is characterized by unidirectional supplier center, not consumer center.

The price information for electricity was not only available in real time, but only limitedly through the power exchange, and since the price system is also a de facto fixed price system, incentives such as incentives to consumers through price changes cannot be used. There was a problem.

In order to solve this problem, there have been a lot of efforts in recent years to implement a horizontal, cooperative, and distributed network that effectively manages energy and enables interaction between consumers and suppliers.

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

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a network system includes a utility network including an energy generator; A home network including an energy consumption unit for consuming energy generated by the energy generation unit, wherein the energy consumption unit includes a home network including a driving unit for providing driving power; An energy measuring unit provided in the utility network or the home network and recognizing additional information other than energy information or energy information; An energy management unit provided in the utility network or a home network and managing the energy information or additional information in relation to the energy consumption unit; And an energy storage unit for storing energy for driving at least one component constituting the energy consumption unit when the power supply applied to the energy consumption unit is limited.

In addition, the control method of the network system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the energy information or additional information other than the energy information is transferred from the energy management unit or the energy measuring unit to the energy consumption unit; Determining whether the energy information or additional information other than the energy information exceeds a preset reference value; If the energy information or the additional information is recognized as exceeding the reference value, supplying power of one component constituting the energy consumption unit from an energy storage unit; And turning off a connection of a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the energy consumption unit.

According to the present invention, the energy source can be efficiently produced, used, distributed, stored, and the like, thereby enabling effective management of the energy source.

In addition, it is possible to drive and control electrical appliances in the home by using the energy information transmitted from the supplier, and there is an effect of reducing energy usage fees or power consumption.

1 is a view schematically showing a network system according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram schematically showing a network system according to the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing a process of transferring information on a network system of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a form of an electric charge. FIG. 4A is a graph showing time of use (TOU) information and critical peak pattern (CPP) information, and FIG. 4B is a RTP ( This graph shows real time pattern information.
5 is a block diagram schematically showing a first embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.
6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.
7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a third embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.
8 is a schematic diagram of a home network according to the invention.
9 is a block diagram illustrating a network system including an energy consumption unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flowchart showing a control method of a network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a flowchart showing a control method of a network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a block diagram illustrating a network system including an energy consumption unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view schematically showing 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.

In this specification, the measurement includes not only the smart meter and the measuring device itself measuring, but also that the smart meter and the measuring device can recognize the generation amount or the usage amount from other components.

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 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, a motor, 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.

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. That is, the energy consumption unit may be a separate configuration or may be included in other components.

The energy generator 11 may be, for example, a power plant. The energy distribution unit 12 distributes or delivers the energy generated by the energy generator 11 and / or the energy stored in the energy storage unit 13 to the energy consumption unit. 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. For example, 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, consumption, 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.

Meanwhile, 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 unit for storing energy. storage component 23, an energy management component 24 for managing energy, an energy metering component 25 for measuring information related to energy, and an energy consuming unit for consuming energy consumption component 26, a central management component 27 for controlling a plurality of components, an energy grid assistance component 28, an accessory component 29, and a consumer processing component component: 30).

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. have.

The energy metering component 25 may measure information related to generation, distribution, consumption, storage, and the like of energy. For example, the energy metering component 25 may be a smart meter.

The energy consumption unit 26 may be, for example, a home appliance (a refrigerator, a washing machine, an air conditioner, a cooking appliance, a cleaner, a dryer, a dishwasher, a dehumidifier, a display device, a lighting device, etc.) or a heater, a motor, a display, etc. constituting the home appliance. Can be. Note that there is no restriction on the type of energy consumption unit 26 in this embodiment.

The energy management unit 24 may be an individual component or may be included as an energy management function in another component. The energy management unit 21 may communicate with one or more components to transmit and receive information.

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 having an original function while performing an additional function for the energy grid. For example, the energy network assistant 28 may be a web service provider (eg, a computer), a mobile device, a television, or the like.

The accessory component 29 is an energy network only component that performs additional functions for the energy network. For example, the accessory component 29 may be a weather network antenna dedicated to the energy network.

The consumer handling component 30 is a component that stores, supplies, and delivers the consumer, and may identify or recognize information about the consumer. The consumer may be, for example, an article or material that is used or processed when the energy consumption unit 26 operates. In addition, the consumer processor 30 may be managed by the energy manager 24 as an example in an energy network.

For example, the consumer may be a laundry cloth in a washing machine, a food in a cooking appliance, a detergent or a fabric softener for washing a laundry cloth in a washing machine, a seasoning for cooking food, and the like.

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 form a single component mechanically.

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 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.

On the other hand, the utility network 10 and the home network 20 can communicate by a communication means (first interface). At this time, the plurality of utility networks 10 may communicate with a single home network 20, and the single utility network 10 may communicate with a plurality of home networks 20.

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, Bluetooth, or the like.

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

Two components constituting the utility network 10 may communicate by means of communication means.

In addition, the two components constituting the home network 20 may communicate by a communication means (second interface). For example, the energy consumption unit 26 may communicate with one or more of the energy management unit 24, the energy measurement unit 25, the central management unit 27, the energy network assistance unit 28, and the like (second interface). Can communicate by

In addition, the microcomputer of each component (for example, the energy consumption unit) may communicate with the communication means (second interface) (third interface). For example, when the energy consumption unit is a home appliance, the energy consumption unit may receive information from the energy management unit by a communication means (second interface), and the received information is a microcomputer of the home appliance by a third interface. Can be delivered.

In addition, the energy consumption unit 26 may communicate with the accessory component 29 by a communication means (fourth interface). In addition, the energy consumption unit 26 may communicate with the consumer processor 30 by a communication means (a fifth interface).

3 is a block diagram showing a process of transferring information on a network system of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a form of an electric charge. FIG. 4A is a graph showing time of use (TOU) information and critical peak pattern (CPP) information, and FIG. 4B is a RTP ( This graph shows real time pattern information.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the network system of the present invention, a specific component C may receive information related to energy (hereinafter, “energy information”) by communication means. In addition, the specific component (C) may be additional information (environmental information, program update information, time information, operation or status information of each component (breakdown, etc.), in addition to the energy information by the communication means, consumer habit information using the energy consumption unit, etc. ) Can be received further.

The environmental information may include carbon dioxide emissions, carbon dioxide concentration in the air, temperature, humidity, rainfall, rainfall or the like, solar radiation, air volume, and the like.

In another aspect, the information may include internal information, such as information related to each component (operation or state information of each component (such as a failure), energy usage information of the energy consumer, consumer habit information using the energy consumer, and the like), and the like. Information may be divided into external information (energy-related information, environmental information, program update information, time information).

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 I may be one of information such as electricity, water, and gas.

For example, information related to electricity includes time-based pricing, energy curtailment, grid emergency, grid reliability, energy generation amount, and operational priority. (operation priority), energy consumption amount (Amount). In this embodiment, the fee associated with the energy source may be referred to as an energy fee.

In other words, energy-related information may be classified into charge information (energy charge) and non-charge information (energy reduction, emergency situation, network safety, generation amount, operation priority, energy consumption amount, etc.).

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 I 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. The energy information I may change with time.

Referring to FIG. 4A, according to the TOU information, data is gradually changed in 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. That is, in the case of the CPP pattern, the general fee is lower than that of the TOU pattern, but the charge at a specific time point is significantly higher than that in the TOU pattern.

Referring to FIG. 4B, according to the RTP information, data changes in real time with time.

Meanwhile, the energy information I may be transmitted and received with a true or false signal, such as a Boolean on a network system, or actual price information may be transmitted or received, or may be leveled and transmitted. Hereinafter, information related to electricity will be described by way of example.

When the specific component C receives a true or false signal such as a Boolean, one of the signals is recognized as an on-peak signal, and the other signal is off-peak. ) Can be recognized as a signal.

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

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

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. The specific component may determine the driving method in advance before starting the operation, or may change the driving method when the on-peak is recognized after starting the operation.

And, if a particular component recognizes an off peak, the output can be restored or increased as needed. That is, when a specific component that recognizes an on peak recognizes an off peak, the output may be restored to a previous state or increased more than the previous output.

At this time, even when the specific component recovers the output or increases the output after recognizing the off-peak, the total power consumption and / or the total electricity bill for the entire operating time of the specific component is reduced.

Alternatively, when the specific component recognizes an on-peak (for example, a recognition time), the output may be maintained when the specific component is operable. In this case, the operable condition means that the information value related to driving is equal to or less than a predetermined standard. The information value related to the driving may be information on an electric charge, power consumption amount 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 the specific component is the total power consumption or total power when the specific component operates at the 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 a refrigerator, the output may be overcooled by increasing the output, or in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine, the hot water may be stored in the hot water tank by driving the heater in advance than the scheduled time of operation of the heater. This is to reduce the electric charge by operating in the off-peak in advance to operate in the on-peak to come later.

Alternatively, when a specific component recognizes an off-peak (eg, a recognition time), power storage may be performed.

In the present invention, the specific component (for example, the energy consumption unit) may maintain, reduce or increase the output. Thus, a particular component can include a power changing component. Since the power can be defined by current and voltage, the power variable component can include a current regulator and / or a voltage regulator. For example, the power variable component may be operated according to a command generated from an energy management unit.

Meanwhile, the energy curtailment 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. That is, a turn off signal or a lower power signal may be transmitted and received.

When the specific component recognizes the energy saving information, as described above, the output can be zeroed (if the stop or stop state is recognized) or the output can be reduced (if the lower power signal is recognized). have.

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 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.

When the specific component receives the emergency information as schedule information, the specific component may increase the output before the arrival of the emergency time point, thereby performing the same operation as the above-described operation at the off peak of the specific component. . In addition, the specific component may be shut down at an emergency time.

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

That is, when an under frequency is detected (recognized) below the reference frequency of the AC power supplied to the component, the amount of supply electricity is determined to be low, and when the frequency higher than the reference frequency of the AC power is detected (recognized), the supply electricity is This can be judged by many.

When the specific component recognizes that the amount of electricity in the network safety information is low or the information that the electrical quality is not good, as mentioned above, the specific component to output 0 (stop or stop) in some cases, You can reduce the output, maintain the output, or increase the output.

The excessive amount of generated electricity information is information on a state in which excess electricity is generated since the amount of electricity consumed by the component consuming less energy than the amount of generated electricity may be transmitted / received as a true or false signal, for example, a Boolean.

When the specific component recognizes excessive power generation information (for example, when grid overfrequency is recognized or when over energy signal is recognized), 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 a refrigerator, the output may be supercooled by increasing the output, or in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine, the hot water may be stored by driving the heater in advance than the scheduled time of operation of the heater.

On the other hand, each kind of information related to the energy, specifically, the unprocessed first information (I1), the second information (second information (I2)) that is processed information from the first information, and the specific The information may be divided into third information I3 which is information for performing a function of a component. That is, the first information is raw data, the second information is refined data, and the third information is a command for performing a function of a specific component.

In addition, information related to energy is included in the signal and transmitted. In this case, one or more of the first to third information may be transmitted only a plurality of times without converting only the signal.

For example, as shown in the figure, any component that receives a signal including the first information I1 may only convert a signal and transmit a new signal including the first information I1 to another component.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the signal conversion and the information conversion are described as different concepts. At this time, it will be easily understood that the signal is also converted when the first information is converted into the second information.

However, the third information may be delivered a plurality of times in the state where the contents are converted or in a state where only the signal is converted while maintaining the same contents.

In detail, when the first information is raw electricity price information, the second information may be processed electricity price information. The processed electric charge information is information or analysis information in which electric charges are divided into multiple levels. The third information is a command generated based on the first information or the second information.

The particular component may generate, transmit or receive one or more of the first to third information. The first to third information are not necessarily sequentially transmitted and received.

For example, only a plurality of third information may be transmitted or received sequentially or in parallel without the first and second information. Alternatively, the first and third information may be transmitted or received together, the second and third information may be transmitted or received together, or the first and second information may be transmitted or received together.

For example, when a specific component receives the first information, the specific component may transmit the second information, the second information and the third information, or may transmit only the third information.

When the specific component receives only the third information, the specific component may generate and transmit new third information.

Meanwhile, in the relationship between the two informations, one information is a message and the other information is a response to the message. Accordingly, each component constituting the present network system may transmit or receive a message, and when the message is received, may correspond to the received message. Thus, the transmission of messages and their corresponding responses is a relative concept for individual components.

The message may include data (first information or second information) and / or command (third information).

The command (third information) includes a data storage command, a data generating command, a data processing command (including generating additional data), a generating command of an additional command, a sending command of an additional generated command, and a received command. Commands and the like.

In the present specification, corresponding to a received message means storing data, processing data (including generating additional data), generating a new command, sending a newly generated command, and simply passing the received command to another component. Command can be generated together), operation, transmission of stored information, transmission of acknowledgment character or negative acknowledgment character.

For example, when the message is the first information, the component that has received the first information corresponds to this to generate the second information by processing the first information, generate the second information, and generate new third information, Only third information can be generated.

In detail, when the energy management unit 24 receives the first information (internal information and / or external information), the energy management unit 24 generates second information and / or third information to establish the home network. It may transmit to one or more components (for example, energy consumption unit) constituting. In addition, the energy consumption unit 26 may operate according to the third information received from the energy management unit 24.

5 is a block diagram schematically showing a first embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first component 31 of the home network 20 may communicate directly with the utility network 10. The first component 31 can communicate with a plurality of components 32, 33, 34: second to fourth components of the home network. At this time, it is noted that there is no limit to the number of components of the home network to communicate with the first component 31.

That is, in the present embodiment, the first component 31 serves as a gateway. For example, the first component 31 may be one of an energy management unit, an energy measuring unit, a central management unit, an energy network assistance unit, and an energy consumption unit.

In the present invention, the component acting as a gateway not only enables communication between components that communicate using different communication protocols, but also enables communication between components that communicate using the same communication protocol.

The second to fourth components 32, 33, and 34 may each be one of an energy generator, an energy distributor, an energy manager, an energy storage unit, an energy measurer, a central manager, an energy network assistant, and an energy consumer. have.

The first component 31 may receive information from the utility network 10 or one or more components constituting the utility network 10, and transmit or process the received information to process the second to fourth components. Can be sent to (32, 34). For example, when the first component 31 is an energy measuring unit, the first component may receive electric charge information and transmit the electric charge information to an energy management unit, an energy consumption unit, or the like.

Each of the second to fourth components may communicate with another component. For example, the first component 31 is an energy measuring unit, the second component is an energy management unit, and the energy management unit may communicate with one or more energy consumption units.

6 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a second embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a plurality of components constituting the home network 20 of the present invention may directly communicate with the utility network 10.

That is, in the present invention, a plurality of components (first and second components 41 and 42) serving as gateways are included. The first and second components may be homogeneous components or other kinds of components.

And, the first component 41 can communicate with one or more components (eg, third and fourth components 43, 44), and the second component 42 can be one or more components (eg, a fifth And sixth component 45, 46.

For example, each of the first and second components may be one of an energy management unit, an energy measuring unit, a central management unit, an energy network assistance unit, and an energy consumption unit.

Each of the third to sixth components may be one of an energy generator, an energy distributor, an energy manager, an energy measurer, a central manager, an energy network assistant, and an energy consumer.

7 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a third embodiment of a network system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, each of the components 51, 52, and 53 constituting the home network of the present embodiment may directly communicate with the utility network 20. That is, as in the first and second embodiments, there is no component serving as a gateway, and each of the components 51, 52, and 53 may communicate with the utility network.

8 is a schematic diagram of a home network according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the home network 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, an energy measuring unit 25 capable of measuring in real time power and / or electricity rates supplied from the utility network 10 to each home is provided. For example, a smart meter, the energy measuring unit 25 and the energy management unit 24 is connected to the electrical appliances and control their operation.

On the other hand, the electricity bill of each household can be charged as an hourly rate, and the hourly electricity bill becomes expensive in the time period when the power consumption is rapidly increased, and the hourly electricity bill becomes cheaper at night time, such as relatively low power consumption. Can be.

The energy management unit 24 is an electrical appliance as the energy consumption unit 26, i.e., a refrigerator 81, a washing machine 82, an air conditioner 83, a dryer 84, or a cooking appliance 85 through a home network. It can be connected to electrical appliances such as two-way communication.

The communication in the home can be made through a wireless method such as Zigbee, wifi or a wire such as power line communication (PLC), and one home appliance can be connected to communicate with other home appliances.

9 is a block diagram illustrating a network system including an energy consumption unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the network system including the energy consumption unit 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an energy measurement unit 25 that recognizes energy information or additional information other than energy information, and the energy. It includes an energy management unit 24 for managing (controlling) the driving of the energy consumption unit 100 according to the information or additional information and a communication unit 120 for communicating with the energy management unit 24 or the energy measuring unit 25. .

The energy measuring unit 25 and the energy management unit 24 may be connected to communicate with each other. In addition, the communication unit 120 may be provided to the energy consumption unit 100 or may be provided to be connected to the energy consumption unit 100.

The network system includes a power supply unit 200 for supplying power to the energy consumption unit 100 and a switch provided to the energy consumption unit 100 to selectively supply power to the communication unit 120 ( 110 and a control unit 130 for controlling the switch 110 is included.

The power supply unit 190 may be an AC power supply unit as an outlet provided in a home or a building.

The network system includes a storage battery 300 as an "energy storage unit" for selectively supplying power to the communication unit 120.

The storage battery 300 may be provided inside the energy consumption unit 100, or may be connected to the outside of the energy consumption unit 100 to enable power transmission.

The battery 300 may be charged while the energy consumption unit 100 is operating, and when the power of the energy consumption unit 100 is turned off or when the energy consumption unit 100 is not used (standby power) Mode), the storage battery 300 supplies power for driving the communication unit 120.

Here, the standby power mode is a state in which the energy consumption unit 100 is not driven, and the driving power of the energy consumption unit 100 is not supplied and may be understood as a mode for maintaining a basic state such as a memory function or a display. Can be.

Even when the power of the energy consumption unit 100 is turned off or when the energy consumption unit 100 is in the standby power mode, the communication unit 120 is connected to the energy management unit 24 or the energy measurement unit 25. A power source is needed to communicate. Such power may be supplied from the storage battery 300.

10 is a control method of a network system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

10, a control method of a network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

When the energy consumption unit 100 is operated, the communication unit 120 may receive the information, that is, the energy information or additional information other than energy, from the energy management unit 24 or the energy measuring unit 25 ( S10).

During the operation of the energy consumption unit 100, it is determined whether the on-peak time period has arrived. In detail, whether the information is recognized to restrict the driving of the energy consumption unit 100, for example, whether the information is recognized as exceeding a preset reference value as energy bill information (on peak time interval). It is determined whether or not.

If it is recognized that the on-peak time period, the power of the battery 300 is used for driving the communication unit 120 (S12).

In addition, the energy consumption unit 100 may be controlled to reduce the amount of power consumed or the electric charge. That is, the power supplied to the energy consumption unit 100 may be cut off, in which case the amount of power consumption of the energy consumption unit 100 may be reduced.

As a result, even when the power supplied to the energy consumption unit 100 is cut off, the communication unit 120 can receive power from the storage battery 300, so that the communication unit 120 can easily communicate.

As a result, the communication unit 120 is driven by the storage battery 300 when the power supply of the energy consumption unit 100 is limited, that is, when the power of the energy consumption unit 100 is cut off or in the standby power mode. It may be said to be one component (S13).

On the other hand, if it is recognized that the information is not in the on-peak time period, the power of the power supply unit 200 may be used to drive the communication unit 120. The storage battery 300 may be charged while the energy consumption unit 100 is operated by the power of the power supply unit 200.

On the other hand, after step S13, it is determined whether the on-peak time period is finished (S14). If the on-peak time period ends, step S15 is performed. If the on-peak time period is not completed, the process returns to step S12.

As such, when it is determined that the energy information or additional information other than the energy information exceeds a predetermined standard and the use of the energy consumption unit is restricted, the communication is performed by cutting off the power supplied to the energy consumption unit and using the battery power. It becomes possible.

As a result, power or energy charges can be reduced, and communication between components constituting the network system (particularly, the energy consumption unit, the energy management unit, or the energy measurement unit) can be performed smoothly.

It is advantageous in that power or energy costs can be reduced and communication between components constituting the network system can be smoothly performed.

11 is a control method of a network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

A control method of a network system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment relates to a control method of a network system according to a state of charge of the storage battery 300.

When the energy consumption unit 100 is operated, the communication unit 120 may receive the information, that is, the energy information or additional information other than energy, from the energy management unit 24 or the energy measuring unit 25 ( S21).

During the operation of the energy consumption unit 100, it is determined whether the state of charge of the storage battery 300 is in a low state (S22).

When it is determined that the storage battery 300 is in a low state, that is, when charging is insufficient, the communication unit 120 may supply power of the power supply unit 200 to drive the communication unit 120 (S23). ).

On the other hand, when the state of charge of the battery 300 is in a high state, that is, the charge is sufficiently made, the power of the battery 300 may be supplied for driving the communication unit 120. That is, since at least power for driving the communication unit 120 is supplied from the storage battery 300, the current or power supplied from the power supply unit 200 may be reduced (S26).

In the state where step S23 is performed, it is determined whether the on-peak time period has arrived (S24).

In detail, whether the information is recognized to restrict the driving of the energy consumption unit 100, for example, whether the information is recognized as exceeding a preset reference value as energy bill information (on peak time interval). It is determined whether or not.

If it is recognized that the on-peak time period, the power supply from the power supply unit 200 is stopped, the power of the battery 300 is used for driving the communication unit 120 (S27, S26). As a result, the power supplied to the energy consumption unit 100 may be cut off, in which case the amount of power consumption of the energy consumption unit 100 may be reduced (S13).

On the other hand, if it is recognized that the information is not in the on-peak time period, the power of the power supply unit 200 may be used to drive the communication unit 120. In addition, while the energy consumption unit 100 is operated by the power of the power supply unit 200, the storage battery 300 may be charged (S25).

As described above, the driving power of the communication unit may vary according to whether the battery is charged, and the communication power may be cut off by using the power source of the energy consuming unit according to whether the on-peak time period arrives.

As a result, power or energy charges can be reduced, and communication between components constituting the network system (particularly, the energy consumption unit, the energy management unit, or the energy measurement unit) can be performed smoothly.

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the present embodiment differs only in some configurations compared to the first embodiment, the description will be mainly focused on differences, and the same reference numerals are used to describe the first embodiment.

12 is a block diagram illustrating a network system including an energy consumption unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the network system according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes an energy measuring unit 25 that recognizes additional information other than energy information or energy information, and the energy consumption according to the energy information or additional information. An energy management unit 24 for managing (controlling) driving of the unit 100 and a communication unit 120 for communicating with the energy management unit 24 or the energy measuring unit 25 are included.

The energy measuring unit 25 and the energy management unit 24 may be connected to communicate with each other. In addition, the communication unit 120 may be provided to the energy consumption unit 100 or may be provided to be connected to the energy consumption unit 100.

In addition, the energy consumption unit 100 includes a display unit 180 displaying an operation state of the energy consumption unit 100. As described with reference to FIG. 9, when the energy consumption unit 100 is in the standby power mode, the power for driving the display unit 180 may be reduced even if the power consumption for driving the energy consumption unit 100 is limited. Can be applied.

The network system includes a power supply unit 200 for supplying power to the energy consumption unit 100 and a switch provided to the energy consumption unit 100 to selectively supply power to the display unit 180. A control unit 130 for controlling the 110 and the switch 110 is included.

The network system includes a storage battery 300 as an “energy storage unit” for selectively supplying power to the display unit 180. The storage battery 300 may be provided inside the energy consumption unit 100, or may be connected to the outside of the energy consumption unit 100 to enable power transmission.

The battery 300 may be charged while the energy consumption unit 100 is operating, and when the power of the energy consumption unit 100 is turned off or when the energy consumption unit 100 is in the standby power mode, The storage battery 300 supplies power for driving the display unit 180.

As a result, when the power supply of the energy consumption unit 100 is limited, that is, when the power supply of the energy consumption unit 100 is cut off or in the standby power mode, the display unit 180 is driven by the storage battery 300. It can be said to be a component that is driven.

The operation of the network system according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

When it is recognized as not being an on-peak time period (off-peak time period) by the information transmitted from the energy management unit 24 or the energy measuring unit 25, the switch 110 operates to operate the power supply unit 200. Power may be supplied to the display unit 180.

On the other hand, if it is recognized as the on-peak time interval by the information transmitted from the energy management unit 24 or the energy measuring unit 25, the control unit 130 controls the switch 110 to operate the storage battery 300 It is connected to the display unit 180.

Therefore, the power of the storage battery 300 may be supplied to the display unit 180 in the on-peak time period.

On the other hand, when the energy consumption unit 100 is in the standby power mode during the on-peak time period, the power supplied from the power supply unit 200 may be cut off. Since the power for driving the display 180 may be supplied from the storage battery 300 in the standby power mode, the energy cost may be reduced by turning off the power of the power supply 200.

10: utility network 20: home network
30: component 40: information
100: energy consumption unit 120: communication unit
200: power supply unit 300: storage battery

Claims (21)

A utility network including an energy generator;
A home network including an energy consumption unit for consuming energy generated by the energy generation unit, wherein the energy consumption unit includes a home network including a driving unit for providing driving power;
An energy measuring unit provided in the utility network or the home network and recognizing additional information other than energy information or energy information;
An energy management unit provided in the utility network or a home network and managing the energy information or additional information in relation to the energy consumption unit; And
And an energy storage unit for storing energy for driving at least one component constituting the energy consumption unit when the power supply applied to the energy consumption unit is limited. The method of claim 1,
In the energy information,
Network system that contains energy bill information and non-energy bill information. The method of claim 2,
The energy fee information is at least one of an electric charge, an amount of electricity, a rate of change of an electricity rate, a rate of change of an amount of electricity, an average value of an electricity rate, and an average value of an amount of electricity. The method of claim 2,
The information other than the energy fee is one of energy saving, emergency, network safety, power generation, operation priority, and energy consumption. The method of claim 1,
The additional information is one of environmental information, program update information, time information, operation or status information of each component, and consumer habit information using an energy consumption unit. The method of claim 1,
In the utility network,
A first energy distribution unit that distributes energy generated by the energy generation unit; And
And a first energy storage unit configured to store energy generated by the energy generator or energy distributed by the energy distributor. The method according to claim 6,
In the home network,
A second energy generator for generating energy;
A second energy distribution unit for distributing energy generated by the second energy generation unit; And
And a second energy storage unit configured to store energy generated by the energy generator or energy distributed by the energy distributor. The method of claim 1,
And a power supply unit for supplying power to the energy consumption unit, wherein the power supply of the power supply unit is varied based on the energy information or additional information. The method of claim 8,
And the energy consumption unit is selectively connected to the power supply unit or the energy storage unit depending on whether the energy information exceeds a reference value. The method of claim 9,
And when the energy information is recognized as exceeding a reference value, the one component is supplied with energy stored in the energy storage unit. The method of claim 9,
And if it is recognized that the energy information does not exceed a reference value, the one component is supplied with energy from the power supply. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
And the reference value is at least one of an average value, an average value of minimum and maximum values of power information for a predetermined section, and a reference change of power information for a predetermined section. The method of claim 1,
The one component,
And a communication unit provided to communicate with the energy measuring unit or the energy management unit, and a display unit displaying an operation state of the energy consumption unit. The method of claim 1,
The supply of power applied to the energy consumption unit is limited,
The network system is any one of the power supply is cut off, or standby power is supplied to the energy consumption unit. Transmitting energy information or additional information other than the energy information from the energy management unit or the energy measuring unit to the energy consumption unit;
Determining whether the energy information or additional information other than the energy information exceeds a preset reference value;
If the energy information or the additional information is recognized as exceeding the reference value, supplying power of one component constituting the energy consumption unit from an energy storage unit; And
The control method of the network system comprising the step of turning off the power supply for supplying power to the energy consumption. The method of claim 15,
In the energy information,
A control method of a network system including energy rate information and information other than energy rate. 17. The method of claim 16,
The energy rate information is at least one of an electric charge, a power amount, a rate of change of the rate, a rate of change of the amount of electricity, an average value of the electricity rate and an average value of the amount of electricity. 17. The method of claim 16,
The information other than the energy fee is one of energy saving, emergency situation, network safety, power generation amount, operation priority, and energy consumption. The method of claim 15,
The additional information is one of environmental information, program update information, time information, operation or status information of each component, and consumer habit information using an energy consumption unit. The method of claim 15,
And if the energy information or the additional information does not exceed the reference value, the energy storage unit further comprises supplementing energy. The method of claim 15,
The one component,
And a communication unit provided to communicate with the energy measuring unit or the energy management unit, and a display unit displaying an operation state of the energy consumption unit.

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