WO2013057516A1 - Appareil de mesure intelligent - Google Patents

Appareil de mesure intelligent Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013057516A1
WO2013057516A1 PCT/GB2012/052610 GB2012052610W WO2013057516A1 WO 2013057516 A1 WO2013057516 A1 WO 2013057516A1 GB 2012052610 W GB2012052610 W GB 2012052610W WO 2013057516 A1 WO2013057516 A1 WO 2013057516A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
power
operable
supply main
local
supply
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2012/052610
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2013057516A9 (fr
Inventor
Christine Patricia PRATT
Ian SYCAMORE
Original Assignee
Each For All Productions Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Each For All Productions Ltd filed Critical Each For All Productions Ltd
Priority to GB1408822.3A priority Critical patent/GB2509882A/en
Publication of WO2013057516A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013057516A1/fr
Publication of WO2013057516A9 publication Critical patent/WO2013057516A9/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R22/00—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
    • G01R22/06—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters by electronic methods
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/06—Energy or water supply
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D4/00—Tariff metering apparatus
    • G01D4/002—Remote reading of utility meters
    • G01D4/004—Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B70/00—Technologies for an efficient end-user side electric power management and consumption
    • Y02B70/30—Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02B90/20—Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
    • Y04S20/20—End-user application control systems
    • Y04S20/242—Home appliances
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
    • Y04S20/30—Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electricity consumption meters. It particularly relates to such meters for use in conjunction with an electrical supply main together with local power generation capacity.
  • a smart meter is one that, automatically or when instructed by power line borne signals, is capable of returning data to a data requestor by signalling through the power supply main and/or other signalling means.
  • Smart meter technology is already known per se.
  • the signalling method to a remote site can employ any of several methods, and is a matter of industry standards.
  • the advent of compulsory smart meters together with the potential presence of locally generated power in each household provides numerous opportunities for innovation.
  • the present invention seeks to provide new opportunities based on the fusion of smart meters and locally generated electrical power.
  • United Kingdom Patent Application GB 2 379 993A discloses a metering apparatus, operable to measure locally generated power to verify the amount of a bill to be presented in either direction.
  • French Patent Application FR 2 689 333 A1 discloses a system including local power generation and local storage of the generated energy.
  • US Patent 4 058 768 A discloses a two way electronic KWh meter, operable automatically to find the cumulative difference between in-flowing supplied power and out-flowing locally generated power.
  • the present invention seeks to improve upon the apparatus described in this document by providing responsive control based upon the reading possible in such an instrument.
  • a smart meter apparatus operable to measure and report, electrical energy consumption at a premises supplied by an electrical supply main, the smart meter apparatus comprising control means operable automatically to integrate locally generated electrical power into the overall usage.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus which can comprise meter means operable to measure and report electrical energy contribution from the locally generated electrical power to the electrical supply main, and which can comprise control of a backup energy store.
  • the invention further provides an apparatus that can comprise: one or more local generation sources, where: each local generation source can comprise an inverter operable to provide AC power to the local AC supply; where each inverter can comprise switching means operable to connect the inverter output to the local AC supply and where each inverter can be automatically operable to synchronize in frequency, phase and voltage with the local AC supply before the switching means connects the inverter output to the local AC supply.
  • the invention further provides an apparatus wherein reported consumption includes metering and reporting: entire local generation; entire consumption both from local generation and from the electrical supply main; entire consumption of local generation; and entire export to the electrical supply main of local generation; where each of form of locally generated electrical power is separately metered and separately reported.
  • This feature permits graduated rates to be paid for locally generated power which may depend upon the identity the source or type of local power provided.
  • the invention further provides an apparatus which is operable to provide reports using at least one of: power line signalling; the internet; a wireless internet connection; a wide area network (WAN), a home area network (HAN); and In Home Display (IHD) technology.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus wherein the control means operable automatically to integrate locally generated mains electrical power into the overall usage can be operable to integrate all or some: of the backup energy store; the locally generated power; and the power supply main, into meeting appliance power needs.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus which can comprise means automatically operable to switch between local generated power and the electrical supply main when supply from the electrical supply main fails.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus wherein the or each inverter can comprise: a synchronization input operable to provide a synchronizing input whereto the inverter synchronizes; the apparatus comprising: a supply main sensor operable to detect when the electrical supply main is connected; where when the supply main sensor detects provision of the electrical supply main, the supply main sensor is operable to provide, as the
  • the supply main sensor detects failure of the electrical supply main, the supply main sensor is operable to provide, as the synchronizing input, a stable mains frequency source.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus that can comprise: a main supply switch coupled and operable to connect the electrical supply main to the local AC supply; where when the supply main sensor detects failure of the electrical supply main, the main supply switch is opened to disconnect the electrical supply main from the local AC supply; and when the supply main sensor detects re-establishment of the electrical supply main, the main supply switch is closed to connect the electrical supply main from the local AC supply only after all inverters are synchronized with the electrical supply main.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus of wherein synchronization of all inverters can be established by at least one of: passage of a period of time in excess of the time required for the slowest to synchronize to achieve synchronization; and all inverters providing an output indicative of their being synchronized.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus which can comprise appliance signalling means, operable to signal to individual appliances to switch the individual appliances, or groups of appliances, either on or off.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus wherein, when locally generated power alone or stored energy is being employed, the signalling means can be operable to switch appliances to meet supply capability according to the immediate generation and/or storage capacity.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus wherein the signalling means can be operable to switch appliances on or off in a predetermined order in response to increase or decrease of local power generation capacity.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus of wherein the signaling means can be operable to communicate with an appliance and further operable to inhibit switching off of the appliance if the apparatus provides a reply indicating that switching off is not recommended.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus wherein the signalling means can be operable to leave user selected appliances as the last appliances to be switched off as local power generation capacity falls towards zero in the absence of power from the supply main.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus which can comprise usage control means operable to limit the amount of usage of an individual appliance according to at least one of: time; unit energy tariff cost; total energy usage over a defined period; and total cost over a defined period.
  • control means can be operable, if a surplus of local power generation exists, to select locally generated power for appliance supply and to sell any surplus to the grid: and if a surplus does not exist, to exercise usage restraint in supply to appliances.
  • the invention by these measures, allows discarding of many costly features associated with home power generation and allows for standardization of
  • the invention also provides an apparatus operable to switch appliances on or off according to operation in an economy mode, wherein economy mode operation is determined by at least one of: time of the day; and signals received from the electrical supply main provider.
  • the invention also provides an apparatus for use in a plural household apartment block, where the apparatus can comprise: apartment block local generation devices: and where the apparatus can be operable to allocate the energy produced by the apartment block local generation devices among the plural apartments.
  • Figure 1 shows a block schematic diagram of one embodiment of the smart meter apparatus according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of exemplary contents of the local generated power controller, also shown in Figure 1 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrating one example of how the appliance signalling means can signal an
  • Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating one possible behaviour of the locally generated power
  • Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating how the integrated smart meter can be used to achieve
  • Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary manner in which the integrated smart meter can automatically decide the source of power.
  • Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating just one of many possible examples of how the apparatus of earlier drawings can report power usage and contribution.
  • Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating one way in which the present invention can be
  • Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing one example of how the present invention lends itself to modular construction.
  • Figure 10 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating one manner in which the micro-generation ready module can handle loss and recovery of the household electrical power main and particularly illustrate; how electrical household power main restoration can be achieved with "flicker free” uninterrupted power provision to the household lights and appliances.
  • Figure 1 an exemplary block schematic diagram of one possible
  • a regular smart meter 10 which monitors power and usage passing between a household
  • the smart meter 10 has the improvement of also comprising an integrated locally generated power controller and switch 20.
  • the combination of the smart meter 10 and the locally generated power controller 20 creates an integrated smart meter 10 20, as will become clear from the following description, allows for provision of features not otherwise available in known smart meters.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20 functions as a regular smart meter. However, the integrated smart meter 10 20 also takes account of locally generated power. Local generation can also be reported via power line signalling 16.
  • the local generation power control 20 allows connection of such items as one or more wind turbines 22 and one or more solar devices 24. These examples are merely illustrative of local generation power sources. Any other type or source 21 of locally generated power can also be used, and can include, but is not limited to, fuel cells, water turbines, wave power generators, thermoelectric generators and any other type of generator, known or as yet to be discovered.
  • Each of the individual micro-generation sources 21 22 24 26 is connected directly to the integrated smart meter 10 20 by a respective so called "Microgen Ready Socket" (not shown) and by inverters and adapters.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20 is operable to sense the connection of each local source 21 22 24 26 and to self configure to accept each local generation source 21 22 24 26 and to act as an appropriately configured integrated smart meter 10 20.
  • the invention provides standardization of connection for micro- generation devices.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20 can also comprise a "car socket" (not shown) where a car can be plugged in for charging and which allows consumption by connected vehicles to be metered and costed by the integrated smart meter 10 20.
  • the car battery can also be used to supply energy as well as to receive energy.
  • the local generation power control 20 monitors and provides indication of the amount of energy produced by locally generated power 21 22 24.
  • the locally generated power 21 22 24 can also be used to charge a local backup energy storage battery 26.
  • the local energy backup storage battery 26 is representative of a surplus energy backup storage ability, and can be one or more storage devices, and can be of different types such as, but not limited to, chemical energy devices and potential energy storage devices.
  • the only requirement of the local energy backup store 26 is that it stores surplus energy for later provision to meet appliance 14 power needs or be exported as required.
  • the local energy backup store 26 can also be charged by the power supply main 12.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20 When the power supply main 12 fails, the integrated smart meter 10 20 automatically switches to local power 21 22 24 26 to meet the household appliance 14 power needs.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20, to provide power to one or more appliances 14, provides for use of local power 21 22 24 together with the backup energy store 26 to meet the appliance 14 power needs in the absence of the power supply main 12.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20 can also provide use of local power 21 22 24 together with the backup energy store 26 together with the power supply main 12 to meet the appliance 14 power need when the total appliance 14 power need exceeds the power delivery capability of the power supply main 12.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20 also can allow for local generation 21 22 24 to supplement the power provided by the power supply main.
  • a user of the integrated smart meter 10 20 can also manually switch between locally generated power 21 22 24 and power supplied by the power supply main 12 as and when required.
  • the invention also provides that each source of local power 21 22 24 26 can selectably be switched "on” or “off” for a user to determine what sources 22 24 26 are to be used, or in response to some failure of a source 21 22 24 26.
  • Such individual switching can also be employed to determine which source 21 22 24 26 or sources are to be used to sell locally generated power into to the supply main 12.
  • the invention further provides that whether to sell power or not to the power supply main 12 can be controlled by a sell, use or store switch.
  • each and every switch can be a manual switch, and/or a switch controlled by the conrol processor 30. If operated by the control processor 30, a user can input their selection by employing the displays 48 and input devices 50, or by using a remotely signalling device as described with reference to Figure 7.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20 also reports local power usage and locally generated contribution to the overall household demand via power line signalling 16.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20 also provides for metering of locally delivered power 21 22 24 26.
  • the apparatus metering and reporting activities reported includes metering and reporting: entire local generation 21 22 24; entire consumption both from local generation 21 22 24 and from the electrical supply main 12; entire consumption of local generation 21 2 24; and entire export to the electrical supply main 12 of local generation 21 22 24 26; where each of form of locally generated electrical power 21 22 24 26 is separately metered and separately reported.
  • the metering can also provide, in addition to consumption, an indication of the financial cost or financial gain of each of the many metered items.
  • the metering activity can also give an estimate of the carbon footprint (i.e. equivalent tons of carbon consumed) for the household, for different periods, such as monthly or annually, with regard to the electrical supply from the electrical supply main 12, and also indication of the offset in the carbon footprint provided by local sources 21 22 24 26.
  • the locally generated power controller 20 also comprises appliance signalling means 28 operable to signal to individual appliances 14 within the premises to switch the individual appliances 14, or groups of appliances 14, either on or off.
  • appliance signalling means 28 operable to signal to individual appliances 14 within the premises to switch the individual appliances 14, or groups of appliances 14, either on or off.
  • the signalling means is operable to switch appliances 14 to meet supply capability according to the immediate generation and/or storage capacity. Attention is next drawn to Figure 2, a schematic block diagram of exemplary contents of the local generated power controller 20, also shown in Figure 1 .
  • the generated power controller 20 comprises a control processor 30 operable to provide control and calculation functions within the generated power controller 20.
  • a power main 12 sensor 32 senses the presence of voltage from the power supply main 12 and provided input indicative of the state of the power supply main 12 to the control processor 30.
  • a clock 34 provides an indication of time of day to the control processor 30.
  • a local power sensor 36 senses the available output from each of the local supply devices 21 22 24 and provides indication of their condition to the control processor 30.
  • a stored power sensor 38 senses the condition of each energy storage device 26 and signals that condition to the control processor 30.
  • a power supply main usage sensor 40 senses the energy usage of the power supply main 12 and provides an indication thereof to the control processor 30.
  • control processor 30 provides controlling input to number of devices.
  • a local power switch 42 is controllable to switch each of the local power generated sources 21 22 24 selectable and respectively "off” or “on” to contribute to the power supplied to the appliances 14 through the appliance supply lines 15.
  • a an energy backup store switch 44 is controlled by the control processor 30 to select whether of not energy is to be supplied to the appliance supply lines 15 from the energy backup store 26.
  • a power source selection switch 46 is controlled by the control processor 30 to select one of three modes of powering the appliance supply lines. A first position selects power supply from the power supply main 12 alone. A second position selects power supply from local sources 21 22 24 26 alone. A third position selects power supply from the power supply main 12 and local sources 21 22 24 26 together.
  • the present invention also offers a home energy management system that controls provision of electrical energy provided by micro- generation and grid supply with storage and household demand.
  • the power source selection switch 46 can allow particular appliances only to be switched on to the electrical supply main 12 at selected times. As an alternative, the power source selection switch 46 can allow particular appliances to be switched on or off in response to commands from the electrical supply main supplier using, for example, power line signalling 16. In this way, a so- called "Eco-Mode" can be established.
  • the economy mode (sometimes called an "Eco- Mode") provides grid energy cheaply at times when the supply grid has spare capacity.
  • high power consumption equipment such as storage heaters can be provided with a feed from an "Eco-Mode" economy electricity meter that only allows provision of energy from the electrical supply main 12 during times of lower energy price.
  • the reduced price encourages electrical supply main 12 users to use energy at off peak times, thereby improving generating efficiency and reducing the so-called "carbon footprint" of the consumer.
  • Economy mode can also include the user switching in whole or in part from using power from the electrical supply main to using locally generated energy.
  • the source selection switch 46 can be used to provide a prepay option in the smart reader.
  • a card reader is incorporated into the smart meter 10 and the smart meter 10 can read, verify and report the content of prepayment cards.
  • a central control processor 30 in the smart meter 10 deducts from the prepayment card payment amounts for energy drawn from the grid and switches off grid supply when the prepayment card is empty.
  • the user can receive warning when the amount remaining falls below a predetermined limit.
  • the smart meter can also disconnect specified appliances when the amount remaining in the prepayment card falls below specified limits.
  • the smart meter can also allow connection or appliance use only to be at certain times of the day. This offers the possibility that a specific pre-payment card can be used in the so-called "Eco-Mode".
  • Payment at all other times can be, for example, on a regular payment basis.
  • the invention also enables the householder or user to elect still to generate and consume locally generated power if grid becomes disconnected due to lack of credit in the per-payment card.
  • the invention also provides for the householder or user to export any surplus power during lack-of-funds prepayment card disconnection, thereby allowing grid export but not receipt of power from the grid.
  • power, from local sources 21 22 24 26, if it is to be accepted for contribution to the appliance supply lines 15, is provided for use by suitable individual devices, such as inverters, operable to provide AC supplies at the nominal voltage of the power supply main 12, having the same frequency as the power supply main 12, and in phase with the power supply main.
  • the stored power sensor 38 can use an indication of battery voltage, for example, to determine the state of charge of the battery for energy storage 26. Further estimation of battery charge condition can be gained by the control processor 30 calculating how much charge the battery for energy storage 26 has received by measurement of the time the battery has been on charge and by measuring the amount and duration of discharge of the energy storage battery 26.
  • the control processor 30 also drives one or more displays 48 to indicate, for example, the switching condition of the generated power controller 20, time, meter readings for power and energy usage to and from all sources 21 22 24 26 12 , and cost.
  • This list is not exclusive, and those skilled in the art will be aware of other items of information that can be displayed given the combination of assets indicated in Figure 2.
  • the control processor 30 receives input instructions by a user employing input devices 50 such as a touch screen, or actual switches, to select what is displayed and the switched condition of the generated power controller 20.
  • the generated power controller 20 further comprises an interface 52, interactive with the Internet, or a mobile telephone connection (or, as will be shown and explained in and with reference to Figure 7, a Wide Area Network (WAN) 1 18 or Home Area Network (HAN) 130 , to provide exterior readings of the condition and readings of the integrated smart meter 10 20 and to provide selection input.
  • WAN Wide Area Network
  • HAN Home Area Network
  • the control processor 30 also drives the appliance signalling means 28 which provides control signals to control the state of being switched on, or switched off, of individual appliances 14 by providing signals through the appliance supply lines 15 or through a Home area network (HAN) 130 as shown in Figure 7.
  • HAN Home area network
  • An appliance supply line monitor 56 monitors the voltage supplied to the appliance supply lines 15 and signals to the control processor 30 if the voltage applied to the appliance supply lines 15 falls below a value indicative of energy demand exceeding the capacity of the energy source(s).
  • each micro-generation source, 21 22 24 26 154 158 160 164 166 has inbuilt identity data which can include, but is not limited to; type; and capacity.
  • the micro-generation identity data is signaled by power line signaling or by any other signaling means, to the controller 30 and can also be provided to all other data devices such as the WAN 1 18 and to and any authorized third party.
  • a memory module 58 stores data derived from energy measurements and readings and also stores a list of appliance 14 energy usage as stored by a user employing the input devices 50 or the interface 52 or derived from actual readings. Along with the data for each appliance 14, there is also stored the address for switching the appliance on and off when employing the appliance signalling means 28. The stored data is available for consultation by the control processor 30.
  • the memory module 58 can, for example, comprise Flash or other permanent storage memory elements such that data is not lost during integrated smart meter 10 20 down time. Stored data can also be available to the user, either by screen display of by provision to the user's data devices, which are described here after. Smart meter firmware updates can also be provided by power line signalling 16 and/or by use of the user's data devices.
  • a charging switch controlled by the control processor 30, and operable to send power for charging the energy backup storage battery 26 from the power supply main 12, the local generation 21 22 24, from a combination of both 21 22 24 12, or from no source at all.
  • the appliance signalling means 28 comprises a signal generator 60, operable, under control from the control processor 30, to send a message into the appliance supply lines 15 (or Home area network (HAN) 130 described with reference to Figure 7) which is broadcast to one or more appliance units 62 62A.
  • each message comprises an appliance unit 62 62A address and an instruction either to switch on or off.
  • An appliance group address can also be included.
  • An appliance group address addresses a plurality of appliance units 62 62A at the same time.
  • Each appliance unit 62 62A comprises an address identifier 64 operable to identify and resound to receipt, in a message, of its unique address or of its respective group address.
  • each address identifier 64 64A controls a respective appliance switch 66 66A to provide, or not to provide, power to the respective appliance 14 14A from the appliance supply lines 15.
  • the appliance units 62 62A can be provided anywhere in the appliance supply lines 15. One option is to include the appliance units 62 62A in the plugs or sockets used by the appliances. Another option is to include the appliance units 62 62A within the integrated smart meter 10 20.
  • the system illustrated in Figure 3 also allows use of the interface 52 to permit a user remotely to control the on or off state of individual appliances 14 14A or of groups of appliances 14 14A.
  • each appliance switch 66 can be a relay, situated within the integrated smart meter 10 20 and control can be exercised using simple wire connections rather than messages, addresses and address decoders. Two way communication can be used between the smart meter 10 and appliances 14 to avoid catastrophic power removal, for, as just two examples, a medically essential item such as a ventilator and a washing machine that has not yet completed its spin cycle. Attention is next drawn to Figure 4, a flow chart illustrating one possible behaviour of the locally generated power controller 20, during supply main 12 failure, when providing power from local sources 21 22 24 26.
  • a first test 70 monitors for power supply main 12 failure. Detection is achieved by the power supply main sensor 32 signalling to the control processor 30 that the voltage on the power supply main 12 has fallen below a level indicative of continuing supply provision.
  • the first test continues to monitor for power supply main 12 failure, and when such failure is recognized, passes control to a first operation 72 which causes the control processor 30 to operate the power source selection switch 46 to select power to the appliance supply lines 15 to be provided from local sources 21 22 24 26.
  • a second operation 74 then calculates the amount of available power that can be supplied to the appliance supply lines 15. The second operation notes the conditions of the local power sensor 36 and of the stored power sensor 38 to estimate the amount of power that can be delivered to the appliances 14.
  • a third operation 76 causes the control processor 30 to use the appliance signalling means 28 to switch off individual appliances 14 14A and groups of appliances 14 14A until the supply demand from the appliances 14 is less than the estimated supply capacity.
  • a second test 78 then monitors for change in the condition of the local power sensor 36 and of the stored power sensor 38, and also the indication put out by the supply line monitor 56, to see if anything has changed. Changes can be positive as well as negative. For example, a local generation resource 21 22 24 26 can have come online (i.e. the sun may have started shining, or the wind may have started blowing or a battery 26 may have been connected), allowing greater provision of power and prompting more appliances 14 to be switched on.
  • a local generation resource 21 22 24 may have gone offline.
  • the supply line monitor 56 may indicate that the power to the appliance supply lines 15 is in a condition of overload, prompting more or fewer appliances 14 to be switched off. If the second test 78 senses change, control is passed back to the third operation 76 where more of fewer appliances 14 are switched off until the optimum number of appliances, whose total demand is less the available power supply, is found. If the second test 78 finds no change, a third test 80 checks to see if the power supply main 12 has been restored. If the power supply main 12 has not been restored, control is passed back to the second test 78 to monitor for change. If the power supply main 12 has been restored, a fourth operation 82 causes the control processor 30 to switch the switched-off appliances 14 back on, and passes control back to the first test 70 to monitor for further power supply main 12 failure.
  • appliances 14 are switched off can be selected and stored by a user. While heavy usage appliances 14 such as washing machines and heaters require to be at or near the top of the list, other items, such as a computer, a light or a television set are optional.
  • the item or items last to be switched off are selected and stored in the memory module 58 and the order of their being switched off is followed by the third operation 76.
  • Figure 4 shows a manner of controlling local power, during power supply main 12 failure that constantly adjusts and compensates the available supply to the appliance supply lines 15 to optimize the local energy supply capacity 21 22 24 26.
  • Figure 5 a flow chart illustrating how the integrated smart meter 10 20 can be used to achieve fiscal economy with the household it serves.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates one way in which the locally generated power controller 20 can be used to minimize individual appliance 14 running cost.
  • a fifth operation 86 notes the time from the clock 34 and the instant tariff for the electrical power supply main 12.
  • the tariff is stored in the memory module 58 and is derived from any available source, such as power line signalling 16, by user input from the input devices 50, or by use of the interface 52.
  • the tariff can vary day by day and hour by hour.
  • the clock 34 also provides a day and month indication.
  • the control processor 30 has access to the stored tariff.
  • the memory module 58 also has user entries stored indicating when each individual appliance 14 is to be switched on and when it is to be switched off. Any time between the set “on” time and the set “off” time is a time when, under ideal conditions, the individual appliance 14 should be switched on. Items such as heaters, central heating systems and lights typically can have set “on” and “off” times.
  • the memory module 58 also stores a set user upper limit on the tariff amount the user is prepared to pay for use of that appliance 14.
  • a fourth test 88 monitors the clock 34 time to see if the time for switching on the individual appliance 14 has arrived. If the time for switching on the individual appliance 14 has not arrived control passes back to the fifth operation 86. If the time for switching on the individual appliance 14 has arrived, a fifth test checks to see if the instant tariff exceeds the user set upper limit for that appliance 14. If the amount is exceeded, control is passed back to the fifth operation 86. If the amount is not exceeded, control passes to a sixth operation which uses the appliance signalling means 28 to switch the individual appliance 14 on.
  • a seventh operation 94 then notes the time reading from the clock 34 and the tariff at the indicated clock 34 time.
  • the tariff can change with time.
  • a sixth test 96 then checks to see if the time has arrived when the individual appliance should be switched off. If that time has arrived, control is passed to an eighth operation 98 which switches the individual appliance 14 off using the appliance signalling means 28 and passes control back to the fifth operation 86. Of the sixth test 96 finds that the time to switch off the individual appliance 14 has not arrived, a seventh test 100 checks to see if the tariff has not risen above the user set limit. If it has, control is passed to the eighth operation 98 which switches off the individual appliance 14.
  • an eighth test 102 checks to see if an energy usage limit has been exceeded for that appliance.
  • a user can set an upper limit of how much energy (kilowatt hours) an appliance 14 can use, or an upper limit to the amount of money an appliance can cost, within a set time. This can be an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, annual, or between any two set times energy usage or cost limit. When the appliance reaches its limit, it must be switched off until its limit is once more reset or gone below.
  • the locally generated power controller 20 keeps and stores a running tally of cost and energy usage for each elected appliance 14.
  • the locally generated power controller 20 can also keep a running tally of the power supply main 12 energy supplied to the appliance by subtracting locally generated 21 22 24 26 energy from total usage and allowing a limit to be set for time usage of power supply main 12 energy of power supply main 12 cost. If the eighth test 102 finds the limit has been exceeded, control is passed to the eighth operation 98 to switch off the appliance 14. If the eighth test 102 finds that the limit has not been exceeded, control is passed to the seventh operation 94. Attention is next drawn to Figure 6, a flow chart illustrating an exemplary manner in which the integrated smart meter 10 20 can automatically decide and select the source of power and how it s to be used.
  • a ninth operation 106 measures the total appliance 14 power load. This can be done, for example, by momentarily interrupting supply from local sources 21 22 24 and noting the energy use reading clocked up by the power supply main 12. Another method would be to add the measured contributions from the locally generated power sources 21 22 24 and from the power supply main 12. The skilled man will perceive other ways that the appliance 14 power demand can be measured without departing from the invention as claimed.
  • a tenth operation 108 then calculates and estimates the locally generated 21 22 24 power available. This can be based on the readings given by the local power sensor 38 where, preferably, a voltage level for the un-inverted and un-regulated wind turbine is provided indicative of wind speed and a light sensor (not shown) provides indication of brightness.
  • an eleventh operation 1 12 selects the locally generated power 21 22 24 position alone on the power source selection switch 46 and, as a possible by product, connects and sells the surplus local 21 22 24 capacity to the commercial supplier of the power supply main 12.
  • the eleventh operation returns control to the ninth operation 106.
  • a twelfth operation 1 14 provides that the locally generated power capacity continues to be linked in with the power supply main 12 and usage and controls cost and usage according to the flow chart of Figure 5 and the description thereof.
  • the twelfth operation 1 14 also returns control to the ninth operation 106.
  • voltage optimization can be employed where the supply voltage is dropped from its nominal mains supply value to reduce appliance energy usage and to prolong appliance lifetime. This can be applied both to the incoming mains voltage and to the locally generated supply. Voltage can be reduced by any one or more than one of : step down transformation: use of triac switching; and alteration of phase between current and voltage. Such reduced voltage means that appliance life is increased.
  • the supplier to whom sale of surplus locally generated electrical energy is made need not be a predetermined fixed supplier .
  • the invention allows for supplier switching. In order to provide the greatest benefit to a user, the invention makes several operations available: The invention collects tariffs from multiple suppliers and displays results to user in case user wishes to change.
  • the meter can be employed to carry out the change negotiations Another option is for the meter to change supplier minute by minute and to use different suppliers for purchase and sale of electricity.
  • Moment by moment supplier selection can depend upon, but is not limited to: selection of the cheapest supplier; selection of the supplier providing the highest resale price for surplus electricity; and selection of the supplier offering the highest difference between power provision price and power purchasing price;
  • the invention further allow user savings by monitoring the heating times and thermostat settings set by the user and tracking their change over time.
  • the invention provides for externally-provided energy saving by employing a stop valve and shut down means coupled to gas heating to interrupt the gas supply to the water/house heating and use in its place any available generated energy as a substitute.
  • the smart meter being Internet connected to read the gas tariff and to calculate the amount of money spent in a heating episode, the smart meter switching heating between gas supply and electricity supply depending upon whether at that time it is cheaper to use supplied electric power or gas heating.
  • Figure 7 a diagram illustrating just one of many possible examples of how the apparatus of earlier examples and drawings can report power usage and contribution.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20 does not exchange readings using power line signalling 16 down the power supply main. Instead, in this example, wide area network communications are used.
  • a premises 1 14 contains an integrated smart meter 10 20.
  • a Wide Area Network (WAN) module 1 16 permits wireless communication with a wireless communication site 1 17 in a wide area network (WAN) 118. Wireless communication between the WAN module 1 16 and the WAN 1 18 can be bidirectional, allowing update information to be provided for the integrated smart meter 10 20 and allowing integrated smart meter 10 20 readings to be uploaded to the WAN 1 18.
  • WAN Wide Area Network
  • One of the available addressable sites 120 on the WAN 1 18 is a gateway site 120, and comprises data storage and a gateway 122 access provision means whereby parties such as suppliers 124, network operators 126, and other authorised parties 128 can interrogate data in the gateway site and can also provide update information for transmission to the integrated smart meter 10 20.
  • the premises 1 14, in this example, comprises a wireless Home Area Network (HAN) 130 which also is coupled to the WAN module 1 16.
  • An In Home Display (IHD) system 132 has units which are wirelessly coupled to the Home Area Network 130.
  • the IHD units can be anywhere on the premises 1 14 and can be used to observe meter readings and to control the integrated smart meter 10 20 by providing a method of inputting control data other than the input devices 50.
  • Such other metering devices as a gas meter 134 and other devices 136, in this example, are shown wirelessly coupled to the Home Area Network (HAN) 130 thereby enabling readings and control to be provided by devices in the In Home Display (IHD) system 132 and communication with the Wide Area Network (WAN) 1 18 for readings to be taken and updated information and control to be supplied.
  • HAN Home Area Network
  • IHD In Home Display
  • WAN Wide Area Network
  • each micro-generation source, 21 22 24 26 154 158 160 164 166 has inbuilt identity data which can include, but is not limited to; type; and capacity.
  • the micro-generation identity data is signaled by power line signaling or by any other signaling means, to the controller 30 and can also be provided to all other data devices such as the WAN 1 18 and to and any authorized third party.
  • Figure 7 shows just one of many examples of how the integrated smart meter 10 20 can be coupled to the outside world.
  • the invention provides, that coupling to the outside world can include, but is not limited to: power line signalling 16 the internet; one or more wireless internet or non internet connection; one or more wide area networks (WAN) 1 18, one or more home area networks (HAN) 130; and one or more In Home Display (IHD) systems 132 .
  • coupling of the outside world of the smart meter within the scope of the invention as claimed, can be by any combination or single use of known technologies, and can also include any future technologies as part or all of that combination.
  • the present invention also anticipates the situation where different suppliers 124 of power to the power supply main 12 can be individually selected depending upon various factors.
  • Information updates from the suppliers 124, network operators 126 or other authorised parties 128, and indeed, from any other source, can include indication of what charge at different times of day each potential supplier 124 has for each unit of consumption and what each potential supplier 124 is paying at different times of day for each unit of contribution from local power 21 22 24 26 and for each type of local power generation 21 22 24 26.
  • the updates are stored in the memory module 58.
  • the control processor 30 can take account of the updated tariff information and of the time of day, as indicated by the clock 34, to elect to change a supplier 124. To change a supplier, the control processor 30 automatically sends an abandonment message to the instant supplier 124 and an "include me” message to the next selected supplier 124. Once an "OK" message is received back from the next selected supplier. A confirmation message is also received from the abandoned supplier. Once the details are settled, the supplier 124 is switched.
  • the control processor 30 can also calculate the most economical household operation, where individual local power source instant power production level and type is taken into account together with the instant supply and receipt tariff of each supplier 124 to determine which supplier 124 it is, overall, most cost effective to select.
  • the integrated meter where multiple suppliers 124 are possible, has the capacity to meter and keep a record of power received from and power delivered to each supplier 124, and also to maintain a cost record for each supplier 124.
  • the integrated smart meter 10 20 also provides for use by visually impaired users.
  • Recognition of voice instructions can be employed. Provision of large or bright display characters and buttons can also be used. As an adjunct to visible displays, voice synthesis can be employed to impart information to the sight impaired user.
  • Figure 8 a schematic diagram illustrating one way in which the present invention can be applied to dwellings situated in an apartment block.
  • An exemplary apartment block 138 comprises a plurality of apartments 140, a common roof area 142, a common garage area 144, and a common main supply 146 that is provided to an apartment block meter 148 and also to individual apartment meters150 in each apartment 140.
  • An allocated charging station 152 for each apartment 140 is provided for each apartment 140 and is connected to the common main supply 146 though the apartment block meter 148 junction box for the apartment block meter 148 to measure the amount of energy used by each charging station 152 to charge a vehicle 154.
  • Each of the individual apartment meters 150 and each of the charging stations 152 comprises transmission equipment 156 to send data to and to receive data from the individual apartment 140 home systems 130 132 etc as described in relation to Figure 7.
  • Transmission equipment 156 is also provided in the apartment block meter 148 to communicate with the individual apartment meters 150, communication between the apartment block meter 148 and the individual apartment meters 150 also to be possible by power line signalling.
  • Each apartment 140 comprises individual apartment micro-generation devices, generally shown in this example, as an individual apartment solar panel 158 and an individual apartment wind device 160 such as a vertical wind turbine. These devices are shown purely for illustration of many possible other types of devices that can be so used.
  • Each individual apartment micro-generation device 158 160 is coupled through a respective apartment inverter 162 to the individual apartment meter 150.
  • the inverter 162 converts the output of the individual apartment micro-generation devices 158 160 to become a phase, frequency and voltage matched AC supply capable of connection to the common main supply 146.
  • the apartment block 138 common roof area142 also comprises apartment block micro- generation devices such as, by way of illustration, one or more apartment bock solar panels 164 and one or more apartment block wind devices 166 each connected to a respective apartment block inverter 168 for AC phase frequency and voltage matched supply to the apartment block meter 148 as a micro-generated supply.
  • apartment block micro-generation devices such as, by way of illustration, one or more apartment bock solar panels 164 and one or more apartment block wind devices 166 each connected to a respective apartment block inverter 168 for AC phase frequency and voltage matched supply to the apartment block meter 148 as a micro-generated supply.
  • Both the individual apartment inverters 162 and the apartment block inverters 168, within the invention, have their own integral switching arrangements.
  • the inverters 162 168 monitor the state of the AC supply. Each inverter 162 168 remains unconnected to the AC supply until it senses that its own output is synchronized in all three of frequency, phase and voltage with the AC supply.
  • inverter 162 168 Only when complete synchronization is achieved does an individual inverter 162 168 switch it output to become connected to the external AC supply, thereby eliminating potentially damaging switching transients. Such inverters 162 168 allow connection of micro-generation devices on a virtually "plug and play" basis. Synchronization is achieved by use of one or more servomechanisms within each inverter 162 168. An inverter 162 168 can provide a signal for outside monitoring to indicate when it is completely synchronized. Synchronization takes a time depending upon the time constants of the one or more servomechanisms. In any group of inverters 162 168, to be sure that
  • Communal micro-generation power from the apartment micro-generation devices 164 166 connects to the incoming common main supply 146 to be supplied thereto if required or allowed as described hereunder.
  • the apartment block meter 148 acts as a communal energy hub and registers the apartment block 138 micro-generation 164 166 to power grid 146 import and or export of energy.
  • apartment block 138 micro-generation device 164 166 amount figure is used to allocated, on a pro-rata basis, a portion of the energy generated by the apartment block devices 164 166 to each apartment 140.
  • the allocated portion of the energy contribution of the apartment block devices 164 166 can then be used within the apartment 140 or can be exported, in whole or in part, depending upon the settings provided for the individual apartment meter 150 at any time of communal generation.
  • the apartment block meter 148 can supply the allocated communal generation share to the individual apartment 140 if the individual apartment meter 150 meter has a demand at this time equal or above the allocation. If the allocated portion is surplus to the individual apartment's 140 needs, the allocated portion to an apartment where it is surplus, can be exported, and either going to another apartment 140 or as a sale onto the common main supply 146.
  • Each apartment 140 has a networked battery 170 adaptor assigned to it (not shown in Figure 8). Each apartment 140 can take control from its individual apartment meter 150 to decide whether the allocated battery 170 should be used to generate power or should be charged. Each apartment can also elect to employ the battery of any car or vehicle 154 as a storage device to be employed, in which instance a switch is used to select vehicle 154 battery charging. The vehicle 154 battery can also be used to supply local power, in which case a separate inverter 162 is provides, just as for the other local generation devices. It will be clear just how this is achieved by switching and inclusion of equipment in the within the charging station 152.
  • the individual apartment meter 150 communicates with the apartment block meter 148 to learn the source of the energy for battery 170 charging. Communication can be by radio communication, and/or by power line communication.
  • the source of battery charging energy could be, for example, be from the common main supply or can be from an allocated portion of communal micro-generation. If the individual apartment meter 150 elects for the battery charging energy to be from any available source of energy, the individual apartment meter 150 communicates the election to the apartment block meter 148, the energy goes onto the apartment 'energy hub' and the power amount is assigned or allocated to the respective individual apartment meter 150.
  • the invention also provides for the possibility of the apartment block meter 148 being configurable to set up a micro-grid within the apartment block 138, and disconnecting the apartment block 138 from the common main supply 146.
  • Another means the invention provides for storing excess locally generated electrical energy is to use such "free energy "energy to run high power appliances such as water immersion heaters and/or other storage heaters and/or cookers and/or washing machines. In this manner expense to the householder is minimized by selective use of high consumption appliances..
  • Another way that the invention can minimize user energy expense is to employ one or more motion sensors within the building. Other types of sensor that can also be used to detect the presence of people within the building. If the one or more detectors in a building detect that no individuals are present in the building, the invention automatically shuts down gas and electricity supply to the building. The sensors preferably also control the gas supply. In this way, not only electricity but also gas costs are minimised.
  • This measure cuts the carbon footprint of a dwelling.
  • the invention sells any locally generated electricity to any preferred purchaser, thereby producing a profit.
  • Such a measure can also be applied to individual rooms within a dwelling to minimize energy use when no one is present.. This latter feature can be used to ensure that lights remain switched off when no one is in a
  • Radio frequency or ultrasonic detection of a device carried by a user can be used to activate energy consumption processes in a dwelling.
  • An RFID tag or similar device can also be used to activate energy consumption processes in a dwelling.
  • appliances are kept on for a pre-determined period of time.
  • a user can open a dialogue between the dwelling and
  • the people-presence device to keep the power supply on while the people-presence device is within a range.
  • a user would not necessarily desire to switch off supply when at bottom of the dwelling garden.
  • the invention also permits for the user carried device to be a portable electronic device as a smart phone that can emit a close range signal that can be detected by sensors within the dwelling. Equally, a smart phone can be used to instruct
  • Figure 9 a schematic diagram showing one example of how the present invention lends itself to modular construction.
  • Figure 9 has in common many features earlier shown in Figure 1 .
  • Other elements of Figure 9 appear also in Figure 8.
  • Common features from other figures have common numbers and have the same description and functionality.
  • Micro-power sources such as the wind turbine 22, the solar device 24 and the Electrical energy backup storage battery 26, all shown in and described in relation to Figure 1 , are each coupled through a respective inverter 162 168 (shown in and described in relation to Figure 8) to a micro-generation junction box 172 which provides an AC inverter output 174 which, when the household electrical suppl main 12 146 (also shown in Figure 1 and 8) is providing power, is matched in frequency, phase and voltage with the household electrical supply main 12 by virtue of a synchronizing AC line 175 supplied to each inverter 162 168.
  • the inverter output 174 is provided as an input to a micro-generation ready module178 where it is connected to each side of a dual line micro-generation circuit switch 176 which makes or breaks connection between the inverter output 174 and domestic AC power supply lines 177 that supply power to the household or building.
  • the household electrical supply mains 12 146 is coupled to a consumer unit 180 which provides electrical supply main line and neutral wires 182 to the micro-generation ready module 178.
  • the main and neutral lines 182 are supplied to a power main presence sensitive logic device 184 (which could t> as simple as a double pole double throw relay) which couples the household electrical supply main 12 146 to the synchronizing AC line 175 when the household electrical supply main 12 146 is present, anc couples a stable mains frequency source 186 to the synchronizing AC line 175 when the household electrical supply main 12 146 is not present.
  • the inverters 162 168 allow mutually synchronized power to be provided from the micro-power sources 22 24 26 to continue (if already provided) or begin to be (if not previously provided) by virtue c the switch of inverter 162 168 synchronization.
  • the main line and neutral wires 182 are coupled as input to a dual line main supply switch 188 that cai selectably be switched, under control from the micro-generation ready module 178 either to supply or not to supply the line and neutral wires 182 to the domestic AC power supply lines 177.
  • the micro-generation ready module 178 is coupled onto a smart meter module 190, as generally described with reference to Figure 1 that can be of minimum specification. Radio and/or power line signaling can transfer commands and information between portions of the system shown in Figure 9 and the elements shown in Figure 7.
  • FIG 10 an exemplary flow chart illustrating one manner in which the micro-generation ready module 178 can handle loss and recovery of the household electrical power main 12 146 and particularly illustrates how electrical household power main restoration can be achieved with "flicker free" uninterrupted power provision to the household lights and appliances.
  • a tenth test 194 looks to see if the household electrical supply main 12 146 is available. If it is, an twelfth operation 196 causes the dual line main supply switch 188 shown in Figure 9 to connect the supply main line and neutral wires 182 to be connected to the domestic AC power supply lines 177 through the dual line main supply switch 188 and thus provide the household electrics supply mains 12 146 to power the household or building. Control passes back to the tenth test 194 if it is not already so supplied.
  • ⁇ thirteenth operation 198 opens the dual line main supply switch 188 to the disconnect the supply main line and neutral wires 182 from the AC power supply lines 177 to remove the electrical supply main from household or building supply.
  • the thirteen operation 198 also connects the stable mains frequency source 186 to the synchronizing AC line 175 in place of the household electrical supply mains 12 146 to synchronize the inverters 162 168 during power outage.
  • the thirteenth operation 198 also operates the dual line micro-generation circuit switch to 176 connect the inverters 162 168 if they are not already connected to the domestic AC power supply lines 177 to provide electrical power from micro-generation t the household or building.
  • the thirteenth operation then passes control to an eleventh test 200 which checks to see if the household electrical supply mains 12 146 is still unavailable. If the eleventh test 200 finds that the household electrical supply mains 12 146 is still unavailable, control is passed back to the thirteenth operation. If the eleventh test 200 finds that the household electrical supply mains 12 146 is once more available, control passes to a fourteenth operation 202 the disconnects the stable AC frequency source 186 from synchronizing AC line 175 and connects the actual household electrical supply mains 12 146 in its place to commence inverter 162 168 mains supply synchronization recovery.
  • a fifteenth operation 204 then waits a sufficient period for the inverters 162 168 to have become once again synchronized with the household electrical supply mains 12 146. This can be achieved merely by waiting for a sufficient period, or by waiting until all inverters 162 168 signal that they are synchronized in phase frequency and voltage.
  • the sixteenth operation passes control, once again, back to the tenth test 194 to continue the overall process.

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Abstract

Un appareil de mesure intelligent intégré (10, 20) surveille la consommation finale d'électricité passant entre un réseau d'alimentation domestique (12) et des équipements ménagers (14), utilise une signalisation par courants porteurs en ligne (16) pour transmettre les mesures et la consommation d'énergie, et présente l'avantage de comprendre également un ensemble contrôleur et commutateur (20) intégré pour l'énergie produite localement. L'appareil de mesure intelligent intégré (10, 20) comprend également des moyens de signalisation (28) d'équipements qui sont conçus pour signaler à des équipements individuels (14) d'activer ou désactiver les équipements individuels (14) ou des groupes d'équipements (14, 14A). Lorsque de l'énergie accumulée ou uniquement de l'énergie produite localement est utilisée, les moyens de signalisation (28) d'équipements sont conçus pour commuter les équipements (28) de manière à respecter la possibilité d'alimentation en fonction de la capacité immédiate de génération et/ou d'accumulation. Les équipements (14) sont activés ou désactivés en fonction de la capacité de production d'énergie locale instantanée et ils sont désactivés dans un ordre qui peut être choisi par un utilisateur de façon à garder un équipement (14) qui sera le dernier à être désactivé lorsque la capacité de production d'énergie locale diminue pour atteindre une valeur nulle. Il est décrit non seulement la signalisation par courants porteurs en ligne (16) pour relier l'appareil de mesure intelligent (10, 20) au monde extérieur, mais aussi la liaison au moyen d'un réseau étendu (118), l'utilisation de réseaux domestiques (HAN) (130) et l'utilisation de dispositifs d'affichage domotique (IHD) (132). L'utilisation est également possible dans un immeuble d'habitation où l'énergie produite localement pour l'immeuble est répartie entre les appartements. Un rétablissement sans scintillation après une coupure de courant est prévu. L'appareil peut être utilisé en mode économie d'énergie, déterminé soit par le moment de la journée, soit en réponse à des messages adressés par le fournisseur d'énergie. L'invention permet également une utilisation sélective du chauffage au gaz ou à l'électricité et l'arrêt du fonctionnement lorsqu'il n'y a personne dans une habitation.
PCT/GB2012/052610 2011-10-20 2012-10-22 Appareil de mesure intelligent WO2013057516A1 (fr)

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RU2620041C1 (ru) * 2016-05-24 2017-05-22 Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "ВОЕННАЯ АКАДЕМИЯ МАТЕРИАЛЬНО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКОГО ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ имени генерала армии А.В. Хрулева" Аналитическая система оценки потребления воды абонентами
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IT202000001921A1 (it) * 2020-01-31 2021-07-31 Pietranera S R L Allestimento per saloni da parrucchiere con sistema di monitoraggio dell’efficienza
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EP3062116A1 (fr) * 2015-02-26 2016-08-31 E.On Se Système et procédé permettant de mesurer l'énergie électrique dans une résidence
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RU2620041C1 (ru) * 2016-05-24 2017-05-22 Федеральное государственное казенное военное образовательное учреждение высшего образования "ВОЕННАЯ АКАДЕМИЯ МАТЕРИАЛЬНО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКОГО ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ имени генерала армии А.В. Хрулева" Аналитическая система оценки потребления воды абонентами
US11223210B2 (en) 2016-05-26 2022-01-11 Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc. Utility meter for use with distributed generation device
US10998731B2 (en) 2016-05-26 2021-05-04 Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc. Utility meter for use with distributed generation device
CN107991530A (zh) * 2017-10-27 2018-05-04 连云港师范高等专科学校 一种基于智能电网下信息采集的电力需求侧装置
US11187734B2 (en) 2019-05-31 2021-11-30 Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc. Systems for electrically connecting metering devices and distributed energy resource devices
US11774473B2 (en) 2019-05-31 2023-10-03 Landis+Gyr Technology, Inc. Systems for electrically connecting metering devices and distributed energy resource devices
US11237194B2 (en) 2019-10-11 2022-02-01 Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc. Meter for use with a distributed energy resource device
US11506693B2 (en) 2019-10-11 2022-11-22 Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc. Meter and socket for use with a distributed energy resource device
US11835556B2 (en) 2019-10-11 2023-12-05 Landis+Gyr Technology, Inc. Meter for use with a distributed energy resource device
EP3852213A1 (fr) * 2020-01-14 2021-07-21 Innogy SE Unité de commande pour unité d'alimentation électrique, unité d'alimentation électrique, système d'alimentation électrique et infrastructure de réseau
DE102020000174A1 (de) * 2020-01-14 2021-07-15 Innogy Se Steuerungseinheit für eine Energieeinspeiseeinheit, Energieeinspeiseeinheit, Energieeinspeisesystem und Netzinfrastruktur
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WO2022174119A1 (fr) * 2021-02-12 2022-08-18 Landis+Gyr Innovations, Inc. Commande d'îlotage à l'aide de compteurs multiports

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GB2509882A (en) 2014-07-16
GB201408822D0 (en) 2014-07-02
GB201118124D0 (en) 2011-11-30

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