WO2014016092A2

WO2014016092A2 - Method and device for cost-efficient control of energy consumers

Info

Publication number: WO2014016092A2
Application number: PCT/EP2013/064070
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Lange; Thomas Scheerbarth
Original assignee: Deutsche Telekom Ag
Priority date: 2012-07-27
Filing date: 2013-07-03
Publication date: 2014-01-30
Also published as: WO2014016092A3; DE102012106829A1; DE102012106829B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for controlling the energy supply of terminal devices, comprising: switches for controlling terminal devices, which allow at least an activation and a deactivation of the terminal devices; a database in which specific information on the terminal devices is stored, comprising participation in flexible, energy cost optimized operation, preferred activation times, activation duration and/or energy consumption per unit of time; an interface to at least one energy supplier, which provides energy prices on the basis of time of day and/or day of the week; a control unit, which selects an energy supplier and at least one terminal device at a specific point in time based on the information from the energy supplier and the database information in order to activate the terminal device via the switch and to operate the terminal device for a period of time in order to optimize the energy costs.

Description

Method and device for the cost-efficient control of energy consumers

The invention relates

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of power supply. In particular, the invention relates to the control of electrical loads depending on

Energy tariffs of several suppliers including

Location information, with the aim of minimizing energy costs for a point of consumption (eg household, small business).

Background of the invention

The energy consumption of information and communication systems

Telecommunication technology and household and industrial electrical appliances are currently growing worldwide.

In particular, the customer networks contribute to this very much, since their active network elements are very widely distributed in the field and, accordingly, by a large number and heterogeneity

distinguish.

Against this background, the method and arrangement according to the present invention description provides a

Possibility to significantly reduce the energy consumption in private customer networks compared to the current state of the art. It does thus a contribution to a more ecological IT structure (Green IT), which leads to an overall improved C0 ₂ balance.

State of the art

With the aid of digital remote-readable measuring devices, so-called smart meters, customers can control their own energy consumption themselves. These smart meters are now offered by some electricity providers (such as YellowStrom). In addition, the Telekom operates in the T-City a large-scale experiment in which 1600 households are equipped with these devices. Smart Meters enable digital capture of consumption data, with currently only total consumption being determined.

Compared to conventional electricity meters, however, they offer the

The advantage of being able to graphically process consumption data using special interfaces so that the customer can always obtain an up-to-date overview of his actual power consumption. In the households of T-City, in which the

Visualization of power consumption displayed on displays in homes, the energy consumption has fallen by five to ten percent. For consumers, the effects are even stronger.

Overall, however, electronic electricity meters are currently only rarely used. This is partly due to the lack of supply of electricity providers, on the other hand to quite additional costs, which currently make an installation for many customers look unattractive.

Although since 2011 the electricity providers are obliged to

To offer different electricity tariffs, first of all, little use made of this, secondly, there are currently little or no devices that 'deal' with this tariff information, that is, these can also handle.

Currently, there is a lack of devices that can be controlled by the smart meters, such as washing machines and dishwashers, which turn on when the electricity supplier a

Energy surplus signals. In addition, currently the theoretical possibilities of the providers are not used. So For example, within RWE's Smarthome project, RWE offers a solution that focuses on the control of heating,

Lighting and various sensors limited, one

However, integration of different tariff models does not play any role in central home control.

The French network operator ERDF began in March 2010 to equip its 33 million customers with smart meters. To date, 250,000 devices have been installed, which contact the control center via Powerline or GPRS, thus making it possible to continuously read the energy consumption. For the time being, however, the advantage of the customers is limited to the fact that the meters can be read remotely. In order to keep the grid stable, ERDS with the system can theoretically disconnect customers from the grid. In addition, consumption restrictions can be controlled centrally, so that some households can set a consumption limit, or the energy can be switched off by the hour.

The introduction of different tariffs and their integration into a central control unit are with the current state of the

Technology not achieved. The integration of geo-location information also mentioned in this invention is lacking in the

previous considerations completely.

How relevant, however, a central, simple and transparent control with the aim of cost savings especially for both private and business customers is, a survey by the Association Bitkom. According to this, 41 percent of the population are willing to switch to such tariffs if they can save money. According to Bitkom alone in private households by the

Introduction of time-based tariffs and visualization of actual energy consumption at a smart meter

Conservative estimate 9.5 Terawattstunden be saved per year. This corresponds to several coal-fired power plants or one

Nuclear power plant block.

Figure 1 shows an example of the principle arrangement of consumption point (household with smart meter) and control center, which corresponds to the state of the art. There can be total power consumption in measured against a household and (main) consumers identified. The information can be transmitted to a control center. There they are prepared for a presentation of results and z. B. displayed in a web portal, so that consumption statistics from the customer (consumer) can be accessed via z. B. Web browser or smartphone applications. However, controlling the consumers from the control center is not possible.

Overview of the invention:

The present invention description has the aim of the above-described current state of the art with appropriate

Significantly improve the process so that it is possible to make a control of energy consumption in a household so that time variable energy tariffs of different energy providers are optimally utilized to minimize the energy costs for the household in question. This should be especially of the

Opportunities are made available, the consumer portals on the Internet and mobile smartphone devices with tracking function. The aim is an automated optimization based on a set of rules for the evaluation of energy prices and the optimized switching on and off of consumers.

The present invention includes a device for controlling the power supply of terminals. This device comprises switches for controlling terminals which allow at least a connection and disconnection of the terminals. In a possible

Embodiment are the switch relays. However, it can also be a bus system, such as KNX, Ethernet, WLAN, Bluetooth, via which the terminal is addressed directly. It is also conceivable that the device communicates its state and energy consumption via these bus systems. Furthermore, it is possible to make adjustments via this connection, e.g. of the

Operating mode can be changed. This mode may be a partial startup or shutdown of the device. at

Drying systems can eg the system at low energy costs to be driven a bit warmer. For example, for refrigerators and freezers, preset temperatures can be adjusted.

Another part of the device is a digital database in which specific information about the terminals is stored, including participation in a flexible energy-cost-optimized operation, preferred on-switching times, switch-on duration and / or energy consumption per unit time. This should make it possible to determine whether the devices should be controlled at certain times. Furthermore, the operating times have to be considered. Should be e.g. a dishwasher or a

It is important that these devices can stop their operation before they are switched off. Thus, the runtimes of each device are recorded in the database. These times can also be automatically detected by detecting different operating times and measuring the power consumption for this device.

This results in that the control unit detects when the power consumption decreases, from which it can be concluded that the terminal has ended its operation. Also advantageous are terminals which notify the controller that the main operation has been completed, so that this corresponding information

to calculate the running time of the device. In the preferred embodiment, the devices are addressed directly via interfaces, such as network or bus systems, in order to start or end their operation via corresponding commands. The control via relay is

preferably intended for devices that do not have any external

Have control options. For the optimization of the

Consumption is also the energy consumption of crucial issue. If it concerns a device, which only low energy consumption possesses, but the offerer of favorable tariffs a minimum quantity demands, then one may like

Decide against switching on the device. Knowing the energy consumption can also bundle multiple devices to ensure a minimum purchase. Also recognizable as an overload of the connections. Should have too many devices be operated with a high performance, this can also be secured by not all are operated at the same time. It is also advantageous if the energy consumption is also measured directly on the device or communicated by the device to make a review of the information in the database. This will ensure that the information in the database also reflects actual consumption

matches. For example, should the case be the case that the terminal reports a higher consumption or a query results in a smart meter, that a higher consumption of the device is present than is entered in the database, so a corresponding adjustment can be made.

In the preferred embodiment, via a network, such as the Internet, there is an interface to at least one utility providing energy prices based on times of day and / or days of the week. By regularly requesting this information, for example every minute, the

Energy consumption can be optimized. The utility can e.g. communicate that at certain times the energy is particularly favorable or particularly expensive, so that the controller can take this into account. Preferably, the controller interfaces with a plurality of utilities to obtain different offers, then to select a utility when operating appliances. For example, the choice of utilities may be made by the controller logging on to the utility at a particular time to notify him that a certain power quota is being purchased from him for a period of time. For this purpose, corresponding login data are stored in the controller and identification data that allow the terminal in the

Energy supplier authorized and authenticated. As a result, billing and allocation of energy consumption is possible.

Because of average energy costs over the

Have been determined past, the controller can recognize whether there are particularly favorable offers. It is also conceivable that certain devices should only be operated when the Energy costs are below a certain threshold. If certain conditions occur, such as the energy costs below a certain threshold, then the corresponding devices are activated, which have specified such a limit. Alternatively, the equipment can be operated if the energy costs are a certain percentage below the average energy cost at that time. It would be advantageous if the devices could communicate by a command to the controller that they are ready, but wait for a favorable energy tariff. So can to

Example be set in a dishwasher that they would like to perform a rinse, but expects an indication of favorable energy. For example, one could

corresponding command over a network, such as power line, are transmitted, so that the controller is aware that a dishwasher is already to perform a rinse. If then particularly favorable energy costs

a command can be transmitted to the dishwasher via a network or via the power cable in the form of powerline, that it should start.

The control unit is thus arranged so that, based on the information of the power supplier and the information of the database, at a certain time an energy provider and at least one terminal is selected to turn on the terminal via the switch and operate the terminal for a period of time, to optimize the energy costs. The goal is to minimize the energy costs under the given boundary conditions. The algorithm (computing and control unit) leads to this

Optimization by selecting the cheapest among the available energy providers for the pre-calculated operating time among the energy providers available at the point of consumption - or a combination of the most advantageous providers, if the operating period includes a time at which the conditions, which provider has the most favorable tariff offers, change. In a preferred embodiment, in the selection of a terminal, and its control, in addition

Include locality information of end users. For example, should a heater or a heat pump be operated, depending on the location of a person using, for example, a mobile terminal, such as a telephone or a computer, it can be recognized whether or not that person is in the heating area. If the persons are in the heating area, they could be switched accordingly if their profile, which is stored in the database, allows this. However, if this person is outside the home, then a heater can not be started accordingly, or in a less energy-intensive mode. The location information may be determined, for example, over network areas when the mobile terminal dials into a local WLAN. If the device is in the local WLAN, it can be assumed that the user or the person is in the area of the house. Applications on the mobile terminal are also conceivable, which regularly transmit location information, which is recorded via GPS transmitters or other known localization services, to the terminal.

To configure the controller, this preferably has one

Network interface to a wired or wireless

Network through which a user can access the device. The web interface allows you to configure the control and parameterization of the database as well as the individual terminals controlled by the controller. About these

Web interface all fields of the database can be edited to edit in a preferred embodiment, the preferred on-time switching per consumer, the specification of the switch-on per consumer, the energy supplier, and the

Consumers into and out of the optimization scheme.

Via this web interface, evaluations are still possible that allow visual comparison of statistical comparison data. These visually processed data allow comparisons in terms of energy saved. For the purpose of comparison, calculations and comparison of energy consumption are normally - in the case of non-optimized

Energy use - and in the optimized case possible, in order to provide based on this preferably a benefit analysis. To make such representations are for the

The costs assumed, which would be average, and the costs that could be achieved by choosing a low-cost supplier. This comparison is also made by the calculation algorithm

carried out via a suitable interface (eg web,

Smartphone).

Furthermore, another interface is in a preferred

Embodiment given to access a comparison portal, in which based on the terminals and their configuration of the terminals in the database, the comparison between their own consumption and the consumption of comparable users for the purpose of

Referencing and consumption optimization is possible.

Another part of the invention is a method for controlling the power supply of terminals using the

Control described above.

What is new in comparison to the state of the art, in which today predominantly pure consumption investigations are in the foreground, and the user can deduce measures from these manually, is the method described in the following chapters, to optimize the consumption automatically.

This automation is based on the calculation and analysis

various input parameters, such as tariff models, current consumption values, or geo-locality information.

What is new in relation to the state of the art is the possibility described in the present invention description of simultaneously comparing the current tariff offers with other offers in the region and deriving recommendations therefrom which show further optimization potentials. Another new feature compared to the state of the art is the possibility of comparing one's own consumption values with those of other users via a portal system. This will become the user

Comparative system offered in which he his consumption

referencing - and can also tap into possible sources of optimization.

Figures Description:

The figures are briefly described below:

Fig. 1 shows a principle arrangement of a consumption point with smart meter according to the prior art;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the principle of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the embodiments

2 shows schematically the operating principle of the arrangement

According to the present invention description: Central to the algorithm according to the invention is a unit or logic - here referred to as "arithmetic and control unit" - which on the basis of a number of input variables has the optimum

Time of energy consumption and the right consumers determined and the appropriate controls to the

Consumer initiated. This will be explained in more detail below. o There is a device management in which all devices are registered. In this

Device management is stored, which of the devices in the flexible, energy tariff-optimized operation

can be taken, and which not.

For example, appliances (such as refrigerators or freezers) can be switched in a flexible operation and used to optimize energy costs, while critical appliances (eg washing machines or washing machines) can be used TV) may not work in such a flexible operation. It has to be distinguished in terms of device management between private users and commercial users: For commercial users, there are also processes that can be flexibly controlled and those where this is not possible. This will be illustrated by the example of a carpentry: Here there is

Operations, such. As the sawing, planing, etc. of

Workpieces, which must then be executed when the concrete operation is pending - so here is no time shift according to the energy rates possible. Other processes, such. As the drying of wood, can be handled flexibly in time and are included in the optimization - if z. B. a certain time of 10 h / day the electrical

Drying device must be turned on, but it makes no difference to the progress of drying, at what time of day this happens.

The energy consumption of the devices is another important input. This

Energy consumption can - ideally - be measured directly on the device or, in another embodiment, a predetermined value from z. B. the datasheet

be removed.

An indispensable input for the arithmetic and control unit is the energy price, which is temporally resolved e.g. after days, hours or even quarter of an hour entrance into the bill finds. For this purpose, a connection to consumer portals is established via the Internet, the dynamic energy tariffs of various energy providers in terms of their time and

Assemble cost components.

As a further input a location information is included in the optimization, which can be determined, for example, on the position of the mobile phone or smartphone: So can the appropriate EnergietarifInformationen be evaluated and z. For example, the energy providers active in northern Germany for a consumption station can be considered there, while the local providers can only be excluded in providers active in southern Germany alone. Furthermore, the

Location information can be used to evaluate whether special energy consumers should be turned on at all, even if a purely energy rate-based optimization would suggest this: So z. For example, an electric heater may remain off because the location of the mobile phone has revealed that the user is several hundred kilometers away from his home. Similarly, multiple mobile phones can be explicitly linked to include the location of multiple family members in such a decision and optimization.

In addition, time windows can be predefined, including optimizing the

Energy costs should take place or should not take place: There are consumers who need to work at certain times - during the day - but otherwise can be flexibly controlled and so a limited

Have variability / flexibility. An example is a pre-set IT backup for data backup purposes. Eg every Monday from 22:00 to 24:00; otherwise there is flexibility.

The calculation and control unit calculates and controls:

o Based on the above

described input variables, the computing and control unit calculates the optimal energy tariff to be used and determines the appropriate provider. In addition, it is determined which devices and consumers are switched on and off due to the given boundary conditions. Then be appropriate

Control information to consumers and in this way the consumers on or off.

A measuring logic measures the

Energy consumption of each individual consumer and ensures via a feedback of these energy consumption measurements to the computing and control unit that each current performance or energy consumption values serve as a basis for optimization and decision.

If the fully automated control by the user is not desired, the arrangement can also be so pronounced that the user gets information about the optimal use of energy according to the tariffs and can then set it manually.

Output variables / results are:

The control of the consumers according to the optimization result.

An energy cost comparison is calculated and output: What saves the user or the special point of consumption with the described

Control over a non-optimized operation (to kWh of energy or to Euro energy costs)?

A further aid that can be answered by the arrangement according to the invention is the following: What needs to be done to consume only a certain amount of energy (eg x kWh) in the year - or another predetermined period of time? For this purpose, the information stored in the device management is necessary, as well as predicted

Energy tariffInformation, which the computational and

Control unit estimates based on past experience.

According to [1], a system is known which can evaluate energy tariff information of a provider. In contrast, the present invention includes the new aspects:

^{■ Tariff} models of several

Alternative providers are included as input parameters in the optimization and control

^■ The mobile phone / smartphone is used to obtain location information - and to be able to adapt the optimization to the local conditions (eg available energy providers).

^■ Manual influence is possible:

The user gets hints for the optimized use of energy, can then control manually

^■ Calculation of the savings potential:

Comparison of different energy tariffs; if the optimal tariff allocation is chosen, then one saves x kWh compared to non-optimized energy use

Possibility of flexible design of a graphic

User interfaces for the evaluation of the results and a

History analysis.

FIG. 3 shows the principle of the invention with reference to FIG

exemplary situation where a given consumer - e.g. B. the dryer in an already mentioned carpentry - for a certain period of time - here z. B. 2 h - to be turned on. The time is irrelevant; The goal is to achieve minimum energy costs, depending on tariff information.

By way of example, two providers are accepted, of which provider 1 offers three time and price-staggered tariffs and

Provider 2 whose two. The calculation and optimization core ("Smart Energy Control") according to the present invention then determines the period of time and the provider for which the energy costs are most favorable for the desired use case. <br /><br/> In this period of time determined, the dryer is switched on and determined by the provider determined in this way the energy related to minimize energy costs. literature

[0001] Patent DE 0000197 32 565 C 1: System for

Energy- and tariff-dependent control of electrical power consumers. Filing date: 29.7.1997,

Date of publication of the grant: 12.5.1999

[2] http: / / www. telecom. com / media / media folders / 2190

[3] http: / / www. energy. com / archive / 467423 / Smart

Metering. tml

Claims

claims

1. Device for controlling the power supply of terminals comprising:

- Switches for controlling terminals that allow at least a connection and disconnection of the terminals;

- A database in the specific information about the terminals are stored, including participation in a flexible, energy cost-optimized operation, preferred on-switching times, switch-on duration and / or

Energy consumption per unit of time;

- an interface to at least one

Energy supplier providing energy prices based on times of day and / or days of the week; a control unit based on the

Information of the energy providers and the

Information of the database at a given time an energy supplier and selects at least one terminal to turn on the terminal via the switch and operate the terminal for a period of time to optimize energy costs.

2. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the interface to the power suppliers allows to choose from a plurality of power suppliers to select a favorable tariff, wherein digital information about the selection of the

Energy supplier and the tariff to the

Energy supplier to be able to carry out an assignment of the consumer and a billing.

3. The device according to one or more of

preceding claims, wherein in the control unit Integrate locality information of the end user, so decided on the basis of the locality information, whether a terminal on or

is switched off and / or in which mode it

is operated.

4. The device according to one or more of

preceding claims, wherein a web interface is provided which allows editing of the database to edit preferred on-times per consumer, indicating the on-duration per consumer to edit the power supply to the consumer into the optimization scheme - and take out again.

5. The device according to one or more of

previous claims, wherein an interface to an individual consumption meter of the terminal and / or a smart meter is given to the

record the actual consumption of the terminal and to adjust the data in the database accordingly.

6. The device according to one or more of

preceding claims, wherein the control unit for the purpose of comparative representation, the calculation and comparison of energy consumption in the normal non-optimized energy use and optimized case allows to provide based on this preferably a benefit analysis.

7. The device according to one or more of

previous claims, wherein an interface to a comparison portal is given, in which the terminal devices and their configuration of the terminals in the database, the comparison between their own consumption and the consumption of comparable users for the purpose of reference and consumption optimization

is possible.

Method for controlling the power supply of terminals using a controller that

Switch for controlling terminals, which allow at least a switching on and off of the terminals, the controller has a database, in the

specific information about the terminals are stored, including participation in a flexible

energy cost-optimized operation, preferred on-time, turn-on duration and / or

Energy consumption per unit time, the controller also includes an interface to at least one

Energy supplier providing energy prices based on times of day and / or days of the week; Furthermore, the controller comprises a control unit, the

based on the information of the utilities and the information of the database to one

certain time selects a power company and at least one terminal to turn on the terminal via the switch and operate the terminal for a period of time to the energy costs

optimize, include the steps:

- regular updating of energy prices and their validity by energy suppliers;

- Checking the database, whether a terminal is in the preferred on-time, and whether the switch-on duration and / or the energy consumption per unit time with the energy prices and their validity in time, Check whether the energy price

is below a predetermined threshold and, if so, turn on the terminal by the switch.

9. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the interface to the power suppliers allows to select from a plurality of power suppliers to select a low-cost tariff, wherein digital information on the selection of the power supplier and the tariff is transmitted to the energy supplier, so that in capable of performing an assignment of the consumer and a settlement.

10. The method according to one or more of the preceding method claims, wherein in the control unit

Integrate locality information of the end user, so decided on the basis of the locality information, whether a terminal on or

is switched off and / or in which mode it

is operated.

11. The method according to one or more of the preceding method claims, wherein a web interface is provided, which allows editing the database to preferred on-switching times per consumer, the indication of the switch-on duration per consumer, the

To edit the power supply in order to bring the consumer in and out of the optimization scheme.

12. The method according to one or more of the preceding method claims, being read via an interface to the individual meter of the terminal and / or a smart meter consumption data to detect the actual consumption of the terminal and the data in the database

adjust accordingly.

13. The method according to one or more of the preceding method claims, wherein the control unit for For the purpose of comparative illustration, the calculation and comparison of energy consumption in the normal non-optimized energy use and optimized case is performed in order to preferably provide a benefit analysis based thereon. Method according to one or more of the preceding method claims, wherein an interface to a comparison portal is given, in which, based on the

Terminals and their configuration of the terminals in the database, the comparison between their own consumption and the consumption of comparable users for the purpose of reference ierens and consumption optimization

is carried out.