WO2017192041A1

WO2017192041A1 - System for distributing electric power and method

Info

Publication number: WO2017192041A1
Application number: PCT/NL2017/050284
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christiaan Everhart BRESTER
Original assignee: Lens-Ip B.V.
Priority date: 2016-05-06
Filing date: 2017-05-05
Publication date: 2017-11-09
Also published as: EP3453093A1; NL2016736B1

Abstract

System for distributing electric power, comprising a first and a second power distributing device, each comprising an input for supplying to the power distributing device electric power to be produced by a power source to be connected thereto, a power divider for dividing the power to be supplied into power portions, and a number of outputs for outputting the power portions from the power distributing device to a respective number of power consuming units, wherein the first and second power distributing devices are configured to distribute power to be produced by respectively a first and a second power source to be connected thereto over respectively a first and a second group of power consuming units, wherein the system is configured to output power to be produced by the first power source to at least one power consuming unit of the second group and/or to output power to be produced by the second power source to at least one power consuming unit of the first group.

Description

System for distributing electric power and method

The present invention relates to a system and method for distributing electric power. The present invention relates more particularly to a system for distributing electric power comprising a first and a second power distributing device, each comprising an input for supplying to the power distributing device electric power to be produced by a power source to be connected thereto, a power divider for dividing the power to be produced into power portions, and a number of outputs for outputting the power portions from the power distributing device to a respective number of power consuming units, wherein the first power distributing device is configured to distribute power to be produced by a first power source to be connected thereto over a first group of power consuming units, and the second power distributing device is configured to distribute power to be produced by a second power source to be connected thereto over a second group of power consuming units. It is noted that the first power distributing device is connected only to the first power source and the first group of power consuming units and the second power distributing device is connected only to the second power source and the second group of power consuming units, and that the first and second power distributing devices are disposed separately of each other and mutually parallel. The invention also relates to a method for distributing electric power, wherein power produced by a power source is divided into power portions, each power portion of which is supplied to a power consuming unit.

Apartment complexes generally have a roof highly suitable for solar panels. However, a joint investment in solar panels has up until now not been found very cost-effective, cannot be organized or cannot be implemented due to power legislation, including tax legislation. In order to realize a financially favourable balance the self-generated solar energy has to be fed directly into the energy system of an apartment, and not to a collective meter. One solution is to divide large installations of solar panels on roofs of apartment complexes into a plurality of small installations with their own converters. This is however impractical, inefficient, costly and in most cases not legally feasible. A known solution is a power distributing device which provides for a distribution of the power generated by solar panels from a converter over the individual meters of the participating apartments. In terms of hardware the required division is hereby realized in a simpler manner and the generated power is not fed only to a collective facility.

These known power distributing devices supply power from a converter to a fixed predetermined group of power consuming units (in the above example these are the participating apartments). Situations can however occur in which a group of power consuming units requires more or less energy than can be supplied by the power distributing device. At such a moment the power distributing device has respectively an undercapacity or an overcapacity. It is therefore an object of the invention to better utilize the capacity of power distributing devices.

The invention provides for this purpose a system of the type stated in the preamble with the special feature that the system is configured to output power to be produced by the first power source to at least one power consuming unit of the second group and/or to output power to be produced by the second power source to at least one power consuming unit of the first group. Such a system ensures that one or more power consuming units, preferably different apartments in an apartment complex, can be provided with power from one or more other power sources, preferably from solar panels on a roof of another apartment complex. Undercapacity in a power source can in this way be compensated by an overcapacity in one or more other power sources.

Energy generated by a plurality of power sources can hereby be better distributed in the long term over geographically spaced-apart groups of power consuming units, preferably groups of apartments of geographically spaced-apart apartment complexes. It is hereby possible to better satisfy the demand for power from the power consuming units of the groups.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a switching device for connecting one of the first and second power distributing devices to the at least one power consuming unit on the basis of a power portion to be assigned to the at least one power consuming unit and defined by a predetermined distribution ratio. A power consuming unit, preferably an apartment in a complex of apartments, which is associated in principle with a first or second power distributing device can hereby be as it were adopted by the second or first power distributing device which for instance provides apartments of another apartment complex with distributed power. Such a system has the particular advantage that the desired amount of power can be supplied to all power consuming units of a specific group of power consuming units even when the power source assigned in principle to these power consuming units cannot provide this power. The power, preferably generated by solar panels, is thus distributed optimally even in situations where a power consuming unit or a group of power consuming units needs more power at a given moment than can be produced by the power source assigned in principle thereto, while at the same moment another group of power consuming units needs less power than can be produced by the power source assigned in principle thereto.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a pre-switching device for connecting the first power source to the second power distributing device and/or the second power source to the first power distributing device on the basis of power portions to be assigned to the power consuming units of the first and the second group and defined by the predetermined distribution ratio such that the first power distributing device can distribute power to be produced by the second power source over the first group of power consuming units and/or the second power distributing device can distribute power to be produced by the first power source over the second group of power consuming units. Connection of different power sources to a group of power consuming units is in this way possible. The power consuming units can hereby be provided with power from another power source. A particular advantage of such a pre-switching device is that a whole group of power consuming units, preferably a group of apartments in an apartment complex, can be supplied by another power source, preferably an array of solar panels on a roof of another apartment complex or another source of green energy. Said other power source can preferably also supply power to its own group of power consuming units.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a control and regulating unit connected to the power dividers of the first and the second power distributing device for the purpose of controlling the power dividers in order to regulate the division into the power portions to be outputted on the basis of the distribution ratio and subject to an amount of power to be supplied producible by the first and second power sources. A particular advantage of such a control and regulating unit is that the power produced by the power sources is distributed in proportion to the anticipated consumption of each individual power consuming unit. Feedback of power to the meter(s) (i.e. to the electricity grid) is in this way minimized.

According to a preferred embodiment, the switching device and/or the pre-switching device is connected to an input-output connection point of the control and regulating unit. The control and regulating unit can in this way control the switching device and/or the pre-switching device in order to distribute the available amount of power optimally over the power consuming units on the basis of the distribution ratio and subject to an amount of power to be supplied producible by the first and second power sources. This provides for a further optimization of the use of the available amount of power.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system comprises a solid-state switch arranged between the first power source and the first power distributing device and/or the second power source and the second power distributing device for shutting off the first and/or second power source. A particular advantage of such a solid-state switch is that the voltage of one or more power sources can be shut off without using one or more magnetic switches of a power divider for this purpose. Switching can hereby take place at full load without electric arcs and/or damage to the magnetic switches and/or other components occurring. According to a preferred embodiment, the control and regulating unit is configured to modify the distribution ratio automatically to an instantaneous power demand from the first and second group of power consuming units and an instantaneous amount of power to be supplied producible by the first and second power sources. A particular advantage of such real-time adjustment between the supply, i.e. the producible amount of power, and the demand, i.e. the power consumption required by the power consuming units, is that feedback to the meter(s), i.e. to the electricity grid, is minimized as far as possible. This is particularly advantageous in situations where the power supply from a power source and/or the power demand from a power consuming unit is highly variable. According to a preferred embodiment, the control and regulating unit is configured to communicate with a server. Such a server makes it possible to consult at any moment data stored on the server. On the server can be stored data relating to the configuration of the power distributing devices or of the system as well as updates required for correct functioning of the system. The system can likewise send log data to the server, such as error messages, but also data relating to the power output and power consumption.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control and regulating unit comprises a transmitter- receiver unit for wireless transmission and receiving of signals. It is in this way possible to control the system remotely. The power consuming units (e.g. residents of an apartment complex) can hereby communicate their demand for power to the system in simple manner. This makes the system exceptionally user-friendly.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system also comprises an energy meter connected to an input-output connection point of the control and regulating unit. A particular advantage of such an energy meter is that it can measure the amount of energy produced by the power source. This measurement value can subsequently be entered into the control and regulating unit for the purpose of optimizing power distribution.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system is configured for connection of at least one of the first and the second power source thereto via a converter. The converter is for instance a direct power-alternating power converter. Such a converter enables conversion to alternating power of the power from power sources producing a direct power in order to make it suitable for a variety of optionally domestic applications.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises energy storage means. A particular advantage of such energy storage means is that the power not used directly by power consuming units is stored and not fed back as surplus to the meter(s). The energy stored in such energy storage means can be used at a later point in time when the power requirement is greater than the producible amount of power. In this way as little power as possible flows back to the meter, this contributing toward maximization of the cost-effectiveness of the system. Such energy storage means are preferably connected to the converter on a direct power side or on an alternating power side thereof. The energy storage means are optionally connected as power consuming unit to the power distributing device on an output side thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of the first and the second power source comprises a renewable power source. Such a source extracts energy from elements of the Earth and is substantially inexhaustible. Examples of such sources are solar panels, wind turbines, hydroelectric power plants and geothermal power stations.

According to a preferred embodiment, the renewable power source comprises a panel of photovoltaic cells. The system according to the present invention is particularly suitable for application in combination with panels of photovoltaic cells, i.e. solar panels, since such panels are expensive and cost-effectiveness is therefore an important aspect when considering acquisition of solar panels. The system maximizes the use of renewable energy generated by solar panels and thereby minimizes the investment cost recovery period. The invention also relates to a method of the type stated in the preamble with the special feature that the power is produced by at least a first and a second power source which are disposed electrically in parallel relative to each other, and is distributed on the basis of a predetermined distribution ratio and subject to an amount of power to be supplied producible by the first and second power sources. The power to be produced by the first power source is preferably distributed by a first power distributing device and supplied to a first group of power consuming units, and the power to be produced by the second power source is distributed by a second power distributing device and supplied to a second group of power consuming units, wherein the first power distributing device is connected only to the first power source and the first group of power consuming units and the second power distributing device is connected only to the second power source and the second group of power consuming units, and wherein the first and second power distributing devices are disposed separately of each other and in parallel to each other. Such a method ensures that one or more power consuming units, preferably different apartments in an apartment complex, can be provided with power from other or a plurality of power sources, preferably from solar panels on a roof of another apartment complex. Undercapacity of a power source can in this way be compensated by an overcapacity of one or more other power sources, preferably of solar panels on a roof of one or more other apartment complexes. Energy generated by a plurality of power sources can hereby be better distributed in the long term over geographically spaced-apart groups of power consuming units, preferably groups of apartments of geographically spaced-apart apartment complexes. It is hereby possible to better satisfy the demand for power from the power consuming units of the groups. The desired amount of power can preferably be supplied to all power consuming units of a specific group of power consuming units, even when the power source assigned in principle to these power consuming units cannot provide this power. The power preferably generated by solar panels is thus distributed optimally, even in situations where a power consuming unit or a group of power consuming units, preferably a group of apartments in an apartment complex, needs more power at a given moment than can be produced by the power source assigned in principle thereto, preferably a plurality of solar panels on the roof of said one apartment complex, while at the same moment another group of power consuming units, preferably another group of apartments in another apartment complex, needs less power than can be produced by the power source assigned in principle thereto, preferably another plurality of solar panels on the roof of said other apartment complex. The method preferably enables connection of different power sources to a group of power consuming units. The power consuming units, preferably a group of apartments in an apartment complex, can hereby be provided with power from another power source, preferably an array of solar panels on a roof of another apartment complex or another source of green energy. A particular advantage of such a switching device is that a whole group of power consuming units can be supplied by another power source. Said other power source can preferably also supply power to its own group of power consuming units.

According to a preferred embodiment, one of the plurality of power sources comprises a panel of photovoltaic cells. The method according to the present invention is particularly suitable for application in combination with panels of photovoltaic cells, i.e. solar panels, since such panels are expensive and cost-effectiveness is therefore an important aspect when considering acquisition of solar panels. The system maximizes the use of renewable energy generated by solar panels and thereby minimizes the investment cost recovery period. According to a preferred embodiment, use is made of a system for distributing electric power, preferably a system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system typically comprises server software installed on a server (not shown in the figures) connected wirelessly or otherwise to the control and regulating unit for the purpose of communication with client software installed on the control and regulating unit and a web interface. The primary components of the server software consist of a client application program interface (client- API), a database and a graphical user interface (GUI) which presents data to users (such as residents of an apartment complex) and offers them diverse functionalities.

It is otherwise noted that the groups of power consuming units of the above stated preferred embodiments, in which the power consuming units comprise apartments in an apartment complex, are not limited to said groups of apartments in an apartment complex but can also comprise randomly assembled groups of households.

Preferred embodiments of the system and the method according to the invention also comprise one or more of the following features, which can be applied individually as well as in

combination with one or more other of the following features:

-The energy meter(s) are provided in the form of Wh pulse counter(s) (or kWh pulse counters/SO pulse counters).

-The server software communicates a target value for each channel. The target values for all channels are added together and the client software calculates a target fraction for each channel on the basis of the target values and the total producible amount of power.

-The server software communicates a maximum value (for instance in kWh) for each channel. This value specifies the maximum amount of power that may be supplied to a channel.

-The server software communicates a day template for each channel. This value specifies the days on which power may be supplied to a channel (for instance when a user has a lower electricity tariff at the weekend).

-An administrator enters the maximum value per channel, for instance in kWh, on the graphical user interface and selects the days on which supply may take place. An administrator also directly or indirectly determines the target values (as percentages of the total amount of power expected in a year). -The client software keeps track of how much power is produced per connected power source, and per channel. On the basis hereof the client software calculates a fraction of power supplied per channel.

-The server software comprises internal counters, which can be readjusted remotely, for instance in order keep track of the energy supplied within a distribution.

-Connected to the input-output connection points of the control and regulating unit are: a Wh pulse counter and the channels which consist of magnetic switches which each consist of a magnetic relay and a co-switching contact.

-The magnetic switches are placed inside the system (central circuit) or outside the system (local circuit, or an external cabinet close to the connecting object).

-Connecting objects are: a group/automatic device in a meter cabinet of a dwelling, or a collective utilities connection.

-The server software specifies the relative priority of a channel relative to other channels. -The server software uses information about the topology and the capacity of the different connections in the system:

o The server software specifies per channel group the type and the maximum power of the power sources that are connected.

o The server software specifies per channel a unique identification for the associated connection.

o The server software specifies per channel the maximum power which may be supplied (overall and per phase, as well as the maximum permissible difference in power between the phases).

o The server software specifies per channel, in the case of a 1 -phase connection, the phase in which this latter is connected (LI, L2, L3) if this information is available and relevant.

-The server software uses information about the connection and control of the control and regulating unit and the components connected via the input-output connection points:

o The server software specifies per channel group which channels are connected to which input-output connection points of the control and regulating unit.

o The server software specifies per channel group whether a pre-switching device is present and, if so, at which input-output connection point of the control and regulating unit.

o The server software specifies per channel group which Wh pulse counter is used (on which input of the control and regulating unit).

-The server software specifies how configurations of output signals on the control and regulating unit are translated to possible combinations of power sources and channel groups.

-The server software specifies the connection and significance of possible extra switches, input signals and Wh pulse counters.

-The client software keeps track of statistics per power source with which the actual relative power of the power sources is determined.

-Systems on the same network exchange information with each other, particularly concerning the use of and the supply of power to possibly shared channels.

-The server software commands one or more times during the day a switch to another channel on the basis of the instantaneous or forthcoming power consumption of the connecting objects (for instance the power consumption of a dwelling).

-More than one power source is connected per system.

-Separate channel groups are defined in order to prevent a power source supplying to more than one active channel at the same time, whereby connections are connected to each other downstream of the meter. This prevents unsafe situations, such as a high power between dwellings or connection of different phases to each other whereby high voltages can occur.

-One or more power sources are connected to a channel group, although a power source may only make contact with one channel group at any moment.

-On the basis of the hardware of the control and regulating unit a plurality of channel groups, each with its own energy meter, such as a Wh pulse counter, is defined per system.

-The hardware and software enable connection of a plurality of power sources to a plurality of channel groups (multiplexing of power sources).

-Placed between the power sources and a channel group is a solid-state switch with which the voltage of the power sources can be shut off without using the magnetic switches. This is used to switch under full load (for instance during the day), wherein electrical arcs and damage to the magnetic switches are prevented.

-The client software ensures that only one channel is switched on within a channel group. -The client software makes it possible to connect two channels (from two different channel groups, each with a separate power source) to a connecting object.

-The client software continuously monitors the status of all co-switching contacts, and switches off all relays in a channel group if more than one channel is active in the group (i.e. more than one channel is open), or if a power source is coupled to more than one channel group (for instance because of a faulty relay).

-If shared connections are present in an installation, the client software monitors the status of the relay of other channel groups and/or power distributing devices connected to the shared connection.

-There is a secure communication connection between the server software and the client software, so that both client and server can take the initiative to communicate.

-There is a secure communication connection between the power distributing devices so that data exchange is possible between all power distributing devices in a system and/or an assembly of systems, even in the absence of a connection to the server software.

-Securing of the communication connection takes place on the basis of a public/private key infrastructure and point-to-point encryption.

-Communication between client and server software takes place on the basis of a data model with which structured information can be easily exchanged.

-The server and client software keep track of information about the physical topology of the installation and about the properties of power sources and connections.

-The server and/or client software comprises configurable distribution algorithms for the purpose of switching flexibility and processing of additional information and

preconditions.

-Distribution of power takes place on the basis of a whole installation, i.e. an assembly of systems in which a plurality of power sources and solar power distributors can be present. This enables an optimal distribution of power, particularly when shared connections are present in an installation.

-The server and/or client software enables the reading and/or control, via the input-output connecting points of the control and regulating unit, of a plurality of Wh pulse counters, but also of external hardware (for instance a battery or converter). Storage technology, such as a battery, can hereby be added as connecting object.

-The system switches to another channel in principle only when the power source is not producing any power. This is before sunrise and after sunset or in the absence of a solid- state pre-switching relay. Reasons for earlier switching can be:

o Restarting of hardware or software.

o Remote control of the system (for instance via SMS).

o Detection of problems (with switches or the supply of power). o The maximum value (the maximum amount of power to be supplied) being reached on a channel.

-Manual or automatic control of switches from the server software is possible at any desired moment via an optionally present secure communication connection.

-At a moment of switching the system can independently select a plurality of channels and control additional switches if necessary. The system optionally selects which power source supplies the power on the basis of predefined configurations per channel group. -A maximum of one channel may be active at any moment. At the moment of switching the present client software determines the channel on which supply will take place on the basis of:

o Possible problems which the client software has detected (non-functioning switches, problems with the supply of energy etc). In the case of problems a channel is switched off, skipped or switched on only briefly for testing, depending on the situation.

o A possible maximum value (maximum quantity of energy to be supplied) being exceeded. When the maximum is exceeded a channel is switched off, or not switched on.

o The day of the week and the day template. If the day does not correspond to the day template of a channel, the channel is not switched on.

o The difference between the target fraction (the fraction of the total energy to be supplied) and the fraction of energy actually supplied. If other above stated preconditions are met, a switch is then made to the channel with the greatest difference.

-In addition to the above stated preconditions (target fraction difference, maximum value, day template difference and hardware status), the client software uses the following preconditions in order to determine which channel becomes active:

o the relative priority of a channel.

■ If a priority as well as a maximum value is defined for one or more channels, the channel with the highest priority receives all power (within the other preconditions, with the exception of difference) until the maximum has been reached.

■ If no maximum is given and a plurality of channels are suitable to be switched on, the channel with the highest priority is then chosen.

o The physical topology and capacity of the connections in the system and the power sources:

■ If more than one channel supplies power to the same connection (i.e. there are more channels having the same identification in the client software, usually in different channel groups). In such cases:

• the client software ensures that the number of power sources to be switched on at the same connection remains limited on the basis of the maximum power of the power sources and the maximum capacity of the connection; and

• the client software ensures, where possible and relevant, that the supplied power is properly distributed over the connected phases.

■ If it is possible to select more than one power source within a channel group or channel:

• the client software selects one or more power sources such that the maximum power to be supplied for a channel is not exceeded.

• the client software selects the power sources per channel or channel group such that the expected difference in the target values is minimized.

-If one or more of the connected power sources is a battery, the client software takes into account the remaining capacity of the battery when power sources are switched on or off. -In addition to an optimal power distribution on the basis of the target values per channel and connecting object, the client software also provides for real-time adjustment between the supply from the power source(s) and the demand of the power consuming

units/connecting objects. Feedback of power/energy to the electricity grid is thus minimized. Further advantages, features and details of the present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

-figure 1 is a perspective view of a cross-section of a building in which a system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is connected to solar panels;

-figures 2-4 show summary diagrams of systems according to preferred embodiments of the invention; and

-figure 5 shows a schematic overview of a system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a building 100, for instance an apartment complex, on which solar panels 201, 202, 203, 204 are arranged. Outputs of solar panels 201-204 are connected to a power distribution system 500 consisting of various power distributing devices 601, 602 in order to distribute the power generated by solar panels 201-204 over apartments and/or collective spaces 101, 102, 103, 104. The power generated by solar panels 201-204 is fed via inputs 1711, 1721 into power distributing devices 601, 602 of power distribution system 500. Placed between inputs 1711, 1721 and solar panels 201-204 are direct power-alternating power converters 301, 302 for converting the direct power from solar panels 201-204 to alternating power usable by the households. Power distribution system 500 also distributes the power generated by solar panels 201-204 on the basis of a power distribution ratio defined by the demand for power from the apartments/collective spaces 101-104 and the supply of power from solar panels 201-204 and feeds this power via outputs 1811, 1821 to electricity meters 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004 of the individual apartments/collective space(s) 101-104. A switch box 2001-2004 is optionally received between power distribution system 500 and each electricity meter 1001-1004 in order to transmit the alternating power distributed by power distributing devices 601, 602 of power distribution system 500 to electricity meters 1001-1004 of other apartments/collective space(s) 101-104.

Figure 2 shows a schematic overview of a prior art system 500 of power distributing devices 601, 602, 603, wherein power from three different power sources 201, 202, 203, preferably (groups of) solar panels, is distributed over five different power consuming units 1001-1005, preferably apartments in an apartment complex or households in a residential area. Power generated by power source 201 is distributed here over power consuming units 1001 and 1002, power generated by power source 202 is distributed over power consuming unit 1003 and power generated by power source 203 is distributed over power consuming units 1004 and 1005.

Arranged between power sources 201-203 and inputs 1711, 1721, 1731 of power distributing devices 601-603 of power distribution system 500 are converters 301, 302, 303, for instance for converting direct power generated by power sources 201-203 to alternating power usable by the households. Power distributing devices 601-603 also comprise energy meters 801, 802, 803 which can measure the amount of energy produced by power sources 201-203. The measurement values can then be employed by system 500 for the purpose of power distribution optimization. Separate channels 911, 912, 921, 931, 932 can be distinguished from each other in power distributing devices 601-603. Channels 911, 912, 921, 931, 932 are subsequently connected to outputs 1811, 1812, 1821, 1831, 1832 of power distributing devices 601-603 which feed the distributed power to the electricity meters/connecting objects 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005 of power consuming units/apartments 101, 102, 103.

Figure 3 shows a schematic overview of a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein power distributing device 602 and power distributing device 603 are both connected to one and the same connecting object 1004. Power distributing device 500 is configured to output power to be supplied by power source 202 to connecting object 1004 and/or to output power to be supplied by power source 203 to connecting object 1004. The system comprises for this purpose a switching device for connecting one of the power distributing devices 602 and 603 to connecting object 1004 on the basis of a power portion to be assigned to connecting object 1004 and defined by a predetermined distribution ratio. Connecting object 1004, which is associated in principle with power distributing device 602, can hereby as it were be adopted by power distributing device 603. Such a system has the particular advantage that the desired amount of power can be supplied to all power consuming units of a specific group of power consuming units, even when the power source assigned in principle to these power consuming units cannot provide this power. The power optionally generated by solar panels is thus utilized optimally, even in situations where a power consuming unit or a group of power consuming units at a given moment needs more power than can be produced by the power source assigned in principle thereto, while at the same moment another group of power consuming units needs less power than can be produced by the power source assigned in principle thereto. Undercapacity of a power source can in this way be compensated by an overcapacity of one or more other power sources. The available power is as far as possible used directly and not fed back to the meter, thereby increasing the cost- effectiveness of for instance solar panels.

Figure 4 shows a schematic overview of a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein power distribution system 500 comprises pre-switching devices 701, 702 for connecting power source 202 to power distributing device 603 and/or power source 203 to power distributing device 602 on the basis of power portions to be assigned to power consuming units 1003-1005 and defined by the predetermined distribution ratio such that power distributing device 603, as supplement to power to be produced by power source 203, can distribute at least a portion of power to be produced by power source 202 over power consuming units 1004, 1005 and/or power distributing device 602, as addition to power to be produced by power source 202, can distribute at least a portion of power to be produced by power source 203 over power consuming unit 1003.

Connection of a plurality of power sources to one or more groups of power consuming units is in this way possible. A group of power consuming units can hereby be provided with power from another power source. A particular advantage of such pre-switching devices is that a whole group of power consuming units can be supplied by another power source. System 500 optionally has a solid-state switch 400 arranged between power source 203 and power distributing device 603 for shutting off power source 203. A particular advantage of a solid-state switch 400 is that the voltage of power source 203 can be shut off without using one or more magnetic switches of power distributing device 603 for this purpose. Switching can hereby take place at full load without electric arcs and/or damage to the magnetic switches and/or other components occurring.

Figure 5 shows a schematic overview of a system 500 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the relevant components of system 500 are shown. Figure 5 once again shows three power sources 201-203 connected via converters 301-303 to inputs 1711, 1721, 1731 of system 500. Power sources 201-203 can for instance be solar panels 201-203 placed on a roof of an apartment complex 100 or other building, wherein solar panels 201-203 can be configured to supply 1 -phase power or 3-phase power to system 500. Converters 301-303 can typically be direct power-alternating power converters for converting direct power generated by solar panels 201-203 to alternating power usable by households. System 500 comprises four channel groups 910, 920, 930, each consisting of a plurality of channels which comprise respective switches 911- 913, 921-923, 931-933. Group 940 comprises two magnetic switches which can be operated independently of each other and of the other groups in order to switch external equipment. Each of the switches 911 -913 , 921 -923 , 931 -933 is connected via one of the outputs 1811-1813, 1821- 1823, 1831-1833 to an electric measuring device of a power consuming unit (also referred to as connecting object), typically via a switch. System 500 also comprises energy meters 801-803, each of which measures the amount of energy produced by one or more power sources 201-203 connected thereto. System 500 can optionally also operate without energy meters 801-803, wherein the amount of energy generated by power sources 201-203 is read from converters 301- 303. An important component of system 500 is control and regulating unit 1100 for controlling the power distributing devices 601-603 in order to regulate the desired power distribution. Input- output connecting points 1510 of control and regulating unit 1100 are connected for this purpose to inputs 1901-1903 of energy meters 801-803, whereby control and regulating unit 1100 can measure what the amount of power produced by power sources 201-203 is at a specific moment. Input-output connecting points 1520 of control and regulating unit 1100 are also connected to switches 911-913, 921-923, 931-933 in order to regulate the distribution in the power portions for output on the basis of a predetermined distribution ratio and subject to an amount of power producible by power sources 201-203. Control and regulating unit 1100 is powered by power supply 1600 and in turn powers energy meters 801-803 by means of connecting points 1530. Control and regulating unit 1100 is typically an assembly of programmable components with which the diverse input-output connecting points 1510, 1520 can be controlled and/or read and which controls communication with a server, not shown in the figures. In a typical design the control and regulating unit 1100 comprises a custom-made printed circuit board (PCB) having as important components a so-called System On a Chip 1300 (SOC), a microcontroller 1200 and a GPRS module/GSM modem 1400 for the purpose of remote wireless control/communication. Control and regulating unit 1100 can more particularly comprise a switching module, an embedded ARM module and a separate GPRS modem. Control and regulating unit 1100 can therefore be configured in pluriform manner. The invention is not limited to the shown embodiment, but also extends to other preferred variants falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. System for distributing electric power, comprising a first and a second power distributing device, each comprising:

an input for supplying to the power distributing device electric power to be produced by a power source to be connected thereto;

a power divider for dividing the power to be supplied into power portions; and

a number of outputs for outputting the power portions from the power distributing device to a respective number of power consuming units,

wherein the first power distributing device is configured to distribute power to be produced by a first power source to be connected thereto over a first group of power consuming units, and the second power distributing device is configured to distribute power to be produced by a second power source to be connected thereto over a second group of power consuming units, characterized in that

the system is configured to output power to be produced by the first power source to at least one power consuming unit of the second group and/or to output power to be produced by the second power source to at least one power consuming unit of the first group.

2. System as claimed in claim 1 , also comprising a switching device for connecting one of the first and second power distributing devices to the at least one power consuming unit on the basis of a power portion to be assigned to the at least one power consuming unit and defined by a predetermined distribution ratio.

3. System as claimed in claim 1 or 2, also comprising a pre-switching device for connecting the first power source to the second power distributing device and/or the second power source to the first power distributing device on the basis of power portions to be assigned to the power consuming units of the first and the second group and defined by the predetermined distribution ratio such that the first power distributing device can distribute power to be produced by the second power source over the first group of power consuming units and/or the second power distributing device can distribute power to be produced by the first power source over the second group of power consuming units.

4. System as claimed in either of the claims 2 or 3, also comprising a control and regulating unit connected to the power dividers of the first and the second power distributing device for the purpose of controlling the power dividers in order to regulate the division into the power portions to be outputted on the basis of the distribution ratio and subject to an amount of power to be supplied producible by the first and second power sources.

5. System as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the switching device and/or the pre-switching device is connected to an input-output connection point of the control and regulating unit.

6. System as claimed in any of the claims 1-5, also comprising a solid-state switch arranged between the first power source and the first power distributing device and/or the second power source and the second power distributing device for shutting off the first and/or second power source.

7. System as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, wherein the control and regulating unit is configured to modify the distribution ratio automatically to an instantaneous power demand from the first and second group of power consuming units and an instantaneous amount of power producible by the first and second power sources.

8. System as claimed in any of the claims 1-7, wherein the control and regulating unit is configured to communicate with a server.

9. System as claimed in any of the claims 1-8, wherein the control and regulating unit comprises a transmitter-receiver unit for wireless transmission and receiving of signals.

10. System as claimed in any of the claims 1-9, also comprising an energy meter connected to an input-output connection point of the control and regulating unit.

11. System as claimed in any of the claims 1-10, configured for connection of at least one of the first and the second power source thereto via a converter.

12. System as claimed in any of the claims 1-11, also comprising energy storage means.

13. System as claimed in any of the claims 1-12, wherein at least one of the first and the second power source comprises a renewable power source.

14. System as claimed in claim 13, wherein the renewable power source comprises a panel of photovoltaic cells.

15. Method for distributing electric power, wherein power produced by a power source is divided into power portions, each power portion of which is supplied to a power consuming unit, characterized in that the power is produced by at least a first and a second power source which are disposed electrically in parallel relative to each other, and is distributed on the basis of a predetermined distribution ratio and subject to an amount of power producible by the first and second power sources.

16. Method as claimed in claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of power sources comprises a panel of photovoltaic cells.

17. Method as claimed in claim 16, wherein use is made of a system according to any of the claims 1-14.