KR20130134284A

KR20130134284A - Energy managing apparatus

Info

Publication number: KR20130134284A
Application number: KR1020120057697A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 최지현
Original assignee: 엘에스산전 주식회사
Priority date: 2012-05-30
Filing date: 2012-05-30
Publication date: 2013-12-10

Abstract

An energy management apparatus is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention enable energy management at the lowest cost by using energy price information of energy providers and at the same time improve user convenience. Embodiments of the present invention by generating a driving plan based on the energy price information and using the energy price information received in real time in accordance with the driving plan to control the operation of the energy-using device or to modify the driving plan according to the modified driving plan Controlling the operation of energy-using devices increases the operating efficiency of energy-using devices, improves the efficiency of the entire system, and reduces waste of energy and costs.

Description

Energy management device {ENERGY MANAGING APPARATUS}

The present invention relates to an energy management device, and more particularly, to an energy management device of a consumer energy management system.

Recently, as the Smart Grid has attracted attention as a part of the green energy business, the importance of the Home Energy Management System (HEMS) for the Smart Grid is increasing.

The Smart Grid is a next-generation power grid that can optimize energy efficiency and create new value-added by enabling information providers (IT) to connect power networks and real-time information between power suppliers and consumers in both directions.

From the user's point of view, the smart grid uses energy to find the most reasonable time for you as the price of energy changes.

The consumer energy management system (hereinafter, referred to as 'energy management system') is a system for efficiently managing the energy consumption of home appliances using the smart grid. There are many different devices, such as common household appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.) appliances, batteries, fuel cells, etc.

Embodiments of the present invention have an object to provide an energy management device that can operate energy at the lowest cost by using energy price information of the energy provider.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an energy management device that generates an operation plan based on the energy price information and uses the energy price information received in real time to control the operation of the energy-using device or to modify the operation plan according to the operation plan There is another purpose.

An energy management apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a communication unit configured to form an external communication network with an energy provider, and receive energy price information from the energy provider; and an operation plan for one or more energy using devices using the energy price information. It is configured to include a control unit for generating.

The energy management device further includes a storage unit that stores the energy price information and the driving plan.

In the energy management apparatus, the control unit may generate the driving plan by using the history of the energy price information, and modify and regenerate the driving plan generated by using the real-time energy price information.

Embodiments of the present invention enable energy management at the lowest cost by using energy price information of energy providers and at the same time improve user convenience.

Embodiments of the present invention by generating a driving plan based on the energy price information and using the energy price information received in real time in accordance with the driving plan to control the operation of the energy-using device or to modify the driving plan according to the modified driving plan Controlling the operation of energy-using devices increases the operating efficiency of energy-using devices, improves the efficiency of the entire system, and reduces waste of energy and costs.

Embodiments of the present invention enable the lowest cost of energy and at the same time to generate revenue for the customer by operating a power generation device such as a renewable energy generation system.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an energy management system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an energy management system according to another embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of an energy management system according to another embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a block diagram illustrating in detail a configuration of an energy management apparatus according to an embodiment;
5 is a graph for explaining an energy management method according to embodiments of the present disclosure; And
6 to 8 are flowcharts schematically illustrating an energy management method according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an energy management system according to an embodiment may receive energy price information from at least one energy use device 200 and an energy provider, and use the energy price information to transmit the energy price information to the at least one energy use device. It is configured to include an energy management device 100 for generating a driving plan for.

Here, energy is a concept including all of electricity, gas, water and the like, but the following description will focus on electricity. The energy provider 10 is a utility company that supplies electricity, gas, and water as described above, and includes renewable energy source facilities such as solar light and wind power as well as facilities generated by fossil fuels such as petroleum. The energy using device 200 is a device consuming energy by being located at an energy consumer, for example, a customer, a building, or the like. Energy-using devices generally include consumer electronics products in the consumer, such as refrigerators, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, dishwashers, ovens, gas ranges, microwave ovens, TVs, computers, and the like. Etc.) It includes all kinds of devices such as used devices, batteries and fuel cells.

The energy provider 10 performs schedule control, group control, and automatic control based on setting a target value using information on power usage received from the energy management system. In addition, the energy provider 10 performs alarm message transmission, history data management, and the like. The communication between the energy provider 10 and the energy management system may use wired / wireless communication. As wired communication, a wired LAN using Ethernet is mainly used, and a wireless LAN using Wi-Fi may be configured as wireless communication.

Referring to FIG. 2, in addition to an embodiment, an energy management system may receive energy from an energy provider, supply energy to the energy use device, and acquire total energy usage of the energy use device. It further comprises a smart meter (500).

A smart meter is a digital meter that adds a communication function, which enables real-time investigation of power usage or two-way communication between energy providers and consumers, such as energy management devices or energy-using devices. The smart meter can be remotely read without the meter reader visiting the home, and can be read in real time. The smart meter 300 may transmit and receive energy usage information using the ZigBee communication scheme with the energy management apparatus 100.

Referring to FIG. 2, the energy management system 20 further includes one or more energy display devices 400 displaying the energy usage information.

The energy display device 400 is an In Home Display (IHD) that displays energy use information of an energy use device, for example, energy use amount and amount used, and performs wired / wireless communication with the energy management device. The energy display device 400 may communicate with the energy management device 100 using a Zigbee communication method and a LAN communication method, and include a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter to perform RS-485 communication. Can be done.

Referring to FIG. 3, the energy usage device 200 may include a current sensor 210 connected to the energy usage device for sensing the amount of current, and provided in an energy supply line of the energy usage device to the device control signal. Accordingly, the switch 220 is configured to supply or cut off energy to the energy-using device, and an earth leakage breaker 230 provided in the energy supply line of the energy-using device.

The current sensor 210 is provided on the power line of the energy use device to measure the amount of current. The current sensor 210 may be a sensor that measures a current value of a line and generates a voltage signal proportional to the current, that is, a current transducer CT. The current sensor measures the current capacity of the energy using device and transmits it to the energy management device 100. The current capacity of an energy-using device is the power consumption and energy consumption of the device.

The switch 220 is a magnetic switch (MC), which is a magnetic contactor of a relay concept that opens and closes a contact by using a magnetic force generated from a coil. The switch is installed at the lower end of the circuit breaker 230 to receive the on / off command of the line to open and close the line.

Electric Leakage Breaker (ELB) is a device to automatically cut off the leakage current when a state such as an overload or short circuit or a short circuit occurs. The earth leakage breaker 230 prevents an electric shock to a human body, a fire caused by a short circuit, and damage to a circuit included in an energy using device due to an arc. The earth leakage breaker may be installed in each power line at the bottom of the circuit breaker and automatically cut off when the earth leakage occurs to protect the energy-using device installed in the corresponding line.

Referring to FIG. 3, the energy management system 20 may further include a circuit breaker 600 to prevent an overload between the energy using device and the smart meter.

Molded Case Circuit Breaker (MCCB) is a device that prevents overload by automatically cutting off the current when the current exceeds the rated current. The circuit breaker 500 protects the energy-using device due to overload by turning on / off the power according to the allowable capacity of the current in the energy management system.

1 or 2, the energy management system further includes an energy storage device 300 for storing energy generated by a power generation device connected to the energy management system or energy not used by the energy-using device. .

An energy storage system is provided in a consumer to store energy supplied from an energy provider, a power generation device connected to the consumer, for example, energy generated by solar, wind, fuel cells, and the like. The energy storage device is made of a battery or the like, and is generally formed of a plurality of battery packs. The energy storage device 300 stores the remaining energy not used by the energy-using devices.

Referring to FIG. 4, an energy management apparatus according to an embodiment may include an communication unit 110 that forms an external communication network with an energy provider, receives energy price information from the energy provider, and uses the energy price information. And a control unit 120 for generating a driving plan for one or more energy-using devices.

The energy management apparatus 100 may vary according to the configuration of the energy management system, and is a concept encompassing both an Energy Service Portal (ESP) and a gateway.

The energy management apparatus 100 performs wired and wireless communication with the energy provider 10 through the communication unit 110. The communication unit 110 transmits information on energy usage to the energy provider and receives an energy control command from the energy provider. In addition, the communication unit 110 receives energy price information from the energy provider 10 in real time and continuously and transmits it to the control unit. For example, the energy price information transmitted by the energy provider 10 to the energy management device 100 may be displayed as a graph of FIG. 5.

The control unit 120 monitors the energy price information in real time and generates a driving plan for the energy using device based on the energy price information.

The energy management device further includes a storage unit 160 that stores the energy price information and the driving plan. The storage unit 160 stores real-time energy price information and energy price information such as a previous day, a power source, a previous year, or a predetermined period. In addition, the storage unit 160 may further store energy use information of each energy use device. The control unit 120 generates the driving plan using the history of the energy price information, and corrects and generates the driving plan generated using the real-time energy price information.

The control unit 120 first sets a reference price. The reference price may be set in advance by the user or the like. Then, when the real-time energy price received by the communication unit 110 reaches the reference price, the control unit 120 starts driving, stops driving, or operates one or more energy-using devices according to the driving plan. Change the way. The control unit 120 may generate a driving plan to control the operation of the energy-using device when the reference price is reached.

For example, the control unit 120 may generate in advance a driving plan to start the operation of the washing machine when the energy price falls below a certain price between a specific date and a specific time. In FIG. 5, when the user or the like becomes less than α won (eg, 100 won) per 1 kwh within t0 to t1 time, the washing machine may be scheduled to operate. At the reservation date, at the reservation time, when the price falls below the reserved energy price, the washing machine starts driving according to the driving plan. At this time, it can be specified as an option to continue the operation once or stop the operation when the energy price rises above a certain price.

As another example, the control unit 120 may set a reference price range and execute a pre-generated driving plan when the real-time energy price is lower than or equal to the lower limit of the reference price range. In addition, the control unit 120 may stop execution of the previously generated driving plan when the real-time energy price is equal to or higher than an upper limit of the reference price range.

The energy management device 100 further includes an internal communication unit 130 that forms an internal communication network with the energy using device and transmits a device control signal to the energy using device.

The internal communication unit 130 receives energy from the energy provider 10 and communicates with the smart meter 500 that supplies the energy using device 200. The internal communication unit 130 transmits and receives information on energy usage using the smart meter 500 and the Zigbee communication method, the Ethernet communication method, the serial communication method, and the like. In addition, the internal communication unit 130 transmits the energy usage information to the energy display device 400 displaying the energy usage information. The internal communication unit 130 transmits and receives information on energy usage using the Zigbee communication method, the Ethernet communication method, the serial communication method, etc. with the energy display device 400.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the energy management device 100 may further include a detection unit 140 that receives a current amount from a current sensor connected to each of the energy using devices. The energy management device 100 further includes an output unit 150 for outputting the energy price information or the energy usage information on the screen. In addition, the energy management device 100 may further include an input unit 170 that receives an operation command, an energy use device control command, and the like from a user.

The detection unit 140 receives an amount of current acquired by the current sensor 210, converts it into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the control unit 120. The control unit 120 may calculate the energy consumption of the energy using device by converting the amount of current into power consumption. The control unit 120 calculates the energy usage information based on the amount of current, and generates the device control signal. The control unit 120 may also control the energy using device by comparing the target value with the calculated value. The output unit 150 is configured with a display device, for example, an LCD, to display various information and data.

When the energy management system includes the energy storage device 300, the control unit 120 sets a reference price and compares the real-time energy price with the reference price to select whether to supply energy or an energy supply source. That is, the control unit 120 receives energy from the energy provider 10, uses energy stored in the energy storage device 300, or the energy based on a comparison result between the real-time energy price and the reference price. It may be determined whether to stop the operation of the user device 200. In this case, the reference price is a price calculated in advance by determining that energy can be used at a low price by a user or a program. That is, the reference price is a standard of energy supply or energy supply. In this case, the operation plan includes the energy-using device, the start / stop time of operation, the operation time, the appropriate price (reference price), the driving method, the energy supply source, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 6, an energy management system including one or more energy-using devices and an energy management device for supplying or cutting off energy to the energy-using device, the energy management by the energy management device according to an embodiment The energy management method of the system may include receiving energy price information from the energy provider (S10), storing the energy price information (S20), and using the energy price information to the one or more energy using devices. Generating a driving plan (S30), storing the driving plan (S40), and controlling the operation of the at least one energy-using device based on the driving plan and the real-time energy price (S50). It is configured to include. The configuration of the apparatus will be described with reference to Figs.

Referring to FIG. 6, the generating of the driving plan (S30) may include generating the driving plan by using the history of the energy price information and correcting the driving plan generated by using the real-time energy price information. It comprises a process (S32).

The energy management device performs wired and wireless communication with the energy provider. The energy management device transmits information about energy use of the energy-using device to the energy provider and receives an energy control command from the energy provider. In addition, the energy management device receives the energy price information from the energy company in real time and continuously (S10). The received energy price information may be stored daily, monthly, yearly, for a certain period of time (S20). For example, the energy price information transmitted by the energy provider to the energy management device may be displayed in the graph of FIG. 5.

The energy management apparatus monitors the energy price information in real time and generates an operation plan for the energy using device based on the energy price information (S30). The energy management device also stores the operation plan thus generated (S40). The energy management device generates the driving plan by using the history of the energy price information, and revises and generates the driving plan generated by using the real-time energy price information.

For example, referring back to FIG. 6, in operation S50, when the real-time energy price reaches a preset reference price, the operation of the one or more energy-using devices may be started or stopped. Alternatively, the driving method may be changed. The energy management apparatus first sets a reference price (S511). The reference price may be set in advance by the user or the like. The energy management device starts to operate the energy-using device at the set time. Then, when the real-time energy price received from the energy provider reaches the reference price (S512), the energy management device starts, stops or changes the operation method of one or more energy-using devices according to the driving plan. (S513). The energy management device controls the operation of the energy consuming device according to a modified operation plan or a previously generated operation plan. The energy management device may generate a driving plan to control the operation of the energy-using device when the reference price is reached.

An operation plan may be generated in advance so that the washing machine starts to operate when the energy price falls below a certain price between a certain date and a specific time. In FIG. 5, when the user or the like becomes less than α won (eg, 100 won) per 1 kwh within t0 to t1 time, the washing machine may be scheduled to operate. At the reservation date, at the reservation time, when the price falls below the reserved energy price, the washing machine starts driving according to the driving plan. At this time, it can be specified as an option to continue the operation once or stop the operation when the energy price rises above a certain price.

As another example, referring back to FIG. 6, in the controlling of the operation (S50), if the real-time energy price is less than or equal to a lower limit of a preset reference price range, the generated driving plan is executed, and the real-time energy price is the reference. If it is above the upper limit of the price range may be a step of stopping the execution of the previously generated driving plan. The energy management apparatus sets a reference price range (S521). This can be preset by the user based on histories of energy prices such as daily and monthly. When the energy management device reaches the set time, the energy management device controls the operation of the energy using device according to the driving plan (S522). At this time, if the real-time energy price is less than the lower limit of the reference price range (S525), the energy management device may execute a previously generated driving plan (S522). In addition, if the real-time energy price is equal to or greater than the upper limit of the reference price range (S523), the energy management device may stop execution of the previously generated driving plan (S524).

Referring to FIG. 8, according to another embodiment, the energy management method may further include an energy storage device, and may not use energy generated by the energy storage device or an energy-using device. And storing the non-energy.

In the controlling of the operation (S50), based on a result of comparing a real-time energy price with a preset reference price, whether to receive energy from the energy provider, use energy stored in the energy storage device, or use the energy. And determining whether to stop the operation of the device. The energy management apparatus may set a reference price (S531), and compare the real-time energy price with the reference price to select whether to supply energy or an energy supply source (S532). That is, the energy management device determines whether to receive energy from an energy provider, to use the energy stored in the energy storage device, or to stop the operation of the energy-using device based on the result of comparing the real-time energy price with the reference price. It may be (S533). In this case, the reference price is a price calculated in advance by determining that energy can be used at a low price by a user or a program. That is, the reference price is a standard of energy supply or energy supply. In this case, the operation plan includes the energy-using device, the start / stop time of operation, the operation time, the appropriate price (reference price), the driving method, the energy supply source, and the like.

As described above, the energy management apparatus, the energy management system including the same, and the energy management method thereof according to the embodiments of the present invention enable the user to operate the energy at the lowest cost by using the energy price information of the energy provider and at the same time Improve the convenience of. Embodiments of the present invention by generating a driving plan based on the energy price information and using the energy price information received in real time in accordance with the driving plan to control the operation of the energy-using device or to modify the driving plan according to the modified driving plan Controlling the operation of energy-using devices increases the operating efficiency of energy-using devices, improves the efficiency of the entire system, and reduces waste of energy and costs. Embodiments of the present invention enable the lowest cost of energy and at the same time to generate revenue for the customer by operating a power generation device such as a renewable energy generation system.

10: Energy Operator 20: Energy Management System
30: power generation device 100: energy management device
200: energy-using device 300: energy storage device
400: energy display device 500: smart meter
600: circuit breaker

Claims

A communication unit for forming an external communication network with an energy provider and receiving energy price information from the energy provider; And
And a control unit to generate an operation plan for at least one energy-using device using the energy price information.

The method according to claim 1,
And a storage unit for storing the energy price information and the operation plan.

The method of claim 2,
Wherein the control unit comprises:
And generating the driving plan by using the history of the energy price information, and modifying and generating the driving plan by using the real-time energy price information.

The method of claim 3,
Wherein the control unit comprises:
Setting a reference price, and when the real-time energy price reaches the reference price, starting the operation of the one or more energy-using devices, stopping the operation, or changing the operation method.

The method of claim 3,
Wherein the control unit comprises:
The reference price range is set, and if the real-time energy price is lower than the lower limit of the reference price range, the pre-generated driving plan is executed. Energy management device, characterized in that.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
And an internal communication unit forming an internal communication network with the energy using device and transmitting a device control signal to the energy using device.

The method of claim 6,
A detection unit for receiving a current amount from a current sensor respectively connected to the energy-using device; And
And an output unit for outputting the energy price information or the energy usage information on a screen.

The method of claim 7, wherein
Wherein the control unit comprises:
And calculating the energy use information based on the amount of current and generating the device control signal.