KR20120008375A - Network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A network system is provided to meet the various symbols of a user related to the operation of an energy consumption unit and to efficiently manage energy source. CONSTITUTION: A utility area network(10) includes an energy generation unit(11). A home area network(20) includes an energy consumption unit(26) for consuming the generated energy of the energy generation unit. A communication device transmits or receives energy information in a utility area network or a home area network. The energy consumption unit is operated in one operation mode related to the selected course.

Description

Network system

The present invention relates to a network system.

The supplier simply supplied energy sources such as electricity, water and gas, and the consumer simply used the supplied energy sources. Therefore, effective management in terms of energy production, distribution, or energy use has been difficult to carry out.

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

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

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

An object of the present invention is to provide a network system that can effectively manage an energy source and satisfy various preferences of a user regarding the operation of an energy consumer.

In one aspect, a network system includes a utility network including an energy generator; A home network including an energy consumption unit capable of consuming energy generated by the energy generation unit; And communication means for enabling transmission or reception of the energy information in the utility network or the home network, wherein the energy consumer can operate in any one of a plurality of operating modes associated with the selected particular course. It features.

According to the proposed invention, since the operation mode corresponding to a specific course can be manually or automatically selected according to the energy information, it is possible to effectively manage the energy source and satisfy various preferences of the user.

1 shows schematically a network system according to the invention;
2 is a block diagram schematically showing a network system according to the present invention.
3 is a block diagram showing an information transfer process on a network system of the present invention.
4 is a graph for explaining the form of the electricity bill.
5 is a block diagram schematically showing a first application example of a network system according to the present invention;
6 is a block diagram schematically showing a second application example of a network system according to the present invention;
7 is a block diagram schematically showing a third application example of a network system according to the present invention;
8 is a schematic diagram of a home network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 shows a control panel of a washing machine as one component constituting the household network.
10 is a graph for comparing power consumption and operating time according to a plurality of operating modes.
11 is a view showing another example of a control panel of a washing machine as one component constituting the household network.

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

1 is a view schematically showing a network system according to the present invention.

This network system is a system for managing energy sources such as electricity, water, and gas. The energy source means that the amount of generation, the amount of use, etc. can be measured.

Thus, energy sources not mentioned above may also be included in the management of this system. Hereinafter, as an energy source, electricity will be described as an example, and the contents of the present specification may be equally applied to other energy sources.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary network system includes a power plant that generates electricity. The power plant may include a power plant that generates electricity through thermal power generation or nuclear power generation, and a power plant using hydro, solar, wind, and the like, which are environmentally friendly energy.

In addition, the electricity generated in the power plant is transmitted to the power station through the transmission line, and in the power station (substation) to transmit electricity to the substation so that the electricity is distributed to the demand destination, such as home or office.

In addition, the electricity produced by the environmentally friendly energy is also transmitted to the substation to be distributed to each customer. Then, the electricity transmitted from the substation is distributed to the office or home via the electrical storage device or directly.

Even in homes that use a home area network (HAN), they can produce, store, or distribute their own electricity through solar light or fuel cells mounted on a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), The surplus electricity can also be sold back to the outside world (for example, the utility).

In addition, the network system includes a smart meter for real-time measuring the electricity usage of the demand destination (home or office, etc.), and a meter (AMI: Advanced Metering infrastructure) for real-time measurement of the electricity usage of a plurality of demand destinations. May be included. That is, the measuring device may receive the information measured by the plurality of smart meters to measure the electricity usage.

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

The network system may further include an energy management system (EMS) for managing energy. The energy management device may generate information about the operation of one or more components in relation to energy (generation, distribution, use, storage, etc.) of energy. The energy management device can generate instructions relating to the operation of at least the component.

In the present specification, the function or solution performed by the energy management device may be referred to as an energy management function or an energy management solution.

In the network system of the present invention, one or more energy management devices may be present in separate configurations, or may be included in one or more components as an energy management function or solution.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing a network system according to the present invention.

1 and 2, the network system of the present invention is constituted by a plurality of components. For example, power plants, substations, power stations, energy management devices, appliances, smart meters, capacitors, web servers, instrumentation devices, and home servers are the components of network systems.

In addition, in the present invention, each component may be constituted by a plurality of detailed components. For example, when one component is a home appliance, a detailed component may be a microcomputer, a heater, a display, a motor, etc. constituting the home appliance.

That is, in the present invention, everything that performs a specific function can be a component, and these components constitute the network system of the present invention. In addition, the two components may communicate by a communication means.

In addition, one network may be one component or may be composed of multiple components.

In the present specification, a network system in which communication information is associated with an energy source may be referred to as an energy grid.

The network system according to an exemplary embodiment may be configured of a utility network (UAN) 10 and a home network (HAN) 20. The utility network 10 and the home network 20 may communicate by wire or wirelessly by communication means.

In this specification, a home means a group of specific components such as a building, a company, as well as a home in a dictionary meaning. And, utility means a group of specific components outside the home.

The utility network 10 includes an energy generation component 11 for generating energy, an energy distribution component 12 for distributing or transferring energy, and an energy storage unit for storing energy. An energy storage component 13), an energy management component 14 for managing energy, and an energy metering component 15 for measuring energy related information.

When one or more components constituting the utility network 10 consume energy, the component that consumes energy may be an energy consumer. That is, the energy consumption unit may be a separate configuration or may be included in other components.

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

The energy storage unit 13 may be a storage battery, and the energy management unit 14 is related to energy, the energy generating unit 11, energy distribution unit 12, energy storage unit 13, energy consumption unit ( 26) generates information for one or more of driving. For example, the energy management unit 14 may generate a command regarding the operation of at least a specific component.

The energy management unit 14 may be an energy management device. The energy measuring unit 15 may measure information related to energy generation, distribution, consumption, storage, and the like, and may be, for example, a measuring device (AMI). The energy management unit 14 may be a separate configuration or may be included as an energy management function in other components.

The utility network 10 may communicate with the home network 20 by a terminal component (not shown). The terminal component may be, for example, a gateway. Such terminal components may be provided in one or more of the utility network 10 and the home network 20.

Meanwhile, the home network 20 includes an energy generation component 21 for generating energy, an energy distribution component 22 for distributing energy, and an energy storage unit for storing energy. storage component 23, an energy management component 24 for managing energy, an energy metering component 25 for measuring information related to energy, and an energy consuming unit for consuming energy consumption component 26, a central management component 27 for controlling a plurality of components, an energy grid assistance component 28, an accessory component 29, and a consumer processing component component: 30).

The energy generation component 21 may be a household generator, the energy storage component 23 may be a storage battery, and the energy management component 24 may be an energy management device. have.

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

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

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

The energy generator 21, the energy distributor 22, and the energy storage unit 23 may be individual components or may constitute a single component.

The central management unit 27 may be, for example, a home server controlling a plurality of home appliances.

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

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

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

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

Energy generation unit 11, 21, energy distribution unit 12, 22, energy storage unit 13, 23, energy management unit 14, 24, energy measuring unit 15, 25, energy consumption unit mentioned above (26), the central management unit 27 may exist independently of each other, or two or more may constitute a single component.

For example, the energy management unit 14 and 24, the energy measuring unit 15 and 25, and the central management unit 27 each exist as a single component, and perform smart functions, energy management devices, and home servers that perform their respective functions. Or, the energy management unit 14, 24, the energy measuring unit 15, 25, the central management unit 27 may form a single component mechanically.

In addition, in performing one function, the function may be sequentially performed in a plurality of components and / or communication means. For example, energy management functions may be sequentially performed in a separate energy management unit, an energy measuring unit, and an energy consumption unit.

In addition, a plurality of components of a specific function constituting the utility network and the home network may be provided. For example, there may be a plurality of energy generating units or energy consuming units.

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

For example, the communication means may be a simple communication line or a power line communication means. Of course, the power line communication means may include a communicator (eg, a modem) connected to each of the two components. As another example, the communication means may be zigbee, wi-fi, Bluetooth, or the like.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In another aspect, the information is internal information, such as information related to each component (operation or status information of each component (such as failure), energy usage information of the energy consumer, consumer habit information using the energy consumer, etc.), and other information. It may be divided into external information (energy related information, environmental information, program update information, time information).

At this time, the information may be received from other components. In other words, the received information includes at least energy information.

The specific component may be one component constituting the utility network 10 or one component constituting the home network 20.

As described above, the energy information I may be one of information such as electricity, water, and gas.

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

That is, information related to energy may be classified into charge information (energy charge) and non-charge information (energy reduction, emergency situation, network safety, power generation amount, operation priority, energy consumption amount, etc.).

Such information may be classified into schedule information previously generated based on previous information and real time information that changes in real time. The schedule information and the real time information may be distinguished by predicting information after the current time (future).

The energy information I may be classified into time of use (TOU) information, critical peak pattern (CPP) information, or real time pattern (RTP) information according to a change pattern of data over time. The energy information I may change with time.

Referring to FIG. 4A, according to the TOU information, data is gradually changed in time. According to the CPP information, the data changes step by step or in real time with time, and emphasis is displayed at a specific time point. That is, in the case of the CPP pattern, the general fee is lower than that of the TOU pattern, but the charge at a specific time point is significantly higher than that in the TOU pattern.

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

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

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

Alternatively, a particular component may recognize at least one or more energy information including an electric charge, and the specific component compares the recognized information value with the reference information value, and compares the on-peak and off-peak. peak) can be recognized.

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

In this case, the recognized information value may be at least one of an electric charge, an amount of electricity, a rate of change of the rate of electricity, a rate of change of the amount of electricity, an average value of the rate of electricity, and an average value of the amount of electricity. The reference information value may be at least one of an average value, an average value of minimum and maximum values of power information during a predetermined section, and a reference rate of change of power information (eg, slope of power consumption per unit time) during the predetermined section.

The reference information value may be set in real time or may be set in advance. The reference information value may be set in a utility network or in a home network (input from a consumer direct input, an energy manager, a central manager, etc.).

When the specific component (for example, the energy consumption unit) recognizes the on-peak (recognition information related to the reduction of the energy rate or energy consumption) (for example, the recognition time), or the output is 0 ( Stop or stop) output can be reduced. The specific component may determine the driving method in advance before starting the operation, or may change the driving method when the on-peak is recognized after starting the operation.

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

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

Alternatively, when the specific component recognizes an on-peak (for example, a recognition time point), the output may be maintained when the specific component is operable. At this time, the operable condition means that the information value for driving is below a certain standard. The information value related to the driving may be information about an electric charge, power consumption, time related to energy or operating time, and the like. The predetermined criterion may be a relative value or an absolute value.

For example, in one example, the operable condition is when the on peak section is below a certain time, when the remaining operation time is below a certain time, and when the energy charge when operating in the on peak section is below a certain rate, the operation is performed on the on peak section. If the energy consumption is less than a certain amount, the ratio of the on-peak period of the total operating time, and the like.

At this time, even when the start time of operation of the component is included in the on peak period in the non-operation state of the component, the output of the component may be maintained if the operable condition is satisfied.

The schedule standard may be set in real time or may be set in advance. The schedule criterion may be set in the utility network or in a home network (input from a consumer direct input, an energy manager, a central manager, etc.).

Alternatively, when the specific component recognizes an on-peak (eg, a recognition time), the output may be increased. However, even when the output is increased when the on-peak is recognized, the total output amount during the entire driving period of the specific component may be reduced or maintained than the total output amount when the specific component operates at the normal output.

Or, even if the output is increased when the on-peak is recognized, the total power consumption or total electric charge for the entire operating period of a particular component is the total power consumption or total power when the specific component operates at normal output. It can be lower than the electricity bill.

That is, after the output of the specific component is increased, the output of the specific component may be reduced or the output may be zero.

When the specific component recognizes an off-peak (for example, a recognition time), the output may be increased. For example, when an operation reservation is set, a specific component may start driving before a set time, or a component having a larger output among a plurality of components may be driven first.

In addition, in the case of a refrigerator, the output may be supercooled by increasing the output, or in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine, the hot water may be stored in the hot water tank by driving the heater in advance of the scheduled operation time of the heater. This is to reduce the energy bill by operating in the off-peak in advance to operate in the on-peak to come later.

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

Alternatively, when a specific component recognizes an off peak, the amount of power generation (or supply) may be reduced.

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

Meanwhile, the energy curtailment information is information related to a mode in which a component is stopped or a low electric charge is used. In other words, the energy reduction information is information related to the reduction of energy consumption or energy bill. The energy saving information may be transmitted and received with a true or false signal, for example, as a Boolean on a network system. That is, a turn off signal or a lower power signal may be transmitted and received.

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

Alternatively, when the specific component recognizes the energy reduction information (for example, a recognition time), the output may be maintained when the specific component is operable.

The grid emergency information is information related to a power failure and the like, and may be transmitted / received as a true or false signal such as Boolean. Information related to the power outage is related to the reliability of the component using energy.

When the specific component recognizes the emergency information, it may be immediately shut down.

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

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

That is, when an under frequency is detected (recognized) below the reference frequency of the AC power supplied to the component, the amount of supply electricity is determined to be low, and when the frequency higher than the reference frequency of the AC power is detected (recognized), the supply electricity is This can be judged by many. That is, the frequency lower than the reference frequency (underfrequency) corresponds to information related to the reduction of energy consumption or energy bill.

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

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

When the specific component recognizes excessive power generation information (for example, when grid overfrequency is recognized or when over energy signal is recognized), the output may be increased. For example, when an operation reservation is set, a specific component may start driving before a set time, or a component having a larger output among a plurality of components may be driven first. In addition, in the case of the refrigerator to increase the output than the existing output supercooled, or in the case of a washing machine or a washing machine, the hot water can be stored by driving the heater in advance than the scheduled time of operation of the heater.

When the specific component recognizes the information that the energy consumption of the own or home network is high, the output is set to 0 (stopped or stopped), or the output is reduced or outputted as when the on-peak mentioned above is recognized. Can be maintained or the output can be increased.

When the specific component recognizes the information that the energy consumption is less than the reference amount, the output may be increased.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6 is a block diagram schematically showing a second application example of the network system according to the present invention.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 is a schematic diagram of a home network according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a control panel of a washing machine as one component constituting the home network.

8 and 9, in the home network 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the energy and / or energy usage fee supplied from the utility network 10 to each home may be measured in real time. An energy measuring unit 25, a home appliance that can communicate with the energy measuring unit 25, and an energy management unit 24 for managing the home appliance are included.

The home appliance may include, for example, a refrigerator 55, a washing machine 60, an air conditioner 70, a dryer 80, and a cooking appliance 90.

Hereinafter, as an example of an energy consumption unit, a washing machine will be described, and the contents described below can be applied to all energy consumption units that can perform a specific course (or mode).

The washing machine 60 includes a control panel 630 for inputting information related to the operation of the washing machine 60.

Referring to FIG. 4, the control panel 630 includes a power button 631 for turning on / off a power of the washing machine, an operation button 632 for starting an operation of the washing machine or pausing or restarting the washing machine. , A course or mode selector for selecting a course or mode (hereinafter referred to as a course selector), a function selector 635 including a plurality of buttons for selecting a desired function by the user, and a function selector The display unit 640 may display a selected item, a progress of a corresponding course (mode), a remaining time, and the like, when the operation 635 is performed.

For example, the course selector 635 may be rotated like a knob Knob.

The function selection unit 635 includes a mode selection button 636 for selecting an operation mode at least in the selected course, and a smart button 637 for selecting a smart function.

In detail, the operation mode means an operation pattern (operation time, energy consumption, energy consumption fee, etc.) of the home appliance in the selected course.

If a particular course is selected, the household appliance can be operated in any one of a number of operating modes. The plurality of operation modes include a normal mode, a time shortening mode, and an energy saving mode. The plurality of operation modes may be classified by one or more of the required time, energy usage fee, and energy consumption amount of each mode.

The general mode may be preset at the time of production of the home appliance, and the operation method of the components constituting the home appliance in the normal mode may vary.

Course completion time in shortened mode is shorter than course completion time in normal mode. At this time, the energy usage fee (or energy consumption amount) in the time reduction mode may be equal to or greater than the energy usage fee (energy consumption amount) in the general mode. The energy usage fee (or energy consumption) in the time reduction mode may vary depending on how the component is operated.

Course completion time in energy saving mode is longer than course completion time in normal mode. However, the energy usage fee (or energy consumption amount) in the time reduction mode is less than the energy usage fee (or energy consumption amount) in the normal mode. The course completion time in the time reduction mode and the energy saving mode may be manually changed. Accordingly, the energy usage fee in the time reduction mode and the energy saving mode may also be changed.

In addition, product performance (eg, washing performance, cooking performance, etc.) when operating in the normal mode, the time reduction mode, and the energy saving mode may be the same or similar.

The smart button 637 is a mode for automatically changing the operation mode according to the energy information. That is, when the smart function is selected using the smart button 637, the operation mode may be automatically selected or changed according to the energy information.

For example, an energy saving mode may be selected when the course start time corresponds to an on peak period, and a time reduction mode or a general mode may be selected when the course start time corresponds to an off peak period.

As another example, when the on peak is recognized while the off peak is recognized and performed in the short time mode or the normal mode, it may be changed to the energy saving mode.

On the other hand, when the smart function is released, the user can select or change the operation mode by using the mode selection button 636.

The display unit 640 may display information related to energy. That is, the current energy price and the like may be displayed, and the user may select one of the plurality of operation modes by checking the displayed energy price information.

In this embodiment, the operation mode may be selected before course selection or after course selection. For example, when the user selects a standard course while the smart function is released, a screen for selecting an operation mode may be displayed on the display unit 640. Then, the user can select a specific operation mode by using the mode selection button. As another example, while the smart function is released, the user may select a specific operation mode by using the mode selection button. After selecting a particular course, you can select the Start button.

At this time, if the start button is selected without the user selecting a specific operation mode before the course selection, a message indicating whether to select the operation mode is displayed on the display unit, or the operation mode selected during the previous course is automatically displayed. Can be selected.

FIG. 10 is a graph for comparing power consumption and operating time according to a plurality of operating modes. FIG. 10A illustrates power consumption and operating time in a normal mode, and FIG. 10B illustrates time reduction. The power consumption and operating time in the mode is shown, and FIG. 10C shows the power consumption and operating time in the energy saving mode.

Referring to FIG. 10, in some or all sections of each course, a plurality of components of the same kind or different kinds may operate simultaneously or sequentially. Alternatively, a single energy consumption ratio may operate in some of the entire sections.

Hereinafter, a washing machine will be described as an example. In the case of the washing machine, a motor (second consumption portion) for rotating the drum may operate after the heater (first consumption portion) is operated in the washing stroke. At this time, the power consumption of the heater is higher than the power consumption of the motor. Or the motor can be operated in a dehydration stroke.

In the reduced time mode, the operating time of the heater with high power consumption is increased as compared with the normal mode, and the operating time of the motor can be reduced as compared with the normal mode. Therefore, the time required for the washing administration TW2 in the time reduced mode is smaller than the time required for the washing administration TW1 in the normal mode, and accordingly, the required time TF2 of the course in the time reduced mode is Is less than the course's turnaround time (TF1).

On the other hand, in the energy saving mode, the automatic time of the heater with high power consumption is reduced as compared with the normal mode, and the operating time of the motor may be increased as compared with the normal mode. Therefore, the time required for washing administration TW3 in the energy saving mode is increased than the time required for washing administration TW1 in the normal mode, and accordingly, the required time TF3 of course in the energy saving mode is It is longer than the duration of the course in the normal mode (TF1).

As another example, the RPM (average RPM or maximum RPM) of the motor in time reduced mode during the dehydration stroke is greater than the RPM of the motor in normal mode. Therefore, the time required for the dewatering stroke in the time reduction mode is shorter than the time required for the dewatering stroke in the normal mode. On the other hand, the RPM of the motor in the energy saving mode during the dehydration stroke is smaller than the RPM of the motor in the normal mode. Therefore, the time required for the dewatering stroke in the energy saving mode is increased than the time required for the dewatering stroke in the normal mode.

In the above description, the method of operating a component is different in each mode in some sections of the entire course of the course. Alternatively, the method of operating a component may be different in each mode in a plurality of sections of the course.

In addition, the above has been described in the selection of the operation mode in the energy consumption unit (for example, home appliances), in contrast, information on the operation mode is selected in other energy consumption units or other components other than the specific energy consumption unit, Can be sent to a specific energy consumer.

According to the present invention, the energy information can be displayed, the user can select the operation mode corresponding to a specific course according to the displayed information, or the operating mode can be automatically selected according to the energy information, so that the energy source It can be effectively managed and can satisfy various tastes of users.

11 is a view showing another example of a control panel of a washing machine as one component constituting the home network.

Referring to FIG. 11, the present embodiment is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 9 in other parts, except that a number of mode selection buttons corresponding to a plurality of operation modes are provided. That is, according to the present embodiment, the control panel includes a first button 641 for selecting a general mode, a second button 642 for selecting a time reduction mode, and a third button for selecting an energy saving mode. (643).

10: utility network 20: home network

Claims (14)

A utility network including an energy generator;
A home network including an energy consumption unit capable of consuming energy generated by the energy generation unit; And
Communication means for transmitting or receiving the energy information in the utility network or the home network is included,
The energy consumption unit is capable of operating in any one of a plurality of operating modes associated with the selected particular course. The method of claim 1,
The operating mode may be selected or changed manually or automatically. The method of claim 1,
The operating mode may be selected prior to course selection. The method of claim 1,
The operating mode can be selected after course selection. The method of claim 1,
The plurality of modes of operation may be divided by one or more of course time, energy usage fee, energy consumption. The method of claim 1,
A network system in which a plurality of components of the same or different kinds operate simultaneously or sequentially in some or all sections of a specific course. The method according to claim 6,
A network system in which any one of a plurality of operating modes reduces the operating time of a component having a higher output than a plurality of components. The method of claim 7, wherein
The lower output component of the plurality of components, the operation time is increased compared to other modes. The method according to claim 6,
A network system in which one of a plurality of modes of operation reduces energy consumption or energy usage rates in a certain section compared to other modes. The method according to claim 6,
In any one of the plurality of operating modes, the operation time of the component of the higher output of the plurality of components is increased compared to the other mode. The method of claim 10,
The lower output component of the plurality of components is less network operating time than other modes. The method according to claim 6,
A network system in which one of a plurality of modes of operation increases energy consumption or energy usage rates in a certain section compared to other modes or remains the same as other modes. The method of claim 1,
The operation mode includes a normal mode, an energy saving mode in which an energy consumption rate or an energy usage fee is reduced in comparison with the normal mode, and a time reduction mode in which an operation time is reduced in comparison with the normal mode. The method of claim 1,
The course and operation mode may be selected by the energy consumption unit or other energy consumption unit or other component except the energy consumption.

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