System and method for distributing electrical power

Abstract

A system for managing the distribution of electrical power between at least two distinct buildings each comprising a domestic network connected to a local network is provided, said local network being connected to a public network. Each building comprises a power source, an inverter connected to said power source, a battery supplied with power by the inverter, and at least one apparatus operating using the power from the domestic network. The system comprises, in each building, a domestic module for regulating the power flow through the domestic network. The system comprises a central module connected to each domestic module making it possible to regulate the power flow between the local network and the public network, said central module being arranged so as to regulate the power flow between the buildings in order to allow an exchange of power between a domestic network in excess and a domestic network in deficit.

Claims

1. A system for distributing electrical power among buildings for managing the distribution of electrical power between at least two distinct buildings, the system comprising a domestic network in each building, each domestic network being connected to a local network, the local network being connected to a public network, the system comprising in each building: a domestic power source for supplying the domestic network, an inverter connected to the domestic power source in order to convert direct (DC) current generated by the domestic power source into alternating (AC) current, a battery for storing domestic power and for distributing the domestic power within the domestic network, the battery being supplied by the inverter, and at least one apparatus operating using the domestic power from the domestic network, the system comprising a domestic module in each building and a central module connected to each domestic module, the domestic module configured to regulate power flow in the domestic network between the domestic power source, the inverter, the battery and the at least one apparatus based on a ratio defined by available power (Ed) and consumed power (Ec) on the domestic network, the domestic module being configured to calculate the ratio and to transmit the ratio to the central module, the central module configured to regulate the power flow among the buildings based on the ratios transmitted by each domestic module so as to allow an exchange of power between a domestic network in excess and a domestic network in deficit.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the central module is configured to regulate power flow between the local network and the public network, in such a way that, when the local network is in power deficit, the central module allows an input of power from the public network to the local network.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the central module is configured to regulate power flow between the local network and the public network, in such a way that, when the local network is in power excess, the central module allows an output of power from the local network to the public network.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the domestic power source is a renewable energy source.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the batteries are chosen from lithium batteries or lead batteries.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one apparatus is selected from a list consisting of a heat pump, an electric vehicle, a light fixture, an awning, a ventilation system, a heating, and cooling system, multimedia apparatus, an alarm type security device, or a combination thereof.

7. A method for distributing electrical power among buildings for managing the distribution of electrical power between at least two distinct buildings, the method comprising: i) providing a system according to claim 1; ii) configuring the domestic module of each building so as to calculate the ratio between the available power (Ed) and the power consumed (Ec) on each domestic network; iii) providing the ratio of each domestic module to the central module; iv) configuring the central module based on the ratios of each domestic module in order to allow regulation of the power flows between the domestic network of each building and the local network, so that, for each building, a) when Ed is greater than Ec, the central module allows an output of the excess power from the domestic network of the building to the local network; b) when Ed is equal to Ec, the central module blocks the flow of power between the domestic network of the building and the local network; and c) when Ed is less than Ec, the central module allows an input of power from the local network to the domestic network of the building in power deficit.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the excess power from the domestic network is used to charge the battery of a domestic network in deficit or to supply a domestic network in deficit.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the excess power from the domestic network is introduced into the local network then into the public network.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the power deficit of the domestic network is satisfied at least in part by an input of power from the public network.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the central module is configured to activate the input of electrical power in at least one of the domestic networks in deficit over a predetermined time frame.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the central module is configured to compensate a domestic network in deficit based on at least one of: meteorological parameters; or excess available power in another domestic network.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein, when a domestic network is in deficit, the central module is configured to use on a priority basis excess power from another domestic network.

14. A method implemented by computer, wherein the method uses a computer program to execute the steps of the method according to claim 7.

15. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, are configured to control the system according to claim 1, the computer program being arranged to control the central module so as to regulate the power flow among the buildings and to allow an exchange of power between a domestic network in excess and a domestic network in deficit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Other advantages, purposes and specific features of the invention will be seen from the following non-limiting description of at least one specific embodiment of the device and of the method, objects of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings in which

(2) FIG. 1 represents three cases of figures for one building;

(3) FIG. 2 represents three cases of figures for a set of buildings;

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(4) The present description is provided in a non-limiting manner, each feature of an embodiment being advantageously combinable with any other feature of any other embodiment. It will be noted now that the figures are not to scale.

(5) FIGS. 1a,b,c represent three possible situations for each building 2a,b,c of a system 1a,b,c according to the invention. FIGS. 1a,b,c each represent a building 2a,b,c of a system, the system not being illustrated in its entirety in FIG. 1.

(6) The building 2a,b,c comprises a domestic network 3a,b,c connected to a local network 4a,b,c, said local network 4a,b,c being connected to a public network 5a,b,c.

(7) Each building 2a,b,c comprises photovoltaic panels 6a,b,c as source of energy to supply the domestic network 3a,b,c.

(8) The domestic network 3a,b,c comprises a lithium battery 7a,b,c connected to an inverter 8a,b,c to supply the electrical power to the domestic network 3a,b,c.

(9) The power of the domestic network 3a,b,c makes it possible to supply the apparatuses 9a,b,c, for example a heat pump 10a,b,c.

(10) Each building 2a,b,c further comprises a domestic module 11a,b,c to regulate the flow of power in the domestic network 3a,b,c. Each domestic module 11a,b,c is connected to a central module 12a,b,c which controls the supply of electric power of the domestic network 3a,b,c.

(11) In FIGS. 1a,b,c, the arrows indicate a flow of power, each arrow being accompanied by a number indicating the amperage of the flow.

(12) In FIG. 1a, the building 2a is in an ideal case of self-sufficiency because there is no exchange of power necessary between the domestic network 3a and the local network 4a. The available power Ed from the solar panels 6a and in the battery 7a corresponds to the consumed power Ec from the apparatuses of the building 2a. The sum of the amperages produced (3+2=5), corresponds to the necessary amperages for the apparatuses 9a and 10a (respectively 4 and 1), the ratio Ed/Ec is zero.

(13) In the case represented in FIG. 1a, the central module 12a blocks the flow of power between the domestic network 3a and the local network 4a.

(14) In FIG. 1b, the available energy Ed is greater than the consumed energy Ec, the ratio Ed/Ec=2. The domestic network 3b is thus in excess. The central module 12b allows an output of the excess power from the domestic network 3b to the local network 4b. This excess power may be used to compensate for a domestic network in deficit of the local network. If all the domestic networks are self-sufficient or also in excess, the central module 12b may allow excess power to be introduced into the public network 5b.

(15) In FIG. 1c, the available energy Ed is less than the consumed energy Ec, the ratio Ed/Ec=−5. The domestic network 3c is thus in deficit. The central module 12c allows an input of power from the local network 4c. This energy introduced into the domestic network 3c may come from a domestic network in excess of the local network. If all the domestic networks are self-sufficient or also in deficit, the central module 12c introduces power from the public network 5c into the local network 4c then into the domestic network 3c to meet the needs for power of the domestic network 3c.

(16) FIGS. 2a,b,c represent three possible situations for a system 100a,b,c according to the invention.

(17) Each system 100a,b,c comprises three buildings 102a,b,c, the domestic networks whereof (not represented in FIGS. 2a,b,c) are connected onto a local network 104a,b,c, said local network 104a,b,c being connected onto a public network 105a,b,c. Each system 100a,b,c also comprises a central module 112a,b,c.

(18) As for FIGS. 1a,b,c, the arrows indicate a flow of power, each arrow being accompanied by a number indicating the amperage of the flow.

(19) In the case represented in FIG. 2a, the system 100a is self-sufficient, in other words each building 102a has a zero Ed/Ec ratio. The needs of the system 100a are provided solely by the available energy on the local network 104a.

(20) In the case represented in FIG. 2b, the local network 104b of the system 100b has an excess balance of +2 (7−5=2) which may be introduced into the public network 105b since none of the buildings 102b is in power deficit. In this embodiment, the power deficit of a building is satisfied by the excess power from another building.

(21) In the case represented in FIG. 2c, the situation is opposite to the one represented in FIG. 2b. The local network 104c of the system 100c has a deficit balance of −1 (−3−5+7=−1). The central module 112c thus authorizes a power input from the public network 105c to satisfy the power deficit of the system 100c. In this embodiment, the local network 104c does not have sufficient power resources to cover the needs of local network 104c, i.e., domestic networks connected to the local network 104c. In this case, the system 100c is configured to authorize an input of power from the public network 105c to avoid an electricity outage.

(22) To show the present invention, in one embodiment the local network comprises 6 buildings, the buildings being individual houses. In a study over a period of 11 months (in other words over a period covering all 4 seasons), the applicant observed the following: Power production of the 6 buildings: 47,578 kWh according to the following distribution: 15,665 kWh in self-consumption for all the buildings, in other words over the domestic networks; 7,060 kWh distributed over the local network; 24,853 kWh distributed over the public network; Power consumption of the 6 buildings: 35,239 kWh according to the following distribution: 15,665 kWh in self-consumption for all the buildings in all of the domestic networks; 7,060 kWh from the local network; 12,514 kWh from the public network;

(23) As shown by the data of this example, in the present invention the buildings are energy self-sufficient among them for 64% (44+20) of their energy needs.

(24) The last third of the energy need is provided by the public network. This exchange is financially neutral because the buildings resell more energy (24,853 kWh or CHF 2,784) than they buy (12,514 kWh or CHF 2,366—the price per kWh purchased being higher than the price per kilowatt hour sold).

(25) In conclusion, the 6 buildings of the local network are mostly both energy and financially self-sufficient.

(26) The 6 buildings produced 35% solar energy in excess of their needs, this excess being made available to the public network.

(27) Advantageously, each building is equipped with a device, for example a computer, a tablet or a smart phone. A program, for example a software program, is installed on the device, the program making it possible to monitor in real time the consumption of the house on the three networks, namely the domestic network, the local network and the public network.

(28) In particular, the program may make it possible to know in real time the origin of the energy consumed by the building (i.e., by the apparatuses of the building): energy from the domestic network, from the local network or from the public network.

(29) The program may also provide information about the flow of power among the different buildings on the local network. The program may also make it possible to know the power flows between the local network and the public network.

(30) The program installed on each device is preferably connected to the central module, in particular to the program that controls the central module. This allows the user of the device to have access in real time to the data from the system, for example the origin of the energy, the power flows, the energy ratio of the buildings connected to the local network.

(31) The program of the central module preferably records the consumption and production data of each building of the local network. For example, this makes it possible to define or adjust the energy strategies based on collected data, for example for the power source to use to meet the needs of a building at a given time.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

(32) 1a,b,c System according to the invention 2a,b,c Building of a system according to the invention 3a,b,c Domestic network 4a,b,c Local network 5a,b,c Public network 6a,b,c Photovoltaic panels 7a,b,c Lithium battery 8a,b,c Inverter 9a,b,c Apparatus 10a,b,c Heat pump 11a,b,c Domestic module 12a,b,c Central module 100a,b,c System according to the invention 102a,b,c Building of a system according to the invention 104a,b,c Local network 105a,b,c Public network 112a,b,c Central module