Energy consumption management

摘要

Methods, systems, and devices for controlling electrical energy consumption in an electricity distribution network, so as to reduce net energy consumption in a given area during a given time period, are described. In particular, a method of controlling electrical energy consumption within an electricity distribution network is described. The method comprises maintaining a database of information about electric devices, and identifying a time period during which consumption of electrical energy is to be controlled. The method further comprises selecting, based on device profile information stored in the database, groups of electric devices, and associating one or more time intervals with each of the selected groups. Requests are sent to the electric devices of the selected groups to control electrical energy consumption and/or provision by the electric devices. This enables a reduction in net consumption of electrical energy during a respective time interval.

主权项

1. A method of controlling electrical energy consumption within an electricity distribution network, the electricity distribution network supplying electrical energy to a geographical area, a plurality, of electric devices being distributed within said geographical area, wherein each of the electric devices is connectable to the electricity distribution network to consume electrical energy provided therefrom, thereby increasing a net amount of electrical energy consumption in said geographical area, and/or to provide electrical energy to the electricity distribution network, thereby decreasing a net amount of electric energy consumption in said geographical area, the method comprising:
maintaining a device database comprising profile information, the profile information comprising energy recovery information relating to an energy recovery property of at least some of said electric devices in said geographical area; identifying a time period during which consumption of electrical energy supplied by the electricity distribution network is to be controlled; selecting, based on at least said energy recovery information, a plurality of groups of said electric devices located within said geographical area, each said group comprising a plurality of said electric devices; associating one or more time intervals with each of the selected groups, the one or more time intervals associated with a given selected group being different to the one or more time intervals associated with the other selected groups, each said time interval being a time interval of said time period during which net electrical energy consumption of an associated group is to be controlled; sending one or more requests, for receipt at the electric devices of the selected groups, to control electrical energy consumption and/or provision by the electric devices, thereby reducing a net consumption of electrical energy in said geographical area, during a respective associated time interval.