| 摘要 |
<p>The invention relates to 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. Conventional methods of controlling electrical energy consumption focus on remotely monitoring electrical energy consuming devices in the network at a central location, and sending commands to disable the devices during times of high demand. However, this approach can cause considerable inconvenience to users, who may be unable to use their devices for extended periods of time. The invention provides a method of controlling electrical energy consumption within an electricity distribution network. The method comprises maintaining a database of information about electric devices, and identifying an area in which, and a time period during which, electrical energy consumption is to be controlled. The method further comprises selecting, based on device 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 in a given area, during a respective time interval.</p> |
