METHOD FOR OPERATING MULTIPLE DEVICES WITH ELECTRICAL CONSUMERS AND SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE SUCH DEVICES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating several devices with electrical consumers or a system with several such devices.

[0002] Commercial customers of energy suppliers typically consume such quantities of electricity that the energy supplier bills them using the RLM method. This is standard for businesses with more than 100 MWh. The amount of energy consumed (in kWh) is measured and divided per 15-minute time interval, and the resulting kW value is used as the basis for the demand charge (the total electricity price is made up of the energy charge and the demand charge). The determined peak value is used as the basis for the entire month. If a high kW value is required only once, the overall costs increase. To prevent this, load shedding systems are used to limit the maximum power consumption.

[0003] The disadvantage is that the limitation can potentially have a negative impact on the processes for which the devices are used. For example, in the case of cooking appliances, it is important to prevent an ongoing cooking process from being interrupted or aborted at an inconvenient time.

[0004] DE 199 02 997 A1 describes a method for circumventing a load-shedding circuit by supplying power to a device that is not supposed to be switched off at certain times, separately from the load-shedding circuit for those times. However, this results in considerable effort when connecting the devices.

[0005] EP 2 868 979 A1 discloses a cooking appliance with at least two heating devices and a controller with which the heating devices of multiple cooking devices can be controlled. Furthermore, a connected load memory is provided in which a permissible connected load value of the cooking appliance can be stored. Furthermore, a cooking process memory is provided in which the cooking processes to be processed are stored. The controller regulates the power consumption of the heating devices with regard to pending cooking processes and the permissible connected load of the cooking appliance, in such a way that the connected load never exceeds the stored connected load value.

[0006] EP 2 061 131 A1 describes a method and a device for controlling the distribution of electrical energy for a plurality of electrical heating devices in a kitchen using an appliance control system. The electrical energy is to be distributed in such a way that the total power consumption does not exceed a defined maximum value or a percentage of a connected load.

[0007] The object of the invention is to operate several devices within a given limit of maximum power consumption without the need for load shedding and without reaching the maximum power consumption having a negative effect on the operation of the devices.

[0008] To solve this problem, a method for operating multiple cooking appliances, each containing at least one electrical load, includes the following steps: Before switching on the load, the appliance queries an allocation module as to whether the appliance's load can be put into operation. The allocation module decides, based on parameters of the requested process, parameters of currently running and / or planned processes of the other loads, and a specified maximum power value, whether the requested process should be enabled, modified, or at least temporarily blocked.A communication link exists between the device controller and the allocation module. The devices are interconnected, allowing various parameters suitable for the respective application to determine which process has priority over others, or conversely, which process is modified or postponed. When making decisions, the allocation module accesses a database containing performance data and performance profiles for various processes. The performance data represents the typical energy consumption of the consumers over the course of a day.To solve this problem, a system is also provided with several devices, each having at least one electrical consumer and a controller, and with an allocation module in which a maximum power value for the consumers is stored. A communication link is provided between the device controller and the allocation module, via which the controllers can send information about planned and current processes to the allocation module and receive an enable signal from the allocation module to start up the consumer. The devices are networked with each other so that, based on various parameters suitable for the respective application, it is possible to coordinate which process has priority over others, or conversely, which process is modified or postponed.The system has a database in which performance data and performance profiles for different processes are stored, whereby the performance data is the typical energy consumption of the consumers over the course of a day, and whereby the allocation module is set up to access the database when making a decision on a release signal.

[0009] The invention is based on the basic idea that the devices intelligently coordinate with each other as to when which consumer (i.e. electrical consumer) is operated with which power in order not to exceed a predetermined maximum power value.

[0010] The parameters of the currently running and / or planned processes can be at least one of the following: remaining cooking time, power consumption during cooking, power consumption during heating or preheating. In principle, this can be any parameter that is helpful in deciding whether a new process can be started or whether the power consumption of at least one of the currently running processes can be reduced so that a new process can be started with respect to the specified maximum power value.

[0011] The allocation module can be physically present as a control module. It is also possible to implement the allocation module purely as software, which does not have to be part of any of the devices.

[0012] For example, if the consumers are those in a pub or restaurant, the power data may show that all deep fryers are typically in operation around lunchtime. It may also show that the dishwasher is typically turned on shortly after lunchtime. A bakery may have a schedule in place for all ovens to be preheated early in the morning. The power profiles record the electrical power required during a specific process. For the "roast pork" cooking process, for example, it may be specified that a comparatively low power is required for most of the cooking process, while a high heat output is required shortly before the end of the cooking process to create the desired crust.

[0013] Based on the performance data and performance profiles, the allocation module can then make various intelligent decisions. For example, if several ovens need to be preheated, some of the ovens can be switched on earlier so that they heat up before other ovens and then only have to maintain a certain temperature. The allocation module can also block a new process if, although the new process would not currently exceed the specified maximum performance value, it is clearly evident that the maximum performance value would inevitably be exceeded later due to two or more parallel and at least partially overlapping processes, for example, because the processes involve high power consumption towards the end.

[0014] A modified release can consist of starting or executing the requested process at reduced power. This particularly applies to processes where only enabling reduced power has no negative impact on the subsequent result. This applies, for example, to the preheating of an oven; the oven can be preheated at reduced power, which simply results in the preheating taking slightly longer overall. A modified release can also consist of only starting the requested process once the power consumption of at least one other process has decreased. In this case, the corresponding consumer waits until it receives a corresponding signal. For example, the preheating of an oven can only be enabled once a currently running heating process in the dishwasher has been completed.

[0015] It is also possible for the allocation module to influence currently running processes by allocating them a reduced power consumption. For example, the currently running heating process of an oven can be intervened by reducing the allocated power. This allows a requested process to start immediately, rather than waiting until the oven is fully heated.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, a process is at least partially brought forward as a modified release. This can be done, in particular, taking into account the stored performance data and performance profiles if the allocation module detects that certain processes should be brought forward, namely during phases with low power consumption of other processes, in order to avoid a "bottleneck" later on.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the devices decide, according to predefined rules, who implements the allocation module. In other words, the allocation module is implemented as a dynamic master. For this purpose, the controllers of the loads are preferably configured so that the function of the allocation module can be assumed by several or even all of the load controllers. This has the advantage that no additional, "central" allocation module is necessary. Furthermore, redundancy results in the fact that the allocation module can be flexibly implemented in a suitable controller of the various controllers.

[0018] For example, the allocation module's function takes over the control of another load if the load whose control is currently implemented by the allocation module is switched off. One of the predefined rules used to decide which control is currently implemented by the allocation module could be, for example, the available computing power. Another rule could be which load is not expected to be switched off for a predetermined period of time.

[0019] It can be provided that it is initially determined which electrical device implements the allocation module and that the allocation module is "reassigned" if this appears appropriate due to changed framework conditions.

[0020] As an alternative to the variant in which the allocation module is implemented in the controllers, it can also be provided that each of the devices is provided with an allocation control module separate from the controller, which is activated when needed and otherwise "sleeps".

[0021] The allocation module can also be a server application, for example, a cloud-based server application. In this case, comparatively high computing power can be provided with little effort. It is also possible to update the algorithms used by the allocation module with comparatively little effort.

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, the allocation module can override the predefined maximum power value if this appears essential in a particular situation. This decision can be the result of a trade-off between the resulting higher energy supply costs on the one hand and the consequences for a particular workflow if the predefined maximum power value is respected on the other.

[0023] If the allocation module overrides the specified maximum power value, it is conceivable that the resulting peak value of the electrical power is saved and used as the new maximum power value for the current billing period, since it is irrelevant for the further costs in the corresponding month if a higher maximum power value is set.

[0024] The allocation module can apply at least one of the following allocation strategies: "First in - first out", "Priority for short, performance-intensive processes", "Prioritization by nearest completion time", "Complex prioritization".

[0025] With the "first in, first out" allocation strategy, no complex decision-making strategies are required on the part of the allocation module; the various processes are simply processed in the order in which they are registered with the allocation module. The allocation module's only interaction is to release the next process only when there is sufficient "power reserve" at the specified maximum power value. In the example of a cooking process, all cooking processes are processed in the order in which they were started with the highest priority. Re-allocation only occurs when the first-started process has a reduced power requirement or has finished.

[0026] The allocation strategy "give priority to short, performance-intensive processes" has the advantage that longer-running processes do not cause other, very short processes to be blocked for an extended period of time. Instead, it can usually be assumed that interrupting or postponing longer processes for a short period of time so that very short, performance-intensive processes can be processed is not as significant in terms of achieving a desired result.

[0027] The allocation strategy "prioritization by nearest completion time" works in a results-oriented manner in that those processes have priority that must be completed next for specific (possibly overriding) reasons, for example because other processes build on them and otherwise the entire production process would be adversely affected.

[0028] Finally, the "complex prioritization" allocation strategy can cover all cases where a flexible response to specific results is required. This can be achieved, for example, by assigning processes a key figure that reflects their priority. This key figure can, for example, consider the serious impact of a time delay or a modified release on the result of the process or on other processes that build on the respective process. The key figure can also change dynamically, for example, because other events have occurred in the meantime that have increased the urgency of processing a particular process.For example, starting a dishwasher cycle may initially have a very low priority, but may increase over time if the dishwasher has not been given permission to run for a long time due to the power requirements of other appliances and, as a result, there is a risk of running out of clean dishes at some point.

[0029] As an alternative to key performance indicators, the various processes can also be assigned to a specific priority category, for example, a group A with the highest priority, a group B with a slightly lower priority, a group C with a lower priority, and a group D with the lowest priority. This approach facilitates the management of pending processes because there is no infinitely fine gradation (in the form of key performance indicators).

[0030] If there are so many pending cooking processes within the same priority category that the performance limits would be exceeded, an additional criterion for prioritization must be used, for example the next target completion time.

[0031] In the example of a cooking process, the "complex prioritization" allocation strategy can pursue the overarching goal of distributing power in such a way that there is no loss of cooking quality. The heating demand requested by the cooking appliances is therefore intelligently allocated to ensure the best overall performance.

[0032] With the "complex prioritization" allocation strategy, the following priority considerations may be relevant when a participating appliance is a cooking appliance: deviation from the cooking time expected by the user, impact on the cooking state, and the need for user interaction. Generally, the deviation from the user's expected cooking time should be as small as possible to minimize user irritation and minimize disruption to the planned workflow. The impact on the cooking state aspect considers whether a delay or modification of a process will affect the cooking state. If an impact is expected, the corresponding process is given high priority, so it is carried out unchanged. For example, searing requires a certain minimum temperature, so limiting the power consumption for this process is not an option.Processes that require user interaction, such as flipping pancakes or steaks, are given a high priority so the user doesn't have to wait. Such processes are given higher priority than others that can run in the background (and thus outside of the user's focus).

[0033] The appliances can be any type of electrical appliance that is energy-intensive and therefore has a high connected load. These appliances include cooking appliances, especially combi steamers or pan cookers, and deep fryers.

[0034] It's also possible to group appliances so that different types of appliances have a higher or lower priority than others. For example, washing machines can have a lower priority than dishwashers, since it's usually less critical to the production process if a washing machine load finishes late than having clean dishes available for serving meals.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the invention, a display unit is provided with which a user can be shown information about available performance and / or suggestions for a modified process sequence. Remaining process times can also be displayed to the user, as well as the effects of starting an additional process on processes already running, so that the user can either prepare for a running process to be completed later or manually prioritize an already running process so that it is completed at a desired time.

[0036] It's also possible for networked devices to automatically generate suggestions for modified schedules to ensure peak power values ​​are kept as low as possible. The device operator can also automatically receive modified schedules by specifying new values. For example, a device, such as a thermal cooking appliance, can suggest a later switch-on time when another device, such as a dishwasher, is heating up, or vice versa.

[0037] As far as the appliances are cooking appliances, the following requirements should be placed on the prioritization: Fairness: No cooking process should be disproportionately prolonged while another is given priority and can therefore proceed without any time loss. Balance: A cooking process should never have disproportionately little heat output available. Adhere to rules: The priority number is calculated by all cooking appliances according to fixed rules. In the event of a conflict, i.e., if the maximum power would otherwise be exceeded, heating requirements are allocated according to the priority list or proportionally to weighted priority numbers.

[0038] The basis for calculating the priority number can vary depending on the recipe step, for example with and without food, with and without preheating, standby, cooking (with sub-steps "browning" and "cooking to completion").

[0039] Possible parameters for calculating the priority number can be: Temperature of the food being cooked or its deviation from the setpoint Temperature of the cooking chamber or cooking aid medium or its deviation For combi steamers: Humidity or deviation from the setpoint Remaining time of the cooking process or remaining time in comparison to the completion time defined by the user (e.g. priority number calculated on the basis of temperatures is weighted, i.e. multiplied, by e.g. (t_remaining_time+T_buffer) / T time until_completion_time.) Recipe step-specific factors, for example if interactions are required from the user or immediately after loading the cooking chamber.

[0040] The invention is described below with reference to various embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 a system with multiple devices according to a first embodiment; Figure 2a system with multiple devices according to a second embodiment; Figure 3 a diagram with examples of possible load curves; Figure 4 a diagram with an example of the maximum load in the daily profile; Figure 5 a diagram of the energy consumption of a cooking appliance at full and half power; and Figure 6 An example of usable load capacities in a diagram.

[0041] In Figure 1 Three electrical devices 10 are shown, each having a controller 12 and a consumer.

[0042] In the following example, electrical consumers are used for illustration purposes.

[0043] Electrical loads 14 are components that have such an electrical power requirement that it determines the connected load of device 10. Electrical loads 14 are, for example, a heating device that can heat air, water, oil, another medium, or another component of a device. The electrical load can also be an electric motor or another electrical component.

[0044] The devices 10, more precisely their controllers 12, are connected via a communication link 16 to a stationary master 18, which is implemented here as a cloud-based server application.

[0045] Part of the master 18 is an allocation module 20, in which a predefined maximum power value is stored. This predefined maximum power value corresponds to the desired maximum power consumption of all devices 10 belonging to the system. This value is typically less than the combined connected load of all devices 10 in the system.

[0046] The allocation module 20 can access a database 22 in which performance data and performance profiles of various processes that can run in the devices 10 are stored. Profiles of typical electrical consumption values ​​throughout the day can also be stored.

[0047] Examples of different performance data and performance profiles are shown in Figure 3shown, in which the possible load curves are plotted for three different devices as examples, namely a first device in a normal, continuous line, a second device in the line marked with crosses and a third device in the line marked with circles.

[0048] An example of electrical consumption throughout the day is shown in Figure 4 shown. In this example, the maximum electrical consumption is just over 80 kW, although this value is only reached for a relatively short time around 1:00 p.m.

[0049] In Figure 4Two examples of possible maximum power values ​​are also shown in dashed lines: one power value just above 70 kW and a second at 60 kW. It can be seen that if the allocation module 20 allows a maximum power consumption of all devices 10 of just over 70 kW, this results in a restriction over a period of only two hours per day. In return, when billing electricity consumption using the RLM method, the peak value of over 90 kW is no longer used, but rather just over 70 kW. This leads to significant savings.

[0050] If the maximum power value of, for example, 60 kW is used, it can be seen that this "affects" the operation of the electrical devices 10 across three phases, namely in the morning around 9:00 a.m., at midday between 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., and in the evening between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. The "countervalue" for the reduced maximum power consumption of the devices 10 results in lower electricity costs for the operator of the electrical devices.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the allocation module 20 serves to monitor and, if necessary, limit the maximum power consumption of devices 10. Generally speaking, this is achieved by each device 10 requesting authorization from the allocation module 20 before putting an electrical load 14 into operation. The allocation module 20 decides whether authorization can be granted based on the power consumption of the other devices.

[0052] The allocation module 20 makes this decision not only based on the current power consumption of the other consumers 14, but also taking into account the power consumption that will result in the future due to currently running processes. The corresponding values ​​can be obtained from the database 22.

[0053] An example of the power consumption of a cooking appliance is shown in Figure 5 The solid, normal line represents the power consumption in a normal cooking program, and the line marked with crosses shows the power curve for the same cooking program, but operating at half power. It can be seen that when operating at half power, the initial cooking process phase, corresponding to heating, is extended, although the overall maximum power consumption is reduced.

[0054] If the devices 10 are cooking appliances, the allocation module 20 checks, for example, whether the currently requested new process, such as "roast pork," results in a power consumption over the entire cooking time that exceeds the specified maximum power value. Thus, a simulation of the power consumption of the devices is performed according to all currently requested and running processes to check whether the specified maximum power value will be exceeded in the future.

[0055] If this is not the case, the new process is released.

[0056] If the new process would result in the specified maximum power value being exceeded, the allocation module 20 can react in various ways.

[0057] In the simplest case, the newly requested process is not released, but has to wait until at least one other process has completed or entered a phase in which the power consumption is reduced.

[0058] In another scenario, the allocation module 20 decides that either the newly requested process is released in a modified form, for example with reduced power consumption, or that an already running process is intervened in such a way that the power consumption is reduced there.

[0059] It is also possible for the allocation module 20 to reorganize the sequence of processes already running or in future process steps in such a way that the newly requested process can be released now. For example, the allocation module can decide to switch on the compressor of a cold storage room early, even though this is actually not necessary again for an hour due to the temperature profile, if this allows the electrical power for the electric motor driving the compressor to be "shifted" to a time period in which load capacities are still available. Such load capacities are in Figure 6 shown as an example in a diagram that shows the total power consumption over a day.

[0060] In Figure 2A second embodiment of a system with multiple devices 10 is shown. The difference from the first embodiment is that the allocation module 20 can be implemented in any of the controllers 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the allocation module is implemented in the device 10 shown here at the top left, while the inactive allocation modules 20' in the other two devices 10 are available to assume the function of the active allocation module 20 at any time.

[0061] The allocation module 20 transfers from one device 10 to another device 10, for example, when the device 10 that currently implements the allocation module 20 is turned off. Another event that can trigger a change of the allocation module 20 is, for example, when a particularly computationally intensive process must be performed in the controller that currently implements the allocation module 20, making it advantageous to "free up" the computing power previously tied to the implementation of the allocation module 20.

[0062] A display device 24 can be provided on each of the appliances 10, with which the usual operating parameters can be displayed and which can also be used as an operating interface for a user. Using the display device 24, the user can also influence or access the allocation module 20 to influence the prioritization of certain processes. For example, if the appliances 10 are cooking appliances, an operator can mark a certain cooking process as having absolute priority if it is essential for the subsequent process that the food to be cooked be ready at a certain time.

[0063] As long as an operator does not intervene manually, the allocation module 20 can decide which processes should be prioritized over others based on stored characteristics. The practical effects are particularly important here. For example, the operation of a coolant compressor used to cool a cold storage facility can only be denied within certain limits. If the temperature in the cold storage facility rises above a certain value, this can lead to significant financial damage. Another example is food that must be cooked under very precise conditions to achieve the desired result. For example, a certain temperature is essential for searing a steak. Here, the allocation module 20 must ensure that the power required for searing is available for at least a comparatively short period of time. An example of the reverse situation is the heating up of a dishwasher.The power and thus the speed at which the wash liquor is heated has virtually no effect on the outcome of the dishwashing process. Dishwasher. The power and thus the speed at which the wash liquor is heated has virtually no effect on the outcome of the dishwashing process.

Claims

1. Method of operating a plurality of cooking devices (10) which each contain at least one electrical consumer (14), comprising the following steps: - before it switches on its consumer (14), each device (10) asks an allocation module (20) whether a consumer (14) of the device (10) can be put into operation, - on the basis of parameters of a requested process of the device, of parameters of currently running and / or planned processes of the consumers (14) of other devices (10) and of a predefined maximum power value, the allocation module (20) decides whether the requested process is enabled, modified or at least temporarily disabled, - wherein a communications link between the controller of the devices (10) and the allocation module (20) is provided and wherein the devices (10) are networked with each other so that, based on different parameters suitable for the respective intended purpose, it is coordinated which process takes precedence over other processes and, conversely, which process is modified or deferred, - characterized in that when making the decision, the allocation module (20) accesses a database (22) in which power data and power profiles for different processes are stored, the power data being the typical energy consumption of the consumers (14) over the course of the day.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the parameters of the currently running and / or planned processes comprise at least one of the following parameters: remaining cooking time, power required during the cooking, power required during heating-up or preheating.

3. Method according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that a modified enabling consists in starting or carrying out the process with reduced power.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a modified enabling consists in starting the process only after the power consumption of at least one other process has decreased.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a modified enabling consists in at least partially bringing forward a process.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the devices (10) make a decision according to predefined rules as to which one implements the allocation module (20).

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the allocation module (20) applies at least one of the following allocation strategies: "first in - first out", "precedence for short, power-intensive processes", "prioritization according to closest completion time", "complex prioritization".

8. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that in the "complex prioritization" allocation strategy, if a device (10) involved is a cooking device, at least one of the following priority aspects is taken into account: deviation from the cooking time expected by the user, effect on the level of doneness, necessity of user interaction.

9. System comprising a plurality of devices (10) which each include at least one electrical consumer (14) and a controller (12), and comprising an allocation module (20) in which a maximum power value for the consumers (14) is stored, wherein a communications link (16) between the controllers of the devices (10) and the allocation module (20) is provided, which is configured to send information about planned and current processes of the devices to the allocation module (20) by means of the controllers (12) and to receive, at the controllers, from the allocation module (20) an enabling signal decided on the basis of parameters of a requested process, for putting the consumer (14) into operation, and wherein the devices (10) are networked with each other so that, based on different parameters suitable for the respective intended purpose, it can be coordinated which process takes precedence over other processes and, conversely, which process is modified or deferred, characterized in that the system has a database (22) in which power data and power profiles for different processes are stored, the power data being the typical energy consumption of the consumers (14) over the course of the day, and the allocation module being configured to access the database (22) when deciding on an enabling signal.

10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the allocation module (20) is implemented as a stationary master.

11. System according to claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that the allocation module (20) is a server application.

12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the allocation module (20) is a cloud-based server application.

13. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the allocation module (20) is implemented as a dynamic master.

14. System according to any of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the devices (10) come from at least one of the following device groups: cooking device, in particular combination steamer or pot-type cooking device, deep fat fryer.

15. System according to any of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that a display device (24) is provided, by means of which information about an available power and / or proposals for an altered sequence of processes can be displayed to a user.