Method for a digital processing device, digital processing device, and system comprising a digital processing device

Abstract

A method for a digital processing device (100) for regulating a plant (200) for generating current, useful heat and / or cold is described. The digital processing device comprises a communications module (10) which is designed to communicate with control technology (250) of the plant (200) for generating current, useful heat and / or cold, a storage device (20) which is designed to store a schedule for the plant (200) for generating current, useful heat and / or cold, and comprises a processing module (30). The method comprises the following steps: sending, by the communications module (10) to the control technology (250), setpoint values contained in the schedule; receiving, by the communications module (10) from the control technology (250), data relating to outages and / or restrictions during operation of the plant (200) for generating current, useful heat and / or cold; optimising, by the processing module (30), the schedule on the basis of the data relating to outages and / or restrictions during operation of the plant (200) for generating current, useful heat and / or cold; and sending, by the communications module (10) to the control technology (250), setpoint values contained in the optimised schedule.

Description

[0001] Method for a digital processing device, digital processing device and

[0002] System comprising a digital processing device

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a method for a digital processing device for controlling a plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, a digital processing device, a computer program product, and a system comprising a digital processing device and a control system.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Plants for generating electricity and process heat, such as combined heat and power (CHP) power plants, are used to supply industrial production facilities with electricity and / or process heat. Such plants for generating electricity typically include process control technology, which executes a predefined schedule, some of which is entered manually, as accurately as possible. However, changes to the schedule, for example, due to changes in the plant's conditions, do not occur in process control technology. In practice, process control technology is therefore a passive unit that maps the predefined target values ​​of the schedule as accurately as possible.

[0007] EP 3497307 Bl describes a combined cycle CHP power plant with a control system comprising an expert system and a standby communication module, which enables safe operation of the combined cycle CHP power plant even without constant supervision.

[0008] US 10,620,598 B2 discloses a cloud network within an external network that connects gas turbines of a power plant with other remote gas turbines, power plants, or plants of suppliers or customers. Furthermore, an internal network is described in which a power plant control system is provided, in which an optimization system optimizes the operation of the gas turbines based on a model of the power plant. US 2019 / 0339681 A1 describes a system for controlling a large number of industrial plants using a cloud server. The cloud server receives data from the industrial plants regarding the controls and drives used in the industrial plants, which are analyzed and processed in the cloud server.

[0009] A disadvantage of conventional plant control systems, however, is that data from the controlled plant is not used for optimized control of the plant. Another disadvantage is that specified setpoints are not automatically transferred from external sources to the control system.

[0010] BRIEF SUMMARY

[0011] The present disclosure is based on the object of providing a method for a digital processing device for controlling a plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, a digital processing device, a computer program product, and a system with a digital processing device and a control system, with the aid of which the operation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling can be optimized.

[0012] To achieve this object, a method for a digital processing device for controlling a plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling is proposed, wherein the digital processing device comprises a communication module configured to communicate with a control system of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, a storage device configured to store a schedule for the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, and a processing module, and the method comprises the following method steps: sending, by the communication module to the control system, setpoints contained in the schedule, receiving, by the communication module from the control system, data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, optimizing, by the processing device,of the schedule based on data concerning failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling, and sending, via the communication module to the control system, the setpoints contained in the optimized schedule. The communication module can send the entire optimized schedule or setpoints contained in the optimized schedule to the control system or enter them into the control system, i.e., the process control system.

[0013] The digital processing device can be an EDGE computer, i.e., a computer or group of computers located near the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling, capable of processing and analyzing data in real time. The data can be processed and analyzed locally on the EDGE computer to enable rapid decisions and actions. EDGE computers can come in various shapes and sizes, including embedded systems, gateways, routers, and switches. EDGE computers can also be equipped with artificial intelligence and machine learning software to perform predictions and decision-making in real time. Thus, the EDGE computer can reduce the latency for a decision.

[0014] The digital processing device can also be a cloud server. The cloud server can, in particular, be a virtual server that is operated in the cloud and is accessible via the Internet. The cloud server can comprise resources required for various cloud services, such as virtual machines, web servers, application servers, database servers, security mechanisms, etc. A file system of the cloud server can be distributed across multiple servers, hard drives, and machines so that if one unit fails, another unit can take over the task of the failed unit. The cloud server, in particular, comprises storage devices that can be located on different, remotely located servers. This can involve a spatial or system-architectural separation.The individual components of the cloud server can be connected to each other via a network, for example, the Internet, Ethernet, or a mobile network. The cloud server can, in particular, comprise the following components: an application layer, such as a user interface; a service layer that enables the execution of tasks performed in the cloud; a cloud runtime similar to an operating system in a computer; cloud storage, such as solid-state drives (SSDs) or hard disk drives (HDDs); infrastructure and architecture, such as central processing units (CPUs), motherboards, graphics processing units (GPUs), network cards, and accelerator cards; management software, i.e., "middleware" for the cloud backend platform that allocates different resources to each task in the cloud and ensures that each task is processed; and a security structure, such asDebugging, system backup and anti-virus processes.

[0015] The plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling can be any type of plant that generates electricity, useful heat and / or cooling. The plant can be, for example, a combined heat and power (CHP) power plant or a biomass plant with a steam turbine. The combined heat and power (CHP) power plant can comprise a gas turbine with a connected generator for generating electrical power, a waste heat boiler for generating steam by heating feedwater with the exhaust gas from the gas turbine, and a steam turbine driven by the steam generated in the waste heat boiler with a connected generator for generating electrical power. Steam escaping from the steam turbine or hot condensate produced in the steam turbine is discharged as the process medium.The system for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cold can also comprise a combined heat and power plant, a waste incineration plant, a photovoltaic system, a wind turbine, a compression refrigeration plant, an adsorption / absorption refrigeration plant, a biomass power plant, a steam boiler plant, a hot water boiler plant, a storage facility (thermal / electric), a fuel cell, a cogeneration plant, and / or a heat pump. Thus, the useful heat and / or cold mentioned in this disclosure can be process heat and / or process cooling. The system (200) for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cold comprises a combined heat and power plant, a waste incineration plant, a photovoltaic system, a wind turbine, a compression refrigeration plant, an adsorption / absorption refrigeration plant, a biomass power plant, a steam boiler plant, a hot water boiler plant, a storage facility (thermal / electric), a fuel cell, a cogeneration plant, and / or a heat pump.

[0016] The communication module can be any type of wired or wireless communication interface that enables bidirectional communication between the digital processing device and the control system of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling. For optimal data exchange, the communication module can be configured to send or write the schedule setpoints to the control system in real time or at intervals of 1 to 60 minutes. The intervals can also be 1 to 15 minutes.

[0017] The storage device may be any type of storage means (e.g. cloud storage) that enables storage of timetable data and / or computer-implemented models.

[0018] The processing module can be a computing unit, such as a central processing unit (CPU).

[0019] The schedule for the power, heat, and / or cooling plant can be specifications that define the operation of the power, heat, and / or cooling plant for a specific period of time, such as an hour, a day, or a week. The schedule can, for example, specify how much energy a power, heat, and / or cooling plant must produce to meet the demand of a power grid, or the times at which the power, heat, and / or cooling plant should be in operation.The schedule for the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling can include a power setpoint for a process control system of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, a technical operating mode of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, a provision of primary control power, a provision of positive and / or negative secondary control power, a provision of positive and / or negative minute reserve power, a provision of positive and / or negative system services of another type and / or a heartbeat signal. The schedule can specify the values ​​over time. The power setpoint can be, for example, a setpoint for a generating machine, a setpoint for a steam quantity, a setpoint for export power at a grid transfer point (this can also be negative, i.e.Electricity is imported from an electrical supply network) and / or a target value for a total generation capacity.

[0020] The schedule for the plant generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling can also specify whether and when the plant or individual components of the plant are in operation, and what electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling generation is provided by the plant in a given time period. Restrictions such as minimum operating times, minimum downtimes, and / or minimum / maximum gradients for the plant's output adjustment between two time periods can be taken into account. Further restrictions can include required full-load hours per day, the number of switching cycles, times during which electricity must be supplied (so-called "must-run" times), output levels, and / or maximum / minimum outputs. Furthermore, different types of control energy, i.e., specifications for primary reserve, secondary reserve, minute reserve, and other system services, can be taken into account when generating the schedule for the plant.Restrictions can also include temporary limitations on individual components, as can be specified in a downtime tool. Furthermore, an overall efficiency level may be required to be achieved on an annual average. Furthermore, a time-based CO2 emission limit may be required. For example, a plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling may also be a biomass plant where a direct marketer of subsidized generation capacity curtails the plant due to overgeneration.

[0021] Further data, such as weather, grid, and / or electricity market data, can be used to generate and / or optimize the schedule for the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling. The digital processing device can receive such data from external servers via the communication module. Furthermore, weather forecast data, such as outside temperatures, wind speeds, solar radiation, air pressure, and air humidity values, can be used. Supply network data, such as utilization data of the electrical supply network, in particular a distribution network or a supply network to which a production plant and the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling are connected, or grid stability data of the electrical supply network, can also be used.Furthermore, energy market data, such as prices on the electricity exchange, the natural gas exchange, or spot markets, or trading data in over-the-counter (OTC) markets, can be used. The energy market data can also include CO2 emission prices, whereby electricity can be purchased based on CO2 emission prices during a period when low or no CO2 emissions are generated for electricity generation.

[0022] The control system of the power, heat, and / or cooling plant receives the schedule setpoints as reference points to control the operation of the power, heat, and / or cooling plant. The schedule setpoints can, for example, specify how much energy the power, heat, and / or cooling plant should produce at any given time. These setpoints can be defined, for example, based on expected power demand and the availability of fuels and resources. In addition to the setpoints, e.g. for energy production, the schedule can also contain setpoints for other operating parameters of the power, heat, and / or cooling plant, such as temperatures, pressures, and flow rates.These parameters may be related to the operation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling and may affect the efficiency and performance of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling.

[0023] The control technology is a system that enables the monitoring, control, and automation of various processes in the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling. It can be a central computer system that collects, analyses, and visualizes information from sensors and devices in the plant. The functions of the control technology can include monitoring operating parameters such as pressure, temperature, and flow; monitoring safety systems; and controlling processes such as starting and stopping generators and turbines. The control technology can also include diagnosing faults and errors in the operation of a plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling, which leads to faster response times and less downtime. The control technology of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling receives the setpoints from the schedule and controls ormonitors the plant for generating electricity, heat, and / or cooling. The control system can continuously monitor the operating parameters of the plant for generating electricity, heat, and / or cooling and compare them with the target values ​​of the schedule.

[0024] For precise control of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, the setpoints contained in the schedule can include electrical load setpoints of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling over time, export setpoints of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling over time, control power provision setpoints of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling over time, control power call-up setpoints of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling over time, useful heat pressure setpoints of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling over time and / or operating modes of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling over time. The control power call-up setpoints can also be received from a so-called “Combox” of an external marketer. The operating modes can be specifications for condensation orThis may include enabling condensation of the plant to generate electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling, and / or specifications for enabling overfiring of the plant to generate electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling. The operating mode may also involve enabling a specific load range (e.g., 20-30 MW) or expanding a specific load range by utilizing additional flexibility.

[0025] In order to enable optimized control of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling can include data relating to the availability, failure and / or operational restriction of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling or a subsystem of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, an operating status and / or a failure of a customer production of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, a start-up of a customer production of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling after a shutdown or failure of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, a production restriction of a useful heat generator of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling and / or an actually produced and / or consumed amount of electricity,Useful heat and / or cooling. This data can also be entered via a front-end module.

[0026] In the digital processing device, the transmission, reception, and optimization steps can be carried out continuously in the sense of a control loop. A control objective of the control loop can include increasing the grid stability of an electrical grid to which the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling is connected and / or reducing CO2 emissions from the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling over a predetermined period of time. For this purpose, the digital processing device can receive data concerning a current grid status of the electrical grid and / or a current CO2 generation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling via the communication module. The data can be received and processed, in particular, in real time.

[0027] For example, the digital processing device receives data concerning a current network status of the electrical network from measuring instruments such as multimeters, current clamps, oscilloscopes and power analyzers, which are used to measure electrical parameters such as voltage, current, frequency and power, sensors and monitoring systems such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, vibration and noise sensors and electronic protection and monitoring relays, which are used to measure network parameters and detect irregularities, phase measuring instruments such as phase angle meters, synchrophasor meters and phase comparison meters, which are used to measure phase position and phase shift between different points in the network, network analyzers, including power meters, network analyzers and load flow computers, which are used to measure the current flow,to analyze the power and load flow in the network and / or SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, which are used to collect data from various devices in the network.

[0028] Network stability can be measured inside or outside the digital processing device, in particular by means of one or more of the following measures:

[0029] - Monitoring of grid parameters: Electrical parameters such as voltage, current, frequency, power factor, and phase angle can be monitored to determine the grid condition. By comparing these parameters with permissible limits, problems in the grid can be identified.

[0030] - Use of sensors and monitoring systems: Sensors and monitoring systems can be used to measure current flow, temperature, pressure and other parameters that may indicate disturbances in the network.

[0031] - Modeling and simulation: Modeling and simulating the electrical grid allows for the assessment of the current state and grid stability. The results of these simulations can be used to identify problems and optimize grid operations.

[0032] - Load flow analysis and network analysis: Load flow analysis and network analysis can be performed to determine the current state of the network and identify faults.

[0033] - Use of phase meters: Phase meters can be used to measure the phase angle and phase shift between different points in the grid. These measurements can be used to determine grid stability and identify disturbances. - Use of synchrophasor technology: Synchrophasor technology enables the measurement of phase position and frequency at multiple points in the grid with high accuracy and speed. These measurements can be used to determine grid stability and identify disturbances.

[0034] The digital processing device can receive data relating to the current CO2 production of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling, for example, from a measuring device or a monitoring system. The data relating to the current CO2 production of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling can be generated or recorded, in particular, as follows: A direct measurement of CO2 consumption can be carried out using gas analyzers that measure the CO2 content in the plant's exhaust air. An indirect measurement of CO2 consumption can be carried out by monitoring parameters such as fuel consumption or power consumption. CO2 consumption can be estimated using key figures and computational models. Another method for determining the plant's CO2 consumption is to conduct a process simulation in which the plant's operating parameters and energy requirements are modeled.By integrating CO2 emission factors, CO2 emissions and consumption can be estimated. In some cases, the plant's CO2 consumption can also be measured directly using a flowmeter.

[0035] The processing module uses the data described above to optimize the schedule. For example, the processing module can optimize the schedule's setpoints so that a heat pump is run at full capacity when electricity generated 100% from photovoltaics and / or wind power is available.

[0036] The storage device can further be configured to store a computer-implemented model of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling. Furthermore, the processing module can be configured to optimize the schedule based on the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling and the computer-implemented model of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling. This makes it possible to optimize the schedule precisely with regard to characteristic properties of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling. For example, the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling can be a power plant that can only react to setpoint changes with a significant delay, or a power plant that allows rapid changes in operating parameters to follow the setpoints.

[0037] The computer-implemented model of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling can be a so-called "digital twin," which digitally maps all components of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling, for example, a combined heat and power (CHP) power plant. In this case, the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling, for example, a combined heat and power (CHP) power plant, can be controlled via the digital twin.

[0038] For example, the processing module can be configured to optimize the schedule based on data regarding failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling, with a view to minimizing or maximizing the efficient use of primary energy. For example, the schedule is optimized with respect to the plant's fuel utilization rate.

[0039] The storage device may further be configured to store a lookup table for the processing module, wherein the processing module is configured to optimize the schedule based on the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling and the lookup table.

[0040] For optimizing the schedule for the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, a machine learning module can further be provided in the digital processing device, which optimizes the schedule for the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling based on historical data of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling as training data sets.

[0041] The processing module can further be configured to adjust the schedule of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold with regard to reduced CO2 generation by the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold and / or increased grid stability of an electrical grid to which the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold is connected, by time-specified reducing electrical power setpoints of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, changing a manufactured product of a production plant that is supplied with electricity and useful heat by the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, time-dependent setting, restricting or interrupting production of a production plant that is supplied with electricity and useful heat by the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold and / or time-dependent increasing or decreasing of the electrical power output.To optimize shutdown of the plant to generate electricity, useful heat and / or cooling.

[0042] For further optimization of the schedule for the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, the method for the digital processing device can further comprise the following method steps: receiving, by the communication module from the control system, actual values, in particular useful heat consumption values, electricity consumption values ​​and / or feed-in power values, of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, optimizing, by the processing device, the schedule based on the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling and the actual values, and sending, by the communication module to the control system, setpoint values ​​contained in the optimized schedule.

[0043] Furthermore, for further optimization of the schedule for the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, a production plant can be taken into account that is supplied with electricity, useful heat and / or cooling by the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling.For this purpose, the storage device can be configured to store a computer-implemented model of a production plant, wherein the production plant is supplied with electricity, useful heat and / or cold by the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, the communication module can be configured to receive data relating to the operation of the production plant, environmental data, market data and / or data relating to a connected power grid, and the processing module can be configured to optimize the schedule based on the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, the computer-implemented model of the production plant, the data relating to the operation of the production plant, the environmental data, the market data and / or the data relating to a connected power grid.The production facility can be any type of consumer or any type of industrial production facility. In particular, the production facility can be any type of industrial facility for the manufacture and / or processing of products, such as a paper mill, a brewery, a chemical park, or a steelworks. The production facility can also include a refrigeration system, for example, for a server room, a brewery, or a chemical park. The production facility can include a plurality of controllable and / or adjustable electrical machines in a factory. Preferably, the facility for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling and the production facility are connected to the same electrical supply network.

[0044] The computer-implemented model of the production plant can be a so-called "digital twin" of a production plant. With the digital twin, products and machines, as well as their components, are digitally modeled using digital tools, in particular including all geometric, kinematic, kinetic, and logic data. A digital twin is thus a digital image of physical assets in a real production plant and allows for the simulation, control, and optimization of the production plant. The digital twin enables comprehensive data exchange and includes data generation, data acquisition, and / or data archiving.It consists of models of a represented object and can also include simulations, algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI) models, and services that describe, influence, and predict the properties or behavior of the represented object, or offer related services. The digital representation of the production plant can cover the entire life cycle of the production plant, can be updated based on real-time data, and can use simulations, machine learning, and inference to support decision-making. Thus, the computer-implemented model of the production plant can include a variety of statistical digital models, dynamic digital models, symptom and failure models, and / or cause-and-effect logic of the production plant.

[0045] For example, data relating to the operation of the production facility can also be used to optimize the schedule. The data relating to the operation of the production facility can be production data from the production facility, for example, whether the production of a product requires a lot or little energy and / or a lot or little CCh production. The environmental data can be, for example, weather data.

[0046] Furthermore, the schedule or control loop for the control system can be optimized with regard to the power and / or heat requirements of the production plant.

[0047] The object stated at the outset is also achieved by a digital processing device for controlling a plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, which comprises a communication module configured to communicate with a control system of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, a storage device configured to store a schedule for the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, and a processing module, wherein the digital processing device is configured to carry out one of the methods described above.

[0048] The object stated at the outset is further achieved by a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out one of the methods described above.

[0049] Finally, the object posed at the outset is achieved by a system comprising a digital processing device as described above and a control system of a plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, which is controlled by the digital processing device.

[0050] For a more precise control of the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, a block control level of the control system can be set up to automatically run down or adjust the received setpoints by the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling.

[0051] The aspects and variants described above can be combined without this being explicitly described. Each of the described embodiment variants is thus to be seen as optional to each embodiment variant or combinations thereof. The present disclosure is therefore not limited to the individual embodiments and variants in the described order or to a specific combination of the aspects and embodiment variants. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Further advantages, details and features of the methods, devices and systems described here will become apparent from the following description of embodiments and the figures.

[0053] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control system for a plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling; and

[0054] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method for a digital processing device for controlling a plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling.

[0055] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control system for a plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling.

[0057] The control system comprises a digital processing device 100 and a plant 200 for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling. In this exemplary embodiment, the digital processing device 100 is configured as a cloud server, and the plant 200 for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling is configured as a combined heat and power (CHP) power plant.

[0058] The digital processing device 100 comprises a communication module 10, a storage device 20, a processing module 30, and an optional machine module 40. The combined cycle CHP power plant 200 comprises a control system 250 and is connected to an electrical supply grid 280. Furthermore, the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 is connected to a production facility 300, which is a paper mill that supplies the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 with electricity and process heat.

[0059] The communication module 10 is a cloud interface configured to communicate with the control system 250 of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200, i.e., in particular, to send control commands for the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 to the control system 250 and to receive data from the control system 250. The storage device 20 is a cloud storage configured to store a schedule for the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 and a computer-implemented model of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200. The processing module 30 is a computer-based processing unit configured to receive data from or send data to the communication module 10, as well as to store data in or receive data from the storage device 20.

[0060] The communication module 10 is configured, in particular, to send setpoints contained in the schedule for the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 to the control system 250 and to receive data concerning failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 from the control system 250. Based on this data, the processing module 30 can optimize the schedule.

[0061] The communication module 10 can then send the setpoints contained in the optimized schedule to the control system 250. The control system 250 executes these setpoints as accurately as possible.

[0062] The setpoints contained in the schedule can be electrical load setpoints of the combined heat and power plant 200 over time, export setpoints of the combined heat and power plant 200 over time, control power provision setpoints of the combined heat and power plant 200 over time, control power call setpoints of the combined heat and power plant 200 over time, useful heat pressure setpoints of the combined heat and power plant 200 over time, and / or operating modes of the combined heat and power plant 200 over time. The operating modes can include specifications for condensation or release of condensation of the combined heat and power plant 200 and / or specifications for release of overfiring of the combined heat and power plant 200.

[0063] The data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 may include data relating to an availability, failure, and / or operational restriction of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 or a subsystem of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200, an operating status and / or a failure of a customer production of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200, a start-up of a customer production of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 after a shutdown or failure of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200, and / or a production restriction of a useful heat generator of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200. Preferably, the communication module 10 is configured to send the setpoints to the control system 250 in real time or at intervals of 1 to 60 minutes.

[0064] Thus, the digital processing device 100 continuously executes the transmission, reception, and optimization steps within a control loop 11 and 12. A control objective of the control loop 11 and 12 is to increase the grid stability of the electrical grid 280 to which the combined heat and power (CHP) power plant 200 is connected and / or to reduce the CO2 generation of the combined heat and power (CHP) power plant 200 over a predetermined period of time.

[0065] The processing module 30 is configured to optimize the schedule based on the data concerning the failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 and the computer-implemented model of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200.

[0066] The storage device 20 is further configured to store a lookup table for the processing module 30. The processing module 30 can optimize the schedule based on the data concerning the failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 and the lookup table. In particular, the schedule is optimized with respect to minimal or the most efficient primary energy use of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200.

[0067] To optimize the schedule for the combined cycle CHP power plant 200, the machine learning module 40 is also provided in the digital processing device 100. The machine learning module 40 can optimize the schedule for the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 based on historical data from the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 as training data sets (for example, historical data concerning outages and / or restrictions in the operation of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200).

[0068] The processing module 30 is particularly configured to optimize the schedule of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 with regard to reduced CO2 generation of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 and / or increased grid stability of the electrical grid 280 to which the combined cycle CHP power plant 200 is connected, by temporally reducing electrical power setpoints of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200, changing a paper grade produced by the paper mill 300, time-dependently stopping or interrupting production of the paper mill 300 and / or time-dependently starting or shutting down the combined cycle CHP power plant 200. According to a further development of the exemplary embodiment described above, the communication module 10 can receive actual values, in particular useful heat consumption values, electricity consumption values ​​and / or feed-in power values, of the CHP combined cycle power plant 200 from the control system 250.The processing module 30 can then optimize the schedule based on the data regarding outages and / or restrictions in the operation of the combined cycle power plant 200 and the actual values. The communication module 10 then sends the setpoints contained in the optimized schedule to the control system 250. The control system 250 then executes the optimized setpoints as accurately as possible.

[0069] According to a further embodiment, which builds on the embodiments described above, the storage device 20 is configured to store a computer-implemented model of the paper mill 300. In this context, the communication module 10 is configured to receive data relating to the operation of the paper mill 300 (such as the type of paper produced, process heat demand, and power demand) and environmental data from a communication server 400. The environmental data is local weather data.

[0070] The processing module 30 can optimize the schedule based on the data concerning the failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the combined cycle CHP plant 200, the computer-implemented model of the paper mill 300, the data concerning the operation of the paper mill 300, and the environmental data. The optimized schedule can then be entered into the control system 250, with the control system 250 executing the optimized target values ​​of the new schedule as accurately as possible.

[0071] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method for a digital processing device for controlling a plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling.

[0072] The method can be executed by the digital processing device and comprises the following method steps: Sending S10, by the communication module 10 to the control system 250, setpoints contained in the schedule. Receiving S20, by the communication module 10 from the control system 250, data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200. Optimizing S30, by the processing module 30, the schedule based on the data relating to the failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the combined cycle CHP power plant 200. Sending S40, by the communication module 10 to the control system 250, setpoints contained in the optimized schedule.

[0073] This provides a control system for a combined cycle power plant (CCPP) that enables the scheduling of the combined cycle power plant to be optimized. In particular, the scheduling of the combined cycle power plant can be easily optimized with regard to electricity demand, heat demand, grid stability, and / or CO2 generation.

[0074] In the examples presented, various features and functions of the present disclosure have been described separately and in specific combinations. However, it is understood that many of these features and functions can be freely combined with one another, unless explicitly excluded.

[0075] Thus, the exemplary embodiments described above relate to a cloud server and a combined heat and power (CHP) power plant. However, the digital processing device 100 can also be an EDGE computer. Furthermore, the plant for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cold 200 can be various other plants, such as a heat pump or a chiller. Thus, the useful heat and / or cold mentioned in this disclosure can be process heat and / or process cooling. Furthermore, the production plant 300 can be various other plants, such as a brewery or an aluminum plant.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method for a digital processing device (100) for controlling a plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, wherein the digital processing device comprises a communication module (10) configured to communicate with a control system (250) of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, a storage device (20) configured to store a schedule for the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, and a processing module (30), the method comprising: Sending, via the communication module (10) to the control system (250), setpoint values ​​contained in the timetable; Receiving, by the communication module (10) from the control system (250), data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling; Optimizing, by the processing module (30), the schedule based on the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling; and Sending, via the communication module (10) to the control system (250), setpoints contained in the optimized timetable.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the digital processing device (100) comprises an EDGE computer or a cloud server, and the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold comprises a combined heat and power plant, a waste incineration plant, a photovoltaic plant, a wind turbine, a compression refrigeration plant, an adsorption / absorption refrigeration plant, a biomass power plant, a steam boiler plant, a hot water boiler plant, a thermal and / or electrical storage system, a fuel cell, a cogeneration plant and / or a heat pump.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the setpoints contained in the schedule are electrical load setpoints of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold over time, export setpoints of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold over time, control power reserve setpoints of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold over time, Control power call-up setpoints of the system (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold over time, useful heat pressure setpoints of the system (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold over time and / or operating modes of the system (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold over time, wherein the operating modes comprise specifications for condensation or release of condensation of the system (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold and / or for releasing overfiring of the system (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold comprises data relating to an availability, a failure and / or an operating restriction of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold or a subsystem of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, an operating status and / or a failure of a customer production of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, a start-up of a customer production of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold after a standstill or failure of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, a production restriction of a useful heat generator of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, and / or an actually produced and / or consumed amount of electricity,Useful heat and / or cold.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication module (10) sends the setpoint values ​​to the control system in real time or at intervals of 1 to 60 minutes.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the transmission, reception and optimization steps are carried out continuously in the sense of a control loop (11, 12) in the digital processing device (100), wherein a control objective of the control loop (11, 12) is to increase the grid stability of an electrical grid (280) to which the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold is connected and / or to reduce CO2 production by the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold over a predetermined period of time.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage device (20) is configured to store a computer-implemented model of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, and the processing module (30) is configured to optimize the schedule based on the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold and the computer-implemented model of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing module (30) is configured to optimize the schedule with regard to minimal or efficient primary energy use based on the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing module (30) is configured to adjust the schedule of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold with regard to a reduced CCh generation of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold and / or an increased grid stability of an electrical grid (280) to which the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold is connected, by temporally predetermined reducing electrical power setpoints of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, changing a manufactured product of a production plant which is supplied with electricity and useful heat by the plant for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, time-dependent setting, restricting orInterrupting production of a production plant which is supplied with electricity and useful heat by the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold and / or optimizing time-dependent startup or shutdown of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold.

10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising receiving, by the communication module (10) from the control system (250), actual values, in particular useful heat consumption values, power consumption values ​​and / or feed-out power values, of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling, Optimizing, by the processing module (30), the schedule based on the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cooling and the actual values, and sending, by the communication module (10) to the control system (250), setpoint values ​​contained in the optimized schedule.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage device (20) is configured to store a computer-implemented model of a production plant (300), wherein the production plant (300) is supplied with electricity, useful heat and / or cold from the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, the communication module (10) is configured to receive data relating to the operation of the production plant (300), environmental data, market data and / or data relating to a connected power grid, and the processing module (30) is configured to optimize the schedule based on the data relating to failures and / or restrictions in the operation of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, the computer-implemented model of the production plant (300), the data relating to the operation of the production plant (300), the environmental data, the market data and / or the data relating to a connected power grid.

12. Digital processing device (100) for controlling a plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, comprising a communication module (10) which is configured to communicate with a control system (250) of the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, a storage device (20) which is configured to store a schedule for the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat and / or cold, and a processing module (30), wherein the digital processing device (100) is configured to carry out the method according to one of the preceding claims.

13. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11.

14. A system comprising a digital processing device (100) according to claim 12; and a control system (250) of a plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling, which is controlled by the digital processing device (100).

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein a block control level of the control system (250) is configured to automatically run down or regulate the received setpoints by the plant (200) for generating electricity, useful heat, and / or cooling.

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