HK1211011B - Energy use in elevator installations - Google Patents

Description

Control method, elevator equipment and elevator equipment association device

Technical Field

The exemplary embodiments presented here relate generally to a method for controlling an elevator installation. The embodiments presented herein also relate to an elevator installation and an elevator installation-related device, which are connected to an electricity supply network.

Background

Based on the considerations of the benign environment, the systems for generating electrical energy are transformed. Conventional power supply networks with a few large central power plants are replaced over time by modern power supply networks to which a large number of distributed smaller energy suppliers are connected. The objectives that need to be achieved by the operators of modern power supply networks are thus more complicated. The supply of renewable energy using wind energy and solar energy can be set only to a limited extent depending on the nature and is subject to strong fluctuations. Therefore, in the near future, hybrid operation modes prevail, which fill up alternative energy suppliers with energy supplies from conventional power plants when the energy supply fails.

In order to balance the supply of electrical energy provided by the power plant with the demand for electrical energy and to ensure the stability and reliability of the supply network, the connected energy suppliers and energy consumers are preferably continuously monitored. For this purpose, the load profile of the power supply network is also preferably monitored in order to detect time periods with a high load. Based on the learned load change process, the static electrical load is switched off for a time period that is prone to problems, thereby enabling load balancing over a longer period of time.

The switching on and off of the load is realized in a conventional manner by means of a centralized Control (r). In modern power supply networks (so-called "smart grids"), the centralized control is supplemented by a "smart grid" which implements: the state of the power supply network is detected as quickly as possible at a large number of network nodes. The communication of the decentralized measuring units or smart meters with the central control unit is preferably implemented by means of a network operating according to the internet protocol. Methods for short-cycle data detection and control of measurement points in smart power supply networks, which methods make use of smart meter functions or smart grid functions, are known for example from WO 2012/055566 a 2.

In this case, the control energy or control power supplied by the energy supplier is used when there is a difference in the supply and demand of energy, in order to avoid a collapse of the power supply network when the demand increases or an excess of energy when the demand is low. The mentioned differences or fluctuations in the power supply network are compensated for by means of the regulating energy.

The conditioning energy provided is divided into different types. The regulated energy that can be called up in a few seconds is called the primary reserve. The regulated energy that can be called up in one minute is called the secondary reserve. In addition, the control capability includes a reserve quantity portion that can be called after a quarter hour (minute reserve) or a reserve quantity portion that can be called after hours (hour reserve).

When the power supply network is overloaded, positive regulation energy is fed into the power supply network. When the energy is excessive, negative regulation energy is extracted from the power supply network. For the required power adaptation, a regulatable power generation device is used, such as a fast-response gas turbine generator or a pumped storage generator. Even with a quick start power generation device, there are disadvantages in that: the feeding process always takes place with a significant delay. There is little primary reserve that can be used practically without delay. In addition, the energy costs of the primary reserve fraction are high.

Since energy consumers such as elevator installations draw or feed back more energy from the supply network, higher demands are also made on the regulation of the supply network. The switching on and off of devices with low energy requirements is usually distributed evenly or is planned empirically due to the large number, which is different for elevator installations. Dynamic loads such as elevator installations can load the supply network relatively strongly at certain points during any day time or night time. As long as e.g. a larger travel group arrives at a different hotel at night, when the grid operator does not anticipate a large load, several elevators may happen to be operated simultaneously, thereby suddenly causing a high load. Conversely, this must also be captured by the regulation technology of the supply network, as long as there is an energy surplus and the elevator installation can additionally feed back energy into the supply network. It should be noted that in order to compensate for this process, an expensive primary reserve is first required.

The presence of relatively large energy consumers, such as elevator installations which may have a plurality of individual elevator units, therefore requires a high availability of the regulating capacity or capacity of the power supply network. In particular, expensive primary reserves are provided.

Disclosure of Invention

There is therefore a need for an improved technique for advantageously controlling elevator installations in order to achieve an energy-optimized operation and for controlling the transmission of electrical energy via an electrical supply network to which at least one elevator installation with at least one elevator unit is connected.

In particular, the following method is proposed, which achieves: the regulating capacity of the electricity supply network to which the elevator installation is connected is kept constant or reduced. In particular, the need for expensive primary reserves should be reduced.

In addition, the stability of the power supply network (for example a modern power supply network (also referred to as "smart grid") should be significantly increased by means of the method described here, in particular when short-term power fluctuations occur on the energy supplier side or on the energy consumer side.

In addition, the peak load should be reduced by means of the method presented here without appreciable limitations for the servo power of the elevator installation user.

The method should offer technical and economic advantages both for the operator of the power supply network and for the operator of the elevator installation.

In addition, an elevator installation and a device associated with an elevator installation are proposed which operate according to the method presented here.

The above object is achieved by the invention as defined in the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

One aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling at least one elevator installation having at least one elevator unit, which is connected to an electricity supply network, wherein the elevator installation can be controlled by means of a corresponding elevator control taking into account first control information based on customer local requirements. The elevator controller receives second control information from the power supply network, which second control information comprises state data of the power supply network. The first and second control information are evaluated by the elevator controller. The elevator control influences the operation of the elevator installation determined by the first control information as a function of the second control information in order to achieve an energy-optimized operation.

In one embodiment, at least one acceleration of the elevator car, the travel speed of the elevator car, the starting time of the car travel and the parallel or simultaneous operation of a plurality of elevator units are influenced. Furthermore, the elevator control can influence the operation of the elevator installation in the following manner: the elevator car executes an empty drive in order to receive electrical energy from the supply network and store it in the elevator installation as potential energy or feed it into the supply network. One or more of the measures can be selectively implemented as a function of the circumstances, whereby the flexibility of the elevator installation is increased.

A further advantage is that the potential energy is converted into electrical energy in the generator mode of the elevator installation and is either conducted into the supply network or charges the energy storage system. The energy storage system may also be charged by the power supply network. With this option, flexibility is further increased.

In one embodiment, the transmission of electrical energy is controlled via an electrical supply network to which at least one elevator installation having at least one elevator unit is connected, which elevator installation can be controlled by means of an associated elevator control taking into account first control information based on the customer's local requirements. Furthermore, a monitoring unit is connected to the power supply network, which acquires status data of the power supply network and provides information to a user.

In one embodiment, the monitoring unit is able to generate second control information for the at least one elevator control as a function of the load of the supply network, and the elevator installation is then controlled as a function of the first and second control information in such a way that the need for regulating energy for the supply network is reduced.

The embodiments of the method described herein implement: the elevator installation connected to the supply network is used and its operation is influenced in order to optimize the operation of the supply network. By means of a corresponding control of the elevator installation (e.g. a plurality of elevator installations are connected together): not only are load peaks avoided, but the energy carrying capacity of the elevator installation is advantageously also utilized at times when the supply network requires positive or negative regulating energy, which is provided here by the elevator installation in coordination with the supply network.

Particularly advantageously, it is achieved that: an energy load that is valuable for the primary reserve is provided by the elevator installation (mainly the associated device). In this way, the positive and negative control energy of the elevator installation is exchanged practically without delay with the supply network, so that the supply network is stabilized with an optimum response time, in particular in problematic areas.

In one embodiment, the monitoring unit of the electricity supply network makes use of the elevator installation connected to the electricity supply network in order to reduce the need for more regulating energy, which is not noticeable to the elevator user.

The elevator controller provides preferably all operating data, such as data for historical, current or future planned energy consumption, to the central monitoring unit. Future energy consumption can be obtained by means of the operating data that have been recorded.

In a preferred embodiment, preferably all elevator installations connected to the power supply network communicate the required transmission (driving process) and preferably also the respectively required energy requirement to the monitoring unit in accordance with the first control information. The monitoring unit then controls the transmission process in such a way that simultaneous activation of a plurality of elevators or elevator components within the power supply network is avoided. Here, the transmission is assigned as follows: a uniform load loading of the power supply network is achieved during the time periods in which the transfer is performed.

Preferably, a time window is set into which the transfer process is preferably allocated taking into account the energy demand in such a way that the load is balanced. For this purpose, the requested transfer can be assigned a time stamp and be communicated to the elevator control, which in each case initiates a corresponding transfer process at the time stamped with the time stamp. In consideration of energy requirements, for example, it is also possible to provide: only one travel with a high energy demand or two travels with a relatively low energy demand is carried out within a time window.

When assigning the time stamp, the location of the elevator installation is preferably estimated together, so that the load of the power supply network is optimized both temporally and geographically. In the case of geographically large distances, simultaneous transfer of a plurality of elevator units is usually not problematic, but can be avoided: a part of the line network is simultaneously overloaded by a plurality of elevator installations. In order for the transfer process to be carried out exactly at the set moment, the elevator control and the monitoring unit preferably apply a common time reference. By means of such a "gentle" operation of the elevator installation with respect to the supply network, disturbances and faults within the supply network which can and are loaded with great strength can be avoided.

By means of the measures mentioned, possible peak loads which might otherwise be caused by the elevator installation are avoided. This may be advantageously taken into account when designing the regulating capacity of the power supply network. In particular, risk factors that form a series of events when simultaneously occurring and unforeseen conditions are associated are also excluded, which may at times significantly disturb the operation of the power supply network.

As already mentioned, the energy capacity or energy carrying capacity of the elevator installation is used to ensure that the elevator installation can be supplied and/or the need for regulating energy is reduced. What is achieved by means of the embodiments of the invention described here is: transient disturbances in the electricity network, such as short-term faults or peak loads of the energy suppliers, can be compensated for, while having a minimal effect on the operation of the elevator installation. The associated devices of the elevator installation are used as energy storage means and as power supply means, which exchange conditioning energy with the supply network in a manner controlled by the monitoring unit.

In the phases in which there is an energy surplus situation, the elevator installation is preferably brought to a "higher" energy level in one embodiment, so that potential energy can be called up or the stored electrical energy is called up. For example, a passenger car (which is lighter in the unloaded state than a counterweight fastened at the other end of the support means) fastened to one end of the support means is driven downward into an end position. At this stage the elevator controller typically has a high autonomy so that the elevator controller can autonomously control the process.

If, in a further phase, the information of the energy bottleneck is communicated by means of the second control information at high load of the electricity supply network, the elevator control preferably knows the potential energy or the electrical energy stored in the elevator unit and/or the energy requirement for the transmission process requested by the user. The elevator unit is then controlled in the following manner: for example, a transfer process is first carried out which achieves a generator-type operation of the elevator installation or has the lowest energy requirement. Preferably, the parallel operation of the elevator units is also temporarily limited by the elevator control. In addition, it is possible to: the weight limit for the elevator unit is changed in order to reduce the load. In this phase, the elevator control preferably has a reduced autonomy, so that the monitoring unit can implement the operational limitation with less delay.

When the energy supply fails or the supply network is peak-loaded in another phase, the energy demand is communicated in the form of information by means of the second control information, after which the electrical energy stored in the elevator unit is called up as required and fed into the supply network. When the stored energy is present as potential energy, this potential energy is converted into electrical energy and fed into the supply network. In this phase, the elevator control preferably has only minimal or no autonomy, so that the monitoring unit can immediately call up the regulating energy from the elevator installation.

After the energy requirement is communicated in the form of information, for example, an empty run of the elevator unit is automatically carried out, i.e. the selected elevator cars are moved to the respective uppermost floor. The associated device of the elevator installation can therefore be switched into the generator operating mode practically without delay, in order to supply positive control energy practically without delay. In contrast, the user of the elevator installation feels little change in the type of operation.

The time during which the associated devices of the elevator installation exchange the regulating energy with the supply network can be used by the network operator to call up the secondary energy reserve from the energy supplier. The corresponding control delay is compensated by the rapid application of the control energy provided by the elevator installation.

Preferably, for each elevator installation, individual operating protocols are generated, which determine the reason for the intervention of the monitoring unit. An agreement is preferably made between the operator of the electricity supply network and the operator of the elevator installation or the associated devices of the elevator installation to regulate the intervention rules. Here, the priorities of the first and second control information may be determined. For example, the second control information can be assigned a higher priority, so that the operator of the power supply network receives a direct intervention for the stored energy reserve and can call it up without delay. In this case, the elevator controller ensures that: all safety-critical conditions are satisfied. The operator of the elevator installation can, in turn, determine rules and reservation conditions in the operating protocol in order to carry out particularly important transfer procedures. As a result, industrial enterprises, hotels and hospitals mostly apply different operational protocols. On the other hand, the network operator is assigned favorable conditions for the elevator installation operator on the basis of the right to give up. For example, a more favorable rate or repayment scheme is presented. The elevator control thus follows the determined operating protocol in the embodiment of the first and second control information here.

In this case, a part of the operating agreement is jointly determined by the operator of the power supply network and the operator of the elevator installation. Another part of the operating protocol can be defined separately by the operator of the elevator installation. In particular, the operation of the elevator installation can also be determined taking into account the second control information, which is only commercially restrictive. By means of the second control information, a current or future charge rate can be communicated to the elevator control, which can be taken into account for controlling the elevator installation.

In the case of high rates, in one embodiment, energy consumption is reduced. For this purpose, the elevator installation is preferably provided with an energy-saving mode which can be switched on and in which the acceleration and the travel speed of the elevator car are limited. In addition, it can be set as follows: the travel is performed after a certain delay. In addition, parallel operation of the elevator units can be inhibited. The elevator installation is thus controlled again by means of the second control information, wherein the control takes place indirectly and with a priority determined by the elevator operator. The solution presented here therefore offers the elevator installation operator maximum flexibility and at the same time achieves a reduction in energy costs.

In consideration of the transmitted tariff rates, the electrical energy can also be stored at low energy costs and, if the tariff rate is high, be output or used again. For example, the elevator installation is set to the highest energy level at low rates during the night and/or the existing energy storage system is charged, so that the stored energy can be utilized or output again in a profitable manner when the rate increases in the morning hours.

The secondary control information can thus be used to control the elevator installation directly and indirectly with selectable priority.

The monitoring units of the electricity supply network thus function as a central energy management system, while the elevator controllers and/or the individual systems assigned to the elevator installations form a local energy management system, which minimizes or even makes profitable the energy consumption and energy costs.

In a further preferred embodiment, the elevator unit of the elevator installation is provided with at least one energy storage system or is coupled to such an energy storage system. The energy storage system can thus be regarded as part of the elevator installation or as a system arranged separately from the elevator installation. The energy storage system can be arranged in different positions depending on the construction solution, for example in the elevator shaft or elsewhere in the building. The energy can be stored in the energy storage system as electrical energy (for example with at least one capacitor), mechanical energy (for example with at least one flywheel) or as chemical energy (for example with at least one dry cell, hydrogen flow battery). The energy storage system then comprises at least one dry cell, accumulator or capacitor or a combination of capacitors. The energy storage system is electrically connected to an elevator control and to a power supply of the elevator installation. The energy storage system can be charged in different ways, i.e. the energy storage system can be charged by the power supply network, the elevator units in generator mode operation and/or alternative energy sources (e.g. photovoltaic installations or wind power installations). The energy storage system can also be discharged in different ways, i.e. in the event of a power failure, the stored electrical energy can be fed into the supply network and/or used to operate the elevator installation or other electrical consumers in the same building. For energy reasons, the respective optimal usage scenario for the energy storage system can be determined by the intelligent energy management system.

Drawings

In the following, different aspects of the improved technique are explained in detail by means of embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Wherein:

fig. 1 shows a schematic embodiment of an electricity supply network to which an energy provider and a plurality of elevator installations having associated elevator controllers are connected, the elevator controllers communicating via a communication network with a monitoring unit which monitors the state of the electricity supply network;

fig. 2 shows an electricity supply network together with an elevator installation comprising a plurality of elevator units; and

fig. 3 shows a diagram of an exemplary load curve of a power supply network with exemplary illustrated load conditions.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic example of an electrical supply network SG to which an energy supply/power supply SGs and a plurality of elevator systems ES1, …, ESm installed in a building, each having an associated elevator control EC1, …, ECm, are connected. In fig. 1, for the sake of simplicity, the elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm are shown outside the building; of course, it may be: elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm are arranged in the building. The elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm communicate via the communication network CN with a monitoring unit NM which monitors the state of the supply network SG. For this purpose, the monitoring unit NM can directly intervene on the measurement sensors that provide the measurement quantities from the power supply network SG. The measurement sensor is disposed near or in the building and coupled to the building internal grid. The elevator installations ES1, …, ESm are in turn connected to the electricity network inside the building. The measuring sensor has a function of a smart meter. The "smart meter" function can be configured as a separate unit ("smart meter") or implemented in the elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm. In the embodiment described here, the "smart meter" function is implemented in the elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm; thus, a separate "smart meter" is not shown in the drawings.

In addition, the monitoring unit NM is able to exchange data bidirectionally with the elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm and to obtain data from these information, for example, about energy consumption. In an embodiment the monitoring unit NM may also send control information to the elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm, which will be explained in more detail later. In addition, the monitoring unit NM receives data from the grid controller SGC, which controls the power supply grid SG. The monitoring unit NM and the grid controller SGC may also be integrated in one unit.

In one embodiment, the energy consumption and the driving situation are determined by means of a method described, for example, in WO 2010/086290. In this document, at least one energy measuring device is provided for detecting the energy consumption, which energy measuring device is locally arranged on the energy consumer. In order to detect the driving situation, the signals from the elevator installation are detected and evaluated. The sensor detects, for example, data for the car, e.g. the loading of the elevator car, or detects the signal of the destination call controller and/or the number of calls per unit of time in connection with the elevator controller. The detected energy consumption and/or the detected driving situation are stored in a data memory which can be read by a computer, so that the stored data can be called up for later use. The evaluation device can determine and/or simulate energy consumption and/or driving situations, so that the future energy consumption value can be known before the installation of the elevator installation by means of the simulated energy consumption and/or the simulated driving situations. The obtained energy consumption value can be determined for different reference variables, for example as an energy consumption value for exactly one energy consumer or as an energy consumption value for exactly one energy consumer and for a certain unit of time. Other reference variables that may be considered are: elevator installation, elevator installation and unit of time, elevator installation and driving situation, elevator car and unit of time. Individual passengers, passengers and time units or passengers and driving situations can likewise be used as reference variables, so that specific energy consumption values are provided for the transport of individual passengers. Correspondingly, also considered are: on a per call, per travel and unit time, per travel and travel condition, or per area basis.

All data required for controlling the smart grid can preferably be formed and provided in the monitoring unit NM.

The connection of the power supply SGS, which generates electrical energy in different ways, to the power supply network SG is controlled by a grid controller SGC, which is monitored by the grid operator.

Through communication with the grid controller SGC and through the data provided by the measurement sensors ("smart meter" functions), faults of the energy supplier, energy bottlenecks within the supply grid SG caused by faults of the energy supplier or increased energy extraction of the consumers are identified by the monitoring unit NM. The monitoring unit NM preferably records the course of load changes of all the vital components of the power supply network. It is also preferred to monitor the course of the change in the energy supply of the energy supplier SGS. With the aid of the grid controller SGC, the energy monitoring unit NM can communicate with the energy provider SGS and request for supply of energy or cause an exchange of regulated energy for a long or short period of time. In addition, the monitoring unit NM preferably takes a prediction of the future energy supply in order to ensure stable operation of the power supply grid SG.

Already mentioned at the outset are: instability that requires intervention of the monitoring unit NM also occurs when a large number of power supplies, for example power supplies derived from renewable energy, are switched on. Therefore, when the respective energy suppliers SGS fail, the regulation process is performed more. Here, there is a risk that the regulating process cannot be performed fast enough or that the required capacity or capacity is not provided.

Fig. 1 shows: in the case of electrical consumers, a large number of relatively large consumers (in particular elevator installations ES1, …, ESm) are connected to the supply network SG. Therefore, also in the case of consumers, significant risks are incurred when the supply network SG has only a low stability. By the method described below, it is possible to control elevator installations ES1, …, ESm which have a temporarily relatively high energy demand and which therefore conventionally represent an "operational risk" for supply grid SG in such a way that the stability of supply grid SG is not impaired, but is additionally improved.

Fig. 2 shows the supply network SG of fig. 1 with a schematically illustrated elevator installation ES1, which elevator installation ES1 comprises a plurality of elevator units E1, …, En. In another embodiment, the elevator installation ES1 comprises only one elevator unit E1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a power supply network SGExemplary illustrated load situation LS_A、LS_B、LS_CAnd LS_DA graph of an exemplary load curve 1c as a function of time t. In addition, an ideal load curve 1 c' is plotted, which extends horizontally parallel to the horizontal axis (t) with a constant load of the supply network SG. When the load is constant, the power supplied by the energy supplier SGS does not need to be regulated. In contrast, the load curve 1c then shows: the load of the power supply network changes during the day, because the consumers are switched on and off. It goes without saying that in another embodiment the load curve may have another profile of variation with other load conditions.

First load condition LS is plotted for time t1_AIn this first load situation, an increase in load occurs. A second load condition LS is plotted for the time t2_BIn this second load situation, the load is significantly reduced and the energy provider experiences a power surplus. In addition, a third load situation LS is plotted_C(i.e., load peaks) that result from the simultaneous connection of a plurality of larger loads to the supply network SG. Thus, there is a difference between the supplied power and the power required by the consumer, which difference is obtained by using the control energy E_RTo compensate. The mentioned load conditions are discussed later.

In the diagram of fig. 3, the regulation range of the supply network SG is shown, i.e. the positive regulation energy E is included_R+And negative regulation energy E_R-The area of (a). Supplied regulated energy E_RThe amount of (c) may vary over the course of the day. At time t4, a positive control energy E_R+The trend or potential of (a) is increased, which is taken into account by the method described here. Since more regulating energy E is supplied at time t5_R+So that a higher load can be easily compensated. In contrast, the load increase at time t1 is problematic because the load increase condition is able to provide the control energy E_RIn the boundary area of (a).

In addition, the fourth negativeLoad status LS_DIn the diagram shown in fig. 3, the fourth load situation is referred to below and is avoided in principle by using this method and by means of the elevator installation ES1 in fig. 2 or the associated devices of the elevator installations ES1, …, ESm according to fig. 1, so that the load peaks shown are indicated.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an elevator installation ES1, which is preferably integrated in the connection of a plurality of elevator installations ES1, …, ESm according to fig. 1. The elevator installation ES1 here comprises a plurality of elevator units E1, …, En, each having a car C1, …, Cn and a counterweight CW1, …, CWn, which are connected to one another by means of a support means T (ropes or flat belts). Cars C1, …, Cn are provided for vertical transport which can be requested by a user by entering commands (e.g. input call or destination floor, respectively departure from the starting floor) into an interface MMI which transmits corresponding first control information ci1 to the elevator controller EC 1. The command input can be effected in a conventional manner by operating a pressure button (for example an "up/down" button or button zone) or by using a chip card or a smart card, in order to thereby enter a so-called destination call, for example, in an elevator installation with a destination call controller (for example a rapid identity authentication (SchindlerID) or a rapid company PORT controller).

Those skilled in the art know that: the embodiments presented herein are not limited to elevator installations with counterweight and load bearing means. In another embodiment, the elevator installation ES1 can be configured in the following manner: no counterweight is required, as is the case for example when a winch or a self-climbing elevator car. In another embodiment, the elevator car may be self-climbing; no load bearing means are therefore required in such an elevator.

Fig. 2 also shows an energy storage system ESS which is coupled to the power supply unit SV in order to be charged by it or to output energy to it. The energy storage system ESS is also coupled to an elevator controller EC1 so that the elevator controller EC1 can monitor the load status of the energy storage system ESS. Depending on the local situation, the energy storage system ESS can be connected to one or more further local energy generators, for example a photovoltaic system, a wind power plant (wind rotor) or a combination of such devices. The energy storage system ESS also stores the electrical energy generated by such devices in this case. The energy storage system ESS can be constructed in different types, but is preferably an energy storage system for electrical energy. In one embodiment, the energy storage system comprises one or more dry cells, batteries or capacitors. In principle, the energy storage system ESS can also store mechanical energy, for example by means of a flywheel. The energy storage system ESS can be used to reduce grid peaks that may occur or to supply energy during a power failure, so that during this time, for example, evacuation travel can take place or elevator operation can be maintained. Furthermore, the energy storage system ESS can also be used to supply power to important electrical consumers in the building during a power failure.

With the aid of the first control information ci1, the elevator control EC1 controls the power supply unit SV (e.g. an inverter (ACVF)) which is connected to the drive unit GM which, in a preferred embodiment, can be operated not only as a motor (motor-driven operation) but also as a generator (generator-driven operation). The drive unit GM is activated by switching on the current, which then drives the associated car C1 upward or downward. The first control information ci1 can include rate information, status information, or other information (e.g., a login floor, a destination floor), or a combination of such information. In fig. 2, the drive unit GM is shown separately from the carrier guide for overview reasons. It goes without saying that the drive unit GM and the support means guide can be integrated in one unit, for example the rotor shaft of the drive unit can have one or more drive zones which act on the support means T in order to move the elevator car C1 up and down. In fig. 2 only one drive unit GM is shown, but it is self-evident that in one embodiment each elevator unit E1, …, En has a drive unit GM.

The elevator controller EC1 evaluates the above-mentioned information, either alone or in combination with a local elevator energy management system, primarily in order to thereby optimize the operation of the elevator installation ES1 or the energy consumption. The energy or power consumption of the elevator installation ES1 can be varied and optimized, for example, by one or more of the following measures: so that the travel speed and/or acceleration of the car C1 can be reduced, the start of travel (or the starting moment) can be delayed in time or an empty travel can be carried out in a targeted manner. Targeted empty drives can be used to release the potential energy stored in the elevator installation ES1 (i.e. the heavier counterweight CW1 is in the uppermost floor). In generator mode operation, the heavier counterweight CW1 pulls the lighter elevator car C1 upward, and the electrical energy generated in this way is fed into the supply network SG in order to compensate for the energy fed in or to receive electrical energy from this supply network, for example in order to make full use of the energy-related advantageous rates. In order to utilize the measures mentioned below, the elevator installation ES1 has in one embodiment at least one energy storage system ESs. The energy storage system ESS can be charged, for example, from the supply network SG at low rates and, if appropriate with a refund mode, feed back energy into the supply network SG at high rates. Alternatively to this, the stored energy can also be used to supply the elevator system ES1 with energy at a high rate or in the event of a power failure and thus to operate the elevator system ES 1.

The elevator controller EC1 may also be constructed as a group of controllers which control more than one elevator unit, i.e. a group of elevator units E1, …, En. The control of the group (elevator units) is effected in a known manner by means of a controller group, which for example assigns the transport request ("call") of a person to one of the elevator units E1, …, En, for example the elevator car C1 which has the shortest distance to the floor to be entered at the moment. In combination with an energy management system, the controller group is able to perform the aforementioned measures for optimizing energy consumption or power consumption. In addition to the measures, the control group can carry out "group-specific" measures in order to optimize the operation of the elevator unit group, for example one or more of the following measures: in a targeted solution for simultaneous motor and generator drives, the starting times of the individual elevator units E1, …, En are delayed in time, the car load is adapted by targeted allocation of persons to a plurality of elevator units E1, …, En or the respective elevator unit E1, …, En which is to carry out the empty drive is selected in order to feed energy into the electrical network or to draw energy therefrom or to charge the energy storage system ESS.

Different measures can be implemented in the plant controller EC1, the energy storage management system or a combination of the plant controller EC1 and the energy storage system. The device controller EC1 has a processor/computer with a corresponding computer-readable data memory. The data memory stores a computer program executable by the processor, the computer program having program coded commands for performing the different measures.

In one exemplary embodiment, the elevator installation ES1 is initially in normal operation, i.e. the grid control SGC has no requirements relating to load shedding and the energy rates are at normal levels. During normal operation, the energy storage system ESS is charged with a low power when it is not in a charged state, so that its charged state is, for example, 70% of the maximum capacity.

Conversely, a special operating mode exists when the grid controller SGC requires a load to be switched off, for example when the grid load is relatively high and therefore the billing rate may be relatively high. In this special operating mode, the charging of the energy storage system ESS is interrupted or simply not started. In addition, the acceleration or speed or both of the elevator cars C1, …, Cn decrease in the following manner: so that all the power required for the operation of the elevator can be taken from the energy storage system ESS. In this case, the elevator installation ES1 is switched off from the point of view of the grid control SGC, since it does not draw energy from the supply network SG.

In the elevator installation ES1 or in the energy management system, a threshold value for the charging rate can be determined. When the rate exceeds a threshold, it may be defined that: the energy storage system ESS is discharged until a lower limit is reached, in particular the remaining energy in the energy storage system ESS is sufficient for other elevator driving processes. But can also trigger (empty) travel of the elevator into the highest floor. Since the elevator installation is usually dimensioned in such a way that the counterweight CW1 is heavier than the empty car C1, additional energy can thus be taken from the empty car and fed into the supply network SG.

The grid controller SGC may also send a load connection request to the elevator installation ES 1. When the grid controller SGC sends such a load-on request or the charging rate falls below a threshold value determined for the charging rate (which is, for example, equal to the aforementioned threshold value), the energy storage system ESS is charged with a higher power, for example, almost to the maximum capacity. The charging level is selected such that the energy storage system ESs is not overcharged during the subsequent travel when the elevator installation ES1 is in generator mode of operation. Additionally or alternatively, an empty run of the elevator into the lowermost floor can be triggered. For an empty car C1, power may thus additionally be consumed, which is required for moving the lighter car C1 downwards against the heavier counterweight CW 1.

The measures described for optimizing the operation of an elevator installation can also be used in the connection of a plurality of elevator installations ES1, …, ESn shown in fig. 1. In such a connection arrangement, according to one embodiment, all the participants (i.e. all the elevator installations ES1, …, ESn) continuously inform the central control unit, for example the monitoring unit NM, of their current state and their current power reception/output, respectively. The service (e.g., one or more energy suppliers SGS) can then offer the adjustment margin possible on the market and centrally control the power curve of the associated device. For the respective elevator installation ES1, …, ESn, a new rate pattern can be derived. The associated device power may be affected by: the ratio of motor travel to generator travel is varied, the travel speed is reduced/increased, the travel acceleration is reduced/increased, a time delay of the travel starting point of the car C1, …, Cn of the respective elevator installation ES1, …, ESm is triggered, a targeted empty travel is triggered in order to feed energy into the power grid or to draw energy from the power grid, and the car load is adapted (in the case of a controller group) by targeted personnel allocation.

The elevator installation ES1 can be operated with different types of operation. In a first operating mode, a pure motor operation is carried out, for which energy can be extracted from the supply network SG. As long as potential energy is stored in the elevator units E1, …, En (i.e. the elevator car C1 is at the lowermost floor), the elevator installation ES1 can be operated in generator-only manner according to the second operating type. For this purpose, the elevator units E1, …, En, in which energy is stored, function and the drive unit GM is operated as a generator, which feeds energy back into the supply network SG or charges the energy storage system ESS by means of the power supply unit SV. In addition, hybrid operation is possible in which the individual elevator units E1, …, En output energy and extract further energy.

It is self-evident that not every measure or every type of operation for optimizing the operation of the elevator systems ES1, …, ESm has to be implemented in the elevator systems ES1, …, ESm. The individual measures and operating types can be implemented in the elevator systems ES1, …, ESm almost independently of one another depending on the respective situation.

Also shown in fig. 2: the elevator controller EC1 communicates with the monitoring unit NM of the electricity supply network SG by means of the communication network CN and acquires second control information ci2 from the monitoring unit NM. The control information ci2 is determined by the monitoring unit NM on the basis of the state of the supply network SG.

In order to process the first and second control information ci1 and ci2, an agreement P, shown symbolically, can preferably be established between the operator of the elevator installation ES1 and the operator of the supply network SG_ES1Priorities of the first and second control information ci1 and ci2 are determined in the protocol. According to protocol P_ES1The second control information ci2 relating to an emergency situation of the supply network SG can be processed preferentially and executed without delay. On the contrary, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments,one of the elevator units is given the highest priority in the hospital to cope with emergency situations. In addition, in determining the protocol P_Es1Financial aspects such as repayment means and favorable rates may be taken into account. The method described here therefore achieves an advantageous operation of each elevator installation ES1, …, ESm (which are each adapted to the requirements of the customer) and the simultaneous use of the elevator installation for stabilizing the supply network SG.

An embodiment of the method is explained in detail below with the aid of the diagram of fig. 3. In this diagram, the control energy E provided within the supply network SG_RIs simply shown shaded. Additional positive control energy EA is plotted below and above the control band_R+And an additional negative actuating energy EA_R-The positive and negative regulating energy is provided by the elevator installations ES1, …, ESn. Regulating energy E_RIs suitably small and has the following advantages: so that this part of the regulation energy is distributed and can be used very quickly for stabilizing the supply network SG. Therefore, the positive and negative control energy EA of the elevator installations ES1, …, ESn_R+And EA_R-Can be calculated as a very rapidly applicable primary reserve which is of great importance for stabilizing the supply network SG. This makes it possible to circumvent or bridge otherwise slow regulation processes in the power supply network SG and to avoid network fluctuations.

In the graph is shown: at time t1, monitoring unit NM finds a strong rise in load. In addition, the following findings are provided: the load is close to the boundary of the regulated energy or regulated power, and the monitoring unit NM therefore sends second control information ci2_AThe elevator control EC1, …, ECm which is sent to the elevator installation ES1, …, ESm and to which the energy bottleneck is signaled. In view of running the protocol P_Es1In this case, the second control information ci2 can be processed, for example, with an increased priority (i.e., prioritized before the first control information ci1)_A. In this case, the control information ci2_AAs control commands that are executed as soon as possible. The elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm are now aware ofThe energy stored in the elevator units E1, …, En (electrical energy stored in the energy storage system ESS or energy in the form of potential energy) and/or the energy requirement for the transport/travel requested by the user, and the elevator units E1, …, En are controlled in such a way that, for example, a transport process is first carried out which enables a generator-type operation of the elevator installation ES1, …, ESm or has the lowest energy requirement. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring unit NM or the elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm can temporarily limit the parallel operation of the elevator units E1, …, En and stop one of the elevator units E1, …, En. Therefore, the load condition LS confirmed at time t1 is satisfied_AWith a second control signal ci2_AThe realization is as follows: the elevator systems ES1, …, ESm are operated in an energy-saving manner. This is symbolically shown in fig. 3: by means of the measures mentioned, the regulation energy E of the supply network SG can be avoided_RThe spare amount of is used up.

At the time t2 plotted in the diagram of fig. 3, the monitoring unit NM detects a low load of the supply network SG and uses the second control information ci2_BThe energy surplus is conveyed in the form of a signal. When obtaining information that can be processed with reduced priority, the elevator control EC1, …, ECm drives the elevator unit E1, …, En into a position in which it has an increased potential energy or absorbs negative regulating energy E_R-。

For time t3, two possible alternatively occurring poles are shown in the diagram. On the one hand, in the case of load LS_CThere may be a load peak or a failure of the energy supply SGS, so that the power supply network SG runs the risk of breaking down. In this case, the monitoring unit NM utilizes the second control information ci2_CTo signal the energy demand, after which each addressed elevator controller EC1, …, ECm knows the potential energy stored in the elevator unit E1, …, En and controls the elevator units E1, …, En preferably with the highest priority in the following way: the stored potential energy is released and fed back to the drive unit GM in the form of electrical energy by means of the generator-type operation of the associated drive unit GMAn electrical network SG. For such a generator-type operation, the drive unit GM or the rotating electric machine, the non-synchronous machine or the synchronous machine used therein operates as a rotating generator in a known manner.

In the diagram of fig. 3, the arrows show: elevator system ES1, …, ESm stores negative control energy EA after time t2_R-And outputs a positive actuating energy EA after a time t3_R+In order to compensate for peak loads or faults in the supply network SGS.

The type of operation of the elevator systems ES1, …, ESm is therefore selected to stabilize the supply network SG, taking into account the state of the supply network SG. During energy bottlenecks, load loading of the power supply network is avoided or limited. Energy is received and not released during the energy surplus. The connected elevator systems ES1, …, ESm are thus advantageously integrated into the control system of the supply network SG from the supply network operator's point of view. The operation of the elevator systems ES1, …, ESm is thus coordinated with the supply network SG.

Also shown in the diagram according to fig. 3 are: the monitoring unit NM preferably takes into account other conditions in case of providing the second control information ci 2. Preferably, the monitoring unit NM records the supplied regulating energy E_RThe change curve of (2). As long as the energy E is regulated_RIf there is a trend toward higher loads, then the following is dispensed with if the load of the supply network SG rises: the elevator systems ES1, …, ESm are switched to other operating types. Instead, the energy supply of one of the power supply devices SGS is increased.

At the time t4 depicted in the diagram, the monitoring unit NM has found: regulating energy E_RFor example, by switching on the power supply SGS. Therefore, at the time t5 (when the same load rise is again found as at the time t 1), the monitoring unit NM cancels the output of the same second control information ci 2. Thus, the monitoring of the state of the supply network SG preferably includes not only a direct monitoring of the load of the supply network SG, but also the state of the power supply system SGs andmonitoring of the corresponding energy prediction.

In the diagram according to fig. 3, the following procedure is also illustrated at the time t 6: this process can occur in conventional operating supply networks and elevator installations ES1, …, ESm, in which the supply network and the elevator installation operate independently of one another. Here, it is very likely that: in the corresponding time interval, the elevator systems ES1, …, ESm are operated simultaneously, so that a load peak, which is shown in fig. 3 and by means of which the supply network SG becomes unstable at least in some areas, may occur at time t 6.

And in one embodiment, is configured to: such peak load cannot occur at all, and therefore, the peak load at time 6 is indicated with a scratch. Namely, by means of the method, it is provided that: the elevator controller EC1, …, ECm informs the monitoring unit NM of the transfer required in accordance with the first control information ci1 and preferably also the corresponding energy requirement. The monitoring unit NM records the requested transfer and generates a plan for carrying out the transfer, by means of which the release implementation of the requested transfer is set in the following way: so that the energy requirements are balanced and load peaks are avoided.

The monitoring unit NM assigns preferred time stamps m1, …, m4 to the required transfer process and informs the elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm of these time stamps. The transfer process is then carried out in a shared manner at the time markers m1, …, m4 determined by the monitoring unit NM, so that peak loads due to a possible synchronous start of the elevator installation ES1, …, ESm can be avoided. In order for the transfer to be performed exactly at the time markers m1, …, m4 determined by the monitoring unit NM, the monitoring unit NM and the elevator controllers EC1, …, ECm preferably apply the same time reference and a common time period.

The time stamp can be transmitted to the elevator systems ES1, …, ESm for the purpose of outputting potential energy both for the execution of load processes and for the execution of generator processes (e.g., idle processes). Here, it may be set that: the first elevator installation ES1 performs a person transport and the second elevator installation ES2 performs an empty drive in order to compensate for the energy demand.

Claims (17)

1. Method for controlling at least one elevator installation (ES1,.., ESm) having at least one elevator unit (E1,.., En) which is connected to an electricity supply network (SG), wherein the elevator installation (ES1,.., ESm) can be controlled by means of an associated elevator controller (EC1,.., ECm) taking into account first control information (ci1) which relates to a local requirement of a user, the elevator controller (EC1,.., ECm) receiving second control information (ci2) from the electricity supply network (SG), which second control information comprises status data for the electricity supply network (SG), wherein the first control information (ci 865 4) and the second control information (ci2) are passed through the elevator controller (EC1,.., 1). ECm) is evaluated, the operation of the elevator installation (ES1,.., ESm) determined by the first control information (ci1) being influenced by the elevator controller (EC1,.., ECm) as a function of the second control information (ci2) in order to achieve an energetically optimized operation.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one acceleration of an elevator car (C1.., Cn), a travel speed of the elevator car (C1.., Cn), a starting moment of car travel and a parallel run of a plurality of elevator units (E1.., En) are influenced.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elevator controller (EC 1.., ECm) influences the operation of the elevator installation (ES 1.., ESm) in the following manner: -causing an elevator car (C1.,. Cn) to perform an empty-load operation in order to obtain electrical energy from the supply network (SG) and store it as potential energy in the elevator installation (ES 1.., ESm) or to feed electrical energy into the supply network (SG).

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the potential energy is converted into electrical energy in the generator mode of operation of the elevator installation (ES 1.., ESm) and is conducted into the supply network (SG) or charges an Energy Storage System (ESS).

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the Energy Storage System (ESS) is charged by the power supply network (SG).

6. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a monitoring unit (NM) is connected to the supply network (SG), wherein the supply network (SG) generates a target for the supply network (SG) depending on the load of the supply network (SG)The second control information (ci2) of at least one of the elevator controllers (EC1, E.., ECm) is communicated to the elevator controller (EC1, E.., ECm), after which the elevator installation (ES1, E.., ESm) is controlled as a function of the first control information (ci1) and the second control information (ci2) in such a way that the control energy (E) for the supply network (SG) is regulated_R) The need for (c) is reduced.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first control information (ci1) and the second control information (ci2) are checked by the elevator controller (EC 1.., ECm), wherein a priority order is generated according to an operating protocol and requests communicated by means of the first control information (ci1) and the second control information (ci2) are processed on the basis of the priority order.

8. Method according to claim 6, wherein the elevator installation (ES 1., ESm) is controlled as a function of the first control information (ci1) and the second control information (ci2) in the following manner: in order to output or draw regulated energy to or from the supply network (SG) in order to stabilize the supply network (SG).

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein in the event of a low load of the supply network (SG) energy surplus information is signaled by means of the second control information (ci2), after which the elevator controller (EC 1.., ECm) drives the elevator unit (E1.., En) into a position in which it has an increased potential energy and/or in the event of a high load of the supply network (SG) energy bottlenecks are signaled by means of the second control information (ci2), after which the elevator controller (EC 1.., ECm) captures the potential energy stored in the elevator unit (E1.., En.) and/or the energy requirements for the transport process required by the user and captures the elevator unit (E1, .., En) is controlled as follows: firstly, a transmission process is carried out which allows a generator-type operation or a minimum energy requirement of the elevator installation (ES 1.., ESm), and/or the elevator control (EC 1.., ECm) temporarily limits the parallel operation of the elevator units (E1.., En).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein when an energy supplier (SGS) fails or when the supply network (SG) is peak-loaded, the energy demand is signaled by means of the second control information (ci2), after which the elevator controller (EC 1.., ECm) knows the potential energy stored in the elevator unit (E1.., En) and controls the elevator unit (E1.., En) with the highest priority in the following manner: the stored potential energy is released and fed back to the supply network (SG) in the form of electrical energy by means of the generator operation of the respective drive unit (GM).

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein after signaling the energy demand, at least one of the elevator units (E1.., En) is caused by the elevator controller (EC 1.., ECm) to perform an empty run in which potential energy is stored in order to feed back energy to the supply network (SG).

12. Method according to claim 6, wherein at least two elevator controllers (EC 1.., ECm) inform the monitoring unit (NM) of the required transfer according to the first control information (ci1) and the corresponding energy demand, which monitoring unit (NM) effects the required transfer of the release in view of the position of the elevator installation (ES 1.., ESm) in the following way: -carrying out the transfer process at different moments in time, and-smoothing the energy consumption inside the electricity supply network, wherein a time stamp is assigned to the requested transfer process by the monitoring unit (NM), after which the elevator controller (EC 1.., ECm) starts the transfer process at the moment indicated by the time stamp, respectively.

13. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second control information (ci2) is used to transmit the permitted energy consumption or the current charge rate for energy consumption to the elevator control (EC 1.., ECm), which, when there is a lower charge rate, drives the elevator unit (E1.., En) into a position in which it has an increased potential energy, which is released again when the charge rate is higher.

14. Method according to claim 6, wherein the monitoring unit (NM) is informed of the stored energy reserve by the elevator controller (EC 1.., ECm) and controls the electricity supply network (SG) taking into account the informed energy reserve.

15. Method according to claim 6, wherein an Energy Storage System (ESS) for electrical energy is controlled in such a way that it is charged by the supply network (SG) or by electrical energy generated in the elevator installation (ES 1.., ESm) or is discharged by outputting electrical energy.

16. An elevator installation (ES 1.., ESm) having at least one elevator unit (E1.., En), which can be controlled by means of an elevator controller (EC 1.., ECm) taking into account first control information (ci1) which relates to a local requirement of a user, wherein the elevator installation (ES 1.., ESm) can be connected to a supply network (SG) and the elevator controller (EC 1.., ECm) receives second control information (ci2) from the supply network (SG), which second control information comprises status data for the supply network (SG), wherein the elevator controller (EC 1.,. ECm) evaluates the first control information (ci1) and the second control information (ci2), the elevator controller (EC1, .., ECm) influences the operation of the elevator installation (ES1, ESm) determined by the first control information (ci1) as a function of the second control information (ci2) in order to achieve an energy-optimized operation.

17. A correlation system having at least two elevator installations (ES 1.,. ESm) according to claim 16, which are connected to a common supply network (SG) and are connected to a monitoring unit (NM) by means of at least one Communication Network (CN), by means of which monitoring unit state data for the supply network (SG) can be ascertained, and which elevator installations (ES 1.,. ESm) can be controlled in accordance with the method according to one of claims 1 to 14.