Method and system for using renewable energy sources

Abstract

Method for using renewable energy sources comprising at least one remote energy generation plant which may be operated by a renewable energy source, a production measurement unit at the location of the at least one remote energy generation plant which measures the production of the at least one remote energy generation plant, a central control unit, the method comprising the following steps: a) producing a production forecast for the production of the at least one remote energy generation plant in a future time period, b) transmitting the production forecast to the central control unit via a computer network, c) operating the remote energy generation plant and measuring the production using the production measurement unit, d) comparing the measured production with the production forecast, e) notifying an operator of the at least one energy generation plant, if the measured production deviates from the production forecast beyond a predetermined level.

1 . Method for using renewable energy sources comprising
 at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) which may be operated by a renewable energy source,   a production measurement unit ( 102 ,  42 ) at the location of the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) which measures the production of the at least one remote energy generation plant,   a central control unit ( 24 ),   
       the method comprising the following steps:
 a) producing a production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) for the production of the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) in a future time period, 
 b) transmitting the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) to the central control unit ( 24 ) via a computer network ( 104 ,  22 ), 
 c) operating the remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) and measuring the production using the production measurement unit ( 102 ,  42 ), 
 d) comparing the measured production with the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ), 
 e) notifying an operator ( 12 ) of the at least one energy generation plant ( 10 ), if the measured production deviates from the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) beyond a predetermined level. 
 
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) is produced by a person who is locally responsible for the operation of the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ). 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) is produced by means of a computer network. 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) comprises an active power and/or reactive power to be generated and/or network system services to be provided. 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the comparison of the measured production with the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) takes place at the location of the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ). 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the central control unit ( 24 ) based on the production forecast ( 20 ) produces a schedule ( 32 ) for the at least one remote energy generation device ( 10 ), the schedule ( 32 ) being transmitted from the central control unit ( 24 ) via a computer network ( 34 ) to a remote control unit ( 36 ), which controls the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) automatically according to the schedule ( 32 ). 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that when producing the schedule ( 32 ) in the central control unit ( 24 ) a comparison of the production forecast ( 20 ) takes place with a forecast demand and the schedule ( 32 ) is produced, adapted to the forecast demand, optionally deviating from the production forecast ( 20 ). 
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the remote control unit comprises a monitoring device ( 42 ), which monitors operating data ( 44 ) and/or environmental conditions ( 46 ) of the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) and transmits this information to the central control unit ( 24 ) via a computer network ( 48 ,  50 ). 
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a plurality of remote energy generation plants ( 10 ) are present which are operated by renewable energy sources, a corresponding number of production forecasts ( 100 ,  20 ) and/or schedules ( 32 ) being produced. 
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 8 , characterised in that no notification of the operator ( 12 ) takes place when, using the data transmitted from the monitoring device ( 42 ) a cause may be identified for the deviation of the measured production from the production forecast ( 20 ) and/or from a schedule ( 32 ) produced based on the production forecast ( 20 ), over which the operator ( 12 ) has no influence. 
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 8 , characterised in that a schedule ( 32 ) is adapted when the comparison of a measured production and/or operating data ( 44 ) monitored by the monitoring device ( 42 ) with a production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) and/or a schedule ( 32 ) produced based on the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) exhibits deviations. 
     
     
         12 . System for using renewable energy sources comprising
 at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ), which may be operated by a renewable energy source,   a production measurement unit ( 102 ) at the location of the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) which measures the production of the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ),   a device ( 16 ,  18 ) for detecting a production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) for the production of the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) in a future time period,   a device for transmitting the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) to the central control unit ( 24 ) via a computer network ( 104 ,  22 ),   a device for comparing the measured production with the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ),   a device for notifying an operator ( 12 ) of the at least one energy generation plant ( 10 ) which is configured such that a notification of the operator ( 12 ) automatically takes place, if the measured production deviates from the production forecast ( 100 ,  20 ) beyond a predeterminable level.   
     
     
         13 . System according to  claim 12 , characterised in that the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) is a biogas plant and/or a plurality of remote energy generation plants ( 10 ) are present, which may be operated by renewable energy sources. 
     
     
         14 . System according to  claim 12 , characterised in that the central control unit ( 24 ) is configured for producing a schedule ( 32 ) based on the production forecast ( 20 ) and a device for transmitting the schedule ( 32 ) to a remote control unit ( 36 ) via a computer network ( 34 ) is present which is configured for automatic control of the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) according to the schedule ( 32 ). 
     
     
         15 . System according to  claim 14 , characterised in that the remote control unit ( 36 ) comprises a monitoring device ( 42 ) which is connected to the remote energy generation plant ( 10 ) and/or to sensors and is configured for monitoring operating data ( 44 ) and/or environmental conditions ( 46 ) of the at least one remote energy generation plant ( 10 ). 
     
     
         16 . System according to  claim 15 , characterised in that the monitoring device ( 42 ) may be connected via a computer network ( 48 ,  50 ) to the central control unit, and is configured for transmitting the monitored operating data ( 44 ) and/or environmental conditions ( 46 ) to the central control unit ( 24 ).