Power supply network control system and method

A method for controlling an energy or power supply network, comprising a coordination center, a plurality of local end-user units and a communications network linking the local units and the coordination center and a supply network connecting the local units and the coordination center for energy or power supply, the supply network having at least one or more constraints that limits power or energy consumption at at least one of the local end-user units, the method comprising:

• the coordination center transmitting a steering control signal indicating a degree of deviation of the system to the at least one of the local end-user units, and the at least one local end-user unit transmitting a reaction signal to the coordination center indicative of a power schedule for the local unit.

System for controlling an energy or power supply network comprising a coordination center, a plurality of local end-user units and a communications network linking the local units and the coordination center and a supply network connecting the local units and the coordination center for energy or power supply, the supply network having one or more constraints that limits power or energy consumption at at least one of the local end-user units, the system being adapted so that the coordination center transmits a control signal indicating a degree of imbalance of the system to the at least one of the local end-user units, and the at least one local end-user unit is adapted to transmit a reaction signal to the coordination center indicative of a power schedule for the local unit.

A co-ordination center for use with a system for controlling an energy or power supply network comprising the coordination center, a plurality of local end-user units and a communications network linking the local units and the coordination center and a supply network connecting the local units and the coordination center for energy or power supply, the supply network having one or more constraints that limits power or energy consumption at at least one of the local end-user units, the co-ordination center being adapted to transmit a control signal indicating a degree of deviation of the system to the at least one of the local end-user units, and to receive from the at least one local end-user unit a reaction signal indicative of a power schedule for the local unit.

A local user unit for use with a system for controlling an energy or power supply network comprising a coordination center, a plurality of local end-user units and a communications network linking the local units and the coordination center and a supply network connecting the local units and the coordination center for energy or power supply, the supply network having one or more constraints that limits power or energy consumption at at least one of the local end-user units, the at least one local user unit being adapted to receive a control signal indicating a degree of imbalance of the system from the co-ordination center, and the at least one local end-user unit being adapted to transmit a reaction signal to the coordination center indicative of a power schedule for the local unit.