FR3150679A1 - Energy production device in a network comprising a plurality of nodes, energy consuming node and corresponding methods - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for producing energy in a network comprising a plurality of nodes capable of communicating through said network via at least a first communication channel of said network. The device comprises one or more processors configured together or separately to:- obtain electrical energy from one or more ambient energy sources,- receive a request for electrical energy from at least a first of said nodes, said request for electrical energy being representative of at least one quantity of electrical energy required- supply, conditionally, to said at least one first node, a quantity of electrical energy depending on said quantity required, via at least one energy transfer channel of said network. The present invention also relates to an energy consuming node and the corresponding methods. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Energy production device in a network comprising a plurality of nodes, energy consuming node and corresponding methods

The present invention relates to the field of energy autonomy of nodes in communication networks. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and a method for producing energy in a network comprising a plurality of nodes and an energy consuming node and the corresponding method.

The invention is part of the context of devices connected to each other and having an energy autonomy that may be limited. Such devices may be, for example but not limited to, embedded devices such as connected objects, which are often not connected to an electrical network and as such have a low energy capacity, this capacity being materialized by a battery. Their low electrical storage capacity, coupled with their energy consumption, makes their operating time limited. The maintenance of these devices requires maintenance of their battery to replace or recharge them. In large networks, comprising a large number of devices, the maintenance of these devices, to identify and change discharged batteries is a task that can be tedious and time-consuming as well as not very respectful of the environment. Thus, there is a need to resolve the problems of energy capacity of embedded connected devices.

Furthermore, the applicant being sensitive to environmental issues, it is fully committed to the development of green technology. Taking into account the current environmental emergency, it invests resources in the research and development of sustainable solutions that contribute to the preservation of our planet.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a device for producing energy in a network comprising a plurality of nodes capable of communicating through said network through at least a first communication channel of said network, characterized in that it comprises one or more processors configured together or separately to:
- obtain electrical energy from one or more ambient energy sources,
- receiving a request for electrical energy from at least a first of said nodes, said request for electrical energy being representative of at least a quantity of electrical energy required
- conditionally supplying to said at least one first node a quantity of electrical energy depending on said required quantity, via at least one energy transfer channel of said network.

According to at least one embodiment, said provision takes into account at least one condition dependent on at least one or more of:
- the presence of at least one second energy production device in said network,
- reception of electrical energy requests from at least two nodes.

According to at least one embodiment, the device is such that, when it receives requests for electrical energy from at least two nodes, it is configured to provide at least a portion of said required electrical energy to at least one of said two nodes, selected according to one and/or the other of:
- an order of arrival of said request for electrical energy from said at least two nodes,
- an electrical energy capacity available in at least one of said two nodes,
- a priority associated with said at least two nodes.

According to at least one embodiment, when the network comprises at least one second energy production device, the energy production device is configured to provide said required quantity of energy according to at least one of the following elements:
- an amount of energy available in said energy production device and/or in said at least one second energy production device,
- an energy recharge time of said energy production device and/or of said at least one second energy production device,
- a time indication relating to an alternation of energy supply by said energy production device and said at least one second energy production device,
- a remaining charge, in said energy production device and/or said at least second energy production device,
- an efficiency of an energy transfer between on the one hand said node having transmitted an energy requirement and on the other hand said energy production device and/or said at least one second energy production device;
- a combination of at least two of the above elements.

According to at least one embodiment, the network comprises
- at least a first grouping of nodes configured to communicate together and comprising at least said energy production device
- at least one second grouping of nodes configured to communicate together and comprising at least one second energy production device,
said demand for electrical energy being transmitted by at least one node common to said first and second groupings of nodes,
said energy production device being configured to supply at least a portion of said required electrical energy to said common node, if it has, at its disposal, fewer energy transfer channels with nodes of said network than have, at its disposal, said at least one second energy production device.

According to at least one embodiment, said energy production device is configured to transmit to said at least one second electrical energy production device, prior to the supply of electrical energy to said node, information accepting the request for electrical energy.

According to at least one embodiment, the nodes comprise an electrical energy storage unit.

According to at least one embodiment, said energy transfer channel is a channel for transmitting said electrical energy, wired or wirelessly by electromagnetic induction or by radio-frequency radiation.

The present invention also relates to an energy consuming node in a network comprising a plurality of nodes capable of communicating through said network through a first communication channel of said network, said node being characterized in that it comprises one or more processors configured together or separately to:
- transmitting a request for electrical energy, said request for electrical energy comprising at least a required quantity of electrical energy,
- receiving at least a portion of said quantity of electrical energy, from at least one energy producing node of said network, through an energy transfer channel.

The features presented in isolation in the present application in connection with certain embodiments of the method of the present application can be combined with each other according to other embodiments of the present method.

The present invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions for executing the steps of the method according to the invention, according to any one of its embodiments, when said program is executed by a computer.

The present invention also relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for executing the steps of the method according to the invention, according to any of its embodiments.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing energy in a network according to any of the embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the present invention also relates to a method comprising a plurality of nodes capable of communicating through said network through at least a first communication channel of said network, said method being implemented in one of said nodes and comprising:
- obtaining electrical energy from one or more ambient energy sources,
- receiving a request for electrical energy from at least a first of said nodes, said request for electrical energy being representative of at least a quantity of electrical energy required
- the supply, conditionally, to said at least one first node, of a quantity of electrical energy depending on said required quantity, via at least one energy transfer channel of said network.

The present invention also relates to a system comprising a plurality of nodes capable of communicating through a communication network through a first communication channel, said system comprising at least one energy producing node, among said plurality of nodes, configured to
- obtain electrical energy from one or more ambient energy sources,
- receiving a request for electrical energy from at least a first of said nodes, said request for electrical energy being representative of at least a quantity of electrical energy required
- conditionally supplying to said at least one first node a quantity of electrical energy depending on said required quantity, via at least one energy transfer channel of said network.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an exemplary embodiment thereof without any limiting character.

There represents a network capable of implementing a device according to certain embodiments of the present invention,

Part 2a of the figure shows an energy consuming device according to some embodiments, part 2b shows an energy producing device according to some embodiments, and part 2c shows an energy consuming device further configured to produce energy according to some embodiments,

There represents an example of energy transfers between an energy-producing device and an energy-consuming device,

Part 4a of the figure represents an exemplary embodiment of a first network topology, part 4b represents an exemplary embodiment of a second network topology, part 4c represents an exemplary embodiment of a third network topology, part 4d represents an exemplary embodiment of a fourth network topology,

There represents an example of the implementation of data and energy exchanges in the topology shown in Figure 4a,

There represents an example of the implementation of data and energy exchanges in the topology shown in Figure 4b,

There represents an example of the implementation of data and energy exchanges in the topology shown in Figure 4c,

There represents an example of a grouping of devices within the meaning of certain embodiments of the present invention.

There represents an embodiment of a system capable of implementing at least one embodiment of the invention and represents a set of interconnected devices. At least some of these devices may be embedded devices of the connected object type for example.

A network interconnecting smart connected objects can be set up using a wireless or wired network, depending on the specific requirements of the environment and the connected devices. For this purpose, on the , the system shown comprises a communication network, shown in solid lines, interconnecting the devices 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f, 1000a, 1000b, 10a and 10b.

It may be noted that the term node or device may be interchanged in the following description.

A wireless network is often used to interconnect smart connected objects, such as sensors, surveillance cameras, home automation devices, autonomous vehicles, etc. This type of wireless network can be based on technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee or LoRaWAN. This network is mainly intended for data communication between different devices.

In a wireless network for IoT devices, devices can communicate with each other and with central servers without the need for physical cables. This provides great flexibility and ease of deployment in varying environments. Wireless networks also enable remote connectivity and device mobility.

In some cases, a wired network may be preferred to interconnect smart devices, especially when connection stability and security are priorities. Devices can be connected using Ethernet cables or fiber optics, providing a reliable and high-speed connection.

Wired networks typically offer high bandwidth and low latency, which can be crucial for certain types of applications that require real-time data transfer or high transmission capacity.

In some embodiments, at least some of the connected devices may be devices configured to measure one or more physical quantities, and may for example be sensors. These devices may for example be environmental sensors capable of monitoring and collecting data on parameters such as temperature, humidity, air quality, brightness, etc. They may be used in various fields such as agriculture, environmental monitoring and building management.

In some embodiments, at least some of the connected devices may be smart home devices such as thermostats, refrigerators, door locks, security cameras, voice assistants, etc., connected to the Internet to enable remote control and automation of household tasks.

In some embodiments, at least some of the connected devices may be wearable objects, such as smart watches, fitness bands, connected clothing, which collect data on health, physical activity, sleep, etc., and transmit it to applications or systems for analysis.

In some embodiments, at least some of the connected devices may be energy management systems configured to enable monitoring and control of energy consumption in buildings, factories, or infrastructure to help improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

In some embodiments, at least some of the connected devices may be tracking and locating devices configured to track and locate assets such as vehicles, packages, pets, people, etc., using technologies such as GPS, Bluetooth, and wireless communication networks.

In some embodiments, at least some of the connected devices may be connected health devices including health monitors, remote monitoring devices, smart pill dispensers, which enable tracking of vital signs, medication management, communication with healthcare professionals, etc.

Thus, in the example given below, the system 1 may be a wireless sensor network, WSN. WSNs are communication networks composed of many interconnected wireless sensors. Each sensor is for example equipped with physical sensors (e.g., temperature, pressure, humidity) as well as wireless communication capabilities.

WSNs are used to monitor and collect data in various environments, such as industrial, agricultural, environmental, or urban environments. These networks enable real-time monitoring, distributed data collection, and communication between sensors.

WSNs can be used in various scenarios, such as air quality monitoring, fire detection, crop health monitoring, traffic management, infrastructure monitoring, etc. They are often used when setting up wired networks is difficult or expensive.

Data collection in WSNs is performed in a collaborative manner, where sensors transmit the collected data to central communication nodes or a gateway (not shown) for further analysis or transmission to external systems.

Embedded devices, such as smart wearables, may have some drawbacks in terms of energy. For example, they have a limited battery life, consume a lot of energy, depend on external power sources, have a negative environmental impact, require complex energy management, and depend on wireless networks. Despite efforts to improve energy efficiency, these drawbacks remain significant challenges.

System 1 comprises one or more energy-consuming and/or energy-producing devices, and/or energy producers/consumers helping to overcome these energy constraints (or at least to limit them) and to improve the energy management of these devices.

The energy producing devices 1000a and 1000b, the energy consuming devices 10a and 10b and the energy producing/consuming devices 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f, may provide for improved energy management, at least some of which may further be sensors or have sensor functionalities, as mentioned above.

At least one communication channel allows 1000x energy producing, 100x energy producing/consuming and 10x energy consuming devices of the to communicate with each other. As mentioned above, this channel is a communication channel of a wired or wireless network. Several communication protocols can be used, depending on the embodiments, to establish a communication channel between the different energy producing devices, energy producing/consuming devices and energy consumers, such as IP protocols, Bluetooth, etc.

In addition to the communication channel, an energy transfer channel is provided for transmitting energy from at least one energy producing device 1000a and/or 1000b to at least one of the energy producing/consuming devices 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f. The energy transfer channel is shown in FIG. by the dotted lines.

According to certain embodiments, the communication channels are bi-directional channels while the energy transfer channels are unidirectional channels allowing the transfer of energy from one of the devices, this device being an energy producer, to at least one of the devices, this device being an energy consumer (or more generally an energy receiver).

According to certain embodiments, the energy transfer channel is a channel for transmitting electrical energy, in a wired or wireless manner by electromagnetic induction or by radio-frequency radiation. In the case of a radio frequency transfer, the channel can be materialized by an antenna on the transmitter side and a rectifying antenna on the receiver side.

Thus, the network topology from an energy point of view is distinct from its topology from a communication point of view. From an energy point of view, this topology corresponds to the architecture defining the links between energy-producing devices and energy-consuming devices.

The devices 10a and 10b are for example sensors whose main role is the capture and measurement of physical entities to be monitored in the environment. They comprise energy storage means, such as a battery for example. The energy consuming devices existing in the prior art are mainly devices operating using batteries making their maintenance complex, on the one hand, in order to check that they are always powered by their internal battery and on the other hand in order to change their battery when it is empty. According to at least some embodiments of the present invention, the energy consuming devices 10a and 10b comprise energy recovery means allowing them to receive energy from one or more other devices present on the network in order to consume it directly once received or to recharge their ESU storage means. An example of such a device is described in FIG. 2a.

According to the present disclosure, and with reference to Figure 2a, an energy consuming device (such as a sensor) such as devices 10a or 10b (hereinafter referred to as energy consuming device or energy receiving device 10x), comprises at least one processor PROC configured to implement a method according to at least one embodiment of the invention and capable of controlling the other modules present in the device. The device comprises one or more sensors capable of measuring one or more parameters as mentioned above. The device also comprises an I/F-N/W communication unit configured to allow the device to communicate through the communication channel, with other devices of the system 1, and capable of transferring and receiving data.

The 10x devices also include a USE module for storing energy. In some embodiments, these storage modules are batteries, for example rechargeable batteries.

The 10x devices also include a URE module for recovering or receiving energy. The URE module is used to recover energy from at least one energy supply device 1000a or 1000b (also called an energy supply device or energy emitting device 1000x). Depending on the embodiments, this may be energy produced or received by these devices and transferable to another device. The URE module is configured to receive energy from the energy transfer channel.

The system also includes one or more energy-emitting devices (e.g., energy-producing, energy-converting, or energy-transferring devices) 1000a and 1000b. In the illustrated example, one or more energy-emitting devices are configured to obtain electrical energy from one or more ambient energy sources. In other words, they are capable of producing electrical energy, or of converting energy of a nature other than electrical energy into electrical energy, or of recovering energy from one or more ambient energy sources and converting it, or transforming it, into electrical energy. In some embodiments, they can themselves receive this energy from an external source. They are also configured to transfer or provide energy to devices such as the energy-consuming devices 10x or energy-producing/consuming devices 100x. Ambient energy sources are forms of energy available in the environment that can be used to generate electricity. The main sources of ambient energy include solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy, wave energy, ambient thermal energy, and kinetic energy. These energy sources are renewable and contribute to the transition to cleaner and more environmentally friendly forms of energy.

An example of such a 1000x device is depicted in Figure 2b.

Each of the 1000x devices comprises at least one processor PROC configured for example to implement a method according to at least one embodiment of the invention and capable of controlling the other modules present in the device. The device may also comprise an I/F-N/W communication unit configured to allow the device to communicate through the communication channel, with other devices of the system 1, and capable of transferring and receiving data.

The 1000x devices may also include a USE module for storing energy. In some embodiments, these storage modules are batteries, for example rechargeable batteries.

The 1000x devices may also include a UPE module for generating electrical energy from one or more ambient energy sources. While some of the generated energy may be used locally for the device's own power supply needs, at least another portion of the generated energy may be transmitted or distributed to at least some of the 10x, 100x devices in the system.

At least one of the 1000x devices may also include a UTE module enabling the transfer of at least part of the electrical energy obtained by the UPE module and/or at least part of the electrical energy stored in its USE energy storage unit.

The energy transfer channel of the system allows energy to be transmitted between at least some of the devices (or nodes) of the system. Any energy transfer channel may undergo losses E _p in the network and thus a channel can be characterized by an efficiency η. The efficiency corresponds to the ratio between the energy received E _r by one of the devices 10x or 100x, and the total energy E _t transmitted by a device 1000x or 100x. It is therefore a characteristic attributed to the physical medium used for the transfer, which may depend on the embodiments, for example the distance between the devices concerned by the transfer, and other environmental factors. For example, an initial value may be assigned to the efficiency initially or estimated during a training phase, then evaluated and adjusted progressively during the transfers to be taken into account.

The system further comprises devices 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f (hereinafter also referred to as energy consuming and supplying devices or energy transmitting and receiving device 100x) comprising both energy recovery (or reception) means and energy supply means in accordance with the present disclosure. An example of such a device is described in FIG. 2c.

The maintenance of the energy consuming (or receiving) devices according to the present application is made simpler than that of conventional battery-powered devices (even rechargeable) because the energy consuming (or receiving) devices according to the present application, being capable of recharging themselves with energy, no longer require frequent monitoring or frequent replacement by an operator of their battery (or in any case greatly limit their need).

Each of the devices 100x comprises at least one processor PROC configured for example to implement a method according to at least one embodiment of the invention. The device may for example comprise one or more sensors capable of measuring one or more parameters as mentioned above. The device also comprises an I/F-N/W communication unit configured to allow the device to communicate through the communication channel, with other devices of the system 1, and capable of transferring and receiving data.

The 100x devices also include a USE module for storing energy. In some embodiments, these storage modules are batteries, for example rechargeable batteries.

The 100x devices also include a UGE module for managing or transferring energy, namely receiving or transmitting energy. The UGE module makes it possible to recover energy from at least one 1000a or 1000b device (also called 1000x) or to transmit energy to at least one 10x device or another 100x device.

The 100x devices may also include a UPE module for producing electrical energy from one or more ambient energy sources. This ambient energy may be used locally by the node that produces it but more generally may be transmitted or distributed to at least some of the 10x, 100x devices present in the system.

The devices shown in Figure 2a, 2b and 2c are represented by functional modules. Of course, these functional modules can be materialized in the form of electronic components but also in the form of software code and included in one or more processors in collaboration with one or more storage or recording means, such as memories, on which one or more programs are recorded to implement the present disclosure according to any of its embodiments.

There illustrates one embodiment of energy transfers between a 10x energy consuming device and a 1000x energy producing device.

The UPE module of the 1000x device produces electrical energy E _H from one or more ambient energy sources.

In some embodiments, the produced electrical energy may be recorded by the energy storage unit USE before being optionally transmitted to other devices. In some embodiments, the electrical energy may be transmitted without being stored.

Similarly, at the 10x energy consuming device, energy may be stored in an energy storage means USE before being used, or may be used upon receipt, or may be stored stealthily (the memory then serving as a buffer to absorb the difference in throughput between the receipt throughput and the consumption throughput). It may be noted that the energy storage means USE of the 1000x energy producing device and the 10x energy consuming device may be different.

When the energy consuming device transmits a request for an amount of energy , this energy can be expressed as follows:

With, η the efficiency of the energy transfer channel, andE _T the amount of energy transmitted by the energy-producing device.

The demand for electrical energy is representative of at least a quantity of electrical energy required. In order to be able to transfer energy to an energy-consuming device, an energy-producing device must therefore have sufficient energy. Thus, the energy-producing device can have its own electrical energy in its energy storage unit and able to recover clean electrical energy from the conversion of ambient energy, can provide the amount of clean energy requested if the following condition is true:

If the above condition is verified, then three different embodiments can be envisaged which can take into account additional parameters:

First mode

According to a first embodiment, when , it is possible to transfer energy permanently as long as this condition remains true. The recovered energy can be transmitted on the energy transfer channel, without any possible use of the energy which would be stored in the ESU of the energy producing device.

Second mode

According to a second embodiment, when , the energy producing device transfers an amount of electrical energy from the conversion of ambient energy as well as electrical energy stored in its ESU, the latter of which may also be electrical energy from the conversion of previously stored ambient energy. Thus, the energy producing device may not have sufficient energy to perform a continuous transfer. The energy transfer may then be intermittent and take place in small amounts of energy (also called packets) over time intervals .

If we consider the power delivered by the energy producing device, then the energy transmitted to the energy transfer unit UTE in a time interval can be expressed by the following formula:

The energy received by the energy receiving unit URE of the energy consuming device 10x can therefore be expressed by the following formula:

Thus, the amount of energy delivered can be controlled by controlling the time interval Δ T .

In some embodiments, the amount of energy transmitted per packet may be determined for certain links based on the capacity of the energy producing device, and/or the efficiency of the energy transfer channel, and/or the capacity of the energy consuming device.

In some embodiments, the energy transfer may be a burst transfer (i.e. intermittently). Energy may be transferred from the producer device to the consumer device intermittently, as long as the condition is verified. For example, energy transfer can be interrupted when the condition is no longer valid. The transfer of energy from a producer device to a consumer device can be controlled by transferring energy in packets and not continuously.

Alternatively, energy is transferred to the energy consuming device upon its request. This embodiment can help to better control energy distribution and is particularly suitable when an energy producing device is connected to several energy consuming devices, so as to be able to provide energy distribution adapted to the needs of the consuming devices. This transfer mode is described in the following figures.

Multiple topologies may exist for system 1, and at least some of the described embodiments may be applicable to certain network topologies.

Figures 4a to 4d illustrate four examples of network topologies that may exist. Network topologies relate to the energy transfer channels connecting consumer devices to producer devices.

The network consists of one or more links. Links with at least one common recipient or source will constitute groups. These groups can be categorized into 2 categories:

- groups with common recipient, illustrated in figure 4b in which we find a single consumer node linked to several producer nodes.

- the common source clusters illustrated in Figure 4c in which there are several consumer nodes linked to a single producer node.

It is possible that a link is involved in two different clusters. The overlap of several clusters, example in Figure 3c with three clusters, constitutes an M-to-N subnetwork where M corresponds to the number of producer nodes and N corresponds to the number of consumer nodes.

In Figure 4a, the system 1 comprises several devices, corresponding to nodes of the energy transfer channel network and the communication channel network, consisting of and comprising two energy consuming devices 10a and 10b and two energy producing devices 1000a and 1000b. The device 10a can receive exclusively electrical energy from the device 1000a and the device 10b can receive exclusively electrical energy from the device 1000b. It can be noted that the system 1 can comprise several groupings of this type.

In Figure 4b, the system 1 comprises a grouping of devices, corresponding to nodes of the energy transfer channel network and the communication channel network, consisting of an energy consuming device 10a and two energy producing devices 1000a and 1000b. The device 10a can receive electrical energy from either or both of the devices 1000a and 1000b. It may be noted that the system 1 may comprise several such groupings.

In FIG. 4c, the system 1 comprises a grouping of devices, corresponding to nodes of the energy transfer channel network and the communication channel network, the grouping consisting of an energy producing node and two energy consuming nodes. The energy producing device 1000a can transmit electrical energy to the energy consuming node 10a and to the energy consuming node 10b. It can be noted that the system 1 can comprise several such groupings.

In Fig. 4d, the system 1 comprises a plurality of energy consuming nodes and a plurality of energy producing nodes. At least some energy consuming nodes are connected to several energy producing nodes and at least some energy producing nodes are connected to several energy consuming nodes.

The energy consuming node 10a is connected to the energy producing node 1000a by a communication channel and an energy transfer channel.

The energy consuming node 10b is connected to the energy producing node 1000a by a communication channel and an energy transfer channel.

The energy consuming node 10d is connected to the energy producing node 1000c by a communication channel and an energy transfer channel.

The energy consuming node 10c is connected:
- to the energy producing node 1000a by a communication channel and an energy transfer channel,
- to the energy producing node 1000b by a communication channel and an energy transfer channel,
- to the energy producing node 1000c by a communication channel and an energy transfer channel.

The energy producing nodes 1000a, 1000b and 1000c are connected to each other by communication channels.

Thus, according to this last topology, we can notice that it is advantageous to provide management of energy transfers.

In some embodiments, for example in systems with limited energy resources (e.g., systems powered by low-power energy harvesting), energy transfer management may be implemented only in devices dedicated to energy production. Indeed, the implementation of energy management protocols may constitute an additional energy consumption that could impact the average consumption of energy-consuming nodes of the network. Embodiments where energy transfer management is performed in energy-producing nodes or devices (and not producer-consumer) may help to avoid increasing the consumption of energy-consuming nodes, and therefore to limit the impact of energy management on the operational functioning of the network.

There represents an embodiment of energy transfer on demand of an energy consuming device in a topology of the system 1 as shown in FIG. 4a, in which a single energy consuming device 10a, respectively 10b is connected to a single energy producing device 1000a, respectively 10b.

The energy consuming device 10a can transmit a request REQ_1 for an amount of energy on the common communication channel with the energy producing devices 1000a and 1000b. This request can consist of a message containing the remaining charge of the energy consuming device 10a, the estimate of the remaining operating time or other significant content or characterizing its energy requirement.

According to the embodiments, an energy consuming node can transmit an energy request:
- depending on the quantity of electrical energy contained in its energy storage unit ESU, for example when its ESU comprises a quantity of electrical energy less than a determined quantity (for example a quantity of energy defined in a configuration file), and/or
- based on an average consumption or an instantaneous consumption of energy in the node, or an evaluation (or estimation or determination) of these quantities, and/or
- depending on a node activity: for example, when the node sensor is heavily solicited, the energy consumption is significant. It can be estimated that the sensor activity will be significant over a given time window or adjusted according to the activity and thus, the energy demand can be a function of this activity over this time window, and/or
- depending on a priority of the energy consuming device, the priority being able to be linked to the importance of the parameters measured by the sensor for a given application.

The request REQ_1 can be received by the two energy producing devices 1000a and 1000b. Only the device 1000a has an energy transfer channel with the device 10a. It responds to the device 10a that it agrees to transfer energy to it by transmitting a message acknowledging the request ACK_1. Of course, if it is not able to transfer energy (because it is not operational for example), it also informs the device 1000a and in this case the message ACK_1 is a message refusing the request.

Upon receiving an acceptance of its request, the device 10a opens an energy transfer channel with the device 1000a and informs the device 1000a that it has opened this energy transfer channel by sending an OUV_1 message.

Device 1000a then transfers energy to device 10a, shown in by TR_EN1. The energy transfer can be carried out according to one of the modes described with reference to the .

When the energy transfer is complete, for example when the requested quantity of energy has been transferred, or when the quantity of energy that the energy producer can provide is transferred (when it is less than the requested quantity), the device 1000a informs the device 10a of the end of the transfer by transmitting a FIN_TR message on the communication channel.

At the end of the transfer, in certain embodiments, the energy consuming device 10a can inform the energy producing device 1000a of the quantity of energy received, by transmitting a message TR_QTE_EN1 to enable it to characterize the link and in particular to determine the efficiency, EST_η.

There represents a management of an embodiment of energy transfer on demand of an energy consuming device in a topology of the system 1 as shown in FIG. 4b, in which an energy consuming device 10a is connected to several energy producing devices 1000a and 1000b.

In such an embodiment following an energy request REQ_1 transmitted by the device 10a, as mentioned with reference to the , several energy producing devices can serve, transfer or supply energy to the device 10a, namely the energy producing devices 1000a and 1000b.

Thus, according to this embodiment, one of the energy-producing devices, following the request for a quantity of energy, transfers energy conditionally to the device 10a. This conditional transfer is linked to the presence of two energy-producing devices 1000a and 1000b in the network, configured to be able to respond to this request, or in other words, having a common energy transfer channel with the device 10a. Thus in such an embodiment, a selection of the energy-producing device which responds to the energy request is carried out.

To this end, the energy producing devices 1000a and 1000b may exchange information that may enable the selection of one or the other of the energy producing devices to meet the energy demand. This selection may help to optimize the exploitation of the ambient energy converted and available in the energy producing devices 1000a and 1000b.

The energy producing device 1000a may transmit an EXCHG_a message to the energy producing device 1000b and the energy producing device 1000b may transmit an EXCHG_b message to the energy producing device 1000a. The exchanged data may enable the device 1000a and the device 1000b to determine whether they are selected to provide the amount of energy requested by the device 10a. Among the exchanged data, we can notably note:
- an amount of energy available from at least one of the energy production devices,
- an energy recharge time of at least one of the energy production devices,
- a time indication relating to an alternation of energy supply by said energy production devices,
- a remaining charge, in at least one energy production device.
- an efficiency of an energy transfer between on the one hand said consumer device having transmitted an energy requirement and on the other hand at least one of the energy production devices;
- a combination of at least two of the above elements.

The two devices 1000a and 1000b can apply the same selection criterion, during a selection step, respectively PROT_a for the device 1000a and PROT_b for the device 1000b. The selection criterion may for example be one of the selection criteria according to one of the three variants described below in order to thus determine the at least one selected energy-producing device. As a variant, only some of the energy-producing devices can apply the selection criterion and inform the other energy-producing devices involved in the exchanges.

Several variations may be considered for the selection of the energy producing device 1000a or 1000b which meets the electrical energy requirement of the device 10a.

According to a first variant, one then the other of the energy producing devices can be selected alternately. In this variant, data exchanges can be carried out between the device 1000a and 1000b in order to define the alternation periodicity between the at least two devices and/or the quantity of energy transferred by one or the other, each being able to transfer a different quantity per period or overall, depending for example on its conversion and storage resources. This can make it possible, in certain embodiments, when one of the energy producing devices has a quantity of energy lower than the required quantity, to provide, by this producer, a quantity lower than the required quantity and to select one or more other producers to provide the remainder of the energy to reach the required quantity of energy.

According to a second variant, it is possible to select the energy producing device 1000a or 1000b having its storage entity USE fully charged and/or to select the energy producing device 1000a or 1000b having the shortest recharge time of its energy storage unit (USE).

According to a third variant, the energy producing device 1000a or 1000b can be selected based on a criterion or a combination of several criteria forming a score.

For example, a score can be obtained by the following formula:

Where E _Sp,i ,T _R,i and η _i respectively represent the charge of the energy storage unit (USE) in percentage, the charging time and the efficiency of the link between an energy producing device i and the energy consuming device that issues the energy request. To retrieve this data, the energy producing devices i establish for example a connection on the communication channel to exchange the data relating to each of them, in the messages EXCH_a and EXCH_b. This score makes it possible to determine the energy producing device i most capable of transferring the energy. This evaluation can for example be based on at least one of the following terms:

- a first term evaluates the remaining charge relative to the most loaded energy-producing device i,

- a second term evaluates the recharge time relative to the energy-producing device i with the longest recharge time,

- a third term evaluates the efficiency of the connection between the energy-demanding device and the energy-producing device i relative to the best efficiency.

The coefficients a, b, and c are weights that sum to 1 in this example. Each energy-producing device i compares its score to the other scores. The energy-producing device i with the highest S _A is selected for energy transfer.

Once the selection is made, the selected producer device sends an acknowledgment message ACK_1 to the energy consumer device 10a. The following steps OUV_1, TR_EN1, FIN_TR and TR_QTE_EN1 are not described here and are identical to those described with reference to the . It should be noted that the TR_QTE_EN1 message used to characterize the connection and in particular to determine the efficiency, EST_η can be transmitted to all the energy producing devices (here 1000a and 1000b) connected to the energy consuming device, so as to update their respective information and thus improve the precision of the selection of the energy producing device during a next energy request.

We will now explain the management of an energy demand in a network topology corresponding to Figure 4c. The system 1 comprises a group of nodes or devices consisting of an energy producer node and two energy consumer nodes. The energy producer device 1000a can transmit electrical energy to the energy consumer node 10a and to the energy consumer node 10b.

According to this embodiment, when the energy producing node receives energy requests from the devices 10a and 10b, it can transmit energy to one or the other conditionally. It can therefore be configured to provide at least a portion of said required electrical energy to at least one of said two nodes 10a or 10b, selected according to one and/or the other among:
- an order of arrival of said request for electrical energy from at least two nodes 10a and 10b,
- an electrical energy capacity available in at least one of the two nodes 10a and 10b,
- a priority associated with the two nodes 10a and 10b.

For example, let's take two priority levels A and B, with A being of higher priority than B.

When a priority is associated with the energy consuming nodes, the energy consuming node can include two FIFO (First-in First-out) type memories or queues.

A first queue “Queue 1” which manages the requests of the category A energy consuming devices and a second queue “Queue 2” which manages the requests of the category B energy consuming devices. The energy producing device then begins by processing the requests of queue 1 before processing the requests of queue 2. The requests received are queued and served according to their priority. The requests of the category A energy consuming devices are put in queue 1 and are served in the order in which they are received by the energy producing device 1000a. The requests of the category B energy consuming devices are put in queue 2 and are served only when there is no request in queue 1.

There represents a management of an embodiment of on-demand energy transfer of two energy consuming devices in a topology of the system 1 as shown in FIG. 4c, in which an energy producing device 1000a is connected to energy consuming devices 10a and 10b.

The device 10a transmits a request for electrical energy to the device 1000a. The device 1000a determines a priority associated with the device 10a, for example present in the request message or previously acquired and places this request in the queue. In this example, the priority is type A, i.e. the highest priority.

During a SEL selection step, the device 1000a selects the energy request to be served. The request from the device 10a being a priority request, it is served in its order of arrival or its order of reception, in queue 1, present in the FiFo. If other requests of type A are already present in queue 1, then these other requests are served before, according to their order of arrival. The requests from queue 2 are not considered as long as there are requests in queue 1.

When the energy request of device 10a is the first in the waiting list, it is served by device 1000a. The steps previously described in Figures 5 and 6, ACK_1, OUV_1, TR_EN1, FIN_TR and TR_QTE_EN1 are executed.

Device 10b has also transmitted an energy request to device 1000a, after device 10a and therefore while the energy request of device 10a is pending or served by device 1000a. Device 10b being associated with a priority B, its request is put on hold in queue 2. Its request is served when no more requests are waiting to be served in queue 1. If other requests are already pending in queue 2, the request of device 10b will be served after those which are already pending.

When the request from device 10b is the first in queue 2 and there are no more requests pending in queue 1, the steps previously described in Figures 5 and 6, ACK_1, OUV_1, TR_EN2, FIN_TR and TR_QTE_EN2 are executed. Steps TR_EN2 and TR_QTE_EN2 are identical to steps TR_EN1 and TR_QTE_EN1 respectively but with reference to the amount of energy requested by device 10b.

We will now describe the management of energy demands in a topology of System 1 as shown in Figure 4d, in which at least some energy consuming nodes are connected to several energy producing nodes and at least some energy producing nodes are connected to several energy consuming nodes.

In a network, a link can belong to two clusters at the same time. When receiving a request, a producer node must then be able to identify the type of cluster in which its link with the consumer node is located in order to be able to apply the necessary management protocol.

In one embodiment, this may be translated into a binary table (m,n), which defines all the links in the network, where m is the number of producer nodes and n is the number of consumer nodes in the network as shown in .

Network links are translated by 1:
- The connections of the same line represent an M-to-1 grouping, resulting in several consumer devices being connected to a producer device, via at least the energy transfer channel and
- the connections of the same column represent a 1-to-N grouping: resulting in an energy producer connected via an energy transfer channel to two consumer devices,
- the overlap of several groupings constitutes M-to-N subnetworks.

Based on this representation, each producer node can be able to identify the clusters with which it is directly or indirectly involved and communicate with the rest of the producer nodes in the subnet. Therefore, for example, when a producer node receives a request, depending on its connection with the requester:

1- If the link is in a 1-to-N grouping, then it is the request handling protocol as described in which may apply.

2- If the link is in an M-to-1 grouping, then it is a request handling protocol as described in which may apply.

3- If the link is a common link, then a consensus is reached between the energy producing devices. In one embodiment, the request is added to a temporary waiting list, then the energy producing device management protocol is applied. The energy producing device having the smallest link number is given priority for the transfer. If an energy producing device responds to the request, it signals it to the other energy producing devices in the subnet.

In a static network where all links and clusters are known in advance and do not vary during operation, this table can be defined by the user during network installation. In a dynamic network where links and clusters may change, an initialization phase and a discovery protocol can be considered to allow the table to adapt to dynamic changes in network configuration. Since the scope of the energy transfer may be different from that of the communication, a minimum energy packet (test packet) can be transferred to test the links. In one embodiment, each node that changes location broadcasts a message to signal the change to the nodes in the network. The energy producing devices that receive this message treat it as an accepted energy request but by sending only a test packet. The energy consuming and requesting device opens its energy transfer channel to all the energy producing devices one by one, each time confirming the amount of energy received after the transfer is complete. This can allow energy producing devices to identify a new link if it is possible and to characterize its performance. Each energy producing device can inform other energy producing devices in the network of changes in its links.

According to a variant of the invention, the method implemented in the present invention can be implemented between energy transmitters and receivers, according to the invention, serving as an energy relay for energy consuming or producing equipment other than the devices 1000x, 100x and 10x.

Claims (10)

Device for producing energy in a network comprising a plurality of nodes capable of communicating through said network through at least a first communication channel of said network, characterized in that it comprises one or more processors configured together or separately to:
- obtain electrical energy from one or more ambient energy sources,
- receiving a request for electrical energy from at least a first of said nodes, said request for electrical energy being representative of at least a quantity of electrical energy required
- conditionally supplying to said at least one first node a quantity of electrical energy depending on said required quantity, via at least one energy transfer channel of said network. Device according to claim 1 wherein said provision takes into account at least one condition dependent on at least one or more of:
- the presence of at least one second energy production device in said network,
- reception of electrical energy requests from at least two nodes. Device according to claim 1 such that, when it receives requests for electrical energy from at least two nodes, it is configured to supply at least a portion of said required electrical energy to at least one of said two nodes, selected according to one and/or the other of:
- an order of arrival of said request for electrical energy from said at least two nodes,
- an electrical energy capacity available in at least one of said two nodes,
- a priority associated with said at least two nodes. An energy distribution device according to claim 1 in a network comprising at least one second energy production device, such that said energy production device is configured to provide said required amount of energy as a function of at least one of the following:
- an amount of energy available in said energy production device and/or in said at least one second energy production device,
- an energy recharge time of said energy production device and/or of said at least one second energy production device,
- a time indication relating to an alternation of energy supply by said energy production device and said at least one second energy production device,
- a remaining charge, in said energy production device and/or said at least second energy production device,
- an efficiency of an energy transfer between on the one hand said node having transmitted an energy requirement and on the other hand said energy production device and/or said at least one second energy production device;
- a combination of at least two of the above elements. An energy production device according to claim 1, said network comprising
- at least a first grouping of nodes configured to communicate together and comprising at least said energy production device
- at least one second grouping of nodes configured to communicate together and comprising at least one second energy production device,
said demand for electrical energy being transmitted by at least one node common to said first and second groupings of nodes,
said energy production device being configured to supply at least a portion of said required electrical energy to said common node, if it has, at its disposal, fewer energy transfer channels with nodes of said network than have, at its disposal, said at least one second energy production device. Energy producing device according to claim 5 such that said energy producing device is configured to transmit to said at least one second electrical energy producing device, prior to the supply of electrical energy to said node, information accepting the request for electrical energy. Device according to one of the preceding claims in which the nodes comprise an electrical energy storage unit. Device according to one of the preceding claims, such that said energy transfer channel is a channel allowing said electrical energy to be transmitted, wired or wirelessly by electromagnetic induction or by radio-frequency radiation. Energy consuming node in a network comprising a plurality of nodes capable of communicating through said network through a first communication channel of said network, said node being characterized in that it comprises one or more processors configured together or separately to:
- transmitting a request for electrical energy, said request for electrical energy comprising at least a required quantity of electrical energy,
- receiving at least a portion of said quantity of electrical energy, from at least one energy producing node of said network, through an energy transfer channel.
A method of producing energy in a network comprising a plurality of nodes capable of communicating through said network through at least a first communication channel of said network, said method being implemented in one of said nodes and comprising:
- obtaining electrical energy from one or more ambient energy sources,
- a reception of a request for electrical energy from at least a first of said nodes, said request for electrical energy being representative of at least a quantity of electrical energy required
- a supply, conditionally, to said at least one first node, of a quantity of electrical energy depending on said required quantity, via at least one energy transfer channel of said network.