This paper presents an approach to extend the capabilities of smart grid laboratories through the concept of Power Hardware-in-The-Loop (PHiL) testing by re-purposing existing grid-forming converters. A simple and cost-effective power interface, paired with a remotely located Digital Real-Time Simulator (DRTS), facilitates Geographically Distributed Power Hardware Loop (GD-PHiL) in a quasi-static operating regime. In this study, a DRTS simulator was interfaced via the public internet with a grid-forming ship-To-shore converter located in a smart-grid testing laboratory, approximately 40 km away from the simulator. A case study based on the IEEE 13-bus distribution network, an on-load-Tap-changer (OLTC) controller and a controllable load in the laboratory demonstrated the feasibility of such a setup. A simple compensation method applicable to this multi-rate setup is proposed and evaluated. Experimental results indicate that this compensation method significantly enhances the voltage response, whereas the conservation of energy at the coupling point still poses a challenge. Findings also show that, due to inherent limitations of the converter s Modbus interface, a separate measurement setup is preferable. This can help achieve higher measurement fidelity, while simultaneously increasing the loop rate of the PHiL setup. ... Read more

Work Package JRA2 has developed advanced simulation-based methods to check and validateSmart Grid scenarios, configurations and applications. The required models cover the various partsof Smart Grids, such as power system infrastructures, control algorithms, communication systems,market aspects or/and external factors like weather and people. The challenge is that the individualmodels of these parts are of very different nature (continuous, discrete, stochastic, etc.). From thetechnical perspective, this challenge has been overcome with the help of offline co-simulation, wherethe most suitable simulation tools for all considered domain can be coupled via the Functional Mockup Interface specification. From the methodological perspective, this challenge has been addressedby basing the work in JRA2 on ERIGrid’s holistic testing procedure. ... Read more

This report summarizes the work conducted within ERIGrid related to an integrated simulation environment for large-scale systems.The main goal of the JRA2 is to develop advanced simulation-based tools and methods to validate Smart Grid scenarios, configurations and applications in con-text of co-simulation. The work done in D-JRA2.1 involved assessment of specialized simulation packages for Smart Grids and to develop tools to couple these simulation packages for co-simulation. New tools and models were also developed as some of the existing tools were not sufficient enough to achieve the appropriate couplings. In D-JRA2.2 co-simulation-based assessment methods were developed to compare the performance between monolithic and co-simulations. In D-JRA2.3 we aim to combine all the work done under WP JRA2 to present an integrated simulation package that can be applied to Large Scale systems. The assessment methods developed in D-JRA2.2 have been tested initially in small systems to measure the performance and identify possible flaws. How-ever, the complexity increases significantly in large scale realistic systems. This report documents the challenges faced when the systems and their models grow larger (i.e., upscaled) and how different large scale specific phenomena and issues were identified. After the identification of the challenges, the assessment methods were modified and packaged into an in-tegrated simulation environment which can be used for scaled out systems. The simulation pack-ages are provided as an addendum along with this report while their details are concisely docu-mented in this report. ... Read more

Simulation-based assessments are a cost- and time-effective way of evaluating various aspects of large energy systems. For instance, they can help in the design process of energy systems, where they provide insights into technical or economic questions. Or they can be used for developing operational strategies and controllers to increase the efficiency of energy systems.
In the case of integrated urban energy systems, simulation-based assessments still remain challenging due to their complex requirements, from both a methodological as well as a technical perspective. This is not only due to the size of the considered systems but also due to the fact that they comprise and integrate subsystems that are related to different engineering domains (e.g., electric grids and heat networks) and different stakeholders. Nevertheless, recent work has demonstrated how innovative simulation approaches can be successfully utilized in this context, enabling detailed multi-domain assessments for urban energy systems.
However, not only models and tools are necessary for such complex simulation based assessments. Issues related to data availability and reproducibility are of equal importance, in order to set up simulations and compare results. And, with the help of proper methodologies, it is possible to exploit synergies between complementary simulation approaches for holistic assessments. Within this context, this paper highlights recent developments from research projects that target these issues. The examples demonstrate how these new approaches help in understanding the associated risks and potentials, paving the way for early adopters to implement innovative concepts in the context of integrated urban energy systems. ... Read more