Smart grids link various types of energy technologies such as power electronics, machines, grids, and markets via communication technology, which leads to trans-disciplinary, multi-domain system. Simulation packages for assessing system integration of components typically cover only one sub-domain, while terribly simplifying the others. Co-simulation overcomes this by coupling sub-domain models that are described and solved within their native environments, using specialised solvers and validated libraries.
Covering fundamentals and applications, the articles “Applied co-simulation of intelligent power systems: implementation, usage, examples” and “Co-simulation of intelligent power systems: Fundamentals, software architecture, numerics, and coupling” discuss the state of the art and conceptually describe the main challenges for simulating intelligent power systems. Supported by ERIGrid, these papers present the work performed in the project on improving simulation-based evaluation and validation approaches.
As the focus of smart grid solutions is moving from a single system to a system of systems perspective, the increasing complexity results in growing engineering efforts and costs. For this reason, new and automated engineering methods are necessary. The paper “Engineering Smart Grids: Applying Model-Driven Development from Use Case Design to Deployment” addresses these needs with a rapid engineering methodology that covers the overall engineering process for smart grid applications—from use case design to deployment.
You can find further ERIGrid resources here.