Embedded Real-Time Simulation Platform for Power Distribution Systems

Abstract

The inclusion of distributed renewable energy sources, new goals of efficiency and reliability, and the technological advancement of the power grid has led to a significant increase in the complexity of distribution systems. Although multiple devices can be controlled to achieve these objectives during smart grid operation, many proposed algorithms are based on ideal scenarios where the complex distribution system is assumed to be fully observable or measurable. As this condition obstructs many advanced applications, it is necessary to implement novel alternatives that provide support and validation in the field. In this paper, we show that embedded simulation is capable of providing accurate results of the system real-time condition. The designed platform exploits the technological development of mobile devices, a specific purpose solver, and concurrent processing to embed the power systems simulation into small, flexible, and affordable devices. Simulation results demonstrate the accuracy and timeliness of the proposed realtime simulation based on the IEEE 37 bus test feeder emulation and other large-scale scenarios such as the IEEE 8500 node test feeder. We anticipate that this simulation approach will be useful for applications covering advanced protection relaying, volt-var control, topological reconfiguration, distributed generation management, storage control, and cyber security assessment among others.