A Digital Framework for Locally and Geographically Distributed Simulation of Power Grids

The power system sector is expected to contribute significantly to addressing the global climate change challenge through solutions such as the integration of distributed energy resources with low carbon emissions and demand side management as part of the flexibility solutions. However, the transformations in the power grids necessitate additional solutions to ensure the stable and reliable operation of the grids. Such novel solutions require detailed studies in laboratories before implementation in real grids. Power systems simulations combined with power-hardware-in-the-loop (P-HIL) experiments provide a reliable form of conducting such studies. The current article introduces the Energy Grids Simulations and Analysis Laboratory of the Energy Lab 2.0 as a digital framework enabling local and distributed analysis of power grids. The outstanding feature of the laboratory is its ability to connect the simulation of validated networks directly to the real hardware of the Energy Lab 2.0 in form of P-HIL setups and virtually to distant energy research infrastructures, thus enabling geographically distributed experimental studies. Results of the benchmark case studies show that the communication methods available in the simulation laboratory can be used to accurately set up locally and geographically distributed simulations, as well as for reliably interfacing physical hardware components to real-time simulations.