CHAPTER

14

Simulation Tools

In Chapters 5–13, we discussed several methodologies that are useful to address different
problems present in the smart grid in order to provide electricity to the users in a
cost-effective and reliable manner. However, we also need to realize the system behavior
and impact of the parameters used in a particular model through different controllable
experiments. Thus, the use of suitable simulation tools is an important concern.
As we saw earlier, smart grid technologically combines two different entities–power
grid and communication network. Therefore, a smart grid simulator needs to take into
account the properties of both the power grid and the communication network. There are
many tools available for the simulation of smart grid. In this chapter, we discuss some of
the useful simulation tools that can be used for conducting smart grid experiments.

14.1 Simulation Tools

14.1.1 Open DSS
Open distribution system simulator (OpenDSS) [1] is one of the popular power grid
simulation tools available. It deals with power grid system planning and analysis. As the
name suggests, using this tool, one can model the power distribution system and analyze
the behavior of the system prior to actual deployment. Primarily, it can help to analyze the
needs of distributed generation units in a power grid system. Holistically, it supports
future needs such as the modeling of smart grid applications, power delivery, and
harmonics analysis. Some of the wide applications of OpenDSS simulation tools are as
follows [1]:

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 228 Smart Grid Technology: A Cloud Computing and Data Management Approach

• Power distribution planning and analysis

• Analysis of integrating multiple distributed generations
• Distributed storage modeling
• Wind power simulation
• Solar photo-voltaic simulations
• Impact of electric vehicles modeling and simulation
• Daily/annual energy load and generation simulation
By default, this simulator does not include any provision to have communication protocols
that can be used to design the smart grid communication networks. However, it provides
the flexibility of integrating communication models into it. It can also easily be integrated
with MATLAB or other well-known simulators.

14.1.2 MATPOWER
MATPOWER [2] is another simulation tool designed for analyzing power problems in a
power grid. This is a package that can be integrated with MATLAB. It is useful to simulate
optimal power flow problems present in the smart grid. However, the features of simulation
supported by this tool are purely related to power grid simulation. MATPOWER does not
have any provision to model the communication networks.

14.1.3 NS-2 and NS-3

The most widely used network simulators are NS-2 (www.isi.edu/nsnam/ns/) and NS-3
(www.nsnam.org). Smart grid communication network can be designed and analyzed
using these simulators. NS-2 and NS-3 provide the flexibility of designing different
communication protocols that can be used in the TCP/IP model. Therefore, researchers
working in the field of smart grid communication network, specifically, smart grid data
aggregation, may use NS-2 or NS-3 to design any protocol for data aggregation in the
smart grid. Eventually, the protocol can be integrated atop the network access layer.
Similarly, we can have routing and transport layer protocols specifically designed for the
smart grid communication network. However, these simulators do not simulate any
provision to simulate the power grid. However, they can be integrated with MATLAB to
design the power grid related factors. Thus, we can have simulation of both the
communication network and the power grid.

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 Simulation Tools 229

14.1.4 GridSim
GridSim (http://www.buyya.com/gridsim) is primarily designed to simulate distributed
systems having multiple entities such as users, brokers, and resources. It supports
heterogeneous resources that can be integrated into a single platform using resource
brokers. We can model complex distributed algorithms using this simulator. Some of the
important applications/features that can be simulated using GridSim are as follows:
• Integration of heterogeneous resources and system behavior modeling
• Incorporation of an auction model, which is one of the important game-theoretic
models used in distributed systems.
• Providing support for a communication network
• Providing support for the integration of real-traces to realize the real-system behavior
Based on the aforementioned features, GridSim can also be used to simulate smart grid
experiments, while supporting both the distributed nature of the power distribution grid
and the communication network.

14.1.5 OMNeT++
OMNeT++ (https://omnetpp.org/) is a simulation framework used in various domains. As
reported by the developer, OMNeT++ itself is not a simulator; rather, it provides
infrastructure and tools for simulating any system. Therefore, the existing models can be
integrated into it to study the behavior of the integrated system. Some of the release areas
in which OMNeT++ is used are as follows:
• Modeling of wired and wireless networks
• Simulation of any discrete event-based system
• Protocol modeling and performance analysis
• Hardware architecture modeling and analysis
• Performance evaluation of any complex system
Consequently, it can be used in simulating smart grid communication network with limited
support of power grid simulation.

14.1.6 GridLAB-D
GridLAB-D (www.gridlabd.org/) is another important simulation tool used for modeling
power grid systems. It captures all the latest technologies used in power delivery system.
GridLAB-D can be used for the following purposes:
• Design of distribution automation system
• Peak load management – an important aspect of smart grid

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 230 Smart Grid Technology: A Cloud Computing and Data Management Approach

• Modeling distributed energy generation and storage

• Dynamic rate structure analysis of electricity
Therefore, GridLAB-D can be used to model most of the smart grid energy systems with
limited support of communication network.

14.1.7 SUMO
We observed in Chapter 12 that PHEVs play an important role in the smart grid energy
management system. Therefore, simulation of PHEVs’ mobility in an urban scenario is
also important. SUMO (sumo.dlr.de/) is a simulator in which the mobility of PHEVs can
be modeled for a given scenario. For example, if there are no real traces of mobility of
PHEVs, SUMO can be used to generate mobility traces for a given city. The trace can be
used to model the PHEVs’ movement pattern in the city. It is to be noted that SUMO is
used to generate traces, but not for simulating a system. It can be integrated with NS-3 or
any other suitable simulator to model and analyze the system behavior.

14.2 Summary
In this chapter, we discussed the existing simulation tools that are useful to model and
analyze the smart grid system, while highlighting the limitations. As can be observed,
none of the simulation tools completely supports both the objective of a smart grid
system–communication network and power grid network. A trade-off always exists, i.e.,
people working in the field of smart grid communication network modeling can prefer
network simulators over power grid simulators. On the other hand, people working in the
field of power grid network modeling can prefer power grid simulators over network
simulators.

References
[1] The Open Distribution System Simulator (OpenDSS), Electric Power Research Institute. Accessed 08
August 2017. Available at smartgrid.epri.com/simulationtool.aspx.
[2] A MATLAB Power System Simulation Package. Accessed 08 August 2017. Available at
pserce.cornul.edu/matpovd/.

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