Van Hoa Nguyen

Simulation-based validation of smart grids - status quo and future research trends

Smart grid systems are characterized by high complexity due to interactions between a traditional passive network and active power electronic components, coupled using communication links. Additionally, automation and information technology plays an important role in order to operate and optimize such cyber-physical energy systems with a high(er) penetration of fluctuating renewable generation and controllable loads. As a result of these developments the validation on the system level becomes much more important during the whole engineering and deployment process, today. In earlier development stages and for larger system configurations laboratory-based testing is not always an option. Due to recent developments, simulation-based approaches are now an appropriate tool to support the development, implementation, and roll-out of smart grid solutions. This paper discusses the current state of simulation-based approaches and outlines the necessary future research and development directions in the domain of power and energy systems.

Cyber-physical energy systems modeling, test specification, and co-simulation based testing

The gradual deployment of intelligent and coordinated devices in the electrical power system needs careful investigation of the interactions between the various domains involved. Especially due to the coupling between ICT and power systems a holistic approach for testing and validating is required. Taking existing (quasi-) standardised smart grid system and test specification methods as a starting point, we are developing a holistic testing and validation approach that allows a very flexible way of assessing the system level aspects by various types of experiments (including virtual, real, and mixed lab settings). This paper describes the formal holistic test case specification method and applies it to a particular co-simulation experimental setup. The various building blocks of such a simulation (i.e., FMI, mosaik, domain-specific simulation federates) are covered in more detail. The presented method addresses most modeling and specification challenges in cyber-physical energy systems and is extensible for future additions such as uncertainty quantification.

CIM and OPC UA for interoperability of micro-grid platforms

In this paper, we are interested in the problem of interoperability of micro-grid platforms, particularly in information and communication layers. The implementation of Common Information Model (CIM) semantic over OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) protocol, particularly the mapping of CIM semantic to OPC UA address space, is also considered, to ensure that the exchanged data is mutually and correctly understood by all the partners of the network We provide some insights about requirements to deliver OPC-based application via WAN connection. This combination brings CIM semantic to the OPC UA communication and allows the provision of OPC-based applications via WAN connection. This contribution enables a seamless and meaningful communication among partners of the collaboration network and provides a strong support for interoperability of micro-grid platforms.

Novel hybrid cloud based SCADA approach for interoperability of micro-grid platforms

In the context of smart grid development, this paper considers the problem of interoperability of micro-grid platforms, particularly among research institutions. Various levels of interoperability are introduced with the respective requirements. The primary aim of the paper is to propose a suitable private hybrid cloud based SCADA architecture satisfying various necessities in the framework of interoperability of micro-grid platforms while maintaining security restrictions. Due to the limited time restriction of critical SCADA functions in the electrical grid, only selected non-critical SCADA functions are accessible to partners from the private cloud. The critical SCADA tasks functionality remains under control of local server, thus, a hybrid cloud architecture. The communication model is based on Platform as a Service (PaaS) delivery model of cloud computing.