Model-based integration technology for next generation electric grid simulations

Simulation-based evaluation of the behavior of the electric grid is complex, as it involves multiple, heterogeneous, interacting cyber-physical system like domains. Each simulation domain has sophisticated tools, but their integration into a coherent framework is a very difficult, time-consuming, laborintensive, and error-prone task. This means that computational studies cannot be done rapidly and the process does not provide timely answers to the planners, operators and policy makers. Furthermore, grid behavior has to be tested against a number of scenarios and situations, meaning that a huge number of simulations must be executed covering the potential space of possibilities. Designing and efficiently deploying such computational experiments by utilizing multi-domain tools for integrated smart grid is a major challenge. This paper addresses these important issues by integrating multiple modeling tools from diverse domains in a single coherent framework for integrated simulation of smart grids.