An OpenDSS implementation of a generic municipal microgrid for co-simulation

Abstract

This thesis provides a summary of the development process of a microgrid simulation model using OpenDSS software, as well as simulations and co-simulations using said model. Many power system research problems may be solved via the deployment simulations. However, for real-world problems he computational efforts for detailed dynamic modeling may be impractical or excessive. OpenDSS provides a framework within which a model of a small- or large-scale system may be implemented without the representation dynamics, with extensive co-simulation capabilities. We discuss the modeling of a generic 8-bus microgrid that consists of 200 residential loads plus an additional load for the local control building, three generation resources – solar, wind, and gas – and a battery storage resource. We use historical environmental data from Decatur, Illinois, together with realistic consumer load shapes to simulate and analyze various unbalanced and quasi-balanced situations. In addition, we present results of co-simulation studies on such a model in an OpenDSS application to evaluate various potential scenarios.