A Connectivity Strategy for the Evaluation of Smart Grid Models Based on the Ethernet Technology

A simulation strategy that enables data transmission between the modeled components of a Smart Grid is proposed in this paper. The proposed simulation strategy, referred to as the connectivity strategy, enables the integration of a physical communication network into Smart Grids simulations. The connectivity strategy comprises three steps: selection of Smart Grids functionality, data transmission over a TCP/IP network, and connectivity strategy evaluation. Each step is described to ensure transparency and reproducibility in Smart Grid simulations, addressing the limitations associated with the lack of specifications when a communication network is implemented into power systems simulations. Furthermore, a Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) approach is presented for developing and evaluating the proposed connectivity strategy using the HIL technique. Through this approach, the strategy is validated by establishing the communication between simulation and embedded systems via a physical Ethernet network. In a case study, the use of the connectivity strategy to simulate a distribution system automation (DA) functionality is demonstrated. This simulation allows the evaluation of protection schemes in a Smart Grid using MATLAB/Simulink and a Texas Instruments development kit. Results show that the proposed connectivity strategy could estimate the communication delays for different simulation scenarios.