Prototypical communication systems for electrical distribution system analysis: Design basis and exemplification through co-simulation

This paper develops prototypical communication system (PCS) models to support the analysis of electric distribution systems dependency on communication. Though there exist representative and prototypical distribution test systems, i.e., IEEE test feeders and the taxonomy of prototypical feeders, there are no standard definitions of communication systems appropriate for studies of system interdependence. To accurately represent the impact communication systems have on electric distribution system operations, the paper introduces the design basis for developing PCS models highlighting key characteristics of communication systems architectures and commonly-deployed technologies. It follows with functional definitions, implementations, and an example of how PCSs can be used for system analysis. The approach leverages existing open-source modeling and simulation tools. Co-simulation is achieved with ns-3 for PCSs, GridLAB-D\textsuperscript{\texttrademark} for distribution systems, and Python\textsuperscript{\texttrademark} for distribution system control centers. The Hierarchical Engine for Large-Scale Infrastructure Co-simulation (HELICS) environment is used to federate these individual simulators. It allows for different PCSs to be integrated with distribution systems and analyzed in different scenarios. This underlines the importance of correctly identifying network topologies and technologies and their impact on the system control strategies. Though this work uses specific tools development and implementation, the PCS models can be used in other simulation environments.