Real time simulation for the study on smart grid

This paper introduces the latest real time simulation technologies and their applications to the smart grid related studies. A real time simulation platform now built at the Ohio State University is described in detail. With the help of this platform, distributed real time simulation of complex power system integrated with high switching speed power electronics components, renewable energy resources, and communication networks can be fulfilled. Two case studies are performed to illustrate the platform. The first realizes intentional islanding and seamless transition of the smart grid during a power grid failure; the other integrates communication network and power network simulation together to explore communication and distributed control issues in the smart grid.