Integrated modeling of the electric grid, communications, and control

This paper addresses a central concern in modeling and simulating electric grids and the information infrastructure that monitors and controls them. As the electric power infrastructure incorporates modern computing and communication technology, joint (hybrid) simulations of continuous power system models and discrete event models of communication, computation, and control operations become essential for understanding how the complete system behaves. In particular, new methods are needed to model and simulate hybrid scenarios for systems as large and complex as the electric grid. Here we offer a particular approach to modeling and simulation of hybrid systems as an enabling technology for analysis (via simulation) of modern electric power grids. Our approach, based on the Discrete Event System Specification (DEVS), integrates existing simulation tools into a unified simulation scheme. We demonstrate this approach with an integrated information and electric grid model of a distributed, automatic frequency maintenance activity.