Development of a laboratory platform for distributed grid management applications

This paper describes practical experiences in the design and implementation of a laboratory platform for developing and evaluating distributed grid management applications. The applications considered here are focused primarily on the implementation of control mechanisms for demand response of a heterogeneous portfolio of loads and distributed energy resources connected at low voltage levels. Lessons learned from the development of interfaces to various devices for integration into complex multi-host distributed control system architectures are described. Additionally, the authors provide reflections on practical aspects of building such systems and propose a set of requirements for the development of larger pilot tests.