On the Use of Real-Time Simulation Technology in Smart Grid Research and Development

This paper discusses the various aspects involving the research and development of smart grids. Discussed are applications, from large grid renewable integration, wide-area monitoring, protection, and control systems to microgrids. Load scheduling and power balance, communications issues, understanding customer behavior, large-area protection, and distribution control are only some aspects of the challenge of making power grids more robust and more intelligent. The potential complexity of such smart grids requires careful study and analysis before actual realization. This paper explains how such challenges are addressed using real-time simulation technologies in different laboratories around the world.