Smart grids evolve rapidly towards a system that includes components from different domains, which makes interdisciplinary modelling and analysis indispensable. In this paper, we present a cosimulation architecture for smart grids together with a comprehensive data model for the holistic representation of the power system, the communication network, and the energy market. Cosimulation is preferred over a monolithic approach since it allows leveraging the capabilities of existing, well-established domain-specific software. The challenges that arise in a multidomain smart grid cosimulation are identified for typical use cases through a discussion of the recent literature. Based on the identified requirements and use cases, a joint representation of the smart grid ecosystem is facilitated by a comprehensive data model. The proposed data model is then integrated in a software architecture, where the domain-specific simulators for the power grid, the communication network, and the market mechanisms are combined in a cosimulation framework. The details of the software architecture and its implementation are presented. Finally, the implemented framework is used for the cosimulation of a virtual power plant, where battery storages are controlled by a novel peak-shaving algorithm, and the battery storages and the market entity are interfaced through a communication network.
Towards automated engineering and validation of cyber-physical energy systems