1. Coordinating Worldwide Distribution Planning Model Development via an Open Source Modeling Platform
Roger Dugan (EPRI), Davis Montenegro (UniAndes), and Mark McGranaghan (EPRI)
Cigre USNC Grid of the Future Symposium
Chicago, IL, October 12, 2015

2. Impact of the OpenDSS Program
EPRI made its Distribution System Simulator (DSS) program open source in Sept 2008
To accelerate development of new tools for Smart Grid/Grid Modernization efforts
Open source model is ideal for orgs. like EPRI with a public benefit mission and collaborative model
OpenDSS has become popular worldwide, particularly with graduate students and consultants
Focusing on advancing the state of the art rather than repeating development of fundamental tools
This is a summary of its impact on distribution system analysis applications worldwide

3. Evolved from Harmonics solvers rather than power flow solvers
What is OpenDSS?
Comprehensive electrical power system simulation tool – for distribution systems, primarily
Evolved from Harmonics solvers rather than power flow solvers
Gives OpenDSS extraordinary distribution system modeling capability
Supports all rms steady-state (i.e., frequency domain) analyses commonly performed for utility distribution system planning
Can be scripted for new, unanticipated types of analyses
Original purpose in 1997: DG interconnection analysis

4. Main Simulation Engine
OpenDSS Structure
Text
Scripts
Main Simulation Engine
COM Interface
User-Written DLLs
Scripts, Results

5. Finding the Program

6. Worldwide Downloads (Updated Oct-7-2015)
From Sourceforge.net

7. List of Countries (Partial)

8. Countries (Map)
From Sourceforge.net

9. Bogota: University de Los Andes
Gustavo Ramos (Prof.)
Davis Montenegro
Miguel Hernandez
Real time simulations with OpenDSS
DSSim-PC: Labview-based tool
Harmonics, Dynamics
(Uniandes)

10. HIL at Uniandes

11. Parallel Processing (A-Diakoptics)

12. Sequential-Time Harmonics with DSSim-PC

13. Sequential-Time Harmonics

14. Manchester UK – LV Circuit Modeling
Luis F. (Nando) Ochoa (Prof.)
Alejandro Navarro Espinosa
Andreas Procopiou
(Univ. of Manchester)

15. Voltage Management in PV-Rich LV Networks15
Traditional voltage management
Smart Grid
DG penetration in MV and LV
Voltage rise in MV and LV coincide
OLTC replacing Off-load tap changer
[Objectives] To assess the performance of different OLTC-based control settings that can ensure customer voltages are within statutory limits whilst minimizing tap operations.

16. Test Network Real UK LV Network (Landgate ENWL)
Modelling: Network
Test Network Real UK LV Network (Landgate ENWL)
500 kVA Transformer
11kV/433V, 3-phase
Unbalanced
351 Customers
OpenDSS is used for the simulations
Matlab drives OpenDSS via the COM interface
Feeder ID  1 2 3 4 5 6
# Customers 49 21 30
100 68 83
Total Length (km)
1.22
0.67
0.78
2.32
1.83
2.48

17. Deterministic Case of Voltage Control with OLTC-fitted transformer
Daily Voltage Profiles of all customers, based on different control cycles
1 minute control cycle
10 minute control cycle
70% of houses with PV system
1 minute
Control Cycle
10 minute
Control Cycle
Fixed Voltage Target
at 1.04 p.u.
20 minute control cycle
30 minute control cycle
Fixed Voltage Target
at 1.04 p.u.
Voltage profiles are kept within voltage limits. Longer control cycles keep the same performance
30 minute
Control Cycle
20 minute
Control Cycle

18. Research and Education with OpenDSS at University of Pittsburgh
MS-Level Classes: Line Constants, Load Flow Methods
FirstEnergy Project: Web Application for DG Analytics
EPRI Project: Adaptive Voltage Regulation for PV Inverters
Tom McDermott,

19. 7/24/2015
A new inverter controller called “ExpControl” has been added to OpenDSS.
Controller Block Diagram
Test circuit impedances and
Inverter size
“Washout response” of voltage set-point
OpenDSS at Pitt
OpenDSS at Pitt

20. Voltage profiles and quasi-static time series run from the web browser on a full feeder model.
OpenDSS at Pitt

21. Brazil - Evaluating Losses

22. Italy: Co-simulation of Power and ICT

23. Italy - U. Of Cagliari Co-Simulation Environment Gianni Celli, Fabrizio Pilo, et. al.

24. DNV GL – Energy Storage Valuation
Michael Kleinberg, PhD.
Rick Fioravanti
Frederic Dubois

25. Storage Peak Shaving Potential

26. ESGRID Project Execution
User Interface
Load Profiles
Devices
Controls
Assumptions
Distribution Circuit Model(s)
(OpenDSS)
Model Data Processing
Select
Run
Analyze
Inputs
Circuit (OpenDSS)
PV/wind scenarios
Load and PV profiles
Energy storage
Control models
Financial
Engineering Outputs
kW delta (time)
Energy kW
Voltage levels (time)
Harmonics
Equipment usage (#)
Storage usage (# cycles)
Translation
Capacity
Energy shifted
Energy savings
Asset lifetime
Storage lifetime
Financial Outputs
Storage costs
Storage benefits
- Avoided costs
- Earnings
Alternative benefits
Asset loss of life
Deferral values

27. IEEE PES WG Contributions

28. IEEE Test Feeder for LV (UK) Daily Power Flow Analysis

29. IEEE 8500-Node Unbalanced Test Feeder

30. NEV Test Case

31. Effectiveness of research around the world is enhanced.
Conclusions
The Open Source model can be a great support for ongoing innovation and collaboration around the world.
Effectiveness of research around the world is enhanced.
Simulation methods and tools for distribution planning is particularly appropriate for open source tools and collaboration
Much innovation and new development is needed to support the “integrated grid”
Scope of collaboration is truly international, becoming a real accelerator for innovation

32. Conclusions
Putting EPRI’s DSS program into open source (as OpenDSS) has opened up many new frontiers in Distribution Planning Modeling
EPRI’s vision for making the program open source has exceeded expectations
Many involved in distribution planning worldwide have benefitted from this decision