Hierarchical simulation modeling framework for electrical power quality and operational decision-making

A two level hierarchical simulation modeling framework is proposed for electric power networks involving PV based solar generators, various storage units (batteries and compressed air energy storage), and grid connection. The high level model, from a utility company perspective, concerns operational decision making (e.g. determined price for customers; energy amount being sold to or bought from bulk grid) and defining regulations (e.g. maximum load in general or during peak hours) for customers for a reduced cost and enhanced reliability. The lower level model concerns changes in power quality factors and changes in demand behavior caused by customers' response to operational decisions and regulations made by the utility company at the high level. The higher level is based on system dynamics and agent-based modeling while the lower level is based on agent-based modeling and circuit-level continuous time modeling. An integration and coordination framework is developed, which details the sequence and frequency of interactions between two models. The proposed framework is demonstrated with a case study with a real utility company, where real-time or historical data is used for solar insolation, storage units, demand profiles, and price of electricity of grid.