Villas Framework for Distributed SIL voltage optimization with Renewables and Ultrafast Charging Stations

In this paper, a VILLAS framework for distributed software-in-the-loop (DSIL) voltage optimization with renewables and ultrafast charging stations (CSs) is proposed. The VILLAS framework is a powerful system for local and geographically DSIL, real-time hardware in the loop (HIL) and power HIL (PHIL) emulations for electric energy systems. This paper presents a novel and scalable distributed co-simulation framework for DSIL testing that operates at the network-centric abstraction level. The IEEE 123-node MV test feeder, equipped with DERs such as photovoltaic systems (PVs) and ultrafast electric vehicle (EV) CSs is considered. The entire DSIL runs on four machines geographically distributed at two different sites. One machine emulates the distribution network and solves the power flow equations to solve the voltage-optimization problem; the second machine emulates the EV ultrafast CSs optimising its power consumption, and the other two execute the VILLAS nodes connecting the two sites. This work differs from previous studies, based on VILLAS, for the introduction of local optimization methods and the exchange of dynamic power limits for control within a given task update interval. A case study aimed to check the performances of the optimization services for different task update intervals demonstrates the feasibility of developing and validating complex system-level services for future energy communities by DSIL.